This weeked in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area, expereince a one-of-a-kind event at the Kennedy Center and get a hefty dose of fine art in Reston. Read on for more details!
Prepare for the landing of The Intergalactic Nemesis: A Live-Action Graphic Novel at The Kennedy
Center this weekend! Combining radio show and comic book elements, this unique production follows the story of reporter Molly Sloan, her assistant Timmy Mendez, and a librarian named Ben Wilcott as they face the threat of an invasion of sludge monsters from the planet Zygon. The live performance features three actors, one Foley artist, and one keyboardist who perform all the voices, sound effects and music, while more than 1,000 hand-drawn, comic book images fill a two-story-high screen. This adventure is perfect for families with children ages 8 and up! Watch a preview!
Friday through Sunday
Cost: $18
The Kennedy Center - 2700 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20566
How long has it been since you’ve set aside some time to appreciate art? From May 17-19, stop by Reston Town Center and experience the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival. The outdoor festival, now in its 22nd year, offers attendees the opportunity to admire and purchase original work from over 200 artists across a wide range of mediums. Enjoy live performances and entertainment, and be sure to visit the Family Art Park, which offers something for children, teens, and adults alike. Held by the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE), a non-profit organization with the goal of promoting visual arts, the festival begins this Friday with its Opening Night Party from 6pm-9pm.
Friday, 5pm-8pm
Saturday, 10am-6pm
Sunday, 10am-4pm
Cost: Free (attendees who $10 will receive a $10 gift certificate redeemable at participating local restaurants)
This weekend, May 10 - 12, the Washington, DC area is bursting with a variety of spring-time activities for the whole family. Whether you're looking for a trip down memory lane, great live music, a celebration of history, or a cultural journey, there's something for everyone on the calendar. Read on for WETA Around Town's event highlights for this weekend in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Innocent & The E Street Shuffleat The Hamilton Live. This tribute concert celebrates the to two of the most loved albums in rock and roll history: Van Morrisons’ 1970 ‘Moondance’ and Bruce Springsteen's 1973 'The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle’. The Hamilton is the newest member of the Clyde's Restaurant Group following tradition with top of the line food and live music. So if you're looking for an all-in-one musical adventure, this is the ticket! Featuring performances by: Justin Jones, Brian Simms, Luke Brindley, Owen Danoff, Billy Coulter, Daryl Jr. Cline, Tommy Lepson, Jon Carroll, Tony Denikos, Kirk Philips, Margot MacDonald & more.
In a city like Washington, DC where transportation is essential, do you ever stop to
think what life would be like without cars, buses or trains? This Saturday you will have the opportunity to show your appreciation by celebratingNational Train Day 2013 because this year’s theme is “trains matter”. Each spring, this nation-wide festivity brings communities together to honor the history of trains and how they have helped transform America. Enjoy a variety of free activities such as educational stations, arts and crafts, Amtrak K-9 unit demonstrations, train car walkthroughs and more. So if you’re in the mood for some rich history, “choo choo” choose to partake in National Train Day.
Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Cost: Free. Amtrak rides $5 per person; children 12 and under ride free.
Union Station 40 Massachusetts Avenue NE Washington, DC
All through the month of May, the Library of Congress Packard Campus will commemorate Memorial
Day with free film screenings and a live concert! On Friday, The Quebe Sisters Band from Texas will perform western swing, vintage country, bluegrass, jazz and swing standards, and Texas-style fiddling in the campus theater. On Saturday, LoC will screen “Memphis Bell”, a true story of the 25th and last mission of the American B-17 bomber, starring Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, and Tate Donovan. Come out and celebrate history and culture with these free events this weekend!
