Grab a beer at Fairmont’s Oktoberfest. (Photo by Mr.TinDC)
The pumpkin and Oktoberfest celebrations are still in full-force this week, but folks overloaded on all things seasonal need not fear. There’s plenty of concerts, book talks, art tours, plays, and film screenings, too, with nary a PSL or candy corn in sight.
MONDAY, OCT. 23
PROST!: Georgetown’s Fairmont will host its very own Oktoberfest this week. Starting today, the hotel’s courtyard will be transformed into a German biergarten, with bratwurst on the grill, $5 drafts of Flying Dog Brewery Dogtoberfest Marzen beer, and live music. No reservations required, and all are welcome. (Fairmont Georgetown, 5 – 7 p.m., FREE)
HALLOWEEN HUNT: The O Street Mansion has over 100 rooms and 70 secret doors, so it’s obviously the perfect location for a Halloween Hunt. The house will be decked out for this spooky treasure hunt, and prizes abound throughout. There will be a cash bar, too, so don’t forget to bring those wallets. (The Mansion on O Street, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., $35)
WAR ON DRUGS: The Anthem is up and running, and its list of concerts is impressive. Tonight, check out indie rock band The War on Drugs. The band is on tour for its recently-released album, A Deeper Understanding, but expect a mix of old and new tunes, and plenty of the catchy rock the Philadelphia band is known for. (The Anthem, 8 p.m., $41 – $56)
MORE: Sketch Workshops (Optoro, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., $32), Fix a Flat Class (District Hardware & Bike, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., $35), Ireland in a Post-Brexit World with Ambassador Daniel Mulhall (The National Churchill Library and Center, 6 – 7 p.m., FREE)
It’s time for the annual 17th Street High Heel Race. (Photo by Elvert Barnes)
TUESDAY, OCT. 24
THE HIGHER THE HEELS: Grab those stilettos—it’s time for the annual 17th Street High Heel Race. The most fabulous racers in the District will tackle the course in drag and pumps, and there will be a parade, too. Don’t forget to stop in some of the bars lining 17th—many will be hosting specials just for the event. (17th Street NW, 7 – 9 p.m., FREE)
BOOK OF MORMON: The Book of Mormon is here in D.C. Starting Tuesday, the nine-time Tony-winning musical will be at the Kennedy Center through November 19. Following the misadventures of two Mormon missionaries trying to spread the good word, it’s a musical of in-your-face, nothing-is-sacred humor. It was created by the guys behind the show South Park, so be prepared for plenty of raunchy laughs. (The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, times and prices vary)
CZECH BEER & FILM: Head to Bistro Bohem for its Film & Beer series. Tonight’s screening is the Czech musical Green Gold, which follows the story of two classmates as they fall in love while picking hops one summer. The film will be introduced by a representative from the Czech Embassy, and each attendee gets one free beer. (Bistro Bohem, 7 – 9 p.m., FREE, RSVP required)
PONY POWER: Saddle up: The Washington International Horse Show begins today. It’s a prestigious event, and more than 500 world-class horses and riders will be at Capital One Arena competing for over half a million dollars in prize money. With a multitude of events, from competitions to shows to parties, there’s something to appeal to the horse-lover in everyone. (Capitol One Arena, times and prices vary)
MORE: Duende Voces (Anacostia Arts Center, 7 – 8 p.m., FREE), #GNIreads October Book Club (West Elm, 6:30 – 8 p.m., FREE, registration required), The Gypsy Sally’s Jam (Gypsy Sally’s, 8 p.m. – 12 midnight, donation requested), Sauf Haus Open Mic Tuesdays (Sauf Haus Bier Hall & Garden, 7:15 – 10 p.m., FREE), The Free WiFi Comedy Show (Colony Club, 8 – 9:30 p.m., $10), Yumi Zouma with She-Devils (U Street Music Hall, 7 p.m., $15)
It’s Pumpkin Palooza tonight in NoMa. (Photo by Kevin Harber)
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 25
PUMPKIN PARTY: It’s Pumpkin Palooza in NoMa tonight. Carve or paint a pumpkin, sip some hot cider or beer and wine, listen to tunes by King Street Bluegrass, and enjoy pizza from Timber Pizza, named one of Bon Appetit magazine’s best new restaurants. Don’t forget the kids: There will be face painting and a petting zoo, too. (1150 1st St. NE, 4 – 7 p.m., FREE)
D.C. CALLING: Punk will appropriately go underground tonight at DuPunk Underground. Four punk bands will play at Dupont Underground to celebrate the Goethe-Institut’s exhibit “Brilliant Dilletantes—Subculture in Germany in the 1980s” and the D.C. Punk Archive’s third anniversary. Content from the exhibit and the archive will be projected during the concert, so attendees can jam out while getting a history lesson. (Dupont Underground, 7 p.m., $5 – $10 suggested donation)
