Chris Libby of Zaytinya mixing his Odyssey inspired cocktail at opening night of Uncensored 2015 at MLK Library. (Photo via Facebook)
This weekend’s agenda includes garden parties, block parties, arts & crafts, derby car making, and more. With a number of popular annual events scheduled, it is a packed weekend
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
COCKTAIL PARTY: Celebrate the freedom to read at one of the final events of Banned Books Week. UNCENSORED: The Cocktail Party features banned-book inspired cocktails from local bars including Petworth Citizen and Columbia Room, food from Mess Hall members, musical performances, screening printing, a pop-up market, and more. (MLK Library) 7-10 p.m. $50
GARDEN PARTY: Smithsonian at 8, the after-hours event series that brings you unique experiences at rotating Smithsonian institutions, returns to the Smithsonian Castle for its 8th annual garden party. Glow in the Garden features strolling performers, live music, glow-in-the-dark activities, trivia, a photo booth, and a cash bar in the Enid A. Haupt Garden. Neon or other glowing attire is encouraged. *In the (likely) event of rain, the party will move inside to the Smithsonian Castle. 8-11 p.m. $25-50 *online ticket sales close Friday at noon
MULTI-DAY BEER FEST: Take a drive to Nelson County, VA, and fill your weekend with outdoor activities and beer. Breweing company Devil Backbone’s new festival, Hoopla offers camping, workshops, outdoor activities, and live music—and, of course, plenty of craft beer. Featured activities include the tapping of the official Hoopla beer (Imperial Salted Caramel Apple Baltic Porter), a name that beer contest, guided bike rides and hikes, a scavenger hunt, kid’s activities, and more. Both camping and day passes are available. (Devils Backbone Basecamp Brewpub & Meadows) Last scheduled events end Sunday at 2 p.m. $25-120
DRUNK HISTORY: What better way to learn the history of H Street than drunkenly? Two local comedians will precede two acts of drunk history at Granville Moore’s. They promise “it will be a night that no one remembers!” 7 p.m. FREE
MEN’S FASHION: J. Hilburn, the Texas-based luxury menswear company that brings you custom clothing via a personal stylist, is bringing their Mobile Studio to D.C. Check out the Fall 2016 collection, then enjoy scotch, whiskey, and bourbon atop a Rooftop Bar, compliments of J. Hilburn. (The Willard Intercontinental) 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. FREE
2015 Adams Morgan PorchFest. Photo by angela n.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1
RESTAURANT TASTINGS: Taste your way through Bethesda and/or Georgetown, as both neighborhoods hold their annual “Taste Of” events. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Purchase taste tickets at each event.
NEIGHBORHOOD FESTIVALS: Walk off all those restaurant tastings as you wander D.C., visiting one or more block parties/fall festivals, including First Annual Petworth Blocktoberfest on Randolph Street, Old City Farm & Guild’s First Annual Fall Festival, and the Rhode Island Avenue Fall Fest. FREE
ADAMS MORGAN PORCHFEST: Between 4,000 and 5,000 people come out last year to hear songs from stoops in Adams Morgan (porch festivals in Takoma Park and Rhode Island Avenue have also been unexpected hits). Live music will once again ring out throughout the neighborhood, with more than 40 groups slated to play Adams Morgan PorchFest over the course of four hours. FREE
BEER FESTIVAL: Denizens Brewing Co’s Make It Funky Wild Beer Festival features unlimited sample pours of over 75 wild and sour brews from 27 craft breweries. 1-4 p.m. $55
Photo by Miki J.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
DERBY CAR MAKING: Crazy Train Studios is hosting an Adult Pinewood Derby on October 8th. So you can’t use a lack of materials or tools as an excuse for not participating, HOLE IN THE SKY DC will be supplying you with everything you need to carve, paint, and decorate a car during the Pinewood Derby: Car-Making Party. (Hole in the Sky Collective) 2-10 p.m. $5-10
STEP PERFORMANCE: Jacob Lawrence’s sequence of 60 paintings depicting the mass movement of African Americans from the South to the North during the early 1900s comes to live in Step Afrika’s latest production, The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence. (University of C) $35-45 4 p.m. *Friday and Saturday performances also available
ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR: The Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair is back at Union Market. Over 150 vendors from around the country will be selling clothing, jewelry, art, locally produced food, toys, and more. 10 a.m-5 p.m. $6 *Fair is also open on Saturday
STREET FESTIVAL: The 2016 Takoma Park Street Festival returns with live music performances, The Crawl, offering discounted drinks at 10 cafes, restaurants, and bars, plus nearly 200 vendors selling paintings, photographs, woodworking, kids’ items and more. (Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, MD to Carroll Street, NW in Takoma, DC) 10 a.m-5 p.m.
