FRIDAY, JUNE 3
AWESOME CON: D.C.’s version of Comic Con — an annual weekend-long celebration of geek culture — starts Friday. Well-known players in comics, films, TV, toys, and games come together for a lineup of programming that includes a science fair, a book fair, Awesome Con Jr. for all ages, Pride Alley for queer creators and fans, and an exhibit hall. Tickets start at $45 for adults and $18 for kids. Saturday and Sunday also have full days of events. (Walter E. Washington Convention Center; 1 to 8 p.m.; prices vary)
QUEER BEER FESTIVAL: Hop Culture and New Belgium are teaming up for a three-day craft beer festival at The Wharf featuring queer-owned and LGBTQIA+-friendly breweries. Starting Friday (and continuing Saturday), the event includes unlimited samples from 30 breweries, live music, and a souvenir tasting cup. VIP tickets also get early admission and food pairings. A portion of the event’s sales will be donated to the Transgender Law Center. (The Wharf; 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, two sessions Saturday; $65-$150)
CATCH A ROMANIAN FILM: The Romanian Film Festival is back for a third year, showcasing 12 movie screenings and meet-and-greets with Romanian directors, actors, and producers over three weekends. Opening night on Friday starts with a screening of the film Blue Moon (Crai nou), followed by a Q&A with director Alina Grigore. The program, put together by Romanian film critic Mihai Fulger, aims to offer a better understanding of the Eastern European psyche and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between Romania and the U.S. (Miracle Theater; 7 p.m.; FREE)
BALLET ON DISPLAY: Watch the Washington Ballet perform at The Plaza at CityCenterDC under all those pink lanterns. The one-hour show (also happening Saturday), part of the ballet’s “Dance for All” program, will have both classical pieces and sets by emerging choreographers. Seating is limited. (The Plaza at CityCenterDC; 6 p.m.; FREE)
CHOCOLATE CITY COMMUNITY RIDE: An early evening ride through the District, hosted by Major Knox Adventures and Saturday Night Bike Club, is the preamble to this weekend’s Armed Forces Cycling Classic bike races in Arlington. There will also be music performances by Long Live Gogo DC and DJ Brew and a bike giveaway. (Anacostia Park; 5 p.m.; FREE)
CAPITAL PRIDE HONORS: Join Capital Pride Alliance for an evening recognizing local leaders and activists working for change in and for the LGBTQ+ community. The awards ceremony starts at 7 p.m., followed by performances by Inaya Day and DJ Edward. Tickets include food and two drinks, and all funds go to Capital Pride Alliance and the Pride 365 Fund. Interested in more Pride events? Check out our full-month Pride guide here. (Penn Social; 7 to 10:30 p.m.; $25 to $60)
MORE: More Than Your Eyes Can See: Contemporary Photography from the Arab World (Middle East Institute; 6 to 8 p.m.; FREE); Karaoke with the KingPin (Busboys and Poets Brookland; 9 p.m.; $8); Ray LaMontagne: The MONOVISION Tour (The Anthem; 6 p.m.; $55-95); Sara Kays (Songbyrd; 7 p.m.; $20); Chelsea Handler (The Warner Theatre; 7 p.m.; $67); Drumfolk by Step Afrika! (Arena Stage; 8 p.m.; $41-$92); Prince Dance Party: The Purple Session with DJ Dredd (Black Rock Center for the Arts; 8 p.m.; $20); Congressional Chorus 16th Annual Cabaret: Mixtape (The Church of the Epiphany; 7:30 p.m.; $30-$45)
SATURDAY, JUNE 4
STORYTELLING SUMMIT: Eaton DC will host an all-day series of panels and discussions on photography’s power. Photographers and photojournalists will share stories, skills, and inspiration from their coverage. The evening will end with a reception at Eaton Workshop, featuring Exposed DC’s photography show, a cash bar, and Les the DJ. RSVP is required. The events are part of nonprofit Focus on the Story’s month-long celebration of visual storytelling. (Eaton DC; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; FREE)
WASHINGTON FOLK FESTIVAL: After a two-year break, the annual festival returns in time to mark its 40th anniversary. The outdoor event has multiple stages for music, storytelling, an artisan marketplace, and food from Praline Bakery. The Maryland Youth Pipe Band will start off with a traditional march from the parking lot; performances throughout Saturday and Sunday span everything from Irish dance and Ukrainian songs to roots, jazz, country, barbershop, and swing. On-site parking is limited; a free festival shuttle will run from the GEICO parking lot, with free satellite parking in Chevy Chase. (Glen Echo Park; 12 to 7 p.m.; FREE)
