Enjoy concerts from some big name acts, learn from a Harry Potter scholar, try your luck at Friends trivia and more—there’s certainly something for everyone this week.
MONDAY, MAY 20
YOU’RE A WIZARD: Whether you don’t the difference between a Hippogriff and a Hufflepuff or know every word of all seven books, we’re confident there’s something to like at this Ask a Harry Potter Scholar event that the Southeast Neighborhood Library has conjured up. Scholar Tolonda Henderson will provide insight on what it’s like to pore over J.K. Rowling’s beloved series as an academic pursuit. (Southeast Neighborhood Library, 7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., FREE with registration)
SING IT: The D.C. Boys Choir, who are recently fresh off a tour to South Africa, will perform at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. Songs will include spirituals, popular works, songs from South Africa (inspired by their tour, no doubt), classical selections, and jazz numbers from Duke Ellington. (Kennedy Center, 6 p.m., FREE)
JOG ON: This “HIIT and Run” class hosted by the DC Run Crew is a good solution if you’re one of those people who prefers a group setting to get motivated. The run promises a combination of both high-intensity interval training and cardio that’s suitable for all fitness levels, so don’t let that dissuade you from getting sweaty. (Nationals Park Steps, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., FREE with registration)
MORE:The Comedy Shuffle (The Bier Baron Tavern, 8 p.m., FREE), Get Beach-Ready: Abstract Summer Escape Painting (Salon Betty, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $45), Arlington Drag Queen Bingo (The Board Room VA, 9 p.m.-11 p.m., free entry with registration), The Best of the D.C. Boys Choir (The Kennedy Center, 6 p.m., FREE)
TUESDAY, MAY 21
HELP ME, HELP YOU: Kramerbooks will host Limitless: How to Ignore Everybody, Carve Your Own Path, and Live Your Best Life author Laura Gassner Otting for a conversation about her best-selling self-help book. Otting describes her book as “a kick in the ass surrounded by a warm hug,” so if tough love is the thing that gets you going, this will be right up your alley. (Kramerbooks, 6:30 p.m., FREE)
SEND NUDES: Continuing their Sip and Sketch series, Colony Club hosts a semi-regular “Drinking and (nude) Drawing” class on Monday evening curated by local Courtney Sexton. Aspiring artists can trade in BYOB for BYOM (bring your own drawing materials) as they work on sketching the human body in its natural form. (Colony Club, 7:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m., $25 and includes a free drink)
PIVOT!: ‘90s kids, could you be any more ready for this trivia?! Pinstripes will host an all Friends trivia night that boasts five rounds and roughly 70 different questions related to Joey, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, and Monica. Get to binge watching! (Pinstripes, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., free entry with registration)
MORE: Italian soul and Jazz Singer Mario Biondi (Kennedy Center, 7:30 p.m., $25), Golden Triangle BID TriFit (Farragut Square, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., FREE with registration), TV Girl (Rock & Roll Hotel, 8 p.m.-11 p.m., $15)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22
GET OFF MY LAWN: The 27th Annual Spring Garden Party will see plenty of bright colors and fancy outfits as the Tudor House opens their doors for their annual fundraising event. Come get your Gatsby on throughout the stunning grounds of the house and enjoy Prohibition-era jazz and help support one of D.C.’s beloved museums. (Tudor House, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., $250)
CLEVER GIRL: Future Tense—Slate, New America, and Arizona State University’s joint venture dedicated to covering technology—continues their ongoing “My Favorite Movie” series with a presentation of Jurassic Park. The group will also host a panel discussion on the film’s impact on how the public perceives science. (Landmark E Street Cinemas, 6:30 p.m.-8:50 p.m., FREE with registration)
CRAZY RICH: As part of their programming for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, the Library of Congress will host a conversation Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan. Oh, and there’s a screening of last year’s hit film beginning at 4 p.m. if you can somehow sneak out of work. (Coolidge Auditorium in the Thomas Jefferson Building, 7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., FREE)
UPSIDE DOWN: With Game of Thrones officially over, the next big pop culture TV event of the year will be the return of Stranger Things this summer. So why not go ahead and get yourself in the mood by getting that opening theme stuck in your head again? Composers Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein will perform their 80s-inspired score for the hit Netflix show at Kennedy Center for what’s sure to more synth than you thought possible. (Kennedy Center, 7:30 p.m., $19 – $39).
MORE: Celtic Fiddler Seán Heely (Strathmore, 7:30 p.m., $17), MidAtlantic AAPC Tiki Time (Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE with registration), J-Film in Blue: Keep Your Chin Up (Japan Information & Culture Center, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., FREE with registration)
THURSDAY, MAY 23
BROOKLYN, BROOKLYN TAKE ME IN: Folk rockers The Avett Brothers kick off a three-night residency at Wolf Trap that boasts three different sets from the North Carolina group. The band’s blend of modern Americana will be perfect for those of you looking to channel some yee-haw energy. (Wolf Trap, 7:30 p.m., $45-$60)
MOVEMENT MORNINGS: Daybreaker brings its morning dance party back to the rooftop of the Kennedy Center. May’s event focuses on the intersection of mental health and music (and how the two can influence one another) and is sure to get your day off on the right foot. Plus, there’s yoga too! (Kennedy Center, 6 p.m.-9 a.m., $20-$35)
LATCHING ONTO YOU: If you somehow didn’t wear out your dancing shoes on Thursday morning, Echostage will play host to Disclosure, who are on their U.S. tour ahead of their highly anticipated third album. The British boys last played D.C. in January of 2017, so don’t be surprised if the inevitable sing-along to “Latch” is more epic than normal. (Echostage, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $40)
HORRIFIC: Sax Dinner Theater’s spring production of Little Shop of Horrors promises to elevate the campy, fun tone of the beloved production by putting you squarely in the action. Quite literally dinner and a show, come try and escape Skid Row alongside Seymour and all your other favorites from this classic musical. (Sax Dinner Theater, 6 p.m.-9 p.m, $25-$100).
MORE: 2019 Robert F. Kennedy Book & Journalism Awards (Newseum, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., FREE), American Football (Black Cat, 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m., $25-30), Pok Pok Noodles Cookbook launch (The Fourth Estate Restaurant, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., $90-$95).
