Photo courtesy Atlas Center for the Performing Arts
It’s too hot to exert too much energy gallivanting outside the Hill this week, and why should you? There’s lots of high and low key events going on to keep you busy.
Capitol Hill Art Workshop’s annual summer of Gilbert & Sullivan is back in full –and, as always, slightly twisted– form. The production of “lesser known but fantastically fun” Trial by Jury with song selections from Yeomen of the Guard will be performed July 30, and August 1, 6-8 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets, $20, for a night or afternoon of wordplay and song are now available by calling 202-547-6839 or emailing bwashington@chaw.org.
Make time on from 5-11 p.m. on Friday July 31 to attend ARTSHOW 13: Going Out of Business. The show, curated by D. Deardourff and Spencer Joynt, features artwork for less than $100 and everything must go. The event is at 2110 5th Street, NE. A great opportunity to support rising DC artists!
“The 9 Songwriter Series,” a touring songwriter collective, performs at the Rock n Roll Hotel Friday July 31. Each installment features nine solo singer/songwriters performing together in a unique and captivating format, telling stories, and often sitting in each each other and making up music on the spot. Performers include Justin Trawick, Jason Ager, Avi Wisnia, Zia Hassan, Rachel Levitin, Karl Straub, Eli Staples, Carolyn Crysdale, The Capitol Heights. Tickets are $15 here.
Hip-Hop Meets the Music of Ireland on Saturday and Sunday at the Atlas Center for the Performing Arts. After another run of sold-out shows, Washington Sound Museum returns with Grammy-nominated progressive Hip-Hop artist, Christylez Bacon and Irish Sean-nós dancer and instrumentalist, Shannon Dunne. The pair will explore the connections of Irish Traditional music and Hip-Hop/Go-Go resulting in a collaboration that will mix everything from Sean-nós to tap, accordion to congas. Performances are Saturday August 1 at 8 p.m. and Sunday August 2 at 3 p.m. Come an hour early to either show for a meet-and-greet reception followed by a fun dance workshop featuring Irish and African-American line-dance traditions. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.
Staying hydrated on hot summer days is key, and the people at the City Paper figure an afternoon of wine tasting and live music is a surefire way to keep refreshed. Wine Yards, from 1-5 on Saturday August 1, features 20+ wineries along with local food vendors and entertainment by local bands at Yards Park. The $35 ticket includes unlimited wine samplings and souvenir glass.
On Sunday, you can enjoy an intimate evening with the soulful indie singer/Songwriter Jennifer Hall at the Hill Center. Her music combines influences from Edith Piaf, Patsy Cline, Ray Charles and Rufus Wainwright. The album release concert is Sunday August 2 from 4-6 p.m. Tickets for $15 can be found here.
There are always a few events on the Hill that are worth planning ahead for. Say, wouldn’t you be curious to see gallivanting goats in a graveyard? Then find time on your calendar on Thursday, August 6 or sometime in the two weeks following to spend some time at Historic Congressional Cemetery. The non-profit Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery is bringing goats from Prosperity Acres in Sunderland, Maryland to graze temporarily along the perimeter of the cemetery.
This innovative environmental project will clear the exterior fenced area of invasive species using nothing other than 30 dairy goats, grazing around 24 hours a day for around two weeks, eliminating vines, poison ivy, ground cover and even fallen debris, while also depositing slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. (Ahem, depositing!) The use of the ornery but cute cloven creatures eliminates the need for harmful herbicides and prevents the invasive species from killing large mature trees in the cemetery’s wooded area. If the vines are allowed to grow too thickly they can strangle the trees, which can fall onto the grounds and damage valuable historic headstones.