Weekend Round Up July 20, 2017
By • July 20, 2017 0 345
Another entertainment-filled weekend is here, with Capital Fringe in high gear and the District of Comedy Festival at the Kennedy Center.
A small sample of Capital Fringe shows follows. Tickets are $17 plus a Fringe button. For details, visit capitalfringe.org or call 866-811-4111.
Thomas Jefferson Hoochie-Coochie Man
An imaginary monologue by former President Bill Clinton examines the story of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings as an American folktale, involving conquest, color and concealment, with a narrative arc from 19th-century “fake news” to 21st-century “fan fiction.” Thursday, July 13, at 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday, July 22, at 5:45 p.m., at Pursuit Wine Bar, 1421 H St. NE.
I’m Margaret Thatcher, I Is!
Based entirely on assumptions about Maggie Thatcher that have not been fact-checked, this show covers such events in the life of the former British prime minister as fighting Jack the Ripper, helping to form the Beatles, inventing the double-decker bus and solving mysteries with Sherlock Holmes. Friday, July 21, at 7:45 p.m., at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE.
PIC: The Prison Industrial Complex
A ritual poetic drama told from the perspective of inmates, guards, family members, police officers, judges and politicians, P.I.C. confronts the audience with satire, humor and tragedy. All performances are immediately followed by a facilitated post-show dialogue. Saturday, July 22, at 3 p.m.; and Sunday, July 23, at 2 p.m., at Eastman Studio Theatre, Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave. NE.
Next, a couple District of Comedy shows at the Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW. For details, visit kennedy-center.org or call 800-444-1324.
Funny Women Stand-Up
Hilarious comedians Leah Bonnema, Emmy Blotnick, Joyelle Nicole and Molly Ruben-Long come together for a free night of can’t-miss funny women hosted by Chelsea Shorte. Friday, July 21, at 8:30 p.m.
The Improvised Shakespeare Co.
Based on a suggestion from the audience (a title for a play that has yet to be written), the Improvised Shakespeare Company brings attendees an evening of off-the-cuff comedy by creating a fully improvised Shakespearean masterpiece before their very eyes. Saturday, July 21, at 8 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $35.
Below are a few other weekend events worth noting.
Free Opening Reception: 1460 Wallmountables
Since 1989, 1460 Wallmountables has offered the opportunity for artists of all disciplines and abilities to show in this open hanging. The wall space is divided with strings into two-foot by two-foot squares, creating a floor-to-ceiling grid on which artists hang their work. The result is a remarkable salon-style show that despite its diversity has a distinct rhythm. Friday, July 21, at 7 p.m., at DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW. For details, visit dcartscenter.org or call 202-462-7833.
Tanabata Festival at Hillwood
The Japan-America Society of Washington DC and Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens will celebrate Tanabata, the Japanese star festival, with storytelling and Japanese music and crafts. The festival is connected with the legend of the weaver princess Orihime and the herder Hikoboshi, lovers separated by the Milky Way. Saturday, July 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Hillwood, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for students and $5 for ages 6 to 18. For details, visit hillwoodmuseum.org or call 202-686-5807.
Family Day at National Geographic
National Geographic is celebrating the Summer of Sharks — and kicking off Nat Geo Wild’s SharkFest — with an interactive, all-day, family-friendly festival. Visitors are invited to take in the new “Sharks” exhibition, meet Nat Geo ocean explorers, attend a marathon festival of shark films and linger in the courtyard for old-fashioned arcade games, educational activities and interactive performances. Attendance is free with RSVP, with some ticketed games and activities. Proceeds from the day will support the innovative National Geographic Explorers working to protect the last wild places in the ocean. Saturday, July 22, at 10 a.m., at National Geographic Headquarters, 1145 17th St. NW. For details, visit nationalgeographic.org or call 202-857-7000.
Prakriti Dance at Dance Place
Founded by Co-Artistic Directors Kasi Aysola and Madhvi Venkatesh, Prakriti Dance uses the movement vocabulary of the Indian classical dance form Bharata Natyam to communicate inspirations from nature, philosophy and human experience. By interweaving lyrics, dance and visual design, Prakriti Dance’s multifaceted presentations transcend cultural boundaries. Saturday, July 22, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, July 23, at 7 p.m., at Dance Place, 3225 8th St. NW. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for college students and ages 17 and under. For details, visit danceplace.org or call 202-269-1600.
Des Demonas at the Southwest Library
Capital Fringe presents a free all-ages concert by new local band Des Demonas, fronted by vocalist Jacky Cougar Abok, a 6-foot-5 Kenyan punk, drummer, zine publisher and devotee of the Fall whose vocal stylings have been likened to Fela Kuti meets Gil Scott-Heron meets Mark E. Smith. Sunday, July 23, at 2:30 p.m., at Southwest Neighborhood Library, 900 Wesley Place SW. For details, visit capitalfringe.org or call the library at 202-724-4752.
