(Courtesy AJ Ghent)

Get cultured at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and embassy events, embrace your most basic self, meet a gonzo artist, say goodbye to a beloved gay nightclub, or try Trap Yoga. It’s a good weekend to break out of your comfort zone, or sink right into it.

FRIDAY, JUNE 29

MINI VACATION: As the D.C. heat slowly creeps in, you may envision yourself enjoying summer somewhere a bit more temperate. Transport yourself to a sub-tropical paradise, if only in spirit, at an Evening at the Embassy of Belize. Eat traditional foods, enjoy a refreshing rum cocktail, relax to musical presentations, and rub elbows with the ambassador and other Belizean diplomats. No matter how badly you want to believe in your beach dreams to come true, however, please don’t show up in a bikini (or jeans). See the website for dress code details. (Embassy of Belize, 7:30-10 p.m., $50)

CHILL CLASSICAL: An evening of classical music need not be a stuffy event. The National Symphony Orchestra’s DECLASSIFIED: Ben Folds Presents Jon Batiste, Kishi Bashi, and Joachim Horsley is somewhere between a concert and a party. Conducted by Jacomo Bairos, the concert will include performances by Jon Batiste, who you might recognize from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kishi Bashi, and composer Joachim Horsley, who has recently arranged music for Michael Bublé, John Legend, and Ben Folds. Come early for the pre-show performance by dancer, choreographer, and director Caleb Teicher and vocalist/beatboxer Christopher Celiz, and stick around after for live band karaoke. (The Kennedy Center, 9 p.m., $25-75)

SAUV BLANC & STEEL GUITAR: You can catch AJ Ghent in the Wine Garden this Friday. The third-generation singer-songwriter and pedal steel guitarist plays with soul and energy, blending funk, gospel, and blues. (City Winery, 9:30 p.m., $15)

GO-GO BOWLING: You know what might help put some pizzazz in your “Mark it 10” victory dance? A little background music from D.C. go-go group Backyard Band. They’re performing live at Lucky Strike this weekend for the first time. Going forward, every Friday is going to be go-go night at the bowling alley. Check out this first performance to see if you want to make it a regular thing, too. (Lucky Strike, 9 p.m., $25)

OOH LA LA: Don’t know how to dance? No problem. You can learn how to do the Viennese waltz, tango, and salsa at French Embassy Dance Soiree. Once you’ve picked up a few moves, spend the rest of the night practicing. The dance instructor will stick around to help you out if you can’t quite remember your footwork. Wine and French desserts will be available for purchase. (Embassy of France, 7-10 p.m., $30)

MORE: Independence Fireworks ( Mount Vernon Estate, 6-9:45 p.m., $30-35)

(Photo by Ted Eytan)

SATURDAY, JUNE 30

SKYPE & SKETCH: Ah, you thought you recognized that beer from somewhere. Frederick brewery Flying Dog pairs unusual beers with unusual label art by Ralph Steadman, the artist who famously collaborated with Hunter S. Thompson. You can see more than 100 of his original works on view at Art on Tap with Ralph Steadman. See if you feel inspired to sketch your own funky creations, and make art while the beer makes you think it’s good. Stick around to “meet” the artist via Skype. (American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 12-2 p.m., FREE)

CALLING ALL BECKYS: Start ironing your favorite off-the-shoulder blouse and make sure your white jeans are clean. You’re going to need them this Saturday when you celebrate the start to summer by embracing your inner basic bitch. At The Yards’ Rosé All Day party, you’ll be able to “think pink” with 9 varieties of rosé, plus a frosé bar. Other drink options will be available as well, if you must veer off theme. (The Yards, 1-5 p.m., $10-40)

CHILLIN & GRILLIN: Trill Grill Fest is coming to D.C. this weekend. Big K.R.I.T. will headline the music festival, which will also feature Trap Yoga, a serious Flip Cup Tournament (the best of the drinking games), a slip-n-slide, games, and BBQ. (RFK Festival Grounds, 3-11 p.m., $10-375)

SHAKESPEARE: It’s your last chance to see Avant Bard’s offbeat take on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The highly visual production closes Sunday, but you can see the show this afternoon at whatever price you like during Pay What You Will performances. There will also be an evening performance of the play, which tells a story of love, magic, and cultural tension. It asks “How can we all get along on this island Earth?” Might be fitting right now … can’t quite put our finger on why though. By the way, this is the kind of production you bring someone to if they think they don’t like Shakespeare, so change a friend’s mind and check it out. (Gunston Arts Center, 2:30 and 7 p.m., PWYW-$35)

AWW: Need some wholesome entertainment after a long week? Watch mother-son duo Madisen Ward and The Mama Bear strum their guitars. The pair hail from Independence, Mo., and bring a folk-soul vibe to the stage. Daniel Daniel opens. (DC9, 9 p.m., $18)

GET OUTTA TOWN: …We’re sorry. We tried to do our usual jokey pun thing, but it’s just making us sad. Town Dance Boutique, where so many of us have enjoyed an evening of drinks and dancing, is closing this weekend. Saturday is the gay nightclub’s last hurrah, and it won’t be quiet. Tickets to the party to end all parties Drag Show are already sold out, but you can get in at the door after. (Town, 11 p.m., Cover)

MORE: Red, White & Brew Beer & Wine Festival (Akridge Lot at Buzzard Point, 1-9 p.m., $29-89), Petrushka Returns (The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, 8 p.m., $10-29), Paperhaus (Rock & Roll Hotel, 8 p.m., $15), The All American Bar Crawl 2018 (Dupont Circle, 2-10 p.m., $20)

SUNDAY, JULY 1

LIGHT ON THE OJ, PLEASE: Want to know one way to get a good laugh? Go to a comedy show, and get drunk there. At the monthly Bottomless Mimos*ha’s* brunch, hosts Maddy Brannon and Kate Flaherty will keep things moving and you laughing as various comics perform. (The Wonderland Ballroom, 1-2:30 p.m., FREE)

THAT’S ALL, FOLKS(LIFE)!: The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is back, this year with a focus on Armenia and Catalonia. This Sunday, you can attend a wine tasting, learn how to weave an Armenian carpet and make cheese (though you can’t eat any due to health regulations, which is a bummer), witness the building of a Catalonian human tower, and more. The fun is going on all weekend, so check out our guide to get the best out of the festival, which continues through July 8. (The National Mall, 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., FREE)

FREE ART: The best things in life are free, especially when they normally cost money. The National Museum of Women in the Arts is waiving its entrance fee today for Free Community Day. Check out the museum’s permanent collection, and walk through the Heavy Metal—Women to Watch 2018 showcase of contemporary metal artists working in metal and Hung Liu In Print exhibit. The latter features collage-like prints inspired by historical Chinese photographs. Drop in at 1 p.m. for “Fierce Women,” a tour celebrating women artists who blazed trails as artists, activists, and innovators. (National Museum of Women in the Arts, 12-5 p.m., FREE)