Monster Fish: National Geographic –Ā Photo by Brant Allen
Next month marks the 150th anniversary of the Lincoln Assassination at Ford’s Theatre — and the venue isn’t being shy about the occasion. Hauling out its arsenal of artifacts as well as hosting tours and discussions, Ford’s is even reenacting the immediate aftermath. Yet not everything in D.C. is deathly serious — or even historically significant — this season. In fact, there’s funny to be found all around, from David Sedaris to three princesses of comedy: Fortune Feimster, Loni Love and Lisa Lampanelli. You can also crack up with “Weird Al” Yankovic at Wolf Trap, orĀ atĀ him during — get this — “a burlesque tribute” to the man at the Black Cat. Speaking of cracking up, if anyone had said a decade ago that a ragtag variety show called Crack would still be going strong, no doubt they would have been accused of smoking something.
Countdown to Yuri’s NightĀ — “D.C.’s longest-running celebration of the first human spaceflight lands at Artisphere” (4/11)
Safwat Saleem and Rebecca Sheir: BruisedĀ — Barring last-minute intervention, Arlington county will close Artisphere by July, but the venue isn’t going quietly, or at least not without some indirect grumbling: The final exhibition is a series of new animated works by Saleem based on stories shared by the public via WAMU’s Sheir on the topic of defeat (4/15-Close)
B-Fly Backstage: Diverse Solo Shows from WomenĀ — Caroline Clay, Paige Hernandez, Jana Valentiner and Anu Yadav are a few of the local theater artists sharing excerpts from their solo work and discussing their experiences (4/18)
Ten Forward Happy HourĀ — One episode ofĀ Star Trek: The Next GenerationĀ and drink specials (3/27, and every Friday)
The Best of BurlesqueĀ — Swami Yomami hosts this Palace Productions show (3/28)
Sick Sad World Happy HourĀ — Two episodes ofĀ DariaĀ plus drink specials (3/28, and every Saturday)
All Night Long! A Burlesque Tribute to “Weird Al” YankovicĀ — The Evil League of Ecdysiasts presents one of the strangest ideas for a burlesque show, put together by GiGi Holliday and Cherie Sweetbottom (4/3)
Exhibit: Ships, Clocks & Stars: The Quest for LongitudeĀ — The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England, assembled this exhibition focused on the historical struggle to determine longitude at sea and including various timekeepers and astronomical tables, plus paintings from Captain Cook’s Pacific voyages (Now-8/23)
Don’t Rock The Cradle SymposiumĀ — A three-day event focused on the topic of displaying books in exhibitions (4/1-3)
RSC Live: Love’s Labour’s WonĀ (4/6)
Ā Alan Gurganus and Elizabeth StoutĀ — PEN/Faulkner Fiction with authors known for portraying local life in America and the ways in which sense of place intersects with sense of self (4/7)
2015 Folger GalaĀ (4/23)
Ā 35th Annual PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction CeremonyĀ — America’s largest peer-juried literary prize (5/2)
Ā Rita DoveĀ — O.B. Hardison Poetry lecture by this former U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner sharing her favorite poems by others and reading from her own (5/19)
Brews and Banter:Ā Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are DeadĀ — New pre-show conversation over booze intended to attract a younger theatergoing audience (5/21)
Silent Witnesses: Artifacts of the Lincoln AssassinationĀ — Reuniting, for the first time since April 1865, an extraordinary collection of artifacts that were in the theater or carried by Lincoln the night of his murder, from his top hat to Mary Todd Lincoln’s black velvet cloak to a playbill for the performance ofĀ Our American CousinĀ (Now-5/25)
History on Foot Walking TourĀ ā “Investigation: Detective McDevitt” follows a detective investigating the Lincoln assassination (Runs through October)
Leaders and Legacies: The Influence of Lincoln and MandelaĀ — A panel discussion on two of the world’s greatest leaders (4/14)
Now He Belongs to the Ages: A Lincoln CommemorationĀ — Luminaries of stage and screen present a moving, commemorative tribute to the 16th president, 150 years to the day since his assassination (4/14)
The Lincoln TributeĀ — An around-the-clock event with ranger talks and panel discussions inside the theater and historians offering first-person accounts on the street outside, including the recreation of the evening vigil for Lincoln, plus a wreath-laying ceremony and ringing of church bells at 7:22 a.m., the time of Lincoln’s death (4/14-15)
