MONDAY, OCT. 10
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY: Monday is Indigenous People’s Day, but a true celebration of Indigenous communities requires year-round education and effort. Tune into this webinar hosted by the National Museum of the American Indian to hear how young Indigneous scholars and activists are centering and uplifting native voices in K-12 classrooms across the country (Virtual; 1 p.m.; FREE). Or join a walking tour of D.C. to learn about local Indigenous populations from a history professor (Thompson Boat Center; 1 p.m.; FREE).
DEMI LOVATO: The powerhouse behind beloved Disney Channel jams like “Get Back” and “La La Land” has returned to their pop punk roots. The one and only Demi Lovato stops at The Anthem this Monday as they tour their brash, bold album HOLY FVCK. (The Anthem; 6:30 p.m.; $70.50+)
MORE: Share a Seed Cover Crop Workshop (Upshur Community Garden; 1 p.m.; FREE), Astronomy on Tap (DC9 Nightclub; 8 p.m.; FREE), Werewolves Among Us (Little Penn Coffeehouse; 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; $12.72), Capital Pride’s Music In The Night (City Winery; 6 p.m.; $20+), The Cheuse Salon with Maya Abu Al-Hayyat (Bloombars; 6:30 p.m.; FREE), DO’A (Blues Alley; 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.; $25); Two Feet and Brothel (9:30 Club; 7 p.m.; $25); SoFar Sounds (Shaw; 7:30 p.m.; $23)
TUESDAY, OCT. 11
ARTIST TALKS: Hear from artist Jovencio de la Paz for a discussion on weaving and its interrelated history with the computer at this virtual event (George Washington University Museum and Textile Museum; 7 p.m.; FREE). Or join the National Museum of Women in the Arts for its monthly talk show championing women artists. October’s show highlight Dianne Smith and her minimalist abstracts, sculptures, and installations (Virtual; 12 p.m.; FREE).
RETROSPECTIVE SCREENING: Alliance Française kicks off its second film festival dedicated to a retrospective of famed French New Wave actor Jean-Paul Belmondo. Head to their headquarters for a screening of “Stavisky” to celebrate the French Marlon Brando. (Alliance Française of Washington; 7 p.m.l $10)
MORE: Gardener’s Focus Tours: Plants of the Fall (Hillwood Estate; 2:30 p.m.; $15 suggested donation), District Cinema’s Abortion-Film Screening, Panel Discussion & Marketplace (As You Are DC; 6 p.m.; $15), JusticeAid Benefit Concert -An Evening with Kandace Springs (City Winery; 7 p.m.; $300), María Berrío: Conversations with Artists (National Gallery of Art; 6 p.m.; FREE), Movie Night: Coco (Barton Park; 5 p.m.; FREE), Back from the Dead: Grapes Saved from Extinction (No. 9 Lounge; 7 p.m.; $30), Project Blackbird (The Apollo; 7 p.m.; FREE), Chesapeake Foodshed Feast (Common Good City Farm; 5:30 p.m.; $125)
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12
WHARF IT UP: Celebrate the five-year anniversary of The Wharf’s grand opening, plus its completion with phase 2 development. Enjoy live music, sidewalk sales, and a fireworks finale all night along. Make sure to take advantage of specials at businesses, like $5 Shack Burgers at Shake Shack, chocolate bark at Praline Bakery, 55% off paddle boat rentals at the Wharf Boathouse, 5% off everything in-store at Politics and Prose, anniversary cocktails at Kaliwa, and free prints from Martha Spak Gallery. The event kicks off nine months of celebrations. (The Wharf; 5 p.m.; FREE admission)
BOOK TALK: Head to a talk with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Marcia Chatelain and chef Carla Hall. The two will explore the intricate relationship among Black politicians, civil rights organizations, communities, and the fast food industry. East City Bookshop will have books available for sale and signing. (Hill Center; 7 p.m.; $10)
