Three Awesome Cities for Autumn Arts
by Stephanie Citron
While autumn hues color the Mid-Atlantic, the landscape in our favorite nearby cities — Washington, Philadelphia and New York — is equally luminous with vibrant arts, entertainment and cultural activities.
Four phenomenal fall festivals in Philadelphia premiere indoor, outdoor and pop-up performances of world-class opera, theater and groundbreaking art exhibitions. In New York, the Muppets score their own permanent gallery space and fashion is defined at the Museum of Modern Art. And down the road in D.C. are major museum openings and the pre-Broadway premiere of “Mean Girls” the musical.
The days may have cooled down, but these cities are hot with many things to do. So check out our picks for the best places and events in each.
Washington: Anthem venue opens
Anthem is a 6,000-person concert venue coming to The Wharf, D.C.’s new riverfront development. The Foo Fighters will headline the opening concert Oct. 12, with the likes of international sensations Kaleo, Phoenix and LCD Soundsystem rounding out the venue’s first week. Anthem was developed by I.M.P., the concert promotion and production company behind D.C.’s 9:30 Club and Columbia’s Merriweather Post Pavilion. Ticket prices vary by performance. (For Week 1: Foo Fighters on Oct. 12 is sold out; Kaleo, ZZ Ward and Wilder on Oct. 14 is $40-$55; Phoenix on Oct. 16 is $45-$55; LCD Soundsystem on Oct. 17 is sold out, second show on Oct. 18 is $61.75-$81.75.) 901 Water St., theanthemdc.com.
Washington: Grand reopening of Freer-Sackler museum
“Where Asia Meets America” is a festival on the National Mall celebrating the reopening of the Smithsonian’s Freer-Sackler after a renovation to combine the previously separate galleries, which exhibit a diverse array of Asian art. Another opening event is IlluminAsia: A Festival of Asian Art, Food, and Culture, transforming the museum grounds into an Asian night market of food and art stalls, live music and performances. Inside are newly reimagined galleries offering unique experiences including light displays, and video-art projections. Opening events are free and run Oct. 14 and 15. 1050 Independence Ave. SW, asia.si.edu/.
Washington: Veermeer at National Gallery
Sixty-five masterpieces portraying 17th-century domestic life by Johannes Vermeer and his contemporaries will be on display at the National Gallery’s grand exhibition “Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting: Inspiration and Rivalry.” The works depict “the artistic exchanges among Dutch Golden Age masters.” Free. Runs Oct. 22-Jan. 21. Constitution Avenue NW between 4th and 9th streets. nga.gov.
Washington: "Americans"
A Tomahawk missile. Pocahontas. A feathered headdress. The first Thanksgiving. This new permanent exhibition at the Museum of the American Indian features nearly 350 images, items, stories and words that Americans have used to represent Native American culture and history. Beginning with the earliest settlers to modern day, these objects and jargon have perpetuated demeaning stereotypes of Native Americans in advertising, films, and throughout American life. “Americans” explores this conflicted yet fascinating relationship and its impact on our culture. Opens Oct. 26. Fourth Street and Independence Avenue, SW; nmai.si.edu/.
Washington: "Mean Girls: The Musical"
The musical version of the 2004 smash movie will get its world premiere in D.C. “Mean Girls: The Musical” has a book by Tina Fey — based on her screenplay for the movie — and is being produced by Lorne Michaels of “Saturday Night Live.” See it in D.C. before it moves to Broadway. Runs Oct. 31-Dec. 3 at The National Theater, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. $48-$178. thenationaldc.org.
Philedelphia: Parkway Museum District's centennial celebration
The Benjamin Franklin Parkway — aka Philadelphia's Champs-Elysees — celebrates its centennial this fall with Parkway 100: a 15-month festival of 100 indoor-outdoor exhibitions, performances and events by the museums, organizations and attractions along Philly’s cultural corridor. Don’t miss Cai Guo-Qiang’s 27 light-up pedicab “Fireflies” (Sept. 14-Oct. 8) and Jennifer Steinkamp’s five floral dome sculptures, “Winter Fountains for the Parkway” (Dec. 1-March 30), plus 98 more events and exhibits. Many events are free, but check website for venues requiring tickets. Sept. 8 through Nov. 16, 2018. Citywide. parkwaymuseumsdistrictphiladelphia.org.
Philedelphia: O17 opera festival
The city transforms into an urban stage with O17, Opera Philadelphia’s new festival, presenting 25 pop-up and scheduled performances around town. The event’s productions, which serve as a prelude to Opera Philadelphia’s 2017 season, include three world premieres, the only East Coast appearance of an internationally renowned production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” (the Los Angeles Opera's production is pictured above), commissioned works and surprise off-site shows. Prices, performance times and venues vary — check online for a full schedule. Runs Sept. 14-25. operaphila.org.
