A featured piece from Zenith Gallery’s Humor Heals exhibit. Photo via Facebook.
This weekend’s agenda includes the opening of the The National Museum of African American History and Culture, the return of the Library of Congress National Book Festival, the start of DC Beer Week, and more.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
HUMOROUS ART: Learn the inspiration behind Trash Can Frog, Cat Cow (or Cow Cat?), the Oreo craving dinosaur, and more. Friday is the first of two Meet the Artist receptions for the Zenith Gallery’s newest exhibit, Humor Heals, running September 23-October 29. 5-9 p.m. FREE
NAKED GIRLS READING: This month’s edition of Naked Girls Reading features special guest Eve Rogers, the winner of last month’s So You Wanna Be A Naked Girl competition. During Comedy Undressed, Rogers and Co. will read from their favorite memoirs and funny stories by the “worlds most memorable jokesters.” (DC Arts Center) 10 p.m. $20
ALFRED HITCHCOCK: The Hill Center’s month of Alfred Hitchcock screenings continues with the screening of three short films from the Alfred Hitchcock Presents television series. Enjoy tales about snakes, ventriloquist’s dummies, and magicians when Poison, The Glass Eye, and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice are featured. 7-9 p.m. FREE reserve your ticket online
A featured photograph from the The National Museum of African American History and Culture. Photo via NMAAHC.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY: If you haven’t snagged a timed entry pass to The National Museum of African American History and Culture, you’re out of luck until November (passes for November and December can currently be reserved online). However, you can still celebrate the museum’s opening at the Freedom Sounds Festival. A full day of performances kicks off at 1 p.m., and the evening program includes performances by Living Colour, Public Enemy, and The Roots. (Washington Monument grounds) FREE
AMERICAN HISTORY: School is back in session. Stay educated with the help of five comedians who will each give a short lecture on an American History topic of their choice. Before you ask, yes, Fale University only provides knowledge “within the utmost standards of scholarly integrity.” (Suns Cinema) 9 p.m. $7
MUSEUMS: Get FREE ADMISSION to the Koshland Science Museum, National Building Museum, Newseum, The Phillips Collection, and more, courtesy of Smithsonian magazine. To participate in Museum Day Live!, register online for your free ticket. *Each ticket provides admission for two people, and for one museum only.
NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL: The Library of Congress National Book Festival is back for its 16th year. If you didn’t successfully reserve a ticket to hear Stephen King speak, you can still choose from over 120 other authors, illustrators, and poets presenting on 14 stages. Authors featured on the main stage include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shonda Rhimes, Bob Woodward, and more. (Washington Convention Center) 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. FREE
OPERA IN THE OUTFIELD: Opera in the Outfield returns for the ninth year, featuring The Marriage of Figaro broadcast live from the Kennedy Center on the Washington Nationals scoreboard. M&M’S is still the presenting sponsor, so you can safely expect free chocolate. Nationals Park. 7 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.) FREE
ART ALL NIGHT: Walk around Congress Heights, Dupont Circle, H Street, North Capitol, Shaw, Tenleytown, and/or Van Ness anytime between 7 p.m.- 3 a.m. (pre-party begins at 4 p.m. in Shaw), and you’re bound to come across something cool. Art All Night returns with multimedia art, a vintage car show, dance classes, live painting and drawing, and more. A full schedule of activities can be found here.
Turkish Festival. Photo via Facebook.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
TURKISH FESTIVAL: The American-Turkish Association of Washington DC presents the 14th Annual Turkish Festival, a celebration of the art and culture of Turkey. Highlights of the festival include a Line Dance for Peace, fortune-tellers reading fortunes from coffee grinds, and a Turkish bazaar featuring more than 20 vendors. (Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, between 12th and 14th Streets) 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. FREE admission.
BEER: Kick off DC Beer Week at 3 Stars Brewing Company’s Hopfunk Fest, featuring nearly three dozen “hop forward” and sour beers from around the country. 1-6 p.m. $15 admission.
PRINCE: College buddies Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum bring their Prince cover band, Princess, to the 9:30 Club. 7 p.m. $30
