In case you thought the past several days were just some wretched dream, yes, it really is September. Summer, for all intents and purposes, is deceased. School is back in session, the Amazonian humidity is behind us, and we can all look forward to a successful and productive fall. If that doesn’t cheer you up, perhaps leaving the house this weekend will? Go on, give it a shot.
FRIDAY
>>In honor of the impending bicentennial anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, Politics and Prose is hosting Adam Nicolson at 7:00 pm, author of a recent sophisticated look at Lord Nelson’s legendary naval victory. The man is quite a buff, of both Napoleonic warfare and 19th century British culture, so it should make for an interesting talk.
>>Hip-hop dancing is fun. Helping victims of hurricane devastation is also fun. Come to Lulu’s at 7:30 pm for a choreography workshop/fundraiser and have twice the fun. New Orleans may lie in ruins, but the spirit of Mardi Gras debauchery still lives on in D.C. All levels of experience and ineptitude are welcome, and 50% of all proceeds raised will go to Katrina-related efforts. Tickets are $15.
SATURDAY
>>Two big openings at the Hemphill Fine Arts tonight. One, Fragments of a Secret Life, a exhibit of vignettes and sculpture work by Renée Stout, asks the question, “Why should we think there is only one way to be a woman, to be spiritual, an African American, an artist?” Renée hopes to answer that question through artistic exploration in the form of an alter ego, “Fatima Mayfield.” For something slightly more conventional, try artist Joseph Mills’ photomontage collection, Anarch Angel, combining original collage work with found photographs. Both exhibits will be open from 6:30 – 8:30 pm on Saturday night, and will run until the 29th of October.
>>An opportunity to exercise both your cardiovascular system and your shining sense of patriotism awaits you at the Arlington Police/Fire/Sheriff 9/11 Memorial 5K. Online registration is closed, but you can register on the spot until the race begins at 6:00 pm at the Crystal City Doubletree Hotel.
>>The blogging Bluestaters are backstage at the Black Cat once again tonight, with special guest DJs from the Cricklewood Massive iPod Jukebox. The night will also function as a release party for the upcoming stellastarr* album, which drops September 13th. Doors open at 9:30 pm, and admission is free.
SUNDAY
>>The Embassy Series, a running program of international music in DC, brings famed Brazilian clarinet quintet Sujeito a Guincho to the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel Colonial Room. Brazilian crooner Mônica Salmaso will make a special guest appearance as well. Tickets are $75 (including a reception afterwards), and the evening begins at 5:30 pm.
>>The annual cultural bonanza of Adams Morgan Day is finally here. Fresh food, live music, arts, crafts, a fair for the youngsters, and vendors galore. With so much excitement and flavor, you might even forget you’re in stodgy old Northwest. It would be impossible to cram all the day’s offerings into this meager space, so visit the official website for more information.
