AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 14, 2026
Allison Russell Brings Collaborative Spirit to the Atlantis
Grammy-winning musician and activist Allison Russell will perform at the Atlantis this Friday, offering audiences a chance to experience her recent album, In the Hour of Chaos. Known for her deep collaborations, Russell assembled a remarkable lineup for this project. All but one song feature guest artists, including Norah Jones, Joy Oladokun, and Kara Jackson. Russell, who has a history of working with artists such as Hozier, emphasizes the importance of connection in a time when isolation and competition are common.
Her concert at the Atlantis—set for 6:30 p.m. on October 16 at 2047 9th St. NW—promises an evening where Americana and folk music fans can unite in celebration and joy. Tickets are $46.65 and are available through the venue's website.
Guachinangos and Chicha Morada at Songbyrd: A Fusion of Latin Rhythms
Guachinangos, a group formed in Philadelphia in 2019, has made a name for itself by blending traditional Mexican dance genres with their own unique touch. The ensemble, originally focused on styles such as son jarocho, has expanded since relocating to New York City, now incorporating Colombian influences like cumbia and Afro Caribbean champeta. Violinist and vocalist Gabriella Grimaldi notes that, for the DC performance, the core seven members will take the stage.
Drawing their name from a type of red snapper popular in Veracruz, Guachinangos showcase musical director Juan Carlos Marin's dynamic stringwork alongside vibrant arrangements. Their debut album, Guachinangos Vol. 1, includes both traditional and hybrid interpretations—such as transforming the song “Chuchumbé” with polyrhythmic champeta elements and featuring intricate call-and-response vocals on “Bemba y Tablao.” The evening opens with DC-based Chicha Morada, bringing psychedelic Peruvian chicha and cumbia sounds.
The concert takes place at 7 p.m. on October 16 at Songbyrd, 540 Penn St. NE, with tickets priced at $16–$20.
Robin Bell's Retrospective at Addison/Ripley Fine Art
Robin Bell, a renowned printmaker based in DC, is celebrated for his pointed projections on the former Trump International Hotel from 2016 to 2022. These projections—and their satirical lens on politics—form a central theme of Bell's retrospective at Addison/Ripley Fine Art. Yet, the exhibition’s 86 works offer more than political commentary; they display Bell’s evolving techniques and creative experimentation.
The show includes 48 photography-based paintings that memorialize Bell's projection work, as well as multimedia pieces that appear as traditional paintings but reveal subtle animation upon close inspection. Video works evoke everything from microscopic cellular division to abstract tributes to artists like Morris Louis. One highlight is a looping video of a “No Kings” DC street protest, rendered in slow motion to draw viewers into individual moments.
The retrospective runs through October 17 at Addison/Ripley Fine Art, 1670 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Admission is free.
Katherine Steichen Rosing's 'Harbingers' at IA&A at Hillyer
India ink—comprised of carbon, an essential element in both nature and drawing—serves as a central material in Katherine Steichen Rosing’s installation Harbingers at IA&A at Hillyer. The exhibit transforms the gallery into a fiber forest, with white cylindrical tree forms marked by ink and singed holes, symbolizing environmental damage and climate anxieties.
The installation is both immersive and reflective, with small paintings of spectral trees on the walls. Some glimmer with internal light, others loom in shadowy settings. A video projection intercuts scenes of forest fires from news and public service archives with peaceful footage from the artist’s walks, highlighting the tension between environmental destruction and natural serenity.
Harbingers is on view through November 29 at IA&A at Hillyer, 9 Hillyer Ct. NW. Entry is free.
More DC Cultural Events on the Horizon
From music that bridges diverse traditions to contemporary art exploring pressing social and political themes, these events offer a vibrant cross-section of DC’s arts scene. Whether attending the allison russell concert, enjoying the guachinangos band’s fusion of genres, reflecting on democracy at the robin bell exhibit, or considering climate issues through katherine steichen rosing’s art, there are rich opportunities for engagement. For more information, check individual venue websites and listings for dc arts events throughout the season.
Source: washingtoncitypaper.com.
