Weekend Buzz: May 29, 2025
Celebrate Pride!
Sunday, June 1, Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., Upper Level Conference Room, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Ages: Adults, Teens (6th through 12th grades).
Celebrate the beginning of Pride Month by building joy!
We welcome you to drop by and:
- Build with Legos;
- Get creative with some joyful coloring pages;
- Work on rainbow jigsaw puzzles;
- Enjoy a lively soundtrack;
- Browse our Pride & Joy book displays; and,
- Learn about the history of Pride Month!
Come share the joy!
Drop-in program for adults and teens; no registration required.
For more info go here.
Celebrate WorldPride DC
Now through June 8.
2025 marks the 50th Anniversary of Pride celebrations in Washington, D.C.! The Capital Pride Alliance is excited for Washington, D.C. to host WorldPride 2025 and share this momentous and exciting milestone with our international community.
WorldPride is occurring at a crucial time, bringing together voices from around the world to support the LGBTQ+ community’s ongoing fight for equality, visibility, and justice. We encourage everyone in our global community to participate in this historic moment. By showing up and supporting Pride events globally, the LGBTQ+ community will be visible, vigilant, and heard.
The Fabric of Freedom
Be a part of The Fabric of Freedom, Through June 8, in Washington, D.C.!
Throughout history, people have used fabrics as expressive symbols, to communicate identities, and as forms of resistance. While the LGBTQ+ community faces growing challenges both in the United States and worldwide from those seeking to divide rather than unite, it’s the fabric of our community — through our rich cultures, diverse identities, and backgrounds — that will guide us forward towards a better future.
For more info about World Pride DC go here.
Pride Family Festival
800 G Street NW, Saturday, May 31, 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Join SAAM and the National Portrait Gallery to celebrate World Pride. Enjoy performances by DC’s Different Drummers, GenOUT, the youth chorus of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, and GRIDLOCK Dance. Throughout the day, the curated music stylings of Les The DJ keep the creative energy high while participants enjoy hands-on craft activities. Celebrate LGBTQ+ artists represented in the museums’ collections with coloring sheets based on artworks, a scavenger hunt through the galleries, and a drop-in story time featuring biographies. This festival is presented as part of World Pride events.
Schedule of Performances:
11:30 a.m. - Les The DJ
11:45 a.m. - DC’s Different Drummers
12:30 p.m. - GenOUT Performance
1:00 p.m. - Story time
1:30 p.m. - Les The DJ
2:00 p.m. - GRIDLOCK Dance performance
2:20 p.m. - GRIDLOCK Dance movement workshop
2:30 p.m. - DC’s Different Drummers
3:00 p.m. - Program ends
For more info go here.
Film
Sunset Cinema: Wicked (Sing Along)
Tonight! ~ The Wharf DC, 760 Maine Ave. SW, Thursday, May 29, 7:30 p.m. All Ages.
Sunset Cinema at The Wharf DC is Back!
On Thursdays from Memorial Day through August 28, come to Transit Pier at The Wharf to enjoy free outdoor movies!
- Movies take place at Transit Pier at The Wharf (970 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024). Learn more about different ways to Get to The Wharf.
- Movies begin at 7:30 p.m.
- Limited adirondack chairs are available on a first-come first-served basis starting at 7:00 p.m. You may bring a blanket or folding chairs to this event.
- This event is family-friendly — all ages are welcome. Dogs on a leash are welcome. You must be 21+ to consume alcohol.
- Waterside bar Cantina Bambina serves up cold Pacifico and mixed drinks throughout the movies. Outside drinks are not allowed.
- You may bring in food from any Wharf restaurant. Stageside kiosk Union Pie offers hot and fresh pizza throughout the show. Whether you're craving a Cuban sandwich, a hot and sweet pizza, or chips and guac, our Wharf restaurants have something special for everyone.
- In the event of inclement weather, event status updates will be posted on the Sunset Cinema event page on The Wharf Facebook page.
For more info go here.
Local Music
The Avett Brothers / Heartless Bastards
Wolf Trap, Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Friday, May 30, 7:30 p.m., Gates Open: 6:00 p.m.
