By Lavanya Ramanathan
Saturday, December 8, 2007
In many cities, people go to bookstores for their fine literature. For their extensive self-help sections. For gifts. For the off chance that they'll run into a soul mate, that one other person in all of Palestine, Ill., who actually bothered to read "The Satanic Verses."
But people in Washington go to bookstores for the stars who visit -- masters of the literary universe as well as bona fide icons, and sometimes (in the case of Josh Ritter and Pete Yorn, who have both ducked into local bookstores for a set), even pop stars. Hundreds of people will line up for an Annie Leibovitz or Jenna Bush signing.
Next week, there are two pressing reasons to head to a bookstore:
Monday at the Olsson's Books and Records in Dupont Circle, you can catch a free in-store performance by rising singer-songwriter Ayo (real name: Ayo Ogunmakin), a German-born, Parisian-transplant-cum-New-York-transplant of Romanian and Nigerian heritage (the diversity of her experience, of course, is what informs her songwriting). She has been on the verge of a breakout since her record "Joyful" was released last year. At a mere 27 years old, the singer, whose style has been compared to Tracy Chapman's, has played with Cody Chesnutt and is in town, in fact, opening for Babyface in a sold-out show later that night at the Birchmere. At Olsson's, though, it'll be all about her. Free. 12:30 p.m. Olsson's, 1307 19th St. NW. 202-785-1133.
Monday night, it's about Caroline Kennedy. The ultimate first daughter is pushing her latest book, an illustrated collection of her favorite writings, songs and poems on the holidays called "A Family Christmas." And what, oh, what, did Kennedy choose? There's a little something by Truman Capote; John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)"; and an excerpt from the "Santa Guide for the Macy's Santa." She visits Politics and Prose on Monday to sign copies of the book -- no previous books and no memorabilia, per the bookstore's request. Free. 6:30 p.m. Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-364-1919.
Save the DateON STAGE: "Good for the Jews" This show, the brainchild of New York duo Rob Tannenbaum and David Fagin, played to two capacity crowds at Jammin' Java last year, and the guys are back for two nights at the Birchmere. They'll banter and perform songs that make light of being Jewish (they are on the "Putting the Ha! in Hanukkah" tour). Among their songs: "Shiksas Are for Practice." $19.50. Dec. 21-22 at 7:30 p.m. The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. 202-397-7328.
CONCERT: Celebrate 2008 Like It's 1988 Confused? Local '80s sendup the Legwarmers always sell out the house when they perform, mostly because their shows feature every song you ever rocked out to in that decade. But imagine the Members Only-and-leggings spectacle it'll be New Year's Eve when they pull out "Eye of the Tiger" and the like for the partygoing crowd at the State Theatre. $30. 9 p.m. Dec. 31. 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church. Visit http://www.thestatetheatre.com for tickets, or call 703-237-0300.
CONCERT: Editors and Hot Hot Heat The U.K. band Editors will be out on the road promoting "An End Has a Start," with Canada's Hot Hot Heat (both bands, of course, delivering crisper, pop-friendly songs that are dead ringers for Joy Division tunes, Hot Hot Heat supplying a tinge of whine). And they'll hit the 9:30 club Jan. 15. $25. 7:30 p.m. 815 V St. NW. 800-955-5566.
The DistrictToday
EXHIBIT: "Dark Metropolis: Irving Norman's Social Realism" Downstairs from the much-written-about show of drawings and paintings "Abu Ghraib," we found this exhibit to be the real gem. The often large-scale paintings are really claustrophobic little universes, with masses of people packed into cars, elevators and public transit, while the rich and powerful live hedonistically -- and with more breathing room. Come to see this show, or catch all three exhibits (the third is feminist art) at American University's Katzen Arts Center. Free. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW. 202-885-2787.
