It’s Labor Day weekend, and you thought everybody had gotten the hell out of Dodge City, hadn’t you? Well, they probably have, and we’re experiencing serious envy of anyone who’s on a beach right now with a margarita in hand. But don’t despair – there’s still tons to do in D.C. this weekend, and we’ve rounded up the best of the best for you to do in a special extended version of Weekend Picks.
But before we send you forth to have fun, we’d like to ask you to take a moment to consider donating to the folks down on the Gulf Coast. There’s lists of charities everywhere you look, and DCist will be highlighting more area benefits as the week goes on.
FRIDAY:
>> In a piece of performance art that both moves us and makes us squinch up our eyes in pain and shudder, artist Mary Coble will be having the names of 400 victims of gay, lesbian and transgender hate crimes etched into her a body in a 10-hour inkless tattoo marathon. The event, “Note to Self,” takes place at Conner Contemporary Art (1730 Connecticut Ave.), which will be open to the public from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight. The rest of the session will be webcast here. Read an interview with Coble to see her motivations and thoughts.
>> Known for their vintage bluegrass and danceable folk tinged with R&B, The Grandsons will be playing a Hurricane Katrina benefit show tonight at Iota in Arlington. The band will accept donations for the Red Cross and play some classic New Orleans tunes. 9:30 p.m., $10.
SATURDAY:
>> It’s the D.C. Blues Festival this weekend at Carter Barron Amphitheater in Rock Creek Park, and it sounds like one hell of a show. The theme is “Divas stir up the blues,” and with performances by Saffire – the Uppity Blues Women, Candye Kane and more, we’re sure that’s exactly what’ll happen. There’ll also be a musical petting zoo for children, an auction on works from blues photographers, and instrumental workshops. Free, 1-8 p.m.
>> Remember DCist’s fabulous concert, Unbuckled? We do! Happy golden days…For those of you who enjoyed the shiny pop and well-crafted lyrics of the Unbuckled-featured Bicycle Thieves (and, judging by the way the audience reacted, that was pretty much all of you), now’s your chance to see them live again at the 9:30 Club. They’re playing with locals Army of Me and Nashville roots rocker Will Hoge. $12.
>> It’s the end of summer, so why not get nekkid? We assume that’s the spirit behind the Electrotease Underwear Party tonight at DC9, where the DJs are telling us to “undress to impress.” There’ll be burlesque performances, great DJs, and, you know, lots of people in their finest skivvies. Some proceeds go to support DC Pulse. 9 p.m., $10.
SUNDAY:
>> It’s the end of summer, so why not get nekkid and jell-o wrestle? Yeah!…Asylum in Adams Morgan is hosting a night of presumably wild jell-o wrestling with “hundreds of dollars” in cash prizes. Female entrants will get a free bikini from sponsor Pilsner Urquell; male entrants will hopefully not. Call (202) 319-9353 for more info.
>> Kibbee, falafel, stuffed grape leaves…oh man, we’re starving already. You can fill your stomach with tons of great food at the Middle Eastern Food Festival in Mclean this weekend. Saturday and Sunday, the event will take place at 8501 Lewinsville Rd., and feature the aforementioned food, a roast lamb dinner, Lebanese beer and live music. For more info, call (703) 200-6416.
MONDAY:
>> If you’re not beaching, bbq-ing, or beering your brains out, why not take a bike ride down the Mount Vernon trail to Gravelly Point Park on what looks to be a gorgeous day (can anyone say 80 degrees and sunny)? We did it a couple of weeks ago and had a fantastic time biking along the Potomac and watching the low-flying planes land at National Airport. If you don’t own a bike, check out this list of rentals.
>> You should absolutely make time in your schedule this weekend for the Kennedy Center Page-To-Stage Festival, which starts Saturday and runs through today. The festival, now in its fourth year, features readings and previews from upcoming plays by more than 25 area theaters. And best of all, it’s free! A schedule can be found here; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, and venues open 30 minutes before play time.
>> Mmm, wine. Mmm, jazz. Mmmm, the both together! And that’s what you’ll find at the Herndon Labor Day Jazz & Wine Festival, taking place at the Herndon Municipal Center from 12 – 6 p.m. today. Vocalist Michelle Walker and saxophonist Ron Holloway, amongst others, will be performing on the green, and wines from 10 wineries will be offering up samples. $3; $15 with wine tasting.
Image from Conner Contemporary Art
