Tune in for a conversation on environmental action from young Indigenous activists in South America.

Angela.n / Flickr

MONDAY, AUGUST 16

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION: Join the National Museum of the American Indian for a conversation with young Indigenous activists from South America who are working to protect natural resources. The virtual program will be in Spanish with simultaneous English interpretation. (4 p.m. FREE)

MORE: Speaking Willow: Language, Art, and Technology (Planet Word Museum, 12 p.m., FREE)

Celebrate the launch of the first-of-its-kind anthology of hip hop and rap from the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Brooke Ward / Flickr

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING: The National Museum of African American History and Culture is launching its Smithsonian Anthology of Hip Hop and Rap and hosting a panel to celebrate. The multimedia collection will chronicle the growth of the genres. Anthology producer Dwandalyn Reece will moderate a panel of scholars and contributors to the anthology, including Chuck D, co-founder of Public Enemy. (7 p.m., FREE)

OUTDOOR PRINTMAKING: Join the DC Public Library at the front terrace of its Georgetown location to make fish art through a printmaking process inspired by Japanese Gyotaku prints. (4 p.m., FREE)

MORE: Elizabeth Barrett Browning: A Reinvented Life (Smithsonian Associates, 6 p.m., $25)

Explore the Hillwood Estate greenhouse before enjoying a dance performance in the gardens. Lawrence OP / Flickr

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18

OPERA SCREENING: IN Series premieres its latest opera film, Black Flute, with a special outdoor screening at the Sylvan Theater on the grounds of the Washington Monument.  The timeless music of Mozart is modernized with a script by local playwright Sybil Roberts and an all-Black cast. (8 p.m., FREE)

PUPPETRY FESTIVAL: Tune into the second virtual National Capital Puppetry Festival through Sunday for nine workshops, two puppet slams, a virtual field trip, and a live-streamed show, all in one place. The festival highlights local and international puppeteers. (5 p.m., $25)

DANCE AND A PICNIC: Spend an evening outside at Hillwood Estate’s gardens with a picnic on the Lunar Lawn and a dance performance from the Dance Institute of Washington. (7 p.m., $20)

BEST OF D.C.: Want to know what’s the best of the best? Head to Washington City Paper’s big bash at 3 Stars Brewing Company to launch the voting round of this year’s Best of D.C. Attendees will get swag, and the first 100 will get a free beer ticket. (5:30 p.m., FREE)

MORE: Invention-Con 2021 (virtual, 12 p.m., FREE), Stompin’ The Blues: The Merriweather Medley (Color Burst Park, 6 p.m., FREE)

Enjoy carnival rides, fried food, and more at the Arlington County Fair. Dennis Dimick / Flickr

THURSDAY, AUGUST 19 

COUNTY FAIR: It’s county fair season! Head over to the Thomas Jefferson Community Center for the Arlington County Fair, complete with carnival rides, live performances, shopping, fair food, and even mobile axe throwing. Events continue through Sunday. (FREE)

GO-GO FESTIVAL: The REACH at the Kennedy Center teams up with Don’t Mute D.C. for a weekend full of go-go music. Enjoy an arts market, DJ set, panel discussion on go-go and the Grammys, and a screening of School Daze, featuring D.C. band E.U.’s song Da Butt. (5 p.m., FREE)

PAINT AND SIP: Paint a creative portrait of your favorite rapper at Upper West Side Cafe at the Squash on Fire building. Choose to paint Cardi B, Biggie Smalls, Tupac, Mac Miller, Snoop Dog, or Post Malone with supplies provided. (6 p.m., $28)

MORE: Neighborhood Movie Night feat. “National Treasure” at metrobar (9 p.m., free admission), “Food Justice in the Nation’s Capital” – Panel Discussion (Anacostia Community Museum, 6:30 p.m., FREE)

Filed Under: dance, events, fair, gardens, things to do, things to do dc,