September is approaching and school is back in session—it seems as if summer is finally winding down. Your social life doesn’t have to, though. This week, there’s plenty for Washingtonians to do: Enjoy the weather outdoors with drink specials (as always), chat about international relations and Game of Thrones, or even go to a Cher concert. Quite the selection, no?
You can go to a discussion focusing on the politics in Game of Thrones on Monday. (Photo courtesy of HBO via Facebook)
MONDAY, AUGUST 28
NOT JUST A SHOW ON HBO: Talking politics can get heated in today’s current world, so why not focus on another one? The Cato Institute and the R Street Institute will host a discussion focusing on the politics in Game of Thrones the day after the show’s season finale. Dragons and White Walkers aside, the show has plenty of power struggles and political schemes that can be analyzed through the lens of modern economics and international relations. If you can’t make the event because you’re re-watching all of Season 7, stream it online. (The Cato Institute, 6:30-7:30 p.m., FREE)
LUNAR LUNACY: Get a sci-fi fix at the Washington Psychotronic Film Society’s screening of the new indie film Attack of the Moon Zombies. There’s a moon base, alien plant life, and radiation-mutated creatures, so come prepared—it’s billed as “mature subject matter for immature adults,” after all. There will be food specials, and guests who arrive early get $4 craft beers and $5 shots of bourbon. Live long and prosper. (Smoke & Barrel, 7:30-11 p.m., FREE)
ART IMITATES LIFE: Ambitious artists of all skill sets are invited to attend Hillyer Art Space’s life drawing class. The independent figure drawing class allows participants to work from a nude model in any medium desired; instruction isn’t immediate, so all paces and proficiency levels are welcome. Artists must bring their own drawing materials, and the group is limited to 30 folks, so sign up soon. (Hillyer Art Space, 6-9 p.m., members $10, non-members $15)
Mingle with creatives, entrepreneurs, and movers and shakers at Little Salon on Tuesday. (Photo via Facebook)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29
A LIFE ON SCREEN: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian along with Sundance Institute and PBS Distribution will screen Dolores, a documentary about the life and work of activist Dolores Huerta. A co-founder of the first farm workers’ unions with Cesar Chavez, Huerta has dedicated her life to fighting racial and labor injustice. She’ll be at the screening, as well as the filmmaker Peter Bratt and National Portrait Gallery curator Taína Caragol. A post-screening discussion will follow. (Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, 7-10 p.m., FREE, registration required)
SALON-A-THON: Little Salon is known for its gatherings that bring creatives, entrepreneurs and movers and shakers together for discussion, collaboration and celebration. Join the group this week at New America for barrel-fermented snacks by Number 1 Sons, art by Zsudayka Nzinga Terell, indie folk music by Handsome Hound, Charity Blackwell’s spoken word poetry, and musical theatre by Andrew Bolden. Little Salon is BYOB, but the atmosphere and artistic air is provided. (New America, 7-10 p.m., $20)
A BLACK-AND-WHITE AFFAIR: Spend a black-and-white evening with Bette Davis at 1905. The space will screen the 1950 film All About Eve, in which an aspiring actress ingratiates herself into a circle of performers, but is she actually who she seems? Find out how it all ends over specialty-themed cocktails and snacks. If this week doesn’t work, join the group September 26 for Elizabeth Taylor night—Cat on a Hot Tin Roof will be playing. (1905 Restaurant, 8:30-11:30 p.m., FREE)
More: Glen’s Bike Club (Glen’s Garden Market – Dupont, 6:45-9:45 p.m., FREE)
Provision D.C. is celebrating Nation French Press day with caffeine and cocktails. (Photo via Facebook)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30
PRESSES ON THE PATIO: It’s not really #NationalFrenchPressDay if over-caffeinating doesn’t occur. Join Provision D.C. to celebrate the holiday on their patio. The restaurant will be breaking out its French presses for specialty drinks, and for those abstaining from coffee beans, happy hour cocktails are available, too. (Provision D.C., 5-10 p.m., FREE)
STRING PICKIN’: Intern season is over, so it’s officially safe to go back to Madam’s Organ now. Head over to Adams Morgan institution to see the renowned Big Hillbilly Bluegrass group take the stage that evening, and make a night out of it with an order of soul food on the side. (Madam’s Organ, 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m., FREE)
STUDENT SHOWCASE: School is back in session. Show pride in D.C. college life by attending George Washington University’s student performance showcase. Presented by the class council, it will highlight the best local student talent in dance, music, theater, comedy, and more. Post-show, attendees are invited to Kogan Plaza to meet with the groups and learn more about supporting student life. (GW Lisner Auditorium, 7 p.m., FREE)
More: Hive Late Night (National Building Museum, 6-9 p.m., $10 museum members, $16 adults)
Zenith Gallery is presenting its second opening of RESIST art show on Thursday. Photo via Facebook
THURSDAY, AUGUST 31
PARTY ANIMAL: Wear out the little ones before bedtime at the Hirshhorn STORYTIME series. Bring the kids to explore the mural “sunrise, sunset” by Nicolas Party before a reading of the classic Where the Wild Things Are. Before it’s all over, kids will end the night by creating their own landscapes to take home. Let the wild rumpus start! (Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, 5:15-6 p.m., FREE)
RESIST: Zenith Gallery is presenting its second opening of RESIST art show, which features work from artists across the country that embodies resistance movements such as women’s rights, Black Lives Matter, and environmental protection. The show is spread amongst its gallery on Iris Street NW and multiple Busboys and Poets locations. The big opening celebration is Thursday at Busboys 5th and K. (Busboys and Poets 5th & K, 6-8 p.m., FREE)
DO YOU BELIEVE IN LIFE AFTER LOVE? The queen herself is in town. Cher comes to MGM National Harbor for a stop on her CLASSIC CHER concert series. She’ll perform some of her greatest hits, and of course the evening will be filled with the extravagant costumes and stage spectacles that the world-renowned artist is best known for. Don’t forget: Cher is an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and Golden Globe Award winner, so she knows how to work a crowd. Get prepared for an evening to remember. (MGM National Harbor, 8-11 p.m., $109-$457)
More: D.C. Young Professionals Summer Mixer Final (Saint Yves, 6-10 p.m., FREE before 7 p.m. with RSVP), Washed Out Live (9:30 Club, 7-10 p.m., $35)
