Celebrate freedom this Martin Luther King Day weekend with lots of events at Busboys and Poets—from music and talks to panels and poetry. Tavis Smiley moderates a conversation with lots of big names tonight at George Washington University, and the Museum of Censored Art is open as well. These events, and many more, can be found on my site, Free in DC.
Tavis Smiley asks, “Is there a brighter future for the next generation?” in a conversation with an all-star group of notables including Cornel West, Dana Milbank, and Arianna Huffington at George Washington University from 6 to 9 p.m. Register for this free event before 5 p.m. today.
Daniel Imhoff, director of Watershed Media and president of the Wild Farm Alliance, will discuss the recently published book that he edited, The CAFO Reader —a collection of essays about the rise of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) by folks including Wendell Berry, Michael Pollan, and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.—at Busboys and Poets 14th & V at 6:30 p.m.
Stick around Busboys for a 9 p.m. performance by D.C.-based “indie pop orchestra” Twins of a Gazelle, led by Dave Mann and featuring special guest Misty Boyce. Fans of The Polyphonic Spree, Beirut, and Arcade Fire will likely enjoy this show. $5 cover.
Friday
Empower DC is celebrating its seventh anniversary from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Festival Center in Adams Morgan. The event features performances by Anna Mwalagho and WCP contributor HEAD-ROC, as well as a talk by “the funkiest journalist” Jared Ball, of Vox Union Media. A $10 donation is suggested, though no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. The evening also includes a pot luck, so bring along something to share.
On the very same block you can stop by the Potter’s House and see Masankho Bandha, a storyteller, drummer, and dancer from Malawii perform at this week’s “Sounds of Hope” concert. Teen performers from the Bokamoso Youth Foundation in South Africa will also be present, sharing their stories and harmonious songs. This event if from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
In Anacostia, local arist Chajana Denharder will be present for the opening of her new photography show, “A space for the transitory,” at the Gallery at Vivid Solutions from 7 to 9 p.m. Around the corner, Vivid’s sister Honfleur, hosts an opening from 7 to 10 p.m. for its dual show featuring paintings by Jordan Kasey and Eric Finzi.
Saturday
If you’re the new year’s resolution type, you might gain some inspiration at NBC4’s 18th Annual Health and Fitness Expo at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center today and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event features seminars, demonstrations, and nearly 200 exhibitors.
Busboys and Poets 14th & V hosts a special gospel-jazz celebration of Martin Luther King with Grammy Award-winning saxophonist David Murray and C. Anthony Bush at 7 p.m.
Sunday
Swing by the Museum of Censored Art, a pop-up gallery that opened Thursday in a mobile office trailer outside of the National Portrait Gallery, to see David Wojnarowicz‘s “A Fire in my Belly,” which was removed from the NPG’s “Hide/Seek” show. The Museum of Censored Art will keep the same hours as the NPG, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and will be open until Feb. 13.
Monday
I wanted to give a special mention for this day-time event, in the very likely event that some of you are government employees and are free to attend. (Private sector employees, the staff at WCP feels your pain.) The TransAfrica Forum and Let Haiti Live present the symposium “Waiting for Justice in Haiti: One Year Later” starting at 9:30 a.m. at Busboys and Poets 14th & V.