FRIDAY, OCT. 7
BROWN ENOUGH: What does it mean to be brown in America today? That’s the question at the center of Brown Enough: True Stories About Love, Violence, the Student Loan Crisis, Hollywood, Race, Familia, and Making It in America, a soon-to-be-released memoir and social commentary by Christopher Rivas. The writer, actor and podcaster will be in conversation with Building Back Together’s Mayra Macaís this Friday at East City Bookshop. Tune in to their conversation in-person or virtually. (East City Bookshop and virtual; 7 p.m.; FREE)
SAME DIFFERENCE: Trinidad and Tobago is coming to the District. Same Difference, an exhibition featuring the work of Trinidadian artists, opens at HOMME Gallery with an opening reception and Trini jam session Friday. On Saturday, the venue hosts a personal branding workshop for creatives, film screenings and a book reading. The festivities end on Sunday with a Caribbean fashion pop-up. (HOMME Gallery; Friday – Sunday; FREE)
UNITE THE DISTRICT: D.C. United may seem like an unlikely host for a music, food and art festival, but the MLS team is ready to prove you wrong this weekend. Head to Audi Field for Unite the District Fest, which celebrates local entertainers, artists and chefs all weekend long. Of course, there’s some soccer too: Support D.C. United as they take on FC Cincinnati Sunday. (Audi Field; Friday -Sunday; $45+)
SOUNDS OF HAZEL: The legacy of Hazel Scott, the trailblazing Trinidadian-born American jazz and classical musician who championed racial justice in the 20th century, is at the heart of Sounds of Hazel, a ballet which has its world premiere this weekend. Performed by Dance Theatre of Harlem, the work kicks off Washington Performing Arts’ season this Friday. (Sidney Harman Hall; Friday 8 p.m.; Saturday 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; $30+)
MORE: We Are Made of Stories (Renwick Gallery; 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; FREE); Book World Meets Wine World (Revelation Vineyards; 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; FREE); Conflicted Art Opening Reception (Arts Club of Washington; 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; FREE); Fall Wine Festival and Sunset Tour (Mount Vernon; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; $59); Nobuntu (Kennedy Center; 6 p.m.; FREE); Steven Ho (Arlington Drafthouse; Friday and Saturday; 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; $20); Dark Comedy (Aurora Market; 7:30 p.m.; $19); Full Moon Margarita Cruise on the Potomac (Georgetown Harbor; 7:30 p.m.; $35); Emma’s Revolution (New Deal Cafe; 8 p.m.; FREE); Holiday (Arena Stage; 8 p.m.; $49.75+); Gasolina: Reggaeton Party (9:30 Club; 9 p.m.; $20)
SATURDAY, OCT. 8
LET’S SKATE: Break out the skates: This weekend, a beloved concert venue transforms into a skating rink for the Let’s Skate D.C. Health and Fitness Expo. Head over to The Anthem to glide around on wheels. If you’re looking to improve your skills, get there early for a free skate lesson. Don’t have any skates? You can still entertain yourself with the numerous fitness and wellness vendors that will set up shop, and you may land one of the limited skate rentals. (The Anthem; 9:30 a.m.; $20)
FALL FESTIVAL: It’s officially the season of pumpkins, squashes, apple ciders and hot chocolates. Head over to the Farm at Kelly Miller this Saturday to welcome autumn with open arms. At Dreaming Out Loud’s fifth annual free Fall Festival, you’ll find a slate of family friendly games, face painting, pony riding, music, and of course, delicious farm-to-table food. (Kelly Miller Middle School; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; FREE)
HILLFEST: It’s been a jazz-filled week on Capitol Hill thanks to HillFest, the annual jazz event hosted by the Capitol Jazz Hill Foundation. The festival goes out with a bang this Saturday at Garfield Park, where a whopping 16 performances will take place across two stages all day long. Prolific saxophonist Billy Harper takes the show home with a headlining performance at 8 p.m. (Garfield Park; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; FREE)
SNALLYGASTER: Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall is nothing — at Snallygaster, which returns to downtown D.C. for its 10th year this Saturday, you’ll find no fewer than 350 craft beers for your tasting. One ticket to the festival buys you unlimited beer, wine and cocktail samples from the best rising craft breweries in the country. (Pennsylvania Avenue NW; 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; $65)
ROCK THE PARK: Make sure to wear comfortable shoes when you head over to Franklin Park for the Rock the Park Wkndr festival, because you’ll probably be dancing. The two-day free festival returns for its second year with a mix of live music and DJ sets spanning jazz, go-go, soul, R&B, reggae, hip-hop, electronic and house music. (Franklin Park; Saturday – Sunday; 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; FREE)
