Test your Star Wars knowledge at Penn Social on Monday. (Photo by Photo Phiend)
Use the Force, experience #realjazz, and more in this week’s roundup of the area’s most intriguing events.
MONDAY, APRIL 24
UNDER YOUR NOSE: The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is best-known for, well, its conventions. But unbeknownst to most, the site also boasts the city’s largest public art collection not in a museum. Take a tour of the 137 works on display, and kick yourself for not knowing about them sooner. (Washington Convention Center; 6:30 p.m.; FREE)
HONOR WITH SONG: The American composer Lou Harrison spent his career in the mid-20th century finding new ways to incorporate sounds and styles from Indonesia and other non-Western cultures into his projects. A century after his birth, he’ll earn one of the greatest honors for someone dabbling in another country’s culture: a tribute performance at that country’s embassy. (Indonesian Embassy; 8 to 10:30 p.m.; $20 donation suggested)
A REMINDER OF BRUTALITY: Before the Holocaust, the German city of Breslau was teeming with an energetic population of young Jews. But much of that promise was shredded by the tyranny of the Hitler regime, as recounted by survivors of the Holocaust in the documentary We are Jews from Breslau. The Washington Jewish Film Festival proper doesn’t begin for a few more weeks, but a premiere screening on Monday serves as a preview. (Edlavitch DC; 1529 16th St. NW; FREE to $20)
THE FORCE IS STRONG: Maryland General Assembly candidate Lesley Lopez will preside over a trivia night entirely comprised of questions about the Star Wars universe. Oh, and a few “#Resistance” puns, according to the event. The groans will be barely audible over the hushed debates over movie minutiae. (Penn Social; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; $25 in advance, $40 at the door)
More: Capital Pride Screening of Moonlight; Free Jazz Piano at the American History Museum; A People’s Choir Sings for Earth Day; Shakespeare in the Pub: The Comedy of Errors
TUESDAY, APRIL 25
The National Archives hold much wisdom within in their depths. This Tuesday, they’ll offer a look into the lives of The Hello Girls. (Photo by ctj71081)
STRONG CONNECTION: How did army commanders keep in touch with soldiers on the ground during World War I? Not with Snapchat, that’s for sure. They had help behind the scenes from a group of 223 women who came to be known as The Hello Girls. Their story might not have made it to textbooks, but it should make for an interesting discussion. (National Archives; 12 to 1 p.m.; FREE)
LAUGHS SO SWEET: The CAKE Comedy Tour is, most likely, a misnomer. The glorious dessert doesn’t appear to be part of the event. Instead, attendees will enjoy the comedy stylings of up-and-coming comedians Carrie Gravenson, Abbi Crutchfield, Kaytlin Bailey, and Erin Judge. The first letters of their first names spell “cake.” Actual cake would be a bonus. (Drafthouse Comedy; 7 p.m.; $25)
STRAINED RELATIONS: Gender issues are fraught and complex enough here in the United States. But what about taking into account the rest of the world? That daunting question will be at the heart of a conversation between National Geographic editor-in-chief Susan Goldberg and photographers Stephanie Sinclair and Pete Muller. (National Geographic Live; 7:30 to 9 p.m.; $25)
CITY OF STARS: Remember La La Land? It was great fun arguing about that movie, wasn’t it? (It was not.) Revive those debates over a cocktail at Mr. Henry’s, which will transform into (spoiler alert?) Seb’s for one night only. According to the event, “Food and drink specials will be offered, along with prizes and, of course, jazz!” Jazz indeed. (Mr. Henry’s; 7 to 11 p.m.; FREE)
More: Ella Fitzgerald at 100; David Owen at Politics and Prose
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26
Not familiar with Burning Man? On Wednesday, experts will give beginners a background lesson. (Photo courtesy of DC Burners)
GOOD EATS: Spain is pretty far away 364 days of the year. But on Wednesday night, it’s right there on 14th Street, where Chef Alex Ureña will celebrate the country’s southeastern coast with a cocktail party array of meats and cheeses, cocas, salt-cured seafood and paella, plus a wide range of desserts and beverages. The mouth waters at the thought. (Barcelona; 6 to 9 p.m.; $43)
THE MOVES: The documentary Mr. Gaga is not about Lady Gaga’s father. The title refers to the father of the dance and “movement language” known as Gaga. One wonders if Lady Gaga will ever perform in that style, thus commencing Gaga-ception. Idle speculation aside, a film screening will bring Mr. Gaga’s story to life. (Avalon Theatre; 8 to 11 p.m.; $12.25)
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?: Most people have a stereotype about Burning Man, but how many actually understand it? That number might go up after DC Burners hosts an event to explain the annual pilgrimage to beginners and interested observers. Participation in Burning Man itself remains optional. (GlowHouse; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; FREE with donation suggested)
CONSCIENCE COMEDY: Local comedian Kausan Wilson will headline a fundraiser event for a worthy cause: ensuring that unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children have access to pro bono representation during deportation proceedings. Recent headlines suggest such fundraising is more necessary than ever. While that’s not something to laugh about, Wilson will undoubtedly mine humor from other sources. (Acre 121; 8 to 10 p.m.; $10)
More: The World of Ice and Fire Book Club; Poet Laureate Closing Event at the Library of Congress; Laugh Index Theatre’s Sketch Night; Annabelle Gurwitch at Busboys & Poets 14th and V
THURSDAY, APRIL 27
Polar bears. ‘Nuff said. (Photo courtesy of Rose Sjolander 2011/Arctic Studies Center)
CUTENESS OVERLOAD: Lions and tigers, who cares? It’s all about the polar bears. Two experts will discuss the importance of an ongoing relationship between humans and these endlessly adorable creatures. Who are we to argue? (National Museum of American History; 2 to 3:30 p.m.; FREE)
CLOSER LOOK: After spending six years studying the Shaw and U Street neighborhoods, the least Derek Hyra could do is come up with a catchier phrase to stand in for gentrification. He delivers that and much more of greater substance in his new book Race, Class and Politics in the Cappuccino City, which he’ll discuss in conversation with Kojo Nnamdi. (Busboys and Poets 14th and V; 6:30 p.m.; FREE)
MONOLOGUE: International TV star Esosa E. is dropping in to D.C. for a one-woman show that traces the extraordinary life of the Hatshepsut, Egypt’s first female pharoah. Hatshepsut precedes Joan of Arc and Cleopatra, but her story is told far less often. Ms. E. hopes to change that. (Anacostia Arts Center; 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.; $20)
More: The L.A. Uprising 25 Years; Art, Song, Discovery at the Phillips Collection; Lynne Olson at Politics and Prose; Devil’s Backbone Beer Dinner; Amy’s Story: A Novel; So You Wanna Be a Player; N Street Village ArtJamz Fundraiser; Friends Night Out at the Smithsonian Craft Show; Punctured Landscape Opening Reception; Chocolate City Poetry
Other helpful links to plan your week:
This Week in Jazz
How to Eat Your Way Through D.C. This Week
April Arts Agenda
April Theater Guide
