Weekly Arts Round Up, October 1, 2020
By • October 1, 2020 0 745
This year’s Taste and Shop Georgetown runs from Oct. 5 to 25. Also coming up in the nabe: the Blessing of the Animals at St. John’s on Sunday (and at Dumbarton Methodist on Saturday at 11 a.m.) and fall classes at Hinckley Pottery. Click on the headings below for details.
Signature Theatre: Online Dance Class
On Oct. 1 at 7 p.m., Maurice Johnson — who has worked with some of the biggest in the business — brings his street jazz techniques to Signature Theatre for an online dance class appropriate for all levels. A fun fusion of hip-hop and jazz, street jazz is performed by pop and R&B artists such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Usher. Tickets are $10.
During this year’s Oktoberfest at the Wharf, on Oct. 3 from 2 to 5 p.m., a dozen restaurants will offer German-inspired specials from their outdoor tents and dining halls. In the spirit of the annual Wiener 500, dachshunds with and without costumes are invited to Camp Wharf at the Firepit for a doggy treat. Humans can enter a virtual costume contest with the chance to win a Sam Adams festival stein by posting photos of their German attire to Instagram using #wharfdc.
Shakespeare Theatre Company: Virtual Gala
Angela Bassett, Merle Dandridge, Dame Judi Dench, Maureen Dowd, Harry Lennix, Norm Lewis, Kalen Robinson, Russell Thomas, Courtney B. Vance and the cast of “The Amen Corner” will make appearances at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s free virtual gala on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. This celebration of STC’s history and future, hosted by Artistic Director Simon Godwin, is co-directed by LeeAnet Noble and Alan Paul.
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra: In-Person Concerts
A Beethoven septet and the Piazzolla tango “Oblivion” — featuring bandoneonist Emmanuel Trifilio — are on the program for four hour-long Alexandria Symphony Orchestra concerts conducted by Music Director Jim Ross for socially distanced, mask-wearing audiences of 39 in the secret garden of the Rectory, 711 Princess St. in Alexandria, Virginia. Performances are Oct. 3 at 4:30 and 6 p.m. and Oct. 4 at 3:30 and 5 p.m. Tickets are $45.
St. John’s Church: Blessing of the Animals
On Oct. 4 at 2 p.m., St. John’s Georgetown, 3240 O St. NW, invites area residents of any and all faiths to don their face masks and bring their pets, new and old, to the traditional Blessing of the Animals service on the front lawn. Treats for all of God’s creatures will be provided.
Olney Theatre: ‘The Humans Streaming’
Originally scheduled for last season, the physical production of “The Humans,” written by Stephen Karam and directed by Aaron Posner, was permanently shelved due to the pandemic. However, a virtual version of this Tony-winning family dramedy was filmed with the actors in six different locations. “The Humans Streaming” is available for on-demand viewing through Oct. 4. Tickets are $35 per household.
Round House Theatre: ‘American Dreams’
Round House Theatre will present “American Dreams” online on Oct. 5, 6, 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. and on Oct. 10 and 11 at 2 and 7 p.m. In this playful, interactive exploration of American values, written by Leila Buck and directed by Tamilla Woodard, the audience gets to decide which of three hopeful immigrants most deserves the ultimate prize: instant citizenship to the United States. Tickets are $30.
Georgetown BID: Taste and Shop Georgetown
More than 65 restaurants, retailers, salons and services throughout Georgetown’s commercial district will offer Taste and Shop Georgetown promotions over a three-week period starting on Oct. 5. View the list of participating businesses — including 30-some restaurants with takeout, delivery and outdoor dining specials — on the website of the Georgetown Business Improvement District. Although this year’s event is free, donations to Georgetown Ministry Center, seeking lasting solutions to homelessness, are encouraged.
Hinckley Pottery: Fall Classes
Located in Georgetown at 3132 Blues Alley NW, Hinckley Pottery will run classes for adults at all skill levels beginning on Oct. 6. Class sizes have been reduced, students must wear a mask at all times and frequent handwashing is required. Available at various days and times, sessions are two and a half hours long. Tuition — including clay and basic tools and materials for making and glazing pots — is $400 for 10-week wheel classes (rolling enrollment) and $240 for six-week handbuilding classes (Oct. 11 to Nov. 15), plus an $80 nonrefundable registration fee.
Eva Chen, director of fashion partnerships at Instagram and author of “Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes,” will read her new book, “Roxy the Last Unisaurus Rex,” illustrated by Matthew Rivera, at Kramers IGTV Story Time on Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. Admission is free.
On Oct. 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., National Portrait Gallery Curator Emeritus Ellen Miles will give an illustrated online lecture, “William and Anna Maria Brodeau Thornton: Capital Portraits,” about portraits of the Tudor Place architect and his wife painted by Gilbert Stuart, Robert Field, Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin and Charles Bird King. Admission is free.
Asian Art Museum: Sufi Music Performance
Born and raised in Tétouan, Morocco, Zainab Afailal will perform Sufi-inspired Andalusian songs at the concluding performance of the National Museum of Asian Art’s online festival of Sufi music on Oct. 7 at noon. A talk with Scott Kugle, professor of South Asian and Islamic Studies at Emory University, will follow. Admission is free.
Anacostia Museum: Kids’ At-Home Activity Demo
At the Anacostia Community Museum’s Take Time Thursday on Oct. 8 from 2:30 to 3 p.m., Brian Barber, educator and founder of Mr. New School Media, will give a free virtual demonstration of how he uses rap music and art activities to engage children at home during the stay-at-home orders. Barber has bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and visual communication/digital media arts from Bowie State University and a master’s degree in education from Trinity University in D.C.
