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Weekend Pick: Cherry Blast

Cherry Blast 2010

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is many things to many people.  They have a parade, fireworks, and oh yeah – cherry blossoms.  But the event I’m really looking forward to is the second annual Cherry Blast.  Produced by The Pink Line Project, this creative extravaganza features performance art, dance, film, a haiku sake bar, free bruises, and a make out room (where you may also get free bruises if you know what you’re doing).

Last year’s event was a sight to be seen, and I imagine that this year will be even bigger and better.  With too many activities and artists to list here, click on over to the website to get a preview of the insanity.  If I haven’t sold you on Cherry Blast already, take it from a commenter on Facebook who said, “This shit looks dope.”

Indeed it does.

Cherry Blast
Friday, April 2
9 pm to 1 am
A warehouse at 1701 Florida Avenue, NW
$10 (21 and over)

We Love Arts

Workbook at Flashpoint

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Flashpoint is having an amazing year so far in terms of the exhibits they’ve chosen.  First there was Cory Oberndorfer’s Flavor of the Month show featuring his deliciously fun paintings of Roller Derby girls (not to mention the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and gummy bears – also delicious).  Next was DCist Exposed, a photography show focused on highlighting some of DC’s best up and coming photographers.  Now, in what is sure to be some beautifully creative eye fodder is Workbook, a collaboration by Kate McGraw and Ann Tarantino.

From Flashpoint’s website:

Workbook is a video that documents the ten days artists Kate McGraw and Ann Tarantino will spend creating a mammoth work stretching across the walls of the Gallery at Flashpoint. The installation will be on view beginning March 19, 2009 and the film will be projected at the exhibition entrance beginning March 28, 2009.

Financial support for the production of the video will be provided by the sale of prints hand-marked by the artists. Each 7½” x 7½” print will be hand-marked and embellished by Kate and Ann and hand-stamped with a signature seal created by the artists. Each unique piece will be printed on 300 gsm, 100% cotton Crane Museo Portfolio Rag paper.

This strikes me as an amazing idea, selling individual pieces outside of the exhibit to fund a video that captures the creation of the exhibit itself?  How very “out of the box” this is as well as a great opportunity to support the local art community and add to your collection.  All patrons who purchase the $50 prints (supported by The Pink Line Project) by March 24, 2009 will be listed in the video.  To get your own custom print, visit the Workbook site and click on the “Buy a Print” link.  I can’t wait to see how mine turns out!

Kate McGraw & Ann Tarantino: Workbook
March 19 – April 17, 2009
Opening reception: Thursday, March 19, 6 – 8 p.m.