Things to do in the DC area: ‘SUBMERGE Project’, Adams Morgan Day … and more! – WTOP News

After a 16-month pause, ARTECHOUSE D.C. is hosting new programming, starting Friday. The “SUBMERGE Project” brings together work from 14 artist teams across 18 installations.

This is the D.C. gallery’s largest group show to date, according to Joshua Feldman, senior director of marketing and revenue for ARTECHOUSE.

The floor-to-ceiling projections and installations include “Beyond the Render,” a 45-minute immersive experience that spans 280 degrees in the digital art gallery’s 18K projection environment.

Other installations include “Flamingo Dancefloor,” where a projection of flamingos respond to movement, and “Diffusive Gaze,” which captures and “reimagines” guest photos through the styles of art movements, using generative artificial intelligence. In another installation, “Beyond the Render Dialogues,” guests are invited to converse with an AI-powered “penguin ambassador.”

“All these artists are using (Render Network) that exists in a decentralized ecosystem of computers that can help create more access to bring this artwork to life,” Feldman said.

“Normally, it would take, you know, years to render some of the artwork that you’re going to see, and because of this more accessible, more affordable platform, these tools are now becoming more readily available to create the artwork.”

Two notable artists whose works are featured include Emmy-winning artists Emily Yang, also known as pplpleasr, who is credited in feature films like “Batman v Superman,” “Wonder Woman,” “Star Trek Beyond,” and Maciej Kuciara, who is credited in “Avengers: Endgame” and Linkin Park’s “Lost” music video.

Guests are invited to participate as artists themselves in the creation of one of the installations. “Clay Pillar” is an interactive installation by New York-based new media art collective, Interactive Items, that allows visitors to speak a prompt to transform a “physical clay interface.”

“Visitors themselves can actually bring themselves into that piece and bring that to life and finish the artwork as well,” Feldman said. “It’s infinite up to a certain point … Our space is meant for visitors of all ages, and that is something that we’ve been dedicated to because of this infinite potential and because of this continuous exploration.”

SUBMERGE Project opens Friday, Sept. 11 and runs through Nov. 15. Tickets cost $24 for general admission with discounts for students, seniors, military members, first responders and youth.

Check back every Thursday for a roundup of Things to do in the DC area.

Here’s what else is happening in the D.C. area:

DC

“The Fruits of Our Labor”

Step Afrika!’s world premiere of “The Fruits of Our Labor” commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary. The performance incorporates stepping, percussion and striking visual imagery. It runs from Thursday through Nov. 1 at Arena Stage.

Art All Night

Across all eight wards in the District, Art All Night is bringing live performances, music and interactive activities to residents and visitors alike. The free celebration is this Friday and Saturday, featuring more than 100 artists who will bring their dances, paintings, photography, sculptures, music and more to indoor and outdoor public and private spaces. The event runs both nights from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.

D.C. Bike Ride

For its 10th year, the District’s only car-free social ride is back this Saturday. The D.C. Bike Ride allows cyclists to cruise on a 2-mile course past some of the city’s most iconic sites. There are several different “Ride Passes” for participants, including passes for families with children and those who don’t own a bike at all.

Adams Morgan Day

The ever-popular Adams Morgan Day is back this Sunday. The event has been running for nearly 50 years, making it D.C.’s longest-running neighborhood festival. Expect to find global cuisine, artisan vendors, live performances and interactive experiences. The event is free and open to the public.

Maryland

Prince George’s County Fair

Since 1842, the Prince George’s County Fair, which is the oldest running fair in the state of Maryland, has been a family-friendly gathering that fosters connection and celebration with competitions for the best jams, jellies, canned goods, clothing, photography and more. The fair runs from Thursday through Sunday. Admission to this event costs $6 for adults and those at or above the age of 13, $5 for seniors and $5 for children between the ages of 5 and 12.

Silver Spring Jazz Fest

This Saturday, guests at the Silver Spring Jazz Fest can enjoy two stages of entertainment with jazz, funk, soul and R&B featured. The event is free to attend.

Bethesda Row Arts Festival

On Saturday and Sunday, Bethesda, Maryland, is being transformed into an outdoor fine art gallery. The artists featured at the Bethesda Row Arts Festival focus on a variety of mediums, such as ceramics, fiber arts, jewelry, photography and other mixed media.

Virginia

Rosslyn Jazz Fest

Rosslyn Jazz Fest brings together performers of jazz, funk and soul music. This outdoor music festival is hosted Saturday at Gateway Park in Arlington, Virginia. The event is free and open to the public.

DMV Girls Hockey Weekend

At no cost, girls between the ages of 4 and 9 get the chance to learn hockey in an annual joint effort between the Washington Capitals, Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) Foundation, the Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association and various youth hockey organizations throughout the region. The DMV Girls Hockey Weekend will be hosted this Saturday and Sunday and registration is required. Provided equipment and equipment requirements will vary by rink. There are participating clubs in both Virginia and Maryland in this event.

“The Stories in Our Bones,”

Escape the “Sunday scaries” by heading to Highline RxR in Arlington, Virginia, for a lecture on lessons taught by the dead. This Profs & Pints event, titled, “The Stories in Our Bones,” focuses on research regarding human skeletal remains, plus what movies get wrong about mummies and general information about the field of archaeology as well. Leading the lecture is Jordan Wilson, a bioarchaeologist, skeletal biologist and postdoctoral fellow and lecturer at Georgetown University. Tickets to the event on Sunday cost $13.50 if purchased in advance or $17 at the door.

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