Let’s draw paper straws for who has to buy sangria?
Every year, the promise of a free jazz concert brings friends, families, and absurdly long lines for sangria to the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden. The summer series kicks off tonight with Rob Curto’s Forró For All. Enjoy Brazilian folk jazz while you hold awkward mini conversations with the half-dozen acquaintances and colleagues you will surely run into. Sure, by the time you get there you’ll probably be stuck with an uneven patch of dirt to sit on, but that’s what blankets are for. The sangria also helps. Also, our thrifty friends, this is a great time to bust out the picnic basket and save a few bucks with a BYOB (Bring Your Own Brie) situation (though as a reminder, there’s no bringing your own alcohol).
Sculpture Garden, Friday, 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
No jet lag, no problem
Do you know how long a flight to Hawaii is? At least 12 hours, and nonstop isn’t an option, ohana. Good thing you can experience the islands’ 1500-year-old traditions right here in D.C. at the Hawaiian Cultural Festival. Explore the once secret maneuvers of the lua, a traditional martial art practiced by warriors, and learn about the unique royal regalia of the Hawaiian kingdom. There will also be music, lectures, storytelling, and family-friendly activities for you to enjoy. Mahalo.
National Museum of the American Indian, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Party in the streets of Northern Virginia
Dance until you scuff up your chucks at a weekend-long outdoor concert. Quarterfest in Ballston, Va., will feature performances by local rock bands His Dream of Lions and Broke Royals, Dave Matthews cover band Crowded Streets, Philly’s Lost in Paris, cover band Jeff from Accounting, and more. From noon to one on Sunday, check out the dueling pianos at Bobby McKey’s.
Wilson Blvd between N Taylor & N Randolph Streets, Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
Get off my lawn! Wait. No. Come back!!!
Rinse out the cooler and dust off your lawn chair: A Porchfest is coming to Southeast for a day of music and fun in the Hillcrest community. There will be roller skaters, visual artists, DJs, and musicians in a broad range of genres performing at houses all across the neighborhood. Following the uproar over the brief silence (and then return of the music) at Shaw’s Metro PCS, organizers of this family-friendly event made an extra effort to ensure go-go is represented.
Hillcrest, SE, Sunday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
Vroom vroom, peasants
If you’ve got a need for speed, you should … not indulge that urge. There are speed cameras everywhere! You might, however, save yourself the ticket and then some by attending a free fancy-schmancy car show in Alexandria. The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style will feature dozens of cars that you probably can’t afford, but probably will find pretty. There will be sports cars and exotic models from the 1950’s through 1980’s. Honestly, having a car in D.C. is a pain anyway. This is way better. But if I can just lounge across the hood of this Aston Martin for my Instagram, that’d be cool. Oh, that’s not okay? Alright, just a quick selfie then.
100-300 blocks of King Street, Alexandria, Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
