FRIDAY, AUG. 5
SEASONAL SUMMER COOKING DEMO: Eating foods that are in-season locally is better for the environment, for your wallet, and for your taste buds. In need of some inspiration? Stream this seasonal summer cooking class, hosted by the U.S. Botanical Garden free of charge. Nutritionist Danielle Cook and chef Adrienne Cook will take you through two summer recipes: a tomato pasta and a stone fruit tart. (Virtual; 12 p.m.; FREE)
CLOCKOUT DC PRE-GAME: In the D.C. event roundup game, Jade Womack’s Clockout DC is a star player. Join Jade and the Clockout DC community for a pre-game this Friday at Grand Duchess. Have some drinks (with special deals on select purchases), make some friends, and maybe even form a group to paint the town red with after. (Grand Duchess; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; FREE)
OH HE DEAD: Get funky this Friday with Oh He Dead, the local groovers who specialize in soulful music. The band has been turning heads since 2014, and are currently on tour around the East Coast and South before they play Firefly Music Festival this September. No need to wait until then. They stop at Howard Theatre this weekend, and there’s no show like a hometown show. (Howard Theatre; 8 p.m.; $20)
ALICIA KEYS: The woman needs no introduction. Start your weekend off with a performance by the prolific Alicia Keys at MGM National Harbor. Pink Sweat$, the bubbly R&B and pop singer-songwriter with an angelic voice, opens the show. (MGM National Harbor; 8 p.m.; $199+)
SLAY THEM: Red Bear Brewing’s Slay Them Drag Competition is back for season two. For six months, local drag queens will perform and compete every first Friday of the month. In March 2023, the monthly winners will compete for the grand prize of $500 in Red Bear bookings and $200 in cash. Don’t miss out on episode one, happening this Friday. (Red Bear Brewing; 9 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Hip Hop Shakespeare Workshop (National Building Museum; 2 p.m.; $10); Bad Bad Hats (DC9 Nightclub; 7 p.m.; $16+); Bill MacKay & Nathan Bowles (Rhizome DC; 7 p.m.; $10+); But a Dream: Poetry Workshop (Folger Shakespeare Library at National Building Museum; 6 p.m.; $45); John Mulaney (Merriweather Post Pavilion; Friday and Saturday; 6:30 p.m.); Eliminate Nukes, Not Life on Earth (Busboys and Poets 14th St.; 7 p.m.; FREE); Friendship + Tecni (Songbyrd Music House; 7 p.m.; $15+); Open Mic (DC Brau; 7 p.m.; FREE); Colosseum Comedy (City-State Brewing; 8 p.m.; $10); The Heavyweights Comedy Show Three Year Anniversary (Lost Origins Gallery; 8 p.m.; $10)
SATURDAY, AUG. 6
BOLLYWOOD FITNESS: Work up a sweat without even realizing it at Bollywood Dance Fitness, hosted by the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs. Every Saturday in August, Shuchi Buch from the Taal Academy of Dance will lead a free dance class at Chinatown Park. Beat the heat and start your weekends right with this 8 a.m. series. (Chinatown Park; 8 a.m.; FREE)
MARIACHI STAMP DAY: Your snail mail can get a festive upgrade: on July 15, the U.S. Postal Service released five colorful postage stamps designed by artist Rafael López, which celebrate mariachi music and Mexican culture. On Saturday, the National Postal Museum is celebrating those designs with a Music and Stamps Family Day. López himself will be on site for the event, which features stories, musical performances, crafts and games for the whole family. (National Postal Museum; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; FREE)
FAMILY FUN SKATE: Hook Hall is getting a makeover. This Saturday, the Georgia Avenue NW establishment is turning into a skate rink. From 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., the hall will be open for a Family Fun Skate with lessons and activities. In the evening, a Safari En Blanc themed skate will take over. Attendees are encouraged to wear white and animal print, and to bring their own skates — though limited skate rental will be available. (Hook Hall; 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.; $20+)
VERTIGO: Join the National Gallery of Art this weekend for a screening of the Alfred Hitchcock classic Vertigo, a noir psychological thriller that follows a detective with acrophobia as he investigates the whereabouts of a friend’s wife. Maybe you’ve seen it, but there’s nothing quite like seeing it on the big screen. (National Gallery of Art; 2 p.m.; FREE)
REAL OR MAGIC: Is it real? Or is it magic? That’s the question Ran’d Shine wants you to ask yourself this weekend at his magic entertainment show. Head down to Anacostia Arts Center this Saturday to sprinkle a little bit of magic into your weekend. (Anacostia Arts Center; 3 p.m.; $5)
