Celebrate the joy of a perfect summer tomato, catch a movie, go back to the time of the dinosaurs, or eat an apple with new friends β thereβs something for everybody!
Each week, we list some ways to get engaged in the city β whether thatβs protesting, organizing with your neighbors, or testifying before your councilmembers. This isn't an exhaustive list; share your events and trainings with us at 51st.news/submit-events.
For more ways to get connected, check out our resources roundup; and for more to do around the city, don't miss our Weekend Events post.
DC Migrant Mutual Aid back-to-school drive As D.C. families continue to live under President Trump's "summer surge," local groups are collaborating to ensure kids have what they need for school. You can browse DC Migrant Mutual Aid's shopping list by scanning the QR code in this post or donate funds to @DCMigrantAid via Venmo.
Serve Your City back-to-school drive Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid is collecting funds to equip Black and brown D.C. students with devices for the new school year. Gifts help provide Chromebooks, stocked backpacks, and more. Donate here.
DC Public Library back-to-school events The library is hosting a series of events for families featuring more free school supplies, along with the opportunity to connect to local resources and catch live performances. Bring the kids to Northwest One Library on Wednesday, August 19, or the Benning/Dorothy I. Height Library on Thursday, August 20 (where you can also catch our Community Connector team). See more details and additional dates here.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
DC Abortion Fund pool party β° 5:30 - 8 p.m. π Penthouse Pool and Lounge (1612 U St. NW) Get a group of friends together to spend an evening by the pool and fund reproductive healthcare access in the process. Tickets start at $25, but you can add on a larger donation if you choose (or if you want snacks and/or drinks). Tickets available here.
Ward 8 Free DC meeting β° 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. π Campbell AME Church (2562 Martin Luther King Ave. SE) Live in Ward 8? Want to organize with your neighbors to support D.C.'s right to political self-determination? Join Free DC's Ward 8 team for their monthly meeting. (Attendees are encouraged to attend a campaign orientation first! There's one on Sunday; find more details below.) RSVP here.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
Garbage Fest β° 7 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show π Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW) Mosh for a cause: feeding our neighbors. The annual benefit concert for Food Not Bombs DC is back for its 8th year! Local DIY bands on the lineup include Trash Boat and the Ambush, EU1OGY, Undoll, SLOT, and DMV2. Get tickets here.
Violence Prevention and Response Team open house β° 12 - 3 p.m. π The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center (1827 Wiltberger St. NW) The Mayor's Office on LGBTQ Affairs VPART team works to keep D.C.'s queer communities safe. At this brunch, you can learn more about their efforts, meet some of their partner organizations (like DC Safe and Joseph's House), and enjoy light food and zero-proof drinks.
Cop-watch training β° 12 - 2 p.m. π Location provided upon RSVP Harriet's Wildest Dreams wants to help you build skills to protect your neighbors in police encounters β knowing your rights, how and when recording can be helpful, and more. You can register here.
Craft and clown clothing swap β° 1 - 4 p.m. π Rhizome DC (6950 Maple St. NW) Spend an afternoon with neighbors in Takoma making crafts, swapping clothes, and bopping to tunes from DJ Cupidz Lover. Tickets run $11.51, with half the proceeds donated to Palestinian relief. Get tickets here.
Non-Cooperation Theory + Practice training β° 1 - 5 p.m. π RSVP for location (in 20009) Ready to level up after attending Free DC's campaign orientation? This "advanced intensive training" covers effective non-cooperation from an individual to a mass level β as well as past to present β through interactive role-playing scenarios. RSVP here.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23
Busboys and Poets book club β° 5 p.m. π Busboys and Poets, 14th Street NW () We hear that Busboys is starting a new book club focused on anti-colonialism, anti-racism, and anti-imperialism β and that they'll collectively pick what they're reading at the first meeting, coming up this weekend. Very people-powered of them!
Author event: A Gay Little History of Maryland, Ben Egerman β° 2 - 3:30 p.m. π Bol Bookshop (716 Monroe St. NE) Ben Egerman has been researching the queer history of our northern neighbors for almost a decade. Six of his zines on the topic have been published together in one anthology collection. Join Egerman at Brookland's cooperative bookstore on Sunday to hear more about what he's learned from this work. RSVP here.
Street Law 101 β° 2 - 5 p.m. π Black Workers and Wellness Center (2500 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. SE) Learn how to keep yourself and the people around you safe in interactions with police β including federal law enforcement β at this practical training hosted by Black Lives Matter DC, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement DC, and the Stop Police Terror Project. Free food and childcare will be available, and neighbors of all ages are welcome. Register here.
Virginia and Maryland Free DC campaign orientation β° 2:30 - 4 p.m. π Arlington Central Library (1015 North Quincy St.) If you're looking to get involved in the local movement to protect D.C.'s autonomy, this is where to start. This orientation, in particular, is designed for allies in Maryland and Virginia, though all are welcome. RSVP here.
Mount Pleasant Pollinator Fest β° 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. π Lamont Plaza (3210 Mt Pleasant St. NW) The hummingbirds and the bees are buzzing about this community party in Mt. Pleasant β featuring face painting, live music, games, and even honey tastings. Cross paths with neighbors and make new friends in the plaza! No RSVP necessary.
Community health walk β° 10 a.m. π 2200 Anacostia Dr. SE Get out and about with Pan-African Community Action on a 2.1-mile walk from Anacostia Park to the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center, featuring stops for hydration and healthy snacks. The event aims to promote healthy movement and collective wellness, with a focus on the type of action that can help prevent further health issues. At the end of the walk, you'll find blood pressure screenings, fresh produce, and other resources! RSVP here.
MONDAY, AUGUST 24
Ask A D.C. Native, Live! The People's Edition β° 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. π MLK Library (901 G St. NW) Join The 51st and The People's Archive for Ask A D.C. Native, Live! β a trivia game show that tests D.C. natives' knowledge about their hometown. Audience members can join in on the fun, with a chance to win prizes from local businesses. All are welcome, whether you're a D.C. native, longtime resident, or just unpacked your bags! Register for free here.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25
Profs and Pints presents: Becoming a Better Ally β° 6 - 8:30 p.m. π Penn Social (801 E St. NW) How can you better advocate for others? Psychology professor Hannah Snidman leads a lab focused on allyship, social justice, activism, gender, and equity. In this informal lecture at a Penn Quarter bar, she'll share what her and others' research has found, and how you can apply it in your life. Get tickets here.
Zine-folding with Free DC β° 5 - 8 p.m. π Snappy's Small Bar (3917 Georgia Ave. NW) Meet up with neighbors at a Petworth bar to fold zines, helping to spread the word about Free DC's organizing work! RSVP here. (The team is also having their Ward 4 and Ward 5 monthly meetings on Tuesday.)
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