Brightest Young Things

It has been a while since I've written an Art Itinerary but if it was ever going to return, then this is the week.
Obviously, the name of the biggest game in town is FOTOWEEK.
In fact, the game is so big, writing a (comprehensive) preview of it is almost impossible: there are literally hundreds of events going on.

What you need to know:

• It starts on November 7th (this Saturday) and ends on November 14th (next Saturday)
• the official website is: http://www.fotoweekdc.org/index.asp and it features all you need to know + some extra stuff, including photo samples from exhibits and their international photo competition (the winners of which will be announced during the week itself)
• There are 5 FotoWeek Central locations which will host the bulk of "official" events and dozens on non-central locations with one-off shows/lectures/portfolio reviews etc
• Fotoweek Opening reception happens tomorrow (November 6th), and will feature a preview of the FotoWeek Central exhibits. You can register for it online here
• The event calendar is separated into: Featured Events, Exhibitions, Lectures, Openings & Receptions and Workshops & Reviews so deciding whether you're into the observational or active participation may be a good start in terms of deciding what you would like to go to.
• Picking your favorites in this volume of offerings is the photo fan's equivalent of Sophie's choice but here are some things we are hoping to catch this weekend (more for next week to come next week) for sure:
• THE FIXATION Exhibit opening presented by  Pinkline and Ten Mile Square on Saturday
• And this event at Fight Club
• Other than that: leave comments and peruse fotoweekdc.org religiously

Following the old adage that when it rains, it pours, ON TOP OF DC FOTO WEEK it is also the first weekend of the month so there are many alternatives. Here is a day by day pick selection. Follow the links for more details AND please leave your own suggestions in the comments. Without you, we are nothing (or something to that effect):

THURSDAY

• Phillips continues to do an excellent job of programming their After 5 series, this one being in conjuction with their (very wonderful and extremely impressive) Man Ray, African Art and the Surrealist lens exhibit and taking the African angle this week they're bringing in DC's favorite Afro Funk band Chopteeth in. Starts at 5:30, ends 8ish.

• For fashion fans Textile Museum has a great opportunity to join in on a panel featuring Isabel Toledo and WaPo's Robin Givhan discussing Michelle Obama's lemongrass inauguration dress. Pre-registration is required.
• And The Fridge is hosting the opening of their I RAN Home exhibit

FRIDAY

• For LEGO Fans (and we all know we all are LEGO fans) play hooky from work and go to their MASTER BUILD EVENT which sadly, is somewhere not in DC and starts at 11am.

In the later, more accessible hours and locations:

• Project 4, which is my favorite DC gallery 95% of time opens up Laurel Lukaszewski's ONCE

• And just downstairs from there, Hamiltonian is hosting a show opening for their 2 new fellows: Anne Chan and Michael Dax Iacovone.
• Hillyer opens up "Ass Against the Wall", an installation by Martha Jackson Jarvis that explores points of resistance, endurance, and markings that pattern our lives.
• And DURKL presents their "FotoWEAK" photo show @ RNR Hotel (Featuring BYT super-favorite Hatnim Lee and contributors such as Dafna Steinberg)

SATURDAY:
On top of the aforementioned FIXATION and Stills and Flicks shows make sure to stop by

• "For the Love of It", which is simultaneously Redeem's 3rd year anniversary party and a showcase for new work by Kelly Towles.
• And the absolutely terrific looking Cosmopolitan Chicken Project Exhibit opening at the Conner Contemporary

Your suggestions in the comments now: