FRIDAY, JULY 12
I WANT IT THAT WAY: Backstreet’s back! Two decades after the group’s founding, you can relive the heyday of the 1990’s boy band era as the Backstreet Boys headline the Capital One Arena. The group released a new album earlier this year, but the classics will surely be on the set list. (Capital One Arena, 8 p.m., $200+)
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS: The latest Luce Unplugged Community Showcase features experimental hip-hop from Model Home and acoustic guitar courtesy of Virginia’s Daniel Bachman. While you’re there, take in the Luce Center collection with a beer tasting from Right Proper. (Smithsonian American Art Museum, 6 8 p.m., FREE)
GOAL: If the Women’s World Cup win converted you to newfound soccer fandom, why not see a game in town? No, Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle won’t be there, but expect a solid show as D.C. United takes on New England Revolution. (Audi Field, 7 p.m., $30+)
MORE: Feel Good Friday (Noma-Gallaudet Metro Station, 7:30-9:30 a.m., FREE), MarketSW (4th and M St SW, 4-10 p.m., FREE), Jazz in the Garden (National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 5-8:30 p.m., FREE), White Ford Bronco (The Bullpen, 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show, $20 advance/$25 day of show), Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series (The Yards Park, 7-9 p.m., FREE), Rosslyn Cinema: Incredibles 2 (Gateway Park, 8:34 p.m. movie time, FREE)
SATURDAY, JULY 13
FLOWER POWER: The Lotus and Water Lily Festival takes over Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens this Saturday and Sunday. Check out the blossoms in bloom; while you’re there, take in two stages of musical performances, dance demonstrations and interaction sessions, including yoga and wildlife presentations. (Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., FREE)
MUSICAL MOMENT: The Band’s Visit took home the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2018. Though you can’t catch it on Broadway anymore, a new production of the show is in town through August 4. (The Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., $45-$149)
FRENCH FETE: Celebrate Bastille Day early in Tenleytown as Tenleytown Main Street and the Friends of Fessenden Park team up for an afternoon of all things French. The event includes French wine and refreshments, plus crepe and profiteroles from Le Chat Noir and Matisse. (Fessenden Park, 2-4 p.m., $20/adult, one child free per adult)
SATURDAY NIGHT OUT: The quarterly BENT party returns to 9:30 Club. Hosted by Pussy Noir, and featuring visuals by Ben Carver, this month’s Back with a Bang soirée features sets from Lemz, WESSTHEDJ, Dvonne and more. Arrive at 9 p.m. for happy hour pricing before the night begins. (9:30 Club, 10 p.m. doors, $20)
MORE: Practice with Love Yoga Pop-Up (U.S. Botanic Garden, 10 a.m. doors, 10:30 a.m. class, FREE), Yoga for Runners and Cyclists (Bluebird Sky, 2-4 p.m., $20 members/$25), Rosé All Day on Cork’s Summer Patio (Cork Wine Bar, 3-5 p.m., $30), Focaccia Making (A Baked Joint, 4-6 p.m., $75), DCRR Track Championship (Dunbar High School, 4:30-8 p.m., FREE), Las Vegas Aces vs. Washington Mystics (Entertainment and Sports Arena, 7 p.m., $9+)
SUNDAY, JULY 14
OUT OF THIS WORLD: It’s been 50 years since the moon landings of the Apollo program. The National Gallery’s By the Light of the Silvery Moon: A Century of Lunar Photographs, curated by Diane Waggoner, celebrates our photographic fixation with our celestial neighbor. The 50 pieces featured include mid-19th century depictions, plus images taken during unmanned missions. (National Gallery of Art, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., FREE)
TO BE OR NOT TO BE: See some of Shakespeare’s most iconic siloquoys live (and for free!) during the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Free For All presentation of Hamlet. Enter the daily lottery to score your tickets; the production ends July 21. (Sidney Harman Hall, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., FREE)
KEANU SEASON: Even the Smithsonian knows it’s the summer of Keanu. This weekend, catch a Keanu double feature with the Keanu Reeves’ Excellent Film Series. Sunday’s program is all about revenge with back-to-back showings of John Wick and John Wick 2. (National Museum of American History 4:30 p.m. and 6:50 p.m., $10)
MORE: Family Fun Neighborhood Playdate (Capitol Cider House, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., FREE), Free Your Mind (lululemon Georgetown, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., $10), UrbanArias: The Juliet Letters (Signature Theatre, 2 p.m., $47), Sunset Bossa Nova: Special Tribute to João Gilberto (Wunder Garten, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., FREE), Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah (City Winery DC, 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., $28+), Nas with the National Symphony Orchestra (Wolf Trap Filene Center, 6:30 p.m. gates, 8 p.m. show, $50)
