Adams Morgan Day (Photo by Kara Davis)
Dance all day at a local jazz festival, see alternative films from South Asia, check out a block party that’s 40 years running, and more.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
FILM FEST: Make aunties everywhere proud and come check out the 7th annual South Asian Film Festival in Rockville. The three-day-long event showcases top picks in indie film from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Attend workshops, screenings, and panel discussions. It all kicks off Friday evening with an opening night soiree featuring dinner catered by Diya Restaurant, conversation with Director Boney Kapoor, and a screening of Indian drama 5 Rupees. (Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, various times, $12-$150)
PROTEST MUSIC: Multi-instrumentalist and composer Ash Koosha lives in exile from his native Iran, and this Friday, he’s going underground. The future-focused musician’s latest album Return 0 is expected to be released later this month. The collection of songs aims to change how we experience sound, artificial intelligence, and virtual simulation. Koosha will share the stage with Emel Mathlouthi, whose protest song “My Word Is Free” became an anthem of the Tunisian Revolution. It’s part of “Revolutions & Movements,” a collection of performances and art pieces from an international group of artists this weekend at Dupont Underground. (Dupont Underground, 8 p.m., $12-$20)
THIS LITTLE PIGGY WENT TO A CONCERT: Japanese band Toe performs in D.C. this Friday. The rock outfit brings a largely instrumental sound to the stage that will send you into your weekend on an upbeat note. (Black Cat, 8 p.m., $20)
THEATRICALLY TUBULAR: NextStop Theatre Company is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an 80s-themed party. It isn’t just that the troupe got its start in 1988. It’s also bringing the rock musical The Wedding Singer to the stage this month. The cast of that show will perform at the event, which will feature snacks, drinks, dancing, and lots of hairspray and on-theme attire. (CIT Building, Herndon, 7:30 p.m., $50)
PODCAST LAUNCH: After more than 20 years of sharing stories with D.C. audiences, Story District is ready to reach take this show on the road … and into the kitchen … and up in a plane … and basically wherever you can bring your phone or tablet. The Story District Podcast Launch Party will celebrate the first season of “Story District Presents,” the org’s new podcast dropping on Friday. Come meet the team behind the new ‘cast at the party. It’s free, but tickets are required. If you download the podcast in advance, you’ll get a special drink discount. (POV Rooftop Lounge, 6:30-9:30 p.m., FREE)
MORE: First Friday Dupont https://www.facebook.com/events/452495058570614/ (Dupont Circle, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., FREE), Inner Monologue: Works by Three Korean Ceramic Sculpture Artists Opening Reception (Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C., 6 p.m., FREE), Passion Pride Night (Signature Theatre, 8 p.m., $40-$104), Pre-performance Discussion: Macbeth (Folger Theatre, 8 p.m., $42-$79), Ian Anderson Presents Jethro Tull 50th Anniversary Tour (Filene Center, 8 p.m., $35-$95)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
TAKE THE A ORANGE TRAIN: It’s been nearly 30 years, and Rosslyn Jazz Fest is still going strong with its annual takeover of Gateway Park. This year’s festival features D.C. outfit Aztec Sun, Seattle’s True Loves, Cuban brass band Orquesta Akokán, and two-time Grammy award-winning performer Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles. (Gateway Park, 1 p.m.-7 p.m., FREE)
ENCORE? ENPOUR!: TheatreWashington’s annual Theatre Week returns on September 12. But before you start clapping your hands, come shake a few. The celebration of D.C.-area theater, which includes discounted tickets, begins with a party where you can meet local theater makers. There will be performances, demonstrations, and giveaways at the Theatre Week Kickoff Party. Free food and drinks will be provided by Anxo Cidery, DC Brau, Carmine’s, Shake Shack, Honest Tea, and Dan Searing, author of The Punch Bowl and Spirits Specialist. (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, noon-4 p.m., FREE)
