I’ve got a lot going on with this weekend’s H Street Festival. But I’m sure some other things are happening right?
Tonight celebrate the arrival of fall deliciously at the Hill Center. Chef Wendi James is back to teach a menu of seasonal rustic Italian dishes. Tonight’s menu include Pumpkin, Pepperoni, and Kale Salad
Meat Ragu with Creamy Polenta, Apple Crostata all served with white wine. This interactive class costs $65 and there is still time to register here.
Friday night the Atlas kicks off a busy 2012/14 season with a concert by Bassekou Kouyate. The Malian musician and his band Ngoni ga are masters of the ngoni, a kind of ancestor of the banjo. Whatever it is, the music is joyous and the band looks like fun. Tickets are $30 in advance and $34 at the door. Purchase here.
Saturday is the H Street Festival. 10 blocks of food, fun and a lot of art. There are 8 stages, including the Joy of Motion dance floor. The festival stretches from 4th to 14th Streets this year so wear comfortable shoes and for the love of all that’s good in the world please don’t drive.
If crowds aren’t your thing, take your pooch to Congressional Cemetery from 10 am to 3 pm for Day of the Dog. They will have activities for both people and their pups, including contests, games, demonstrations and much more. Local pet vendors and services will also be present, as well as pet adoption agencies and shelters with dogs and cats ready for adoption. Red and the Romantics will be on hand to serenade both the four-legged and two-legged visitors to the cemetery. Entry to the event is free but tickets for various activities and contests will be available on site. For more information check out http://www.congressionalcemetery.org/day-dog.
If you have any energy left after all that fun, the Corner Store begins another season of the monthly music party at 21 Gessford Court, SE, now beginning it’s 4th year of welcoming all to jam & jell at host David Wiener’s 21 Gessford Court, SE. Drop in 7 to 11 PM. Byob to share, add $10 to the hat.
If you want to hang around H Street, the Great Noise Ensemble will kick of the New Music Season at the Atlas. This concert is called “Taught the Band to Play and features compositions from some of the hottest rising young composers, the performance was inspired by the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Tickets are $28.50 in advance and $31.50 at the door. For more information go to http://atlasarts.org/events/2011/07/great-noise-ensemble-3/
Sunday afternoon enjoy some classical Persian music at the Hill Center. Dr. Nader Majd and Chakavak Ensemble bring the ancient sounds of Persia to Hill Center with a performance of Persian classical music. Mary Cliff of WAMU’s Traditions will moderate a discussion with the musicians to kick off the performance. The concert begins at 3pm and costs $15. For tickets and more information go here http://hillcenterdc.org/home/programs/1206
At the Atlas at 3pm, renowned cello player and founding member of Eight Blackbird, the Chicago-based three-time Grammy Award-winning new music ensemble, Nick Photinos joins with soprano Lindsey Kessleman (Einstein on the Beach) and pianist Yasuko Oura (Lyric Opera Chicago) to perform Mirage. Their program deftly breaks through invisible boundaries… cultural, emotional, cosmic. Tickets are $31.50 and can be purchased here https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&e=b8988b74a9e55417ed47848f5a7321eb
Jen DeMayo is Director of Community for the Atlas Performing Arts Center.