Intended as a "holiday for space," the annual event Countdown to Yuri's Night celebrates the world's first manned space flight by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in the most non-scientific of ways: through a zany night of visual art, performance and music. Among the festivities: an art/science exhibit of local contemporary artists at Artisphere's Mezz Gallery focused on "retro-future visions of ... [Read]

In partnership with the Alliance Francaise, Artisphere presents Belo, a 31-year-old Haitian singer-songwriter, whose socially conscious songs document the hardships in his homeland. Belo's music mixes jazz, world, rock, reggae and Afro-Haitian and has become popular in France since the 2010 Haitian earthquake. Saturday, Jan. 14, at 8 p.m. Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Tickets are $20. Call 703-875-1100 or ... [Read]

Gay choreographer Daniel Phoenix Singh will perform a tender male-male duet "Since You've Asked" -- featuring poetry by Leonard Cohen and music by Jacques Brel -- as part of his company Dakshina's performances at Artisphere this weekend. A Banghra Dance Party with DJs takes place in the venue's Ballroom after the performances. Tonight, Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10, ... [Read]

D.C.-based filmmakers Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer's 2010 documentary Out In The Silence focuses on a popular young jock brutally bullied at his small-town high school after coming out as gay. His mother invited filmmaker and native son Wilson to come and tell the tale, revealing the challenges still facing gay people in 21st century America. Wednesday, Feb. 9, at ... [Read]