The Quebe Sisters Band
Friday at 7:30pm
Cost: Free
“Memphis Bell”
Saturday at 7:30pm
Cost: Free
Library of Congress Packard Campus 19053 Mount Pony Road Culpeper, VA 22701
Spice up your weekend with an eclectic array of dance performances! This Saturday and Sunday, join El Teatro de Danza Contemporanea/DC Contemporary Dance Theatre as they present “Sin Decir Palabres”/”Unspoken Words,” DC’s 3rd Latin American Concert Dance Festival at the Gonda Theatre at Georgetown University’s Davis Performing Arts Center. This annual festival has a variety of dance styles, including classical, indigenous, and contemporary, and includes works from some of DC’s most outstanding dance talent, internationally recognized Latino choreographers, and world renowned performing artists! On Saturday only, American icon choreographer, Kevin Iega Jeff, will kick of the premiere of his work, Juntos, as a special guest speaker. You won’t want to miss these fantastic performances!
We all feel desperate from time to time, it’s a versatile feeling that spans the globe as it spans our weekend schedule. This weekend on WETA, we share four movies with characters desperate for something: fame, success, life, and respect. The three documentaries run late into Sunday morning so if you haven’t done it yet, set your DVR to record from Saturday 9:30pm – Sunday 3:30am.
Baby Jane Hudson (Bette Davis) was a vaudeville star, but as an adult, she was overshadowed by her movie star sister, Blanche (Joan Crawford). One night in the 1930s, Blanche was permanently crippled in an accident blamed on Jane. Now in 1962, Jane and Blanche live together in their decaying Los Angeles mansion as Jane plots their showbiz comeback. Blanche desperately tries to get away from Jane but can she succeed to escape her tormenting sister who handicapped her as a young woman and continues to do so in their older age? Watch the trailer.
Watch What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) on WETA TV26 and HD this Saturday at 9:30pm. Also airs Sunday at 11:30am.
When a new opera gets produced, lots of artists and craftspeople from various authorities share a dramatic and musical vision. Skill and cooperation on a grand scale are the only key to success. San Francisco Opera’s The Bonesetter’s Daughter, composed by Stewart Wallace with a libretto by novelist Amy Tan, brought together singers, designers and musicians from three continents. Many were learned in the Western operatic tradition, but for others, it was a first introduction to American opera. This documentary focuses on the excitement and challenges of collaboration. Watch the trailer.
Watch Journey of the Bonesetter’s Daughter on WETA TV26 and HD this Sunday at 12:00am. Be sure to set your DVR!
Marcos Hernandez came to the United States from Mexico, after a deadly border crossing through the Sonora Desert in southern Arizona. He is searching for his father, Francisco, also an undocumented border crosser, who disappeared in the Sonora Desert while entering the U.S. Marcos sends money from his home in Chicago to his mother in Mexico City every month so she can buy medicine for his brother, Gustavo, who needs a kidney transplant. The Undocumented is Marcos’s story—as well as the story of countless other migrants. Follow Marcos’s search with the efforts of humanitarians and Border Patrol agents who are fighting to prevent migrant deaths, the medical investigators and Mexican Consulate workers who are trying to identify dead border crossers, and Mexican families who are struggling to accept the loss of a loved one. Watch the trailer.
Watch Independent Lens: The Undocumented on WETA TV26 and HD this Sunday at 1:00am.
More than three decades ago, Vietnamese refugees began to settle in Versailles, a then-isolated community in eastern New Orleans. Although by the early 2000s the community had accomplished material successes, it remained divided between older immigrants and American-born youth. A Village Called Versailles is the story of this little-known community in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. When the storm devastated New Orleans in August 2005, Versailles residents rebuilt their neighborhood faster than most other damaged neighborhoods in the city, only to find themselves threatened by a new toxic landfill slated to open just two miles away. Forced out of Vietnam by the war 30 years ago, many residents felt their homes were being taken away from them once again. Watch the story of this community fighting to regain their safety and happiness in New Orleans. Watch the trailer.
Watch Independent Lens: A Village Called Versailles on WETA TV26 and HD this Sunday at 2:30am.
