Well-known artists will pay tribute to John Lennon at the Kennedy Center on Monday night. (Photo by LaTur)
Celebrate a Beatle, scope out some new underwear, flash back to a different turbulent political time, and more in this week’s roundup of the city’s most intriguing events.
MONDAY, MAY 8
IMAGINE: Tributes to John Lennon are a dime a dozen, and probably with a good reason. But the Kennedy Center’s annual spring gala isn’t pulling any punches. Legendary musician and producer T. Bone Burnett is overseeing an evening featuring the diverse stylings of Corinne Bailey Rae, Judy Collins, Shawn Colvin, Jim James, Amos Lee, Taj Mahal, Esperanza Spalding, Steven van Zandt and Rennie Harris Puremovement. And, if that’s not enough, The X-Files star David Duchovny is hosting. The truth is out there. (Kennedy Center Concert Hall; 8:15 to 10 p.m.; $45-$160)
LEARN THE CRAFT: Parents always say it’s impossible to be an actor as a career. Prove them wrong: Local actor and casting director Valeka J. Holt is here to help with a workshop. (Arena Stage; 7 to 9 p.m.; $25-$40)
STAGE TO SCREEN: Ruth Wilson from Showtime’s The Affair is starring in a new production of the Henrik Ibsen classic Hedda Gabler. For far less than the cost of a ticket to the actual theater, a live broadcast on a large movie screen will strive for something close enough. (Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Sidney Harman Hall; 7:30 p.m.; $20)
FAKE NEWS ISN’T THE HALF OF IT: As unprecedented as Donald Trump’s attacks on the press may seem, particularly to us #millennials, previous presidents have had their own hangups and issues with reporters. Around the centennial of John F. Kennedy’s birth, a panel of experts including Chris Matthews of MSNBC will discuss Kennedy’s dealings with the fourth estate. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend herself, along with journalists who covered the administration, will be on hand as well, presumably with dozens of fascinating stories just waiting to be told. (Women’s National Democratic Club; 7 to 9 p.m.; $75)
More: Improv Wars; 2017 New Play Festival
TUESDAY, MAY 9
A panel will discuss issues surrounding immigration and refugees circa the early 1900s after Tuesday’s showing of Ragtime at Ford’s Theatre. (Photo by Carol Rosegg)
PROVOKING THOUGHT: After Tuesday night’s showing of the musical Ragtime — which follows groups of African-Americans, upper-class suburbanites, and Eastern Europeans during the early 20th century — Ford’s Theatre will present a discussion of immigration that focuses on refugee experiences from that time period. As is now obligatory for all substantive events, the panel will also “investigate modern parallels” — of which there are sure to be many. (Ford’s Theatre; 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.; $23-$64)
REMEMBER: Join the Reshet Ramah Alumni Network for a discussion with two Holocaust survivors, who will recount their own experiences. The only way to understand is to listen. (Potter’s House; 7:30 p.m.; FREE)
FUSION: A band with a wildly inventive sound and unique style is performing a free show. No, it’s not the Chainsmokers — and shame on you for guessing that. It’s Making Movies, which makes bilingual music using Afro-Latino rhythms. (Kennedy Center Millennium Stage; 6 to 9 p.m; FREE)
HOT-BUTTON: Few topics are likelier to provoke contentious debates than abortion. The problem, according to author and Columbia law professor Carol Sanger, is that Americans don’t talk about abortion enough. There’s plenty of arguing but not enough learning. Sanger is trying to correct that imbalance with her new book About Abortion, and she’ll kick off her quest for broader dialogue at a discussion event in conversation with Maya Rupert from the Center for Reproductive Rights. (Kramerbooks; 6:30 to 9 p.m.; FREE)
More: Lori K. Mihalich-Levin at Politics and Prose; Sally Mott Freeman at Politics and Prose; Panel: Restoring and Reusing Kirkbride’s Mental Health Hospitals; Hank’s Gives Back; Authors on Deck: Enduring Vietnam
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10
Raise a glass at Public Bar on Wednesday to the world’s oceans before they cease to be (gulp). (Photo by LaTur)
SIMONE OF ALL TRADES: In case being a classical pianist isn’t impressive enough, Srathmore’s artist in residence Simone Baron often simultaneously wields an accordion. And, to add insult to impressive injury, “she freely collaborates with dancers, actors, puppeteers, and visual artists in her genre-defying concerts,” according to the description of her first Strathmore concert. Prepare to be dazzled. (Strathmore; 7:30 p.m.; $17)
THE GIFT OF GAB: Slate’s Political Gabfest consistently offers sober commentary on the increasingly hallucinatory state of national affairs. The show will broadcast live from D.C., including a Q&A at the end. John Dickerson of Face the Nation is among the regular panelists, and he’ll no doubt have plenty to talk about after getting iced out of the West Wing last month. (Warner Theatre; 6:30 to 11 p.m.; $23 to $63)
NEW BEER: Sometimes events draw visitors with a splashy logo or an intriguing premise. The Indiana-based Upland Brewing Company appears to be pinning hopes for its D.C. debut this week on the mysterious allure of its launch event title: “Teddy Bears Sleep Under Bridges…when they get locked out of their Airbnb: UPLAND Brewing D.C. Launch Party.” Deciphering that title would take a full post of its own. (Jack Rose Dining Saloon; 5 to 10 p.m.; FREE)
More: Cider Tasting at Glen’s Garden Market; Derek Thompson at Kramerbooks; J-Film: Double Suicide; Introduction to Indian Cooking at Pansaari; Feifei Yang and Jiaju Shen at Hill Center
THURSDAY, MAY 10
The new exhibit “From Shiraz, With Love” at SYRA Arts Gallery examines the medieval Persian city of Shiraz. (Photo courtesy of SYRA Arts Gallery)
MAGIC MIKE: Fun fact: Magnum is unveiling a new collection of men’s underwear designed by a former NASA engineer for maximum comfort — tax dollars at work for the best of causes. Models will be showing off the new line at a DC Fashion Week event. The night promises to be up close and personal. (Dirty Bar; 6 to 9:30 p.m.; FREE with online RSVP; $20 at the door; $30 for group photo with models and front-row seats)
MEDIEVAL TIMES: The medieval city Shiraz in Persia is known as the “motherland of famous Persian poets” and the “birthplace of Shirazi wine.” The new exhibit “From Shiraz, with Love” shines a light on key features of both. (SYRA Arts Gallery; 6 to 9 p.m.; FREE)
BRIT HIT: It’s a truth universally acknowledged that stand-up comedy events are fun. But “The Great British Joke Off: A Comedy Show Hosted by a British Person,” with its delightfully literal title and promise of colorful accents and dry wit, is a cut above the rest. As the venue’s website describes the event, “All you have to do is sit there and listen. (And occasionally buy drink/use the loo, if you’re into that kinda thing.” (Town Tavern DC; 8 to 10 p.m.; FREE)
A WELCOME REMINDER: Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat, a Muslim scholar with an interfaith background, will discuss how to help the city and country’s Muslim neighbors in a time of attacks seemingly coming from all sides. All could undoubtedly benefit from his wisdom. (St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church; 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; FREE
More: Zenful Bites 5-Year Anniversary Party; United Help Ukraine Paint Party; Seeking Asylum at Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office
Other helpful links to plan your week:
This Week in Jazz
May Arts Agenda
May Theater Guide
How To Eat Your Way Through D.C. This Week
