FRIDAY, APRIL 26
NERDS NIGHT OUT: Awesome Con, Washington’s comic con, runs through Sunday. This year’s seventh-annual event features appearances and autograph sessions from actors (Cole Sprouse and KJ Apa from Riverdale are highlights, and a fair amount of the Star Trek: The Next Generation crew are expected), comedians, WWE stars, and “Weird Al” Yankovic; the weekend-long program includes cosplay, gaming competitions and a Funko swap. The ping-pong bar SPIN hosts the official afterparty on Saturday. (Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 12 p.m.-8 p.m., $40+)
BONJOUR: The 16th annual Georgetown French Market turns Book Hill into a Parisian street fair. The European-style open air market features live French jazz, a “Say fromage!” photo booth, and entertainment for little ones. (Upper Wisconsin between P St and Reservoir Rd, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., FREE)
MUSIC MOMENT: Breakin’ Even Fest shines a light on local and national punk artists. Friday night features Kali Masi, Homosuperior, and American Television; the weekend continues with performances from Night Surf, Worriers, and more. (Pie Shop, 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, $12 nightly, $35 weekend pass with T-shirt)
MORE: ArtMoves: Pulse (Hirshhorn Museum, 4 p.m.-5 p.m., FREE), White Ford Bronco (Union Stage, 7 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show, $25+), Together with Notre Dame Concert (Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 7 p.m., FREE), Punkhouse Comedy (Songbyrd, 8 p.m. doors, 8:30 p.m. show, FREE, $5 suggested donation), Joan Baez (Warner Theatre, 8 p.m., $79.50+), Jay Leno (The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 8 p.m., $79+)
SATURDAY, APRIL 27
FESTIVAL FEATURE: Broccoli City Festival expands beyond its old home at RFK Stadium. This year, the music festival, headlined by Childish Gambino and Lil Wayne, also includes a 5k run and the entrepreneur-focused BroccoliCon featuring book talks, workshops, and panel discussions. (FedEx Field, various times, $99.50+)
PERSONALIZE IT: Add some flourish to your favorite accessory. Bring your own tote bag or denim jacket to The Line hotel for a custom chainstitch embroidery pop-up with Vichcraft, the studio of Jenna Blazevich. The customization is first come, first served, priced per item. (The Line, 12 p.m-4 p.m., embroidery prices vary)
ALL THAT JAZZ: This weekend, the American History Museum is celebrating a national treasure with Leo Mania!, a film festival dedicated to the work of Leonardo DiCaprio. Saturday’s screening of The Great Gatsby will be followed by Feeling So Gatsby: a Gatsby-style party featuring swing music and a themed cocktail menu. Your ticket includes 3 drink vouchers and a Smithsonian Theaters wine glass. (National Museum of American History, 6:30 p.m. party, 8:15 p.m. film, $40)
CINEMATIC SOUNDS: The Washington, DC International Film Festival, or Filmfest DC, features 80 films in 11 days, including the premiere of Echo in the Canyon, a look at the original of the Laurel Canyon sound and scene. The presentation is followed by a post film concert with Jakob Dylan, Cat Power and Jade Castrinos. (Lincoln Theatre, 7 p.m. doors, $25)
MORE: Urban Athlete Bootcamp in Unity Park (The Line, 9 a.m., FREE), DC Potter Crawl (Dupont Circle, 2 p.m.-10 p.m., $25), Pups in the Park: San Diego Padres vs. Washington Nationals (Nations Parks, 4:05 p.m., $33 human ticket, $10 dog ticket), CMT Next Women of Country with Cassadee Pope, Clare Dunn and Hannah Ellis (U Street Music Hall, 6 p.m., $15), Davido Coming to America Music Festival (The Anthem, 6 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, $50+), Opening Party for Action. Reaction. Action: Visualizing Fugazi (Lost Origins Gallery, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE), An Evening with the Clintons (DAR Constitution Hall, 7:30 p.m., $79.50+), Hot In Herre: 2000s Dance Party (9:30 Club, 9 p.m. doors, $16), Foul Swoops, Saturday Night and Birthday Band (Comet Ping Pong, 10 p.m., $12)
SUNDAY, APRIL 28
WHAT CHAOS IS IMAGINARY: On its latest release, Girlpool, the LA duo of Cleo Tucker and Harmony Tividad, manage to evolve the band’s MO once more; no longer simply overlapping voices, there’s now expansive and contrasting expression in its sound. The Australian artist Hatchie, who released her debut EP of sparkling ‘80s-style pop last year, opens. (Black Cat, 7:30 p.m. doors, $18 advance, $20 day of show)
SWEET SIP: Your only concern on the Margarita March is with salt or without. Sample signature margs at 8 different spots, including Halfsmoke, Nellie’s, and Cortez; drinks are included with your ticket. (Beginning at El Rey, 12 p.m.-10 p.m., $65)
DRONE AND DOOM: Led by Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson, the long-running experimental drone metal outfit Sunn O))) brings its heavy noise to the Howard Theatre. The tour follows band’s latest release, Life Metal, out this week. (The Howard Theatre, 6:30 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, $30+)
MORE: DC United Viewing Party (The Wharf, 12 p.m., FREE),Nina Rivera, Not Alone, Czndfx and Knyves Escobar (Rhizome DC, 3 p.m., $7 advance, $10 day of show), National Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan (Washington National Cathedral, 3:30 p.m., FREE), Rosé Rooftop Party (District Winery, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., $59+), Louder Than a Bomb (The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, 5:30 p.m., FREE), Kali Uchis and Jorja Smith (The Anthem, 6:30 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, $45-$75), U.S. Girls (U Street Music Hall, 7 p.m., $15), HEALTH with Youth Code (Rock & Roll Hotel, 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, $20), Indie Rock Karaoke (DC9, 8 p.m., FREE)
