Oscars, Oscars, Oscars! That’s the main event going on this weekend (care to leave your picks in the comments?) but there’s tons of other fun things out there. Check out this week’s Arts Agenda and Music Agenda for some suggestions, like the opening of the Modigliani exhibit at the Phillips Collection on Saturday (a portrait of his is at right), or the continuation of the Teenbeat reunion tonight (check out shesbitter.com for some pictures of last night’s concert), and read on!
FRIDAY:
>> The Bex Blog points us toward the Alvin Ailey Dance Review, which continues through the weekend at the Kennedy Center. Says Bex, “The no-holds-barred athleticism and grace of the dancers, the lyricism and inventiveness of the choreography and stark beauty of the set (decorated only with different colored lights and sometimes bolts of cloth) made the entire experience all the more powerful.” Sounds like a winner to us. Saturday and Sunday performances appear to be sold out, but tonight’s 7:30 show still has tickets left. $29-71.
>> Yesterday we had an interview with author Curtis Sittenfeld; she appears this evening at Politics & Prose to talk about her new book, “Prep.” 7 p.m.
>> The folks over at Metroblogging DC alert us to the fact that the Freer Gallery will be showing both of Samuel Fuller’s Korean War movies this weekend, free. “Steel Helmet” will be shown tonight at 7 p.m. “Fixed Bayonets” is Sunday at 2 p.m. These films are particularly rare, so demand to see them will probably be high. Get out there early!
>> For even more film buff stuff, go over to the AFI Silver Theatre, where they’ll be showing a Martin Scorsese retrospective all weekend. Showings this evening include “Mean Streets,” “Raging Bull,” and “Taxi Driver.”
SATURDAY:
>> If you’ve been into the D.C./Arlington indie music scene for a while, you might remember our dear friend madflowr, who departed last year for Chicago. But she’s returning especially for the Make-Out Party (well, and the Teenbeat reunion), which is making one of its sporadic reappearances this weekend at the Diver City House in Arlington. Five bands will be playing, and entry is only $6-$4 if you bring a mix tape or mix cd for the mix trade. Fun gets started at 8 p.m.
>> As part of the continuing Paris on the Potomac Festival, author Aliette Armel talks about her novel, “Love, The Painter’s & The Queen of Sheba,” about Piero della Francesco’s wife. Chapters, 5 p.m.
>> Didja know it’s International Tourist Guide Day? While every day can seem like an official Tourist Day in our fair city (why can’t they just learn to STAND TO THE RIGHT?), this time the natives are taking over. ITG is all about locals checking out sights they never take advantage of. Free bus tours leave from and return to the National Building Museum from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The 3.5 hour tours include stops at the National World War II Memorial, the Iwo Jima memorial, the Japanese American Memorial, and the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.
SUNDAY:
>> Oh, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! Catty gossip talk, catty fashion talk, catty movie talk, all rolled into one big ball of delicious self-importance! The Oscars! There are several parties going on at many of D.C.’s fine institutions this weekend; Felix, AFI Silver, and the International Bar are all holding festivities. Personally, we’d recommend the D.C. Film Society’s bash at one of our favorite venues in the area, the Arlington Cinema ‘N Drafthouse. Tickets are $20; they’ll be available at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m. More info can be found here.