Wolf Trap favorites The Avett Brothers return with their “accessible mix of bluegrass, rock, and folk” (NPR)! Enjoy two nights of the “Americana stalwarts” (Rolling Stone) folk-tinged songs filled with unbridled energy and honest, heartfelt lyrics. See the roots rock band behind “A Beautiful Life” and the Winter in the Blood soundtrack as Heartless Bastards kick off the evening.
Tix Start At: $61 (incl. fees).
For ticket info go here.
The Arlington Chorale: Envision
Saturday, May 31, 5:00 p.m., Westover Baptist Church, 1125 Patrick Henry Dr., Arlington.
Join the Arlington Chorale in envisioning a world where compassion, unity, and love prevail, inspiring us all to make a meaningful impact in our communities. This concert features selections by J.S. Bach alongside This Love Between Us by Reena Esmail, highlighting the profound importance of expressing love for our neighbors. Sitar and tabla soloists represent the Indian classical tradition, joining the Chorale and a professional chamber orchestra. By intertwining Eastern and Western musical traditions, the Arlington Chorale celebrates the universal language of love that bridges cultural divides.
For more info go here.
Fairfax Symphony Celebrates Zimmerman's 15th Anniversary
George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, Saturday, May. 31 at 8 p.m.
This special anniversary season culminates in a heartfelt program that pays tribute to Maestro Zimmerman's debut concert as Music Director with the FSO in 2009, where the Elgar and Shostakovich works were performed for the first time with the FSO. The evening opens with Elgar's vibrant "Introduction and Allegro for Strings," a masterful display of string virtuosity.
Next, you will hear the East Coast Premiere of Jonathan Leshnoff's "Concertante for Two Violins and Orchestra," featuring violinist Chee-Yun, an FSO favorite, and Maestro Zimmerman's son, Kit Zimmerman, a distinguished member of the 1st violin section of the storied Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Switzerland.
The program concludes with Shostakovich's powerful Symphony No. 10.
Elgar: Introduction and Allegro for Strings.
Leshnoff: Concertante for 2 Violins and Orchestra (East Coast Premiere) with Chee-Yun and Kit Zimmerman, violin.
Shostakovich: Symphony No.10.
Join us for this special tribute concert celebrating Maestro Zimmerman's remarkable leadership and vision!
Run Time: approximately two hours, with an intermission
Pre-performance Discussion at 7 p.m. with Maestro Zimmerman, Chee-Yun, and Kit Zimmerman.
Tickets: $65, $55, $40; $20 for students (Fees apply).
For more info go here.
loadbang with Christopher Otto, Violin, and Ning Yu, Piano
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Coolidge Auditorium, Whittall Pavilion, 10 1st Street SE. Friday, May 30, 8 - 10:00 p.m. Free, but tickets required. Preconcert Conversation with the Artists: 6:30 p.m., Whittall Pavilion.
Part of Concerts from the Library of Congress
Musicians in loadbang: Adrian Sandi, bass clarinet, Andy Kozar, trumpets, Ty Bouque, baritone, voice, William Lang, trombone, Christopher Otto, violin, Ning Yu, piano.
With more than 500 premieres to their name, loadbang is an ensemble that plays each piece like it was born yesterday. With its unique mixture of bass clarinet, baritone voice, trumpet and trombone, each new composition offers something brand new to listener and performer alike. loadbang's program includes a cluster of newly commissioned works by Hilda Paredes and Michael Finnissy, whose piece (commissioned by the Koussevitzky Music Foundation in the Library of Congress) draws on Walt Whitman materials held at the Library. The evening with loadbang will encircle the premiere of a new work for violin and piano by Christopher Otto, violinist with the JACK Quartet, and pianist Ning Yu. It will be an unforgettable evening that embraces the possibilities of this unique ensemble.
Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362, or ADA@loc.gov.
For ticket info go here.
Local Theater
Disney's Aladdin
Opens Tonight! ~ Creative Cauldron, 127 E. Broad St. Runs May 29 through June 15.
