FRIDAY, JULY 22
BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK: Haven’t snagged a deal at a Black-owned eatery yet for Black Restaurant Week? There’s still plenty of time, as the “week” is actually two weeks and runs through July 31. The celebration features 90 participating restaurants in the D.C. and Baltimore areas, each offering their own specials and deals. From Milk & Honey Cafe on H Street NE, all the way to Big Buns Damn Good Burgers in Vienna, celebrate your local Black-owned restaurants this weekend and beyond. (Participating restaurants; through July 31; meal prices vary)
NO RAIN IN HELL: From the mind of Iranian filmmaker Zahra Shahhatami comes There Is No Rain in Hell, an apocalyptic movie about a brutal war that leaves only eight survivors. Their journey to hang on in the face of death is at the center of the film, which director Shahhatami says is about “humanity—a truly timeless piece that speaks to anyone, regardless of where they are from.” Catch the film when it screens this weekend at George Washington University. (Elliott School of International Affairs; 5 p.m.; FREE)
ART CHAT: The art world can be intimidating. Every week, the National Museum of Women in the Arts aims to make it a little more approachable with virtual art chats by inviting the public to participate in conversations about various works in their collection. This Friday’s theme is “(Un)Masked,” and will examine three works of art that incorporate various types of masks. (Virtual; 5 p.m.; FREE)
HORROR Q&A: Head to the Lee-Fendall House Museum in Alexandria for a horror-themed edition of Trivia Nights at Historic Sights. Staff of Lee-Fendall and the nearby Carlyle House Museum use their own knowledge to come up with trivia about a wide range of topics throughout the summer, with the horror genre the theme this week. Ticket includes snacks and one drink. (Lee-Fendall House Museum & Gardens; 7 p.m.; $8)
MUSIC FOR MARYLAND: Marylanders are in for a treat this summer. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is going on an in-state tour called Music for Maryland, bringing American classics to cities across the state. This weekend, enjoy numbers like John Williams’ “Superman March” and the University of Maryland’s fight song as you overlook the Potomac at the National Harbor. (Plaza Stage at National Harbor; 7 p.m.; FREE+)
SHAMIR: Do you like bubbly hyperpop à la Charli XCX? How about folky guitar songs in an Angel Olsen fashion? Maybe danceable indie rock like The Strokes? If you answered yes to any of the above, Shamir’s concert at Songbyrd is a safe bet. The singer escapes any label you may try to put on him, dancing across and between genres. A thread of honest, emotional songwriting runs through his eclectic music. (Songbyrd Music House; 7 p.m.; $17+)
MORE: Ryan Lucas (Long Bridge Park; 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; FREE); Syleena Johnson (City Winery; 6 p.m.; $40+); Hypnotist Flip Orley (DC Improv; Friday and Saturday; 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; $22+); Smithsonian Nighttime Adventures (Natural History Museum; 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; $70+); Warpaint (Capital Turnaround; 7 p.m.; $27.50); Flesh and The Devil (Packard Campus Theater; 7:30 p.m.; FREE); Broncho (Black Cat; 8 p.m.; $20); Gasolina Reggaeton Dance Party (9:30 Club; 9 p.m.; $20); Daft Punk Is Playing at My House (DC9 Nightclub; 10 p.m.; FREE+); DCFridaze (Saint Yves; 10 p.m.; FREE+)
SATURDAY, JULY 23
LOTUS AND WATER LILY FEST: Peak bloom is here — not cherry blossoms, but lotus and lily blossoms. Celebrate the gorgeous flowers with this month’s Lotus and Water Lily Festival, which continues for two more weeks. This weekend, find a host of activities at Kenilworth Park, including a mariachi performance, a history of Shaw Water Gardens, and a garden tour in Spanish. (Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens; Saturday 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; FREE)
BLACK GREEK FESTIVAL: Take a trip down memory lane and straight to the beer pong table with this weekend’s Black Greek Festival. In its second year, the festivities include local and visiting DJs, goods from Black-owned businesses, Black-owned food trucks, lots of games, and lots of parties. (Gateway DC; Saturday through Monday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; $70+)
ALETHIA TANNER DAY: Two Alethia Tanners are being celebrated on this weekend’s Alethia Tanner Day. Number one is Alethia Tanner herself, a formerly enslaved woman who bought her freedom, freed 18 others from enslavement, and helped lay the groundwork for the District’s first school for Black kids. Number two is the shiny new NoMa park named after her. Head there on Saturday for a dedication ceremony, a pop-up market, music, double dutch lessons, and more. (Alethia Tanner Park; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; FREE)
