Over in academia, it’s finals time, but the receSs improv team over at George Washington University isn’t compromising their weekend, which will mark the group’s final show of 2007, over it. On their unofficial blog, The Colonialist, they’re offering up reasons why their peers shouldn’t either. In the past, receSs alums have gone on to pursue real-life comic gigs, including TJ Miller (now on the ABC show “Carpoolers”), Herschel Bleefeld (who landed a role in…

A little over a year since the Reynolds Center, where the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery are housed, re-opened its doors, it continues to celebrate huge improvements to the building. This Sunday stop by for the grand opening of the Kogod Courtyard, which will include tons of musical performances both in the courtyard and inside on the third floor, hands-on activities for all ages (a Lite Brite station!), and, as usual,…

We’ll have a full preview tomorrow, but here’s a friendly video reminder about the show we’re co-sponsoring with BrightestYoungThings and Blisspop at 9:30 Club, featuring Georgie James, Soft Complex, The Dance Party and a set by DJ Will Eastman. This Saturday at 11 p.m. for a late show, $10….

[Updated]: So much music, so little time. While tomorrow’s This Week In Jazz column will preview this year’s fantastic Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, there is even more jazz to be had for those who can’t wait that long. This Saturday, September 8, the 17th Annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival will take place at Gateway Park from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. On the same day, D.C.’s Maryland suburbs get their own jazz celebration in the form…

Ahhh, summer music festivals. As any music blog reader could tell you, as soon as the ground starts to thaw, they’re all the indie kids can talk about. Last year we were all lathered up about getting a mega-fest of our very own (or at least, within reasonable stomping-ground distance). Several DCists embarked upon Pimlico and were pleased to report that the festival was wonderfully organized, accomodating, really well done and… that it just…

Be a good son or daughter and call your mother today. Then you can start thinking about what concerts to hear this week. Maybe you can ask your mom to come with you. THE BIG GUNS: >> Joining the National Symphony Orchestra this week is Chinese pianist Lang Lang. He and composer Jennifer Higdon have parted ways about her new piano concerto, which he was supposed to premiere this week. Instead, Lang Lang will play…

FRIDAY: >> What, you mean you don’t already see enough of Ian Svenonius around town? The DJ, Internet talk show host and former head of Nation of Ulysses and The Make-Up is giving you another chance to eyeball his annoying multitalentedness with a slide show presentation in conjunction with the release of “The Psychic Soviet”, a collection of essays he’s recently published. 7 p.m. tonight at Crooked Beat Records. SATURDAY: >> There is an open…

This Saturday, DC 101 is once again hosting its annual Chili Cook-Off, that popular concert, food and drink festival of gong show proportions that benefits the National Kidney Foundation. Tickets are sold-out, but for those of you who already got yours or are willing to brave the wilds of craigslist to score some, be sure to stop by the judging area and say hello to myself and DCist Food Editor Adam Bailey. Adam will be…

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,…

This Saturday is the sixth annual Free Comic Book Day, which is exactly as awesome as it sounds. Independent shops all over the country will be handing out a hearty selection of comics to anyone who wants one. The idea emerged as a way to introduce people to the art form who might only associate comics with this guy or a childhood fascination with Superman. These days comics are as diverse as any other medium,…