FYIDC The Insider’s Guide to Washington BY ERICA MOODY
EPIC INFLUENCE
Abandon all hope and enter a new exhibition inspired by the famous words of Dante Alighieri’s 14th-century epic poem. Simon Njami curated “The Divine Comedy: Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell Revisited by Contemporary African Artists� at the Smithsonian Museum of African Art and more than 40 contemporary artists from 18 African nations contributed works which are displayed on all four levels of the museum. The museum’s multi-story structure is perfect for walking from heaven to hell and back again. 950 Independence Avenue SW,Washington, D.C. Runs through Aug. 2. Africa.si.edu.
THE PREAKNESS
RAISING THE STAKES Get ready to don your wide-brimmed hat and pick your favorite thoroughbreds now that horse race season is here. Luckily, one of the most popular races of the season is in our own backyard — Baltimore’s Preakness Stakes — where you can sip the “Black-eyed Susan� official cocktail while watching to see who will beat California Chrome this year. The Preakness is the second leg of the Triple Crown, held after the Kentucky Derby and before the Belmont Stakes. Saturday, May 16, Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. Baltimore, Md. (410) 5429400 or (877) 206-8042, preakness.com.
SPRING AT MOUNT VERNON
WINE & SUNSETS Take in the gorgeous views of George Washington’s Mount Vernon with a glass of fine Virginia wine in your hand. The spring festival and sunset tour is the estate’s most popular annual event, offering samples from more than 15 Virginia wineries and vineyards, exclusive evening tours of the mansion and cellar and live jazz on the east lawn overlooking the Potomac River. Tickets begin at $36. The option of private reserved tables with a fruit, cheese and dessert platter plus three bottles of house wine and VIP table service are available for $1,200. May 15-17, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., 3200 Mount Vernon Hwy., Mt.Vernon,Va. (703) 780-2000,Visit www.mountvernon.org or email tickets@mountvernon.org.. 14
PASSPORT DC
OPEN EMBASSIES Travel the world without leaving town this month with Cultural Tourism DC’s “Passport DC� program. With 31 days of programming and 70 embassies and 40 cultural institutions participating, you’re bound to broaden your horizons. Participate in embassy open houses, street festivals, performances, exhibitions and workshops, all to celebrate International Cultural Awareness Month. May 1-31. Visit culturaltourismdc.org for a complete list of events.
A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION
RADIO ON THE ROAD
Grammy Award-winning radio host Garrison Keillor brings his hit variety show, “A Prairie Home Companion� (heard by 4 million listeners each week) to Wolf Trap this month for two evenings of entertainment in association with Minnesota Public Radio and WAMU 88.5FM. Expect comedy sketches, musical guests and Keillor’s signature monologue, “The News from Lake Wobegon.� Special guests will include Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosv and Aoife O’Donovan. May 22 at 8 p.m. and May 23 at 5:45 p.m. (live broadcast),Tickets are $25-65, Filene Center at Wolf Trap, www.wolftrap.org.
FINE ARTS FESTIVALS
ART IN THE STREETS Wherever you live in the Washington metro area, there is an arts festival for you this month. The Bethesda Fine Arts Festival is a local favorite, bringing more than 130 artists from across the country to Bethesda. The annual twoday event includes live entertainment, children’s activities and deals from downtown Bethesda restaurants. Free; May 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and May 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Held in downtown Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle along Norfolk and Auburn avenues. The following weekend, the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival will take over the streets of Reston Town Center.View hand-crafted pieces from 200 skilled artisans to suit a range of tastes and budgets. In addition to viewing and buying, visitors will have access to artist demonstrations and art-focused activities for families. $5 suggested donation to support the Greater Reston Arts Center’s mission, May 16 from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.and May 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Northernvirginiafineartsfestival.org. WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
| M AY | washingtonlife.com
I M AG E BY A RT I ST A I DA M U LU N E H CO U RT E SY N AT I O N A L M U S E U M O F A F R I C A N A RT; M O U N T V E R N O N P H OTO CO U RT E SY M O U N T V E R N O N ; PA S S P O RT D.C . P H OTO BY JA S O N M O R E N Z ; K E I L LO R P H OTO C O U RT E SY WO L F T R A P, N O RT H E R N V I R G I N I A F I N E A RT S F E ST I VA L P H OTO COURTE SY GREATER RE STON ARTS CENTER;
AFRICAN ART EXHIBITION