Out of This 'Blue,' a Green Tapestry

Just over a year ago, the Textile Museum, a quiet little building on a quiet street just off Embassy Row, scored a hit with its small exhibition "Red," a collection of garments and fabrics -- old kimonos to AIDS ribbons -- exploring the history and use of the color of love (and blood and rage).

Today the museum launches the next part of the series: "Blue," which gathers one of the first pairs of Levi's ever produced, along with an Indonesian textile made with six shades of the cool hue, and two rooms full of contemporary hangings and installations, all to position blue as "the new green."

What on Earth does that mean? The textiles here all use natural indigo, the sustainable, plant-based dye that has history going for it but isn't used much these days. True indigo, it turns out, is more expensive than the synthetic version, which requires heavy chemicals and contributes to pollution. And blue is the color of the sky and of the oceans, the resources the green movement is trying to save.

The contemporary artists -- notably Hiroyuki Shindo, whose installation "Shindigo Space 07" is a striking contribution -- look to natural indigo in part because of its old traditions in the East as well as the Western world. Some artists, such as American Rowland Ricketts, even raise their own plants.

Though the indigo here can only be described as a true blue (navy with multiple dippings, baby blue with one or two), there has been something of a renaissance for all shades of blue (remember the speech about the trickledown effect of that exact shade of cerulean in "The Devil Wears Prada"?). Pantone, one of the sponsors of the show, even named Blue Iris, a purply blue, its color of the year. (One look in our closet confirms it: one pair of shoes, one top and three dresses in the exact color. And look out for Miranda as she dons the stunning shade for Carrie's big day in the upcoming "Sex and the City" film.)

"Blue" opens today. Go tomorrow at 11 a.m. for a guided tour of the show with the curator (space is limited), or go for one of five talks through May 22 ($8; reservations required. Call 202-667-0441, Ext. 64).

Suggested donation $5. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m. Through Sept. 18. Textile Museum, 2320 S St. NW. 202-667-0441.

Save the Date

THE SCENE Smithsonian Craft Show This juried show of basketry, ceramics, furniture, glass, jewelry and other objects and crafts returns next week for its 26th year, with 120 exhibitors, including nearly 40 new contributors (chosen from more than 1,000 applicants). The show, at the National Building Museum, runs April 10-13. $15; seniors, students, military and Smithsonian Resident Associate members, $12. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. April 10; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 11-12; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. April 13. National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. 202-633-5006 or for details, visit http://www.smithsoniancraftshow.org.

CONCERT The Kills With their new CD "Midnight Boom," singer Alison Mosshart and guitarist/singer Jamie Hince have scaled back their already minimalist, bluesy garage rock, amping up the scratches, pumping up the beats -- and were those hand claps? Somehow, they're still the coolest kids in school. They'll play the Black Cat on May 2. $15. 9 p.m. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. Get tickets at the box office (202-667-7960) or through Ticketmaster (202-397-7328).

CONCERT Robert Plant and Alison Krauss No, it's not a typo. Last year, the unlikely duo -- Led Zeppelin's shrieking lead singer and the bluegrass fiddler -- collaborated on an unlikely album, the blues-tinged "Raising Sand" (skeptics: It went platinum). And this year they take the act on the road, even bringing along the record's producer/wizard, T-Bone Burnett. The three hit Merriweather Post Pavilion on June 13. 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 202-397-7328.

The District

Today

CLOSING "Treasures from American History" This display from the closed-for-renovations Museum of American History has been a highlight for many visitors to the Air and Space Museum; the 150-or-so-item display is intended to keep some of the best stuff (Dorothy's ruby slippers, Edison's light bulb) available to the public even though American History isn't. But now it's time to get the stuff back to the museum in preparation for its reopening this fall. Go this weekend to catch the exhibit before it closes on April 13. Free. Daily 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Seventh Street and Independence SW. 202-633-1000.