(Photo by IntangibleArts)
This weekend, enjoy a range of live music, get some exercise, check out an annual Renaissance festival, or put your craft beer knowledge to the test.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24
REGGAE IN THE ‘BURBS: Chill out, man. It’s the weekend. Baltimore reggae band Jah Works has been getting crowds grooving and swaying for 20 years. See how they work it in a concert featuring opening bands Ras Slick and the Dutty Bus Crew. (The Soundry, 8 p.m., $12)
BEER NERDS, ASSEMBLE: Do you know a porter from a stout? Come represent your country team and go for the gold(en lager) at Beer-Lympics Trivia Night. Teams of four will compete, and sip samples of local beers, and the winning team will stumble away with a subscription to Glen’s Growler Club. There won’t be diving, gymnastics, or snowboarding, but there will be brew-skis. (Glen’s Garden Market, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE)
SING THE…: Grammy-nominated blues guitarist and songwriter Duke Robillard founded Roomful of Blues with Al Copley in 1967. He later went solo, earning himself praise from B.B. King, who called Robillard “one of the great players.” Named “Best Blues Guitarist” four times by The Blues Music Awards, Duke knows his way around a fretboard. The Duke Robillard Band is playing in D.C. Friday night, along with D.C.-based soul blues band Vintage #18. (The Hamilton, 8 p.m., $15-$29.75)
ROCK THE CATBAH: All those Ramones and Against Me! songs you’ve been singing in the shower? Time to scream them out with a crowd of punk music-loving friends, for a good cause. Punk Rock Karaoke is coming to the Black Cat Friday night. Linoleum might support your head, but this event supports Girls Rock! DC. The non-profit sends girls and non-binary and trans youth to summer camp for a week of rocking out, music education, and community building. (Black Cat, 9 p.m., $8)
MORE: Last Capitol Riverfront Concert of the Summer: Navy Band (Yards Park, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE), Last Jazz in the Garden of the Summer: Speakers of the House (National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 5-8:30 p.m., FREE)
Freddie Jackson (courtesy of the artist)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25
ROCK ME TONIGHT: Anyone feel like falling in love? An Evening with Freddie Jackson is a date night made for R&B lovers. Get in the mood with a capital “M” as the Grammy-nominated singer plays his hits, like “You Are My Lady” and “Nice ‘N’ Slow”. Not sure? Just look at this video. Those moves. That side banter. That jacket. It’s all too much, and all too perfect. (City Winery, 8 p.m., $55-$68)
PARTY LIKE AN ELIZABETHAN: The Maryland Renaissance Festival opens for the season this Saturday, filling the air with excitement, juggled balls, and the smell of turkey legs. Lace up your corset, make all your LARPing dreams comes true, see jousting, check out the artisanal wares, and more. After a few pints of mead, “your grace” might not be the most accurate descriptor, but it’s all in good fun. Have a good one, ya old timey animals. (1821 Crownsville Rd. Annapolis, MD 21401, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. $8-$19)
SUPREMELY CHILL VIBES: After 13 years and seven albums, Baltimore-based dream pop band Beach House is still going strong. The duo plays the kind of songs you can unwind to after a long week, so leave your negativity and tension at the door. Indie pop band Papercuts will open. (The Anthem, 8 p.m., $38-$55)
PRETTY YOUNG PURPLE RAIN: Few can rival Michael Jackson’s dance moves or Prince’s style, but you can try at DJ Dredd’s MJ + Prince Dance Party. Local artist Robin Bell, the fellow behind the projections you may have seen on the Trump International Hotel, is creating visuals for the event. Practice your moonwalk, throw on your raspberry beret, and get ready to dance your socks off. (9:30 Club, 8 p.m., $15)
MORE: SneakerMania (Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 1-7 p.m., FREE-$199), The Biggest Pool Party #LGBT Edition (TBA, 7 p.m.-Midnight, $20-160)
“The Color Purple” plays at the Kennedy Center through Sunday. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26
MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE: The Color Purple is closing? Sad but true. The Tony Award-winning musical is on stage through Sunday, with two performances that day. Set in the early 20th-century South and based on the novel by Alice Walker, the show centers on a young woman named Celie. Her tragic story turns around as she finds support in relationships with other women. Filled with powerful music, the production will get you on your feet. Seriously—check out our review. (The Kennedy Center, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., $79-$149)
PASS THE PEPTO: Some places serve a yard of tacos, but a mile of tacos? That’s a very different proposition. November Project DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser, and the Department of Parks and Recreation present the inaugural Taco Mile, a semi-athletic and very delicious event. With every lap around the track, participants will have to eat a taco. Yes, have to. That’s four tacos in total, so if running a mile isn’t usually a challenge for you…it probably will be this time. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available, thanks to the accommodating folks at District Taco. Free tacos, and heartburn! (Kenilworth Recreation Center Track, 5:30 p.m., FREE)
STORYTIME!: As a kid, you probably had a favorite bedtime story. As an adult, maybe you have a go-to wild tale you like to tell after a few G&T’s. At Story District, fans have their faves too. Come hear the most memorable, totally true monologues from past shows at Story District’s Mixtape Vol 3. The matinee will feature performances by Angela Hill, Morgan Givens, Elizabeth Hogan, John Tong, Matt Johnson, Phill Branch, Anne Thomas, and Sarah Weber. (Union Stage, 2 p.m., $20)
DANCE LIKE NO BOLLY IS WATCHING: If you love the dramatic love stories, high-energy dance scenes, and beautiful music in Indian films, Bollywood Boulevard might be your cup of chai tea. The event blends live music, dance, and film, taking audiences on a journey from the beginning of Hindi cinema to the present. Fall back in love with the classics, re-live Bollywood’s Golden Era, and enjoy nods to modern movies. (Filene Center, 8 p.m., $25-$55)
PUT IN WORK: Head to VIDA Fitness this Sunday to sweat for a good cause. Proceeds from the Open House will benefit Augie’s Quest, a nonprofit research initiative dedicated to finding treatments and cures for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Your ticket gets you in to three 30-minute-long Pilates, yoga, and circuit training classes, followed by happy hour games and activities at the gym’s Penthouse Pool Club. Drinks and food from TaKorean will be served. (VIDA Fitness U Street, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., $20)
MORE: Romeo & Juliet (Shakespeare Theatre Company, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., FREE), Twilight Outdoor Glow Yoga (Mind Your Body Oasis Yoga Studio & Wellness Center, 7-8 p.m., FREE)
