The Future, Brand-New and Retro

By lavanya ramanathan
Friday, December 14, 2007

Retro-futurism. That's the term for those mid-20th-century fantasies of flying cars, robo-housekeepers and alien rulers -- "fantasies" because they now seem, well, laughable.

"The New Future," an exhibit opening today at the District of Columbia Arts Center, uses those retro, often rosy visions as a starting point for reimagining the future. And this time, it doesn't look so pretty.

In video installations, performance art, paintings and photographs, the four artists -- Urban Scout, Jade Doskow, JoWonder and Benjamin Edwards -- envision ever-inflating houses, an environmental apocalypse that will require new survival skills, and the human response after Earth's resources are squandered. "The Jetsons," it is not.

Curator Kristina Bilonick, an artist herself, was inspired by the writings of Ray Bradbury as well as a profile she had read about Portland performance artist Urban Scout. Where Bradbury in "Fahrenheit 451" conceived government-imposed anti-intellectualism as the overriding feature of the future, Urban Scout has chosen to step backward in time, away from materialism and toward sustainability to avoid self-destruction. He's "living off the grid," says Bilonick.

The other artists: Doskow, who takes unmanipulated photographs of old World's Fair sites and finds they're a shadow of their former promise; Edwards, who paints images of huge houses (McMansions?) and creates "ether studies" that look as "if an Internet cable spilled out into the open," says Bilonick; and JoWonder, who makes animated videos.

The show opens tonight with a reception from 7 to 9. At 8, Urban Scout will teach a survival skill (and he will do it wearing an outfit made of roadkill. Gross). The show is up through Jan. 13. 2438 18th St. NW. 202-462-7833. For more on the show, visit http://www.new-future-show.blogspot.com.

Save the Date

[ CONCERT ] Cornelius We were way surprised to see the Japanese electronic pop musician-composer on the 9:30 club schedule next month. After all, after delivering the popular indie record "Fantasma" back in the late '90s, he did seem to drop off the face of the Earth, releasing only one album between "Fantasma" and 2006's "Sensuous." And he hasn't been to Washington since 2002, so we're expecting a big crowd of old fans Jan. 25 (one of only five shows in the United States on this tour). $15. 9 p.m. 815 V St. NW. 800-955-5566.

[ ON STAGE ] Tracy Morgan The former "Saturday Night Live" comic and current "30 Rock" prima donna "Tracy Jordan" hits Lisner Auditorium early next year for a comedy show. Tickets for the March 1 performance go on sale today at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster and at the Lisner box office. $29.50; George Washington University students and faculty, $23.60 at the Lisner box office only (202-994-6800). 8 p.m. 730 21st St. NW. 202-397-7328.

[ THE SCENE ] Spare a Day for Service The D.C. Jewish Community Center is looking for a few good folks of any religion to perform community service on Christmas Day. More than 1,000 people are expected to sign up for various projects of their choice, including serving meals to the homeless, visiting nursing homes and handing out gifts at homeless shelters (there are even gift-wrapping shifts before Christmas). Volunteers have their choice of one-, two- or three-hour shifts, and the DCJCC makes it easy on you by organizing the outings. Register online at http://www.washingtondcjcc.org/volunteer. 202-518-9400, Ext. 3565.

The District

Today

[ THE HOLIDAYS ] TubaChristmas! Holiday tunes are somehow more exciting when interpreted by tons of tubas, sousaphones and euphoniums. Tonight, a slew of musicians gather, rehearse for a while, then put on a show. Free. 6 p.m. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. 2700 F St. NW. 202-467-4600.

Tomorrow

[ THE SCENE ] Craft Mutiny's Holiday Booty Market It's the second year for this market, founded by some of the folks from the indie-crafters collective Crafty Bastards (and featuring many of the same artists). The stuff is handmade (wool scarves, screen-printed clothing, oddball toys and more, contributed by 20 crafters), and yes, much of it is quirky and almost one of a kind. Who couldn't appreciate that? Jason Hutto from local band the Aquarium supplies the music at the event tomorrow, in Thomas Circle. Free. Noon-6 p.m. Hilda's Giftshop, National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle NW. http://www.craftmutiny.com.

