Events Highlights

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ART

Through Aug. 1 An Artist at Large in the Diplomat World Making their public debut are recently discovered portraits by Irena Baruch Wiley (1906-72), wife of a former U.S. ambassador who painted from the 1930s to the 1970s as she traveled the world — from the first U.S. Embassy in Moscow, to Vienna during Hitler’s “Anschluss,” to Tehran during the last Shah’s reign. Gold Leaf Studios

Through Aug. 1 On with the Show! A Celebration of the 100th Anniversary and Restoration of the The exhibition, curated by IDB curator Félix Ángel, celebrates the 100th anniversary and restoration of the famed Colón Theater in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a look back as well as forward to the next 100 years. Inter-American Development Bank Cultural Center

Through Aug. 3 Muraqqa: Imperial Mughal Albums from the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin This illustrious collection offers a window into the world of the Mughal Empire, which ruled India from the 16th to the 19th century and produced remarkable paintings and calligraphy illustrating the relaxed private life of the imperial family, as well as Sufi saints and mystics, allies and courtiers, and natural history subjects. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Through Aug. 16 Let Art Talk This display of Ugandan children’s artwork comes from the group Let Art Talk, launched in 2007 by internationally renowned woodcut printmaker Fred Mutebi that uses art as an educational tool to empower Ugandan children at the grassroots level. International Visions – The Gallery

Through Aug. 23 Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future One of the most prolific, fascinating and unorthodox masters of 20th-century architecture, Eero Saarinen changed the face of domestic and corporate design in the United States National Building Museum

Aug. 23 to 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 Aug. 24 Yellow Mountain: China’s Ever-Changing Landscape For centuries, artists have sought to depict and interpret China’s Yellow Mountain, arguably one of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, from 17th-century woodblock prints by monk painters to paintings by little-recognized artists. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Through Aug. 25 Taxa Six paintings by Isabella Kirkland collectively depict nearly 400 species whose existence has in some way been compromised by man’s actions — a series the artist began in 1999 after reading a list of the 100-most endangered species in the United States. National Academy of Sciences

Through Aug. 26 Maryanne Pollock and Reinaldo Catarino This dual local artist exhibition features Maryanne Pollock’s modernist abstract paintings infused with the rhythms of restless urban life culled from her time in Morocco, Egypt, New York and D.C., as well as Reinaldo Catarino’s “Reinvention” series that reflects the beautiful, fertile colors of his childhood in Brazil. Vastu Furnishings and Art Gallery

Through Aug. 29 Image of Germany – Deutschlandbilder Focusing on different facets of German reality, works by eight members of the Ostkreuz Photo Agency provide an authentic, succinct view of the current political situation in Germany, as well as the personal lifestyles of today’s Germans. Goethe-Institut

Through Aug. 30 In Transit This group show of paintings and photographs features work by William Adams, D.C.-based S. Gratz and Stoff Smulson, as well as Veronica Uribe of Bogotá, Colombia, in her first Washington show. District Fine Arts

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

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

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

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 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 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

DISCUSSIONS

Sat., Aug. 2, 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Investigating the Destruction of Santorini and Pompeii The deadly volcanic eruptions that destroyed civilizations on the Greek island of Santorini (17th century B.C.) and the Roman resort town of Pompeii (79 A.D.) significantly altered the course of civilization. Art historian Mariana Carpinisan and geophysicist Michael Wysession investigate how these dramatic volcanic eruptions both destroyed and preserved parts of these unlucky Minoan and Roman civilizations. Tickets are 0. For information, visit www.smithsonianassociates.org. S. Dillon Ripley Center

Thu., Aug. 7, 6:45 p.m. Journey to Valhalla: The Lasting Influence of the Old Norse World Odin, Thor and Loki are just some of the gods from Norse and Scandinavian mythology who still echo in our lexicon today through J.R.R. Tolkien and many others. In this evening seminar, scholar Marjorie Burns looks at Norse mythology, its pantheon, ideas about creation and its pessimistic expectations. Tickets are . For information, visit www.smithsonianassociates.org. S. Dillon Ripley Center

Mon., Aug. 11, 6:45 p.m. Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul With their country in crisis, a small group of Afghans in 1978 hid thousands of ancient treasures to protect them. The priceless hoard stayed safely secreted for 25 years until 2003, when the Afghan government invited archaeologist Fredrik Hiebert to inventory the artifacts. Today, Hiebert discusses what he found as part of the exhibit of these treasures at the National Gallery of Art. Tickets are . For information, visit www.smithsonianassociates.org. Hirshhorn Museum

FESTIVALS

Aug. 9 and 10 Fifth Annual Asian Festival Organized by the Thai Tennis Organization in America and other Asian groups, this free annual showcase features multicultural vendors, traditional Asian foods, all-day stage performances, interactive demonstrations, kickboxing and tennis clinics, as well as a look at this year’s Olympic Games in Beijing. Lake Newport Tennis Facility Reston, Va.

Sat., Aug. 30, 4 p.m. Planet Arlington World Music Festival The featured artists for the third annual Planet Arlington World Music Festival include: Solas, the most acclaimed Celtic band to originate in the United States; fiery Lebanese vocalist Tania Saley; China’s Yang Ying; and Congolese-Angolan salsa icon Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca, one of today’s most renowned salsa bands. The concert is free and shuttles will circulate between the event site and Rosslyn Metro Station. Netherlands Carillon Arlington, Va.

MUSIC

Thu., Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m. Jose Conde Concert Born in Chicago to Cuban parents, singer, composer and arranger Jose Conde sings out with an innovative Afro-Caribbean groove, inflected with a positive message of non-violence, environmentalism and hope. Free; photo ID is required. Inter-American Development Bank EVI Conference Center

THEATER

Through Aug. 2 The Imaginary Invalid Written and first performed while Molière was dying, “The Imaginary Invalid” targets the medical quacks of 17th-century France with the story of an eccentric and wealthy hypochondriac who decides to marry his strong-willed daughter off to a doctor, so that he’ll always have a physician around. Tickets are .50 to .75. The Shakespeare Theatre

Sun., Aug. 3, 2:30 and 7 p.m. The Amorous Servant The Washington Stage Guild (www.stageguild.org) translates this raucous comedy by 18th-century Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni about servants and masters who forget their stations in life. Free; donations are accepted. Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint

Sun., Aug. 10, 2:30 and 7 p.m. Magic Atheist belief is shaken by a party trick that just might be a miracle in G.K. Chesterton’s famous wit and wordplay performed by the Washington Stage Guild (www.stageguild.org). Free; donations are accepted. Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint

Through Aug. 17 Jerry Springer: The Opera In the show that took England by storm, “Jerry Springer: The Opera” combines the sublime with the ridiculous as it looks at the misfit guests — from cheating spouses to pole dancers — searching for fame on Jerry Springer’s talk show, the voyeuristic audience that loves them, as well as the man behind the entire circus. Tickets are . The Studio Theatre

Through Aug. 17 Man of La Mancha The Keegan Theatre performs one of the most enduring works of musical theater, based on Cervantes’s classic story of the wayward knight Don Quixote, performed by Cervantes and his fellow prisoners as he awaits a hearing with the Spanish Inquisition. Tickets are . Church Street Theater

Through Aug. 24 Disney’s The Lion King Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymo, whose visual images and pulsating rhythms of the African pridelands will leave an indelible impression. Tickets are to 5. Kennedy Center Opera House

Aug. 26 to 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

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