This week you can hear the new work of a brutally honest rock star, learn about an overlooked perspective on the Vietnam War, and see a beloved 1936 film. Scroll to the bottom of To Do This Week to see the latest in ticket sales and read helpful arts reviews and news, including the latest on D.C.’s new Cultural Plan. —Kayla Randall
FRIDAY
Amanda PalmerAs the music business crumbled over the last decade, Amanda Palmer has tried to lead the way for remaining artists to figure out how to survive and thrive. For Palmer, the Dresden Doll and erstwhile busker, giving everything of herself and asking her fans and collaborators to do the same came naturally. That kind of giving often requires artists to be raw and open, a nakedness that suits Palmer both literally (like on the cover of her new album, There Will Be No Intermission) and figuratively. Read more>>> Amanda Palmer performs at 7:30 p.m. at The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. $39–$54. (202) 628-6161. thenationaldc.org. (Chris Kelly)
Electronic bass music artist Zomboy performs at Echostage. 9 p.m. at 2135 Queens Chapel Road NE. $25–$35.
The Barns at Wolf Trap hosts The Swingles, a rotating collection of London-based a cappella singers. 8 p.m. at 1635 Trap Road, Vienna. $42–$48.
Bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters performs at 9:30 Club. 7 p.m. at 815 V St. NW. $25.
SATURDAY
Tiffany Chung: Vietnam, Past is PrologueThere’s something satisfying about learning long hidden histories. The Vietnam War has been over for about 45 years, though there’s still a huge piece of the puzzle missing from historical records and narratives—the perspective of the South Vietnamese, the very people the U.S. claimed to enter the war to defend. Until September, the Smithsonian American Art Museum will house the exhibition Tiffany Chung: Vietnam, Past is Prologue, in conjunction with the museum’s current major exhibition, Artists Respond: American Art and the Vietnam War, 1965-1975. In Past is Prologue, visitors will examine this missing perspective of the almost 20-year war that took millions of lives. Read more>>> The exhibition is on view to Sept. 2 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and F streets NW. Free. (202) 633-7970. americanart.si.edu. (Malika T. Benton)
It’s opening weekend of PYG or the Misedumacation of Dorian Belle, a new Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm play making its world premiere at Studio Theatre. 7:30 p.m. at 1501 14th St. NW. $20–$76.
Dance group Errant Movement presents a day and night of new dance works featuring Light Switch Dance Theatre at the Anacostia Arts Center. 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at 1231 Good Hope Road SE. $12–$20.
Wisconsin rock band BoDeans performs at The Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. at 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $29.50.
SUNDAY
Mr. Deeds Goes to TownDirector Frank Capra, best known for the Christmas perennial It’s a Wonderful Life, is sometimes written off for featuring an old-fashioned sentiment that naysayers dismiss as mere Capra-corn. But his films often drip with a bitter cynicism, and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, his 1936 fable of media manipulation, seems as relevant as ever in an age of trial-by-Twitter. Read more>>> The film screens at 11 a.m. at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. $8–$10. (301) 495-6700. afi.com/silver. (Pat Padua)
Popular YouTube comedy duo Rhett and Link bring their live show to The Theater at MGM National Harbor. 7 p.m. at 101 MGM National Ave., Oxon Hill. $35–$70.
The Kennedy Center Hall of Nations and Hall of States hosts National Geographic Photo Camp, an exhibition which showcases the photography work of young people from underserved communities. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. Free.
Politics and Prose welcomes author Dave Barry who discusses his book Lessons from Lucy, a meditation on how his old rescue dog taught him to be more cheerful. Preceding the discussion, DC Paws Rescue will host an adoption event outside of the store. 5 p.m. at 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free.
MONDAY
Kristin ChenowethReturning to the Strathmore stage three years after her titular role in I Am Anne Hutchinson/I Am Harvey Milk, Kristin Chenoweth will bring her trademark energy (and that liquid soprano) to perform songs straight out of the Great American Songbook. Instead of a rousing operatic ode to two American freedom fighters, this 90-minute concert encompasses more than a dozen jazz standards off of Chenoweth’s 2016 release The Art of Elegance, including “Someone To Watch Over Me,” “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart,” and “Smile.” Read more>>> Kristin Chenoweth performs at 8 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. $68–$158. (301) 581-5100. strathmore.org. (Amy Guay)
Cellist Neyla Pekarek, formerly of the folk group The Lumineers, performs at Union Stage. 7:30 p.m. at 740 Water St. SW. $18–$20.
Valerie Jarrett, the long-serving senior advisor to President Barack Obama, talks about her new book Finding My Voice, the stories of her life as a daughter, mother, and public servant, at Sixth & I. 7 p.m. at 600 I St. NW. $20–$50.
American Idol competitor and singer-songwriter Haley Reinhart performs at Jammin Java. 7:30 p.m. at 227 Maple Ave. E, Vienna. $25–$35.
