Break out the masks early for the Austrian Embassy’s Viennese Masquerade Ball. (Photo by LaTur)
It’s a big weekend: The long-anticipated All Things Go music festival and the always-filling Taste of D.C. are both taking place, so prepare for crowds. Those more inclined to smaller events need not fear: It doesn’t have to be a Netflix and Seamless weekend. Check out anything from an art opening to a houseboat show, or even a ghost tour.
FRIDAY, OCT. 6
MASK MADNESS Halloween may be a few weeks away, but break out the masks early for the Austrian Embassy’s Viennese Masquerade Ball. The Salon Orchestra of Washington will be on-site performing Strauss waltzes and ballroom music, as well as the famous Radetzky Grand March. Those with a benefactor ticket are invited to dinner before, too, which will feature the finest in Austrian cuisine (wiener schnitzel and spätzle galore!). (Embassy of Austria, 7 – 11:30 p.m., $94.80 – $194.08)
NOT COACHELLA The three-day All Things Go Fall Classic music festival begins today, and the lineup is impressive. Galantis, The Knocks, Vince Staples, Foster the People, Bleachers, Betty Who—all will be here this weekend in the District. If a full three days of music is too much, single-day tickets are available, as well. Keep an eye out for the After Dark series, too, where up-and-coming artists will be performing in smaller venues throughout the city. (Union Market, times vary, $74-$169)
ALPHABETIC ART Tonight, the Korean Cultural Center hosts an opening reception for its latest exhibit “Hangeul, the Aesthetics of the Lines.” A new series of work by contemporary Korean artist EunHye Kang, the exhibit draws inspiration from the simultaneously abstract and geometric forms of Hangeul, Korea’s alphabetic writing system. The opening will include a talk by the artist and a Hangeul pattern silkscreen workshop, so viewers can become artists themselves. (Korean Cultural Center, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE, RSVP required)
UNDER 35 NIGHT Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic Death of a Salesman is currently playing through October 22 at Ford’s Theatre. For those 35 and under, tickets to the show tonight will only be $20 – and the best part? Each ticket includes a complimentary drink post-show. (Ford’s Theatre, 7:30 – 11:30 p.m., $20)
SAUDI ARABIAN NIGHTS Come for an evening of Saudi art, food, fashion, and culture at the Saudi Arabian Embassy. Choose between a full buffet of Saudi delicacies prepared by the embassy’s private chef, a fashion show featuring the latest in Saudi design, galleries filled with art and artifacts, and a meet and greet with diplomats. It’s like a mini-trip abroad without ever leaving D.C. (Embassy of Saudi Arabia, 7 – 9:30 p.m., $55)
MORE First Friday Dupont: Art Walk (Dupont Circle, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE), Columbus Day Tasting with Bold Reds (Cork and Fork, 5 – 8 p.m., $5), Latino History and Heritage Celebration (D.C. Bilingual Public Charter School, 8 a.m. – 11 p.m, FREE)
Loosen those belts for the Taste of D.C. culinary festival. (Photo by Caroline Angelo)
SATURDAY, OCT. 7
FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD It’s that time of year again. Belts across the District will be loosening for the Taste of D.C. culinary festival. The two-day event will feature samples from over 65 of the area’s best restaurants, a wine walk and beer garden, a local artisan marketplace, and plenty of live music. It’s the biggest food and drink fest in the Mid-Atlantic, so prepare for a full belly. (RFK Stadium Festival Grounds, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, $9.99 – $49.99)
FALL FEST It’s fall, y’all! Celebrate the season at the National Cathedral’s first-ever Fall Festival. Explore the beauty of the cathedral grounds while checking out local venders, food trucks, face painting, balloon animals, pumpkin carving, and plenty of other family-friendly activities. (Washington National Cathedral, 11 a.m – 5 p.m., FREE)