IMMIGRANT-OWNED MARKET: In 1866, Christian Heurich immigrated to D.C. from Germany and opened a brewing company. The brewery has since closed, but Heurich’s former residence has been transformed into a museum. This weekend, visit the museum for the Immigrant-Owned Mini Markt in partnership with Kama DC, which will feature 10 modern day immigrant-owned businesses. (Heurich House Museum; 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; FREE; pay what you can)
CBD AND YOGA: Enjoy a triple dose of relaxation this weekend at Honest Soul Yoga’s CBD, Light Yoga & Sound Bath Workshop. The event kicks off with a workshop on CBD, which then gives way to a light yoga flow and ends with a vibrational sound bath. Before the sound bath, you’ll get the chance to sample CBD. (Falls Church; 6:30 to 8 p.m.; $45)
WATCH THE RIVER FLOW: It’s been 50 years since the Clean Water Act was enacted. To celebrate the anniversary and the progress made on cleaning up the Potomac River, Jane Franklin Dance is bringing Watch the River Flow to the Athenaeum. The show includes four dances inspired by the Potomac, choreographed and staged by D.C.-area artists. (The Athenaeum; 7 p.m.; $20.75)
WHFS MUSIC TRIBUTE: Remember WHFS? Younger Washingtonians may have never heard of it, but for older generations, the now defunct radio station may have been the first place they ever heard everyone from John Prine to Pixies. Take a trip down memory lane this weekend with BandHouse Gig’s tribute to the radio station, and music from 1969 to 1975, at Warner Theatre. (Warner Theatre; 8 p.m.; $25+)
Sponsored OUTDOOR OVERTURE CONCERT: The Army Band knows how to throw a party. Join them on the National Mall near the Smithsonian Metro Station for this special summer concert under the stars, which will include cannons. BYO blanket/chairs and join in the 100th anniversary celebration of The U.S. Army Band! Saturday, August 6 at 8PM. Rain date: 8/7. No tickets required. Register to get rain-date info here.
MORE: Growing Gardeners (Dumbarton House; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $15); Live Tour: Hear Her Roar (Freedom Plaza; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; $35+); Salt & Sundry warehouse sale (The Sun Room; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; FREE admission) Dog Days of Summer Sidewalk Sale (Logan Circle; Saturday and Sunday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; FREE); Family Book Reading (Steadfast Supply; 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; FREE); Chef’s Cooking Demo (Gravitas; 12 p.m.; $110+); Summer Pasta Class (Osteria Morini; 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; $125); Intro Jewelry Design (Shop Made In DC Georgetown; 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; $65); Water Lantern Festival (National Harbor; Saturday and Sunday; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; $25.99+); Goonies (The Parks at Walter Reed; 6 p.m.; FREE); Charli XCX (The Anthem; 6:30 p.m.; Sold out; Resale starts at $33); The Escape Artist (Songbyrd Music House; 7 p.m.; $15+); Backyard Band (City Winery; 10 p.m.; $35)
SUNDAY, AUG. 7
SUMMER SPIRIT FESTIVAL: Summer’s not over yet. If you need a reminder, let Erykah Badu, Anthony Hamilton and Junkyard Band be the ones to get you back into a summer state of mind. They’re just a few of the artists playing at this year’s Summer Spirit Festival. Enjoy rays of sunshine and hip-hop, R&B and go-go as you sprawl across the Merriweather Post Pavilion lawn. (Merriweather Post Pavilion; 2 p.m.; $74.75+)
PALESTINIAN FOOD POP-UP: Be welcomed into Jinan Deena’s home — well, the reenactment of her home that she’ll be creating at Grand Duchess this Sunday. The Palestinian-American activist and foodie is hosting Bayti: A Palestinian Hospitality Culinary Experience. Enjoy her take on classic Palestinian dishes in a warm, home-like environment. (Grand Duchess; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; $55)
MONSIEUR PERINÉ: Bogotá is coming to D.C. this Sunday in the form of Monsieur Periné, the Colombian musical ensemble that blends Afro-Colombian sounds with jazz, swing and pop. Watch the acclaimed group’s Tiny Desk Concert to get in the mood, grab your tickets, and get ready to dance. (9:30 Club; 7 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: People from Away Opening (2900 M; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; FREE); Benefit Concert for Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network (Rhizome DC; 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; $10+); Obsession (National Gallery of Art; 2 p.m.; FREE); In-Cider Jazz Jam (Capitol Cider House; 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; FREE); Newsies outdoor movie (National Harbor; 6 p.m.; FREE) Arielle Silver (Sandy Spring Museum; 7 p.m.; $20+); The Thing (Alamo Drafthouse Cinema; 7 p.m.; $11);Hamilton (Kennedy Center; through October 9; $59+)
