Ever had something strange and inexplicable happen to you? Enter your story in Story League 7: Psychic Phenomena, where storytellers will have seven minutes to tell a true story about "extrasensory perception, clairvoyance, telepathy, and eerie coincidences." Submissions will be considered prior to the show, and the top nine will be selected to compete for a $100 cash prize. Judges are Katherine Marsh, Edgar Award-winning author of The Night Tourist, comedian Adam Ruben, and Brandon Wetherbee, producer of You, Me, Them, Everybody. Busboys and Poets/14th&V. 9 p.m. $10.
French electronic artist Madeon lights up U Street Music Hall. Lightwaves opens. 9 p.m. 18+ $18.
Art After Hours, a night at the museum,with country-pop singer Owen Danoff at Strathmore Mansion. The son of Grammy-winning musician Bill Danoff returns after the Strathmore's sold-out Tribute to Paul Simon. 7:30 p.m. $15.
The New Professional: Issue Three launch party kicks off tonight at Black Cat. The literary magazine's new issue features interviews with Tray Chaney, from HBO's The Wire, author A.M. Homes, musician and producer John Vanderslice and Baltimore/LA indie band Future People, and fiction by writer Will Arbery. Grab some drinks and celebrate literature with a live performance by Chaney and special guests. Black Cat Backstage. 8 p.m. $12.
SOLD OUT! Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros at 9:30 Club.
Memphis hip-hop artist Yo Gotti takes the stage at U Street Music Hall. Zed Zilla and S.C.M.G. open. 7 p.m. $20.
R. Ring featuring Kelley Deal of The Breeders performs with local indie outfit The Mean Season and Marc Canancias at DC9. 8:30 p.m.$10.
A visit from the UK on this rainy, dreary Monday: Leeds dubstep producer Rusko recently released his first full-length album, Songs, off Diplo's Mad Decent. Billboard reviews: "The 48-minute collection zooms through throwbacks to early Euro rave and house, reviving the unabashed, giddy quality of those first-wave years." The 27-year-old's not slowing down either, with a collaborative release with Cypress Hill scheduled for release June 5, and an EP of "ambient, minimal techno" out under an alias later this summer. Rams Head Live. Sigma opens. 8 p.m. $27.
SOLD OUT: The Cranberries at 9:30 Club.
California-based ALO's fourth album Sounds Like This, released off Brushfire Records, doesn't disappoint with creatively inventive tracks. Singer-songwriter Chris Kasper opens the show at U Street Music Hall. 7 p.m. $20.
The Last Hour of Elena and Nicolae Ceausescu screens at Goethe-Institut. Nicolae Ceausescu was head of Romania's communist regime until its downfall when he and his wife Elena were executed on Christmas Day 1989. This story of a revolution is based on video footage and eye-witness accounts of their sentencing and execution. 6:30 p.m. $7.
The five-time Tony Award-winning musical, The Music Man, opens at Arena Stage. Artistic director Molly Smith takes on the story of Harold, a smooth talking swindler. When he arrives in the town of River City, Iowa, Marian, a local librarian seeks out to expose him. Harold decides to win her heart to protect himself, but will he find himself falling in love instead? Arena Stage. Friday - June 22. 8 p.m.Tickets online.
Bess Kargman's award-winning documentary, First Position, the story of six dancers competing in one of the world's most prestigious ballet competitions, the Youth American Grand Prix, is an intimate look into the life of young dancers struggling to make it into the world of professional ballet. Dancer Rebecca Houseknect will be in-person for a Q&A after Friday's screening. Bethesda Row Cinema. Friday - Thursday.
DC Shorts presents Pasties & Popcorn, two-nights of steamy films, sexy burlesque, and a sneak peek at this fall's DC Shorts Film Festival films. Atlas Performing Arts Center. Friday - Saturday. $20.
