MONDAY, MAY 22
BOOKS National Geographic Traveler’s digital explorer Andrew Evans has reported from all seven continents for the magazine—his memoir, The Black Penguin, recounts those travel adventures as well as his childhood growing up gay in a traditional Midwest Mormon community. Evans will discuss his book at Busboys & Poets at 14th & V on Monday night. Free, 6:30 PM.
DISCUSSION The National Gallery of Art’s East Building reopened last fall after three years of renovation, which included construction of new galleries and a roof terrace plus a completely new configuration of the permanent collection. Smithsonian Associates is presenting a discussion of the renovation process and design of the galleries at the S. Dillon Ripley Center; the panel will feature chief architect Susan B. Wertheim, senior curator and chief of design Mark Leithauser, and curator of modern art Harry Cooper. $45, 6:45 PM.
TUESDAY, MAY 23
MUSEUMS National Geographic photojournalist and conservationist Brian Skerry has spent much of his career photographing sharks in order to show why they should be protected and respected as an integral species in our ecosystem. On Tuesday night, Skerry will speak at the National Geographic Museum to share stories and pictures from the 14 trips he’s taken around the world to photograph tiger sharks, great whites, oceanic whitetips, and shortfin makos. This is a preview of a new exhibit, Sharks: On Assignment with Brian Skerry, opening at the National Geographic Museum on Wednesday and running through October 15. The exhibit will showcase Skerry’s work and include a 360-degree visualization from his perspective in close encounters with sharks. Tuesday night lecture: $25, 7:30 PM. Exhibit, starting Wednesday: $15.
FILM AFI Silver Theatre is presenting a single screening of Logan Noir, a new monochromatic version of the recent box office film telling the final Wolverine story. After the film, the theatre will screen a 30-minute pre-recorded Q&A with Hugh Jackman and director James Mangold. $13, 7:15 PM.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24
FOOD & DRINK The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center is hosting an Embassy Chef Challenge on Wednesday night, which will showcase over 30 international chefs. They’ll serve up bite-sized appetizers to introduce guests to the unique cuisine of their countries; a panel of celebrity judges will select a winner, and guests can vote for the people’s choice winner. $75 (21+ only), 6:30 PM.
DISCUSSION Student loan debt is a daunting burden on many Americans and has a disproportionate effect on women. A new research report by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Deeper in Debt: Women and Student Loans, shows that women take on more student debt than men do and pay it back more slowly, in part because of the gender pay gap. The AAUW is holding a panel discussion around this new research at New America (and via an online webinar) featuring Betsy Fischer Martin (Founder, Fischer Martin Media), Tressie McMillan Cottom (Virginia Commonwealth University), Sara Goldrick-Rab (Temple University), Anne Hedgepeth (AAUW), Breana Ross (United States Student Association), and Jennifer Wang (Institute for College Access and Success). Free, 2 PM.
MUSEUMS The Hirshhorn and the Phillips Collection are presenting the first US survey of German painter Markus Lüpertz, who initiated a return to figurative painting during the late 1970s and 1980s. The Hirshhorn’s exhibit, Markus Lüpertz: Threads of History, runs May 24 to September 10 and will provide an in-depth exploration of his groundbreaking paintings during his earlier years. The Phillips Collection’s exhibit, Markus Lüpertz, spans the artist’s entire career and runs from May 27 to September 3. Together, the two presentations form Lüpertz’s first major US museum retrospective. Hirshhorn: free. Phillips: $12.
LOOKING AHEAD
BEST OF WASHINGTON Try dishes and cocktails from more than 75 of Washingtonian’s 100 Very Best Restaurants at our Best of Washington event on June 1 at the National Building Museum. Participating restaurants include Rasika, Le Diplomate, the Riggsby, and much more. Admission gets you all-you-can-eat and drink. Get tickets here.