Philedelphia: Terracotta Warriors"
The “Terracotta Warriors of the First Emperor” exhibition features the 2,000-year-old army of clay guards charged with protecting the tomb of China’s first emperor. This traveling exhibition — the sole East Coast appearance of the archaeological marvel — explores the legacy of the emperor and the world’s most expansive burial site. Tickets are $10-$35. Sept. 30-March 4. The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St. fi.edu
Philedelphia: Philadelphia Film Festival
Hosted by the Philadelphia Film Society, the 26th annual Philadelphia Film Festival showcases the best new independent and foreign films, screened in theaters and venues throughout the city. The 11-day festival features appearances, talks and panel discussions with celebrities and powerful influencers from the world of cinema. Tickets from $12. Oct. 19-29. Citywide. filmadelphia.org.
Philedelphia: First Person Arts Festival
Think of this as Philly’s version of Baltimore’s Stoop Storytelling series. At this alternatively funny, heartening and provocative spill-fest, renowned artists and everyday people share their personal tales on stages across the city. Topics span unemployment, ethnicity, sexuality, family life and voting, through a variety of performance genres (think standup, dance, puppetry and theater). Tickets from $10. Nov. 6-18, Various venues. firstpersonarts.org/first-person-arts-festival/.
New York City: "The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited"
Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and Big Bird puppets; storyboards; and broadcast clips are among the nearly 300 artifacts exhibited at the “The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited,” which opened in July. This permanent exhibition, residing in new gallery space funded by the city of New York, explores the University of Maryland alumnus’ groundbreaking work for film and television and its impact on modern culture. There are also interactive experiences including opportunities for would-be creators to design their own Muppet character. Tickets range $7-$15. Museum Of The Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria. movingimage.us.
New York City: BAM Next Wave Festival
Produced by the cutting-edge Brooklyn Academy of Music, Next Wave stages over 30 events showcasing groundbreaking, contemporary works in dance, music, theater, opera and film, featuring established and emerging international artists. This year’s lineup includes such standouts as John Cale‘s 50th-anniversary tribute to “The Velvet Underground & Nico” album; “Bangsokol: A Requiem for Cambodia,” a musical by two Khmer Rouge survivors memorializing the Cambodian genocide; Tony Award-winning director Ivo van Ho’s stage reimagining of Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead”; and opera composer Matthew Aucoin’s new production, “Crossing.” Most events require tickets, which vary in price. Sept 17-Dec. 16, various locations in Brooklyn. bam.org.
New York City: The 43rd Atlantic Antic Festival
Stretching along Atlantic Avenue from Boerum Hill to Brooklyn Heights, Atlantic Antic is one of New York City’s oldest and largest street festivals. “What surprises people is the diversity — global food cuisine, crafts, mom-and-pop shops, and music. You combine all the different festivals around the city, this one has it all,” says festival executive director Tammy Ben-Eliezer-Baxter. And the festival rocks with 12 stages whose entertainment spans belly dancing, global music, and even fitness classes. Free. Noon-6 p.m. Sept. 24. Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. atlanticave.org.
New York City: "Items: Is Fashion Modern?"
Levi’s 501s. A bikini. The Hermes Birkin bag. A kippah. These are among the 111 iconic garments, footwear and accessories showcased in The Museum of Modern Art’s exhibition “Items: Is Fashion Modern?” The show, occupying MOMA’s entire sixth floor, explores the relationships between clothing and culture, aesthetics, politics, labor, economy, technology and its impact on history and society. Museum admission is $14-$25; children 16 and under free. Oct. 1-Jan. 28. 11 W. 53rd St. mo.ma/items.
New York City: Broadway highlights
Coming off a highly acclaimed off-Broadway run, “The Band’s Visit” tells the story of an Egyptian police band and the unlikely relationships they forge after getting lost and ending up in a village in the Israeli desert. Previews begin Oct. 7. $59-$189. The Ethel Barrymore Theater, 243 W. 47th St. thebandsvisitmusical.com.
Also, SpongeBob SquarePants has departed his pineapple under the sea at Bikini Bottom to star in his own show on Broadway. Ethan Slater will be performing as the giant sea sponge, and the production features original songs by an all-star roster including David Bowie, John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, Lady Antebellum and Steven Tyler. Previews begin Nov. 6. $49-$199. Palace Theater, 1564 Broadway. spongebobbroadway.com.
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