A little over a year since the Reynolds Center, where the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery are housed, re-opened its doors, it continues to celebrate huge improvements to the building. This Sunday stop by for the grand opening of the Kogod Courtyard, which will include tons of musical performances both in the courtyard and inside on the third floor, hands-on activities for all ages (a Lite Brite station!), and, as usual,... more ›

This Sunday, 150 crafters from all over the country will descend upon Adams Morgan to hawk their one of a kind, hand-made items. Kitschy jewelry, googly eyed plushes, fashionable purses, reconstructed clothing and hand printed cards are the norm at the City Paper's annual Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair. With humble beginnings in 2004, Crafty Bastards took place during an unfortunate downpour at the Columbia Heights Community Marketplace. City Paper really didn't know what... more ›

For those of you who love the Warehouse Arts Complex as much as we do, some bittersweet news just came in from owners Paul and Molly Ruppert. As you've already heard, Warehouse will close its cafe and music venue at the end of this month, thanks to skyrocketing property tax bills. Not that we had any doubts, but we're pleased to learn that the Rupperts are organizing a closing night gathering to say goodbye to... more ›

>> Tonight, jazz veteran and six-time Grammy nominee Mark Murphy pays a visit to Blues Alley for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets are available online. $25 cover + $10 food/drink minimum. >> Keyboardist Marcus Johnson brings his smooth jazz stylings to Blues Alley for a four night stand beginning Thursday. Sets are at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. $25 cover + $10 food/drink minimum. >> Velvet Lounge will host some not-so-run-of-the-mill improvisation this... more ›

FRIDAY: >> We told you all about the Buzzlife White Party at Five yesterday, so follow the link for more details. >> ArtOutlet presents its first ever Flash animation film festival, called Flick, at Warehouse. Tim Bracken opens the event with an alt-country set at 7 p.m., with screenings from selected artists beginning at 8. $5 suggested donation, also Saturday. SATURDAY: >> Like we mentioned in this week's music agenda, the artwork of Mingering Mike,... more ›

Rugby fans, rejoice! This Sunday, the Embassy of New Zealand presents the Tenth Annual Ambassador's Shield Match at Trinity College. When it comes to rugby, the Kiwis represent: the New Zealand All-Blacks, currently the top-ranked team in the world, is the game's most legendary team. Maria Vastola, the Manager of the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union (MARFU) Women's Select Side, tells us point blank that the Shield Match is "highest quality rugby you will get in the DC area." If you want to argue that point with rugby players--hey, be our guest. more ›

This Sunday marks the end of Daylight Saving Time, so when the last call bell rings at 2 a.m., set your watch back an hour and buy everyone another round. Any excuse for an extra hour of partying is fine with us, so let's toast to Ben Franklin, but do it ironically, since he may have come up with the idea just so people would go to bed earlier. more ›

You're running out of time for that trip to the country to find the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween. No one should feel obligated to go quite as far as Ric Griffith, the West Virginia man featured in a little write-up in the Post yesterday (this picture is not to be believed). more ›

This Sunday's opinion piece was written by Kelly Mack. Feel like sounding off? Email us . more ›

Protests in D.C. are a dime a dozen, but demonstrations for causes as compelling as stepping up to save the people of Darfur deserve what little pimping we can give them. This Sunday the Save Darfur Coalition is taking to the National Mall, hoping to mass enough people to push President George W. Bush into taking more firm action to stop what has been referred to as a slow-moving genocide in the western Sudanese... more ›

We've mentioned it before, but in case you missed it, Fusebox is closing its doors, and they have indeed announced a closing reception: It's this Saturday, Feb. 11 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sarah and Patrick would like to invite everyone to come and drink a toast to five years of great art. Other gallery owners no doubt are also encouraged to attend and poach their now homeless roster of artists. See you all there. more ›

This really is a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. We have a secret. We feel, as the quasi-journalist wannabees that we are, that the public has a right to know our secret. Then again, every other time we have disclosed similar secrets, we've gotten full in-boxes worth of hate mail. This one has sat for long enough, though, and word is filtering out already. So please, easy on the hating. more ›

We considered not even posting the Classical Music Agenda this week, given how few concerts there are to hear. (Our concert schedule for the month of August at Ionarts is the shortest it's ever been.) Still, it would be pathetic for this DCist to shirk work this easy, so we promise to keep it short. Basically, it comes down to one of two instruments, cello or organ, and both are free. So, choose your poison.... more ›

MONDAY: >> The definite must-see show this evening is sure to be Q and Not U's performance at Fort Reno. As we reported earlier, the band is breaking up, and this concert will be one of their last. But if you can't make it tonight, don't worry too much - they're playing shows at the Black Cat September 22 and 23. Tonight, the politically-charged hip hop group Son of Nun opens, and the music gets... more ›

Classical Music Agenda by DCist contributor Charles T. Downey of Ionarts If you have not done your civic duty and Taken a Friend to the Orchestra yet this month, Washington is not the place to try to make that happen in late May. We don't have much to suggest for your classical listening pleasure this week, but you can keep yourself informed by following our Classical Week in Washington column at Ionarts. FREE CONCERTS: >>... more ›

(Classical music agenda by DCist contributor Charles T. Downey of Ionarts) Having done this agenda a couple times as a bimonthly column, we feel like we don't talk to you people regularly enough. Some readers have wondered why DCist is covering classical music, but we also know that other readers have gone to concerts suggested here and rediscovered a latent interest in things classical. Therefore, we resolve to give you a look at the concerts... more ›

(Classical music agenda contributed by Charles T. Downey of Ionarts) Want to hear something classical to impress your family and friends? At DCist, we have some quick picks for you, and can you say free concerts? That's right, Washington has more excellent classical music to be heard for free than probably anywhere else, and we're here to tell you about it. For more information, see our Concert Schedule at Ionarts. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS: >> Free... more ›

This Sunday, celebrity fashion will be mocked, pools of nominees will be pored over, and Chris Rock will be unleashed to lambaste an unsuspecting Hollywood. It’s time for the Oscars -- that four-plus-hours long glitz fest that transfixes the entertainment world once a year. more ›

D.C. is home to a few interesting holiday traditions, but the Eighth Annual Norwegian Christmas is certainly one of the most unique. more ›