Written by DCist Contributor Amy Cavenaugh Baltimore-bred artist Morris Louis, who lived in Washington in the 1950s, is the subject of a 28-work retrospective on display at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden through January 6. Morris Louis Now: An American Master Revisited, curated by Jeffrey Grove of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, is the first such consideration of Louis’ work in two decades — the previous retrospective was also at the Hirshhorn,…

There are literally thousands of grape varieties throughout the world. With wine being produced around every corner, it is impossible to keep track of them all, or even half for that matter. A good place to start is to realize that many of the varietals that we’ve come to love often have alter egos. This is what we will be focusing on this week; grapes that are genetically the same but have different names…

FRIDAY: >> At 11 a.m. today or noon tomorrow, grab the kids and a box or twelve of tissues and head down to the National Archives for a screening of An American Tail. Part of their celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month, they’re sharing the story of Fivel and his cheese-paved streets with the next generation. We can only assume they’ll watch it over and over like we did, each time hoping Fivel doesn’t go…

Susan Graham is one of those rare singers who combine broad audience appeal with critical approbation. She has won a Grammy, for a stellar CD of Charles Ives songs with Pierre-Laurent Aimard, and sings on the greatest operatic stages of the world, in works ranging from Mozart to new operas like Tobias Picker’s An American Tragedy. It was hardly surprising, therefore, that Graham’s recital on Friday night in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater was sold…

Well, people, you had to get through a few weeks without your DCist Classical Music Agenda, and now the agony is over. Yes, there are once again concerts worth your while in Washington, and we are here to tell you where to go. If you are one of those classical fans who has somehow not heard, this year the world celebrates the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth, on January 27. As a result, everyone and…

Two days after American University students were given access to a system where they can legally download music and movies, the service is struggling under “overwhelming demand” from American students. A message posted to an AU website predicts the problems and slow service “will taper off during the week.” AU announced on Feb. 4 that they would be signing a deal with Virginia-based Ruckus Network, a company that allows college students at subscribing schools to…