Duel Language Edition / Edición de Lenguaje Dual
Our story begins centuries ago, when the royalty of Agrabah spoke one language, and the citizens another. Communication is impossible without translation... which is controlled by the evil vizier, Jafar. When the rebellious princess Jazmin, and a delinquent street rat Aladdin, meet in the marketplace and fall in love, they transcend the barriers between them, and with a little magic, help create a better future for themselves and for Agrabah. This touching musical adventure, featuring the Academy Award-winning score from Disney's animated classic, will thrill both English and Spanish-speaking audiences alike.
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice
Spanish Lyrics by Walterio Pezqueira
Directed by Matt Conner
Music Direction by Bharati Soman
Choreographed by Stefan Sittig
Enjoy a meal at the neighboring Ireland's Four Provinces, where you'll get 10% off your food order and Creative Cauldron will receive an additional 10% donation!
Sponsored by June and Mike Beyer & Walsh Colucci Lubely and Walsh
Opening Night catered by Harvey's
Floral Arrangements by Catherine Lee Florals
For more info go here.
The Wizard of Oz
Opens tomorrow night! ~ Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, Encore Stage & Studio, May 30 - June 8, Arlington Heights, 125 S. Old Glebe Rd.
When a tornado rips through Kansas, young Dorothy is whisked away to the magical land of Oz. She bravely embarks on a journey to Emerald City where she encounters a host of whimsical characters: good witches, bad witches, animals that talk, scarecrows that walk, and things magical to behold. Will Dorothy prevail over evil and make it back home? Follow the yellow brick road and find out! Recommended for ages 4 and up.
Add on NEW Pre-show Experiences! - Somewhere Over the Rainbow Scavenger Hunt (May 31, 2:00 p.m.) and Dorothy's Dance Party (June 7, 2:00 p.m.).
For more info go here.
Mosaic Theater: Andy Warhol in Iran
Opens this weekend! ~ Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Runs from May 29 to June 29. Thursday, May 29, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 30, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 31, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, June 1, 3:00 p.m.
“Riveting, brilliantly imagined!” - WTTW Chicago
“Highly watchable! Funny!” – Chicago Reader
“Complex and compelling!” – Chicago Tribune
By Brent Askari. Directed by Serge Seiden.
It’s 1976, and less than 3 years before her exile, the Empress Farah beckons Andy Warhol to begin pop-art portraits of the royals in Tehran. When a fascinating University student takes Warhol hostage to publicize his group’s demands, a life or death struggle ensues over revolution, responsibility and the arts.
Based on a true story, Andy Warhol in Iran hums with intelligence and humor. Award-winning playwright Brent Askari affirms the power of art to transcend boundaries and connect across cultures and time. Serge Seiden returns to direct after popular productions of Hooded and Eureka Day.
For ticket info go here.
Kimberly Akimbo
Final Weekend! ~ The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Friday, May 30, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 31, 2:00 p.m.; Saturday, May 31, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, June 1, 2:00 p.m.; Sunday, June 1, 7:30 p.m.
"A DOSE OF PURE JOY."
The New York Times [Critic's Pick]
WINNER BEST MUSICAL. THE MOST TONY AWARD-WINNING SHOW OF THE SEASON!
A new musical about growing up and growing old (in no particular order), KIMBERLY AKIMBO is the winner of 5 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL. It features Tony Award-winning book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (Shrek), a Tony Award-winning score by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), choreography by Danny Mefford (Dear Evan Hansen) and direction by Tony-nominated director Jessica Stone.
For ticket info go here.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Through June 22.
In Signature’s remarkably intimate ARK Theatre, this radical rock musical explodes with glam, grit, glitter and heart.
With killer heels and a fabulous wig, Hedwig tours the country, trailing the ex-lover who stole her songs and made it big. Tonight, Hedwig will tell her story on her own terms, in an unforgettable show about growing up in Communist East Germany, the botched sex change operation that allowed her to come to the United States, and life beyond the binary.
Hilarious and heartbreaking, with an electrifying score, this queer anthem cult classic celebrates surviving against all odds.
“The most exciting rock score written for the theatre since, oh, ever!” – Time Magazine
Directed by Ethan Heard. Text by John Cameron Mitchell. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Trask.
This show contains adult language and descriptions of trauma.
For ticket info go here.
Falsettos
The Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW. Through June 15.
