FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2010


AN INSPIRING SUMMER IN DC - SEASON PREVIEW

During the summertime, DC heats up with an energy and excitement that can only be found in the nation’s capital, whether you come for the memorials, museums or festivals on America’s front yard, or to experience the eclectic neighborhoods, funky events and insider hotspots that make up DC’s backyard. Stirring exhibitions, international festivals and outdoor entertainment are just a few things to expect this summer in the city:

Rarely-seen Rockwell Works Coming to Smithsonian American Art Museum
Two of America's best-known modern filmmakers—George Lucas and Steven Spielberg—recognized a kindred spirit in artist Norman Rockwell and formed in-depth collections of his work. Their private collections are coming together this summer at the Smithsonian American Art Museum when more than fifty of Rockwell’s paintings and drawings go on view in an exhibition entitled, Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell from the Collections of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. With humor and pathos, all three creative artists have transformed ordinary people and the everyday experiences into rich stories that display the values that have sustained Americans through good times and bad. All three share an ability to communicate visually with mass audiences using popular media of their time. Telling Stories will reveal, for the first time, the connections between Rockwell's iconic images of American life and the movies. The exhibition will be on display July 2 – Jan. 2, 2011.

Music & Movies by Moonlight
Summer weeknights mean free performances by military bands in powerful places such as the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Navy Memorial, the U.S. Air Force Memorial and the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial. The U.S. Army Band presents its Twilight Tattoo on Wednesday evenings in May and June. Free evening concerts are also performed at the National Zoo, the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden and other venues. Movie buffs will find a season packed with free outdoor screenings of Hollywood classics and edgy originals in locations throughout the city.

Holiday Weekends
Summer holiday weekends are full of fun celebrations. Memorial Day Weekend is packed with patriotic events, including a star-studded concert on the National Mall and the official National Memorial Day Parade featuring marching bands and veteran units from all 50 states. And don’t forget Rolling Thunder, the annual “Ride for Freedom," motorcycle rally, where tens of thousands of activists hop on their Harleys and ride through the city streets in support of veterans rights.

When July 4th rolls around, you’ll see why there’s no better place than DC to celebrate America’s birthday. Explore cultures and customs from around the globe as the Smithsonian Folklife Festival comes to life on the National Mall. Make sure to check out PBS’ “A Capitol Fourth,” an annual concert on the Capitol’s West Lawn with an all-star cast. Then stick around for an amazing fireworks display against the backdrop of the Washington Monument.

End your summer on a high note with a Labor Day Weekend getaway to DC.  Check out the free Labor Day Capitol Concert, performed by the National Symphony Orchestra, also on the Capitol’s West Lawn. It starts at 8pm and kicks-off the Kennedy Center Prelude Festival, which includes two weeks of special performances to celebrate the beginning of DC’s performing arts season.

Funky Festivals
Each summer brings a collection of eclectic festivals to the nation’s capital. There’s something on tap almost every week. Tune into the city’s rich music traditions with the DC Jazz Festival (June 1-13). Theatre buffs won’t want to the Source Festival (June 12-July 3), a presentation of brand-new, original works by both emerging and established artists, and the Capital Fringe Festival (July 8-25), including more than 500 audacious and inventive performances. Documentary film lovers flock to the DC area for SilverDocs, an annual documentary showcase at the AFI Silver Theatre in nearby Silver Spring, MD (June 2010).

Check Washington.org for more information and updates on summer 2010 happenings in DC.

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