[ CONCERT ] Washington Social Christmas A handful of pop-friendly local indie acts, including Dance Party, Exit Clov, Laura Burhenn of Georgie James, Le Loup and Washington Social Club, make merry at the 9:30 club tomorrow night with a variety-style show that combines Christmas songs and distortion pedals, giveaways and "dramatic interpretations of traditional Christmas stories." Uh-huh. $15. 6:30 p.m. 815 V St. NW. 202-393-0930 or 800-955-5566.

Sunday

[ CLOSING ] "Wack! Art and the Feminist Revolution" It's your last chance to see this massive show (with 300 works, it's the largest ever at the National Museum of Women in the Arts), which chronicles the development of a feminist voice in art (1965-1980). The show, which includes works by Judy Chicago as well as a slew of less-obvious choices, closes Sunday and moves on. $10; students and seniors, $8; 18 and younger and members, free. 1250 New York Ave. NW. 202-783-5000.

Maryland

Today

[ THE HOLIDAYS ] The "Jazz Hip Hop Nutcracker" There is "The Nutcracker," and for your Soulja Boy-singing, texting-obsessed tyke, there is Momentum Dance Theatre's "Jazz Hip Hop Nutcracker," set to rap and the music of Duke Ellington, and performed dance-team style, with just a touch of break dancing. Momentum, a local dance company, performs today through Sunday at Publick Playhouse. $7-$10; tomorrow and Sunday, ages 5 and younger are $5. Today at 10:15 and noon, tomorrow at 3 and 8 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301-277-1710.

[ THE HOLIDAYS ] "The Muppet Christmas Carol" Michael Caine is Scrooge, a frog is Tiny Tim and Miss Piggy is Mrs. Cratchit (but let's face it, still Miss Piggy) in this crack-up 1992 Muppets musical inspired by Dickens's story. Most of the screenings of this G-rated film are even at reasonable hours, so you can take the kids. $6.75-$9.75. Tonight at 5 p.m., tomorrow at 3:45, Sunday at 2:45, Monday at 5:40, Tuesday-Thursday at 5:10, also Thursday at 7 p.m. AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring. 301-495-6720.

Tomorrow

[ FOR FAMILIES ] Sock Monkey Saturday at the Museum We've heard fabulous things about the current show at the American Visionary Art Museum, "All Faiths Beautiful," so this weekend, double up and take your kids for the Sock Monkey crafting event and check out the exhibit, which explores faith and religion through art. For the program, bring two clean pairs of socks. Organizers will provide the sewing needles and bijoux the kids will need to create their own "sock monkey." Free (exhibition, $12; seniors and students $8; ages 6 and younger free). Program, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Jim Rouse Visionary Center at the American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy., Baltimore. 410-244-1900.

Virginia

Today

[ CONCERT ] Shortstack With an energetic second record, "A Short History of Cut Nails in America," behind them, the local alt-country band takes the stage at Iota tonight. $10. 9:30 p.m. 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. 703-522-8340.

Sunday

[ ON STAGE ] The Art of Dating in D.C., Now for the Virginia Crowd Laura Zam debuted her one-woman piece "Stupid Frailty," about dating in Washington, at the first Fringe Festival. Now she brings the show to the posh Shirlington Library. Zam plays Maggie, a woman in her 40s on the hunt (even taking to the Internet) for the most "delicious man" in the District. If you find him, call us. Free. 3 p.m. Meeting room, Shirlington Library, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. 703-228-6545.

Monday

[ CONCERT ] Aimee Mann, Holiday Chanteuse The popular pop singer returns to the Birchmere for her second year of Christmas shows -- two performances that are a little bit concert, a touch nostalgic holiday show and a smidge variety show. She's in town Monday and Tuesday. $45.50. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. 202-397-7328.

Tuesday

[ FILM ] "Sweeney Todd" Johnny Depp's singing, murdering barber looks interesting, sure, but who knows what one will have planned when it comes out in a week? Luckily, the Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse is offering a sneak peek at all the bloodshed on Tuesday. And it's free. Passes will be sent Monday to people on the theater's e-mail newsletter list. Sign up beforehand at http://www.arlingtondrafthouse.com. Obviously, seating is limited, and just because you have a pass doesn't mean you're in. Get there early; doors open at 7 p.m. 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington. 703-486-2345.