October 13 and October 16 @ Verizon Center. Back to the 70s? KISS (13th) and AC/DC (16th) play the Verizon Center. These two mega-arena rock bands rose to stardom in the early 1970s. But they're still rocking DC this week in 2009, a good 35 years later. Who says you have to stop partying. Neverrrr!!!! 7th and F Streets NW.October 14 @ Asylum Rock and Roll Lounge. Yula Be'eri and the Extended Family are playing this Wednesday. Asylum has been trying, with varying degrees of success, to become a music venue. They chose well this time. Be'eri is a spirited performer who doesn't really fit into any strict genre. Horns, keys, eclectic vocals, guitar. Very intriguing. I'll be there! 2471 18th St NW.
October 15 @ The Phillips Collection. The just opened exhibit, Man Ray, African Art and the Modernist Lens, gets an interpretation from local artist Renée Stout. This series of talks is titled Artists' Perspectives. Also speaking will be Jennifer Wen Ma, whose video installation Brain Storm, opens at Phillips on the same day, October 15. 1600 21st Street NW.
October 17 @ Civilian Art Projects. Last day for Debriscapes, a show by Nikki Painter. This artist is from my hometown of Richmond, VA. Her rather abstract images attempt to explore the relationship between the built environment and the natural world. There will be an artist talk with Ms. Painter on from 6-8pm that evening at the gallery. 406 7th Street NW.
October 23 @ National Portrait Gallery (pictured). Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2009: Culmination of an open submission portrait contest. The juried finalists will complete for a $25,000 prize and a chance to have their portrait hang among the permanent collection at this Smithsonian museum. Exhibit through August of 2010. Located at 9th and G Streets NW.
