Local 'Bastards' create crafty mayhem

Over 70 vendors and sunshine sat along 18th.

By Rebecca Armendariz

Those in the market for shirts that proclaim self-breast love, well-stitched voodoo dolls or vintage-looking one-of-a-kind skirts were in luck at Saturday's Crafty Bastards arts and crafts fair, sponsored by the Washington City Paper. Over 70 vendors set up shop near the Marie Reed Learning Center on the main strip of Adams Morgan for a day of food, music and general money spending. (continue reading)

Comment on this story

Gleaming Asian art at Sackler has Midas' touch

By Lindsey Marburger

Miss summer? Now that the weather is finally starting to get colder, get a taste of the intensity of the sun's gold rays by wallowing in gold of a different form. Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but as the Vedas say, "Gold is Immortality". Molded for human usage since at least the sixth millennium B. (continue reading)

The Bard 'Punk'd' by Taffety players

Musicians and actors put new spin on Shakespeare's works

By Kate Molski

A square of black curtain covered part of the blue cinderblock wall behind a temporary stage at the Black Cat. The drummer and bassist took their positions as the guitarist stepped up to the microphone to proclaim, "We're kind of a cover band. This is an oldie but goodie by William Shakespeare: 'Sonnet 17. (continue reading)

Ladner by the Numbers

By Adam Bender

While University President Benjamin Ladner remains under investigation for alleged misuse of funds, the Scene staff felt compelled to brainstorm just how one might spend such ridiculous amounts of cash. $44,000 in alcohol 81,230 cans of Natural Light beer. (continue reading)

But is it art?

AU senior captures copulation, masturbation to celebrate sexuality

By Jennay Ghowrwal

The past couple of weeks have been very busy for photographer Samantha Wolov, winner of Nerve.com's Emerging Photographer of the Year Award. Wolov, an AU senior majoring in art history, has launched a new Web site to showcase her most recent work: erotic photographs of real people having sex. (continue reading)

Music notes

Say Hi to Your Mom "Ferocious Mopes" (Euphobia) Sounds Like: Snow Patrol, Bright Eyes C+ One-man bands always sound cool on paper, but paper's not always the reality. Say Hi to Your Mom is Eric Elbogen, a guy from Brooklyn who plays some pretty generic tunes just low budget enough to be called indie. (continue reading)

Only a few degrees separate these super '90s bands

By Chris DeWitt

Though not necessarily a genre unto itself, many of the bands that rose out of the Pacific northwest in the '90s shared a common sound, and even shared some members. For example, Sleater-Kinney drummer Janet Weiss also played drums for ex-husband Sam Coomes in Portland, Ore. (continue reading)

A Brit's take on U.S. issues

By Leana Zborovsky

At age 21, Zadie Smith wrote her first national bestseller, "White Teeth." Her second novel, "The Autograph Man," debuted in 2002 with much less acclaim than her first. Now her latest novel, "On Beauty," is climbing to the top of the bestsellers list. Smith's appearance at Olsson's Bookstore in Penn Quarter drew over 200 people. (continue reading)

Benson attracts eclectic audience

Dads, hipsters alike rock out

By Rebecca Armendariz

Brendan Benson is no newbie when it comes to playing live music. In fact, these days he's kind of lost his sparkle. His emaciated bottom swam under his belt-sucked waist, and his mussed hair and stubbly face hid under the rim of a cap. His scraggly ways didn't affect his performance, however, which was full of heart and perfectly hit high notes. (continue reading)

German subway offers new cast of characters

By Jen Turner

My life in Berlin at this point consists mostly of comforting little rituals as I find my roots. Every day after German class, a small troupe of students march down to the nearby Tha restaurant and order the same thing. I rip out the crossword from the International Herald Tribune and pretend to know big words. (continue reading)

The hit list

1. The Cat Empire This funk-soul-hip-hop sextet channels every ounce of funkiness their hometown of Melbourne, Austrialia has to offer. Their single "Hello" is a fast talking horn-driven hip-shaker. Catch them this Thursday at the 9:30 Club. 2. Wallace and Gromit DVD Animated man and dog duo Wallace and Gromit will star in their first feature film "Curse of the Were-Rabbit" this Friday, but Brit-claymation fans can now catch their first three short adventures on DVD for $15. (continue reading)

Wolf Eyes scream their way into the capital

Chaos, confusion and violence define Detroit band of noisemakers

By Chris Moreno

Wolf Eyes performed at DC9 last Tuesday, treating the District to a night of some of the most abrasive, pain-inducing noise available this side of Chinese opera. When one thinks of conventional music, certain types of rhythms and lyrics might come to mind. (continue reading)

Tech bits

Sony angers Vatican A Sony ad campaign in Italy celebrating the PlayStation's 10th anniversary has angered local Catholics. The ad shows a man wearing a crown of thorns that have been twisted into the shape of circles, X's, triangles and squares, symbols that feature prominently on the PlayStation controller. (continue reading)