This weekend, get in touch with different cultures visually, musically, and locally. Travel to Maryland's Eastern shore for a home and garden tour, visit over 40 embassies for free, and enjoy Grammy award winning indigenous Mexican music by Lila Downs.
If April showers bring May flowers, then it’s time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors with a daytrip! Established in 1666, the Lower Eastern Shore area has played a key role in Maryland history, and is currently home to properties from the 18th and 19th centuries. The Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage is hosting a tour of eight historic and modern homes in Somerset and Worcester Counties on Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Highlights of the day include visits to “Beverly” in Pocomoke City and Watkins Point Farm outside of Crisfield. All proceeds from the tour will go back into the communities through The Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council.
Saturday, 10am to 5pm
Cost: $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the tour.
Lunch ($15) will be offered at the Teackle Mansion in Princess Anne with advance reservations.
Located at historical sites of Somerset and Worcester Counties.
Have you ever wanted to travel the world but you just don’t have the time or the money? Well we have the solution to that problem! In honor of international culture in Washington DC, Passport DC will host the Around the World Embassy Tour. This onetime event allows visitors the chance to see over 40 embassies representing six continents throughout the world. Patrons will also have the opportunity to see nine new embassies this year such as Barbados, Chile, Malaysia, Nicaragua and several others. Participants will be treated to a variety of cultural and festive activities such as food tasting, dancing, musical performances and artwork while exploring these remarkable buildings. So come on out for an experience that will truly broaden your cultural horizon.
What better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with fantastic music? This Sunday, the Hylton Performing Arts Center welcomes Lila Downs to the stage for a performance of indigenous Mexican music and her original compositions that infuse soul, jazz, blues, and African sounds. Considered a “dazzling” and “stunning” artist, Downs has combined her passion for music and ancient culture to create powerful, edgy music with international flair as she explores topics of immigration, transformation, and social and political justice. Downs has won numerous awards, such as the 2013 Grammy award for “Best Regional Mexican Album,” and has performed at major festivals and venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall! A free pre-performance discussion for ticket holders will be held 45 minutes prior to the performance. Be sure to grab your tickets for this sensational performance!
Celebrate Arbor Day this weekend or enjoy a musical experience unlike any you've ever had. Read on for the WETA Around Town Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia event highlights for this weekend, April 26 - 28.
Arbor Day (Arbor is a Latin word meaning tree) is a holiday created in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton, in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. To celebrate these important plants within our community, the Anacostia Community Museum is holding a free event this Friday for all ages. Activities include a series of demonstrations, plantings, workshops, and hands-on activities with experts from Groundwork DC, Smithsonian Gardens and Casey Trees.
Since it opened in 1923, the Avalon Theatre has long since been a landmark for filmgoers andtheater buffs in the Washington, DC area. Not only is the Avalon known for its film festivals, documentaries, and special programs but it also remains to be the oldest operating movie house in the DC area. This Saturday, the theater will host a gala in celebration of the historic theater's 90th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the theater’s awakening as a nonprofit.
A feature screening of actor Keanu Reaves latest production, Tribeca Films’ Side By Side: The Science, Art and Impact of Digital Cinematography and a post-screening discussion led by Washington Post film critic, Ann Hornaday will take place on Saturday. Guest appearances from directors such as James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, and Martin Scorsese too! Proceeds from the event will go to the theatre’s conversion to digital cinema projection, which is scheduled to take place in May.
Saturday: Reception starts at 5:00pm / Screening & discussion start at 6:30
Imagine a world without any music. How would you rebuild sound from the ground up, piece by piece, determining music’s most important elements? This Sunday at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, the United States Marine Band turns off the music as it presents an educational and interactive young people’s concert called “Sound Off!”. After kicking off the performance with the familiar “Superman” theme, the music will disappear and the band and audience will rebuild music from the bottom up. Family participation is essential since the band depends on the audience’s spontaneous artwork and improvised skits for its live soundtrack. After the concert, everyone is invited to the lobby for an instrumental “petting zoo.” Though 5-12 year olds are the key demographic, all ages are guaranteed to have a good time!
