There are a bunch of ways to spend your weekend outside, from concerts to rooftop bar crawls. Or, if you’d prefer something safe from sun, head to OTAKON or a free film screening at the Shakespeare Theater Company.
FRIDAY, JULY 26
POP CULTURE: OTAKON, the annual summertime celebration of Asian pop culture focusing on everything anime, manga, music, movies, and video game,s takes over the convention center all weekend long. Friday night features the inaugural Lyra’s Formal Ball. (Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 8 a.m.-2 a.m., $40+)
PARTY ON: Join the DowntownDC Business Improvement District and Words Beat and Life for the weekly summertime Chinatown Block Party. This week’s lineup of artists includes Raquel Brown, ARK, and DJ Heat, plus visual artist Shanna Lim. (Chinatown Park, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., FREE)
MY AIM IS TRUE: In 2018, the legendary Elvis Costello released his first new album in five years, Look Now, after cancelling tour dates following cancer surgery. At the Anthem this weekend, he’s backed by the Imposters. Debbie Harry’s Blondie also performs. (The Anthem, 6 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show, $95-$175)
MORE: Jazz in the Garden (National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 5-8:30 p.m., FREE), Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series (The Yards Park, 7-9 p.m., FREE), Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals (Nationals Park, 7:05 p.m., $17+)
SATURDAY, JULY 27
GARDEN YOGA: Start your morning with a pop-up yoga class at the U.S. Botanic Garden, courtesy of With Love DC. You don’t need to bring any cash, but do tote your own mat and water. (U.S. Botanic Garden, 10 a.m. doors, 10:30 a.m. class, FREE)
ROOFTOP SIPPIN’: Looking to hop from rooftop bar to rooftop bar, drink in hand? This summer crawl, which has registration at Decades, promises drink specials ($3 beer, $4 rail drinks, $5 shots) and waives cover fees at each location. (Decades, 4 p.m., $10)
CLASSIC HIP HOP AT FORT DUPONT: The outdoor concert series at the National Park Service amphitheater continues with a classic hip hop night, featuring Chubb Rock, Dana Dane, and Special Ed, as well as comedian Joe Clair. If you feel so inclined, bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket. (Fort Dupont Park, 6 p.m., FREE)
HIGH SCHOOL SHAKESPEAREAN ROM COM: The classic Ten Things I Hate About You was modeled on The Taming of the Shrew, and so the Shakespeare Theatre company is screening the movie as part of its free summer film series. (Sidney Harman Hall, 7 p.m., FREE, but reserve tickets in advance)
MORE: Pacers Oasis (Pacers Running Navy Yard, 7:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., FREE), Smorgasburg DC (Tingey Plaza, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., FREE), Tillamook Melty Fest Tour (Wunder Garten, 12 p.m.-6 p.m., FREE), Second Breakfast Vintage Pop-Up (The LINE Hotel, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., FREE), Tiki Yards (The Yards Park, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., $10), Shark Bites and Brews (The Wharf, 2 p.m.-5 p.m., FREE), Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals (Nationals Park, 4:05 p.m., $25+), Story District’s Breaking Bread (Lincoln Theatre, 5:30 p.m. doors, $35-$50),
SUNDAY, JULY 28
GAME SET MATCH: The DMV is a hotbed for tennis this weekend as the Citi Open kicks off with qualifying matches. The tournament continues through the week with the finals slated for next weekend. (Rock Creek Park Tennis Center, 10 a.m., $15+)
AU NATUREL: Natural wine isn’t anything new, but with the buzz it’s gotten lately, it feels like it could be the next big thing. Sample five wines from regions all around the country at the Made in America Natural Wine Class. (Dio Wine Bar, 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., $40)
INDOOR TOUCHDOWN: If you’re longing for the return of college football and NFL season, satiate the desire with a little arena action. The AFL playoffs pit the Philadelphia Soul against the Washington Valor this Sunday. (Capital One Arena, 3:30 p.m., $9+)
MORE: Hill Runners Birthday Brunch (Summit to Soul, 9 a.m., FREE), Summer Spritz Party (Whaley’s, 12 p.m., FREE), Yappy Hour (Wunder Garten, 12 p.m., FREE), Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals (Nationals Park, 1:35 p.m., $17+), The Little Mermaid (Shakespeare Theatre Company Sidney Harman Hall, 2 p.m., FREE), Botanicals Workshop with One Eight Distilling (1135 Okie St NE, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m., $30)
