What Better Way to Close Out the Month? #OIJRYWB #365Black

TONIGHT, February 28, 2010
Sankofa Video & Books, Conference Rm.
2714 Georgia Ave., NWDC
4:00P
free

Some DMV Goodness Tonight y Antes del Weekend

TONIGHT, January 27th 6:00p

Haiti Benefit (Partners in Health & Shelterbox)

Rock & Roll Hotel

1353 H St., NE

$10 Cover

BrightestYoungThings.com reports:

Shelterbox responds to disasters like the earthquake by distributing all-purposes "shelterboxes", kits that include everything a family needs to weather a crisis, such as a sturdy 10-person tent, blankets, a stove, and even coloring books for children. Shelterbox...gives each individual box a unique identification number so...you can track..from its point of departure to its new home in Haiti. [hm...]

Partners in Health...have been actively recruiting nurses and doctors with emergency room experience to head down to Haiti to help out with all the traumas. Rock & Roll Hotel is donating 10% of bar proceeds in addition to the donation of space for the event. If you're into Loose Lips, Caverns and Lissy Rosemont, pass on through, boo. www.rockandrollhoteldc.com

TONIGHT, January 27th 7:00p

Iranian Film Festival 2010

Freer Sackler (Smithsonian)

Meyer Auditorium

feat. Maziar Bahari, moderated by Karim Sadjadpour

An Iranian Odyssey: Mossadegh, Oil, and the 1953 CIA Coup (2009, 50 min.)

Freer Gallery says: Early 1950s Iranian prime minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, attempted to nationalize the country's oil industry, which had been monopolized for decades by a British company. Two years later, Mossadegh's quest--and his government--were defeated in a coup carried out by the CIA. Drawing from exclusive archival material and eyewitness testimony, 'An Iranian Odyssey' recounts these events and helps explain the lingering tensions between Iran and the West. [A timely doc, no?] asia.si.edu

TONIGHT, January 27th 8:00p

Metropolitan Muse Concert Series

Layla Lounge

501 Morse Street, NE

$10 Cover

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: If you consider yourself HIP HOP and you still haven't experienced HHP, that is Hip Hop Pantsula, (I'm not even going to get into it about Terrence Cunningham (!))--you've FAILED at life. thingsthatarejusttrue{dot}com. This is his last week in the country before he heads back to South Africa, where the whole CONTINENT stands in solidarity on the matter that he is the absolute truth. Check out his latest album, Dumela (2009), to prep yourself. Start with the Nas track, Keledimo, but that's just an appetizer (smh). This is the man Wyclef bows to, fam. Stop sleeping. Thanx. Terrence Cunningham, resident artist at Layla Lounge shares the stage with Jabba this evening in Norf'eas in true MetroMuse fashion. www.MetroMuseOnline.com

TONIGHT, January 27th 9:00p

SOTU Address

Busboys and Poets

ALL LOCATIONS

2021 14th St., NW (U St.-Cardozo)

1025 5th St., NW (Gallery Pl-Chinatown)

4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA

BB&P is so right. Everything does indeed look better on the big screen--AND in the company of community. Watch President Obama's first 'State of the Union' gut-check this evening at any Busboys & Poets location this evening. 14th & V will host a special open mic at 8:00p to lead in to the POTUS address. www.busboysandpoets.com

Thursday, January 28th 6:30p

Thelonious Monk

Sponsored by the American Art Museum

Reynolds Center for American Art & Portraiture

8th & F Sts., NW (Gallery Pl-Chinatown), enter on G St.

THELONIUS MONK!!

(That should be the only thing I write, and then I drop my laptop and walk away doing the Kanye-shrug.)

You should head on over to the Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture's McEvoy Auditorium to see the rather epic, and Smithsonian says 'reclusive' pianist and composer, Thelonius Monk--as interpreted by art-master documentarian Charlotte Zwerin (prod. by Clint Eastwood)--projected on screen, gratis. The 90 min. work is titled 'Thelonious Monk: Straight No Chaser' (1988). This event is part of the Clarice Smith Distinguished Lectures in American Art. Get your seat early. First come, first served. si.edu

Reel Round the DMV | Week of January 24th

We're still doing it up real big with Haiti around and about the area (the 'for' was irking me too). While you're out, you may see some politicos looking down and out (THAT'S WHAT YOU GET! i am a little fluttered by that loss...) but even so, let the people STAY WOKE and more importantly mobile >>

Today, January 24th @ 6:00p

Sankofa Cafe on Georgia Ave. screens 'Jazz', episode 8 of Ken Burns' doc series of the same name. This volume centers around the years 1945-1955. (OOOOooooohhhh!) No doubt, a fresh release. Mosey on over if you can. www.sankofa.com | 2714 Georgia Ave., NW

And if you're still feeling in the spirit when you leave, check out Oye' Palaver Hut via WashingtonDCJazzNetwork.ning.com, and do what you can to support their ongoing Storytelling/Music Project. The program is in need of gently used and new instruments for juvenile and adult inmates participating, growing and teaching through the music right here in the DC area. Get at 'em. www.oyepalaverhut.org | 202.773.5446

Today, January 24th @ 8:00p

Busboys and Poets in Shirlington screens 'The Cats of Mirikitani' for the last time. Elva Anderson, art therapist and licensed professional counselor hosts Q&A following the film that follows 80 year old Jimmy Mirikitani--who has survived U.S. terrorism via internment camps, Hiroshima and homelessness--only to be directly threatened by the aftereffects of 9/11. A local filmmaker and fan of Mr. Mirikitani's art become the catalyst for his journey back through the mire to the present.www.busboysandpoets.com | 4251 South Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA

Today, January 24th @ 8:00p

BloomBars, my Columbia Heights homestead, kicks off the work week (and adds a nice footnote to the weekend) with Seed the Sound Sundays. Ahhhhhhhhhh...exhalation feels lovely. Stop in and experience what I'm at a loss to paint in words for you. HHP, visiting artist in resident from South Africa is still holding it down something lovely, too. Find yourself there. Please. There's nothing like this anywhere else in the city. Guaranteed. www.bloombars.com | 3222 11th St., NW

Thru January 28th

@Landmark E St. Cinema WFI is getting it in Goethe-Institut style. John Hanshaw recommends 'Tandoori Love,' 'Kill Daddy Goodnight,' and 'Pope Joan' showing Monday, January 25th, Tuesday January 26th, and Wednesday the 27th, respectively at 6:45p about a block away from Metro Center (red line). Know: these films are NOT free. Check out the full playlist over at Washington Film Institute's site.

FEBRUARY 12th, WFI presents a second Hatitian Film Night & Fundraiser at--guess where?--the Goethe-Institut (7th & I, NW). The reception runs from 6-8:00p with 'Aristide and the Endless Revolution' screening at 8:00p. 'Aristide' nabbed Pan African Film Festival best doc in 2006. The doc recounts what really happened BUT i wouldn't be keeping it bytwenty8 if I told you to watch without doing your homework, too. No screening should be ingested without personal research. GO. WATCH. y READ! www.dcfilminstitute.org | E St. Cinemas, 555 11th St., NW (Metro Center)