Free Events from the Washington National Opera
By Elisabeth Grant
Is the Washington National Opera sensitive to the current economic crisis? Or are they looking for new (more frugal) viewers? Whatever their motive, the Washington National Opera keeps rolling out free performances, making wallets happy all over D.C.
Earlier this year they threw the second annual Opera in the Outfield, a free simulcast of their opening night performance, this year The Barber of Seville, at Nationals Park. And now from November 13th through the 22nd they will celebrate “National Opera Week” (who knew that existed?) with a series of free performances and events.
1. Open Orchestra Read: The Marriage of Figaro
Saturday, November 14, 2009, 6 pm
Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
Hear selections from The Marriage of Figaro performed by the Washington National Opera Orchestra and coupled with narration by Maestro Ken Weiss “explaining the art of rehearsal and answering questions about the process of preparing a score.”
2. Community In Bloom, A Ward 7 Community Project
Sunday, November 15, 2009, 3:30 pm
Kelly Miller Middle School
301 49th Street NE, Washington, DC, 20019
The Washington National Opera teams up with the Humanities Council of Washington DC and the Ward 7 Arts Collaborative to present performances and art focused on the lives of Ward 7 community members.
3. So You Want to Be a Singer? An Opera Career Talk
Monday, November 16, 2009, 6 pm
American University Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall
4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC
Hear about how to start a career in opera from Christina Scheppelmann (WNO Director of Artistic Operations), Elizabeth Bishop (mezzo-soprano), and Brandy Hawkins (mezzo-soprano). Free, but to reserve seats, call (202) 448-3465.
4. Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists Recital
Friday, November 20, 2009, 12 pm
The Russell Senate Office Building, Rotunda
Constitution Avenue and 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Enjoy arias performed by members of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program.
5. Hola Opera! An Introduction to Opera
Friday, November 20, 2009, 11 am
Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library
5401 South Dakota Avenue NE, Washington, DC, 20011
Children 5 to 10 and their families are invited to a bilingual event, where Peter Burroughs and Anamer Castrello will perform arias and zarzuelas.
Ah free, music to one’s ears.
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month in D.C.
By Elisabeth Grant
National Museum of the American Indian
November is National Native American Heritage Month and all month long the museums of the Smithsonian Institution in D.C. are featuring exhibits, performances, talks, and special events in celebration. Most events are free and offer entertainment, education, and hands-on experiences for all ages. Read on for a selection of Native American Heritage Month events going on this month.
National Museum of the American Indian
Naturally, the majority of Native American Heritage Month special events are taking place at the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). The NMAI has put up press release (PDF) with a complete description of what’s available and when, and the Smithsonian Education page also has a complete list. Here are some highlights:
- Featured Event: “From Deer to Dance”
Nov.14 and 15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Head over to the Potomac Atrium of the National Museum of the American Indian to see “demonstrations of deer-hide tanning and painting, bead working and moccasin making,” as well as performances by the White Oak Singers (Saturday at noon) and the Kevin Locke Native Dance Ensemble (Sunday at noon).
Other National Museum of the American Indian Events:
- Chamber opera: “El Conejo y el Coyote/The Rabbit and the Coyote”
Nov. 6 (10:15 a.m. and 12 p.m.), Nov. 7 and 8, (2 p.m.), Rasmuson Theater
- Short Documentaries: “Answering the Call: Veterans Day Short Film Contest”
Wednesday, November 11, Rasmuson Theater, 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. - Forum: “IndiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas”
Friday, Nov. 13, Rasmuson Theater, 3 p.m. - Behind the Scenes: Meet the curators from the “IndiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas” event, discuss and explain this project
Saturday, Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m., Room 4018 - Drama, dance, and drumming: “The Drum is the Thunder, The Flute is the Wind”
Saturday, Nov. 14, at 2 and 7:30 p.m., Rasmuson Theater
Tickets: www.residentassociates.org or (202) 633-3030. - Saturday Morning Cartoons: Cartoons “Wapos Bay” and “Raven Tales”
Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10 a.m., Mitsitam Café
Main floor of the National Museum of the American Indian
For more information on these and other events see this press release (PDF) from the NMAI and the Smithsonian Education page.
Events are also taking place at these other museums:
National Portrait Gallery
- Exhibition: Faces of the Frontier: Photographic Portraits from the American West, 1845 – 1924. Sept. 25, 2009 through Jan. 24, 2010. Second Floor, National Portrait Gallery
National Postal Museum
- Stories and Activities: Based on Sequoyah: The Cherokee Man Who Gave His People Writing. Sequoyah appeared on a stamp in 1980. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Atrium, Lower Level, Postal Museum
National Museum of Natural History
- Native Pride Dancers: American Indian Dance, Drum, and Song
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural History. Tickets: Children, $5 (children under two, free.); adults, $6. Call 202.633.8700.