Celebrating World Pride with the Tony Award-Winning Musical
Music and Lyrics by William Finn. Book by William Finn and James Lapine. Director and Choreographer: Kurt Boehm. Music Director: Elisa Rosman.
Hilarious, heartbreaking, and utterly unique, Falsettos is a contemporary musical about family, relationships, bar mitvahs, baseball and AIDS. When Marvin leaves his wife Trina and son Jason to be with his lover Whizzer, tempers flare, problems escalate and everyone learns to grow up.
For more info go here.
HEAD OVER HEELS
Songs by The Go-Go's
Final Weekend! ~ Constellation Theatre Company, in residence at Source, 1835 14th Street NW. Through June 1.
This joyous and jaunty jukebox musical features the music of 80’s rock band The Go-Go's. Inspired by the epic story of Arcadia, Head Over Heels is a celebration of self-discovery and queer identity, weaving together Renaissance romance and Greek comedy with fantasy and gender-bending in a laugh-out-loud love story.
Songs by The Go-Go's.
Based on The Arcadia by Sir Philip Sidney. Conceived and Original Book by Jeff Whitty. Adapted by James Magruder. Directed by Allison Arkell Stockman.
For more info go here.
Akira Kurosawa Explains His Movies and Yogurt (with live & active cultures!)
Final Weekend! ~ Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D Street, NW. Through June 1.
By Julia Izumi. Directed by Aileen Wen McGroddy.
Tonight, renowned filmmaker Akira Kurosawa joins us for a lecture: a look into his iconic filmography, brilliant mind, the thrilling world of movies, and “culture.” But… why can’t he stop talking about yogurt? In this whimsical world premiere, playwright Julia Izumi weaves through media and memory to examine cultural imperialism, “healthy” consumption, and why we make art.
For more info, tickets, and showtimes go here.
Twelfth Night
By William Shakespeare
Selling out fast! Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE, Through June 22. Thursday, May 29, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 30, 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, May 31, 2:00 p.m.; Saturday, May 31, 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, Jun 1, 2:00 p.m.; Sunday, Jun 1, 7:30 p.m.
Directed by Mei Ann Teo.
Named for the twelfth night after Christmas, the end of the Christmas season, Twelfth Night plays with love and power. The Countess Olivia, a woman with her own household, attracts Duke (or Count) Orsino. Two other would-be suitors are her pretentious steward, Malvolio, and Sir Andrew Aguecheek.
Onto this scene arrive the twins Viola and Sebastian; caught in a shipwreck, each thinks the other has drowned. Viola disguises herself as a male page and enters Orsino’s service. Orsino sends her as his envoy to Olivia — only to have Olivia fall in love with the messenger. The play complicates, then wonderfully untangles, these relationships.
Tickets: $20 – $84. Duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. This production of Twelfth Night includes mature content including sexual innuendo, stylized intimacy, adult language, and simulated alcohol and tobacco use. The production utilizes haze and strobing lights.
For ticket info go here.
Senior Class
A World Premiere Musical! Olney Theater Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD. Through June 22.
When budget cuts to the arts program mean their high school theatre can’t pay for My Fair Lady, Colin and G.B., two Broadway-obsessed students, decide to stage their own original musical version of Shaw’s Pygmalion. The search for an actress to play Eliza Doolittle leads them to a Harlem-born-and-bred subway dancer who just might be perfect — but artistic egos and high school hierarchies threaten to undermine the production before the big opening night. As the quickly-assembled coalition of theatre kids, dance crew veterans, and the occasional jock, struggles to mount their production of My Leading Lady: A New Pygmalion... with a Preface and Sequel, the class and gender divides of Shaw’s original reemerge in surprising ways. Can the senior class musical be saved? (And will Colin score his much-wished-for “Jimmy” Award to launch his meteoric rise to stardom as the first-ever J-EGOT?) Amy Anders Corcoran (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) directs this World Premiere musical-lovers’ musical full of dancing and comedy, dedicated to the timeless belief that the show must go on!
Tickets: $41 - $101. Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
For more info go here.
