Out of This 'Blue,' a Green Tapestry

By Lavanya Ramanathan
Friday, April 4, 2008

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.

Tomorrow

CONCERT Georgie James The bright and shiny D.C. duo of Laura Burhenn and John Davis is something of a local band made good -- signed to Omaha's Saddle Creek label, a solid review from Pitchfork, a recent performance on Conan. All while pushing upbeat, lightweight power pop, circa the 1970s. They're joined by Olivia Mancini & the Housemates and Tereu Tereu for a show tomorrow. (Disclosure: Michael Cotterman, who toils for The Post's Style section as an editorial aide, plays bass for Georgie James.) $10. 9 p.m. Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. 202-667-7960.

FILM Annual Cherry Blossom Anime Marathon Now a tradition at the Freer's Meyer Auditorium, the anime marathon features four films, a couple of them just for families, that begin at 11:30 a.m. and keep going till almost 9. On the schedule: "Jungle Emperor Leo" (11:30 a.m.), "Atagoal: Cat's Magical Forest" (2:30 p.m.), "5 Centimeters per Second" (5 p.m.) and "Appleseed: Ex Machina" (7 p.m.). Only "Appleseed," about an uprising of violence among cyborgs after many years of war, is not recommended for children, with a PG-13 rating. Free. (Tickets for all films, limited to two per person per film, are distributed beginning at 10:30 a.m.) Meyer Auditorium, Freer Gallery, Jefferson Drive and 12th Street SW. 202-633-1000.

THE SCENE Potomac River Watershed Cleanup Last-minute volunteers can still find a way to help clean up the areas draining into the Potomac River tomorrow during this 20th annual event. A few hundred separate cleanup efforts are centered in parks and neighborhoods around the region. Free. 9 a.m.-noon tomorrow. To volunteer, visit http://www.potomaccleanup.org and click on "Potomac River Watershed Cleanup" and then "Get Involved." For information, call 301-292-5665.

Maryland

Today

FILM "All About Eve" At the AFI Silver Theatre, the Bette Davis Centennial (marking her birth in April 1908) kicks off tonight with "All About Eve," the star's multiple-Oscar-winning 1950 flick. Davis plays a big-time Broadway star whose protegee Eve (Anne Baxter) schemes to steal her spotlight. Tonight at 7 p.m., tomorrow at 3:30, Sunday at 1 and Tuesday at 7. AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring. 301-495-6720.

Tomorrow

FOR FAMILIES The Lego Blitz Build Habitat for Humanity hosts this second annual event, in which Montgomery County children (broken up into 30 teams of three) have one hour to make an architectural masterpiece (okay, a house) out of 400 Lego pieces. Just hang out and watch the competition tomorrow at Westfield Montgomery mall, or get your kids to sign up. To participate, $20 per person (proceeds will benefit Habitat's upcoming townhouse community in Burtonsville). Ages 7-18. To watch, free. On-site registration begins at noon tomorrow; competition is from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Vacant store near Old Navy, Westfield Montgomery, 7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Register early at http://www.habitat-mc.org or call 301-990-0014, Ext. 21.

Wednesday

CONCERT Punch Brothers, Featuring Nickel Creek's Chris Thile Nickel Creek has played its last tour, but mandolinist Thile is moving on with Punch Brothers, a band (with banjo, fiddle and guitar) that he gathered to play out his four-movement suite chronicling divorce, "The Blind Leaving the Blind." (It's on the record "Punch.") The band hits Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis on Wednesday. $23.50. Shows at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis. Get tickets (and pick your own seats) online at www.ramsheadtavern.com.

Northern Virginia

Today

CONCERT Enon The Brooklyn-Philly trio has been around since 1999, never quite making it to the top of the indie-rock heap with their contemporaries, including Blonde Redhead. Instead, members made a name for themselves through constant reinvention (at, like, Madonna speed!), from dissonant rock stemming from singer John Schmersal's Brainiac roots to electro-trash to dissonant rock all over again. With the latest record, "Grass Geysers . . . Carbon Clouds" under its belt, Enon plays at Iota Club & Cafe tonight with the Epochs. $12. 9:30 p.m. 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. 703-522-8340.

Tomorrow

THE SCENE Wine vs. Beer. Which Will Win? The Washington Wine Academy event at the Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafhouse sort of hinges on an invented debate, as if one can enjoy wine or beer, but certainly not both equally. Really, it's a chance to eat typical American carnivore-style grub with the beer and wine pairings already picked for you. At the end you can vote for your favorite, beer or wine, but our guess is: This rivalry is a touch overblown. $18. 4:30-6:30 p.m. 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington. 703-486-2345 or get tickets in advance at http://www.arlingtondrafthouse.com.

Monday

CONCERT Now We Know What Michael Imperioli Has Been Doing Yup, Christopher from "The Sopranos" has a band -- a punk group no less! -- that he put together a couple of years back, called La Dolce Vita. And Monday, you can see the slogging, punk-inspired band that claims to draw inspiration from Patti Smith and the Clash. La Dolce Vita is paired as the opener for a tour with Patti Rothberg, a poppy, rather simplistic rocker who at times can sound a bit like Chrissie Hynde. $20; $17 in advance. 8 p.m. Jammin' Java, 227 E. Maple Ave., Vienna. 703-255-1566.