BloomScreen presents No Impact Man, a 2009 documentary about a Manhattan family who abandon their upscale lifestyle for a year-long experiment in sustainable zero impact living: no electricity, no non-local food, no material consumption, no automated transportation. BloomBars. Sunday. 5 p.m. $10 suggested donation.
Photographers Jodi King and Tyler Larish present Renegade DC, a series of bold and moving photographs set against the backdrop of D.C.'s historic landmarks. The U.S. Capitol Building, the Smithsonian Castle, Ben's Chili Bowl, and other landmarks become playgrounds for the photographers, a place where fashion, history, and architecture blend for a creative perspective on the city. FotoSpace at 1838 Columbia Rd. NW. 7 p.m. RSVP required. JRKingphoto@gmail.com.
Writer, Emmy-nominee and political humorist Will Durst takes on national politicians at Riot Act Comedy Theater. Thursday - Saturday. 8 p.m. $15.
Designer Drugs performs with PLS DNT STP, Hyx and Houston at U Street Music Hall. 9 p.m. 18+ $8
Mother's Day is Sunday! If you haven't remembered to pick up a gift for your maternal unit, don't stress: no matter what kind of music your mom is into, we've got some suggestions of shows for her special day.
Recommended if your mom: secretly wants to learn to play the banjo. The Carolina Chocolate Drops are an old-time string band from North Carolina, whose 2010 album Genuine Negro Jig won a Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album. In addition to banjo and guitar, the band also includes harmonica, kazoo, fiddle, and mandolin-- a good mixture of twangy instruments that complements their sound.
Recommended if your mom: is covered in tattoos. Former Screaming Trees frontman Mark Lanegan has performed with a lot of different bands since his grunge days-- most recently, with Belle & Sebastian's Isobel Campbell and with English electronica group Soulsavers. He's back doing his own solo thing now, having recently released the rock album Blues Funeral, still highlighting his dark and weary vocals. He's also heavily
inked, down to every phalanx of every finger.
Recommended if your mom: still has a mess of hairspray left over from the 80s.This rock festival (now in its 4th year) kicks off on Friday night with Kix and Night Ranger, but the real jump backwards in time is at this show, which features Ratt, Warrant, and Cinderella. Here's hoping your mom doesn't still have that old leotard and legwarmers outfit.
Recommended if your mom: thinks driving on the Autobahn is just too damn slow. Punk/ thrash band D.R.I. (that's Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) was known for a time as the fastest band in the world. The Houston band hasn't released a new album since the mid-90s, but the quartet isn't exactly slowing down: they just worked with label Beer City Records to reissue some of their early albums and have not denied rumors of an 8th studio album. Most moms wouldn't be down with a D.R.I. concert, but we're hoping that yours is. (PS: please send pictures).
These and other show listings can be found on ShowListDC.
The Human Rights Watch International Film Festival presents a special screening of The Price of Sex, Emmy-nominated photojournalist Mimi Chakarova's documentary about the sex trafficking of young Eastern European women to the Middle East and Western Europe. The film is an intimate and revealing look at the issue from the eyes of the women who have escaped. "You don't make a film unless you feel that there's a possibility to change things," Chakarova says. West End Cinema. 7 p.m.
SOLD OUT! Ingrid Michaelson at 9:30 Club.
Folk-pop artist Feist released her latest album, Metals, last year, which she describes to Pitchfork as a "record animated with ... 'the movement of a lot of humans.'" Strathmore Music Center. 8 p.m. $45.
Synth-indie-pop artist Active Child performs with Balam Acab and Superhumanoids at Black Cat.
The 48 Hour Film Project, the culmination of a sleepless weekend of filmmaking, premieres tonight. Over the weekend, filmmakers were given a character, a prop, a genre, a line of dialogue and 48 hours to create a movie. More than 100 film teams from the area competed. AFI Silver Theatre will screen a different program of films each night through Saturday, with a "Best Of" screening May 24. 7:15 p.m. $11.50.
MUSIC
SOLD OUT! Andrew Bird at 9:30 Club.