TASTE THE HARVEST: In need of some inspiration in the kitchen? Let seasonal produce guide your cooking with Taste of the Harvest, a free fall festival taking place at THEARC this Saturday. At the fest, you’ll find live music, chef demonstrations and s’mores roasting along with a bountiful harvest market and recipe cards you can bring home. (THEARC; 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; FREE)
SPONSORED WATERFORD FAIR: Shop, play, tour & make memories at the 78th Historic Homes Tours & Fine Crafts Fair, the D.C. area’s quintessential fall festival with artisan demos, living historians, exhibits, juried art show, local libations, live music, & entertainment for all ages. (National Historic Landmark of Waterford; Friday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; $16-45, kids 12 and under FREE)
MORE: Intro Jewelry Design (Shop Made in DC Union Market; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; $65); Comic Workshop (Rhizome DC; 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; $50+); Talkin’ Bout Turtles (Potomac Overlook Regional Park; 1 p.m.; $7); Hoppy Hustle Bar Crawl (Capitol Waterfront; 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; $25); Artgineering (Otis Street Arts Project; 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; FREE); Queer Black Broadway Walking Tour (14th St. NW; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; $25); An Evening of Sinatra (The Carlyle Room; 7 p.m.; $34); Tamara Wellons (Creative Suitland Arts Center; 7 p.m.; $10+); Improv Comedy Night (DC Arts Center; 7:15 p.m.; $15); Twin Temple (Black Cat; 8 p.m.; $20+); Backyard Band (City Winery; 10 p.m.; $45)
SUNDAY, OCT. 9
BOOKTOBER: As the temperature drops, does anything sound better than curling up under a blanket with a good book and a hot cider? At Book-tober Fall Fest in Alexandria, you’re invited to do exactly that. In addition to cozy group reading, the festival features an eerie storytime, live music for toddlers, a fall makers market and a book club meetup. (Old Town Books; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; FREE)
ZINEFEST: Rooted in the punk movement, zines have a rich history here in D.C. Celebrate the past, present and future of independent zine making with this weekend’s DC Zinefest, which features the work of over 50 local zinesters along the Brookland Arts Walk. (Brookland Arts Walk; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; FREE)
FATHER-DAUGHTER DAY: Smokey Robinson has contributed a lot to the culture, but did you know that he contributed National Father-Daughter Day? The annual holiday, invented by Robinson, takes place this Sunday, and Hotel Zena is celebrating with a few events. The hotel will exhibit “Framing Fatherhood,” a photojournalism collection that celebrates Black fatherhood. They’ll also host a Sunday brunch and braiding workshop to teach dads how to braid their daughters’ hair. (Hotel Zena; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; FREE)
ARTS FESTIVAL: It might seem a bit early to start holiday shopping, but winter’s festivities will be here before you know it. Get a head start this weekend at the Bethesda Row Arts Festival, which returns to Bethesda Row for its 24th year, showcasing over 165 artists working in everything from jewelry making to glass blowing. (Bethesda Row; Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; FREE)
AFROFUTURA: Enter the magnificent world of Afrofuturism this Sunday at Prince George’s Publick Playhouse with the first round of AFROFUTURA, a film festival showcasing Black-made fantasy and science fiction stories. Round one is called “Time and Space,” and will feature filmmakers and a moderated talk back session. (Prince George’s Publick Playhouse; 4 p.m.; $5)
MORE: Run Walk Wag (MINT Studio Adams Morgan; 9 a.m.; FREE); Doonya and Dholi Fundraiser (Dance Loft on 14; 10:30 a.m.; $25); Capital Jewish Food Festival (Capital Jewish Museum; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $15+); Collaborative Screen Printing Workshop (Shop Made in DC Union Market; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; $40); When Vampires Arose (DC Comedy Loft; 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; $12.72); Heather Pierson Hot Jazz Trio Plus (Rosensteel Hall; 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; $20+); Leonard Bernstein’s Kaddish(Music Center at Strathmore; 3 p.m.; $35); Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer (Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital; 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; $18); Dessert for Dinner (Gravitas; 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; $90); Ed Hill (DC Comedy Loft; 7 p.m.; $20); Novo Amor (9:30 Club; 7 p.m.; $28); Cate Le Bon (Black Cat; 7:30 p.m.; $22+); Rare Essence (Union Stage; 8 p.m.; $35+)