We Are Gathered
Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth Street SW. Through June 25
A new QUEER LOVE STORY from the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Moonlight
W. Tre and Free met in a dark park searching for fun not expecting to find love, light, and each other. Now a milestone anniversary has got them wondering if they have met Mr. Right or a long one-night stand with a lovely Mr. Maybe? With a little support and a lot of confusion from family, friends, and a stranger in the dark, the question remains: will W. Tre and Free find their way together or will they let fear, and a secret lead them asunder?
Amplifying the celebration of Oscar winner Tarell Alvin McCraney’s newest play is the Love Takes Center Stage immersive experience that will offer couples a once-in-a-lifetime chance to exchange their own marriage vows under the spotlight — right on stage during select performances
Frankenstein
Extended! ~ Shakespeare Theatre Company, Klein Theatre, 450 7th Street NW, May 27 - June 29.
Written and directed by Emily Burns. Based on the novel by Mary Shelley.
Emily Burns (adaptor of STC’s Macbeth and Much Ado About Nothing), reimagines Mary Shelley’s gothic science fiction masterpiece as a chilling exploration of the horror within humanity and what it means to create a new life.
This visceral and provocative production reveals the inner lives of Elizabeth and Victor Frankenstein in bold new ways. Burns’s Frankenstein rides the edge of cinematic thriller and intense drama, redefining the legend we know, the name we fear, and the monstrous act at the heart of the story.
Runtime: Approximately two hours and 20 minutes, with one 15-minute intermission.
For ticket info go here.
Enjoy Board Games!
Board Game Sunday for Adults
Mary Riley Styles Public Library, N. 120 Virginia Ave., Lower Level Conference Room, Sunday, June 1, 1 - 4:00 p.m. Ages: Adults (18+).
This event is in the "Adults (Ages 18+)" group.
Come check out the wonderful and varied world of modern board games. Play various tabletop games that are simple to learn and fun to master. This is a great way to meet new people. Experienced players will be on hand to offer instruction.
We normally meet in person every 1st Sunday of the month. Newcomers are always welcome!
No registration required. Attendance is first-come, first-served until seating capacity is reached.
In partnership with the Northern Virginia Board Game Group.
For more info go here.
Local Visual Arts
Points & Petals
Idylwood Studios, 7617 Idylwood Rd, Falls Church, second floor of Idylwood Presbyterian Church.
We recently interviewed and wrote about artist Asia Anderson and her commemorative mural at Meridian H.S. for Marian Costner Selby here:
Christopher Jones
Legendary: An Exhibition of Women Artists
Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax. Exhibition and Sale through August 30. Women's Workshop Roundtable, Saturday June 21, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
In the United States, 51 percent of living visual artists are women, yet only 13.7 percent are represented in galleries. On average, women artists earn 81 cents for every dollar made by their male contemporaries.[1]
Legendary: An Exhibition of Women Artists addresses these inequities and aims to rectify them by creating a safe space for women artists to meet, exhibit and engage with the public. The exhibition will feature the artwork of several prominent women artists from the Washington metropolitan area.
For more info go here.
Illuminations: A Retrospective, by Rosemarie Forsythe
Opens this Sunday, May 31! ~ Reston Arts Gallery, 11400 Washington Plaza W. #B, Reston. Runs from May 31 to June 29.
Inspired by living and working around the world, Rosemarie Forsythe paints in a Renaissance-era style that celebrates nature and the power of ideas that have influenced the course of history or changed the way we think about the world.
Reminiscent of illuminated manuscripts, Rosemarie's works in acrylic or flash embed symbols, math/science equations, algorithms, ornaments, and/or intellectual puzzles in her modern art.
Rosemarie creates paintings in a series on a variety of subjects, including, for example, the work of famous female scientists, seventeen equations that changed the world, botanicals that are the basis of modern medicines, and scenes of nature with a hint of mystery and magic. The Empire Twilight series includes photos and text from her officially declassified diplomatic reporting cables from the end of the Soviet Union (1989-91) and other mementos of her life as a U.S. diplomat and policymaker.
Before she became a full-time artist almost a decade ago, Rosemarie lived in seven countries and visited over 60 countries in the course of her past careers as a U.S. diplomat, policymaker, and international business executive. Self-taught in art, she found a way to combine her intellectual and prior work interests with her artistic sense to create a unique style of painting.