FOR FAMILIES: "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" As part of its children's film program, the National Gallery spends two days screening the classic 1982 kids' movie about an abandoned alien who is found and cared for by a boy named Elliot. The movie, of course, spawned a host of cultural fads more memorable than the movie: Reese's Pieces, the phrase "E.T. phone home," Drew Barrymore. Free. Today at 10:30 a.m., tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. East Building Auditorium, Constitution Avenue at Fourth Street NW. 202-789-3030.
TomorrowTHE SCENE: Nine on the Ninth The monthly open-mike poetry series at Busboys and Poets (which takes its name from its time and date, at 9 p.m. on the ninth of every month) brings in poet and novelist Ainsley Burrows as its featured performer. "Poet in residence" Derrick Weston Brown hosts. Free. 9-11 p.m. Busboys and Poets, Langston Room, 2021 14th St. NW. 202-387-7638.
CONCERT: Remember Judy Collins? The '60s folk singer with the crystalline soprano voice has a new album, "Judy Collins Sings Lennon & McCartney," and during the lunch hour Monday she'll sing selections from the record at Borders downtown. Free. 12:30 p.m. 18th and L streets NW. 202-466-4999.
WednesdayTHE SCENE: Chihuly on Chihuly Okay, so he's the Jeff Koons of the glass arts, employing a team of artisans to create his large works. But for decorative glass arts that make a bold statement, modern-looking hotels and restaurants go to Dale Chihuly. The artist visits the Corcoran Gallery of Art on Wednesday for a talk about his process and technique, and he'll sign copies of his new book, "Team Chihuly." $30; members, $25. 7 p.m. Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW. 202-639-1774 or visit http://www.corcoran.org and search the calendar of events.
MarylandToday
THE HOLIDAYS: Lights on the Bay The annual light display at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, a two-mile drive with dozens of displays, is underway. New this year are an "alien space station" and a "winter candyland" display with a gingerbread house. $12 per car (proceeds benefit Anne Arundel Medical Center). 5-10 p.m. daily through Jan. 1. Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E. College Pkwy., Annapolis. 443-481-3161.
THE HOLIDAYS: One More "Messiah" The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra joins the Concert Artists of Baltimore Symphonic Chorale for a performance of Handel's classic (it's all over town this week). This "Messiah" is the first Strathmore outing of the oratorio for conductor Edward Polochick. And he'll lead the performance from the harpsichord, as Handel did. $21-$84. 8 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100.
TomorrowCONCERT: "Bach Fest" Faculty, students and alumni from the University of Maryland perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Harpsichord Concerto in A included, for the holidays. The proceeds from the show will help fund scholarships. $25; students, $7. 7 p.m. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Dekelboum Concert Hall, University of Maryland, Route 193 and Stadium Drive, College Park. 301-405-2787.
Northern VirginiaToday
THE GREAT OUTDOORS: Ice Skating at Pentagon Row Skip the shopping for a day and just do something recreational: The outdoor ice-skating rink near the shops at Pentagon Row is open, and the temperature is perfect for a visit. $8; seniors and ages 12 and younger, $7 (skate rental, additional $3). Saturdays, 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m.-7 p.m. or 10 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays noon-10 p.m., Thursdays noon-7 p.m. or 10 p.m. 1201 S. Joyce St. 703-418-6666.
TomorrowTHE SCENE : The Poetry Series at Iota The regular reading series at Iota features different poets the second Sunday of every month, and this week the featured writers are Sarah Browning (fresh off her first book of poetry, "Whiskey in the Garden of Eden,") and Rosemary Winslow (a poet who's also a professor at Catholic University). The event is hosted by Miles David Moore. Free. 6-8 p.m. Iota Club & Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. 703-522-8340.
WednesdayLITERATURE: "Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran and the United States" A little politics with that coffee? Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council and a frequent policy commentator, visits Shirlington Library to talk about his book, which looks at the complicated relationship and secretive wheeling-and-dealing between Israel, Iran and the United States. After the talk, the event moves to Busboys and Poets for a signing. Free. 6 p.m. Shirlington Library, 4200 S. Campbell Ave., adjacent Busboys and Poets, 4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington. 703-379-9757.
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