Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
Thursday, April 19: If you haven’t made it over to the free-for-all art fest Artomatic (2121 Crystal Drive, Arlington), why not give it a shot tonight? Crowds are sure to be smaller than they were opening weekend, which was beyond packed. Browse through some of the work being show in this Flickr group.
Remeber the head-butt heard round the world? I’m talking, of course, about soccer player Zinédine Zidane, who infamously head-butted another player after an alleged insult to Zidane’s mother. Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait is a film about the now notorious Zidane, but it’s been classified as somewhere between a sports documentary and conceptual art. The film, showing tonight at the Hirshhorn, is shot entirely from the perspective of Zidane as he plays a 90-minute soccer match. Atmospheric Scottish rockers Mogwai provide the film’s soundtrack. 8 pm, free. Seating’s on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to show up early.
Friday, April 20: As I posted earlier, the maven of style, the man himself, Tim Gunn of Project Runway, rolls into town this weekend to read from his new book, Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style. He’ll be appearing at 7 pm at Olsson’s in Penn Quarter (418 7th St., NW). Bust out the fancy outfits. Free.
The Six Points Music Festival, featuring loads of great local bands at venues across the area, brings Middle Distance Runner to Iota this evening. MDR plays shimmery, grand, Brit-pop-influenced rock. MDR is also part of our Listen Up! feature on the blog this week, which gives you mp3s of bands coming through town. The show starts at 9:30 pm. $10.
Saturday, April 21: Get to know your city a little bit better with one or more of the free tours that take place today and Sunday. The organization hosts more than 60 guided walking and biking tours through various neighborhoods in the city—all free. Want to know more about the musical heritage of U Street? Ever wondered about the monastery in Brookland? What about espionage in Georgetown, or Logan Circle, the “city’s only unaltered Victorian residential district”? Here’s you chance! And here’s a WalkingTown tours list of free tours.
We posted about FilmFestDC earlier, so this is a reminder that the king of DC noir, writer George Pelecanos, will be at Busboys and Poets today at noon to discuss his books and his work on the excellent HBO series The Wire. Check out more of our FilmFestDC picks here.
I can’t get enough of the free pick-me-up events that Cusp Georgetown (3030 M Street, NW) keeps holding—especially with DJs spinning good tunes in the background. Manicures are often available; this Saturday from 1 to 4 pm stylists will be doing free blow-outs using Kiehl’s products. Free.
If you just can’t get enough of hair and make-up goodies, head over to the Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H Street, NE), where STYLEstics, a fashion and dance party, gets started at 7 this evening. In addition to hair and make-up touch-ups by stylists, there local designers will be showing off their wares and there will be DJ sets by members of Le Tigre and excellent hipster people-watching. Entry is free before 10, and rail drinks are half price. $10 after 10 pm.
Sunday, April 22: The Bethesda Literary Festival wraps up today. Events throughout the weekend are being hosted by bookstores, community centers, art galleries, hotels, and the Bethesda Regional Library. Discussions include talks with former poet laureate Michael Collier and journalist Cokie Roberts. Click here for a schedule of events.
Contemporary American craft is on display at the 25th annual Smithsonian Craft Show. Not only can you browse among the beautiful creations on display, you can purchase them, too. But today is the last day, so check it out at the National Building Museum, a gorgeous space worth a visit in its own right. 401 F Street, NW. Admission is $15. 11 am to 5 pm.