Spring has sprung and we're in the mood to celebrate! Check out our weekend event highlights in DC, Maryland, and Virginia for April 19 - 21 below, you're sure to find something you'll like.
Tito Puente (April 20, 1923 – June 1, 2000) was a prestigious Latin jazz and salsa composer and a remarkable musician. Known as “The King of Latin Jazz” and “The King of the Timbales,” Tito Puente made an extensive impact in the music world for 50 years. This Saturday, the Anacostia Community Museum hosts Metro Mambo: Tito Puente: The Definitive Celebration! Hosted by Jim Byers from 89.3 FM’s Latin Flavor, this celebration of the legendary Tito Puente includes un-released recordings, personal insights, and rare memorabilia from former Puente band members and Puente’s biographer, archivist, and best friend of over 40 years, Joe Conzo. Get excited, there will be a dance party featuring one of the region’s top bands!
Now that the sun is finally shinning and the flowers are beginning to bloom, why not spend the weekend outdoors? This weekend, the City of Alexandria will host the 20th Annual Alexandria Earth Day and Arbor Day. The event will consist of a variety of activities such as the Arbor Day tree planting, visual and performing arts events from Alexandria City Public School students, the Annual Earth Day Tree Sale, and music from Woven Green, an eco-friendly band. Also included will be the display of a new hybrid DASH bus, a hybrid trolley and other vehicles to educate families of the importance of going green. So get on your bike, jump on the bus, or walk to Alexandria’s Annual Earth Day Celebration.
“To be, or not to be: that is the question” and we have an answer! This Sunday, you need to “be” at William Shakespeare’s Birthday Open House hosted by the Folger Shakespeare Library. This free celebration will feature fun activities for the whole family, like a Shakespeare portrait contest, fortune telling, Elizabethan crafts, stories from 16th Century England, a scavenger hunt, and poetry contests. Sunday is also the only day the Reading Rooms are open to the public so take a tour inside and then head out on a docent-lead walk through the Elizabethan Garden. This event is rain or shine, be sure to get there in for the cake-cutting ceremony on the lawn at 3:30pm.
Sunday, 12 to 4pm
Cost: Free
Folger Shakespeare Library 201 East Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC 20003
Read the full article to watch our WETA Around Town film discussions from this week, share your impressions of the movies in the comments below! Reviewed: Trance & 42
In Performance at the White House: Memphis Soul airs on WETA tonight at 8:00pm! This show honors the soul-infused music from the mid-to late-1960s that came from Memphis, Tennessee and renowned labels such as Stax-Volt Records, which featured artists like Al Green, Ben Harper, Alabama Shakes, Mavis Stables, and more. This exciting evening in the White
House’s East Room pays tribute to Memphis. Though Memphis was a segregated city in the 1960s, blacks and whites came together to make soulful music with a mix of gospel and rhythmic grooves, which is known today as “Memphis Soul.”
In Performance at the White House: Memphis Soul is the tenth In Performance at the White House program during President Barack Obama’s administration. This edition features a wide array of classic songs performed by impressive artists: “I’ll Take You There” performed by Mavis Staples, “Soul Man” performed by Sam Moore and Joshua Ledet, “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay” performed by Justin Timberlake and Steve Cropper, “Knock on Wood” performed by Eddie Floyd, “Born Under a Bad Sign” performed by Alabama Shakes, Steve Cropper, and Booker T, “You Don’t Miss Your Water” performed by William Bell, “I Can’t Stand the Rain” performed by Queen Latifah, “I’m In I’m Out And I’m Gone” performed by Charlie Musselwhite and Ben Harper, “Try A Little Tenderness” performed by Cyndi Lauper and Charlie Musselwhite, and “In the Midnight Hour” performed by the full cast.
