12 things to do around D.C. this weekend
Outdoor concerts, a flower potluck, a kids' rock show, and more.
How has July already half passed us by? Make the most of your summer weekend (they are dwindling!) by dancing, rocking out, or thoughtfully engaging with books, movies, and art.
THURSDAY, JULY 17
Heritage, Design, and Culture in the Black Home
A group of artists and designers will be visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture for a panel conversation with museum curator Michelle Joan Wilkinson about art and the home. The event is a part of a joint exhibition between the Cooper Hewitt and the NMAAHC, "Making Art – The Smithsonian Design Triennial," and also recognizes the NMAAHC's "Reclaiming My Time" exhibition. Signed copies of the book, Making Home: Belonging, Memory, and Utopia in the 21st Century, will be available for purchase. (NMAAHC; 7 - 8 p.m.; FREE)
Creatives Club at the Lab
Creatives Club, a time for like-minded artists to gab and build community while working on their respective projects, will take place in the Labs at Martin Luther King Jr. Library. Bring your library card, whatever supplies you need, and enjoy a large, well-lit space for making and mingling. (MLK Jr. Library; 6 - 8 p.m.; FREE)
FRIDAY, JULY 18
Wanting at Solid State Books
Real yearners, this one is for you. Writer Claire Jia will be discussing her debut novel, Wanting, at the H Street Solid State Books location. It's a tale of rekindled friendship, the bottomless pit of desire, and dreams. The good stuff! (Solid State Books; 7 - 8 p.m.; FREE or $22.19 with book)
District Fringe Theater Festival
Join us for the first weekend of a new theater festival! District Fringe was created by artists for artists to promote and propel the strong independent theater tradition in the D.C. area. We are an emerging summer theater festival showcasing locally grown entertainment, from new musicals to cabarets to improv and more. (Flicker Bar & Box Office - 4340 Connecticut Ave NW, with performances across UDC's campus; July 11-27; $15/ticket)
Line dancing on the plaza
Let go of your self-consciousness and give line dancing a try at the Parks at Walter Reed. Instructor Orlando will lead you through the steps while DJ Harry Hotter (ha) plays classic hits. No experience required. (7175 12th Street NW; 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.; FREE)
Outdoor concert in Fort Totten
Free outdoor concerts are the lifeblood of city summers, and thankfully, Fort Totten's are weekly! Local band Hand Painted Swinger will be taking the stage this Friday. Bring your own chair (or borrow one), snack on food from local vendors, and hang out with your neighbors. (The Modern at Art Place; 6 - 8 p.m.; FREE)
SATURDAY, JULY 18
Graffiti for the 51st state
Matt Pavesich, a Johns Hopkins professor, has spent more than a decade documenting the many ways Washingtonians have represented the D.C. flag in street art. His project, dubbed DC/Adapters, evolved to survey different graffiti aesthetics around the city and the local issues they address. This weekend, he'll be discussing his research at Rhizome before leading a creative workshop. Using provided flag kits, participants will create their own D.C. flag, inspired by whatever causes drive them. (Rhizome; 10 a.m.; FREE with suggested donation)
Girls Rock! DC July showcase
The local youth music education program Girls Rock! DC will be capping off their week-long camp with a daytime concert. Head to Black Cat to be able to say "you knew them before they got big" in ten years. Ticket sales go toward Girls Rock! DC, although the group won't turn anyone away for lack of funds. (Black Cat; 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; $10-$30)
Crafty Caps workshop
Avoid a face sunburn and get creative at the Anacostia Community Museum's hat-making workshop. Artist Tamara Thomas will show participants how to design a baseball cap with paint pens, fabric, stickers, gems, and more. All supplies provided! This event is great for kids ages 8 and up. (Anacostia Community Museum; 12 p.m.; FREE)
Flower Potluck
Do you love having weekly flowers on your dining table but don't love the grocery store bouquet offerings? Stop by Doubles for a flower potluck! (Okay, we might be a little biased given The 51st's own Maddie Poore is an organizer – but it's a great event nonetheless!) Bring your own vessel and whatever flowers you'd like to contribute, whether homegrown or store-bought. After a quick demo, you'll construct your own unique bouquet using everyone's contributions. Masks are required. (Doubles patio; 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.; $15 donation for Baldwin House)
Beach read book swap
This is for those of us who are 100th in line at the library for the latest new release. Before you jet off on summer travels, head to Potter's House for their monthly book swap. Bring a book and leave with one! (July's theme is beach read, so maybe leave your abandoned copy of A Little Life at home.) Any leftovers will be put in the shop's community book nook. (Potter's House; 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.; FREE)
SUNDAY, JUNE 13
"The Monk and the Gun" free screening
The Smithsonian Museum of Asian Art will be showing the wry comedy at the Freer Gallery, followed by a Q&A with the director, Pawo Choyning Dorji, and the Bhutan Foundation's executive director Tshewang Wangchuk. Free refreshments provided. (Freer Gallery; 3 - 6 p.m.; FREE)
Sunday Scaries comedy open mic
Nothing will distract you from your own Monday doom like watching people brave the humiliation of a stand-up open mic. Or maybe you are one of those brave people? The performers are selected on a walk-in basis, so buckle in! (Fat Pete's BBQ; 7:30 p.m. sign-up, show starts 8 p.m.; FREE)
