>> Art Whino, the new 22,000 square foot exhibition and studio space at 717 N. Asaph St. in Old Town Alexandria, holds its grand opening tonight. The gallery’s debut event will be soundtracked by DJ Stylo, and marks the start of two new exhibits: a solo show by artist Derrick Wolbaum and a group show of Pop-Surrealism work in the Permanent Gallery. The opening reception is tonight from 6 to 11 p.m, admission is free….

It’s summer and our beloved Arts Editor is away this week, so the agenda is a little on the short side. Here are a few things to see. >> We have written before about the Washington Project for the ArtsCorcoran’s Experimental Media project. Starting this week, WPAC is hosting a new show called SiteProjects DC. Curator Welmoed Laanstra has asked 15 local artists to create site-specific outdoor artwork, both installations and performances, through July 28,…

>> Black Cat plays host to Oakland’s Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, who’ll be pounding out their avant-rock on a few homemade instruments while performing puppet shows and giving pseudo-scientific scholarly presentations. What’s not to like? Stinking Lizaveta, an intense experimental trio from Philly, will kick things off. $12, 8 p.m. >> Tonight is your last chance to stop by the Smithsonian American Art Museum to catch their lecture series on The Media Arts: A History….

>> We’ve already said a ton of great things about rising local band Le Loup, so odds are good you’re already planning on heading over to the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight to check ’em out. Brightest Young Things has a fun interview with the recently-Hardly Art signed band over at their site. They open for Raleigh’s The Rosebuds, along with Bowerbirds. $10, doors at 8 p.m., music starts at 9. >> Smithsonian American Art…

There are more ways to take in our local arts scene than strolling the quiet museums on a Saturday afternoon or gulping some free wine at a gallery reception. Checking out events and lectures around the city is a great way to get exposed to not only the current exhibitions, but new ideas and theories you might not come upon while browsing the canvases by yourself. >> Patrick Swayze probably won’t be there to perform,…

Today DCist begins a new supplement to our weekly agendas. If you still don’t have plans for tonight we’ve got an assortment of activities to get you off the couch and out enjoying all the area has to offer. >> Jumping on the cherry tree bandwagon, Black Cat hosts The Cherry Blossom Jam. Rap artists Marsha Ambrosius, of Floetry fame, Chrisette Michelle, Frestile and MN8. [1811 14th St. NW, $22, Doors open at 8…

The weather had better start behaving normally: we want a snow day! Now that there is a reason to be inside again, here are some places with interesting things lying around or hanging from the walls. The new season has officially begun. Make sure to check the gallery’s Web site for specific hours before visiting. THURSDAY: >> Baltimore artist Cara Ober will open a show of new work, Prayers and Joking, at Flashpoint (916 G…

Have you or anyone know you know sat for a portrait? In the world since photography, what relevance does the tradition of painted portraiture have? These are questions that the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery would like us to consider. The museum is offering a free event, the Edgar P. Richardson symposium, this Friday (November 17, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) on the subject of Today’s Face: Perspectives on Contemporary Portraiture. The morning session features two…