Weekend Roundup, Feb. 2 – 5


We’re officially into February and lots of interesting and entertaining activities to go with it. Enjoy performances at area theaters, celebrate the beginning of Black History Month and get inspired for your next vacation at The Washington, DC Travel and Adventure Show. 

The United Ukrainian Ballet Presents: “Giselle” 

A company of Ukrainian dancers visits The Kennedy Center for their interpretation of “Giselle.” The romantic ballet will be performed through Sunday only and this interpretation is created specifically for the United Ukrainian Ballet. The show should be truly breathtaking, as the artists are all united by war and hope for a more peaceful future. You can get tickets here. 

Mosaic Theater’s ‘Bars and Measures’ 

The Mosaic Theater Company returns today with “Bars and Measures,” playwright and breakbeat poet Idris Goodwin’s play.  The show is inspired by true events and tells the tale of brothers Eric and Bilal, a classical pianist and jazz musician, respectively. They are united through their love of music but separated by being in prison. The production features an original score by local jazz musician and composer Kris Funn. Tickets can be found here. 

Bars & Measures is written by Idris Goodwin. Courtesy Mosaic Theater.

Opera Lafayette Presents “Pergolesi!” 

Also beginning this evening is part of Opera Lafayette’s virtual salon performance of “Pergolesi!” The performance is part of their 2022-2023 season dedicated to “The Era of Madame de Pompadour,” highlighting her history, life and musical influences. For those unfamiliar, Opera Lafayette is an American interpreter and producer of period-instrument opera from the 17th-19th centuries (and an international leader in this repertoire). More information on how to get tickets can be found here 

Opera Lafayette is featuring one of its virtual salon performances this weekend. Courtesy Opera Lafayette.

Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs, Choral Arts Society Honor MLK. 

Don’t miss “Living the Dream… Singing the Dream,” a co-presentation of Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs and The Choral Arts Society of Washington. This Sunday at 7 p.m. at The Kennedy Center, the combined choirs will sing a tribute concert to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s achievements and continued impact on the world. More information on the show from artistic directors Michele Fowlin and Theodore Thorpe III (Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs) and Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan (The Choral Arts Society of Washington) here. For our article about Dr. Saplan’s Cultural Leadership Breakfast with us, see here

Black History Month at Museum of African American History and Culture

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is celebrating Black History Month all month long with a range of educational and celebratory activities. Saturday at 11 a.m. is “NMAAHC Kids Learning Together: Black History Month,” a Learning Together series for children ages 6 and up. The virtual program includes discussions with a veterinarian, ice skater, chef and doctor to learn about their work and similarities to well-known Black characters from children’s movies and television. First up is Saturday February 4 with “Celebrating Encanto,” where Dr. Lauren Davidson, a vet, will teach kids about animal behavior and care and answer questions live. More information on the event can be found here. 

AU Museum Winter Exhibits Are Open 

The American University Museum’s winter exhibitions open Saturday, with a noteworthy exhibit “Madayin,” the first major show of Aboriginal Australian bark painting to tour the country. There’s also intriguing photojournalism from World War II and a celebration of the 20th year of the Trawick Prize. More information on the exhibits can be found here. 

Dhambit Munuŋgurr, Ocean, 2019. Natural pigments and acrylic on eucalyptus bark. Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia. Courtesy AU.

Visit Zenith Gallery’s “Black Like Me” 

Black artists are featured in this exhibit at Pennsylvania Ave. NW’s “Zenith Gallery.” Artists featured include Buzz Duncan, Francine Haskins, Claudia Gibson-Hunter, Hubert Jackson and more. Don’t miss Duncan’s work as a local — he was born in Jamaica and raised in D.C. and is a self-taught artist. His work is full of emotional energy and addresses social issues like policy brutality, mass incarceration and gun violence. More information on this exhibit can be found here. 

Buzz Duncan’s “Gerome,” acrylic on canvas. Courtesy Art Zenith Gallery.

Take A Travel Adventure Inside the Beltway 

Fresh off the auto show, the convention center is hosting The Washington, D.C. Travel and Adventure Show. Get inspired for your next trip this weekend with featured speakers like Andrew McCarthy, Peter Greenberg and Samantha Brown (who will all be dishing on the best travel tips and tricks). More information on the show can be found here. 

Traveled to the travel show yet? Courtesy Washington, D.C. TAS.

 

 

 

tags

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *