How to Grow a Poem

By Lavanya Ramanathan
Thursday, August 16, 2007

It took five days to turn Flashpoint Gallery into a mini-botanic garden in the city, roll out more than 200 square feet of sod indoors, build boxes ("planted roofs") for growing plants, set up projections of even more grass and pipe in the sounds of birds chirping.

"Earth on Stone on Earth Is Naturally So," organized by artist and U-Va. landscape architecture student Karl Krause, comes off at first as quite a giggle. But it's also an exploration of humanity's connection to ecology.

As part of the exhibition, poets were buried up to their necks (performance art, folks) in New York's Prospect Park and San Francisco's Golden Gate National Recreational Area. In the resulting poems, engraved on particle board alongside photos of the interred poets, they weighed in about the new experience of literally becoming one with the soil. (One poet writes, "No one has ever buried me in the Earth and asked me how it feels to be alive, until you did." He ends, "I am proud to be biodegradable."

Free. Tuesday-Saturday, Noon-6 p.m. Through Aug. 31. 916 G St. NW. 202-315-1310.

And if biodegradable art isn't on everybody's mind: Later this month, look out for "Earth Matters," opening at Washington Printmakers Gallery. The exhibition of water-soluble monotypes by Marian Osher will spotlight issues such as species extinction, global warming and the razing of forests. Free. Aug. 28-Sept. 30. 1732 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-332-7757.

Save the Date

[ ON STAGE ] Horatio Sanz and His Kings of Improv The hefty comic, who honed his talent (like so many others) in Chicago, co-founded the Upright Citizens Brigade and won national fame in an eight-year run as one of the "Saturday Night Live" players, is stopping by Arlington next month to perform with his improv troupe. Tickets for the shows go on sale tomorrow. $25. 7 and 10 p.m. Sept. 28. (Get there early if you want good seats, because these shows are general admission.) Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington. Visit http://www.arlingtondrafthouse.com for tickets, or call 703-486-2345 for information.

[ THE GREAT OUTDOORS ] Run for New Orleans The two-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall on the Gulf Coast is approaching, and so is the return of the New Orleans Rebirth 5K run/walk and festival, which raises money for rebuilding and awareness efforts. Formerly called the Gulf Coast Relief Run, the event, held along the Potomac, is Sept. 15. Registration, $25 through Sept. 14 (visit http://www.runpacers.com/NewOrleans5K.htm); $30 on race day. 9 a.m. (Registration begins at 7:30.) Oronoco Bay Park, 701 N. Lee St., Alexandria. 703-836-1463.

[ ON STAGE ] "Pangs of the Messiah" If you didn't get over to see Theater J's well-reviewed production during the Capital Fringe Festival, the futuristic, Motti Lerner-penned tale of a Jewish settlement on the West Bank faced with dismantling under the terms of a new peace accord returns at the end of this month. Set in 2012, the play follows one family of settlers as they fight to remain. $15-$50. Various times Aug. 28-Sept. 16. Goldman Theater, DCJCC, 1529 16th St. NW. 800-494-8497.

The District

Today

[ CLOSING ] Goodbye, Fort Reno! Kisses! How fitting that the next generation of local music will close this summer series in Tenleytown: The pint-size Eyeball Skeleton, a Maryland band that consists of two pre-pubescent brothers and their dad (the kids pen the lyrics, and Pops helps them create the songs), hits the stage tonight with Edie Sedgwick and Sentai. After that, Fort Reno wraps up till next year. Free. 7:15-9:30 p.m. 3950 Chesapeake St. NW. 703-318-2197 or for a schedule, visit http://www.fortreno.com.

Tomorrow

[ CONCERT ] Angie Stone Part of the new generation of soul singers who draw from the scratched-vinyl grooves of the 1960s and '70s, Stone was made for the laid-back vibe of an outdoor summer concert. She's at Carter Barron Amphitheatre tomorrow with Noel Gourdin. $20. 7:30 p.m. 4850 Colorado Ave. NW. 202-397-7328.

