Our Picks

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Can't Miss

1. PLANET B-BOY

[MOVIE] Benson Lee's documentary examines the history of break dancing, or "b-boying," from its origins in New York City to today, when the athletic dance style has resurfaced in urban areas around the world. At just over 90 minutes, the film is packed with enough head spins, windmills and somersaults to make the average dance floor shuffler blanch. But far more interesting is Lee's perspective on b-boying as a global, cultural movement.

Opens Friday. Through April 3. Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. $7-$9.75. 202-452-7672.

2. THE HISTORY BOYS

[ON STAGE] Alan Bennett's 2006 Tony Award winner for best play makes its local premiere under the direction of Studio Theatre founder Joy Zinoman. The poignant comedy takes place in a British boys' school, where two teachers battle for the hearts and minds of eight students.

Opens Wednesday. Through May 4. Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. $39-$57. 202-332-3300.

3. DEL THA FUNKEE HOMOSAPIEN

[CONCERT] Once thought to be a future indie hip-hop superstar, Del tha Funkee Homosapien pulled an early 2000s disappearing act and has fallen off the radar for most of the decade. Now he is back with "11th Hour," his first new studio album in eight years and first for record label Definitive Jux. As the quality of his new tracks attests, time has not dulled his ample skills. With Chip Fu (of Fu-Schnickens), Bukue One and Hangar 18.

Today, doors at 7:30 p.m. 9:30 club, 815 V St. NW. $20. 202-393-0930 or 800-955-5566.

4. THE MODERNIST SOCIETY PRESENTS ERIC HILTON

[MISCELLANEOUS] For nearly a year, the Modernist Society has been combining its monthly DJ party at Bourbon with a discussion with people of note, including Josh Rushing of Al Jazeera International, photographer Richard Kern and "Heavy Metal Parking Lot" filmmaker Jeff Krulik. It's intellectual discourse with drink specials. This month's guest is local hipster-mogul Eric Hilton of the band Thievery Corporation, Eighteenth Street Lounge and ESL Music. Afterward: $3 brews and bourbon along with funk, soul and dub on the dance floor.

Thursday at 9 p.m. Bourbon, 2321 18th St. NW. Free. 202-332-0800.

5. MARRIED LIFE

[MOVIE] This darkly funny morality tale set in the 1940s blends relationship comedy with film noir as it chronicles the affair between an unhappily married man (Chris Cooper) and a young beauty named Kay (Rachel McAdams). Things get complicated when the husband tries to poison his emotionally distant wife (Patricia Clarkson) while competing with his best friend (Pierce Brosnan) for Kay's affections.

Opens Friday.

-- Sunday Source staff

Critics' Choice

STRANGE CULTURE

[DVD] On May 11, 2004, artist Hope Kurtz died in her sleep at home in Buffalo. Kurtz, along with her husband, Steve, had been a member of an art and theater group called the Critical Art Ensemble, which created installations having to do with genetically modified organisms. When police responded to the 911 call, they spied petri dishes, a flier with Arabic writing on it and other "suspicious" artifacts and notified the FBI. Steve Kurtz was then thrust into a Kafkaesque journey through post-9/11 America that still has not ended. In "Strange Culture," filmmaker Lynn Hershman Leeson uses documentary footage, animation and a fiction film-within-a-film starring recent Oscar winner Tilda Swinton to bring the case to appropriately surreal life.

-- Ann Hornaday

DVD released Tuesday.

MERCE CUNNINGHAM DANCE COMPANY

[ON STAGE] Merce Cunningham is an unstoppable modernist. Half a century ago, the iconoclastic choreographer collaborated with John Cage and Andy Warhol; a few years ago, he set the dance and rock scenes abuzz by inviting Radiohead to be his pit band. Now, he embraces the iPod. Audience members for "EyeSpace" will be lent iPods programmed with Mikel Rouse's original score, so they can listen to it (or not) during the work. You can also download the music to your own device before the show.

-- Sarah Kaufman

Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F. St. NW. $22-$67. 202-547-1122.

And More ...

[Concerts]

DEL THA FUNKEE HOMOSAPIEN-- See Can't Miss.

MORCHEEBA-- Monday, doors at 7:30 p.m. The London groove-oriented down-tempo trio has been doing the trip-hop thing since it got together in the mid-'90s. With Federico Aubele. 9:30 club, 815 V St. NW. $25. 202-393-0930 or 800-955-5566.

