Events

By: Mimi Montgomery

What to Do in D.C. This Week (8/6 – 8/9)

Glow yoga, a grandma documentary, and pickles.

Photo by Blink O’Fanaye

MONDAY, AUGUST 6

BREAK IT DOWN…Have you ever wanted to break dance, but just don’t know how? Now you can learn–this week-long break dance camp will take you through everything you need to know to expertly control your balance and movements. Taught by an experienced breakdancer, you’ll be spinning across the floor in no time.

DREAMING OF ARGENTINA…Get some Latin American flavor in your life at a concert hosted at the Embassy of Argentina. The Tango Jazz Quartet mixed the improvisation of jazz with the rhythm of tango, and has traveled around the world playing its tunes. Come hang out and hear them for yourself tonight.

GROOVE…Music is always better when it’s fo’ free–all shows at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage are always on the house, and this one will have you groovin’. Upbeat Strings is a violinist/piano duo that covers the likes of the Beatles, Coldplay, and Stevie Wonder, so you can end your Monday with good tunes.

AND…A party at the Wharf’s Pearl Street…A speed dating event just for trivia nerds…Figure drawing…A Busboys and Poets open mic…A West African drum class…Learn how to be a landlord…Watch Black Panther outdoors at Union Market…Do yoga on a rooftop farm… (more…)

By: Mimi Montgomery

Things To Do in D.C. This Weekend (8/3 – 8/5)

K-Pop, soccer, and oysters.

Photo by Ted Eytan

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3

MADE IN HONG KONG…As part of its summer-long screening of Hong Kong-made movies, the Freer|Sackler will screen the cult favorite film Legendary Weapons of Kung Fu. But this isn’t any regular old movie–the score will be performed live compliments of Shaolin Jazz cofounder DJ 2-Tone Jones. Watch the martial arts on the big screen while a blend of live soul, funk, and hip-hop makes you groove in your seat.

WRITE IT OUT…Washington’s LGBTQ literary festival, OutWrite, kicks off today and runs through Sunday. Come by for panels on topics such as creating non-binary characters, workshops on writing dialogue and pitching stories, and to hear speakers such as Michelle Tea. There will be several readings throughout the weekend, too.

LOCAL MADE…D.C. Arts Centers debuts Theory of Theories, a play by local playwright Sean Surla. The show follows a group of folks all staying in the same house together as they explore life topics such as love, vulnerability, friendship, and connection. Check it out through August 11.

AND…Guillermo Davila at Howard Theatre…Andrea Gibson at 9:30 Club…Jazz in the Garden…Virginia Tech Day at Nats Park...Sons of Bill at Union Stage…Watch Black Panther for free outdoors…Dance it out at the French Embassy…Reconnect with your body at the U.S. Botanic Garden…Toast to Friday with a party at the Freer|Sackler… (more…)

By: Mimi Montgomery

Stand-up comedy, performance art, and the Titanic’s menu.

Photo by Zach Cockrum

MONDAY, JULY 23

THE DOVE…Inspired by the storytelling show the Moth, the Dove is a show that shares stories of hope and peace. This is the third event in the series, and its will focus on personal stories tied to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Co-sponsored by the New Story Leadership for the Middle East, this night at Busboys & Poets will feature six young storytellers from Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.

LOL…The Upright Citizens Brigade is the New York-based improv group that got big names like Amy Poehler and Kate McKinnon started. The group is at Wooly Mammoth this month to perform its show Damned If You Do. The show gets an audience member on-stage to share his or her life’s story, then they use that to launch the off-the-cuff performance.

AND…Yes at Warner Theatre…Yoga with live music…A Flying Dog tap takeover…Boxing and yoga at Lululemon…Ladies: learn to be okay with aging…An all-women stand-up show...A free week at a coworking spot… (more…)

By: Mimi Montgomery

Puppies, museum visits, and arcade games (did we mention puppies??).

Photo by Rudi Riet

FRIDAY, JULY 20

WASTIN’ AWAY AGAIN…Calling all parrot heads: It’s Margaritaville Night at Nats Park. Show up to partake in the pregame festivities before the Nats take on the Atlanta Braves. You’ll get to rock out to some Buffet tunes, wear a festive t-shirt, and probably drink one too many blended drinks.

