Photo by Jon Grant
FRIDAY
UPSTAIRS DOWNSTARS: Dupont Underground, which may some day build a commercial development in the old trolley tracks beneath Dupont Circle, is holding a silent auction to raise funds for its ambitious project. Items for bid include fashionable accessories, concert tickets and private gallery parties. But if you go, consider bidding on the case of Bombay Sapphire gin and dropping it off at DCist HQ. At 7 p.m. Tickets $20-150. (Eastern Market North Hall, 225 Seventh Street SE)
ROCK OUT: The National Museum of Women in the Arts (1250 New York Avenue NW) exhibit “Women Who Rock” opens today, featuring artifacts from the careers of female musicians spanning from Billie Holliday to the riot grrrl era to Lady Gaga, whose infamous “meat dress” will be on display. Admission $8-10.
FILM: D.C. Shorts continues through September 16, presenting showcases of clever, moving and sometimes creepy short films from directors from around the world. Check out the full schedule of screenings online.
‘90s NOSTALGIA: Relive those awkward middle-school dances at the Howard Theatre (601 T Street NW) with Boyz II Men. Shawn Stockman might be better known these days for his role as a judge on the a capella television show The Sing-Off, but he and the old group released a new album in 2011 and are still touring. Tickets $71 after all that Ticketmaster noise.
SATURDAY
ART FESTIVAL: The 10th annual Alexandria King Street Art Festival transforms the heart of Alexandria into an outdoor art gallery displaying original fine works by over 200 artists. The two-day festival includes a smartphone scavenger hunt presented by the Torpedo Factory Art Center and other activities. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free
WET DOG: The city’s public pools are closed for the year, at least if you’re human. But with Doggie Day Swim, your best furry friend can take a dip in the Upshur (4300 Arkansas Avenue NW) and Francis (25th & N Street NW) pools. Noon to 4 p.m. Free, but your dog might be a little moist when you get home.
HOW IS THIS NOT SOLD OUT?: Former Hüsker Du guitarist and singer Bob Mould is playing the entirety of Copper Blue, the seminal 1992 album he recorded with his other band, Sugar, at the 9:30 Club (815 V Street NW). He’ll also be playing cuts off his new solo LP, Silver Age, which he recorded with Jon Wurster of Superchunk and Jason Narducey of Telekinesis. Tickets $25 and, amazingly, still available.
SERIOUSLY, HOW IS THIS NOT SOLD OUT?: Indie reunion tours are the jam today, right? Well, now it’s Mission of Burma’s turn. The post-punk Boston quartet, which has been far more prolific since its 2002 reunion than it was in its originally run in the early 1980s, plays the Black Cat (1811 14th Street NW). Seriously, this weekend could be your life. Tickets $15.
SUNDAY
STREET FESTIVAL OF INIQUITY: Turkey leg, roasting. Salsa band, jamming. Eighteenth Street slopes downhill, edged by frustrating bike racks, teeming with jorts-clad drunkards. Guardian Angels might be on patrol today. Craftspeople flog their tchotkes, perhaps a dog gets shot. Adams Morgan Day rises again. Noon to 7 p.m.
PARTY WITH ARIANNA: The Huffington Post’s D.C. vertical celebrates a year of stealing our traffic with a variety show at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage (2700 F Street NW) Brandon Wetherbee, a HuffPost assistant editor and the host of the talk show and podcast You, Me, Them, Everybody, emcees an evening of performances by local artists. At 6 p.m. Free.
IT BEGINS ANEW: The Redskins begin their 2012 season on the road in New Orleans. Who knows? With the Saints’ coaching situation so incredibly screwed up, and with replacement referees calling the game, Robert Griffin III might be poised for a strong debut. At 1 p.m. On your TV.
And if that’s not enough to float your boat, check out stuff to do in Popcorn & Candy, the Weekly Music Agenda and our jazz and hip-hop guides.
