Well, this weekend looks like it’s going to be absolutely gorgeous, so we’re hard pressed to recommend doing anything besides rolling around in the grass outside. With a beer. Or seven. That’s our plan, at least. But if you’d like more options, our suggestions follow. And don’t forget to plan ahead: DCist’s Unbuckled concert, featuring Cartel and Bicycle Thieves, is a little less than two weeks away!
FRIDAY:
>> The third annual AFI and Discovery Channel’s third annual SilverDocs festival, which features 95 documentaries, panel discussions, and more, continues through the weekend. The schedule of showings can be found here.
>> Everybody’s favorite free-drinking journalist, Vanity Fair columnist Christopher Hitchens, reads from his latest book, Thomas Jefferson: Author of America, at the Olsson‘s in Arlington. 7 p.m.
SATURDAY:
>> The Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival takes place this weekend at Oronoco Bay Park in Old Town. There’ll be fireworks, face-painting, rides, and general good times. Check out the schedule here.
>> Local indie-rockers Ris Paul Ric (Chris from Q and Not U), Martin Royle (from Washington Social Club), Andy Zipf (read our interview with him here), and the Gena Rowlands Band perform a fundraiser concert for Miriam’s House at the Black Cat tonight. $8.
>> The 5th Annual Shaw Bike Festival takes place today. At 10 a.m., the first 40 riders will bike from Shaw Junior High School (925 Rhode Island Ave. NW). At 11 a.m., the fun continues at the Shaw Skate Park (11th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW, near the Shaw/Howard U metrorail stop on the Green Line). There’ll be bike races, safety lessons, helmet fittings, and more. Call (202) 265-2019 for more info. And why not stop at Azi’s Cafe for a coffee beforehand?
SUNDAY:
>> Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, is being noted this weekend in D.C. with several speakers, musical performances and a D.C. Statehood rally. Performers include The Head-Roc War Machine, Mello D and The Rados, Machetres and more. The event takes place at the African American Civil War Memorial, 11th and U streets NW, from 12-5 p.m.
>> With all the recent Deep Throat-related news in recent weeks, why not learn a little more about the man from Grand Rapids who pardoned Richard Nixon: Gerald Ford. WETA is airing “Time and Chance: Gerald Ford’s Appointment with History” at 4:30 p.m. Please note, this is a shameless plug for DCist editor Mike Grass, who had a small role in the production of the documentary, adapted in part from James Cannon’s authoratative biography. (Mike’s father, the producer of the award-winning documentary, is also named Mike, just to be clear.)