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-- Tuesday, doors at 7:30 p.m. The venerable but still irreverent rockers perform material from their new album, "These Are the Good Times People." With Jack Talcum and Ludo. 9:30 club, 815 V St. NW. $15. 202-393-0930 or 800-955-5566.

BLITZEN TRAPPER-- Tuesday at 9 p.m. This Portland, Ore., sextet jumps blissfully among an array of styles -- indie rock, prog rock, alt-country and power pop -- with a stronger eye for fun than for logic. Don't sleep on opener Fleet Foxes, a Seattle group whose gentle psychedelic indie rock is starting to get national attention. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $10. 202-667-7960.

ANGELIQUE KIDJO-- Wednesday at 8 p.m. The African-born performer stops in Bethesda in support of "Djin Djin," which took home the Grammy Award for best contemporary world music album this year. She also plays Rams Head Tavern on March 31 at 8 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda. $18-$37. 301-581-5100. Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis. $47.50. 410-268-4545.

XIU XIU-- Thursday at 9 p.m. Jamie Stewart's dramatic -- some would say over-the-top -- vocals have always been a polarizing aspect of this post-punk band that straddles the line between accessible art rock and avant-garde freak-out. Its recent album, "Women as Lovers," is its most successful balancing act yet. With Thao Nguyen & the Get Down Stay Down and Chris Garneau. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $12. 202-667-7960.

ERIC BRACE & LUKE BRINDLEY-- Friday at 9:30 p.m. Two of our favorite local performers share a stage. With the Brilliant Inventions. Iota Club & Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. $12. 703-522-8340.

DAVE FISCHOFF-- Friday at 9:30 p.m. The Chicago solo artist crafts delicate, baroque indie-pop arrangements by fusing clever songwriting with deft electronic ambience. With the Known Unknowns, Lode Runner and E Joseph. The Red and the Black, 1212 H St. NE. $8. 202-399-3201.

GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY-- Saturday, doors at 9 p.m. The latest pop-electronic act to fill frat-party dance floors hails from, of all places, Austin. 9:30 club, 815 V St. NW. $15. 202-393-0930 or 800-955-5566.

[Exhibits]

STEPHEN COLBERT PORTRAIT TALK-- Thursday at 6 p.m. Public affairs officer Bethany Bentley discusses the TV host's portrait, its unique placement in the gallery and the appropriately comedic circumstances of its acceptance. National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets NW. Free. 202-633-1000.

CHANCE ENCOUNTERS: PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE COLLECTION OF NORMAN CARR AND CAROLYN KINDER CARR-- Opens Saturday. Through June 22. The Washington residents' collection is mined to present this overview of photography, from the early 20th century through the 1970s. The show is made up of more than 50 images, including some by such preeminent American and European photographers as Diane Arbus, Harry Callahan, Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Walker Evans, Robert Frank, Lee Friedlander, Lewis Hine, Dorothea Lange, Lisette Model, Paul Strand and Garry Winogrand. Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW. $6. 202-639-1700.

LET THE WORLD IN: PRINTS BY ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG-- Through March 30. About 60 pieces chronologically review the development of Rauschenberg's prints, from intimate black-and-white lithographs to large color impressions that combine sophisticated print processes. National Gallery of Art, West Building, Sixth and Constitution NW. Free. 202-737-4215.

HATNIM LEE PHOTOGRAPHS-- Through April 26. Vivid large-scale photos, including fashion shoots, portraits and urban landscapes, by the Brooklyn artist who worked with David Lachapelle in Los Angeles and has roots in the area. Transformer Gallery, 1404 P St. NW. Free. 202-483-1102.

[Literature]

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

JON CLINCH-- Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. In his debut novel, "Finn," Clinch draws on the disparate clues left by Mark Twain to create a fully realized portrait of one of the darkest characters in American literature, Huck Finn's father. Borders, 5871 Crossroads Center Way, Falls Church. Free. 703-998-0404.

[Miscellaneous]

THE MODERNIST SOCIETY PRESENTS ERIC HILTON-- See Can't Miss.

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS-- Thursday-Saturday. Traditional big-top attractions take up residence in the Phone Booth. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. $14-$95. 202-397-7328.

NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL-- Opens Saturday. Through April 13. The 96th celebration of the original gift of the 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington includes such popular events as a kite festival, a sushi and sake tasting and fireworks. For a details, see http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

[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.

21-- In the early 1990s, six MIT students made a fortune playing blackjack in Las Vegas. Hollywood's loose take on the story stars Jim Sturgess and Kate Bosworth, with Kevin Spacey as the unorthodox statistics genius who coaches them. Laurence Fishburne plays a casino owner who catches on to the scheme and has his own unorthodox ways of making back his money.

