“Continuum” Diptych, Acrylic, 30” x54” by Nancy Novick.

Mother Nature may have decided that in lieu of a nice, gradual transition from winter to summer by way of spring that she’s going to just plunge us straight into the hot and humid fires of hell, but that shouldn’t stop you from checking out these upcoming art events, sweat stains and frizzy hair be damned.

>> First up on Thursday evening is a gallery talk with Lee Glazer, the curator of American art at the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art, at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Glazer will discuss artist and naturalist Abbott Thayer’s painting Mount Manadnock and how it came to be a part of the Corcoran collection. Free. 6:30 p.m.

>> Touchstone Gallery holds an opening reception for Nancy Novick’s A Fine Line and Janathel Shaw’s Grieving, Grooving, and Growing on Friday evening. Novick’s paintings are connected by lines and the hint at the passage of time and the vastness of the universe while Shaw’s sculptures deal with the natural cycle of grief, acceptance and growth. 6 to 8:30 p.m.

>> For fans of horror and psychedelic films, the Washington Project for the Arts is offering Coup d’Espace: The Final Girl Exhibition + Video Store opening on Friday. The exhibit will examine the female role in such films as well as raise questions about these genres’ grotesque and celebratory treatment of the female body. Set in the context of a video store, the exhibit will feature work in various mediums, a video viewing room and DVD compilations available for rental. 6 to 8 p.m.

>> The Indian Summer Showcase at the National Museum of the American Indian begins this Friday with Songs on the Wind: Visiting Huichol Artists which features artists, musicians and leaders from the indigenous Huíchol community of Nayarít Mexico. Three workshops will take place that demonstrate the art and techniques the Huíchol community is known for: beadwork (chaquíra), embroidery (bordado), and yarn painting (arte en estambre). Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

>> If you’ve ever looked at a painting and wondered how a jazz musician might interpret it as music (I mean, who hasn’t?), then this weekend is your chance to find out! As a part of the DC Jazz Festival (our preview coming later today), the Phillips Collection presents Jazz ‘n Families Fun Days 2011. Each day features a unique lineup of artists and is sure to be fun for the whole family. Visitors can create jazz-inspired artwork, listen to musicians improvise to artwork, and check out the instrument petting zoo. I’ve always wanted to pet a trombone. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free.

>> Gallery 555dc will host an opening reception on Saturday for the Michele Cormier Farewell Tour and the Washington Glass School 10th Anniversary Student Exhibit. Cormier is moving back to her native Canada (eh?), and this is the final exhibit of her work here in the States. She is best known for her abstract landscapes, tree paintings, and “Red Chair” series. Noon to 5 p.m. Artists will be present from 3 to 5 p.m.

>> The American University Museum will host an opening for ECO: A Photographic Exhibition by Twenty Collectives from Europe and Latin America Focusing on the Environment on Saturday. Each collective was given the task of creating visual essays about the environment. With no curatorial influence, they had to define “environment” for themselves and were responsible for their own production and editorial processes. A panel featuring photographer Iata Cannavara and Sergi Camara begins at 5 p.m. with the opening to follow at 6 p.m. RSVP required for the panel.

>> The National Gallery of Art will be showing films by Kevin Jerome Everson beginning this Sunday at 4:30 p.m. in Materials, Process, Procedure and Subject, during which the artists will offer two short films and a discussion of his work. On Sunday June 25 at 4:30 p.m., Everson will return and premiere his feature film Erie and his short film Half On, Half Off. He’ll also participate in a question-and-answer session. Free.

Call to [Hip-Hop] Artists: The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities is looking for hip hop artists to participate in the 8th Annual Dance DC Festival. The application deadline is Wednesday, June 8 at 5:30 p.m.

Art Notes:

• Pass Gallery hosts an opening reception for Geometry and Color on Friday. The exhibition features the work of J.T.Kirkland, Larry Lairson, and Rogelio Maxwell. 7 to 10 p.m.
• I know it’s hot, but the next Marcātus is taking place at Yards Park on Sunday. 11 am to 6 p.m.
• Washington Printmakers Gallery will host an opening reception for Cuttings from a Winter Garden, a solo exhibition by Max-Karl Winkler. Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. An artist talk and reception will take place on June 11 from 1 to 4 p.m.
• Civilian Art Projects hosts an artist talk with Terri Weifenbach to discuss the closing of her current exhibit Woods II. Saturday, 4 p.m.
• Local author Barb Winters will discuss how 800 letters of correspondence between three interrelated families offers a unique look at life in Alexandria from 1817 until 1940. This event will take place at the Morrison House on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.