Weekend Roundup: June 26 – 28
Ack! Only two weekends left! There is so much going on at Artomatic this weekend, and we can’t possibly write about it all. Here are some top picks:
Friday:
12:00pm – 4:00pm: In preparation for Saturday’s Artomatic 500 Cardboard Contraption Competition, Sal Ferro will provide tips and techniques for anyone interested in creating a cardboard “something” for Saturday’s race. Basic building supplies and tools, as well as limited cardboard supply will be available, but feel free to bring your own boxes, accessories, or special tools. Head to the Electric Stage (1st Floor).
Photo by Mac Traore from last year's cardboard race
2:00pm – 3:00pm: Quick, everyone pretend to be a twelve-year-old so you can crash the kids’ hip-hop dance class on the Dance/Theatre Stage (6th Floor). Or just take your kids (between the ages of 5-13) and sit on the sidelines to watch the cuteness unfold. RSVP at www.artomatic.org/kids.
7:30pm – 9:00pm: If you’ve never seen Capoeira live, then you’re in for a treat. The International Capoeira Angola Foundation, headquartered here in DC, will be showing off their amazing martial arts, dancing, and drumming skills. This is so much fun to watch. Check them out on the Dance/Theater Stage (6th Floor).
Saturday:
4:00pm – 4:50pm: Head to the Cabaret Stage (2nd floor) to check out Ember, a bluegrass folk duo hailing from the UK. They have performed at Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival and now return to the District with their awesome music-making and fiddle-playing.
From embersong.com
6:00pm – 9:00pm: If you’ve already been to Artomatic, you know that the Peeps Dioramas are consistently the most popular thing to see in the galleries. Check out the 7th Floor to meet the artists behind this year’s Washington Post Peeps Diorama Contest. Marshmallow treats will be provided.
9:00pm – 9:50pm: If you’ve ever wanted to hear three middle-class kids rapping about life in Columbia Heights, now’s your chance. The Eubonics are serious MC’s that mix hipster aesthetics with real hip-hop roots. Check out the track Fire on their MySpace page and then see them live on the Electric Stage (1st Floor).
Sunday:
12:00pm – 7:00pm: This Sunday is the last Artomatic art fair of this summer! Twenty of our Artomatic visual artists will set up and sell their work in a marketplace on the first floor. You can choose from painting, photography, mixed media, sculpture, masks, ceramics, papercrafts, and more.
By Michael Perez from dcflamenco.com
12:00pm – 3:00pm: CHALK4PEACE is coordinating what they hope will be one of the largest outdoor chalk art projects for peace. Kids can meet in the Education Room (8th Floor) at noon for supplies and drawing practice, and then everyone can head downstairs at 1pm to draw all over the sidewalk! All ages encouraged to participate.
9:00pm – 9:30pm: Check out the Dance/Theatre Stage (6th Floor) for a live Flamenco performance. Suspiro Andaluz is a D.C. flamenco group founded in 2007, and they’ll be performing a number of dances while accompanied by a live guitarist.
Hope to see you all this weekend!
Sat Jun 27 – 6:00pm-9:00pm
In the galleries
Stop by the 7th floor Peeps Dioramas to meet the artists behind this year’s Washington Post Peeps Diorama contest. Ask your burning questions and find out their diorama secrets. Marshmallow treats from Peeps-maker Just Born will sweeten the day.
My 3 small children and I went through the Artomatic Festival this afternoon. I was very disappointed. Though there were signs stating that some works were not appropriate for children, the large publicity of the children’s events, as well as the Festival’s listing on the gocitykids.com website (a website dedicated to advertising family events in the DC area), led me to believe it was over-all a family-friendly venue. This is not the case. An overwhelming number of exhibits contain material that is violent and sexually explicit. Needless to say, we did not stay long, but my children were disturbed and unsettled. This is definitely not a family-friendly venue.
Maybe I’m slow, but it would really be nice if you (and everyone else who has an event) would give the hours up front. A friend and I are planning on coming down. She said, “When shall we go?” I said, “Wait, I have their postcard. I’ll check the hours.” Oops. No times, no days. I clicked on the most recent email I received from you. Oops again, no general hours, like if one just wants to come look at the art; there are hours for events, so we’re assuming you open at 12 noon on Sunday. Right?
I’ve been there once, and don’t remember food. I did have a beer. I see the postcard and the website both say food+drink. I can’t visualize the food you have on the premises nor if there are restaurants in the neighborhood. If you have a section on where to eat in the ‘hood, I can’t find it.
Another convenience would be to have directions and a map. I know you’re at the Navy Yard metro stop, but my friend decided to drive. I’ve got a map, or I’ll keep trying to find yours. Now that I’ve complained, I’ll probably find it! Thanks.
Event hours are on the Artomatic homepage at http://artomatic.org: Sun, Wed + Thurs 12pm – 10pm; Fri + Sat 12pm – 1am. Food options from Food on the Fly and Hard Times Cafe. A map on the homepage is a good idea – the Google Map for the address that’s on our homepage now is http://bit.ly/Oi6Av.
Thanks! All valid critique and good suggestions. Jane
I don’t understand “Your comment is awaiting moderation.” What the hell does that mean?
How do I make this go through?
There are a few ways. Most commonly, we publish it.
“Your comment awaiting moderation” means we’re experimenting with standards. These are gems – thanks for commenting.
Well, obviously, I had no idea I was writing (on? to?) a blog (nor do I know what one is). But since I unknowingly complained to the world, I thought I’d publicly thank you, Eric. I found the Google map and printed it out. And I did see that on the Home Page the days and times were listed. Very helpful. As a retired (obviously!) person who worked in marketing, I feel it’s important to give the address, phone number and hours on every publication, either at the top or on the bottom. Heck, it doesn’t take up much room, and it’ so helpful. Thanks again, Susie
I played with a band there Saturday night. There are signs everywhere saying inappropriate material for children. They are pretty good at warning you, we were by no way suprised. All humans have anatomy, sex organs are not evil, only your thoughts might be! If you don’t want your kids to see a picture or painting of a nude body, do not bring them. There are nude men with large sex organs and lesbian depiction throughout. We thought it was excellent! BTW, the Smithsonian has quite a bit of nudity in their museums too. There is also all information needed on this website about when, where, and how to get there, you just have to read it.