Former prostitute and drug addict turned rapper Mickey Avalon takes "so rich, so pretty" to Rock & Roll Hotel. Five years since his self-titled debut, Avalon finally dropped his follow-up record, Loaded, last month. Andre Legacy and Cheyne open. 8 p.m. $15.
Swedish indie-synth-pop duo We Are Serenades started writing material for their first album over the phone. Adam Olenius who fronts Shout Out Louds and Markus Krunegard of Laakso were working on separate projects at the beginning. "Adam went on his tours everywhere and I did my stuff in Sweden mostly but we always would call each other like drunk at night like 'Yeah we should do this! We have to do it man!'" Krunegard says. The pair recently released their first album, Criminal Minds, on Cherrytree Records, home to Feist and La Roux. The duo takes their Music Postcard to Black Cat Backstage. Bike Trip opens. 8 p.m. $10/$12.
SOLD OUT! Willie Nelson and Family at 9:30 Club.
Los Angeles indie-rock sextet Races, who recently released their debut album, Year of the Witch, on Frenchkiss Records, performs with Hundred Waters at DC9. 8:30 p.m. $8/$10.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo early at Havana Night: The Phillips Collection Annual Gala After Party. Salsa the night away with Latin rhythms, a rum bar, old Havana and Cuban foods, shaved iced mojitos and traditional cigar rolling. Cocktail or classic Havana attire requested. Anderson House. Friday. 8 p.m. $100 - $150.
The Dunes newest installment of Art Crimes features photographs by Jocelyn Weiss. Murmur documents Weiss' experiences as a medical team volunteer in Nepal, where heart disease affects 15 percent of the population. The Dunes. Friday. 7 p.m.
The 25th Annual Evening of Comedy brings nationally recognized comedians to Wolf Trap. Former stand-up acts have included Bill McCartny, Carole Montgomery, Max Alexander, Jeff Caldwell and Mike Eagan. Friday and Saturday. $25.
Rain or shine the Forever Young Premiere Happy Hour Pool Party rages on at Capitol Skyline Hotel. Swim gear, cocktails, house music and no cover! Friday. 5 p.m.
Frederic Nauczyciel: Le Temps Devant, curated by Amy Cavanaugh Royce features photographs by the French artist in "Our Time Ahead: Anachronism and Utopia in the French Countryside." Honfleur Gallery. An opening reception will be held Friday. 7 p.m.The exhibit runs until June 29.
Rita Shewbridge: Tangible Interactive Design at Fab Lab DC. A new media artist and designer, Shewbridge discusses designing and building "for the creation of touchable, interactive devices." Saturday.4 p.m. $10.
LOOK OUT! Street Artist's Lunchtime Invasion: Nana Projects, Bert the Nerd, Happenstance Theater, Mouth Monster at Eastern Market. Sunday. 11:30 a.m.
Acid Mothers Temple (Photo: Licorice Medusa via Flickr)
D.C. has a rich local music scene with strong roots in go-go and hardcore punk. Every once in a while, though, it's nice to escape to a faraway land of different tastes — even if just for a few hours. Here are a few musical escapes that won't require a passport:
Japanese psychedelic collective Acid Mothers Temple initially formed in 1995 and has released copious albums, all under slightly varying names (Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso UFO, Acid Mothers Temple & the Cosmic Inferno, Acid Mothers Temple & the Incredible Strange Band, and so on), in the time since. Founding guitarist Kawabata Makoto started the group with a vision of creating trippy music influenced by prog and krautrock. Kawabata seems to be the only (fairly) central member of AMT, appearing in almost all of the group's incarnations surrounded by members of the collective's ever-rotating cast of collaborators.
The members of Atlanta's Yacht Rock Revue hail from a faraway land where leisure suits and tussled hair are the norm and bands like Hall & Oates and Steely Dan rule the airwaves. This tribute band fully embraces '70s soft-rock fare — their biography on Facebook describes them as "the music you listen to at the dentist's office while getting your teeth cleaned" — but we know you know all the words. So wake me up before you go-go; that summer breeze on the love boat to Africa is but a careless whisper of how sweet it is that love will keep us together. (Yes, that's enough earworms to last you 'til next month. You're welcome.)
THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELED: Ane Brun is from Norway but has spent the last decade living in Sweden, where she recorded her latest album, It All Starts With One, with Swedish producer/songwriter Tobias Fröberg. The Scandinavian folkie was recently featured on Peter Gabriel's latest album, New Blood; when she's not behind the microphone, she's busy running her own record label, which she started with Ellekari Larsson, pianist from the band The Tiny.
British prog-rock supergroup UK is reuniting for this one-off tour and performing in the US for the first time in over 30 years. This lineup will feature keyboardist/electric-violinist Eddie Jobson (Roxy Music, Frank Zappa), vocalist/bassist John Wetton (King Crimson), and drummer Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa). The tour was originally scheduled to stop at D.C.'s Howard Theatre on Monday night, but that show has unfortunately been cancelled, so your only chance to catch this legendary reunion tour locally is with a drive up to Baltimore. Watch a video here.
These and other show listings can be found on ShowListDC.
One of Comedy Central's greatest stand-up comedians of all time, Eddie Griffin, takes the stage at Riot Act Comedy Theater. The Malcolm in the Middle actor and comedian's stand-up act sparkles with "the sleepy eyes of a marijuana aficionado, and the contagious laugh he shares at his own outrageousness." Griffin still makes a crowd laugh like it's 1992, with jokes that work the "well-worn lines between black and white culture." $30-$35. Thursday - Sunday.
SOLD OUT! fun. with Miniature Tigers at 9:30 Club (Friday's show is sold out as well).
Brazilian electro-dubstep duo Dirtyloud performs at U Street Music Hall. 9 p.m. $12.18+.
Lupe Fiasco performs at George Mason University's Patriot Center. Philadelphia hip-hop artist Mason opens. 8 p.m.$15-$45.
Americana-folk musician Reed Foehl performs at Jammin' Java tonight. Founding member of the indie-folk band Acoustic Junction, Foehl's fourth solo album, Color Me In's soulful tracks are a "reflection of isolation and loneliness that comes during the cold winter months." Carl Anderson and Brian Jarvis open. 7:30 p.m. $10/$13.
Art21: Change and Historyfeatures a screening of "Change," an episode from PBS's sixth season of Art in the Twenty-First Century at Hamiltonian Gallery. A discussion by artists Edgar Endress, of the Floating Lab Collective, Michael Lacovone and Adrian Parsons follows the screening. 7 p.m.
A night at the museum at Art After Hours features Sweet Honey in the Rock singer Nitanju. Strathmore Mansion. 7:30 p.m. $15.
Plenty of films will screen around town, including some that stretched societal bounds to a documentary about the origins of D.C.'s electricity. BloomScreen and Citizens Climate Lobby present The Last Mountain, a 2011 Sundance Film Festival Official Selection that looks at the controversial methods of coal mining and the effects of mountaintop removal in West Virginia on the lives of local residents. BloomBars. 7 p.m.$10 suggested donation.
West End Cinema hosts a lecture on Ten Films that Changed America, with Yale and John Hopkins professor Marc Lapadula, featuring commentary and clips from The Jazz Singer, Easy Rider, Annie Hall, and others. 7 p.m.
Marilyn Manson's show at the Fillmore is sold out tonight, but the rocker's new album, Born Villain, off Cooking Vinyl Records, drops today. Johnny Depp appears in a rendition of Carly Simon's "You're So Vain," a track on the album.
Brooklyn psych-dub-pop trio Bear in Heaven's newly released album, I Love You, It's Cool's"danceable medley of surreal jams" is reminiscent of the '80's and easy days. They perform with Blouse and Doldrums at Black Cat. 8 p.m. $10/$12.
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