ART
Through Sept. 1 Richard Misrach: On the Beach For more than 30 years, the American photographer Richard Misrach has made provocative work that addresses contemporary society’s relationship to nature, especially the American West. National Gallery of Art
Through Sept. 3 Nature is Beautiful Local artist Yoshiko Oishi-Weick expresses her love of nature through her renditions of Sumi-e, a traditional Japanese art form that uses simple black ink and brushes of various sizes. Japan Information and Culture Center
Through Sept. 7 Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul In this unprecedented exhibition, some 228 extraordinary artifacts unearthed in modern Afghanistan — most on view for the first time in the U.S. — attest to the region’s importance as a vital and ancient crossroads of trade routes known as the Silk Road. National Gallery of Art
Through Sept. 7 The Cinema Effect: Illusion, Reality, and the Moving Image The second part of this two-part exhibition, titled “Realisms,” features moving-image art by a range of influential and emerging international artists who use film language and technology to explore the impact of the cinematic on our perceptions and the ways in which the very boundaries between “real life” and make-believe have become at least blurred, if not indecipherable. Hirshhorn Museum
Through Sept. 7 Diebenkorn in New Mexico This exhibition will be the first to concentrate on the body of works created during Richard Diebenkorn’s formative and relatively little-known Albuquerque period of 1950-1952, including paintings, works on paper and a rare sculpture made from welded scrap iron. The Phillips Collection
Through Sept. 7 El Anatsui: Gawu A native of Ghana who has been living in Nigeria since 1975, El Anatsui is one of Africa’s leading contemporary artists. This display of his large-scale metal “tapestries” and other sculptures marks his first solo exhibition in the United States. National Museum of African Art
Through Sept. 7 Faces of Ancient Arabia: The Giraud and Carolyn Foster Collection of South Arabian Art Nearly 100 ancient sculptures, statues, relief carvings and inscribed blocks dating from the sixth century B.C. to the fourth century A.D. capture the artistic sophistication and visual splendor of Southern Arabia, once known as the land of the Queen of Sheba and now encompassing the Republic of Yemen. Walters Art Museum
Through Sept. 9 Now Thrive the Armorers: Arms and Armor in Shakespeare Although people associate “knights in shining armor” with the Middle Ages, most surviving armor actually dates to the period of William Shakespeare, a time when traditions inherited from the world of medieval chivalry were increasingly at odds with the changing battle realities of the Renaissance. Folger Shakespeare Library
Sept. 10 to Nov. 20 The World of Art Bead by Miho Kanaya Miho Kanaya, who was raised in Kamakura, the ancient capital of Japan, expresses her deep roots to this historic and spiritual city through intricate bead weaving, which is presented here for the first time outside of Japan. Japan Information and Culture Center
Sept. 11 to Oct. 31 Chilean Paintings of the ’60s Work by José Balmes, Guillermo Núñez, Federico Assler and others paint an avant-garde picture of the tension, conflict and despair that characterized Chile in the 1960s, when the country was immersed in a fast-paced period of reforms that led to an important, though conflictive, modernization. Embassy of Chile
Sept. 11 to Oct. 31 F!NK Fostering Design This retrospective looks at Robert Foster’s Canberra-based design group Fink & Co., which has used the versatility and potential of aluminum, one of Australia’s most important resources, to create unique products for the home environment that are at once utilitarian and beautiful. A complementary exhibit of Fink & Co. tableware will be on view at Apartment Zero at 406 7th St., NW. Embassy of Australia
Through Sept. 12 “180 Degrees East and West – Muslims in Austria” More than 335,000 Muslims from different parts of the world live in Austria today. Maximilian Hüller’s wide-angle and fisheye-lens photographs offer vivid insights into their daily life and traditions, as well as their integration into the social, cultural, political, and economic life of Austria. Embassy of Austria
Through Sept. 12 Silver Adornment from Bilad al-Sham Until the 1950s and 1960s, handcrafted silver jewelry and beautifully embroidered costumes were widely worn in Bilad al-Sham, an area that included Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine and Syria — splendid examples of which are now on display for the first time in Washington. The Jerusalem Fund Gallery
Sept. 13 to Jan. 25 Richard Avedon: Portraits of Power The Corcoran presents the largest exhibition of Richard Avedon’s political portraits ever assembled — many never been seen or published before — featuring more than 200 portraits of government, media, activists, pop-culture icons and ordinary citizens caught up in national debates that span a five-decade photographic inquiry into politics and power by one of the country’s best-known artists. Corcoran Gallery of Art
