ART EXHIBIT: Browse the National Portrait Gallery’s latest exhibit, new this month, either in their halls or from the comfort of your couch. The gallery collaborated with The Atlantic for its exhibit “Perspectives: The Atlantic’s Writers at the National Portrait Gallery,” featuring today’s writers and editors reflecting on the lives of earlier contributors, whose portraits are on view. (11:30 a.m., FREE)
COOK OFF: Travel to New Orleans while staying in the District at this Mumbo vs. Gumbo: DC Meets New Orleans cook-off from Don’t Mute DC. Local chefs from Très Creole will serve New Orleans food and Kitchen Savage will highlight Washington cuisine in the ultimate smack-down at the Parcel 15 Lot, adjacent to the Entertainment & Sports Arena. There will also be live performances by EU Band, Big Six Brass Band, and TOB Band. (5 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Yappy Hour at The Midlands (5 p.m., FREE), Virtual Tour: Cultural Heritage of Black Broadway with Author Briana Thomas (6:30 p.m., $30)
TUESDAY, JULY 12
OPENING NIGHT: The much-anticipated National Building Museum and Folger Theatre collaboration is finally happening, kicking off with performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Playhouse constructed in the museum’s great hall. Enjoy various activities, an immersive book installation, costume displays, and more during the day, and attend the opening night performance at night. (8 p.m., $20)
FREE CONCERT: The Embassy of Sweden hosts artist and songwriter Sara Ajnnak for a concert at Alfred Nobel Hall. Ajnnak, who writes her lyrics in the endangered ume sami language, closes out the House of Sweden’s spring theme on Indigenous people. (8 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Steve Von Till with Helen Money (DC9 Nightclub, 8 p.m., $20), Catfish Stand-Up Comedy at Shenanigan’s Irish Pub (8 p.m., FREE), Brown Bag Brief: New Acquisitions at the National Museum of the United States Navy (12 p.m., FREE), Updated Reefer Madness screening with live comedy (Legacy DC, 9 p.m., $5)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13
PUNK SHOW: The DC Punk Archive continues its summer series of rooftop shows featuring local punk bands, sponsored by the MLK Library Friends. This month, enjoy a concert from Cinema Harts and Continuals on the rooftop of the MLK Memorial Library. (6:30 p.m., FREE)
JANE AUSTEN FILM: Are you a fan of Jane Austen? Dumbarton House has got you covered. Enjoy a screening of “Sense and Sensibility” in their historic garden as part of their 11th annual Jane Austen Film Festival. Tickets are sold out online, but limited tickets are available at the door. (7 p.m., FREE)
BENEFIT CONCERT: Support women’s health organizations at this Voices for Choice concert at Songbyrd Music House. Join local artists Erin Aminah, Jen Kovach, Keep Your Secrets, and Griefcat for a collaboration to showcase music about equality, women’s rights, and health, with proceeds donatd in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. (8 p.m., $10)
MORE: Jack Hess – 2022 Tour (Jammin Java, 8 p..m., $25), Free Coffee Breaks with Commonwealth Joe (9 a.m.), Gallery B “Oceans” exhibit opening reception (6 p.m., FREE), Almost Ladies Night (DC Improv, 7:30 p.m., $25), Improv for All! Workshop at Project Create Arts Center (7 p.m., donations welcome), Free Introductory Lessons & Clinic (McLean Racquet & Health Club, 8 p.m.), Waistbead Wednesday (Crystal Cafe by Faith2Felicity, 7 p.m., $60)
THURSDAY, JULY 14
BASTILLE DAY: Celebrate the fall of the Bastille at the many French organizations and restaurants around D.C.: enjoy a face painter, balloon twister, caricature sketch artist, and accordionist at Le Diplomate (free admission), a DJ at Opaline Brasserie (4 p.m., free admission), or treat yourself to a three-course meal (6 p.m., $60) at Bistro Cacao. Head outdoors to Lafayette Square for a tour of famous French Americans (6 p.m., $23) or enjoy French food, drink, crafts, and music at Fessenden Park (2 p.m., $20). Finally, enjoy luxurious French wines either at a virtually-led wine tasting (6:30 p.m., $95) or at the elegant affair at La Maison Française, with a red carpet, multi-course dinner, music, live art creation, and more. (7 p.m., $220)
EMBASSY EVENING: Discover Bali at the Embassy of Indonesia during this evening filled with an Indonesian buffet, open bar, live Balinese dance presentation, and more. Meet the diplomats and ask any questions before browsing Indonesian art and ending the evening with a tourism film highlighting the beauty of Indonesia. (7 p.m., $64)
LIBRARY AFTERHOURS: Enjoy the Library of Congress and its exhibits with extended hours from 5 p.m. tp 8 p.m.! Visitors can purchase happy hour drinks and food while immersing themselves in the Library’s exhibits, collections, and programs. Then, stay for the 8 p.m. outdoor screening of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” on the southeast lawn. (FREE)
DANCE PERFORMANCE: Head to Hillwood Estate for an evening of dance in their gardens with Gesel Mason. Mason’s “Yes, And” is a collection of dance performance experiments that examine Black womanhood and its place in the creative process. (5:30 p.m., pay what you wish, minimum $2)
MORE: Cool Concerts For Kids: ELENA MOON PARK (Strathmore, 7 p.m., FREE), International Spy Museum Spies & Spymasters Cocktail Party (7 p.m., $100), The Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs Present: Community CookOut & Open House (Frank D. Reeves Center of Municipal Affairs, 4 p.m., FREE), Capital Fringe Festival opening night in Georgetown (5 p.m., $15), SCREENING OF WATERMAN & 2022 DCAPAFF OPENING NIGHT (6:15 p.m., FREE), 4th Annual Summer Festival Returns, presented by 1455 (3:45 p.m., FREE), Community Grocery Meet-Up (Anacostia Neighborhood Library, 6:30 p.m., FREE), American Royalty, Tracey Livesay (EastCity Bookshop, 7 p.m., FREE), Capital Arts Collective pop-up at Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center Wilson Plaza (10 a.m., FREE), Sip + Stitch w/ The Other Cat Creations (Shop Made in DC, 6 p.m., $45), Lady ADHD by Improbable Comedy (Silver Spring Black Box, 8 p.m., $25)