TUESDAY
Mathematical BeautyThe American Association for the Advancement of Science’s 10-artist exhibition Mathematical Beauty ranges widely, from 3-D printed sculptures to fiber art to Victor Vasarely-inspired digital prints. But as an exploration of the connections between mathematics and art, it all adds up. Shanthi Chandrasekar creates mathematically inspired grids using paint and mixed media. In one, she turns hand-drawn lines into a pattern that suggests a tortoise shell, while in another she uses carefully woven twine and small black objects to create a subdued, minimalist tableau. Read more>>> The exhibition is on view to June 21 at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1200 New York Ave. NW. Free. (202) 326-6400. aaas.org. (Louis Jacobson)
One More Page Books hosts best-selling author Lisa Scottoline, who reads from her new novel about family secrets, Someone Knows. 7 p.m. at 2200 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington. Free.
Full House and How I Met Your Mother TV dad Bob Saget brings his stand-up tour to Sixth & I Historic Synagogue. 8 p.m. at 600 I St. NW. $45.
Genre-blending violin duo Black Violin performs at The Music Center at Strathmore. 8 p.m. at 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. $26–$72.
WEDNESDAY
Dreamers’ CircusScandinavian chamber music is the coolest thing in Penn Quarter. In November, the Danish String Quartet performed at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue. Over at Sidney Harman Hall, the quartet’s Nordic folk music accompanies The Washington Ballet performances. And Wednesday, Danish String Quartet violinist Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen returns to play at the synagogue with his side project: a trio called Dreamers’ Circus. Read more>>> Dreamers’ Circus perform at 8 p.m. at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. $25. (202) 785-9727. sixthandi.org. (Rebecca J. Ritzel)
Journalist Reniqua Allen discusses her first book, It Was All A Dream, which focuses on young black Americans in pursuit of their dreams during this critical post-Obama turning point, at Solid State Books. 7 p.m. at 600 H St. NE. Free.
Patternist, a happy-sad music project fronted by Gabe Mouer, performs at DC9. 8 p.m. at 1940 9th St. NW. $10–$12.
Eclectic folk pop band Y La Bamba performs at Songbyrd Music House. 8 p.m. at 2477 18th St. NW. $12–$15.
THURSDAY
Young FrankensteinIn late 1974, hot off the success of The Producers and Blazing Saddles, legendary comic director Mel Brooks gave the world Young Frankenstein, a send-up of the archetypal Universal monster movie. Starring Gene Wilder, Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, and Peter Boyle, the film chronicles the adventures of Frederick Frankenstein (portrayed by Wilder) attempting to replicate the results of his grandfather’s infamous experiments in reanimating dead flesh. The result is a vile monster (portrayed by Peter Boyle, who many probably know as the grandpa from Everybody Loves Raymond) that menaces and wreaks havoc but eventually chills out and performs a charming rendition of “Puttin’ On The Ritz.” Read more>>> The film screens at 8 p.m. at Suns Cinema, 3107 Mount Pleasant St. NW. $8. sunscinema.com. (Will Lennon)
Sibling pop-reggae music duo Wild Belle performs at Black Cat. 7:30 p.m. at 1811 14th St. NW. $18.
The National Museum of American History presents More Doctors Smoke Camels, an exhibition examining old advertisements in which tobacco companies exploited and deceived American consumers to promote cigarettes. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free.
Synth-pop artist Ella Vos performs at 9:30 Club. 7 p.m. at 815 V St. NW. $20.
NEWS & REVIEWS YOU CAN USE
News: D.C. is hiring an arts planner and other takeaways from the Cultural Plan.
News: D.C.’s Arts Commission faces major changes in council shift, mayor’s budget.
Film: The Public is a noble effort that suffers from white saviorism.
Film: Diane highlights the limits of character actors in leading roles.
Museums and Galleries: The National Gallery of Art has Tintoretto fever.
Music: On their new album, Pree confronts the darkness.
Music: It isn’t your typical snow day in Child Princess‘ new music video.
OFFICE OF FUTURE PLANNING
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. for indie folk singer-songwriter Andrew Belle, performing at Union Stage on Aug. 7. 8 p.m. at 740 Water St. SW. $20–$40.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. for much-loved bluesy rock group The Black Keys, performing for a second night at The Anthem on Oct. 16. 7 p.m. at 901 Wharf St. SW. $125–$250.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. for Oscar-winning pop icon Cher, performing at Capital One Arena on Dec. 10. 7:30 p.m. at 601 F St. NW. Ticket prices to be released at the time of sale.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. for Canadian dance-pop star Carly Rae Jepsen, performing at the Fillmore Silver Spring on July 21. 8 p.m. at 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. Ticket prices to be released at the time of sale.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. for stand-up comedian Nate Bargatze, performing at The Warner Theatre on Nov. 7. 8 p.m. at 513 13th St. NW. Ticket prices to be released at the time of sale.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. for ’90s R&B hitmakers Dru Hill, performing at The Warner Theatre on July 13. 8 p.m. at 513 13th St. NW. Ticket prices to be released at the time of sale.
Tickets go on sale at 12 p.m. for rising contemporary R&B artist Khalid, performing at Capital One Arena on Aug. 3. 7:30 p.m. at 601 F St. NW. Ticket prices to be released at the time of sale.
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