NERD OUT: After a summer hiatus, Nerd Nite is returning to bring the nerds together for a night of geeking out over drinks. At the event, three smart people will deliver brief, fun presentations on nerdy topics. Tickets to this Nerd Nite are free, and the first 100 people in the door will receive a drink ticket. There will also be door prizes and games. The agenda includes talks by bookworm Allie Newman, bee historian Geoff Wallace, and maritime engineer Dr. Tim Barton. (DC9, 6:30 p.m., FREE)
UNA OBRA: How are your Español skills? Head to Columbia Heights for opening weekend of Como agua para Chocolate/Like Water for Chocolate, the U.S. premiere of a novel-turned-play. Performed in Spanish with English surtitles (so you don’t actually need to know Spanish), the show is about a woman who finds freedom in cooking. Saturday night is Noche de GALA, when tickets are a little more expensive, but include a post-performance opening reception where you can clink glasses with the cast and director. (GALA Hispanic Theatre, 8 p.m., $55)
JAJAJA: Laughter is the same in every language, right? Improbable Comedy presents Comedy as a Second Language, a stand-up event featuring immigrant and first generation performers. Comics Martin Amini, Jennifer Amo, Umar Khan, Fernando Madrigal, and Sharon Kang will perform two shows on Saturday evening. (Post 41: Cissel-Saxon American Legion, 8 & 10:30 p.m., $10-20)
MORE: Sound Health Music and the Mind: Shaping Our Children’s Lives Through Music Engagement (The Kennedy Center, various times, $20), Suicidal Tendencies (9:30 Club, 8 p.m., $35), Gelato Festival (City Market at O, noon-8 p.m., $25-30), John Kerry In Conversation with David Ignatius (Sixth & I, 7:30 p.m., $45), Grease 40th Anniversary Sing-a-Long (AFI Silver Theatre & Cultural Center, 8:15 p.m., $13)
Wintjiya Napaltjarri, Women’s Ceremonies at Watanuma (Photo by Sid Hoeltzell courtesy of the Phillips Collection)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
ADMO ALL DAY: Adams Morgan Day celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The long-running neighborhood festival features music, art, and activities for everyone, with discounts available at local businesses and restaurants. The 2018 program will include performances by Trouble Funk, which is also celebrating the big 4-0 this year, DuPont Brass, Cheik Hamala Diabate, Batala, Afro-Soul band Kino Musica, funk outfit Joe Keyes and the Late Bloomers Band, and more. (Adams Morgan, noon-6 p.m., FREE)
LAST CHANCE, MATE: This weekend is your last chance to see Marking the Infinite: Contemporary Women Artists from Aboriginal Australia. The exhibit features work by nine artists whose unique approaches to their craft reflects the diversity of contemporary Aboriginal Australian art. The women, who come from some pretty isolated parts of Oz, nod to both cultural traditions and more universal themes in their eye-catching work. The exhibition closes this Sunday. (Phillips Collection, noon-6:30 p.m., $12)
BASEMENT JAZZ: The DC Public Library and the Goethe-Institut Washington present the September installment of Jazz in the Basement, the concert series highlighting unique or young artists and new composers. This Sunday’s performance, Jazz in the Basement with Michael Kramer, will showcase the jazz/power trio Superstring and the Cosmic Vibrations. Led by guitarist and composer Michael Kramer, the trio is rounded out by drummer Ele Rubenstein, and bassist Nathan Kawaller. (Goethe-Institut Washington, 2-4 p.m., FREE)
L’SHANA TOVA: The year 5779 begins on Sunday night. Celebrate the Jewish New Year with Erev Rosh Hashanah services and dinner. Take a peek at our Guide to the High Holy Days to find a sweet event near you. Bubbe will be so proud. (various locations, various times, prices vary)
MORE: Mohamed Abozekry (The Kennedy Center, 6 p.m., FREE), The Maryland Renaissance Festival (1821 Crownsville Rd. Annapolis, MD 21401, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. $8-$19), The Wizard of Oz Outdoor Screening (National Harbor, 6 p.m., FREE), Red Fang (Rock & Roll Hotel, 8 p.m., $25)
