FRIDAY:
>> I’ll be at BloomBars tonight to celebrate DCist arts editor Heather Goss’ first Ten Miles Square opening, a new venture she’s started to promote emerging photographers. Heather’s the brains behind our popular DCist Exposed photography show, so if you enjoy the photos we pick for Exposed (and daily on DCist, for that matter), odds are good you’ll like what you see tonight in Move Along, featuring the photography of Tracy Clayton, Pat Padua, Katy Ray and Matt Smith. Reception is from 8 to 11 p.m., with a number of live performances inside the Bloombars space to accompany the show.
>> Allan Harris spent much of his career as a jazz crooner along the lines of Johnny Hartman, when he suddenly decided he was equal parts jazz man and country singer. He’s at the Kennedy Center to perform the second part of his Cross That River trilogy project, titled Cry of the Thunderbird. This theatrical concert, set in the 1850s, chronicles the life-transforming journey of Blue, an escaped slave from Louisiana who makes his way to Texas, where he becomes a black cowboy. The music combines jazz, gospel, blues, country, bluegrass, folk, and Native American strains. Tickets to the 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets are $25.
>> The “Wailin’ Mailman,” D.C. tenor sax jazz legend Buck Hill, will be playing sets tonight and Saturday at Twins Jazz. Now in his 80s, Hill is semi-retired, so take the opportunity to catch this local institution. Tickets to the 9 and 11 p.m. sets are $15.
>> Just looking to dance? Look no further than a set by big name house DJs Chris Burns, Baltimore’s DJ Spen, Marc Evans, and several others at the Trinidad & Tobago Association (5123 Georgia Avenue NW). $10, 10 p.m.
>> If you’re looking for live rock that won’t cost you $45, head to Rock and Roll Hotel to see Canadian indie rockers Born Ruffians and Plants and Animals. 10:30 p.m., $10.
SATURDAY:
>> I have a hard time totally endorsing going to see Mirah at the Black Cat. Don’t get me wrong, I heart Mirah. But the last time she played the main stage, more than half the room was talking over her winsome, subdued, beautiful set, and I ended up leaving early in frustration. Still, if you love Mirah, you’ll probably want to go anyway, so I hereby grant you all permission to shush people at this show. No kidding. Shush! Vancouver’s No Kids open. 9 p.m., $15.
>> From 5 to 7 p.m. at the Busboys and Poets, check out a big author event for The FWord Anthology, featuring six British black poets and fiction writers who will all be on hand to explore the theme of freedom in commemoration of the Parliamentary Act of 1807, which abolished the British slave trade.
>> We’re starting to dig Lode Runner (which includes members of Ra Ra Rasputin), locals who perform some lush, spacey euro-trash pop with real gusto. They’re at the Velvet Lounge with Baltimore’s Mr. Moccasin and Austin’s groovy guitar-heavy shoegaze purveyors Ringo Deathstarr. 10 p.m., $8.
SUNDAY:
>> Acclaimed Durham, NC hip-hop duo Little Brother is at the Black Cat. With Dirty Water, $18, 8 p.m.
>> Don’t miss our film picks for the week, which includes a free screening of the excellent French noir heist film Rififi at 4:30 p.m. at the National Gallery.
>> Since you’re heading to the National Gallery anyway, check out the opening of Jan Lievens: A Dutch Master Rediscovered. A friend of Rembrandt, many of Lievens’ paintings were mistakenly attributed to the more famous artist, as they feature similar subjects and techniques. The show includes over 100 works by Lievens, who besides being a prolific painter, delved into printmaking and drawing. Two opening lectures will be held at 2 p.m. in the East Building Concourse Auditorium.
>> The Torpedo Factory Art Center hosts an art and wine night, featuring a selection of Virginia wines in honor of Virginia Wine Month. Reception is 6:30 to 9 p.m. A panel, including Philippa Hughes of the Pink Line Project, Shauna Lee Lange of the Arts Advisory and Susannah Parnin of Art Whino, will discuss how to buy art. $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
>> Tickets are still available to see Deerhoof, Experimental Dental School and Flying at 9:30 Club. 7 p.m. $15.
>> Cult twee indie poppers the Magnetic Fields are at Lisner Auditorium. 8 p.m., $35.
Photo by intemporelle
