What’s Going On This Weekend? Here are the Best Events in Town

By: Mimi Montgomery

Cats, cupcakes, and the Clash.

Photo by Jessica Simpson

FRIDAY, JULY 6

ROCK THE CASBAH…Calling all fans of The Clash–authors Mark Andersen and Ralph Heibutzki will be at Politics and Prose to discuss their book on the punk rock group. The comprehensive history looks at the way the London group shaped the formation of punk, and draws on extensive interviews with the band members and their crew. Come learn the ins-and-outs of the group Rolling Stone dubbed part of its best 100 bands of all time.

AN ODE TO CITIES…Living in the DMV, we all know about cities–how they can be both personal and intimate, isolating and claustrophobic. Three Korean artists examine the ever-evolving nature of cities in the art exhibit City, Unfamiliar Landscape, opening today at the Korean Cultural Center. Come meet the artists at the reception and check out their pieces while mingline over drinks and Korean treats.

LET’S GET FIZZY…If you’re gluten-free or just prefer a good cider over a beer, this is for you. The Smithsonian Associates are hosting a discussion on Apfelwein, which is the traditional German cider that is seeing a resurgence today with the drink’s growing popularity. A German cider-maker, a cider importer, and two cider journalists (that’s a thing) will talk about the drink and its history before you sit down to a tasting of German ciders.

AND…Silent disco…Sam Morrow at Songbyrd…Pusha T at Echostage…Armenian folk dancing…Free concert at Yards Park…Catch some improv comedy…Have the kids spend the night spy-style…Sip on wines from Washington state…Learn to swing dance…A block party in Chinatown…A night at the Croatian embassy…Fish (for free) on the Anacostia…

Photograph by Victoria Pickering

SATURDAY, JULY 7

THE THEATAH….The Capital Fringe theater festival kicks off today, and it’s pretty much as it sounds–a space for experimental, fringe performance art of all sorts. Through July 29, you can see a variety of interesting and thought-provoking performances at a bunch of different venues. Whether it’s a performance based on a Nigerian folktale or an abstract piece about feral triplets, there’s pretty much everything here.

JOLLOF, PLEASE…Ever tried jollof? If not, now is the time. The Jollof Festival is all about the rice dish popular in West African countries, and will feature a variety of area chefs duking it out for the best take on the cuisine. Swing by to sample creations by chefs hailing from Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and more.

MEOW MEOW…Cat haters beware: The felines are coming. It’s Cat-urday at Nats Park during the Miami Marlins game, and that means fun like a cat nap during the seventh inning and a special cat-themed Nats T-shirt. While you may be 100 percent cat lady, you sadly cannot bring said pet with you to the game. Purr real–no cats.

FOLLOW THE SOUND…The Hirshhorn’s Sound Scene event is in its 11th year, and it’s quite literally all about sound. The museum is partnering with group D.C. Listening Lounge to have musicians and audio crafters create an interactive sonic fantasy world. Today and tomorrow, you can do things like listen to artists from the National Symphony Orchestra, catch a dance troupe performing to music created by iPhone noises, or turn childhood rhymes into hip-hop compositions.

AND…Check out some reptiles…Funnyman Steve Hofstetter at the 9:30 Club…Welcome Audi Field with sangria…Magic + espionage…Work it off before you brunch…Yoga at Barcelona…Go line dancing on the water…

Photograph by Erin

SUNDAY, JULY 8

HAVE YOUR (CUP)CAKE & EAT IT, TOO…It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for–D.C. cupcake wars. No, it’s not the Food Channel show, but it’s pretty darn close. Twelve area bakers will duke it out to see who is the fairest cupcake maker of them all, and lucky you–you get to taste them all. Each chef will be making two cupcakes so, yes, that means you get to eat 24 of those bad boys. Happy nomming!

A MUSICAL FEAST…Enjoy a night at the Smithsonian Castle with good food, good wine, and good tunes. Gourmet Symphony will be in the house performing music by composers who immigrated to the United States, such as Mahler and Bartók. While you listen to the classical compositions, you’ll be dining on a three-course dinner of shrimp and grits, schnitzel, and roasted apple crepes (complete with wine pairings). Classical music has never sounded (and tasted) so good.

TEXTILE TALK…In honor of the Freer Sackler Galleries’ latest exhibit, To Dye For, Uzbekistani designer Muhayo Aliyeva will be in town to talk about ikat production and the textile’s significance in her native country. Not only will you get to hear about how Aliyeva is working to preserve this textile tradition, you’ll also get to check out some beautiful designs. Stick around to roam around the exhibit, which features an impressive collection of Central Asian ikat prints (plus some used by designer Oscar de la Renta).

HBD, BERGMAN…Pour one out for Ingmar Bergman today. It’s the 100th anniversary of the Swedish filmmaker’s birth, and to celebrate, the National Gallery of Art is screening a series of his seminal films. Today, catch It Rains on Our Love, which follows two strangers who meet at a train station and try to create a new life together. Your friends will be so impressed you spent your afternoon watching a high-brow, black-and-white film.

AND…1968 in America at Politics and Prose…Read and discuss short stories…Get your water aerobics on…Yoga with cats, because why not…A Danish choir at the National Cathedral…A dive into WWI battles…Get jazzy…An all things Colombian festival…Groove to some 90s hip-hop on a boat…