(Photo by Lorie Shaull)

Put your wallet away and get to know the folks behind your favorite coffee and some really cool ceramic art, and find places to sing along and skate.

Celebrate the end of summer at a neighborhood block party
Before we all start panicking about back-to-school shopping, indulge in that other time-honored late-summer tradition: the neighborhood block party. Whitman-Walker Health Clinic is hosting its annual Fall Fest on Friday, featuring live go-go music, free food from Caribbean Citations, and free HIV screenings.
Max Robinson Center, Friday, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

Get caught by some catchy tunes
Feel like a sing-along? There’s few better bands for that than D.C.’s Party Like It’s…, which specializes in sort-of-ska, sort-of-pop, sort-of-rock covers of earworms. Give in to infinitely karaoke-able bops from Taylor Swift, the Backstreet Boys, Cyndi Lauper, and more at their Yards Park show, where you can dance and sing to your heart’s content.
Yards Park, Friday, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

Skate among the stars
It’s time to finally message your most promising Tinder match, because we’ve got a great date idea for you. On Saturday, the Anacostia Skating Pavilion is extending its hours for late-night skating. Entry and skate rental is free, emergency skating lessons to prepare to recreate that scene from Xanadu definitely aren’t.
Anacostia Skating Pavilion, Saturday, 6 p.m.-10 p.m.

Get to know some new artists
Quick! Name three contemporary artists working in clay. After the opening of the new exhibit at the District Clay Center, you’ll be able to name 11. US – Emerging Voices in Clay, curated by artist Roberto Lugo, spotlights 11 ceramicists—all women—making an impression in the field. The exhibit runs through September 23, but at this opening event, Lugo will give brief remarks about the artists and refreshments will be served.
District Clay Center, Saturday, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Meet your local caffeine suppliers
This weekend, the Mid Atlantic’s best baristas will descend upon D.C. for the Capital City Preliminaries, the first step in the annual U.S. Coffee Championships. The main events are the coffee brewing and barista competition, but there are plenty of free happenings across Adams Morgan, too, including karaoke, a game night, and a closing party. We’re particularly excited for the DMV coffee roasters showcase at The Line hotel on Sunday, which will offer tastes of brews from local coffeehouses, including Vigilante, Qualia, Swing’s, and Grace Street Coffee Roasters. Just don’t tell your Mr. Coffee machine where you’ve been when you get back.
Various locations and times, full schedule here