MONDAY, AUG. 1
VEGAN CHALLENGE: Vegan Outreach launches a month-long vegan challenge at restaurants all over D.C. Diners will have the opportunity to try special vegan menu items and vote for their favorites. Participating restaurants include Spacy Cloud, Shafleafa’s Kitchen, D.C. Harvest, Balangay, and El Tamarindo. (Free admission)
BILINGUAL PERFORMANCE: Visit the National Building Museum to explore the exhibit, The Wall/El Muro: What is a Border Wall,” before diving deeper with an interactive, bilingual theatre event from The Frontera Project. Specifically focused on Tijuana/San Diego, the Mexican and American artists will explore the lives of people on both sides of the border. (National Building Museum; 8 p.m.; $25)
APEROL SPRITZ DAY: Celebrate National Aperol Spritz Day at Puro Gusto Cafe with $5 spritzes all day long. Or opt for their bottomless aperitivo happy hour with bottomless spritzes and snacks for only $17.95 (Free admission)
MORE: Honda Civic Tour – The Future X (Union Stage; 7:30 p.m.; FREE), Storytime (National Gallery of Art; 10 a.m.; FREE), The Senate Project, Sens. Portman and Murphy Debate (George Washington University’s Jack Morton Auditorium; virtual; 7:30 p.m.; FREE), Washington International Piano Festival’s Joint Piano Recital by Marie Kiyone and Yoshio Hamano (Ward Hall at the Catholic University of America; 7:30 p.m.; $10), DJ Eskimo at Eats and Beats (Thirsty Crow; 5 p.m.; Free admission)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 2
BENEFIT CONCERT: Head to Songbyrd for the second interaction of their Voices for Choice series. Support women’s health organizations at the collaboration show featuring songs about equality from Koshari, Tabi Terusiak, Krista O’Connell, Emma G and The Judith Hour. (Songbyrd Music House; 7 p.m.; $10)
FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT: Rhizome DC launches its Erotic August Festival with an opening night screening. The festival’s erotic art exhibition kicks off in the cozy space with a screening of several erotic films by Anthony Le, Jacquie Ray, Anthony Dortch, and more. (Rhizome; 7 p.m.; FREE)
BARTENDERS BOOK TALK: Learn top bartending tips and tricks and view a cocktail making demonstration at this book event at the Busboys and Poets Hyattsville. Authors Wesley Straton and Natalka Burian will discuss the debut novel about an aspiring bartenders and showcase their skills for premium RSVPs, which are $5 and include the first cocktail. (Busboys and Poets Hyattsville; 6 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: 3rd Annual Brewcation in honor of Virginia Craft Beer Month (Lena’s Wood-fired Pizza & Tap; 6 p.m.; Free admission), Escaping Gravity author Lori Garver with Sirisha Bandla (East City Bookshop and virtual; 7 p.m.; FREE), Las Vegas Aces vs. Washington Mystics (Entertainment & Sports Arena; 7 p.m.; $15), Maryland Lyric Opera Presents Leon Fleisher Memorial Concert (The Music Center at Strathmore; 7:30 p.m.; $25), The Red Truck Bakery Cookbook release (One More Page Books; 5 p.m.; FREE), National Night Out 2022 in Crystal City (Gateway Green; 5 p.m., FREE), Night Out for Safety and Liberation (The Well at Oxon Run; 4 p.m.; FREE), Kids Biscuit Party (Preservation Biscuit Company; 10 a.m.;, $40)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3
SOLO PERFORMANCE: Enjoy a solo performance of Spanking Machine as part of 1st Stage’s 2022 Logan Festival of solo shows in Tysons. In this show, writer and performer Marga Gomez performs her funny, intense, and heart-rending memoir of growing up brown and queer in Washington Heights. (1st Stage; 7:30 p.m.; $20)
UPCYCLE PARTY: Revamp your summer wardrobe sustainability with local maker Relume at Femme Fetale DC. Upcycle your well-worn clothes at this DIY class through patchwork, paint, mending, and more, while sipping on cocktails. (Femme Fatale DC; 4:30 p.m.; $5 suggested donation)
MORE: A Summer Sing-along for Tenors and Basses (St. John’s Episcopal Church; 7:30 p.m.; FREE), Fitz and the Tantrums & Andy Grammer (Filene Center at Wolf Trap; 7:30 p.m.; $32), Standards (DC9 Nightclub; 8 p.m.; $13), Radical Joy Riding DC’s Um How the Heck Do I Buy a Bike? (Lyman’s Tavern; 6 p.m.; FREE), Infused Vinegar for Cooking and Cleaning workshop (Goethe-Institut Washington; 6:30 p.m.; FREE), Sunset Poolside Yoga (Fairlington Meadows Pool; 6:30 p.m.; $15), Mayweather Boxing + Fitness Navy Yard Pop-Up Workout (355 Water St. SE; 6 p.m.; FREE)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4
SALSA IN THE PARK: Enjoy free salsa dance lessons alongside live music at Wheaton Forest Local Park. Attendees can purchase food from Charlie’s Empanadas, Churros Inc., and Clayboys Shave Ice or drinks from True Respite Brewing Co. as well. (Wheaton Forest Local Park; 5 p.m.; Free admission)
BURGER BATTLE: Decide on the best burgers at The Wharf while supporting a good cause at this year’s DC Burger Battle. Sample burgers from The Anthem, Brighton SW1, Kaliwa, Kirwan’s on the Wharf, Pearl Street Warehouse, Tiki TNT, and Whiskey Charlie while sipping on beer or vodka seltzers. Tickets include burgers and three drink tickets. There will be live music, games, and giveaways too. (Transit Pier at The Wharf; 7 p.m.-10 p.m.; $45)
HAPPY HOUR AND A MOVIE: Hang out with librarians and information professionals at Santa Rosa Taqueria. Enjoy happy hour food and drinks then join Special Libraries Association members for the outdoor sunset screening of Wall-E on the lawn of the Library of Congress. (Santa Rosa Taqueria and Library of Congress lawn; 5:30 p.m.; Free admission)
PANDEMIC PHOTOGRAPHY: Leica Store DC opens its latest exhibit, Phil Penman’s ‘Life During A Pandemic.’ On opening night, explore Penman’s photographs that document the rapid flux of New York City’s streets. (Leica Store DC; 7 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Propelling Voice with ReVision Dance Company (Dance Place; 11 a.m.; FREE), Mohsin Hamid (Sixth & I; 7 p.m.; virtual $12, in-person $18), A Hundred Sweet Promises author Sepehr Haddad (The Village of Friendship Heights Center; 2 p.m.; FREE), El puente (GALA Hispanic Theatre; 7 p.m.; FREE), Summer SOULstice ft. Terra Firma and Jarreau Williams (Jammin Java; 8 p.m.; $15), Sasha Alex Sloan – I Blame The World Tour (The Fillmore; 8 p.m.; $27.50), DMV Comedy Wars: A Comedy Benefit for Humane Rescue Alliance (O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub; 8 p.m.; $15), Trash Boat and the Ambush / Dead Billionaires / Strangers that Clique (The Runaway; 8:30 p.m.; $15), BeenFunny Black Tie Affair (Hard Rock Cafe; 8:30 p.m.; $30), Volunteer and Beer with Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail; (Mount Vernon Trail south of Crystal City Connector; 5:30 p.m.; FREE), Sounds of Nollywood: Episode 4: Early 2020 and Beyond (National Museum of African Art and virtual; 1 p.m., FREE)