Brian Anderson: Behind-the-Scenes TourĀ — Author and Ford’s Theatre Society board member gives a tour of the theater based on his bookĀ Images of America: Ford’s TheatreĀ (4/14-15)
Midnight Tour with James SwansonĀ — Author ofĀ ManhuntĀ offers an intimate tour of the theater (4/15)
Mourning Our Lost LeadersĀ — A panel discussion exploring how the Civil War and Lincoln’s assassination shaped the way we mourn in America (4/15)
Exhibit: Splendor & Surprise: Elegant Containers, Antique to ModernĀ — Special exhibition features more than 80 remarkable boxes, coffers, chests and other containers that reveal the ways that cultures have stored their most treasured items and everyday objects over the past four centuries (Now-June 7)
Gardener’s Focus: An Orchid-Filled GreenhouseĀ — Jason Gedeik leads tours through Hillwood’s working greenhouse during March, otherwise known as Orchid Month (3/27, 3/31)
NemrĀ — Lebanese/American comedian offers a night of stand-up (4/16)
A Drag Salute to the Divas: DC Black Pride EditionĀ — Shi-Queeta-Lee and her stable of female illusionists will next toast “Girl Groups & Ladies of Hip-Hop,” including SWV, Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah (5/24)
Sensuality IIĀ — A reprise of a hit last year at THEARC Theater, Clouds in My Coffee Theater presents this journey of two women in love, along the way getting into a little drag, burlesque and sushi (5/30)
Uncivil Union: Comedy for EqualityĀ — A Capital Pride benefit for the Ally Coalition brings a lineup of cutting-edge comics to town, including Wyatt Cenac, Bridget Everett, Rachel Dratch and more TBA (6/11)
Mike LawrenceĀ — A night of comedy featuring the Comedy Central stand-up, plus opening set by D.C.-area native Jason Saenz. Free as part of Millennium Stage programming (3/27, Family Theater)
Ophira EisenbergĀ — Comedian, writer and host of NPR’s hit trivia comedy showĀ Ask Me Another, part of Millennium Stage programming (4/26, Terrace Theater)
Grand Illusion: The Art of Theatrical DesignĀ — From the Baroque courts of Europe to Broadway stages today, a glimpse at the theatrical design collections at the Library (Now-7/25, James Madison Building)
Ā Exhibit: Pointing Their Pens: Herblock and Fellow Cartoonists Confront the IssuesĀ — Editorial cartoons by the lateĀ Washington PostĀ artist are paired with the work of his contemporaries, providing visual insights into key moments in the 20th Century (Now-3/19/16, Thomas Jefferson Building)
Bahiyyih Nakhjavani: The Woman Who Read Too MuchĀ (4/2, Jefferson)
Joseph Genetin-Pilawa: The IndiansĀ — Kluge Fellow presents part of his larger study on the indigenous histories of D.C. (4/2, Jefferson)
Giorgio Trinchieri: Fighting Cancer with MicrobesĀ — A leader of the National Cancer Institute presents the lecture “Friendly Gut Microbes Help Fight Cancer” (4/2, Madison)
Japanese Culture DayĀ — A toast to the National Cherry Blossom Festival featuring origami-making activities, kimono demonstrations and tiara-making, plus a program about Japanese life and culture by the Japan-America Society of Washington (4/4, Jefferson)
Nicholas Vincent: Magna CartaĀ — Noted scholar presents “Magna Carta from Runnymede to Washington: Old Laws, New Discoveries” (4/6, Madison)
Patricia Smith Poetry ReadingĀ — Winner of the 13th Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry (4/6, Madison)
Daniel Lucey: Working in Ebola Units in Sierra Leone and Liberia 2014″Ā (4/7, Madison)
David H. Plylar: Liszt’s Historical Hungarian PortraitsĀ — Library music specialist discusses composer Franz Liszt’sĀ Historical Hungarian PortraitsĀ (4/7, Jefferson)
Ā Thomas A. Bogar: Backstage at the Lincoln Assassination: Dramatic Lives Behind the HeadlinesĀ (4/7, Madison)
David O. Stewart: Madison’s GiftĀ — Author discusses and signs his new book (4/14, Madison)
Paul Laird: The Genesis of Bernstein’s Chichester PsalmsĀ (4/14, Jefferson)
Justin Martin: Rebel SoulsĀ — “Walt Whitman and America’s First Bohemians” (4/21, Madison)
Poets LaureateĀ — Current laureate Charles Wright and the 15th laureate consultant Charles Simic participate in a moderated discussion withĀ PoetryĀ magazine editor Don Share (4/30, Jefferson)
Susan B. Harper: Vardanants DayĀ — “Reflections on Failures and Successes of American Humanitarianism: A Case Study from the Armenian Crucible of 1915-1923” (5/7, Jefferson)