FLOAT YOUR BOAT Fun fact: Gangplank Marina in Southwest is home to the largest floating residence community on the East Coast. Check out the marina’s aquatic abodes first-hand at the Southwest D.C. Boat-Home Tour. From houseboats to cruisers, sailboats to tugs, a bevy of unique spaces will be open to the public all day. FYI: Residents of Southwest will receive a discounted ticket, and proceeds go toward local charities such as Potomac Riverkeeper. (Gangplank Marina, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., $20 – $25)
HOME GROWN It’s not house music, it’s music at houses: Adams Morgan Porch Fest returns today for the fifth year in a row. Stroll through the neighborhood and enjoy over 30 different musical acts on the porches, patios, and front stoops of AdMo’s many homes. Maps will be handed out at the corner of 18th and Columbia Streets so routes can be planned for maximum music exposure. (Adams Morgan, 2 – 6 p.m., FREE)
JAZZY The Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation hosts Hill Fest today, a festival all about bringing jazz to the people. The day features several musical acts such as Frank McComb, Bobby Felder and the Capitol All Stars Big Band Jazz Ensemble, and The Jolley Brothers, to name a few. It’s not just about easy listening: The event supports the foundation’s purpose of financially assisting D.C.-based jazz musicians, providing local arts advocacy, and addressing policy concerns that affect musicians. (Garfield Park, 10 a.m – 7 p.m., FREE)
ARTS FESTIVAL: As Columbia, Md. turns 50, it’s celebrating with a flashy, multimedia arts and music festival. Inflatable air pavilions and immersive art installations are involved. (Merriweather Post Pavilion, 4-11 p.,., FREE)
MORE Fruit Preservation & Jam (H Street Farms, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., $20 – $25), Let’s Celebrate Rumi (Embassy of Afghanistan, 4:45 – 8:45 p.m., FREE, registration required), Throwing Shade Day Party (Lost Society, 3 – 8 p.m., FREE, RSVP required), Youth Pride Day (Dupont Circle Park, 12 noon – 5 p.m., FREE), Day in the Park (Stead Park, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., FREE), Oktoberfest Pig Roast (Café Berlin, 1 – 3 p.m., $39), D.C. Style Factory Workshop: Building a Capsule Wardrobe for Your Life (Steadfast Supply, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., $50)
The National Cathedral’s nave gets transformed into a 17th-century English tavern tonight. (Photo by Brendan Ross)
SUNDAY, OCT. 8
NAVETOBERFEST Travel back in time as the National Cathedral’s nave is transformed into a 17th-century English tavern for Navetoberfest. Tavern food such as grilled sausages and pretzels will be served alongside German beer while medieval music from Bjarte Eike’s “Alehouse Sessions” fills the majestic space. (Washington National Cathedral, 6 – 9 p.m., $75)
NEW KIDS Welcome the latest restaurants to D.C. at Mess Hall’s New Kitchens on the Block event. Eleven of Washington’s newest restaurants will be offering samples of their menus for the hungry and thirsty. Anticipated locales such as Dorjee Momo, Brothers and Sisters, Lucky Buns, Maydan, Bindaas, Chloe, Coconut Club, and more will all be in attendance. And if the food and drink isn’t enough incentive, each guest will come home with a stocked gift bag, too. (Mess Hall, 11:00 – 1 p.m. and 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., $65 – $105)
DOG DAYS The Shaw Farmers Market kicks off its first annual Dog and Community Day, because what’s more autumnal than pups and fresh produce? There will be baked goods, fresh veggies, plants, pottery, jam, and yes, plenty of dogs. The Humane Rescue Alliance will be on-site with the adoption mobile, so don’t be surprised if you come home with a new furry friend. (Shaw Farmers Market, 10 a.m. – 12 noon, FREE)
GETTING GHOSTED Things are getting spooky, and tonight is no exception: The Ghosts of Georgetown walking tour takes thrill seekers on a stroll through the historic neighborhood’s past. A historian will guide guests along the row houses and cobblestone streets that hold some of the city’s oldest residents – ghosts. (Old Stone House, 8 p.m., FREE)
MORE CDR Adoption Event at PetMAC (PetMAC, 12 noon – 2 p.m., FREE), U.S. Army 10-Miler (Pentagon South Lot, 7 a.m – 2 p.m., FREE), D.C. Homebrewers 6th Annual BBQ Fundraiser (3 Stars Brewing Company, 1 – 4 p.m., $17.79 – $24.62)
