MONDAY, AUG. 15
BEER PAIRINGS: Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza in Alexandria celebrates Virginia Craft Beer Month with a three-course dinner, and each course paired with local craft beers. Nosh on antipasto, chicken parmesan sliders, Korean bulgogi pizza, and key lime pie, while sipping pilsner, IPAs, stouts, and more from Virginia-based breweries. (Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza; 6 p.m.; $85)
RESTAURANT WEEK: D.C.’s summer Restaurant Week kicks off today! While many restaurants close on Mondays, plenty still are launching their $40 and $55 dinner menus today, most with three courses. Enjoy seasonal pizza and tempura summer corn at All-Purpose, escargot and boeuf bourguignon at Convivial, dressed oysters and blacked bluefish Creole at Dauphine’s, and more offerings throughout the D.C. area. Lunch and brunch menus are also available for $25 at select locations. (Various locations; $40 or $55 per person)
MORE: Monday Night Open Mic hosted by Angelique Palmer (Busboys and Poets Shirlington; 8 p.m.; $5), DMV Cigar Week: Cigar Bar Crawl (Various locations; 8 p.m.; FREE), Intro to Injury Prevention and Recovery for Runners (District Running Collective; 7:30 p.m.; $10)
TUESDAY, AUG. 16
CARIBBEAN POP-UP: Celebrate Afro-Latin cultures of the Caribbean at Roy Boys’ newest pop-up, Noches del Caribe. The pop-up at the Shaw location from beverage director Luis Aliaga (also of Casa Kantuta fame) will serve up specialty cocktails, including Cuban-style mojitos and Papa Jac, a popular drink in Old San Juan, alongside Cuban, Venezuelan, and Puerto Rican dishes from the chef of Vienna’s Blend 111. (Roy Boys Shaw; 4 p.m.; FREE admission)
BOOK TALK: Join the National Interest Foundation for a book talk with author Nury Turkel about his recent memoir, No Escape: The True Story of China’s Genocide of the Uyghurs. Turkel will discuss his story and his work to address the humanitarian crisis. (National Interest Foundation; 12 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Jeffrey Silverstein / Heaven Forbid / Kevin Knight / CANANDAIGUA (Rhizome DC, 7 p.m., $10), Big Girl author Mecca Jamilah Sullivan in conversation with Danielle Evans (Kramers; 7 p.m.; FREE), Home Buyer Happy Hour: The 4 Things You Should Do Now (Tiki on 18th; 5 p.m.; FREE)
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 17
BEACH CLUB: The National Landing BID turns Gateway Green in Crystal City into a Beach Club full of mermaids. Enjoy seashell painting, games, snow cones, music, water balloons, and mermaid skirt giveaways at what they’re calling “Mermaid Landing.” (Gateway Green; 2 p.m.; FREE admission)
EXHIBIT + TOUR: Join Off the Mall Tours and The Art of Banksy experience for a combination one-time event celebrating counterculture in street art and punk music. Learn about D.C.’s punk scene on a walking tour through Gallery Place before ending at the Banksy exhibit. Tickets include the tour and exhibit entry. (Gallery Place; 6:30 p.m.; $50)
COUNTY FAIR: It’s fair season! Head to this year’s Arlington County Fair, which showcases the best of Arlington. Enjoy competitive exhibits, midway rides including the famous Ferris wheel, games, ax throwing, entertainment, local food vendors, and more. (Thomas Jefferson Community Center; 5 p.m., FREE)
UKULELE FESTIVAL: Celebrate all things ukulele at Live from the Lawn: Ukefest at Strathmore’s outdoor lawn space. The 14th annual festival begins with a live strum-along for anyone in the audience who brought their ukulele, followed by a concert featuring artists from around the U.S. and Canada who play different styles of ukulele music. (Strathmore, 6:30 p.m., FREE)
HIP-HOP DANCE: Take part in Prince George’s County Parks’ hip-hop dance event at the Publick Playhouse in Cheverly. Instructor Shanna Lim will teach various street/hip-hop dance styles. Comfortable clothing and shoes are encouraged. (Publick Playhouse; 7 p.m.-9 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Catalogue for Philanthropy’s Environmental Happy Hour (DC Vegan Botanical Bar; 4 p.m.; FREE admission), The Dales w/ Calista Garcia (Pearl Street Warehouse; 7 p.m.; $10), LOONA (MGM National Harbor; 7:30 p.m.; $143), Goo Goo Dolls + Blue October (Filene Center at Wolf Trap; 6 p.m.; $47), R&B Yoga Playground (Eaton DC; 6 p.m.; $25), Busboys and Poets 14th & V Presents Soul Culture (Busboys and Poets 14th Street; 6 p.m.; FREE), Whipped Body Butter Workshop (FSC Workshop; 6:30 p.m.; $75), Book Talk: The American Revolution and the Habsburg Monarchy (The Embassy of Austria; 7 p.m.; FREE), Blvck Hippie, Rex Pax, Thunderpaw (Comet Ping Pong; 9 p.m.; $15)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18
CHARITY CONCERT: Enjoy a concert for a good cause. All Out for Change presents its inaugural Celebration of Achievements at Maret School with proceeds benefiting DC International School student scholarships. The program includes a discussion with previous award recipients, a concert from a Duke Ellington School of the Arts graduate, and a reception with bites and music from Sol Roots Band. (Maret School Theatre; 5 p.m.; $35)
EROTIC WRITING WORKSHOP: Join Pass the Mic Poetry for an erotic writing and communication workshop. Learn how to share goals and boundaries, explore possibility, receive feedback, experience vulnerability, and define your satisfaction. Wine is included (Rhizome DC; 7 p.m.; $10)
SPY CHAT: Learn about Russian intelligence and security with expert and professor Kevin Riehle at this virtual event from the International Spy Museum. Riehle will discuss his latest book and the organization and missions of Russian services alongside the museum curator and historian. (Virtual; 12 p.m.; FREE)
NEW EXHIBIT: Experience the latest art exhibit at Legacy DC, the i171 cannabis law-compliant art gallery on U Street NW. Artist Henley Bounkhong, or Golden Rabbit Silent Monkey, launches a special exhibit titled “Pain, Passion, Pen and Paper” during a meet and greet event that includes complimentary bites and gifts. (Legacy; 7 p.m.; FREE admission)
MORE: “Social Sector Hero” Happy Hour and Networking (Quincy’s Potomac Bar and Grill; 5:30 p.m.; FREE admission), A Hundred Other Girls author Iman Hariri-Kia with Laura Hankin (East City Bookshop; virtual; 7 p.m.; FREE), Tony Rock (The DC Improv Comedy Club; 7 p.m.; $30), Calum Scott with special guest Jamie Miller (Sixth and I; 8 p.m; $29.50), Starjuice w/ Zoe Ravenwood + Pajama Day (The Pocket; 7 p.m.; $12), “We Go On” Book Tour (The Gathering Spot; 6:30 p.m.; $15), Thursday Theater – Clueless (fibre space; 7 p.m.; FREE), Funny Stories at Big Bear (Big Bear; 7:30 p.m.; $10), Jasmine Kennedie from RuPaul’s Drag Race (Hotel Zena; 8 p.m.; $35), Happy Hour Candle Workshop (Scents by The Company; 6:30 p.m.; $50)
