This weekend marks the official start of summer. Celebrate Solstice Saturday with the Smithsonian or see a show.
FRIDAY, JUNE 21
HISTORICAL VIEW: The National Museum of American History has unveiled Illegal to be You: Gay History Beyond Stonewall in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. The museum will present items from the event alongside artifacts from decades of gay activism. The presentation will be on display on the museum’s second floor through 2020. (National Museum of American History, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., FREE)
LAUGH OUT LOUD: It’s almost hard to remember the not-so-distant past, when Jon Stewart was a must-watch and Stephen Colbert was a character on basic cable. Seriously Funny: From the Desk of ‘The Daily Show with Jon Stewart’ revisits those days in exhibit form, with Stewart’s actual desk at the center. (Newseum, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $14.95+/6 and under FREE)
THE NASHVILLE SOUND: Just last year, noted indie rock antagonist Father John Misty released a song that name-dropped Jason Isbell, one of Americana’s most beloved figures; Isbell responded with characteristic humor. They co-headline the evening with an opening set from British Americana artist Jade Bird. (Merriweather Post Pavilion, 6 p.m. gates, 7 p.m. show, $45-$75)
MORE: Jazz in the Garden (National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m., FREE), Yoga for One Common Unity (The Yards Park, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., FREE), Music in the Park (4th St NW and Blair Rd, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., FREE), Summer Solstice Drum Circle (Washington National Cathedral, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE), Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series (The Yards Park, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE), Ariana Grande: Sweetener World Tour (Capital One Arena, 7 p.m., $162+), Pitch a Friend: Like Shark Tank, but for Your Single Friends (Franklin Hall, 8 p.m.-9:30 p.m., free entry), White Ford Bronco (9:30 Club, 8 p.m., $25)
SATURDAY, JUNE 22
PIG OUT: Grab a BBQ bib and moist towelette or two and prepare for the National Capital Barbecue Battle, a food festival that signifies the start of summer and awards prizes for best pork, chicken, ribs, turkey, and more. Come for the food, stay for more than 30 bands performing across three stages. (Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd and 7th Streets NW, 11 a.m., $12+)
THE MUSIC IN YOU: Dance and sing at America Now!, a daylong celebration of music that begins with lectures on the influence of hip-hop at the National Museum of American History and a dance party on the National Mall. Nighttime programming includes performances from Eric Hilton of Thievery Corporation and go-go band Rare Essence. (National Museum of American History, National Portrait Gallery, and Smithsonian American Art Museum, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., FREE)
MUSEUM MOMENT: The Smithsonian’s Solstice Saturday programming includes evening performances and programs—plus late hours at museums across D.C. The National Gallery of Art is hosting a community weekend to celebrate The Life of Animals in Japanese Art. The evening includes drumming, a kimono fashion show and a Shaolin Jazz Can I Kick It? viewing. Meanwhile, there’s also an astronomy festival on the National Mall, where 25 telescopes will be set up for stargazing. (Various Smithsonian locations, through midnight, FREE)
STRIKE A POSE: Maybe your idea of welcoming summer is some outdoor yoga. In that case, the U.S. Botanic Garden is hosting another of its regular Saturday yoga sessions, so you can savasana among the flora. In the event of rain, the lesson moves indoors. (U.S. Botanic Garden, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., FREE)
MORE: Pride Month: Yoga for Every Body (The LINE Hotel, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., FREE), Pitchers Drag Picnic (Pitchers, 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m., free entry), Taste the Philippines: D.C. Filipino Food Festival (District Pier at the Wharf, 2 p.m.-6 p.m., $5+)
SUNDAY, JUNE 23
SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN: In 2012, the National Museum of African Art started the Women’s Initiative Fund to increase the profile of women from African nations in the arts. I Am…Contemporary Women Artists of Africa draws on the museum’s permanent collection to showcase the contributions of those artists and assess the modern age through the eyes of those makers. (National Museum of African Art, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., FREE)
MOVIE TIME: Finish the weekend with a film or two. The AFI DOCS Film Festival concludes on Sunday with screenings at Landmark E Street and the AFI Silver Theatre, including documentaries about David Crosby, Linda Ronstadt, and the Apollo Theater. (Various locations and times, see schedule for details)
JAM BAND: Nothing says summer like an outdoor show. Expect an easygoing evening as Phish take over the Merriweather bandshell for the weekend with two nights of idiosyncratic jam band stylings. (Merriweather Post Pavilion, 5:30 p.m. gates, 7 p.m. show, $45-$90)
MORE: Drag Queen Story Hour (The LINE Hotel, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., FREE), Blagden Market (Blagden Alley, 12 p.m.-5 p.m., free entry), Summer Record Fair (Right Proper Brookland, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., free entry), Plant Care and Propagation with Anna Johnston (Shop Made in DC, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., $45), Sneaks (The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, 6 p.m., FREE)
