FRIDAY, SEPT 2
JAZZ FEST: In the mood for listening to jazz music without being enveloped by swarms of 27-year-old consultants drunk on sangria? Check out the DC JazzFest, which returns for its 18th year this week. From Takoma to the Wharf and everywhere in between, musicians will be taking indoor and outdoor stages. Scan the schedule to find a venue and time that works for you, and don’t miss out on special events like the Murals and Murals of Black Broadway Walking Tour. (Various venues; Wednesday through Sunday; FREE+)
YAHZARAH: Ever wish you could stick around after a concert to ask the musician questions? At the National Museum of Women in the Arts’ The Tea series, you can. This Friday, watch YahZarah perform virtually and then listen to her chat about her creative process. The soulful pop artist got her start as a backup singer for Erykah Badu. (Virtual; 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.; FREE)
CARIN LEON: Dance the night away to the regional Mexican music of Carin Leon, whose joyful songs are getting plenty of radio play south of the border. With a talent for guitar, an emotive voice, and powerful songwriting, Leon is sure to put on a good show at the Anthem. (The Anthem; 6:30 p.m.; $59.99+)
TRAVEL FOR LAUGHS: Grocery stores are probably not the first venues you check for local comedy shows, but at least one should be: Aurora Market, a recently-opened general store in Park View, which takes a journey with its travel-themed comedy show. Head over for tacos, drinks and laughs. (Aurora Market; 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; $17)
MORE: Madams of DC Walking Tour (InterContinental the Willard; 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; $25); Opening Reception (Arts Club of Washington; 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; FREE); Evick Duo at Summer Concert Series Finale (The Station at Riverdale Park; 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; FREE); SELF/REFLECTION Opening Reception (Willow Street Gallery; 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; FREE); Open Mic Night (DC Brau; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; FREE); Bruno Mars (MGM National Harbor; $440+); Sting (Wolf Trap; 8 p.m.; $127+); Emo Night Brooklyn (9:30 Club; 9 p.m.; $20); In the Heights (Arlington; 8 p.m.; FREE); FreeForm (Songbyrd Music House; 11 p.m.; FREE)
SATURDAY, SEPT 3
NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL: This writer was moved to tears when John Green signed her copy of The Fault in our Stars at the National Book Festival in 2012. What more of an endorsement do you need? This Saturday, attend the festival’s talks and signings by contemporary authors, including a few stars: Janelle Monáe, Leslie Jordan and Nick Offerman, among others. (Walter E. Washington Convention Center; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; FREE)
VIRGINIA SCOTTISH GAMES: Dust off your kilt and get ready for a full day of Highland games at the 48th annual Virginia Scottish Games. Held to celebrate Scottish culture, Highland games include everything from tree tossing, or caber toss, to kilt dancing and a whiskey tasting. As the Fauquier County event advertises, the pipes are calling, so don’t miss out. (Great Meadow Foundation; Saturday and Sunday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $20+)
SUMMER FESTIVAL IN THE PARK: Fort Dupont’s summer concert series is going out with a bang: the 50th anniversary season comes to an end this Saturday with a Summer Music Festival in the Park. Go-go bands Experience Unlimited and Blacc Print Experience Band take the stage with DJ Rico at this perfect end-of-summer event. (Fort Dupont; 5:30 p.m.; FREE)
NOT FOR SALE: Calling all workers: take a dance break at Songbyrd with Not For Sale: Labor Free, a Labor Day block party taking place this Saturday. JahSonic will provide the soundtrack along with Mathias, Trilla Kay and Tyra the Zombie. Tickets range from free to $10, with proceeds benefiting East of the River Mutual Aid. (Songbyrd Music House; 8 p.m.; FREE+)
MORE: Invasive Plant Removal (Normanstone; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; FREE); Capital House Music Festival (Sylvan Theatre; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; FREE); Remarkable Indonesia Festival (Pennsylvania Avenue NW; 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; $2); A Celebration of Fonotone Records and Joe Bussard (Rhizome DC; 4 p.m.; $10); The Magic Duel Comedy Show (Mayflower Hotel; 5 p.m.; $50); Paris Sashay (Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse; $25+); Friday and Saturday; 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Salute the Sunset (National Harbor; 7 p.m.; FREE); Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Arlington; 8 p.m.; FREE); Femme Fatale (DC9 Nightclub; 10 p.m.; $10+)
SUNDAY, SEPT 4
TAP FEST: Get on your dancing shoes—DC Tap Fest is tapping through the UDC Theatre all weekend long. Whether you just want to watch from the audience or get up on stage yourself, you can find a class or a performance that works for you. (UDC Theatre; Friday through Sunday; $35+)
RARE ESSENCE: When you come across a chance to attend a Rare Essence performance, take it. The group, which has been together for over four decades, is one of the District’s resident go-go bands. Witness their infectious funk for yourself this Sunday and you’ll understand why. (City Winery; 8:30 p.m.; $35)
OUTDOOR SYMPHONY: The National Symphony Orchestra is back with its annual Labor Day Weekend outdoor concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol. Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke will lead the orchestra in music by Aaron Copland, John Williams, new Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon, and others. (Capitol West Lawn; 8 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: DC Festival of Magic (Capital Hilton; Friday through Sunday; $10); Adams Morgan Pedestrian Zone (18th Street NW; 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; FREE); Adaptation (National Gallery of Art; 2 p.m.; FREE); An American Tail (National Harbor; 6 p.m.; FREE); Von Mychael (DC Comedy Loft and Bier Baron Tavern; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; $20)
MONDAY, SEPT 5
SUMMER SEND-OFF: Maybe you’ve been to a Labor Day cookout before, but did it last four days? Hi-Lawn, Union Market’s rooftop bar, is stepping up to the challenge with a Labor Day celebration that runs from Friday through Monday. Head down — or up, really — to chow down grilled meat, sip on end-of-summer cocktails, play corn hole and party all weekend long. (Hi-Lawn; Friday through Monday; FREE)
LABOR DAY ART SHOW: Beer and burgers not your thing? Instead, you can lose yourself in the work of more than 200 artists from the Mid-Atlantic at Glen Echo’s 51st Annual Labor Day Art Show. A $250 cash prize is on the line for the winners of the show’s 2D and 3D art competitions. (Glen Echo Park; Saturday through Monday; FREE)
LABOR DAY FESTIVAL: Greenbelt’s Labor Day Festival first set up shop in 1955 and is still kicking it 68 years later. Enjoy the carnival games, competitions, music and more Friday through Monday, and be sure to catch Monday’s parade.(Greenbelt; Friday through Monday; FREE)
MORE: Paint the Town Labor Day Show (Kensington; Saturday to Monday; FREE); Labor Day Car Show (Fairfax; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; FREE); Labor Day Brunch (Paraiso Taquería; all-day; $49); Labor Day Yoga (Lost Boy Cider; 10 a.m.; $25); Labor Day Parade (Gaithersburg; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; FREE); Labor Day Manion Poolooza (Potomac; 4 p.m.; $20+); Zumba (Silver Spring; 7 p.m.; FREE)
