12 things to do around D.C. this weekend

By James Mae

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Every Thursday, we share weekend events happening around the city. Are you planning an event you’d like us to consider for this roundup? Send it to our team at 51st.news/submit-events.

Find even more events in our Civics Roundup, which focuses on ways to get more involved locally.

How do you prefer to spend your summer weekends: soaking up the air conditioning, or out in the summer sun? This weekend, there are plenty of options for each — including Pride celebrations and opportunities to get active and educated. We’ll see you out there!

ONGOING

World Cup watch parties
📍 La Cosecha (1280 4th St. NE)
⏰ Daily, specific times vary
💸 FREE
Didn’t snag tickets to a World Cup match? Through June 21, you can gather with other fans at La Cosecha in Union Market to watch together over game-day refreshments from Mezcalero, Cafe Unido, or one of the Latin-American food hall’s other copious offerings.

Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair
📍 AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center (8633 Colesville Rd.; Silver Spring, Maryland)
⏰ Multiple showings from Friday, June 12, through Thursday, June 18
💸 $14
If you need a good cry or are just feeling a little emo, join Silver Spring’s nonprofit movie theater for a festival of films from around the world about … the darkest sides of humanity and the lowest times in our history. On the lineup: Classic tear-jerkers like Sátántangó, the animated Grave of the Fireflies, and the “brilliant and stirring” Black Girl (shown with Borom Sarrett). Collectively, these films explore how to find empathy under the harshest of conditions. Bring tissues.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11

The dance floor at a costume ball at the Library of Congress. — The Library of Congress hosts one of their costume balls this Thursday. (Library of Congress / Flickr)

“Fashion Through the Ages” Costume Ball
📍 Library of Congress (10 1st St. SE)
⏰ 5 - 9 p.m.
💸 FREE, registration required
Bust out that fancy outfit sitting in the back of your closet! As a part of their “Live! At The Library” series and America 250, the Library of Congress is hosting a dressed-up event celebrating the history of American style from powdered wigs to mini-skirts. Guests will get to view a curated collection from the LOC’s archives while enjoying music, cocktails (for purchase), and a costume contest. Patrons are encouraged to come decked out in their best attire from their favorite fashion era. Will you win for Best Pop Culture Throwback? Tickets are free but space is limited.

Live music: Hollis, It Comes to Me In Waves
📍 Maketto (1351 H St. NE)
⏰ 8:30 p.m. doors, 9:15 p.m. show
💸 FREE, registration required
If you're looking for a more alternative night, Seattle– and Los Angeles–based musician Hollis is previewing her new album in an intimate show at H Street NE’s Taiwanese/Cambodian restaurant and shop. Hosted by Take Creative Control, an organization that advocates for creators’ ownership rights, the evening includes a live performance and a set from local fave Les the DJ!

FRIDAY, JUNE 12

A woman in traditional Swedish clothing and a flower crown stands in front of a crowd at the base of the Washington Monument. — Mark the summer solstice early on the National Mall with maypole dancing and more at the Embassy of Sweden’s Midsummer party. (Courtesy of the Embassy of Sweden)

Swedish Midsummer Celebration
📍 Sylvan Theatre on the National Mall (Independence Ave SW & 15th Street NW)⏰ 6 - 9:30 p.m.
💸 FREE
Ever want to live out your Florence Pugh–inspired dreams of frolicking through a Swedish folk festival, without all the cult stuff? Now’s your chance! The Embassy of Sweden is hosting a free Midsummer celebration on the National Mall to celebrate the summer solstice. The event features live music from DJ G-Money and a Swedish cover band dishing up tunes from ABBA and more. There will also be maypole dancing, activities for kids, and free tote bags for those who show up first.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13

People make nature-inspired prints at Peirce Mill in Washington, D.C. — Get creative with a free printmaking workshop — and more — in Rock Creek Park this Saturday. (Courtesy of the Friends of Peirce Mill)

Rhode Island Avenue PorchFest
📍Main stage: 2305 Rhode Island Ave. NE (Map of all stages TBA here)
⏰ 12 - 5 p.m.
💸 FREE
Ward 5 Family Biking Rides to PorchFest
📍 Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (1100 Michigan Ave. NE)
⏰ 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
💸 FREE, registration required
Northeast D.C., it’s your turn to dance in the street! This annual festival features live local music, food trucks, and other family-friendly activities. Want to meet your neighbors on the way over? Join up with Ward 5 Family Biking at Brookland’s rec center for an hour-long ride through the neighborhood, enjoying the summer weather. Looking for more community-centric events? This ride is also featured in our weekly roundup of how to get more involved around the city!

Create by the Creek
📍 Peirce Mill (2401 Tilden St. NW)
⏰ 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
💸 FREE, registration required
Revel in nature and art with the Friends of Peirce Mill, where throughout Saturday, local artists will be holding workshops (supplies included!). Try out photography, fiber arts, or printmaking — and, for those of you who aren’t joiners, they’ll also have supplies out for independent nature drawing.

MLK Library Book Sale
📍 MLK Library (901 G St. NW)
⏰ 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
💸 FREE
Add to your summer to-be-read stack at bargain prices at the downtown library’s used book fundraiser sale. Taking over the sweeping lobby, the sale will feature exclusive library merch as well as books donated by community members — including you? Bring up to two bags of good-condition books with you on Saturday. All proceeds go to the location’s Friends of the Library organization to help support programming there.

Pride on the Pier
📍 The Wharf (101 District Square SW)
⏰ 4 - 9 p.m.
💸 FREE
The Washington Blade and The Wharf are hosting their seventh annual music showcase and fireworks show down on the waterfront. Celebrating LGBTQIA+ pride and visibility, the event is free and open to all ages — though tickets for a separate, 21+ VIP event at The Dockmaster Building start at $25. Either way, expect dancing, drag queens, and DJ sets.

SUNDAY, JUNE 14

People eating at Songbyrd Music Hall in Washington, D.C. — The R&B Club meets monthly to discuss music book-club-style. (Courtesy of The R&B Club)

Author event: Madeleine Schwartz, How We See It
📍 Politics and Prose (1550 Connecticut Ave. NW)
⏰ 5 p.m.
💸 FREE
After a night of dancing, enjoy a lower-frequency reading and discussion of How We See It: The World Looks at America in the Age of Trump at the classic D.C. bookstore’s upper Northwest location. The panel discussion features the editor-in-chief of The Dial, Madeline Schwartz, in conversation with author Linda Kinster about the book’s twelve essays on American politics from contributors around the world. The event is free but, as always, seating is first-come, first-served.

The Legacy of T-Pain
📍 Songbird Union Market (540 Penn St. NE)
⏰ 12 - 2 p.m.
💸 $15
Looking for a blast from the past? Join The R&B Club for a discussion of T-Pain’s music and lyricism. Reminisce about the early 2000s while listening to some of the singer's greatest hits like “Buy U a Drank” and reflecting on the ways his use of autotune shaped the R&B music landscape in the years to come. At this book-club-style musical meetup, drinking is optional and dancing and spirited discussion are encouraged.