WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Musical Thinking: New Video Art and Sonic Strategies at SAAM

Musical Thinking: New Video Art and Sonic Strategies explores the powerful resonances between recent video art and popular music. The exhibition focuses on video art that employs the strategies of musical creation--scores, improvisation, and interpretation--as well as its styles, structures, and lyrics to speak to personal as well as shared aspects of American life. On Friday, July 14, 6 to 8 p.m., to celebrate the return of SAAM’s signature evening concert, two local musical acts will perform in an after-hours concert. Libations and small snacks will be available for purchase from a cash bar as well as free tastings from a local brewery. Musical Thinking: New Video Art and Sonic Strategies is at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and G streets, NW, through Jan. 29, 2024. americanart.si.edu.

Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens Lotus and Water Lily Festival

The 2023 Lotus and Water Lily Festival will take place from Saturday July 15 through Saturday July 22 with most of the activities on Saturdays. Festival activities include art opportunities, dance performances, live music and garden tours. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens within Anacostia Park is a hidden gem in Washington, DC. The summer lotus and lily blossoms are a “must see” during their peak blooming period in July, not unlike viewing the cherry blossoms in the spring. Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens are located at 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. nps.gov/keaq.

Carlos Santana at MGM National Harbor

Carlos Santana is at the MGM National Harbor on Wednesday, July 26, 8 p.m. For more than five decades—from his earliest days as a groundbreaking Afro-Latin-blues-rock fusion outfit in San Francisco—Carlos Santana has transcended musical genres and generational, cultural and geographical boundaries. To date, Santana has won ten GRAMMY Awards and three Latin GRAMMY Awards, with a record-tying nine GRAMMY Awards for a single project for 1999’s Supernatural (including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for “Smooth”). His most recent album, the powerful, energy-infused Blessings and Miracles features collaborations with Rob Thomas, Chris Stapleton, Steve Winwood, and many others. Tickets start at $179.50. mgmnationalharbor.mgmresorts.com.

Our Places: Connecting People and Nature at Natural History

Our experiences with nature can inspire us to connect, care, and act. Learn personal stories of connection and inspiration from scientists and community leaders. Participate in activities exploring your own personal connections. And, in a first for the museum, they have left parts of this exhibit unfinished waiting for audience contribution. By sharing your story, you can co-create an unforgettable exhibition experience for everyone. Our Places: Connecting People and Nature is on the first floor of the Natural History Museum through July 2024. naturalhistory.si.edu.

On the last day of the Constitutional Convention, September 18, 1787, a lady asked Dr. Franklin “Well Doctor what have we got, a republic or a monarchy. “A republic” replied Franklin “if you can keep it.”

“A Republic if You Can Keep It” Exhibition at the Capitol

In an age of kings and queens, the US Constitution founded a democratic republic—a government of elected representatives of the people. The First Congress (1789-1791) was the first meeting of the legislature under the new Constitution. It faced the challenge of bringing the Constitution’s plan to life, while guiding the nation’s economy, welfare, and defense. Some “A Republic if You Can Keep It” Exhibition highlights are a piece of the balcony balustrade from Federal Hall in New York City, which George Washington stood behind in 1789 when he took the oath of office as the first president; an original boundary stone from the 1791-1792 survey that marked the boundary of the new federal district that became the home of the new government; and the first Appropriations Act, in which Congress spent $639,000. The largest portion of funding was for Revolutionary War pensions. The “A Republic if You Can Keep It” exhibition is at the Capitol Visitors’ Center through July 29. visitthecapitol.gov.

Kinship at the National Portrait Gallery

Through Jan. 27, 2024, the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and G streets, NW, presents Kinship, an exhibition featuring the work of eight contemporary artists who explore the complexities of interpersonal relationships both within and outside of family units. Encompassing painting, photography, sculpture, video and performance, the presentation highlights recent work by Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Ruth Leonela Buentello, Jess T. Dugan, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Jessica Todd Harper, Thomas Holton, Sedrick Huckaby and Anna Tsouhlarakis. The exhibition of more than 40 works will visualize the complex and deeply moving ways in which interpersonal relationships endure and change, and how kinship, by its very nature, embraces contradictions. npg.si.edu.