WASHINGTON BALLET: Witness new ballets created just for the Washington Ballet. NEXTsteps features ballets by emerging and acclaimed choreographers, such as NYC Ballet’s Silas Farley and Washington Ballet’s Dana Genshaft and Andile Ndlovu. (Sidney Harman Hall; 7:30 p.m.; $65)
MORE: Cotsen Textile Traces Global Roundtable: Lacing Around the World and Across Time (The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum; 10 a.m.; FREE), Fall Soy Candlemaking with Relume (Shop Made in DC Union Market; 5 p.m.; $40), Iliza Shlesinger in conversation with Leila Fadel (Sixth & I; 7 p.m.; in person $25, virtual FREE), Rabbit Rabbit Radio / Tom Carter (Rhizome DC; 7 p.m.; $15), Vakili Band on tour in DC! With Higher Numbers and Outerloop (The Runaway; 8:30 p.m.; $15), The Amazing Birds of Washington DC (Capital Nature; virtual, 12 p.m.; FREE), John Yau: Church and Nozkowski and Their Views of the Catskills (Smithsonian American Art Museum; 6:30 p.m.; FREE), Wine Glasses or Wine Bottle painting (City Winery; 6:30 p.m.; $35), Sushi and Soups in the Sukkah (Young Jewish Professional of Alexandria-Arlington; 7 p.m.; $18), Meet the Makers Dinner (King & Rye; 6 p.m.; $78.06), Special Premieres of Glowmedia’s New Films (AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; 6:30 p.m.; FREE)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13
IMMIGRATION FILM FEST: The Immigration Film Festival goes hybrid this year with multiple virtual screenings and four in-person screenings around D.C. Catch the first one, the U.S. premiere of My DACA Life, highlighting a high school student visiting Mexico after the passage of DACA, followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers. (Edlavitch DCJCC JxJ Theater; 7 p.m.; $25)
OPERA CONCERT: Learn about the ongoing refugee crisis at the southern U.S. border through song. The European Union National Institutes for Culture presents a concert with select pieces from a new opera, “On the Road to Arivaca,” about the encounters of a refugee. (GWU Hammer Auditorium; 7 p.m.; FREE)
GAME NIGHT: Join Paraíso Taquería on Capitol Hill for a night of Loteria. The traditional game of chance, similar to bingo, has a rich history in Mexican culture. Winners who fill their illustrated cards each round can wine prizes like a button of wine, tote bags, mezcal, or tequila. (Paraíso Taquería; 7 p.m.; $5)
PUMPKING PAINTING PARTY: Want to be more unique than a typical carved Jack-o-Lantern? Slash Run is hosting a pumpking painting party, suppling the pumpkins, paints, and vibes. Enjoy spooky movies playing all night while painting your creation. (Slash Run; 6:30 p.m.; $15)
OCTOBERPUS: Prince George’s County-born rapper Substantial and D.C. rapper/musician Twill Distilled are joined by MC Frontalot, Mega Ran, and others as the Octoberpus Tour passes through Alexandria, hitting industrial event venue The Garden Alexandria. Tickets include access to the event’s retro gaming lounge. (The Garden Alexandria; 7 p.m.; $15)
WORLD OF DANCE: The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs kicks off its last season with Conductor Jack Everly with a night of some of Everly’s favorite works, spanning Broadway, ballet, and more. Dance comes from Troupe Vertigo. (Music Center at Strathmore; 8 p.m.; $35)
MORE: Dr Umar Johnson: Black Family Empowerment (ELife Restaurant, 7 p.m., $20), Lark Ascending author Silas House (East City Bookshop; 7 p.m.; FREE), Sofia Talvik LIVE (New Deal Cafe; 7 p.m.; $10 recommended tip), Washington West Film Festival (Capital One Hall; 7 p.m.; $25), Art Signs Online: An Artful Conversation in ASL (Smithsonian American Art Museum; 5:30 p.m.; FREE), A Digital Social: Live! (Library of Congress; 5:30 p.m.; $20), Why Are We Like This comedy show (Cloak & Dagger; 8 p.m.; $15), Put Me On Pop Up 2022 (Readdi Made Event Studio; 2 p.m.; FREE)
