Our Picks

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Can't Miss

1. TEXAS MADE: SPOTLIGHT 10

[EXHIBIT] The relatively new Alexandria art space Art Whino is quickly making a name for itself. By focusing on lowbrow and pop-surrealist art by established and emerging talent -- plus pairing its gallery shows with DJ sets and a cash bar -- it offers a new model for the boutique gallery. Which is to say, when you pair good music with a healthy supply of cocktails in a party environment, you're likely to sell a few pieces of art. Its latest show features artists based in the Lone Star State.

Friday, 6 p.m.-midnight. Art Whino, 717 N. St. Asaph St., Alexandria. Free. 703-462-4135.

2. SAIGON

[CONCERT] The word is that hip-hop artist Saigon's debut album may finally hit shelves this year. That's huge. "The Greatest Story Never Told" seemed as though it was going to live up to its name, having been delayed since it was announced in 2005. Since he began recording it, Saigon has had a recurring cameo on HBO's "Entourage," retired from and returned to music, and got in a much-publicized fistfight with Prodigy of Mobb Deep. It takes most people two or three albums to get that much done. With Mambo Sauce, Mia X, Sess 4-5, Uncalled 4 Experience and Wise Intelligent.

Tuesday, doors at 7:30 p.m. 9:30 club, 815 V St. NW. $15. 202-393-0930 or 800-955-5566.

3. JENNIFER 8. LEE

[LITERATURE] The New York Times reporter will be in town discussing and signing "The Fortune Cookie Chronicles," an exploration of the history of American Chinese food and why we can't get enough of it. What has us really excited is the promise of a reception with Chinese food. And since it's at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, it's kosher, of course.

Monday at 7 p.m. Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. $6. 202-364-1919 or 202-408-3100.

4. BASEBALL PROSPECTUS 2008

[LITERATURE] Speaking of books and food, can you think of a better way to celebrate the return of baseball than by chatting about the game with the writers of the American pastime's annual tome of knowledge? Over pizza and beer, no less? Didn't think so.

Monday at 7 p.m. Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free. 202-364-1919.

5. THE COUNTERFEITERS

[MOVIE] Austrian writer-director Stefan Ruzowitzky tells the story of an expert counterfeiter who survived the concentration camps by helping the Nazis finance the war effort, pulling off the biggest counterfeit-money scam of all time. The film, based on the memoirs of real-life Holocaust survivor Adolf Burger, took home the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film last month.

Opens Friday. Landmark's Bethesda Row Cinema, 7235 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda. $7-$9.75. 301-652-7273.

-- Sunday Source staff

Critics' Choice

SERGEY AND LUSINE KHACHATRYAN

[CONCERT] Following in the footsteps of Gil and Orli Shaham, this Armenian brother-sister act (he plays violin, she piano) has been taking its show on the road for a few years. Sergey, 23, has somewhat hogged the spotlight to date, with big competition wins (such as the Queen Elisabeth in Belgium) plus attention-grabbing performances (such as a D.C. debut with the London Philharmonic) and recordings (including the Sibelius and Shostakovich concertos). The siblings' program, presented by the Washington Performing Arts Society, is certainly a showcase of the tried and true: Beethoven's "Kreutzer" sonata, Brahms's 1st sonata and Op. 134 by Shostakovich.

-- Anne Midgette

Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW. $32. 202-785-9727.

ART AT THE KATZEN CENTER

[EXHIBITS] It's worth a visit to the Katzen Center just to catch "Portrait of Doreen Gray," an absolutely wild painting made in 1992 by the late Chicago artist Roger Brown: You've never seen a woman buried under so much paint. There's one week left for Brown's show, which highlights a full survey of his works. Also closing Saturday is an exhibit of the very latest, very quirky people-paintings by the little-known New York artist Elena Sisto. A show of work by Washington artist William Christenberry (including his rarely seen signature "Klan Room" installation) runs through May 11.

-- Blake Gopnik

American University, Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Free. 202-885-1300.

And More ...

[Concerts]

WALE-- Today, doors at 7:30 p.m. The local hip-hop phenom takes on one of the area's biggest stages. With Kokayi and SPP. 9:30 club, 815 V St. NW. $15. 202-393-0930 or 800-955-5566.

NANCI GRIFFITH-- Monday-

Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The Grammy Award-winning performer is known for blurring the line between folk and country styles. With Peter Cooper. Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $45. 703-549-7500 or 703-573-7328.

SAIGON-- See Can't Miss.

SERGEY AND LUSINE KHACHATRYAN-- See Critics' Choice.

TILLY AND THE WALL-- Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. The Nebraskan indie-poppers known for using a tap dancer in lieu of a drum set are back in town. With Capgun Coup and Pash. Rock and Roll Hotel, 1353 H St. NE. $12. 202-388-7625.