Nick Brown: Musical LobbyistsĀ — A tour through a selection of the Library’s collection of telegrams, birthday cards and secret personal notes from notables including Leonard Bernstein, Frank Sinatra and the Kennedys (5/9, Jefferson)
Solomon HaileSelassie: Fly Space: Inside the Minds of Theatrical Directors and DesignersĀ — A look at the scripts, director’s notes, costume designs and set designs in the Library’s collection, from Bob Fosse, Oliver Smith and Peggy Clark, among others (5/16, Jefferson)
Welcome to Night ValeĀ — Fictional podcast brought to life on stage (3/27-28)
Lisa LampanelliĀ — The “Queen of Mean” in the gay-loving mold of Kathy Griffin (5/29)
LISNER AUDITORIUM
George Washington University 730 21st St. NW 202-994-6800 lisner.org
Laverne Cox: Trans Day of VisibilityĀ — “Ain’t I A Woman? My Journey to Womanhood” is the topic of discussion by theĀ Orange Is The New BlackĀ star (3/31)
Deepak ChopraĀ — “The Future of Wellbeing” according to this new-age/alternative-medicine proselytizer (4/1)
TEDxFoggyBottom 2015Ā — An annual conference bringing together innovators and change-makers from the local community and the world (4/3)
Poetry Out Loud 2015 National FinalsĀ — A competition in which 53 high-schoolers — one from each state, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands — test their skills in reciting classic and contemporary poetry (4/29)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE!
Grosvenor Auditorium NGS Headquarters 1600 M St. NW 202-857-7700 nglive.org/dc
Monster Fish: In Search of the Last River GiantsĀ — Based on aĀ National Geographic WildĀ series about finding and protecting the world’s largest freshwater fish, complete with five life-size sculptures, including a climbable sawfish, plus a gallery of aquariums with live fish and several games to test knowledge and skills (3/26-10/11)
Nobody’s River: Kayaking Asia’s WildernessĀ — River guide Amber Valenti and extreme sports photographer Krystle Wright discuss their 2,700-mile expedition to one of the most remote areas of Asia (4/2)
We Are What We EatĀ — Photographer Matthieu Paley reveals his findings traveling the world in search of our ancestral ties to the food we eat (4/15)
Chasing Ancient Mysteries: A Digital ExpeditionĀ — Explorer Albert Lin combines technology with physical exploration to solve both historical and modern mysteries (4/16)
Robert Clark: Evolution of a PhotographerĀ — Tracing a career from newspapers toĀ National GeographicĀ (4/21)
Marcus SamuelssonĀ — A conversation with producer Pam Caragol Wells, followed by a reception featuring some favorite recipes by this celebrated chef drawn from his new bookĀ Marcus Off-DutyĀ (4/23)
Shannon Galpin: Biking AfghanistanĀ — The first woman to mountain bike in the country (5/5)
Thomas Peschak: Wild Seas, Secret ShoresĀ (5/19)
Bob Poole: Gorongosa RebornĀ — Cinematographer documents a conservation project in a national park in Mozambique (5/21)
An Evening of Exploration and DiscoveryĀ —Ā National GeographicĀ personalities and the next generation of explorers discuss their work and pursuits (6/9)
NTLive: Of Mice and MenĀ — An HD broadcast filmed by the U.K.’s National Theatre Live and featuring James Franco and Chris O’Dowd in the landmark revival of John Steinbeck’s play (3/30, Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW)
Tina Packer: Women of WillĀ — Master Shakespearean actor/dramaturg deconstructs and conjures the Bard’s most famous female characters in a discussion based on her new book (4/8, Lansburgh Theatre)
NTLive: A View from the BridgeĀ — Ivo van Hove’s stunning West End production of Arthur Miller’s tragic masterpiece starring Mark Strong is presented via an HD broadcast from the Young Vic (4/20, 4/27, Harman)
Will on the HillĀ — This event welcomes Members of Congress, Senators and distinguished Washington insiders to perform scenes from Shakespeare, infused with comedic references to contemporary politics (6/15, Harman)
NTLive: Treasure IslandĀ — Bryony Lavery offers a new stage adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s story of murder, money and mutiny, presented via HD broadcast from the U.K.s National Theatre (6/29, Harman)
NTLive: SkylightĀ — Stephen Daldry’s adaptation of David Hare’s play starring Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan, broadcast in high-definition from the West End (7/6, Harman)
Gretchen RubinĀ —Ā Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday LivesĀ (3/31)