In Performance at the White House: Memphis Soul airs on WETA Tuesday, April 16 at 8:00pm, Wednesday at 4:00pm, Thursdays at 1:00pm, and Friday at 9:00pm. Don’t miss out on these fantastic, soulful performances!
Looking for something to do this weekend in DC, Maryland, and Virginia? Check out our selection of the culinary, the classical, and more in your own backyard!
Looking for an experience that will make you feel like
you’re in the comfort of your own home, at the movies and at a restaurant all at once? There’s a solution for your hankering. The Workhouse Arts Center will be hosting Dinner and a Movie Night Friday evening, a special event that blends food and film. Watch the classic Alfred Hitchcock movie, REAR WINDOW, and select from a buffet style menu that includes sliced marinated steak, sliced chicken in marsala sauce, mashed Yukon potatoes, mixed green salad, and more.
This Saturday, award-winning guitarist Orlando Roman will be performing the works of Albéniz, Turina, Ponce, Barrios, Mertz, and Brouwer in a concert sponsored by the Washington Conservatory of Music. Come and let this accomplished performer serenade you with the wonders of his classical guitar.
The Asphalt Orchestra is no ordinary marching band. Instead of fight songs, shrill renditions of Sousa, and militaristic uniforms and dance routines, this group’s music and choreography is unpredictable and even jazzy! Join the 12-piece group as they fire up the Alden Theatre with music by Frank Zappa, David Byrne, Björk, and many more. Don’t miss out on this innovative evening!
And if you’re in the mood for a day at the museums, visit Color, Line, Light: French Drawings, Watercolors, and Pastels from Delacroix to Signac at the National Gallery of Art. Check out what our critics have to say about it! Watch the video here!
In this crime drama directed by Derek Cianfrance, a motorcycle stunt driver, played by Ryan Gosling, begins robbing banks to provide for his lover and newborn child.
Cannes comes to Washington with the U.S. open of Italian director Matteo Garrone's drama this weekend. REALITY, starring Aniello Arena, follows a fishmonger who becomes obsessed with appearing on a reality TV show.
This April WETA has taken the liberty of inviting a few guests to your home. But don’t worry, you won’t need to clean up first! Visit with old friends and meet new ones all month long with special programs introducing you to a wide variety of characters, from Hollywood legends to subjects in groundbreaking documentaries.
filmmaker David Sutherland introduces us to Robin Charboneau and her two children who are living on an Indian Reservation in North Dakota. The special co-presentation of Frontline and Independent Lens follows Robin over a three year period as she tries to raise her children and rebuild her life after an abusive marriage.
In 1936 African American sprinter Jesse Owens broke Olympic records and won four gold medals in Berlin, the headquarters of Hitler's Nazi regime. Rather than boycotting the games, he used with athletic ability to defy Hitler and amaze the rest of the world. Join us for this hour episode of American Experience featuring one of our country’s most important athletes.
Meet Michael Mosley, a man determined to live longer, stay younger and loose weight. Will his secret to a healthier life be fasting, exercise or digestion? Join us in this new series as Michael experiments on himself with these techniques to longevity.
This is one man who’s probably graced your TV screen in one form or another already. Prehaps you know him as Rooster Cogburn, Bad Blake or the Dude. Learn all about Jeff Bridges and his unique style that’s landed him some of the most memorable roles in Hollywood.
Sometimes it’s just as important to get together with old friends as it is meet new ones. Don’t forget about your favorite grumpy Doc, Martin, who can be found helping the citizens of the town Portwenn every Saturday at 8pm.
James Stewart is one of the most loved American Actors, using his roles of ordinary men to remind us what’s really important. Follow his rise to fame with this documentary paying tribute to his career.
This is a story about three lives interconnected. After Tibetan master Geshe Lama Konchog passes away, his devoted disciple, Tenzin Zopa is faced with the challenge of finding his mater’s reincarnation in a new body. Will this unmistaken child be found among the millions of children in the world?
