There are more ways to take in our local arts scene than strolling the quiet museums on a Saturday afternoon or gulping some free wine at a gallery reception. Checking out events and lectures around the city is a great way to get exposed to not only the current exhibitions, but new ideas and theories you might not come upon while browsing the canvases by yourself.
>> Patrick Swayze probably won’t be there to perform, but you should still stop by The Phillips Collection for their weekly Artful Evening from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Tonight you can catch gallery talks at 6 and 7 p.m. on Dirty Dancing — Capturing Choreography in the Streets and learn how filmmakers put together battles between the Sharks and the Jets. Free with admission ($12 for adults).
>> After you’ve basked in the success of Saul Steinburg’s cartooning career at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, be there at 3 p.m. on Saturday for a little humor and insight into political cartoon selection by publications when New Yorker cartoonist Matthew Diffee presents The Rejection Collection: Cartoons You Never Saw and Never Will See in the New Yorker. McEvoy Auditorium, Lower Level. Free.
>> And then there’s the Corcoran, who won’t just talk about and show you examples of Modernist art from their current exhibition, but will get a little DIY, as well. This installment of Modernist Family Weekends will give the parents a rest as kids (12 and under) are given stencils and guidance to make their very own Modernist poster, along with other hands-on activities (and really, some babysitting help while parents are free to roam the galleries in peace). There are four sessions this weekend, Saturday and Sunday at noon and 4 p.m. Free with admission ($14 for adults, $10 for students, children 6 and under are free).
>> The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop is a great place for photographers looking for a place to work on their craft, without dropping a couple hundred on a four week long class commitment. This Saturday they’re holding a drop-in demonstration on photograms – an image made by placing objects onto photo-sensitive materials and then exposing it to light. Broaden your photographer’s eye outside the lens between 5 and 7 p.m. Free, all ages welcome.
Photo by mindgutter.