SONS AND DAUGHTERS AND

A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS-- Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. Scottish rock four-piece Sons and Daughters, led by the powerful vocals of Adele Bethel, heads a noisy lineup that includes the uncompromisingly loud industrial-shoegazer rock of New York's A Place to Bury Strangers. Rock and Roll Hotel, 1353 H St. NE. $13. 202-388-7625.

VIRGINIA COALITION-- Thursday at 8 p.m. The veteran local rockers are known for their boisterous live performances. With Alexa Wilkinson. Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis. $30. 410-268-4545.

BODIES OF WATER-- Thursday at 9 p.m. The Los Angeles indie-rock band's exuberant sound is infused with a love of gospel, theater and traditional folk. With Ra Ra Rasputin. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $10. 202-667-7960.

LE LOUP-- Friday at 9 p.m. Sam Simkoff's experimental group makes pastoral, hypnotic soundscapes by mixing traditional instruments such as the banjo with electronics and studio trickery. With the Ruby Suns and Bellman Barker. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $10. 202-667-7960.

BLAQSTARR-- Saturday at 9:30 p.m. The Baltimore DJ is known for his contributions to M.I.A.'s recent work and his cutting-edge club sets. Rock and Roll Hotel, 1353 H St. NE. $10. 202-388-7625.

EXIT CLOV-- Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Though its live shows are regular occurrences, Exit Clov's dreampop always seems to be best presented on this intimate Arlington stage. With Pretty and Nice, and Cobra Collective. Iota Club & Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. $10. 703-522-8340.

[Exhibits]

LOOKING THROUGH THE LENS: PHOTOGRAPHY 1900-1960-- Opens today. Through June 8. Approximately 150 vintage prints drawn from the museum's collection include work by some of the world's best-known 20th-century European and American photographers, such as Man Ray, Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Weston, Paul Strand, Dorothea Lange and Gordon Parks. Baltimore Museum of Art, North Charles Street and Art Museum Drive, Baltimore. Free. 443-573-1700.

MAPS: FINDING OUR PLACE IN THE WORLD-- Opens today. Through June 8. This show organized by Chicago's Field Museum and Newberry Library claims to be the most ambitious American exhibition devoted to maps in more than 50 years. It's a hard point to argue considering the range of displayed items. Highlights include pieces by Leonardo da Vinci, J.R.R. Tolkien and Thomas Jefferson. Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore. $12, seniors $8, students $6, 17 and younger free. 410-547-9000.

RECEPTION FOR SCOTT SCHUMAN-- Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. The man behind the fashion photography blog the Sartorialst stops by the Adamson Gallery, which is displaying his images of street fashion through April 26. Adamson Gallery, 1515 14th St. NW. Free. 202-232-0707.

IN PLANE VIEW: ABSTRACTIONS OF FLIGHT-- Opens Friday. Through Jan. 2. More than 50 large-format photographs by Carolyn Russo showcase the simple elegance of aircraft design. National Air and Space Museum, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW. Free. 202-633-1000.

NAUGHTY POTS-- Opens Friday. Through April 6. Quirky and humorous ceramic items explore themes of attraction and desire in this collection of works by Leigh Taylor Mickelson, Richard Swanson, Dennis Sipiorski and Gina Tibbott. Cross Mackenzie Ceramic Arts, 1054 31st St. NW. Free. 202-333-7970.

TEXAS MADE: SPOTLIGHT 10-- See Can't Miss.

TREES OF LIFE-- Through April 27. The gallery celebrates its 30th anniversary with a show that explores the natural form of trees. Zenith Gallery, 413 Seventh St. NW. Free. 202-783-2963.

ART AT THE KATZEN CENTER-- See Critics' Choice.

[Literature]

For more events, see the Literary Calendar in today's Book World.

BASEBALL PROSPECTUS 2008-- See Can't Miss.

JENNIFER 8. LEE-- See Can't Miss.

ALISON LARKIN-- Thursday at 7 p.m. The actress, comedian and author discusses "The English American," which tells the story of an adopted British woman who discovers that her birth parents are from the American South. Olsson's, 418 Seventh St. NW. Free. 202-638-7610.

[Movies]

Films open Friday and are in general release unless otherwise noted. Opening dates subject to change. Checkhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/moviesor Friday's Weekend section for details and complete movie listings.

THE COUNTERFEITERS-- See Can't Miss.

DRILLBIT TAYLOR-- Three easy-target high school freshmen hire the cheapest bodyguard (Owen Wilson) they can find to protect them from bullies at school. Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow take credits on the writing and producing teams.