Jeffrey Goldberg: Is It Time for the Jews to Leave Europe?Ā —Ā AtlanticĀ national correspondent discusses his reporting for the April cover story (4/7)
Candice BergenĀ —Ā Murphy BrownĀ actress shares the big events in her life inĀ A Fine Romance, which she discusses in conversation with Madhulika Sikka (4/13)
Jennifer Teege: Holocaust Remembrance Day ProgramĀ —Ā My Grandfather Would Have Shot MeĀ recounts the shocking discovery that this adopted German-Nigerian author was the daughter of the Nazi commandant portrayed by Ralph Fiennes inĀ Schindler’s ListĀ (4/15)
Andrea Gibson w/Amber TamblynĀ — Spoken word artist, first winner of the Women’s World Poetry Slam (4/16)
Nora PoullionĀ —Ā My Organic Life: How a Pioneering Chef Helped Shape the Way We Eat TodayĀ tells the story of the Restaurant Nora chef/proprietor, in conversation here with Nancy McKeon (4/20)
Ellen McCarthyĀ —Ā The Real Thing: Lessons on Love and Life from a Wedding Reporter’s NotebookĀ (4/22)
David BrooksĀ —Ā The Road to CharacterĀ (4/23)
Kate BolickĀ —Ā Spinster: Making a Life of One’s OwnĀ (4/27)
Toni MorrisonĀ —Ā God Help the ChildĀ (4/30)
Maria BelloĀ —Ā Whatever…Love Is Love: Questioning the Labels We Give OurselvesĀ documents the adjustments this TV actress had to make in her life and with her son after falling in love with another woman (5/4)
5301 Tuckerman Lane North Bethesda 301-581-5100 strathmore.org
Julie AndrewsĀ — Maria von Trapp/Mary Poppins isn’t expected to sing at Strathmore’s 10th Anniversary Spring Gala, but the screen legend will share in conversation withĀ The Washington Post‘s Peter Marks (4/25, Music Center)
Art & The Mind: Taste & KnowĀ — Subtitled “How Art, Science and Technology Shape Our Relationship to Food,” a discussion led by artist Stefani Bardin, whose art shines a light on industrial food production and its effect on the environment (5/7, Mansion)
Shirley MacLaineĀ — Kennedy Center Honoree from 2013 will share her stories and discuss her work as a longtime advocate for civil rights, women’s rights and spiritual understanding (5/9, Music Center)
Aretha FranklinĀ — The Queen of Soul offers a rare live concert (5/13, Music Center)
Art & The Mind: Please Do TouchĀ — Subtitled “Evolving the Role of the Tactile Sense in Art Museums,” Rebecca McGinnis of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art leads a discussion about the power of touch and ways to incorporate the sense at museums to help broaden understanding and appreciation of works of art (5/14, Mansion)
Town&CountryĀ — The DC Rawhides presents a twice-monthly Saturday night hoedown of gay country-western dancing and socializing (4/4, 4/18, 5/2)
RuPaul’s Drag RaceĀ Season 7 Contestants SeriesĀ — Performing as part of the Saturday night drag show will be: Max, a gray-haired, Old Hollywood glamour queen who can sing (4/4); Katya, a Russian-obsessed queen and trained gymnast whose “mug is as beautiful as her mouth is filthy” (4/25); and Trixie Mattel, known for a life-in-plastic aesthetic (5/9)
CrackĀ — Chris Farris, Karl Jones and Shea Van Horn started this ragtag off-kilter variety show, “a low budget mess of stage and screen,” ten years ago (5/2)
Reduced Shakespeare CompanyĀ — In 90 minutes, this three-man troupe sets out to offer “The Complete History of Comedy (Abridged)” (4/11)
Michio KakuĀ — Renowned physicist, the co-founder of string field theory, also a three-timeĀ New York TimesĀ best-selling author, stops by for an engagement part of the Frederick Speaker Series (4/15)
A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison KeillorĀ — The public radio celebrity once kicks off the season at the Filene Center, this year featuring special guests Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan (5/22-23)
Sarah Koenig and Julie Snyder: Creators ofĀ SerialĀ — A behind-the-scenes look at the hit podcast, a spin-off ofĀ This American LifeĀ (6/6)
“Weird Al” YankovicĀ — Yes, the comedian and pop parodist par extraordinaire is still at it, with a couple of recent gems (“Blurred Lines”-spoof “Word Crimes,” “Tacky” for “Happy”) (6/12)
Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!Ā — The popular NPR news quiz show will broadcast from Wolf Trap (7/23)
David SedarisĀ — He may be a tad awkward live, but that only makes this gay satirist’s tales and commentary funnier (8/2)
Jim GaffiganĀ — The “king of (clean) comedy,” says theĀ Wall Street JournalĀ (8/12)
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