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

By: Mimi Montgomery

What to Do in D.C. This Weekend (8/24 – 8/26)

Bollywood, beer, and dragon boats.

Photo by Beau Finley

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24

CRANK IT UP…Come rock out at a punk rock-themed karaoke get-together at Black Cat. Belt out some Ramones tunes and lose your voice without fear, because it all benefits Girls Rock! D.C. The group sends girls and trans and non-binary kids to rock music camp, where they practice their skills with experienced teachers and learn to be true rockstars.

JAM ON…Are you excited for Outessa? It’s a female-forward music festival geared toward the outdoors, and it’ll be hosted next month. In the meantime, join the hosts REI at their spot for a music preview by DJ Damn Kham, cocktails from Lyon Distilling Company, and some snacks. Bonus: They’ll be giving away tickets to the festival!

CRAZY RICH ASIANS…Have you seen Crazy Rich Asians yet? The film follows Rachel Chu as she travels to Singapore to meet her boyfriend’s family…and it turns out they’re rich. Like, crazy rich. You can catch the blockbuster hit tonight at the National Museum of American History, but they’ll be showing it with subtitles, a great addition for those with hearing problems or who are learning English.

AND…Get your jazz in the garden on…Hit up a market in Southwest…¡Muévelo!...Listen to some 80s and 90s house/techno…Peter Bradley Adams at Union Stage…Celebrate the wine harvest…Make a classic German back-to-school craft…

Photo by Joe Flood

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25

BEER ME..Calling all beer nerds: It’s Brewers on the Block. Head out to Union Market to sample tastings from a huge list of local spots like Flying Dog, 3 Stars, DC Brau, Devils Backbone, and much more. And don’t worry, gluten-free folks: Spots like Anxo and Bold Rock Cider will be there, too. A ticket gets you unlimited tastings, a souvenir glass, live music, and access to all the Union Market snack spots.

GET LOCAL…The 17th Street Festival has been going since 2010, and it’s back again this weekend. Come out and celebrate the community along this stretch of street–there will be over 100 vendors, from artists and jewelers to artisans and potters. Plus, you can mingle with local politicians and nonprofits, take the little ones to the kid zone, and listen to live music.

ALL ABOARD…Come out and celebrate Duanwu Jie (the Dragon Boat festival) with a traditional Chinese dragon boat regatta. Luckily, you don’t have to do the hard work–you can just hang out on the District Pier while you watch the rowers face off on the river. In between races, wander around the Wharf, check out the boats, and (maybe) place bets on who you think will win.

AND…Beach House at the Anthem…Bike President Lincoln’s commute…Calling sneaker freaks…All about Irish dance…Eat some crab...Check out local artists at Colony Club…Dinner en Blanc…Full moon forest bathing

Photo by Caroline Angelo

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26

WILL RUN FOR TACOS…Um, yes please–today is the Taco Mile, and it’s exactly as it sounds. Join the Department of Parks and Rec, November Project DC, and Pacers Running for a mile-long run around a track. The only catch? You’ll have to eat a taco for each lap (that’s four total). Pull on your running shoes and make room for some District Tacos.

WORK HARD, DO GOOD…Work out for a good cause at Vida. The U Street location is hosting an open class, where a donation will get you access to a series of 30-minute workout classes like yoga, pilates, and a boot camp, as well as a talk on nutrition and food and drinks by their rooftop pool. All the proceeds will benefit Augie’s Quest, which researches treatments for ALS.

TAKE ME TO BOLLYWOOD…Like Bollywood? You’ll love this. Bollywood Boulevard is a dance-music-film hybrid of a show that takes you through the history of the Bollywood industry. As the crew dances, the live music is played, and bits of iconic Bollywood films scroll across the screen, you’ll finding yourself on a journey through Hindi cinema. Reconnect with classics, discover new movies, and dance in your seat.

AND…Tour the monuments under a full moon…An Earth, Wind, & Fire tribute show…Enjoy drink specials, adopt a dog…Catch a film at the Swedish Embassy…Meditate on a rooftop…Photograph the moonset and sunrise…Learn about (and taste) natural wines…Do parkour with other women…