It will eventually, at some point, feel like fall outside, but a warmer week shouldn’t stop you from getting out there and seeing what’s what about town. On tap: a beer tasting, some great stage performances, compelling panels, and much more. Below, our picks.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
CZECH IT OUT: Did you know that the Czech Republic is responsible for a big part of the world’s beer scene? If, like me, you didn’t, the Embassy of the Czech Republic is hosting a whole deep dive into the thousand-year-old tradition of Czech beer brewing with there What’s Behind the Brew event. Hosted by Evan Rail, a California-based writer that gave Anthony Bourdain a beer tour of the country for his show No Reservations, the event will explore the history and tradition of Czech brewing. (Embassy of the Czech Republic, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., FREE with registration)
I AM IRONMAN: Sadly, this isn’t about the Marvel superhero (although let’s pour one out for the guy Tony Stark) but rather Ironman runs. If you’re dedicated and/or crazy enough to do an Ironman, a panel of experienced Ironman and DC Tri Club members will offer up lots of great information and tips on how to get into it—from training, lifestyle, coaching, and more. (Tenley-Friendship Library, 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., FREE with registration)
ZONE OUT: If your preferred method of winding down is to meditate, this class focused entirely on the benefits of sound meditation might be up your alley. The class promises to focus on listening for healing, using some vocal and percussive sounds. (Rhizome DC, 7 p.m.-8 p.m., $5)
MORE: Los Lonely Boys (The Birchmere, 7:30 p.m., $35), Spotlight on Contemporary Spanish Theater: In the Other Room (Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., FREE with registration), DC Run Crew “HIIT and RUN” September Sessions (Potomac River Running, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., FREE with registration)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1
YOU CAN’T SIT WITH US: While Mean Girls day isn’t (technically) until October 3, that’s not stopping Pinstripes from celebrating the Tina Fey classic a few days early. A dedicated trivia event will test all of your knowledge related to the comedy classic, so make sure you’ve done your homework, or face getting put into the burn book. (Pinstripes, 7 p.m.-9 p.m, FREE with registration)
CIDER HOUSE RULES: Capitol Cider House’s event on Tuesday night aims to show how cider can be a versatile base for great fall cocktails. The cost of your ticket includes two cider cocktails from Pratt Standard Cocktail Company’s Tory Pratt, as well as a deep dive into cocktail history and little flourishes like garnishing and more. (Capitol Cider House, 7 p.m.-8 p.m., $25)
FOR JAMES: In honor of American photojournalist James Foley, who was killed in Syria five years ago, the National Press Club will screen the award-winning documentary Jim: The James Foley Story. After the screening, NPC president Alison Kodjak will moderate a conversation with advocates and journalists about press freedom. (National Press Club, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., FREE with registration)
THE APP IN APPLE: If you’ve ever had a great idea for an app, but never knew where to get started, Bunker Brews will host a gathering at the Apple Carnegie Library to walk beginners through the process of building your own application. By the time the class is over, you’ll walk away with a functioning prototype of your application. Call Shark Tank! (Apple Carnegie Library, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., FREE with registration)
MORE: Charlie Cunningham (DC9 Nightclub, 8 p.m.-11 p.m., $15), Jimmy Herring and The 5 of 7 (The Hamilton Live, 7:30 p.m., $35 – $40)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2
CRAZY FOR CATS: If you’re a fan of the musical Cats or just want a sense of what you might be in for when the Tom Hooper-directed movie adaptation hits theaters later this year, the iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber production is headed into the last few days of its run at the Kennedy Center. This version boasts new sound design and choreography, so even if you’ve seen it before, there’s a chance your memory (pun intended, sadly) of it won’t be the same. (Kennedy Center, 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m., $49 – $149)
SHE SAYS: Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, the Pulitzer-prize winning reporters who broke the story of Harvey Weinstein’s sexual harassment and abuse, will visit D.C. this week to talk about their groundbreaking reporting. The conversation will be moderated by someone who knows a thing or two about breaking big stories, Bob Woodward. (Sixth & I, 7 p.m.-8 p.m., $22 – $50)
ROLL OUT: The Clarendon location of Pacers Running store will host a yoga class at their shop on Wednesday evening. Focused on stretching the muscles and parts of the body used in running (i.e., your hips and hamstrings), there will also be a live DJ providing music throughout the entire class. (Pacers Clarendon, 7 p.m.-8:45 p.m., $20)
DOTH DECLARE: What if Shakespeare … but improv and comedy? That’s what the Improvised Shakespeare Company promises as they take the stage for an evening of wild comedy. The entire play will come together from an audience idea and will feature that trademark Shakespearian wit and drama. (Kennedy Center Family Theater, 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m, $39)
MORE: Fall Book Talks with USCHS (Ketchum Hall, 12 p.m.-1 p.m., FREE with registration), Theatre: Audience (Georgetown University, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE with registration), Martin Garrix (Echostage, 9 p.m., $40 – $50)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3
CLASSICS: In tribute to classical music legends André Previn and Alfred Prinz, the Embassy of Austria will host a concert featuring pianist Maria Prinz and clarinetist Reinhard Wieser. The duo will play a number of famed classical music arrangements across a four-part program. (Embassy of Austria, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE with registration)
HOW DO THEY WORK: For those science lovers, the Greenewalt Auditorium will host a seminar on Thursday evening dedicated to exploring the magic and mystery of magnetic resonance, the phenomenon used in the creation of the MRI, among plenty of other scientific processes. Dr. George Cody from the Carnegie Institution for Science will be on hand to talk about this tool. (Greenwalt Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.,-7:45 p.m., $10)
THE NEWSROOM: In support of their book, There’s No Crying in Newsrooms, author Kristin Grady Gilger and Jula Wallace will give a talk about what they learned about being female leaders in their newsrooms. Also on hand will be Lisa Matthew (Associated Press) and Cork Haik (VICE) in a conversation moderated by Betsy Fischer Martin (Executive Director of the Women & Politics Institute. (American University School of Communication, 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m., FREE with registration)
NIGHT OUT: Common Good City Farm’s signature event, A Night on the Farm, will feature more local dishes than you can shake a fork at. Featuring food and drinks from local spots including Big Bear Cafe, ANXO, Moreland’s Tavern, Roofer’s Union, and more, the annual event will gather people to celebrate both community and their love of food. (Common Good City Farm, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., $80)
MORE: An Evening with Charles Kamasaki (UnidosUS Headquarters, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., $100), KEY! w/ Re-Up Nelson (MilkBoy ArtHouse Library Stage, 8 p.m., $15 – $20), Ann Patchett (Sixth & I, 7 p.m., $20 – $45)
