Things to Do This Week in Washington, DC

Monday

National Gallery of Art

In the Library: Photobooks and American Energy 
With the National Gallery of Art’s Library as its source, this new exhibit examines how artists have used photobooks to indicate the impact of America’s energy industry. The images join text to tell fascinating stories that have forever changed the country’s landscapes and people.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |  Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 4th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565

National Museum of African Art

Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art 
The National Museum of African Art has assembled a powerful showcase of works that marks the first continental and diasporic survey of its scale outside of Africa. LGBTQ+ identities and experiences are the focus of the exhibit, with many of the pieces serving as challenges to legacies of homophobia and bigotry.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |  Free Admission
National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560

National Gallery of Art

Mary Cassatt: An American in Paris 
The National Gallery of Art presents the vibrant work of Mary Cassatt across three galleries. The museum’s impressionist collection served as the source for this in-depth examination of how Cassatt went about creating her radically modern pieces. Roughly 40 paintings, drawings and prints will be on display.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |  Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560

Tuesday

Smithsonian Institution

Voices and Votes: Exploring Democracy Across America
In the Arts and Industries Building (the Smithsonian’s second-oldest building and the country’s first national museum) right next to the Smithsonian castle, explore what American independence really means, and how that meaning has evolved over time from the American Revolution until now.
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. |  Free Admission
Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building, 900 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Ms. Americana 
The National Museum of Women in the Arts' (NMWA) take on nostalgia, Ms. Americana invites viewers to consider 250 years of the American experience through ten works of art by nine American women artists from the 18th through the 20th centuries. The paintings, which include still-lifes, portraits and landscapes, are curated from NMWA’s collection and were created by women who also owned businesses, traveled the world and engaged in politics. The scope here is broad and tender.
Hours & Admission
National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 

Photo by Robert Mastroianni

The Notebook 
Inspired by the best-selling book and classic film starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, this musical adaptation of The Notebook makes for a wonderful night out this August. Broadway at the National rounds out its summer lineup with an unforgettable and uplifting take on the iconic story of romance that transcends time.
Tickets
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004

Wednesday

National Children's Museum

Curious George: Let’s Get Curious! 
Kids will go crazy for this new exhibit at the National Children’s Museum, which immerses them in the world of Curious George through a variety of interactive experiences. Activations include an apartment building where kids use pulleys to move George, a construction site, mini-golf and the rocket George took to space.
Hours & Admission
National Children’s Museum, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004

National Museum of Asian Art

Into the Waters with Senju and Bingyi: Two Contemporary Paintings 
Japanese artists Hiroshi Senju and Bingyi and their different visualizations of water – each hypnotic and transfixing in their own way – form the basis of this new exhibit at the National Museum of Asian Art. Senju’s abstract approach and Bingy’s traditional methods along with each painter’s influences and ethos are examined in detail.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |  Free Admission
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20004

Capital Harvest on the Plaza

Capital Harvest on the Plaza 
Located at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Capital Harvest on the Plaza is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Wednesdays from May through October. During your visit, you’ll find plenty of farm-fresh deliciousness and artisanal crafts, as well as recipes and tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Check out the full list of vendors to start planning your haul.
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Wednesdays |  Free Admission
Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004

Washington Improv Theater

Improvapalooza 
Washington Improv Theater invites you to five consecutive nights of comic anarchy at Studio Theatre. The Improvapalooza includes more than 200 shows featuring outlandish costumes, imaginative concepts and of course, completely unscripted laughs. Each performance is totally different from the next.
Tickets
Studio Theatre, 1501 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

Thursday

Visit the new National Geographic Museum of Exploration
The highly anticipated National Geographic Museum of Exploration invites visitors to immerse themselves in the excitement of exploration and discovery. Expect cutting-edge technology that uncovers wildlife, communities and cultures from all over the world as well as an immersive outdoor courtyard. Visit the museum's website for more details on what to expect when it opens on June 26.
National Geographic Museum of Exploration, 1600 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

National Museum of the American Indian

Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe 
The acclaimed Ho-Chunk artist receives his first major retrospective at the National Museum of the American Indian. Truman Lowe used willow branches, feathers and organic materials to create minimalist sculptures to evoke rivers, streams and waterfalls. The exhibit also features similarly distinctive drawings and paintings by Lowe.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |  Free Admission
National Museum of the American Indian, 4th Street & Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560

Snarkitecture Architecture

THE PLAYGROUND
The National Building Museum has a penchant for hosting installations that double as spectacles. This summer will be no different with THE PLAYGROUND, which arrives just in time for Independence Day and celebrations for America's 250th anniversary. Infrastructure that is commonly outdoors is brought inside through nine unique activations that ask visitors to embrace exploration of the materials that make up the built environment around us. This type of interactive and immersive museum experience is unique to the National Building Museum and will be a popular destination throughout its run, so secure tickets at your earliest convenience.
Hours & Admission
National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

The Keegan Theatre

Gruesome Playground Injuries 
Titles can be deceiving! This new play at Keegan Theatre is actually quite funny and heartwarming. Two connected souls find each other across time and its imperfect moments in a play that reminds us of the power of resilience. Expect a deft mix of dark wit and tender humor.
Tickets
Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

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