Hidden underneath the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall is a treasure waiting to be discovered — the Smithsonian Latino Center, which has been celebrating Latino culture, spirit, and achievement in America for 10 years, presents a terrific exhibit, Mexican Treasures of the Smithsonian, on display through November 11 at the S. Dillon Ripley Center’s International Gallery. The exhibit pulls together objects from different museums around the city to explore the shared histories and cultural…
>> OK, Joyce Carol Oates really IS going to be at Politics and Prose tonight, where she’ll read from and sign copies of her latest novel, The Gravedigger’s Daughter. Get there well before the 7 p.m. start time to stake out a seat. >> The Smithsonian Latino center presents From Mambo to Hip Hop: A Bronx Tale, a 55 minute documentary about how the South Bronx’ Boricua community makes its own brand of music…
MONDAY You know, kids. If you are, for whatever reason, uncomfortable saying the Pledge of Allegiance in class, just cross your fingers or something, or say “the Sun God Ra” instead of “The United States of America.” Or just suck it up and deal, it’s not like the Pledge really has binding legal power. Or just take Joel Westheimer’s advice. He wrote a book about this stuff: Pledging Allegiance: The Politics of Patriotism in America’s…
FRIDAY: >> Friends ‘o DCist Middle Distance Runner have had quite a ride since playing our special Unbuckled/Anniversary concert last September. Despite a few bumps on the road, they’ve gone from little band that could to having their first headlining slot at 9:30 club tonight. We’ll say we knew them when. With The Dance Party. 10 p.m., $10. >> Akron/Family impressed the pants off of critics in 2005 with their self-titled neo-folk stylings. They’ll be…
For citizens with a literary bent, this week’s major highlight is the Hyman S. and Freda Bernstein Jewish Literary Festival, running all week long, mainly at the Jewish Community Center at 1529 16th Street, NW. Highlights include Peter Beinart and Rebecca Goldstein, plenty of panel discussions, a poetry reading, and an appearance by Madeleine Albright, who makes some time while planning her forthcoming libel suit against ABC. A full schedule of this week’s Festival highlights…
MONDAY >> Who can forget T.C. Boyle’s memorable turn in the movie Kinsey? Most of you, probably. Well, look: if you’re an enthusiast of short stories, stop by Olsson’s in Arlington this evening to meet T.C. Boyle, whose recent collection, Tooth and Claw, travels to the four corners of the globe to reveal men and women on the edge of primal fear, weird nature, and the threat of untimely death. 2111 Wilson Boulevard, 7 p.m….
FRIDAY: >> Put on your robe and wizard hat…Harry Potter’s coming to town! The sixth book in the series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, will be released tonight at midnight, and don’t think we don’t know. Watch this space for more info on tons of crazy HP events going on around town. For one, Politics and Prose will be hosting a party in their parking lot with magicians, a costume contest with prizes, and…