MILITARY INTELLIGENCE AND YOU!-- This biting satire takes the form of a 1940s WWII training film, combining new footage with scenes from vintage military productions to spoof America's involvement in Iraq. Patrick Muldoon stars as Maj. Nick Reed, a military analyst set on finding a hidden Nazi fighter base. Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. $7-$9.75. 202-452-7672.

PARANOID PARK-- Writer-director Gus Van Sant pieces together non-linear scenes to explore the panicked mind of a teenage skateboarder (Gabe Nevins) who is somehow involved in the death of a security guard at a Portland, Ore., skate park. The Cannes winner features Christopher Doyle's fluid camera work, weaving 35mm images with Super 8 skateboarding sequences. Based on the novel by Blake Nelson. Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. $7-$9.75. 202-452-7672.

SHUTTER-- The makers of "The Ring" and "The Grudge" remake another horror film, this time a 2004 Thai tale about "spirit photographs," in which ghostly images appear in pictures and bring about mysterious tragedies. Starring Joshua Jackson.

SNOW ANGELS-- The small-town worlds of three couples in different life stages suddenly converge after a shocking act of violence forces each of them to recognize the fragility of life. Adapted from Stewart O'Nan's novel. Landmark's Bethesda Row, 7235 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda. 301-652-7273. Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. 202-452-7672. Both $7-$9.75.

TYLER PERRY'S MEET THE BROWNS-- Perry pulls from his theatrical cache yet again. When a Chicago single mom (Angela Bassett) learns that the father she never knew has died, she takes her family to Georgia for his funeral, where she meets his eccentric, fun-loving clan.

MICHAEL HANEKE: A CINEMA

OF PROVOCATION-- Through March 24. This series showcases the bleak, exploratory work of the controversial filmmaker and writer. Most of the films are in German with English subtitles. For details, visit http://www.goethe.de/washington. Goethe-Institut, 812 Seventh St. NW. $4.75-$6.75. 202-289-1200.

[On Stage]

KATRINA, KATRINA: LOVE LETTERS

TO NEW ORLEANS-- Closes today. PearsonWidrig DanceTheater uses dance, spoken word, video and music from New Orleans as well as text developed in workshops by Hurricane Katrina evacuees in its performance. Dance Place, 3225 Eighth St. NE. $22; seniors, students, teachers and artists $17; children $8. 202-269-1600.

SHEN WEI DANCE ARTS-- Friday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Chinese choreographer Shen Wei applies his talents as a painter, designer and filmmaker to create dynamic compositions and a striking visual richness in his dance troupe. Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2700 F St. NW. $19-$48. 202-467-4600 or 800-444-1324.

ECHO PARK CONTEMPORARY BALLET-- Friday at 8 p.m. Newcomers to the local dance scene, this Takoma Park company debuted to positive reviews and garnered four Dance Metro DC Award nominations. Dance Place, 3225 Eighth St. NE. $22; seniors, students, teachers and artists $17; children $8. 202-269-1600.

MAJOR BARBARA-- Through March 23. Ethan McSweeny directs the play often considered George Bernard Shaw's greatest work, about a Salvation Army officer who becomes disillusioned when the charity accepts a donation from her long-estranged father, a millionaire arms dealer. Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW. $23.50-$74.75. 202-547-1122.

MY MOTHER'S ITALIAN, MY FATHER'S JEWISH AND I'M IN THERAPY-- Through March 23. The comedy written by and starring Brooklyn native Steve Solomon visits town direct from a sold-out run. Bethesda Theatre, 7719 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda. $50-$70. 301-657-7827.

AUGUST WILSON'S 20TH CENTURY-- Through April 6. The Kennedy Center presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright's literary crowning glory -- his 10-part cycle of plays chronicling the African American experience -- in five weeks of staged readings presented in chronological order by decade. This week, catch "Fences," set in the 1950s, and "Two Trains Later," set in the '60s. Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, 2700 F St. NW. $65. 202-467-4600 or 800-444-1324.

PORTIA COUGHLAN-- Through April 6. Jessica Burgess directs Solas Nua's performance of Marina Carr's play about a woman, haunted by the death of her twin brother, wandering the Irish landscape in search of the missing part of herself. H Street Playhouse, 1365 H St. NE. $21. 202-396-2125.

[Sports]

CAPITALS-- Today at 3 p.m. against the Boston Bruins. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. $10-$225. 202-397-7328.

WIZARDS-- Monday at 7 p.m. against the Atlanta Hawks. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. $40-$275. 202-397-7328.

DC ROLLERGIRLS SPRING FLING-- Saturday at 5 p.m. The Cherry Blossom Bombshells battle the Secretaries of Hate, and Scare Force One takes on the DC DemonCats. D.C. Armory, 2001 East Capitol St. SE. $12, ages 6-11 $6, 5 and younger free. 202-397-7328.