neotoma

This weekend there is the Smithsonian Craft Show -- 121 artists showing and selling their works in ceramics, leather, basketry, wood, glass, jewelry, etc -- at the National Building Museum. There is a $15 entrance fee (or $20 for two days), but considering how seriously amazing some of the artworks are, I've always felt it was well worth it.

If you're wanting to travel outside the city a bit, there is also the Countryside Artisans Spring Tour -- drive around rural Maryland around Sugarloaf Mountain and visit the studios of local artisans -- glassblowers, potters, sculptors, furniture makers, a vineyard. There is no fee, but your gasoline consumption.

Onto movies! The AFI is running a film festival from now through mid-June on Studio Ghibli films -- this is Miyazaki's studio, so expect plenty of gorgeous anime, including Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Castle in the Sky, among others. This weekend is Kiki's Delivery Service, and My Neighbor Totoro -- in Japanese with English subtitles.

The AFI is also doing a Peter Falk retrospective -- there are several that sound interesting, and of course there is a weekend of The Princess Bride in June (so mark that on your calendar!)

Also, upcoming -- Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival will be in two weeks at the Howard County Fairground, for those of you into hand-crafts! For those of you who aren't crafters, it's still a nice day out, and free!