Tuesday, April 9th at 8pm and Friday, April 12th at 9pm
Known for her comedy, The Carol Burnett Show, this famous actress’s life hasn’t always been laughs and smiles. Join us for this episode of American Masters as Carol Burnett’s life and career comes into focus.
After starring in films such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Roman Holiday and My Fair Lady, Audrey Hepburn has left her mark as one of the most successful and glamorous women in Hollywood. Go behind the scenes of her career with interviews and rare footage in this documentary
The life of this self-made movie mogul is just as interesting as the characters she plays. Discover the story of Joan Crawford and her career that spans from the flapper era of the 1920s to thrillers in the 1960s.
In 1989, five black and Hispanic teenagers were wrongly convicted of raping a white woman in New York City. In this new documentary by Ken Burns we hear see from the perspective of those accused and the effects the Central Park Jogger case has had on their lives.
Meet Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks, star of the British crime series based on the Peter Robinson novels. After a succession of murders DCI Banks does everything in his power to find the person responsible for these horrible crimes.
This leading man was more than just good looks. He had a charismatic personality that landed him in roles such as To Catch a Thief and North by Northwest. Follow Cary Grant’s rise to fame from the working class, through archival footage, family photos and film clips.
Gregory Peck worked his way up through theater roles to Academy Award winning, Hollywood actor by the end of his career. Learn about the trails and tribulations along the way and his reaction to landing important roles in films such as To Kill a Mockingbird.
The popular Superherione Wonder Woman has been around in comic books since the 1940s, but what has a powerful woman represented to society both past and present? Learn about the history of super power and the inspiration she’s been for generations of women.
Star of one of the most loved films in history, The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland captured hearts at a young age and went on to produce a large body of work. Join us for the story of her life told through her own words and the legacy that she leaves behind.
This is the story of President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives, a man working to ensure the survival of his country and its citizens. As the most low-lying country in the world, a minor rise in sea level would submerge the 1200 islands of the Maldives. Tune in to learn more about this leader the intensifying responsibilities he has to his people.
Set your DVRs and meet Rowan, a young boy diagnosed with autism in Texas. After trying unsuccessfully to help their son, his parents discover he has a deep, calming connection with horses. Determined to heal in whatever way possible, the family embarks on a spiritual journey on horseback through Mongolia in search of a shaman.
Looking for something to do this weekend in DC, Maryland, and Virginia? Check out our selection of memorable movie music, mind-bending acrobatics, and more in your own backyard!
Often, the music from your favorite film can be just as memorable as the visuals. Take your ears on a trip through Hollywood this Friday, as Chuck Redd plays tunes from popular movies like ANATOMY OF A MURDER, THE WIZARD OF OZ, and Woody Allen's recent MIDNIGHT IN PARIS. Redd’s jazz renditions on the vibraphone will be enough to see Dorothy’s ruby red slippers, even without them projected on a screen.
Venture into a landscape of disappearing dreams, distorted visions, and jumbled memories! This Friday and Saturday at George Mason’s Center for the Arts, indulge in Les 7 Doigts de la Main’s acrobatic and theatrical experience, PSY. This prominent Canadian troupe’s most recent creation juxtaposes dark issues, from insomnia to amnesia, with circus arts like the German wheel, teeterboard, and aerial rope. PSY portrays the beauty and commonality of neuroses while celebrating the endurance of the individual to prevail against ailments and self-imposed limitations. Don’t miss out on this “mind-bending journey into the human ego”!
Friday, 8pm
Saturday, 2pm & 8pm
Cost: $24-$48; youth through grade 12 half price when accompanied by an adult
Before the rise of the Digital Age, billboards, storefronts, murals and even street signs were all painted by hand. But this art has not been completely lost. With many business owners seeking an ‘old school’ look, renewed interest in traditional sign painting has recently revived the craft.
