Dance your feet off all weekend
This weekend, Rock and Roll Hotel is hosting three dance parties. On Friday, get groovy with a range of Top 40 and dance hits from DJ Pedro. On Saturday, you have two options—Mass Appeal with DJ AutoRock, giving you a “funky mix of the best hip-hop, house, party jams, and pop,” or check out NickeGLOWdeon with Laila McQueen. It’s an “LGBTQIA+ black light party,” featuring special guest Laila McQueen from RuPaul’s Drag Race (that one requires an RSVP).
Rock and Roll Hotel, Friday and Saturday, various times.
Feed a … tarantula?
Did you know the National Museum of Natural History hosts live tarantula feedings year-round? In addition to feeding a tarantula, brave visitors can touch and hold live insects and ask questions about the Insect Zoo. No reservation needed, just walk in with your spidey senses tingling.
National Museum of Natural History, Friday-Sunday, various times
Catch the last weekend of some art exhibits
There are quite a few art exhibits closing up this weekend, so now’s your last chance to check them out. There’s the Library of Congress’ Herblock: Art in Action, which was “inspired by original drawings created for distribution in newspapers by 20th century cartoonist Herbert L. Block.” Or, attend Eye to I: Self-Portraits from 1900 to Today from the National Portrait Gallery, featuring American self portraits and explorations of how Americans choose to depict themselves. Last but not least, two of the District of Columbia Arts Center’s exhibits are closing this weekend—the 30th annual open, hang-it-yourself show Wallmountables, as well as work by abstract painter Richard Siegman.
Herblock: Art in Action: Library of Congress, open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., ends Saturday
Eye to I: Self-Portraits from 1900 to Today: National Portrait Gallery, open 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m., ends Sunday
Wallmountables: District of Columbia Arts Center, open 2 p.m.-7 p.m., ends Friday
Richard Siegman: District of Columbia Arts Center, ends Sunday
Take your taste buds on a trip around the world
This year, there will be over 40 countries present at the 2019 Around the World Cultural Festival. Starting at 11:30 a.m. Freedom Plaza will be filled with arts and crafts, dance performances, and booths from small businesses. You can also check out a wide variety of food options, “from Europe, United States, Asia, Middle East, South and Central America.” Admission is free, but if you wish to purchase a VIP ticket offering exclusive perks, you can do that as well.
Freedom Plaza, Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Attend a free comedy show
Head out to Hawk ‘n’ Dove for a free comedy show on Saturday night. The performer is Dan Perlman, a writer, filmmaker, and stand-up comedian from New York City. He was recently named one of the new faces of the popular Montreal festival Just for Laughs. Janessa Kowal from Stellar Underground writes that Perlman “has a knack for taking a universal experience and spinning it into a punchline that you didn’t see coming, but that you also totally agree with.”
Hawk ‘n’ Dove, Saturday, 8 p.m.-10 p.m.
Want more ideas for the weekend, even if they cost a little money?
10 Things To Do Around D.C. This Weekend
10 Food And Drink Events To Feast On This Week
10 Concerts You Won’t Want To Miss This Week
8 Shows To Catch On D.C. Stages In August
Brave The Heat With 5 Races To Run In August
