Photo by Rukasu1.FRIDAY:
MUSIC: Dance for the Dying bring their synth/dance/pop sound and celebrate the release of their new EP tonight at Red Palace (1212 H Street NE). Hiding Places and Loose Lips open. 9:30 p.m. $8.
>> Ska band The Thrilltones perform at the Black Cat (1811 14th Street NW), with celebrated locals Thee Lolitas. 9 p.m. $10.
DANCE: Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company come to the GALA Hispanic Theatre (3333 14th Street NW) tonight and tomorrow to perform “Frida” and “Homenaje a David Alfaro Siqueiros”, two pieces choreographed by Anna Sokolow. 8 p.m. each night. Tickets are $25 general, or $18 for senior/student/military.
CLASSICAL: Hear the National Symphony Orchestra play the music of Super Mario Brothers, World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy and a number of other games during Play! A Video Game Symphony at Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA). Scenes from the games will be projected on giant screens to accompany the music. 8:30 p.m. $20-$52.
THEATER: Meet 12 singing puppets in Pascal’s Aquarium tonight at 8:30 p.m. at the Capital Fringe Festival. Never liked Lamb Chop, Grover, or the like? There are many other non-puppet Fringe options tonight (and consult our picks). 8 p.m. $7 for a button (required for all shows), plus $17 each show.
FESTIVAL It’s the last weekend of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Come out and celebrate Colombia, the Peace Corps and Rhythm and Blues. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Free.
MOVIE: The Freer Gallery’s (1050 Independence Avenue SW) Made in Hong Kong Film Festival is back for its 16th year. Tonight at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. see Bodyguards and Assassins, a martial-arts flick filmed in 2009, but set in 1905 Hong Kong. Free.
>> Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi are too cool for school in tonight’s screening of The Blues Brothers, next up in the Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival (Gateway Park at the base of Key Bridge, 1300 Lee Highway, Arlington). Dusk. Free.
SATURDAY:
STARS: Since our interview with astronaut Alvin Drew last Wednesday, have you found yourself looking up at the sky more? Get a better view Saturday evening at Astronomy Night on the National Mall (Public Observatory, National Mall Building, Independence Avenue at 6th Street, SW). You’ll take a peek at the Moon and Saturn. 6-11 p.m. Free.
CRAFTS: Over 30 artists bring their hand-made pillows, jewelry, printed t-shirts, and more to the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market (across from the Ballston Metro) this Saturday. Come also for free hula hoop demonstrations, yoga classes (12-2 p.m.) and live music (12-2 p.m.). 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
TALK: His Holiness the Dalai Lama (or HHDL, as he goes by on Twitter) gives “A Talk for World Peace” on the West Lawn of the Capitol. 9:30 a.m. Free.
>> Marvin Kalb and Deborah Kalb, a father and daughter team, discuss Vietnam’s Legacy on the American Presidency at the Newseum (555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) Saturday. 2:30 p.m.
SCAVENGER HUNT: Search out D.C. locales, solve riddles and win prizes at Hunt DC. When you’re scavengered out, hit Aria Pizzeria & Bar (1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) for an after party, which includes your first drink free. $36 in advance, $46 day-of.
MOVIE: National Geographic Live! (1600 M Street NW) presents Peru on Film, featuring movies from Peruvian filmmakers: Camino a la Escuela and Hananpacha. 1 p.m. $5.
>> The National Gallery of Art’s Ciné-Concert: Poetry in Motion—The Scientific Short screening Saturday offers 15 short science films that delve into the worlds of crawfish, orchids, fleas, chrysanthemums, dragonflies and other creatures. These silent films, shown in the East Building Auditorium (4th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW ), will be accompanied by live piano music. 2:30 p.m. Free.
DANCE: DCypher Dance, an adult hip-hop company from Joy of Motion Dance Center, celebrates their 5th anniversary by performing Ascension: Phase 5 at the Atlas Performing Art Center (1333 H Street NE). 8 p.m. Tickets: $18-$25.
MUSIC: Malian singer Khaira Arby brings her Berber and Sonrhai roots and her West African desert blues to The Red Palace (1212 H Street NE) Saturday, with afro-pop band Elikeh. Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. $12 in advance, $15 at the door.
>> Animal Collective, which once released an album titled Merriweather Post Pavilion…at the Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia MD). Whoa. 6:30 p.m. $30-$45.
>> Check out the Weekly Music Agenda for even more options.
FOOD & DRINK: The Bitches Who Brunch are throwing a Summer Brunch Soiree with bottomless mimosas at Ris (2275 L Street NW) to raise money for the DC Farm to School Network. 12-3 p.m. $45.
>> Grab a souvenir cup and a list of bars to hit during the Capitol Hill Belvedere Bloody Mary Bar Crawl at The Ugly Mug Saloon (723 8th Street SE). 2-6 p.m.
FIREWORKS: Have Monday’s fireworks and this week’s photo and video roundups left you wanting more boom? Alexandria has you covered. Come out for their fireworks display (Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison Street, Alexandria), which celebrates their birthday and a belated 4th. 4-10 p.m.
SUNDAY
FOOD & DRINK: As a part of Eat Local First Week, Local 16 (1602 U Street NW) is holding a Local Pig Roast, serving up a hog from just down the road at High View Farm in Berryville, VA, paired with summer veggies from Whipple Farms in Rixeyville, VA. Ticket price includes food and two drinks. 12-5 p.m. $15.
>> Six D.C. bartenders go head-to-head at The 3rd Quill Cocktail Competition at The Jefferson (1200 16th Street NW) this Sunday. Come out and root them on while you enjoy a tequila tasting, Quill specialty drink, canapes and a cheese buffet. Call (202) 448-3274 or email cballadur@jeffersondc.com to attend. 2-6 p.m. $50.
MUSIC: Béla Fleck and the Flecktones are all together again (check out our preview) and hit the stage at Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Road, Vienna) with their toe-tapping bluegrass this Sunday. The Carolina Chocolate Drops and Abigail Washburn & The Village also perform. 7 p.m. $25-$40 + fees.
>> Combating Latent Inequality Together presents CLITfest, a music event that benefits HIPS (Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive), this Sunday at the Black Cat (1811 14th Street NW). There will be performances by The Ambulars, Zombie Dogs, Emilyn Brodsky, Cojoba, Cat Vet, Lechuza, Death First and Foul Crux. 3 p.m. $10.