Sept. 14 to Jan. 4 George de Forest Brush: The Indian Paintings Combining extraordinary technical skills acquired in Paris with firsthand experience living among the Arapahoe, Shoshone and Crow tribes in the U.S., George de Forest Brush created an important series of paintings of American Indians much celebrated by his contemporaries but rarely seen since. National Gallery of Art
Sept. 16 to Dec. 31 Fragile Persuasion: Russian Porcelain and the Fine Art of Propaganda In a true testament to “things aren’t always the way they seem,” this intimate look at nearly 80 figures, plates and vases made in Russia over two centuries reveals the surprising messages within these seemingly innocuous objects. Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens
Sept. 17 to Jan. 9 Lost Futures: Journeys into the Jewish Diaspora During the past six years, Chrystie Sherman has been working on a unique photographic project to visually record Jewish communities that are in danger of disappearing, documenting Jewish communities in India, Ukraine, Cuba, North Africa, among others. Embassy of Austria
Through Sept. 18 Blue “Blue” explores the history and significance of blue textiles across time and place through the creative vision of contemporary textile artists working with natural indigo dyes in Japan, South America and the United States The Textile Museum
Through Sept. 21 Brett Weston: Out of the Shadow Often overshadowed by his father, Edward Weston, photographer Brett Weston was a pioneer in his own right, capturing the intricacies and rhythms of form, light and shadow while avoiding some of the contrived techniques of others in his field. The Phillips Collection
Through Sept. 21 Elena del Rivero: Home Suite Two related installations by Spanish-born contemporary artist Elena del Rivero explore the passage of time and the ways that daily routine and large-scale events shape ideas about place and home. Corcoran Gallery of Art
Through Sept. 21 Modern Love: Gifts to the Collection from Heather and Tony Podesta Prominent Washington-based collectors Heather and Tony Podesta’s passion for cutting-edge art is highlighted in this selection of photographs, videos, sculptures and paintings by internationally renowned artists such as Cathy de Monchaux, Candida Höfer and Elizabeth Turk. National Museum of Women in the Arts
Through Sept. 21 Something Pertaining to God: The Patchwork Art of Rosie Lee Tompkins The exhibition features approximately 25 quilts and other quilted pieces — including clothing, chair covers and pillows — by acclaimed African American artist Rosie Lee Tompkins. National Museum of Women in the Arts
Sept. 27 to Nov. 30 Autumn Colors: Japanese Paintings of the Edo Period Paintings by six Japanese artists recall sites and subjects traditionally and poetically linked with fall, such as the red maple leaves of Mount Takao, withered grasses bending under a harvest moon and deer gathered in an autumn forest. The Walters Art Museum
Through Sept. 28 Martin Puryear A native Washingtonian who has achieved international acclaim, Martin Puryear creates a distinctive body of sculpture — serenely quiet and poetic — that explores natural forms and materials and engages issues of history, culture and identity. National Gallery of Art
Through Oct. 26 The Finishing Touch: Accessories from the Bolivian Highlands A charming group of belts, bags and other accessories made and used by the indigenous people of the Bolivian highlands illustrates the liveliness and diversity of the region’s woven and knitted textiles. The Textile Museum
Through Oct. 26 The Great American Epic: Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series Told through vivid patterns and colors, this complete 60-panel series — rarely seen in its entirety — is the first ever produced on the great 20th-century exodus of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North. The Phillips Collection
Through Nov. 7 Inside and Out: Recent Trends in the Arts of the Dominican Republic “Inside and Out” examines recent developments in Dominican art, influenced by the synergy created by artists living abroad, as well as the international art market, through the work of eight artists, four of whom live in the Dominican Republic and the others from Paris, Madrid and New York. Inter-American Development Bank Cultural Center
Through Jan. 3 Dig It! The Secrets of Soil There are more living creatures in a shovel-full of soil than human beings on the planet — one of many fascinating facts unearthed in this 5,000-square-foot exhibit on the complex world of soil and how this hidden ecosystem supports life on Earth. Natural History Museum
Through Jan 11 Space: A Journey to Our Future On the occasion of NASA’s 50th anniversary, this exhibit of advanced interactive displays, state-of-the-art projection and audio technology allow viewers to examine current projects in space exploration and glimpse into the future of space travel. National Air and Space Museum
Through Jan. 25 Seascapes: Tryon & Sugimoto Pastels by American landscape painter Dwight William Tryon are juxtaposed with black-and-white photography by contemporary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto to reflect on the contemplation and comparisons these different yet parallel seascapes encourage. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Through Feb. 22 Guests of the Hills: Travelers and Recluses in Chinese Landscape Painting “Guests of the Hills” presents depictions of recluses and recreational travelers in Chinese landscape painting over a 700-year period, from the mid-11th to the mid-18th century. Freer Gallery of Art
