Laurie Anderson tells great stories. Yeah, she’s also a musician, inventor, performance artist, sculptor, and painter, but strange narratives remain central to her work. Her new composition, Scenes From My New Novel, is filled with sonic bon mots: A collaboration with the venerable experimental ensemble Kronos Quartet, the work focuses on text that got turned into music with the help of Wordjam, a custom-built software program. Anderson and the quartet premiere Scenes tonight at the University of Maryland. Read more >>> Laurie Anderson and Kronos Quartet perform at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, Stadium Drive and Route 193, College Park. $40–$50. A talkback with the artists follows Friday’s performance. (301) 405-2787. claricesmithcenter.umd.edu. (Christopher Porter)
EAT THIS
Ben & Jerry’s in Union Station is giving away 1,000 free scoops of its new “celebrity flavor,” Liz Lemon, today at 12 p.m. The flavor, which is a lemon Greek frozen yogurt with blueberry lavender swirl, is an homage to the sweet and tart personality of Liz Lemon (played by Tina Fey) on NBC’s 30 Rock. The show’s finale was last night, but the flavor will live on at Ben & Jerry’s shops around the country over the next few weeks. Ben & Jerry’s, Union Station Main hall, 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE; benjerry.com. (Jessica Sidman)
OH AND ALSO
Tonight: Dave Barry, syndicated columnist and generally funny person, promotes his new book, Insane City, at two readings around town. 1 p.m. at the National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW. $5. 7 p.m. at Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free.
Saturday: The way people talk about Marc Maron as an interviewer, you might forget he’s a comic, too. Most people like to talk about how, in 2009, the comic launched the podcast that went on to become one of the most transgressive talk shows in comedy. But while it doesn’t take long to embrace Maron the talk-show host, liking Maron the stand-up requires a little more work. He’s the classic neurotic; a sort of emotional sword-swallower who gobbles up pain wherever he goes—but does it, at least, for our entertainment and, sometimes, enlightenment. Read more>>> (Ally Schweitzer)
Sunday: Odds are good that Collin Crowe’s electronic tunes, with their mix of acid-house and Italo-disco rhythms and New Age optimism, will be a perfect fit for the Luce Foundation Center at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Read more>>> (Joe Warminsky)
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