PRIDE FAMILY DAY: The Smithsonian will host an outdoor family-friendly Pride celebration for younger attendees on the F Street plaza. Stay outside to see performances by DC’s Different Drummers and DJ Rosie Hicks, a lip-sync drag show with Ruth Allen Ginsburg, Desiree, Tippa Buckley, and Molasses, and make jewelry and weaving crafts, or head inside for a scavenger hunt. Note: This event will be canceled in the evening of bad weather. (Smithsonian American Art Museum; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m; FREE)
ANNAPOLIS ARTS WEEK PICNIC: Take a short drive in the name of art. A week-long schedule of events starts with a kick-off picnic on the MC3 field at Park Place with music, lawn games, and arts activities. Attendees can bring their own food and drinks (and alcoholic beverages). “Between the Spaces,” an exhibit by abstract artist Patrice Drago, will also be open in the MC3, and artist Jose Feliciano will perform at Rams Heads at 8 p.m. (Various locations; 5:30 p.m.; FREE)
PLATINUM JUBLIEE: Duke’s Grocery celebrates Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th anniversary as queen with 70-cent Pimm’s Cup or Tanqueray cocktails — to start. Each day Thursday through Sunday, the first 70 of the cocktails ordered are 70 cents, with the price going up to $7 after the 70th of each drink is sold. The promotion is on all weekend at locations in Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom and Woodley Park. (Duke’s Grocery/Counter; Thursday-Sunday, starting at $0.70)
PAWS ON THE PLAZA: Bring your pups — or go meet some — to the Tysons Corner Center plaza for this pet event featuring a dog park, dog splash pad, dog caricature drawings and a photobooth. (Tysons Corner Center, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Open Streets (7th Street NW; 9 a.m. to noon; FREE); Annapolis Pride Parade & Festival (Annapolis; noon to 5 p.m.; FREE); (826DC’s Half-Half-Half-Half-Half Marathon (Harriet Tubman Elementary School; 11 a.m.; FREE); DC Center Peer Support Group Lunch & Watch Party (The DC Center; 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.; FREE); Black Violin (Wolf Trap; 8 p.m.; $30); Karaoke Night Hosted by Dwayne B (Busboys and Poets Anacostia; 7 p.m.; $5); DC Buffalo Bills Backers fundraiser for Buffalo, N.Y. (The Bullpen; 2 to 8 p.m.; by donation); Last Dinosaurs (Union Stage; 7 p.m.; $20); BENT: Pride Month Kickoff (9:30 Club; 10 p.m.; $25); Formation– A Beyonce Inspired Dance Party (Songbyrd; 11 p.m.; $10); Romeo И Juliet (Silver Spring Black Box Theatre; 7 p.m.; $12-$18)
SUNDAY, JUNE 5
AFRO LATINO FEST: To celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month, the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs will host the first ever DC Afro Latino Fest at Malcolm X Park. Bring a blanket and picnic; yoga classes, capoeira (Brazilian martial art) demonstrations, and live music by Yissy García, Daymé Arocena, Aurelio Martínez, and Yasser Tejeda will take place throughout the day. (Malcolm X Park; 2 to 9 p.m; FREE)
WATCH AN OUTDOOR MOVIE: City Ridge, a new development in Northwest D.C. on the site of the former Fannie Mae headquarters, will host two outdoor watch parties on its Great Lawn. Tennis fans can catch the French Open men’s singles finals from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with local food trucks, lawn games, and a French Open trivia contest. In the evening, a showing of An American in Paris at 6:30 will include a candy pop-up bar. Free garage parking is available on-site. Don’t forget to bring a blanket. (3900 Wisconsin Avenue NW, times vary, FREE).
FIND FRIENDS IN DC: The FRIENDS Experience, the traveling showcase created for the sitcom’s 25th anniversary, has its final weekend in the area. You can check out 12 iconic rooms with memorabilia, including the orange couch from Central Perk, Chandler and Joey’s recliner, and Monica’s kitchen. Tickets are sold in 15-minute time slots. (1025 F Street NW; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $45)
MORE: National Philharmonic performs Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis (Strathmore, 3 p.m.; $19-$99); MINT’s 4th Annual Power Playground (Marie Reed Field; Noon to 1 p.m.; FREE); Parents on the Pier: Advancing Justice for All (District Pier at The Wharf; 1 to 4 p.m.; FREE); Bastille (The Anthem; 6:30 p.m.; $45-$125); Mansionair (Union Stage; 7 p.m.; $20); Uptown Shuffle (Cleveland Park; 12 to 4 p.m.; FREE); Dock Days of Summer: Marc Blackwood and Friends (DC Brau Beer Garden; 2 to 5 p.m.; FREE); Improv Comedy Night (DC Arts Center; 7:15 p.m.; $5); Once Upon a Time fantastical beast costume dance party (Never Looked Better; 6 p.m.; FREE); Sound Scene Afterparty (RhizomeDC; 6 p.m.; $10); Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis (Strathmore; 3 p.m.; $20-$79)
