FRIDAY:
>> There is no place you should be tonight between 5 and 9 p.m. other than the Gallery at Flashpoint, for the opening reception of DCist Exposed 2009. The reception is totally free, there will be complimentary wine, and you’ll get to see the 45 winning images professionally framed (and available for sale!) in the gorgeous gallery space. How many times do we have to tell you? See you tonight.
>> For options after 9 p.m., we’re recommending heading over to see Cuban piano sensation Chuchito Valdez, son of master pianist Chucho Valdez, who will be performing tonight and Saturday at HR-57. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $20.It does indeed look like these shows are next weekend. We apologize for the confusion.
>> Tickets are still available for the excellent Drive-By Truckers at the 9:30 Club. Expect two-and-a-half to three hours of meaty, beady, big and bouncy southern rockitude. DBT’s return also offers a fine occasion to revisit our chat with Patterson Hood, the group’s garrulous and kindly (primary) frontman, from last May. With Bloodkin. 8 p.m. doors, $25. Also Saturday.
SATURDAY:
>> South Asian arts collective Subcontinental Drift, of which DCist jazz writer Sriram Gopal is an organizer, is hosting an afternoon Carnatic (South Indian classical) recital on Saturday. The performance takes place at the Smith Farm Healing Arts Gallery at 1 p.m., and will feature vocalist Yaamini Lalitha Rao and violinist Rangashree Varadarajan. Tickets are $10 and will go on sale at the door one hour prior to the show on a first come first served basis.
>> Don’t forget to check our film picks for the week, including the Black Maria Festival shorts collection, the long-running New Jersey-based festival of experimental film and video. Their mission is to “advocate, exhibit and reward cutting edge works from independent film and videomakers”. Following the festival’s award ceremony in early February, the festival takes its award-winning films on the road. From now until June the collection will screen at dozens of locations across the country, and D.C. gets its turn this weekend, as the feature-length program has a single showing at the National Gallery of Art. Free, 2 p.m.
>> Art Enables is throwing themselves a seven-year birthday party on Saturday. Enjoy cake and wine and check out their studios from 3 to 5 p.m.
>> From 3 to 5 p.m., check out the new Founding Farmers restaurant while enjoying a sure-to-be both funny and polite talk with Mind Your Manners!: George Washington’s Rules of Civility author James Henry. The book uses 110 maxims and illustrations to showcase our first president’s “rules of civility,” and the event will include light hors d’œuvres, a colonial drink special and discounted books.
>> It’s the last night to catch exciting young pianist Yuja Wang in her debut with the National Symphony Orchestra, performing Prokofiev’s second concerto. Conductor Charles Dutoit will be at the podium, also leading works by Ravel and Stravinsky. $20 – $80.
>> Slumdog Millionaire fans looking forward to the Academy Awards can celebrate Danny Boyle’s rags-to-riches love story at a pre-Oscar party at 10 p.m. at Panache Restaurant and Lounge in downtown D.C. Indian composer A.R. Rahman, DJ Ali Ji will spin music from the movie—including the finale “Jai Ho” and the M.I.A. tune “Paper Planes”—along with popular Top 40, hip hop, and Bollywood hits, plus drawings for Slumdog memorabilia. Doors open at 10 p.m. Tickets are $15 by signing up at rsvp@dmvabcd.com. The event is a benefit for the Hamara Foundation.
>> “Somehow a Justin Jones performance overpowers even the most twang-averse listener,” wrote DCist in 2007. Put our claim to the test when Virginy native and Three Stars alum Justin Jones and the Driving Rain bring it on home to IOTA. 9 p.m., $12.
>> The Rock and Roll Hotel hosts locals Known Unknowns for a CD release party, with The Dance Party, Ra Ra Rasputin, and The Roosevelt lending their support. 9 p.m., $10.
SUNDAY:
>> Today’s weekend lecture at the National Gallery of Art continues their Collecting of African American Art Lecture Series with a conversation between collectors Harmon and Harriet Kelley and NYU professor Deborah Willis titled The Art of Collecting. 2 p.m. in the East Building Auditorium.
>> Later on Sunday at the National Gallery of Art (6:30 p.m.) the Mendelssohn Piano Trio continues the Mendelssohn celebration with an all-Mendelssohn concert.
>> Bossa Bistro & Lounge hosts keyboardist Dan Roberts and other regular performers at the club as they celebrate the release of Roberts’ album, Can’t Not. The band will include Three Stars alums John Lee and Matt Rippetoe. 8:30 p.m. No cover.
>> Cro-Mags lead singer John Joseph is doing that former-punk spoken-word thing at the Black Cat Backstage. 8 p.m., $10