Through June 2009 G-Men and Journalists: Top News Stories of the FBI’s First Century The controversial role of the FBI and its relationship with the media is examined in the Newseum’s first major exhibit, which features hundreds of items detailing some of the biggest cases in the FBI’s first 100 years, including the Unabomber’s wilderness cabin and John Dillinger’s death mask. Newseum
CELEBRATIONS
Sept. 6 to 12 A Taste of Mexico in D.C. Enjoy special Mexican-themed menus at area restaurants such as Rosa Mexicano, Oyamel and Zengo, as well as an open house at the Mexican Cultural Institute on Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.tasteofmexicodc.com. Various locations
Thu., Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m. Mexican Table Cooking Demonstrations Just back from the indigenous communities from Michoacán and Campeche, Mexican cooking instructor Patricia Jinich demonstrates how to prepare a delicious menu that includes both traditional recipes as well as dishes that have taken new twists in the more metropolitan cities. Tickets are . Mexican Cultural Institute
Sat., Sept. 13, 6 p.m. 2008 Taste of South Africa Fundraiser The Ithemba Foundation and the South African Embassy host their annual Taste of South Africa Fundraiser featuring Cape Classics sommelier Zingo Munger pouring South African red and white wines, a silent auction and live performance by the Mahala Township Jazz Band, with all proceeds going to Ithemba’s youth initiatives in South Africa that empower underprivileged youth. Tickets are . South African Residence
Sat., Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m. Euro Night: Closer to the Stars The European embassies in Washington showcase their respective cultures, traditions and culinary specialties, while a musical act entertains during this lively, one-of-a-kind evening. Tickets are . La Maison Française
Sept. 19 to 21 48th Annual Greek Festival Since 1960, the Ladies’ Society of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church have baked, kneaded, cooked and fried over 4,500 pieces of baklava and other Greek staples for the D.C. area’s largest and oldest annual Greek Festival, which returns this year for a three-day extravaganza of all things Greek from food and drink to live music and trinkets. Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
Sun., Sept. 21, 11 a.m. Family Arts Day Washingtonians are invited to show off their best moves in this free cultural and education showcase that features performances, dance classes, crafts, food and live music. American Dance Institute Rockville, Md.
Sun., Sept. 21, 12 to 5 p.m. 24th Annual Kalorama House and Embassy Tour The Woodrow Wilson House in the heart of Kalorama opens the doors to several new Washington embassies and residences for its annual tour, including the residence of the ambassador of Monaco and the recently renovated Philippine Embassy. Tickets are in advance or the day of the tour, with a pre-tour brunch at the Women’s National Democratic Club mansion for . Woodrow Wilson House
Through Sept. 27 Brazil Moves This month-long celebration of Brazilian life, arts, food and culture hosted by the Brazilian Embassy includes an all-day Brazil Day Festival featuring arts and crafts, martial arts demonstrations, a food marketplace and tropical sounds at Baker Park in Frederick, Md. Other highlights include an Oscar Niemeyer exhibition at the Museum of the Americas; Capoeira workshops at the City Museum; a photo exhibit at Fine Arts & Artists Gallery in Georgetown; a literary panel discussion on Amazon themes at the Wilson Center; and a documentary screening of “The Mystery of Samba” at the AFI Silver Theatre. For information, visit www.brasilemb.org. Various locations
DISCUSSIONS
Tue., Sept. 9, 12 p.m. Almost Englishmen: Baghdadi Jews in British Burma Anthropologist Ruth Fredman Cernea discusses the experience of the Baghdadis, Jews from the Middle East who, for more than a century, formed vibrant communities throughout Southeast Asia, existing between two promised lands: the religious ideal of Jerusalem and the political promise of England. Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building
Wed., Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m. Book Discussion: ‘Rome 1960: The Olympics that Changed The World’ Pulitzer-Prize winning author David Maraniss discusses his new best-selling book, “Rome 1960: The Olympics That Changed The World,” which weaves legendary athletes and stirring events into a suspenseful narrative of sports and politics, with Cold War propaganda, drugs, sex, money and civil rights all converging for 18 days in Rome. To RSVP, call (202) 518-0998, ext. 1 or e-mail iicwashington@esteri.it. Embassy of Italy
Wed., Sept. 10, 6:45 p.m. Monasteries Floating in the Air: Meteora, Greece This illustrated armchair tour highlights these extraordinary Byzantine monasteries that are a rich repository of wall paintings, icons, manuscripts, and reliquaries. Tickets are . S. Dillon Ripley Center