WOMEN IN ART: Head to the National Museum of African Art today for the panel “Re Visioning Her-Story: The Black Female Body in Black Female Imagination.” The event will discuss how black women artists are using the female form to create alternate visions of black womanhood. Artist Mary Sibande, photographer Ayana V. Jackson, novelist Panashe Chigumadzi, and arts administrator Lanisa Kitchiner will lead the panel and provide personal insights. (National Museum of African Art, 6:30 – 9 p.m., FREE, registration required)
GHOULISH GALS: Just in time for Halloween, Georgetown’s flagship Rent the Runway store hosts the Ladies Who Masquerade event tonight. Join Glamsquad as it provides makeup ideas for all kinds of costumes, and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream will be on-site with seasonal flavors, too. Plus, check out the bevy of dresses available to rent, as well—one may be the missing link to the perfect trick-or-treat ensemble. (Rent the Runway, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE, registration required)
CITY COLLECTION: Fun fact: The Walter E. Washington Convention Center has 130 works of art by local and international artists on display, making it D.C.’s largest public art collection outside of a museum. See it for yourself: The space will host “Art at the Center” this evening, complete with a curator-led public tour. (The Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band (The Anthem, 7:30 p.m., $75 – $125), Healthy To-Go Breakfast Options for Runners (Potomac River Running Store, 7:30 – 9 p.m., FREE, registration required), Giraffe with Sweater Beats & Wingtip (U Street Music Hall, 10 p.m., $20), Capital Classics: The Philadelphia Story (Landmark’s West End Cinema, 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., $9.50 – $12.50)
Kramerbooks and Dupont Underground host a book talk tonight. (Photo by Julian Ortiz)
THURSDAY, OCT. 26
F*CKED: Kramerbooks and Dupont Underground will host authors Corinne Fisher and Krystyna Hutchinson to discuss their first book, “F*CKED: Being Sexually Explorative and Self-Confident in a World That’s Screwed.” It’s a modern guide to sex and love meant to teach readers how to deal with issues confidently and directly. Fisher and Hutchinson believe no-holds-barred, honest discussion is the way to personal satisfaction, whether the topic be fetishes, sex acts, or relationships in general. (Dupont Underground, 7 p.m., $15 – $30)
ART + FREE SPEECH: The Hirshhorn and the Newseum are partnering for the series “In Conversation: Awareness, Action and Dissent,” a line-up of talks about art and free speech in the 21st century. The four-part program coincides with the Hirshhorn’s current Ai Weiwei exhibit, and its first installment will focus on art’s ability to inspire action during political and cultural tumult. Creative Time artistic director Nato Thompson will lead the discussion with artists Laurie Jo Reynolds, Pedro Reyes, and Paul Ramírez Jonas. (Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, 6:30 – 8 p.m., FREE, registration required)
THE WILD PARTY: Constellation Theatre Company will host a special Young Professionals Night performance of its current show, The Wild Party. The award-winning musical is set in the 1920s Jazz Age, so it’s only fitting that ticket holders can join the cast post-show for an after-party. Tickets are only $35, and there will be complimentary libations. (Constellation Theatre Company, 8 p.m., $35)
HARVEST VISION BOARD: If you can envision it, you can achieve it. Join The Lemon Collective tonight for a Harvest Vision Board Workshop. Embrace a new season and put together a vision board with dreams, hopes, and goals for the future. Art supplies, snacks, and wine will be provided. (The Lemon Collective, 7 – 9 p.m., $35)
MORE: Ghost Fleet of the Potomac Exhibition Opening (Woodrow Wilson House, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE, registration required), Watergate Wet Bar Pool Party (The Watergate Hotel, 9 – 11 p.m., $45), Sun Force Sisters Informational Reception (Middle East Institute, 5:30 – 7 p.m., FREE), Happy Hour Run (District Hardware & Bike, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., FREE), Embassy of Sri Lanka Dinner Reception (Embassy of Sri Lanka, 7 – 9 p.m., $70), Pottery Jam (District Clay Center, 7 – 9:30 p.m., FREE, registration required), Madeira Wine Tasting (Cork and Fork, 7:30 – 9 p.m., $35), Evening at the Embassy of the Philippines (Embassy of the Philippines, 7 – 9:30 p.m., $50), CPRC Autumn Dinner (Busboys and Poets, 6 – 8 p.m., $25 – $40), A Spooktacular Party (Glover Park Community Center, 4:30 p.m., FREE, RSVP required)