The U.S. Department of State's Art in Embassies Program selected several of Rosemarie's works to be displayed in U.S. Embassies in Jordan, Bolivia, and Austria. Her art was also chosen for the Brussels office of Rose Gottemoeller, the Deputy Secretary General of NATO. Rosemarie’s works are in private collections in Qatar, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Togo, Australia, the UK, the U.S., and other countries. Rosemarie's paintings have been in dozens of solo and group exhibitions. Rosemarie is a member of the Advisory Board and Director's Circle of the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
For more info go here.
ACO Artist Discussion with Claudia Aziza Gibson – Hunter
A Virtual Discussion from Glen Echo, May 31, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Join us Saturday morning for a virtual Artist Discussion with Claudia Aziza Gibson–Hunter, part of The Art Clinic Online's artist discussion series.
Ms. Gibson-Hunter is a mixed media artist who combines painting, printmaking, collage, papermaking, and assemblage in her work. She investigates themes of identity, agency, memory, and spiritual consciousness using acrylic paint, handmade paper, and colored pencil.
Born in Philadelphia, Aziza graduated from Temple University and received her MFA from Howard University. Ms. Gibson-Hunter has been awarded the Individual Artist Fellowship Program Grant, from the DC Commission of the Arts. Her work can be found in the collections of the National Institutes of Health, Washington DC Art Bank, the U.S. Embassies in Liberia, as well as the collections of Montgomery County, Maryland, Price Waterhouse Cooper, and American Express. Her work can be found in the Library of Congress in the departments of rare books and prints. She has created public works for Washington D.C. through the Department of General Services.
Ms. Gibson-Hunter is a member of the Black female collectives, Dandelion Black Women Artists, THOUGHT, and WOAUA. She is a co-founding member of Black Artists of DC, and has a studio located within the STABLE Art complex located in Washington, DC.
Presenter: the Art Clinic Online (ACO)
Location: Virtual
ArtRave - Dupont Market Artisan Fair
1913 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Saturday, May 31, 11 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
ArtRave’s returns for a second May market! Explore fresh art, fashion, and handmade goods in a vibrant culture
Welcome to ArtRave - Dupont Artisan Market! Join us for a day filled with creativity, community, and fun. Discover unique handcrafted items made by local artisans, from paintings, sculptures, hand carved items, bakery/gourmet products, jewelry, handmade goods to the unusual and home decor.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to support small businesses and find one-of-a-kind pieces to add to your collection. Whether you're an art enthusiast or just looking for something special, there's something for everyone at ArtRave.
Come down to 1913 Massachusetts Ave. NW on Sat, May 31, 2025 (and every other Saturday thereafter), from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere of creativity. We are now accepting for our ArtRave signature series Christmas Extravaganza, extended this year to 3 big shows, averaging about 10,000 shoppers.
Interested in becoming a vendor? We are currently accepting applications from artisans and small businesses. To apply, please contact us at: Goods and Services, https://shorturl.at/fNUpf ,Bakery/Beverages/Gourmet, https://shorturl.at/oOk4w , to join the lineup.
For more info go here.
Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World
National Gallery of Art, West Building, Ground Floor, Gallery 23, 4th & Constitution Ave. NW. Through Nov. 2, 2025. Admission is always free and passes are not required.
Experience the wonder of nature through the eyes of artists. Look closely at art depicting insects and other animals alongside real specimens.
Art played a pivotal role during the dawn of European natural history in the 16th and 17th centuries. Advancements in scientific technology, trade, and colonial expansion allowed naturalists to study previously unknown and overlooked insects, animals, and other beestjes, or “little beasts.” Artists such as Joris Hoefnagel and Jan van Kessel helped deepen and spread knowledge of these creatures with highly detailed and playful works that inspired generations of printmakers, painters, decorative artists, and naturalists.
A delight for all ages, this exhibition features nearly 75 of these paintings, prints, and drawings in a unique presentation alongside specimens and taxidermy from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Learn about the rich exchange between artists and naturalists that sparked a fascination with earth’s living creatures, big and small. See how this intersection of art and science continues to inspire us today in a new film by artist Dario Robleto.
