What’s new this weekend in local arts.

It’s Friday! If that’s not enough reason to rejoice, none of the new arts openings this weekend have anything to do with Tuesday’s election or the aftermath of the Frankenstorm. Instead, they’re a wide mix of innovative theater, photographs about social and religious issues, and modernist paintings inspired by the Washington Color School.

The Capital Fringe Festival returned yesterday with Fall Fringe, three weeks of remounts from this summer’s unconventional art and theater festival as well as some new events. The nontraditional performances range from burlesque to dance to slightly twisted science demonstrations, but all are guaranteed to make you think. Fall Fringe runs to Nov. 18 at Fort Fringe, 607 New York Ave. NW. $20; $15 with a 2012 Fringe Button.

On Saturday, an exhibit of more than 100 descriptive and poetic photographs by Ivan Sigal opens at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. “White Road” documents his travels in the region between 1998 and 2005, and aims to show diverse, humanistic images of the region, giving attention to the issues it has faced after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. On view to Jan. 27 at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW. $8–$10.

In a site-specific show at Vivid Solutions‘ temporary location, Carolina Mayorga uses her own image to recreate Roman Catholic religious scenes that are meant to challenge how women are typically portrayed in religious art. “Divine Revelations: Passages from the Life of Our Lady” casts Mayorga as the Virgin Mary in order to confront viewers’ perceptions of social and political norms. On view to Dec. 21 at 1922 MLK Jr. Ave. SE.  Free.

In theater, Amarillo runs for two performances at the Gala Hispanic Theatre tonight and Saturday. The multimedia piece weaves dance and theater to tell the story of a man who departs for the U.S.–Mexico border and vanishes. The performance begins at 8 p.m. and runs to Nov. 3 at Gala Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW. $18-$22.

At Long View Gallery, an exhibit showcasing the work of six different artists who were inspired by the Washington Color School opened yesterday. The colorful modernist works of “Color Schooled” are characterized by  single bold colors, stripes, geometric shapes, and washes. On view to Dec. 31 at 1234 9th St. NW. Free.

Top image: Ivan Sigal, Murghab, Tajikstan, 2003

Bottom image: courtesy Gala Hispanic Theatre