[ FILM ] Presidential Film Favorites: Something Nixon and Clinton Had in Common As part of its "School House to White House" exhibition (featuring the documents of presidential childhoods), the National Archives presents the favorite movies of the nation's leaders. And how weird it was to learn that "High Noon" is the fave of both Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon! The classic 1952 Gary Cooper western plays tomorrow at 11 a.m. and Saturday at noon. Free. William G. McGowan Theater, Constitution Avenue between Seventh and Ninth streets NW. 202-501-5000.

Saturday

[ CONCERT ] Screamfest The title of this showcase of hip-hop and R&B headlined by Ciara, T.I. and T-Pain refers to the sound of the crowd, because you certainly aren't going to see "Idol"-like theatrics coming from this bill. The tour hits Verizon Center on Saturday. $55-$65. 7 p.m. 601 F St. NW. 202-397-7328.

Maryland

Today

[ FILM ] Preview: "Resurrecting the Champ" The Comcast Outdoor Film Festival's stay at Strathmore includes one rare offering, as far as outdoor summer screenings go: an advance look at "Resurrecting the Champ." In the movie, a struggling sports reporter played by Josh Hartnett discovers that a homeless man is actually a former boxer who had been on the cusp of success and lost it all -- and who, many believed, was no longer living. The movie (rated PG-13 if you're thinking about taking the fam) doesn't hit theatres for a week. Free; proceeds from concession sales benefiting NIH Children's Charities. 8:30 p.m. (Grounds open at 6:30, so you can get there early with your blanket or chairs to stake out a spot or picnic.) Strathmore Lawn, 10701 Rockville Pike. 301-816-6958 or, for a schedule and full list of rules, visit http://www.filmfestnih.org.

[ CONCERT ] A Last Glimpse at the Outdoor Concert The performances in downtown Bethesda have long since shuttered, but there is one last act, originally scheduled for mid-July, that had been postponed till now. Catch soul-and-variety act One Night Stand tonight at Veterans Park. Free. 6-8 p.m. Norfolk and Woodmont avenues. 301-215-6660.

Tomorrow

[ THE GREAT OUTDOORS ] Frederick Sports Expo The Web site for the Frederick Sports Expo highlights something called the "Maryland Chainsaw Extravaganza," but never mind that (terrifying as it sounds, it's a log-carving competition). This fair for outdoorsy types and sports aficionados includes a dog dock-jumping competition, a pond for children to fish, a mechanical bull, an archery range and a hot-rod show. Go tomorrow when admission is free with a coupon, available on the event's Web site, http://www.fredericksportsexpo.com. After that, it's $7; ages 12 and younger, free. 2-8 p.m. tomorrow; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Frederick County Fairgrounds, 797 E. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-748-4648.

Northern Virginia

Today

[ FESTIVALS ] The Arlington County Fair The annual indoor-outdoor affair runs for four days at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center. The event is smallish but has all the things fairs should have: scary rides, games and, of course, racing pigs. Best of all: Admission is free. 5-10 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. 3501 South Second St. Arlington. For shuttle info and schedules, visit http://www.arlingtoncountyfair.org.

[ CONCERT ] Say Goodbye to Rock at the Row The Pentagon Row outdoor concerts end with a show tonight by earnest local singer-songwriter Taylor Carson, a New Jersey native who lists among his influences Dave Matthews and John Mayer, not to mention rock and reggae. In the event of rain, the concert will not be rescheduled. Free. 7-9 p.m. 1250 S. Hayes St., Arlington. 703-413-6691.

Tomorrow

[ CONCERT ] "The Magic Flute" The Wolf Trap Opera Company performs Mozart's tale, which follows a prince's quest to find and be with his love. $36-$58; lawn, $8. Tomorrow and Saturday at 8 p.m. Wolf Trap, Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd. Vienna. 877-965-3872.

Saturday

[ FOR FAMILIES ] Bat Fest (No, Not the Baseball Kind) Conservation organization Bat World NOVA presents this evening at which kids can practice being a bat, play games and make crafts. There will be talks 15 minutes before each hour and guided walks at 8 and 9 p.m. $6 (ages 2 and younger, free). Registration required. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 N. Military Rd., Arlington. For information call 703-228-3403; register at 703-228-4747 (mention program No. 643204L).