FLAWLESS-- Can Demi Moore carry a throaty British accent? Find out in this diamond-heist thriller starring Ashton Kutcher's main squeeze and Michael Caine as employees at a London corporation who channel their mutual discontent into a scheme to steal a handful of priceless gems. Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. $7-$9.75. 202-452-7672.

MARRIED LIFE-- See Can't Miss.

PLANET B-BOY-- See Can't Miss.

PRAYING WITH LIOR-- This documentary ponders whether a boy with Down syndrome can be a "spiritual genius." The boy in question is Lior, a 12-year-old whose devout and near-constant prayers cause his family and community to believe he is closer to God than most. The film won the 2007 Washington Jewish Film Festival's award for best documentary. Avalon Theatre, 5612 Connecticut Ave. NW. $9.75, seniors, students and ages 11 and younger $7. 202-966-6000.

RUN FATBOY RUN-- "Friends" actor David Schwimmer makes his feature directorial debut with this "There's Something About Mary"-esque romantic comedy starring Simon Pegg ("Hot Fuzz"), Thandie Newton and Hank Azaria. Expect plenty of one-liners, sight gags and lots of cringe-worthy embarrassments for the embattled hero. Landmark's Bethesda Row, 7235 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda. $7-$9.75. 301-652-7273.

STOP-LOSS-- A decorated Iraq war hero (Ryan Phillippe) tries to reconstruct the small-town Texas life he left behind with the help and support of his family, friends and war buddies. But when the Army orders him back to duty in Iraq, his world is upended all over again. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Channing Tatum co-star. Landmark's Bethesda Row, 7235 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda. $7-$9.75. 301-652-7273.

THE YEAR MY PARENTS WENT ON VACATION-- Set in Brazil in 1970, this coming-of-age story focuses on 12-year-old Mauro (Michel Joelsas), whose left-wing militant parents are forced to go underground, leaving the boy in the care of his Jewish grandfather's neighbor in Sao Paulo. Suddenly an exile in his own country, Mauro creates a quirky family from the colorful residents of his new neighborhood. In Portuguese, Hebrew and Yiddish with English subtitles. Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. $7-$9.75. 202-452-7672.

[On Stage]

THE HISTORY BOYS-- See Can't Miss.

THOM PAIN (BASED ON NOTHING)-- Opens Wednesday. Through April 13. The local premiere of Will Eno's existential comedy about an ordinary man includes a post-show discussion Friday and preshow lecture Saturday. Howard Community College, Rep Stage, 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. $17-$25, students $12. 410-772-4900.

MERCE CUNNINGHAM DANCE COMPANY-- See Critics' Choice.

RAQS CULTURA-- Saturday at 8 p.m. Performances by Artemis, Haidi, Yillah, Bella Quattro, Sammati and members of the Joy of Motion Dance Center faculty highlight a celebration of Middle Eastern dance. Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. $20-$25. 202-399-7993.

SHARNA FABIANO TANGO-- Opens Saturday. Through March 30. The dance group performs a contemporary interpretation of the traditional Argentine tango. Dance Place, 3225 Eighth St. NE. $22; seniors, students, teachers and artists $17; children $8. 202-269-1600.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WANDA JUNE-- Closes Saturday. American Century Theater presents Kurt Vonnegut's first play, a satirical attack on machismo that features the writer's prototypical oddities, including an "Odyssey"-inspired couple and a girl killed by an ice-cream truck playing shuffleboard with a Nazi in heaven. Gunston Arts Center, Theater II, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington. $26-$29, seniors and students $23-$26, children free. 703-548-3092.

AUGUST WILSON'S 20TH CENTURY-- Through April 6. The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright's 10-part cycle of plays chronicling the African American experience is shown in chronological order by decade. This week, catch these shows, set in the 1960s through '90s: "Two Trains Running," "Jitney," "King Hedley II" and "Radio Golf." Kennedy Center, Terrace Theater, 2700 F St. NW. $65. 202-467-4600 or 800-444-1324.

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE-- Through May 18. The Arthur Miller Festival continues with this classic drama about Italian American immigrant life in the 1950s. Directed by Daniel Aukin. Arena Stage, 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington. $47-$66. 202-488-3300.

[Sports]

WIZARDS-- Today at 8 p.m. against the Detroit Pistons. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. $40-$275. 202-397-7328.