It’s summer, and even the Smithsonian wants to get outside. We’ve rounded up our favorite offerings at this year’s Smithsonian Folklife Festival — and dreamed up programs we’d like to see next year. » National Mall...

Documentaries exist to remind us that “reality” still means something bigger than “Jersey Shore.” Now in its ninth year, the AFI and Discovery’s Silverdocs festival brings together new works from around the world for a w...

They say that time waits for no boy band. This Friday, New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys bring the sugary-sweet soundtrack of your adolescence back to the Verizon Center’s stage — and with it, a reminder of just how much has c...

We’re all searching for something in life. At least you can find the free, outdoor film fest to meet your grass-lounging, picnic-snacking needs. I WANT TO PLAY DRESS UP “16 Candles” (June 20, Crystal City) John Hughes’ 1984 ro...

Stochastic process. Technical analysis. Quantum mechanical. Soft rule-based. Total nonsense. These are terms that might describe what you see here. If we were sure, we would be stock-market billionaires, not journalists. Let’s call it “a ...

The country will soon celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, and no city is better prepared to commemorate that seminal moment in our nation’s history than Washington D.C. Genteel Gatherings We’ve all been there: You want to re...

Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the malls, We were sizing up Santas while decking the halls. This one dressed in rayon, from his head to his foot, his pants were all sticky where old candy was put. This Santa looked odd, with a bend i...

In the world of music, 2010 seemed to be the year of the underdog. There was Arcade Fire, which hit Billboard No. 1 on an indie label. Taylor Swift bested seasoned vets to become the only artist this year to sell more than a million albums in one wee...

The winter holidays are all about tradition. But who gets to decide what that even means? You’ve been good all year long. Santa won’t put you on the “naughty” list for trying something a little different this weekend. What cou...

If “Sopranos” mobsters (well, at least Steve Buscemi) jumped into a time machine with a bunch of flappers and Temperance Leaguers, the resulting show might be HBO’s new 1920s period piece set in Atlantic City, where good-looking dam...

Those who see themselves reflected in ABC’s hit generation-spanning sitcom know the holidays are a time to celebrate clan dysfunction — maybe drape it in some twinkle lights, then fight over who gets to put the star on top. Though your ki...