For more info go here.
"Faces & Figures"
Final Weekend! ~ Gallery of Falls Church Arts, 700-B West Broad St., Through June 1.
Falls Church Arts continues its support of arts in the community through its upcoming exhibit "Faces & Figures."
The recently juried exhibition showcases a vibrant collection of works that capture the human form through a diverse range of expressions and materials. Featuring folk art, naive, and primitive styles alongside striking photography, figure drawings and emotive sculpture, the show highlights the raw creativity and emotional depth of its artists. From bold, unrefined lines to unexpected textures, this exhibition celebrates the power of individuality and storytelling through art.
Faces & Figures runs through June 1, 2025.
Juror Teresa Oaxaca is an American-born artist currently based in Washington, D.C. She's a full-time painter whose works can be seen in collections and galleries throughout the United States and internationally. Her talent has been recognized and rewarded by museums and institutions such as the American Museum of the Cowboy, the former Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Art Renewal Center, the Elisabeth Greenshields Foundation, the Posey Foundation, and the Portrait Society of America, as well as the Museu Europeu D’Art Modern in Barcelona.
Oaxaca's training includes a four-year diploma at the Angel Academy of Art (Florence, Italy), graduate studies at the Florence Academy, an apprenticeship with Odd Nerdrum in Norway, and studies at the The Art League (Alexandria, Va.), where she trained with Robert Liberace and Paul Lucchesi and took many other courses. She teaches workshops around the United States and in Europe.
Artworks will be on display at the gallery of Falls Church Arts at 700-B West Broad St. (Route 7), Falls Church, Va. Admission is free. The gallery is open Tuesdays–Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Artworks will also be available online at https://www.fallschurcharts.org. All pieces are offered for sale and can be purchased at the gallery or on the website.
For more information, please email info@fallschurcharts.org.
Here's our recent article about the Juror's Choice Award for the show:
Christopher Jones
Don't miss Rare Bird's "In the Absence of Nurture... Nature" exhibit by Pamela Huffman:
Christopher Jones
Register for a Local Arts Course at Artworks Fine Art Studios
See our recent article about Artworks Fine Art Studios on West Broad Street, here:
Christopher JonesLiterature
Attend a Literary Tea Party!
Jane Austen Tea Party: Pride & Prejudice
Old Town Books, 130 S. Royal St., Alexandria, Sunday, June 1, 4 - 5 p.m.
Part of the Jane Austen Tea Party Reading Group collection.
This summer, we’re hosting three Austen Tea Parties, tackling one Jane Austen novel each month while nibbling on tea & cookies.
Are you a grown-up who misses summer reading? We’ve got the pop-up reading group for you! A reading group is a little more structured than a book club, but way more relaxed than a class.
This summer, we’re hosting three Austen Tea Parties, tackling one Jane Austen novel each month while nibbling on tea & cookies, and maybe even breaking out our favorite fancy hats. Whether you’re a long-time Austen fan like Leah, or you somehow missed Austen in school like Nicole, our co-leaders are excited to lead discussions on these classics to celebrate Jane’s 250th birthday this year!
We’ll be discussing:
Pride & Prejudice on Sunday, June 1, Emma on Sunday, July 6, and Persuasion on Sunday, August 3.
All sessions start at tea time, aka 4:00 p.m.! You can attend just one or two sessions, but you’ll get the most out of attending all three so we can explore the themes common across all three books.
Each session is $10 to cover our tea & nibbles. While buying the book at OTB is not required, we have both standard & annotated editions available in store or online with a 10% discount if you mention “reading group”!
For more info go here.
Recreation
Mreeer....Try Yoga with Cats!
Meow Maison, 1336 Wisconsin Ave. NW, June 1, 10 - 11:00 a.m.
Stretch, breathe, and flow alongside our friendly feline residents in the heart of Georgetown. Meow Maison’s cozy cat café transforms into a calming yoga space where you can unwind with gentle movement and the soothing company of adoptable cats. Perfect for all levels — just bring your mat and an open heart!
Book your tickets at meowmaison.com.
By Christopher Jones
Member discussion