FRIDAY OCTOBER 8
BROOKLAND BLOCK PARTY: On Friday, DC Design week is hosting their Pop-Up Block Party at the Brookland Arts Walk. The event is held in partnership with Terratorie Maps + Goods and will feature products from a range of local artisans and makers. (Brookland Arts Walk; 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.; FREE)
NO WASTE: Head to RASA grill to attend a live, interactive cooking demonstration with Imperfect Foods. The event focuses on “how to use the whole carrot” and contribute to a zero-waste environment. The event is part of Imperfect Foods’ larger mission to save one thousand pounds of food from going to waste in D.C. … just in one week. (RASA Grill; 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.; $5+)
WINE FEST: Start your weekend with the first day of Mount Vernon’s Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour. Festival-goers are invited to sample wines from 18 Virginia wineries, lounge on the East Lawn, and patron the Shops at Mount Vernon. (George Washington’s Mount Vernon; 6 p.m.; $59+)
BACK TO THE YARDS: On Friday, head to Navy Yard for a retro, neon-themed party. The celebration marks the back to school season and party-goers are invited to “jam out to a playlist of 80’s chart-toppers and take part in family-friendly activities like learning groovy dance moves with breakdancers.” (The Yards DC; 5:30 p.m .- 8:30 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Time Out Watch Fair (Little Treasury Jewelers; 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; FREE); Hip Hop Museum Grand Induction Gala (Ivy City Smokehouse; 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.; $100+); The Jayhawks (The Hamilton Live; 6:30 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show; $35); The Late Shift: The Art of Questioning (Torpedo Factory Art Center; 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.; FREE).
SATURDAY OCTOBER 9
DOWN IN THE REEDS: This Saturday is the Down in the Reeds day-long music festival. The event, which will be held at the Parks at Walter Reed, aims to create a “fall gathering that brings together a mosaic of entertainment and activations reflective of DC’s cultural diversity and in celebration of the healing power of music.” Acts including RDGLDGRN, Calista Garcia, the Bele Bele Rhythm Collective, and more will perform. (The Parks at Walter Reed; 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; FREE)
FALL 5K: This Saturday, the Friends of the National Arboretum is hosting their 5K fundraiser on the grounds of the National Arboretum. The event supports FONA’s work in hosting programs and events that “instill a love of plants, nature, and the outdoors in all who visit the Arboretum.” (The National Arboretum, with virtual option available; 9 a.m.; $30)
STANDUP: This weekend, join Classified Comedy for their showcase of emerging comedians from across the D.C. region. Saturday’s event will be at Caos on F art gallery and offers standing room and general admission pricing. (Caos on F; 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.; $10 – $15)
BOOKS IN BLOOM: On Saturday, head to Color Burst Park in Columbia, Maryland for the Books in Bloom Literary Festival. The event is headlined by Nikole Hannah-Jones, will feature speakers including NPR’s Stacey Vanek Smith and Maureen Corrigan, and will host author readings throughout the day. Busboys & Poets will also host a pop-up bookstore. (Color Burst Park; 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: The Riverbreaks (10 Year Anniversary show) w/Nico Janssen (Pearl Street Warehouse; 8:00 p.m.; $15); Historic Healing Herbs Demonstration (Dumbarton House; 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.; $15)
SUNDAY OCTOBER 10
BETHESDA ROW ARTS: On Sunday, visit the 23rd annual Bethesda Row Arts Festival in Maryland. The event will feature over 120 artists as they present and showcase their works, including jewelry, photography, glass, and ceramics. The festival will also be open on Saturday. (Bethesda Row; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; FREE)
JOSH RITTER: End your weekend with Sixth and I for their second night of An Evening with Josh Ritter. The in-person event will feature “quieter, more narrative songs that often don’t make the set list during a rock show” from the Idaho-raised singer-songwriter. (Sixth & I; 7 p.m. doors; $40 advance, $45 day-of)