Filmmakers Faye Levine and Sam Macon captured the stories of over two dozen sign painters in their new film, fittingly titled SIGN PAINTERS. Levine and Macon traveled from coast to coast and created the first anecdotal history of sign painting. Join Levine and Macon for the film’s world premiere, followed by a Q&A session and a signing of the companion book.
What if all 142 of your children filed a lawsuit against you at the same time? That’s the news Patrick Huard’s character must face in Ken Scott’s comedy, which is finally seeing its U.S. premiere.
This German crime thriller, starring Ulrick Thomsen and Claudia Michelsen and directed by Baran bo Odar, brings us to the summer 23 years after the disappearance of a 13-year-old girls occurred.
Center this weekend! Combining radio show and comic book elements, this unique production follows the story of reporter Molly Sloan, her assistant Timmy Mendez, and a librarian named Ben Wilcott as they face the threat of an invasion of sludge monsters from the planet Zygon. The live performance features three actors, one Foley artist, and one keyboardist who perform all the voices, sound effects and music, while more than 1,000 hand-drawn, comic book images fill a two-story-high screen. This adventure is perfect for families with children ages 8 and up! 
purchase original work from over 200 artists across a wide range of mediums. Enjoy live performances and entertainment, and be sure to visit the Family Art Park, which offers something for children, teens, and adults alike. Held by the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE), a non-profit organization with the goal of promoting visual arts, the festival begins this Friday with its Opening Night Party from 6pm-9pm. 
think what life would be like without cars, buses or trains? This Saturday you will have the opportunity to show your appreciation by celebrating 
Day
present 
Blanche was permanently crippled in an accident blamed on Jane. Now in 1962, Jane and Blanche live together in their decaying Los Angeles mansion as Jane plots their showbiz comeback. Blanche desperately tries to get away from Jane but can she succeed to escape her tormenting sister who handicapped her as a young woman and continues to do so in their older age? 
an undocumented border crosser, who disappeared in the Sonora Desert while entering the U.S. Marcos sends money from his home in Chicago to his mother in Mexico City every month so she can buy medicine for his brother, Gustavo, who needs a kidney transplant. The Undocumented is Marcos’s story—as well as the story of countless other migrants. Follow Marcos’s search with the efforts of humanitarians and Border Patrol agents who are fighting to prevent migrant deaths, the medical investigators and Mexican Consulate workers who are trying to identify dead border crossers, and Mexican families who are struggling to accept the loss of a loved one. 
American-born youth. A Village Called Versailles is the story of this little-known community in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. When the storm devastated New Orleans in August 2005, Versailles residents rebuilt their neighborhood faster than most other damaged neighborhoods in the city, only to find themselves threatened by a new toxic landfill slated to open just two miles away. Forced out of Vietnam by the war 30 years ago, many residents felt their homes were being taken away from them once again. Watch the story of this community fighting to regain their safety and happiness in New Orleans. 
history, and is currently home to properties from the 18th and 19th centuries. The Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage is hosting a tour of eight historic and modern homes in Somerset and Worcester Counties on Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Highlights of the day include visits to “Beverly” in Pocomoke City and Watkins Point Farm outside of Crisfield. All proceeds from the tour will go back into the communities through The Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council. 
DC, Passport DC will host the Around the World Embassy Tour. This onetime event allows visitors the chance to see over 40 embassies representing six continents throughout the world. Patrons will also have the opportunity to see nine new embassies this year such as Barbados, Chile, Malaysia, Nicaragua and several others. Participants will be treated to a variety of cultural and festive activities such as food tasting, dancing, musical performances and artwork while exploring these remarkable buildings. So come on out for an experience that will truly broaden your cultural horizon. 
