
July is officially here, and with it, various Fourth-related activities. Not to fear, we’ve rounded up some of the best things happening in D.C. this week alongside the big celebration of America on the National Mall. Read for a few classic movie screenings, some high profile concerts, and [checks notes] a Hamilton karaoke party?!
MONDAY, JULY 1
GREATEST SHOWMAN: A clip I spend a lot of time thinking about is Hugh Jackman’s musical opening for the Oscars the year he hosted. He’s clearly having an absolute blast. I’d like to believe this is the exact moment he realized that if he could pivot away from X-Men movies into being a full song and dance man, he would. Well, I think that’s officially happened, as the now-performer (that’s a weird descriptor to use for Wolverine, folks!) will sing songs from The Greatest Showman, Les Miserables, and The Boy from Oz at Capital One Arena on Monday. (Capital One Arena, 7 p.m., $25-$221)
AND IN THE END: Widely considered to be a musical masterpiece, The Beatles’ Abbey Road has long been a record that listeners can come back to time and time again. Beatleologist (yes, a real thing!) Scott Freiman will take participants on a track-by-track deep dive of the first side of the LP, exploring all aspects of this classic album. (Landmark E Street, 7 p.m., $15)
FIGHT THE POWER: Spike Lee’s classic Do The Right Thing turns 30 this year and to celebrate, a restored version of the film will screen at AFI Silver. Fans of the film will want to make sure they’re in attendance early, as there will be a special behind-the-scenes pre-show about the film from the fine folks from Criterion. (AFI Silver, 9:15 p.m.-11:25 p.m., $13)
BEYOND: Artist Naku Mayo will kick off his Beyond the Bar series on Monday night, as he encourages attendees to hear about the experiences of nine different bartenders of color in the D.C. area. Plus, the ticket includes a free drink. (2009 14th St. NW, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., $20)
MORE: Death Cafe (Rhizome DC, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $5), #SoSarap! DC’s Kamayan Feast & Summer Jam (El Techo, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., $75)

TUESDAY, JULY 2
B.Y.O.V.: Vinyl collectors, rejoice! If you want to show off some of the best parts of your extensive collection, The Graham Georgetown hotel will give you a chance to spin your favorite record for up to 20 minutes. Whether you missed your calling as a DJ or just want to hear your favorite music on a primo audio setup, this will be for you. (The Graham Georgetown Rooftop, 6 p.m.- 9 p.m., FREE with registration)
STRIKE A POSE: D.C.’s oldest and largest LGBTQ club, DC Eagle, will host a viewing party of the acclaimed FX series Pose across two large screens, which is probably the best way to take the epicness that is Billy Porter. (DC Eagle, 10 p.m.-11 p.m., FREE with registration)
DIG IT: If you’re an aspiring plant lover, the DMV Growers Sesh has all the tips and tricks you need to make the most effective use of your plants. From planting to seeding and cloning, there will be plenty of hands on instruction to make sure you know a bulb from a sprout—and so on. (Maroon House, 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m., $5)
MORE: DowntownDC & Shaolin Jazz Present Can I Kick It?: Avengers: Infinity War (Freedom Plaza, 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m.), TAEGU-“A Korean BBQ” Experience (315 H Street NE, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., $65)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3
DUH-DUN: Arguably the movie that started the trend of summer blockbusters, and one of the best movies of all time, Jaws will screen at Mount Pleasant’s Suns Cinema on Wednesday evening. Since the movie takes place during the July Fourth holiday, it’s a slightly bloody and horrifying aperitif for Thursday’s patriotic shenanigans. (Suns Cinema, 8 p.m., $11.49)
AND PEGGY: If your love of showtunes—and specifically that of Hamilton—rivals that of creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, D.C.’s Hard Rock Cafe is hosting a Hamilton sing-along that boasts a chance for you to get in on the action in front of a crowd. If you can make it through “It’s Quiet Uptown” without crying while singing it, you’ve gotta be the evening’s MVP, yeah? (Hard Rock Cafe, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., $17.76)
I WANT TO RIDE MY BICYCLE: Whether you’re brand new to bike ownership or just need a tune-up (pun intended) BicycleSPACE is offering a free maintenance essentials class that’ll ensure you’re all ready to ride. (BicycleSPACE Downtown, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., FREE with registration)
START ME UP: After having to postpone dates due to the health of frontman Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones are back on the road, stopping at FedEx Field as part of their “No Filter” tour. As loath as am to say it, you never know when a legendary group like the Stones will stop touring, so if you’ve been holding out on seeing one of the greatest acts of all time, perhaps now’s the time to make a trek to out to Landover. (FedExField, 7:30 p.m., $69.50 – $500)
MORE:Tribute – King of the Go-Go Beat (Echostage, 9 p.m., $30), Wednesday at the Wharf: Swift Technique (The Wharf, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE), God Street Wine (Gypsy Sally’s, 8 p.m., $28)

THURSDAY, JULY 4
IT’S A DRAG: If you’ve never experienced the sheer joy that is Nellie’s Drag Brunch, now is your chance, as there’s plenty of time to attend one of D.C.’s best events before heading out to whatever else you have planned for the Fourth. (Nellie’s Sports Bar, 12 p.m.-2:30 p.m., $41.91)
HA-HA: If you’d rather skip out on fireworks and Fourth-related activities as a whole, Town Tavern will host the weekly Adams Morgan comedy night. Featuring a local array of D.C. comedians, it’s sure to be a gas. (Town Tavern, 8 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE with registration)
HIT THE TRACK: Speaking of counter programming to traditional Fourth activities, Lululemon will host another Run the Yards workout on Independence Day. If you end up getting all your celebrating done early in the day and want to get a jump start on your workout, this is for you. (Lululemon The Yards Local, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., FREE with registration)
MORE: Guided Meditation (2401 15th St NW, 7 p.m.-8 p.m., FREE with registration), Joy Club @ Abigail (Abigail, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., FREE)