Fri., Sept. 12, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sergei Rachmaninoff: Giant of Romanticism On the 135th anniversary of the birth of Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943), this all-day seminar at the Russian Embassy highlights the legacy of this enigmatic composer, pianist and conductor (including an embassy tour and lunch reception). Tickets are 3 and can be purchased through www.smithsonianassociates.org. Embassy of Russia
Sun., Sept. 14, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Four Great Jewish Rationalists: Revolutionary Thinking This seminar presents four great Jewish rational thinkers and examines their impact and contributions to Jewish thought, which goes at least 1,200 years. Tickets are 0. S. Dillon Ripley Center
Mon., Sept. 15, 6:45 p.m. Travels in Morocco Piotr Kostrzewski — an expert on Moroccan travel, history and Berber culture — offers a historical gazetteer of this kingdom, from its earliest settlers on the edge of the Sahara through today’s rich culture. Tickets are . S. Dillon Ripley Center
Tue., Sept. 16, 6:45 p.m. Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele: Masters of Viennese Art What is it about Gustav Klimt’s first portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer that a record sum was paid to possess it, and what is it that makes people travel from miles away just for a glimpse of it? This lecture, explores the artist who was as talented at creating great beauty as he was at depicting raw eroticism. Tickets are . S. Dillon Ripley Center
Tue., Sept. 16, 6:45 p.m. Excavating Armageddon: Life on a Dig in Israel Archaeologist Eric Cline discusses the history and latest archaeological discoveries from the 2008 summer season at the site of Megiddo in Israel’s Jezreel Valley, the biblical Armageddon. Tickets are . S. Dillon Ripley Center
Wed., Sept. 17, 6:45 p.m. The Comic Operas of Gioachino Rossini Saul Lilienstein, the voice of Washington National Opera’s CD commentaries, examines three of the most beloved of Rossini’s comic works written within a five-year span (1813 to 1817). Tickets are . S. Dillon Ripley Center
Wed., Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m. For the Greener Good: World Leaders on Sustainability From congestion pricing to innovative transit corridor development, leaders from Sweden Brazil discuss how they are leading the charge to create a more sustainable planet. Tickets are . National Building Museum
Sat., Sept. 20, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Styles of Western Architecture: From the Parthenon to the Eiffel Tower From classical temples, Gothic cathedrals, and beautiful chateaux to imperial palaces and early skyscrapers, this illustrated seminar focuses on the styles and pivotal structures that define Western architecture. Tickets are 0. S. Dillon Ripley Center
Sat., Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Around the World This seminar offers a sweeping overview of the significant events in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and West Africa during this pivotal millennium of civilization. Tickets are 0. S. Dillon Ripley Center
Tue., Sept. 23, 6:30 p.m. Dining a la Française at Café du Parc Café du Parc executive chef Christophe Marque and a handpicked brigade splendidly express the vision of the café’s supervising chef, Antoine Westermann, who earned three Michelin stars at Le Buerehiesel in Strasbourg. Tickets are 0 and can be purchased through www.smithsonianassociates.org. Willard InterContinental Hotel
Wed., Sept. 24, 4 p.m. Book Discussion: ‘Traces of an Intellectual Journey’ Spanning both the history of the modern West and his own five-decade journey, Gerald Stourzh’s sweeping new essay collection covers the same breadth of topics that has characterized his career — from Benjamin Franklin to Gustav Mahler, from the notion of constitution in 17th-century England to the concept of neutrality in 20th-century Austria. Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building
Wed., Sept. 24, 6:45 p.m. The Eastern Front: The Soviet-German Conflict of 1941-1945 This lecture on the Soviet-German conflict of 1941 to 1945 offers a glimpse into the enormous scale of military operations, human suffering and historical significance of this titanic struggle. Tickets are . S. Dillon Ripley Center
Sat., Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. London’s Neighborhoods and Villages: An Insider’s View From the old city of London to the revitalized neighborhood of Spitalfields, Londoner Lorella Brocklesby shares some well-kept secrets of this ancient and yet very modern world capital. Tickets are 0. S. Dillon Ripley Center
MUSIC
Sat., Sept. 6, 12:30 to 7 p.m. 18th Annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival The 18th Annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival features a powerful lineup, including versatile vocalist Holly Cole, Canada’s 2008 Juno Award winner, and the Grammy Award-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the greatest exponents of Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz harmonies and salsa. Gateway Park Arlington, Va.