African sounds. Considered a “dazzling” and “stunning” artist, Downs has combined her passion for music and ancient culture to create powerful, edgy music with international flair as she explores topics of immigration, transformation, and social and political justice. Downs has won numerous awards, such as the 2013 Grammy award for “Best Regional Mexican Album,” and has performed at major festivals and venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall! A free pre-performance discussion for ticket holders will be held 45 minutes prior to the performance. Be sure to grab your tickets for this sensational performance! 
theater buffs in the Washington, DC area. Not only is the Avalon known for its film festivals, documentaries, and special programs but it also remains to be the oldest operating movie house in the DC area. This Saturday, the theater will host a gala in celebration of the historic theater's 90th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the theater’s awakening as a nonprofit. 
piece by piece, determining music’s most important elements? This Sunday at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, the United States Marine Band turns off the music as it presents an educational and interactive young people’s concert called “Sound Off!”. After kicking off the performance with the familiar “Superman” theme, the music will disappear and the band and audience will rebuild music from the bottom up. Family participation is essential since the band depends on the audience’s spontaneous artwork and improvised skits for its live soundtrack. After the concert, everyone is invited to the lobby for an instrumental “petting zoo.” Though 5-12 year olds are the key demographic, all ages are guaranteed to have a good time! 
a remarkable musician. Known as “The King of Latin Jazz” and “The King of the Timbales,” Tito Puente made an extensive impact in the music world for 50 years. This Saturday, the Anacostia Community Museum hosts Metro Mambo: Tito Puente: The Definitive Celebration! Hosted by Jim Byers from 89.3 FM’s Latin Flavor, this celebration of the legendary Tito Puente includes un-released recordings, personal insights, and rare memorabilia from former Puente band members and Puente’s biographer, archivist, and best friend of over 40 years, Joe Conzo. Get excited, there will be a dance party featuring one of the region’s top bands! 
the weekend outdoors? This weekend, the City of Alexandria will host the 20th Annual Alexandria Earth Day and Arbor Day. The event will consist of a variety of activities such as the Arbor Day tree planting, visual and performing arts events from Alexandria City Public School students, the Annual Earth Day Tree Sale, and music from Woven Green, an eco-friendly band. Also included will be the display of a new hybrid DASH bus, a hybrid trolley and other vehicles to educate families of the importance of going green. So get on your bike, jump on the bus, or walk to Alexandria’s Annual Earth Day Celebration. 
“be” at William Shakespeare’s Birthday Open House hosted by the Folger Shakespeare Library. This free celebration will feature fun activities for the whole family, like a Shakespeare portrait contest, fortune telling, Elizabethan crafts, stories from 16th Century England, a scavenger hunt, and poetry contests. Sunday is also the only day the Reading Rooms are open to the public so take a tour inside and then head out on a docent-lead walk through the Elizabethan Garden. This event is rain or shine, be sure to get there in for the cake-cutting ceremony on the lawn at 3:30pm. 
House’s East Room pays tribute to Memphis. Though Memphis was a segregated city in the 1960s, blacks and whites came together to make soulful music with a mix of gospel and rhythmic grooves, which is known today as “Memphis Soul.” 
Sousa, and militaristic uniforms and dance routines, this group’s music and choreography is unpredictable and even jazzy! Join the 12-piece group as they fire up the Alden Theatre with music by Frank Zappa, David Byrne, Björk, and many more. Don’t miss out on this innovative evening! 
This Friday and Saturday at George Mason’s Center for the Arts, indulge in Les 7 Doigts de la Main’s acrobatic and theatrical experience, PSY. This prominent Canadian troupe’s most recent creation juxtaposes dark issues, from insomnia to amnesia, with circus arts like the German wheel, teeterboard, and aerial rope. PSY portrays the beauty and commonality of neuroses while celebrating the endurance of the individual to prevail against ailments and self-imposed limitations. Don’t miss out on this “mind-bending journey into the human ego”! 
seeking an ‘old school’ look, renewed interest in traditional sign painting has recently revived the craft. 
