Strathmore Dishes Up Bacon and Fruit

By Lavanya Ramanathan
Saturday, July 19, 2008

If there were one day you should really consider attending Strathmore's summer-long free outdoor concert series, Wednesday's performance would be it.

Hip-hop artist Christylez Bacon is from Southeast Washington, a positive-vibes rapper and beatboxer whose shows feature international rhythms, contributions from all his super-talented musician pals, and audiences full of family and friends. One of Strathmore's resident performers, he performs at the Gudelsky Outdoor Concert Gazebo at 7 p.m.

Then comes the big treat: Australian performance-art troupe Strange Fruit. The 14-year-old company just might blow your minds with its aerial love dance "Swoon" -- which four performers literally do, swaying from the tops of 15-foot fiberglass poles. They look a bit like cattail plants blowing in the wind. (The act's name is not a reference to the Billie Holiday song about lynchings; troupe founder Roderick Poole was inspired by farm fields, imagining people swaying like wheat stalks.)

"Swoon" explores the darker sides of affairs of the heart, from jealousy to unrequited love; the performers perch from the poles by strapping into harnesses that allow for flexibility as well as safety. It's odd stuff but it should be fantastic when lighted for the 9 p.m. show. Free. Wednesday at 7 p.m. Strathmore's Gudelsky Outdoor Concert Gazebo, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. 301-581-5100.

Save the Date

ONSTAGE: Richard Lewis The neurotic comic was a TV star in the late 1980s and early '90s (uh, remember, "Anything but Love"?), then re-ascended with standup promoting his propensity for pathos and a role as, well, his neurotic self on "Curb Your Enthusiasm." And though he's kind of over the top and more than a little creepy, he somehow still manages to be endearing (go figure). On his "Misery Loves Company" tour, he is set to perform at Lisner Auditorium this fall. $25-$75. Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW. 202-397-7328 or get tickets at the Lisner box office, 202-994-6800.

FESTIVALS: Alexandria African Heritage and Cultural Festival The city celebrates the African diaspora next week with a bash that will feature a processional with a ritual pouring of a drink as an offering, performances of West African dance and music, jazz ensembles, a film festival and children's entertainment. The fest, themed "Reaching Back: Moving Forward," will include concessions and crafts. Free. 1-7 p.m. July 26. Market Square and City Hall, 301 King St., Alexandria. 703-883-4686 or http://www.alexandriava.gov.

The District

Today

CONCERT: Free and Family-Friendly With the NSO The National Symphony Orchestra visits Carter Barron Amphitheatre for the second of its two free concerts under the stars. Tonight, Marcelo Lehninger, music adviser of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, conducts a performance of "Music From the Americas." Works include Gershwin's "Cuban Overture" and John Williams's "Olympic Fanfare and Theme." Evenings begin at 6:45 with an instrument "petting zoo" for kids. Free (seats are first-come, first-served). Concerts at 7:30 p.m. Carter Barron Amphitheatre, 16th Street and Colorado Avenue NW. For rain cancellation information, call 202-416-8113.

FOR FAMILIES: The Waterlily and Lotus Asian Cultural Festival Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens offers a celebration of the waterlilies and lotuses that grace the park all summer long. Besides the beautiful floating blooms, there will be a performance of Asian dance, puppet show, exhibit of photo contest entries and tours of the pond and grounds. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today. Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. 202-426-6905.

Tomorrow

EXHIBIT: New Video Art From Afghanistan In conjunction with its "Hidden Treasures" show of rare and historic items from Afghanistan, the National Gallery of Art will screen a selection of contemporary video works by Afghan and Afghan American artists, including Lida Abdul, Rahraw Omarzad and Mariam Ghani. The screening tomorrow includes a discussion. Free. 4:30 p.m. National Gallery of Art, East Building Auditorium, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215.

Tuesday

CONCERT: The Ting Tings The glossy U.K. dance duo of Katie White and Jules De Martino first rocked their way into the collective conscience via iPod -- an iPod commercial, that is. The act is style over substance, however, and by next year the Tings Tings are likely to be a distant memory. Still, White gets high marks for the spirit of her indignant chants, and if you're looking to dance, there isn't a better place to be in the city on a summer night. They're at the 9:30 club Tuesday. $15. Doors at 7 p.m. 815 V St. NW. 202-393-0930.

Maryland

Today

ON STAGE: "Defending the Caveman" Rob Becker's one-man play, which centers on Man admitting that he has yet to evolve much past his caveman forefathers, continues another week at the Bethesda Theatre. Cody Lyman stars. $37.50-$50. Tonight at 5 and 9 p.m., tomorrow at 2 p.m., various times through Aug. 3. Bethesda Theatre, 7719 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda. 202-397-7328 or http://www.bethesdatheatre.com.

FOR KIDS: "The Neverending Story" If you're looking for a way to entertain your kids this weekend, the adaptation of Michael Ende's book at Imagination Stage offers a winning combination of puppetry, costuming and special effects that critic Celia Wren calls "pithy and fetching." In the tale, a boy is transported to a fantastic land, where he finds himself in the middle of a quest to cure a young empress. $10-$20. For age 6 and older. Tuesday-Friday at 10:30 a.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m., Saturdays (and some Thursdays) at 7 p.m. Through Aug. 10. Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda. 301-280-1660.

Wednesday

FILM: Science in the Cinema: "Canvas" The NIH screenings of films with science themes at the AFI Silver have proved popular, among them last year's foreign Oscar contender "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." Next up is "Canvas," about a family facing the worsening schizophrenia of its matriarch (Marcia Gay Harden). The writer and director, Joseph Greco, has said the 2006 movie is based on his life as the child of a woman with mental illness. A guest expert hosts a discussion after each screening. Free, but tickets are required; they're handed out beginning 30 minutes before the first film of the day. Get there early; screenings are expected to fill capacity. 7 p.m. The series runs through Aug. 13. 8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring. Visit http://www.afi.com/silver.

Northern Virginia

Today

CONCERT: The A Cappella Festival This outdoor celebration of harmony returns tonight with hosts -- and very funny guys -- the Tone Rangers (whose claim to fame is having been the inspiration for the name of an a cappella act in the Jen Aniston movie "The Break-Up"). This year, they bring in locals Euphonism as well as DoubleShot (from Pittsburgh). If you think a cappella is boring, check out the Tone Rangers' Gregorian-chant version of "Wild Thing" on MySpace -- classic. Free. 8 p.m. Lubber Run Amphitheatre, North Second and Columbus streets. 703-228-1850.

FOR FAMILIES: The Great Zucchini Popular local magic act the Great Zucchini (real name: Eric Knaus) is the king of the kiddie birthday circuit, winning over young fans with plain old silliness. He has a regular gig at the Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse, where you can find him performing for the sippy-cup set this morning. $8. Doors open at 11 a.m.; show at noon. 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington. 703-486-2345.

ON STAGE: "Sizzlin' Summer" Cabaret Its regular season wrapped, Signature Theatre fills its ARK Theatre with cabaret performances for a few days. The bar will be open, and patrons can sip cocktails at their tables while they see Nigerian singer Kuku tonight, "Kiss of the Spider Woman" actress Natascia Diaz perform Wednesday, actor Eric Millegan of the television forensics drama "Bones" sing his heart out Thursday and so on, till Aug. 1. $15 each show. Tonight at 7:30 and 9:30, Wednesday-Thursday at 8:30 p.m., various times through Aug. 1. Signature Theatre, ARK Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. 202-397-7328. For a full schedule, visit http://www.sig-online.org.