SHE DESERVES DIGNITY AND JOY: It’s never too late to become a roller skating TikTok sensation. Get your start at She Deserves Dignity and Joy, an event hosted by the National Women’s Law Center and LinkUp DC that features free food, live performances, art activities, and of course, roller skating lessons. Attendees will also learn about harmful policies that push Black girls and femmes out of schools and into the criminal legal system. (Anacostia Park Skate Pavilion; 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.; FREE)
BEACH WEEK GONE WRONG: At the start of every summer, newly-minted DMV high school grads flock to rentals in Delaware and Maryland beaches for Beach Week, a longstanding local tradition. In Aggie Blum Thompson’s latest novel, All the Dirty Secrets, Beach Week takes a dark turn. She’ll discuss her latest mystery novel at Politics & Prose in Northwest. (Politics & Prose; 5 p.m.; FREE)
LAURIE ANDERSON: Laurie Anderson’s breathtaking exhibit, The Weather, has been on display at the Hirshhorn since last September, and will be on until August 7. But this is a particularly special weekend to see it — Anderson herself will be there. She’ll introduce “Quartet for Sol,” a musical tribute she composed that was inspired by artist Sol LeWitt, and cellist Rubin Kodheli will perform it. Advance tickets have all been nabbed, but walk-ups will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. (Hirshhorn Museum; 5 p.m.; FREE)
Sponsored: FILM OPENING: This week, experience the New York Times Critic’s Pick Fire of Love on the big screen at Landmark’s E Street and Bethesda Row Cinemas. For two decades, a daring and deeply in love and in sync French volcanologist couple roamed the planet, chasing eruptions and documenting their discoveries. This Sundance sensation the Associated Press called “jaw-dropping” and”a film exploding with awe for the mysterious alchemies of love and obsession” makes use of their incredible footage.
MORE: Amanda Seales (Kennedy Center; 8 p.m.; $48-$100) National Landing Market (Crystal City; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; FREE); Sips of Summer (Hook Hall; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $30+); Maps of Washington Open House (The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum; 10:30 a.m.; FREE); Yoga Charity Class (La Cosecha; 10:30 p.m.; $25); Julia Wolfe Art Talk (Hemphill Artworks; 11 a.m.; FREE); Kua Designs Pop-Up (Ipade CoWork; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; FREE) Third Eye Blind (Merriweather Post Pavilion; 5:30 p.m.; $29.50+); Comedy Bonfyre (Crazy Aunt Helen’s; 6 p.m.; $10); Hidden Figures (Great Lawn at The Parks at Walter Reed; 6 p.m.; FREE); J Paris – 90s Music (Summer Concert Series, Plaza at Tysons Corner Center; 7 p.m.; FREE) Ben Schwartz and Friends (Warner Theatre; 7 p.m.; $39+); Flight Facilities (9:30 Club; 8 p.m.; $25); Pet Fox (DC9 Nightclub; 8 p.m.; $15)
SUNDAY, JULY 24
THE BODY SHOW: We’re entering weekend two of the Capital Fringe Festival, so you have one more chance to catch all the performances you missed last weekend — including The Body Show. Organized by Mikala Jamison, the show features locals telling stories about their relationships to their bodies. Touching on everything from dress codes to abortions, they’ll have you laughing, learning, and maybe moved to tears. (3270 M St. NW; Saturday 7 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m.; $15)
THE SIRENS OF TITAN: Kurt Vonnegut’s science fiction comic The Sirens of Titan explores what happens when wealthy white men make the journey into space. Sound familiar? This weekend, the Bushwick Book Club takes the cult book as inspiration for an art performance. After reading it, a group of indie artists will create pieces of art inspired by the story in real time. (Crazy Aunt Helen’s; 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; $10)
MORE: Sunday Burn (The Washington Ballet; 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.; $10); Bonbon Festival (Songbyrd Music House; 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; $20); The Chuck Brown Band (City Winery; 6 p.m.; $32); Justin Whitehead (DC Comedy Loft; 6:30 p.m.; $30); 87 Nights and The Stews (Union Stage; 7 p.m.; $17.50+); Comedy Kumite (DC Improv; 7 p.m.; $20+); Pony Bradshaw (Hill Country Barbecue Market; 7 p.m.; $12); Punk Rock Movie Night (Black Cat; 7 p.m.; $20); Calliope Musicals (Pie Shop; 7:30 p.m.; $12+); Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens (Wolf Trap; 8 p.m.; $32-$127) Lady HD (DC9 Nightclub; 8 p.m.; $15)
