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Ranjani Shettar's Sculpture at The Phillips Collection Through Aug 25

Earth Songs for a Night Sky, a multi-faceted project by Ranjani Shettar is at The Phillips Collection through August 25, 2019. This exhibition is part of Intersections, a series of contemporary art projects that explores—as the title suggests—the intriguing intersections between old and new traditions, modern and contemporary art practices, and museum spaces and artistic interventions.

Drawing from her environment in rural India—with changing skies, monsoon rains, and lush vegetation—and employing traditional materials such as teak wood and indigo pigment, and techniques of carving, dyeing, and lacquer, Shettar has created hand-carved wood sculptures and a multi-part piece that wraps up the gallery walls. Occupying two rooms and the staircase of the original Phillips House, the project is conceived in dialogue with Wassily Kandinsky’s artist’s book Klänge (Sounds)—which features 56 woodcuts and was published right after he had made his breakthrough into abstraction—and Paul Klee’s late paintings in the Phillips’s collection: Efflorescence (1937) and Figure of the Oriental Theater (1934). For Shettar, the connection between her work and Kandinsky’s book and Klee’s paintings is more metaphysical than visual. As she says, “I relate to the surreal and abstract qualities of both Kandinsky’s poetry and images. In Klee, I find a formal and thematic playfulness that I strive to achieve in my own work.” Undeniably, what the work of the three artists have in common is a tension between the material world and spiritual aspirations, observation and introspection, and the act of seeing, making, and reflecting.

Please note that from July 9 through August 9, while The Phillips Collection makes critical repairs to the elevator in the Phillips House building, accessibility to this exhibition will be unavailable to those visitors requiring use of the elevator. 

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Sunrise Pilates On House of Sweden Rooftop

Start the day with Sunrise Pilates on House of Sweden’s Rooftop overlooking the Potomac. Certified instructer: Ulrika Frank. Summer Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:00 am.

• July 17
• August 7
• August 28

-Suitable for all levels (modified exercises available). Rain or shine! (if inclement weather we will move inside).

-Pilates is a perfect method to strengthen and tone your body while improving flexibility. 

-Please be barefoot, wear light, comfortable clothing and bring your own yoga mat, lots of water, sunscreen, a pair of sunglasses, and or a hat/cap.

-Please note that the surface is wooden flooring so bring an extra mat and or a towel/blanket for extra comfort. 

* Waiver: Come a few minutes early to sign required waiver. 

FREE admission.
ID and security check required upon entry.

House of Sweden is located at 2900 K Street in Georgetown.

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Poncho Sanchez Live at Blues Alley July 18-21

Legendary percussionist, Poncho Sanchez will be performing live at Blues Alley July 18-21, 2019.

For more than three decades as both a leader and a sideman, conguero Poncho Sanchez has stirred up a fiery stew of straightahead jazz, gritty soul music, and infectious melodies and rhythms from a variety of Latin American and South American sources.  Poncho Sanchez was born in Texas on October 30, 1951 into a large Mexican-American family (rumor has it that his 13-year old mother fled to the U.S. after hiding under the bed as revolutionary Pancho Villa stormed her village), but grew up in the Los Angeles area, where he was weaned on a broad range of Latin and non-Latin popular music.

Inspired by the conga playing of Cuban great Mongo Santamaria, he honed his skills as a percussionist and broke into the limelight at the age of 23 when he joined vibraphonist Cal Tjader's famed Latin jazz ensemble in 1975. Poncho performed with him until Tjader's untimely death in 1982. A year later, he began his unprecedented 23-year relationship with Concord Records, which has produced two dozen recordings, a Grammy Award and several Grammy nominations. 

"To me, Latin jazz is the world's greatest music," it has the melodic and harmonic sophistication of jazz and American standards, and the flavor and energy of Latin American music. What I'm most proud of is that this music – while it may sound exotic at times – is from America. It was born in New York City, when Chano Pozo met Dizzy Gillespie for the first time in the mid-1940s. They created something that didn't exist before in this country. I'm very proud to take this music all over the world all the time." Poncho Sanchez

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Summer at Dumbarton House

Throughout the summer, Dumbarton House Museum in Georgetown will host an array of interesting and educational events that connect neighbors and visitors to its important past. A highlight is Dumbarton at Dusk, a series of free, after hours events with music, pop up exhibits, food and drinks.

“Our museum captures what it was like to live in our nation’s capital in the earliest days,” explained Scott Scholz, deputy director and curator. “By inviting the community to our museum and grounds through interesting and unique programming, we are providing a new way to learn about and experience our city’s and nation’s history.”

Dumbarton House, a Federal style home built in 1799, and its stories stand today because of the foresight and commitment of a group of women who refused let its history die—The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America—which is also headquartered at Dumbarton House. Dumbarton House helps capture the untold story of the birth and maturation of Washington, D.C., and the nation through its museum, gardens and programming.

Summer events are an important way Dumbarton House engages the public to learn about the history of the period, house, city, and nation.  Here are some calendar highlights:

• June-August--Every Sunday 10am – Yoga.  Enjoy yoga classes in Dumbarton House’s gardens. Free
• May 25 12-2 pm – Walking Tour: In-TREE-guing Georgetown. Starting in the gardens at Dumbarton House, the tour explores the trees that line Georgetown streets. $20
• June 11 7:30-9 pm – Chamber Music Concert (Free)
• June 12-14 6-9pm – Picnic Theater Company Presents: The Great Gatsby. Picnic to this Roaring Twenties live action performance of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous novel. $15 in advance.
• June 20 5:30-8 pm – Dumbarton at Dusk. See Dumbarton House in a whole new light with live music, cash bar, light refreshments, and more. Free
• June 29 12-2 pm – Walking Tour: Georgetown Undercover. Investigate the clandestine corners of Georgetown where covert activities took place. $20 
• July—Every Wed 7-11pm – Jane Austen Film Festival. Grab a blanket and watch Jane Austen’s timeless love stories under the stars in the historic garden at Dumbarton House. $6 
• July 18 5:30-8 pm – Dumbarton at Dusk. See Dumbarton House in a whole new light with live music, cash bar, light refreshments, and more. Free
• July 20 10:00am-3pm – 8th Annual Day of Archaeology Festival. Dedicated to the archaeology, history, and preservation of the DC area, this fun-filled, family event features archaeologists, mock-excavations, crafts, food, and 3D printed artifacts. Free
• July 29 12-2 pm – Walking Tour: Georgetown After Dark. In 1962, DC legalized hard liquor for the first time since 1917. Learn about the growth of Georgetown’s bustling night life. $20 
• August 24-25 10-3pm – Dolley Days. To mark Dolley Madison’s stop at Dumbarton House on August 24, 1814, during the burning of Washington, enjoy free admission, historic lawn games, and ice cream! Special guided and self-guided tours offered. Free

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