FEELIN’ ARTY…Head to the National Museum of Women in the Arts to see its new exhibit, Bound to Amaze: Inside a Book-Collecting Career, which opens today. Krystyna Wasserman curated the museum’s collection of 1,000 artists’ books over 30 years, and the lineup is striking: Featuring books made of sheet music, semi-precious stones, linen, wood, and more, it’ll make you rethink your notion of books.

JAZZ HANDS…As part of the Kennedy Center’s District of Comedy festival, come see Baby Wants Candy, an improvised musical complete with a full band. It’s pretty much as it sounds: The crew takes an audience suggestion at the beginning of the show, then embarks on a full-fledged musical right on the spot, complete with dancing, musical numbers, and lots of laughs.

AND…August Alsina at Howard Theatre…Janelle Monae at the Anthem…Two-spirits belong here…Get emo…Eat, drink, and listen to music at the Freer|Sackler...Sound bathe and meditate…Listen to tunes and taste beer at the American Art Museum…A Marine Corps parade…How baseball forged a bond between the U.S. and Japan…Chris Gethard at Ken Cen…An Emoji art show (yes, it’s a thing)… (more…)

By: Mimi Montgomery

What To Do This Week in D.C. (7/16 – 7/19)

This is Spinal Tap, Burners, and zoo animals.

Photo by Tim Brown

MONDAY, JULY 16

OH SAY CAN YOU SEE…Historian Marc Ferris will be in the house to discuss all things Star-Spangled Banner. Did you know that it has British roots? Or that it was adapted from a song with much dirtier origins? Or that Congress took over 100 years to declare it as our National Anthem? Dive into the history behind the song while Ferris breaks up his talk by performing other variations of the song.

‘CUE IT UP….No need to fire up the grills. It’s BBQ & Grilling Week in the city through Sunday, which means a bunch of restaurants will be offering prix fixe menus that are all about grilled and smoky dishes. For $11, $22, or $33, you can head to spot slike Osteria Morini, Right Proper, or Slate Wine Bar for all things BBQ.

AND…The Magic Numbers at Union Stage…Basball’s past and future…Learn to break through your fears…Chocolate City in the 80s Talk: Part Two…A rooftop dinner at Timber Pizza Co…A talk on movie ratings… (more…)

By: Mimi Montgomery

Baseball, baseball, and more baseball…oh, and free ice cream.

Photo by Eric Sidle

FRIDAY, JULY 13

I SCREAM, U SCREAM…It’s the most magical time of the year…National Ice Cream Day. In honor of the holiday, Union Market will host its annual D.C. Scoops shindig. You can listen to live music and enjoy the market’s outdoor space while purchasing a cone from the likes of Dolcezza or Ice Cream Jubilee. Or, better yet, grab a free scoop and load it up with pick your own toppings–that’s right, it’s free. This is not a drill.

AFTER-HOURS ART…Brightest Young Things will give you after-hours access to the new American Art Museum exhibit, Trevor Paglen: Sites Unseen, at its party tonight. Paglen’s photos and installations are part concept art, part activism, and you can take them in while enjoying an open bar featuring drinks by the folks at Service Bar, Archipelago, and Bar Deco, to name a few. There will also be DJs, a photobooth, a scavenger hunt, a caricature artist, and lots of PBR.

SUMMER FRIDAY…Over at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, you can kick off the first of its summer Fridays celebrations tonight. Head over for Hong Kong-style food by Tiger Fork, fusion cuisine by ChiKo, Asian-inspired desserts by Ruby Scoops Ice Cream & Sweets, and cocktails by Please Bring Chips. There’ll also be traditional music by way of West Bengal, India, a screening of the Hong Kong action movie Shock Wave, and gallery tours.

HBD 2 U…A very happy birthday to D.C. Bike Party! The meet-and-ride group is celebrating its sixth year with an epic cycle session. Decorate yourself (and your bike) with balloons and streamers, glitter, birthday hats–you name it–and meet the group at Dupont Circle to start your journey. After, everyone will meet to keep the party going at Wunder Garten.

PLAY BALL…Today kicks off the MLB All Star Week at Nats Park. While the big game is on Tuesday, there’s plenty to do ahead of time. Events that highlight the intersection of art, fashion, music, and baseball will run all weekend, as will plenty of interactive games, activities, and panel discussions. Tonight, stop by for the Armed Services softball tournament, then check back in for a Color Run 5k on Saturday and the All Star Futures Game and Legends & Celebrity Softball Game on Sunday.