Thu., Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m. Daniela Tabernig Lyric soprano Daniela Tabernig and her accompanist Marcela Esoin, both performers in the famed Colón Theatre Opera House in Buenos Aires, travel from Argentina to showcase the young operatic talent in her homeland. Inter-American Development Bank Cultural Center
Fri., Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m., Sat., Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m. Latin American Harp Festival (Arpas de America) Teatro de la Luna presents this concert featuring Eduardo Betancourt of Venezuela, Edmar Castañeda of Colombia and Mariano González of Paraguay, three master interpreters of the Latin American harp. Tickets are . Rosslyn Spectrum
Wed., Sept. 17, 7 p.m. Benoit Delbecq Paris-based pianist Benoit Delbecq fuses contemporary classical and jazz rhythms with alternative urban musical experiments and on-the-spot remixes for a rich palette of sounds. Tickets are . Corcoran Gallery of Art
Wed., Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m. Marlon Simon French Latin Jazz Project Venezuelan percussionist Marlon Simon and the French band Black Chantilly perform a unique cultural blend of Latin jazz compositions. Tickets are . La Maison Française
Wed., Sept. 17, 8 and 10 p.m. Wolfgang Schalk The sounds of the Austrian guitarist Wolfgang Schalk, a resident of New York since 1997, conveys a tender warmth that is always present amid his high-speed bebop and other funky pieces. Tickets are . Blues Alley Jazz Club
Mon., Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m. Francesco Tristano Schlimé The depth and maturity of Francesco Schlimé’s musical roots enable him to effortlessly combine his love for classical music, jazz, contemporary music, improvisation and composition. Tickets are . La Maison Française
Tue., Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m. ZaMZaM Arts: Aufgang Aufgang fuses two classically trained pianists — Rami Khalifé and Francesco Tristano Schlimé — with a DJ-drummer, creating an intriguingly modern sound. Tickets are . La Maison Française
THEATER
Sept. 3 to Oct. 12 The Road to Mecca When a reclusive artist finds her South African home threatened by repressive small-town attitudes, she turns to her only friend, a fiery Cape Town schoolteacher with a thirst for justice. Tickets are to . The Studio Theatre
Sept. 9 to Oct. 12 Romeo and Juliet The Shakespeare Theatre opens its 2008-09 season with an all-male production of the world’s greatest and most enduring love story featuring period costumes and music influenced by the Renaissance to explore theater traditions prevalent in Shakespeare’s day. Tickets are .50 to .75. Shakespeare Theatre
Through Sept. 14 Maria/Stuart Just as Stuart approaches his big break as a comic book artist, a German-babbling, soda-guzzling shape-shifter appears to unlock his suburban family’s hidden skeletons, including three generations of fierce women who seem destined to destroy each other. Tickets are to . Woolly Mammoth Theatre
Sept. 18 to Oct. 12 The Aging of the Plum (La Edad de la Ciruela) With humor and tenderness, two sisters reveal three generations of women who have liberated themselves from a world bound by traditions. Tickets are to . GALA Hispanic Theatre
Sept. 19 to Oct. 11 Pueblo The Heritage Theatre Company presents the factual story of the U.S.S. Pueblo, which was seized by North Korea exactly 40 years ago, with her crew held and tortured for nearly a year before being released in this historic Naval tragedy. Visit www.theheritagetheatre.org for ticket information. Randolph Road Theatre Silver Spring, Md.
Sept. 26 to Nov. 9 Host and Guest In response to the recent crisis in Georgia, Synetic Theater is remounted its acclaimed adaptation of the epic Georgian poem “Host and Guest” about two men — a Muslim and a Christian — who are punished for their cross-cultural friendship. Tickets are . Rosslyn Spectrum
Through Sept. 28 ACE Opening Signature Theatre’s 2008-09 season, “ACE” is an epic story set just after World War II of a young boy’s search to come to terms with his past and unlock his future — in the process exploring the heroic lives of America’s Greatest Generation. Tickets are to . Signature Theatre
Through Oct. 5 Prelude 2008: Arts Across America Marking the 50th anniversary of the National Cultural Center Act signed by President Eisenhower, this year’s Prelude festival enlists talents from all 50 states — from the Blind Boys of Alabama jazz-gospel singers to Broadway and film legends — to highlight American artistic diversity. See www.kennedy-center.org for details. Kennedy Center
