Arts news in brief: Oct. 7

Gertrude Stein posing for Jo Davidson in 1922. A tribute to the iconoclastic lesbian poet and art collector opens next weekend at the Portrait Gallery in Washington. (Image courtesy of the Smithsonian)

Stein exhibit opens at Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery has a new exhibit, “Seeing Gertrude Stein: Five Stories” opening Oct. 14.

The exhibit features more than 50 artifacts and 100 works by artists detailing the groundbreaking lesbian writer’s life and work.

Wanda Corn, who is serving as guest curator, and Tirza True Latimar, serving as associate guest curator, have written a book of the same name which analyzes the portraits Stein posed for and more.

The gallery is open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and admission is free.

Mackey: the ‘Knife’

Lesbian singer/songwriter Jeanne Mackey will be performing “Drop the Knife: A Memoir-in-Song” on Oct. 14 at the Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium (7500 Maple Ave.) at 7:30 p.m.

As a young musician, Mackey advocated feminist values and social justice and in this musical she chronicles her search for personal and ancestral healing, exploring the meaning of magic, homeland, curses and death.

There is a suggested donation of $10 to $15.

Center hosts two artists this weekend

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) has two events this weekend.

First up is the Center’s monthly open mic night tonight at 8 p.m. featuring Liz Prescott, a semi-finalist in Capturing Fire, the first national, queer poetry slam. Prescott has also been featured at Busboys & Poets and Bloombars.

The night will be hosted by Mike Brazell and those who wish to participate should sign up by 7:30 p.m.

Then on Saturday, Kimberly Dark, a writer, mother, performer and professor, will be performing “Good Fortune” tonight at 8 p.m. Dark has compiled her own “tarot deck” of 49 large-size art images that correspond to stories. At each performance, an audience member chooses cards from the deck to form the show’s “reading.” The cards’ selection, arrangement, and impromptu interpretation ensure that no two shows will ever be alike.             Tickets are $10 and can only be purchased at the door.