AND…Improv groups come together for one big show…A prom night that’s pro-choice…Chat yoga and periods…White Ford Bronco at the Bullpen…A chat about the new bougie foods of Northeastern ballparks…Get your 2000s dance party on…Todd Terry with Kundalini at U Street Music Hall…The premiere of Dave at Arena Stage… (more…)

By: Mimi Montgomery

Yellow Submarine, the World Cup, and a Jane Austen film fest.

Photo by Ted Eytan

MONDAY, JULY 9

LISTEN AND LEARN…Tonight at the Shaw library, Dr. Natalie Hopkinson, an assistant professor at Howard, will give part one of her seminar Chocolate City in the 80s: Music, Drugs, and Lies. The lecture looks at the days of Marion Barry and the War on Drugs and flips the typical narrative, and the second lecture July 16 will discuss African-American power and creative control during the same era.

WE ALL LIVE IN A…It’s the 50th anniversary of the classic movie Yellow Submarine, which is an fantastical animated version of the Beatles’ music. The movie was a hit when it came out, and it features Beatles’ tunes performed in an underwater land protected by the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Come celebrate the anniversary by watching (and singing along to) the film tonight.

AND…Listen to some accordion jamming…Author Rae DelBianco speaks at Politics and Prose…Learn how to grassroots organize…Drink brandy at Barmini…How can documentary filmmakers change policy?…Author Dan Fesperman gives a talk at the Spy Museum…Drink cocktails, belt showtunes…Party on Pearl Street at the Wharf…The Octopus Project at Union Stage… (more…)

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. (more…)

By: Mimi Montgomery

Ben Folds, baseball, and Belize.

Photograph by Lorie Shaull

FRIDAY, JUNE 29

PLAY BALL…The exhibit Baseball Americana opens at the Library of Congress today. It’s as it sounds–a deep dive in America’s pastime, with documents outlining its earliest set of rules, old photos (like those of Civil War soldiers playing the sport), extensive baseball card collections, and broadcasts of the greats like Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson.

FAMOUS FACES…You can keep celebrating the National Portrait Gallery’s 50th anniversary at its one-room exhibit One Year: 1968, An American Odyssey, which opens today. The collection looks at the year the museum opened, with 30 portraits of famous faces of the time like Bobby Kennedy, Jimi Hendrix, the Apollo 8 astronauts, and MLK, Jr.

FOLDS, BEN FOLDS…The quirky, funny, and talented musician Ben Folds is hosting Declassified tonight at the Kennedy Center, which is described as “part concert, part party.” The line-up is totally curated by Folds, and tonight will see tunes from the likes of Jon Batiste of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and singer-songwriter Kishi Bashi. Stick around–there’s live band karaoke afterwards.

YOU BETTER BELIZE IT…Party Belize-style tonight at the country’s embassy. It’ll pull out all the stops to represent the best of the Central American nation: a full Belizean buffet, an open bar with local rum, facetime with the ambassador, authentic music, and Belizean art. Almost like a mini-vacation, no?

A FAREWELL TO TOWN…It is iconic gay nightclub Town’s last weekend in the District, and it’s doin’ it up big. Stop by tonight for the final Bear Happy Hour before a drag show and DJ sets kick off. The big closing party is Saturday night, though, with another drag show with music by the club’s owner. As they say, it’s not goodbye–just see you later. Good luck battling the lines out front! (more…)

By: Mimi Montgomery

Tons of art, a little cornhole, and all the greens.

Photo by Flickr user Mr.TinDC

MONDAY, JUNE 25

GREENZ, PLZ…Salad for President is a site and social media platform that is all about the leafy greens, whether it be recipes, cooking tips, or just really great photos of delicious looking salads (seriously–look at the Instagram page!). Its creator, Julia Sherman, is the creative director of Chopt, and she’ll be in D.C. tonight to chat with the ladies from pineapple D.C. Come learn how to make your own Insta-worthy salad while dining on some greens and sipping wine.

ART TALK…Spanish sculptor Bianca Muñoz will have her work on display at the National Museum of Women in the Arts as part of an exhibit later this week. But tonight, you can catch her talking about it. Muñoz will be in conversation with the museum’s assistant curator and a member of the Madrid art world to talk about international art and the female sculptor world in Spain. (more…)