I hope each and every one of you had a fantastic Fourth of July weekend. On the agenda this week: several chances to get your art on (with or without booze depending on what you’re looking for), a table tennis tournament, and much more. Below, our picks.
MONDAY, JULY 8
TOP SPIN: In honor of Wimbledon, SPIN (the Susan Sarandon-backed ping-pong bar) will be hosting a tournament for those die-hard table tennis enthusiasts. Competitors will play on a Wimbledon-inspired turf course and there will be food and drinks specials in honor of the oldest tennis competition. (Spin, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., $50)
HANDY: If you’re a person that values a good handwritten note, or has a passing interest in any sort of calligraphy, Shop Made in DC and Samantha Testa (owner of Painted Palettes) will walk you through every single brush stroke needed to create beautiful hand lettering. Perfect for beginners and experts alike, there’s bound to be something for everyone. (Shop Made in DC at the Wharf, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., $75).
THAT’S A STRETCH: Clarendon staple Courthaus Social brings back their Yoga in the ‘Haus series on Monday. The twilight session will be soundtracked by BJ Thunder Bunny and includes a free drink after the fact. Just be sure to bring your own mat. (Courthaus Social, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $20)
MORE: Big Moth (Songbyrd Vinyl Lounge, 8:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m., FREE with registration), German Cinema 101: Alice in the Cities (Landmark West End, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., $3.18), Calvary’s Monday Movie Mania: a FREE Outdoor Movie Series (Family Life Community Center, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE)
TUESDAY, JULY 9
GLO’D UP: If Yoga in a beer garden somehow isn’t cool enough for you, how about yoga . . . on the National Mall? Complete with glow sticks and body paint (!) this DC Fray sponsored-class will have you (vinyasa) flowing from your day into your evening with grace and poise. (National Mall Between 3rd St NW and 4th St NW, 8 p.m.-9 p.m., $25)
SKETCHY: Tuesday sees the start of a five week drawing workshop led by local artist Lenora. Focused specifically on helping aspiring creatives stimulate their process–including problem solving tips to help get through creative blocks. (DC Arts Center, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $96-$120)
TRIPLE THREAT: If you’re looking for a full cultural suite (music, theater, and poetry) look no further than the Goethe-Institut and Bertelsmann Foundation’s joint event dedicated to the works of Bertolt Brecht. The famed German artist balanced both popular and elite culture with his works across several different mediums–and his work in each will be interpreted by local artists. (Art Club of Washington, 8 p.m.-9:30 p.m., FREE with registration)
OH-LA-LA: Meanwhile, the Embassy of France continues their film series with the Isabelle Huppert starring vehicle, Entre Nous. A classic of French cinema, the movie went on to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign-Language Picture and is a character-driven piece about a housewife that becomes taken with “free-spirited” woman named Madeleine. (Embassy of France, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE with registration)
MORE:The 2019 Hunger Leadership Awards (Columbus Club, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE with registration), DowntownDC & Shaolin Jazz Present Can I Kick It?: Captain Marvel (Freedom Plaza, 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m., FREE)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10
GETTING CAUGHT IN THE RAIN: Colada Shop and Chef Mario Monte will (presumably) cue up the Rupert Holmes classic and serve up some of the tastiest piña coladas around as part of their Third Annual Piña Colada Festival. Monte will offer up a few new and bold takes on the drink as well as serving a number of pineapple inspired food options. (Colada Shop, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE with registration)
SIPPIN’: If a full illustration course isn’t your speed, perhaps Union Market’s watercolor and cocktails event on Wednesday evening might be a better happy medium. Buffalo and Bergen will be on hand to provide a specialty cocktail to help you ease into various watercolor techniques. (Union Market, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $55)
SPOOKY, SCARY: Reader beware . . . you’re in for a scare! At least that’s what the National Cathedral hopes with their Ghost and Gargoyles tour. An annual event that boasts a sell out crowd, you’ll learn the hidden history behind the mysterious and spooky stories contained in the building, mostly unknown to the larger public. (Washington National Cathedral, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., $25)
ROCK, ROLL: The Ruen Brothers are a pair of British rockers, with self-described “throwback rock and roll sound” that probably evokes feelings of late era 1950s and 60s rockers like, dare I say it, Elivs. With fashion to match their rockabilly tone, there’s plenty to like with this duo as they rock Songbyrd. (Songbyrd, 7 p.m.-11 p.m., $12)
MORE: Conversational DC: Spanish (Colony Club, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., FREE with registration), U Don’t Know Jack w/ Jack (Town Tavern, 8 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE with registration), Midweek Relax and Recharge: Gong Sound Meditation (Yoga In Daily Life, 7 p.m.- 8 p.m., $25)
THURSDAY, JULY 11
THEY’VE GOT JOKES: The Takoma Park location of Busboys & Poets will see performers come together for Comedy as a Second Language, an all-immigrant and first-generation line-up of comedians. We’ve covered the event before if you want an idea of what the show will be able, but it’s sure not to be missed. (Busboys and Poets Takoma, 8 p.m.-9:30 p.m., $20)
GRUB OUT: But if you’d prefer something other than standup, LaPop will have a storytelling night focused on the intersection of food and immigration with both spoken word and stand-up from the people behind some of the District’s best restaurants, including Minibar, Purple Patch, and Bombay Street Food. (LaPop, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Donation encouraged)
ORCHESTRAL: The Hip-Hop Orchestra, a DMV artist collective who reimagine sounds–both old and new–through the lens of hip hop and a full orchestra will be the featured artist at the National Arboretum’s Summer Evenings this week. If you take a quick look at videos of the collective online, you’ll soon realize that they’re a high energy, fun group that’s bound to put on one great show. (National Arboretum, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Free Rooftop Karaoke (Liaison Capitol Hill, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE with registration), YPIA Presents: Cooking Demonstration with Nando’s Peri-Peri (Nando’s Peri-Peri, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $20), Rose Watercolor & Spritz Workshop (Pitango Gelato + Cafe, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., $45)
