Whoa, summer is here

OK, technically not yet, but all the free art, music, and walking tours have, so it's basically the same. There's too much to write posts for everything, but here's the beginning (with credit to Cultural Tourism DC for compiling some it for me). Comment if you know of more!

Artomatic 2009
Friday, May 29 - Sunday, July 05
Location: 55 M Street, SE
Artomatic is a month-long art festival with nine floors of visual and installation art, theater performances, dance and comedy, three music stages, and much more! More importantly, Veronica and Chirlin's Peeps diorama will be displayed.

BikingTown and Walking Town, DC Spring Edition 2009
Saturday, May 30 - Sunday, May 31
Location: Across the City
These events feature free walking or biking tours all over DC. Get out and explore a new neighborhood or learn more about your own!

Sounds in the Square
Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25 and July 2, 9, 16, 23 (raindates 7/30 and 8/6)
Location: Farragut Square Park, Connecticut Avenue & K Street, NW
Sponsored by the Golden Triangle BID, this concert series features a variety of artists and give-aways from local businesses each week.

Jazz in the Garden
Fridays, 5 - 8:30 PM
May 22nd - September 11th
The Pavilion Café at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 7th and Constitution NW
I can't believe I missed the first jazz night! Bring a picnic, a blanket, and someone to cuddle with and enjoy the free music. Don't expect to get a spot where you can actually see the band; it gets crowded quickly. I'll have to go on June 12th just to find out what "bluesion" is.

Tour the World

Ever wondered where the Benin embassy is? Or what the inside of the Saudi Arabian embassy looks like? Now is your chance to find out!

May 2nd (and the encompassing week) is Passport DC. 30 embassies are opening their doors for an open house from 10 am-4 pm. There will be food, tours, dancing, and other performances - all for free! Since the embassies are spread out, a shuttle will operate between the different locations all day also. Check out the links above for schedules and other information (including the other events that week).

What is Zydeco, Anyhow?

Little Red and the Renegades will tell you about this crazy Louisiana polka called Zydeco at at the Anacostia Community Museum on Tuesday morning, March 17th.

Hard Knock Life, For Reals

As part of the All Roads Film Festival at National Geographic (love those guys and their pretty pictures) there's a sweet free outdoor hip hop concert. Check it:

9:30 pm—K'NAAN in Concert
As a child growing up in war-torn Somalia, hip-hop artist K’NAAN saw more violence and tougher streets than any gangster rapper could imagine. Now, in North America, he has established himself as a voice for change, a peacemaker, and a cultural bridge between the developing world and the West. His debut album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, left an indelible mark on the hip-hop world and earned him a Juno award for Best Rap Recording. This performance will feature the Washington, DC, premiere of new material from his upcoming album, Troubadour. This concert will take place in the National Geographic Courtyard.

A Kick in the Arts

You thought summer festivals were over? No way.

The Arts on Foot is having an outdoor festival in Chinatown and it's sponsored by Wines of Argentina. How exciting is that? So there will be wine and restaurant sampling, music, arts, and crafts. If you have kids, I guess you could bring them, but keep them away from the "World Market Wine Area", k?

All over Penn Quarter there will be all kinds of exhibits from film screenings to museum open houses.

So while this freevoliter is on crutches, will some of you PLEASE take advantage fleeting late summer weather?

Rock out at the KC

The Kennedy Center's Open House Arts Festival is this Saturday, September 13. From noon and 11PM, there will be free performances in the various performances spaces. Artists range from a step group, "junk jams," clowning, and storytellers to a marching band, a beatbox flutist, and ballet troupes. If you want a real DC experience, stay late for the go-go groups and dance lessons (especially if you think go-go means exotic dancing).

Ben's Chili Bowl Celebrates its 50th Anniversary

The 930 Club is hosting a FREE concert this Sunday to honor the tastiest place to grab 3am grub in DC. Check it out!

Ben’s Chili Bowl 50th Anniversary Come One Come All Love Concert!
EU featuring Sugar Bear • Trouble Funk • Wes Felton & Friends • Mambo Sauce • Lady Pcoq & Poem-Cees • V. Rich • Pancake Mountain and special guests!
This Sunday!
August 24
1pm Doors
FREE

click here for more info

I'm sure there are other events going on this week at Ben's, so comment if you hear of anything.

It's a Foot Stompin' Hand Clappin' Wednesday

Tonight at Madame's Organ!
So there's a little local flavor going on this week. First of all, tonight a new bluegrass band (you might recognize some of your friends from other events around Mt. Pleasant and the 7th Street Garden.) 8-9pm. Free before 8pm. $4 after.

Tomorrow at Marx Cafe!
Neighborhood night in Mt. Pleasant. Nothing but some funk music, neighbors and a goodtime. What else? I think it gets going around 8 or 9pm.

What Do Bhutan, Texas, and NASA Have In Common?

Nothing really, except that they are all at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival this summer. There are festivities until June 29th and then July 2-9.

Check out some of the related concerts happening on Millenium Stage in Kennedy Center too: Who knew there were so many NASA garage bands!

I haven't been to this yet, so will you guys please post comments and tell me which tents have the best Bhutanese samples?

MONDAY: Population, Nature, and What Women Want

Well this sounds sexy! Maybe that's just the green in me talkin'.

Speaking of talking...Meet me at Busboys and Poets on Monday night for a book talk and live music. We'll hold hands and sing songs like a bunch of hippies.

Bob Engelman will be discussing and signing his new book, More: Population, Nature, and What Women Want, and performing songs inspired by the book, at Busboys and Poets in U Street, June 30, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Peace...love...and guitar.