Friday, May 25, 2007

Exhibition By Michael O'Sullivan

The power of a famous face to evoke a kind of visual shorthand, standing in for personal (or, as often as not, political) commentary, will be given a workout when "Portraiture Now: Framing Memory" goes on view Friday at the National Portrait Gallery. Featuring works by Alfredo Arreguin, Brett Cook, Kerry James Marshall, Tina Mion and Faith Ringgold, the show -- the second in the museum's new series on contemporary portraiture -- will be on view through Jan. 6. Call 202-633-1000.

Film By Ann Hornaday

You could see the one big movie this weekend, but why not see 18 instead -- and in less time? "Paris, je t'aime" is a collection of short films about Paris by such directors as Alfonso Cuarón and Alexander Payne with actors including Natalie Portman, Bob Hoskins and Gena Rowlands. Not all are good, but when the film hits the right notes, it's quite wonderful. See review on Page 28.

Music By Richard Harrington

Getting Balkanized never sounded like this much fun! Thursday evening at the Birchmere could be a mind meld as New York's brass-propelled nonet Slavic Soul Party! meets Washington's Balkanics, a quintet that champions Balkan wedding music in a decidedly postmodern style. In fact, forget any division into small, possibly hostile units -- we predict a great coming-together on the dance floor. Call 703-549-7500.