In addition to checking the weather this weekend, we’ll be checking the air quality forecast as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to waft over the D.C. region.
As of the publishing of this guide, D.C.’ s Air Quality Index score for Friday and Saturday is predicted to move down into the orange category of the AQI’s six-category meter, which describes air that is “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” including people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens. Guidelines encourage everyone else to enjoy their outdoor activities while keeping an eye on current air quality.
This weekend, we’re putting a spotlight on indoor events and wishing everyone a happy — and healthy — Pride.
FRIDAY, JUNE 9
DYKE MARCH: Last we checked, DC Dyke March is still on, but organizers are asking participants to mask up. The annual march — which is not sponsored by anyone and is not affiliated with Capital Pride — returns to D.C.’s streets for its 30th installment. This time around, self-proclaimed dykes and allies are marching in the name of trans rights. (Outdoors; Lafayette Square; 6:30 p.m.; FREE)
WOMEN IN THEATRE: Women are taking the stage this weekend at American University’s Katzen Arts Center for the 20th anniversary celebration of Washington Women in Theatre. All weekend long, you’ll find staged readings of plays written by women, including playwrights from past seasons as well as new voices. (Indoors; Katzen Arts Center; Friday through Monday; $10+)
CAPOEIRA HISTORY: Created in the 16th century by enslaved Africans who were brought to Brazil, the martial art of Capoeira has a rich culture and history. Our local experts — the folks at The Capoeira Spot — invite you to dive into that history by attending Evolução: A Journey in Capoeira’s History of Revolution, featuring music and performances. (Indoors; THEARC Black Box; 7 p.m.-10 p.m.; $100+)
BOOTY REX: Born circa 2010 out of two storied local DJ Collectives — Anthology of Booty and She Rex DJ — Booty Rex is the “quintessentially queer” dance party that returns for its annual revelry this Friday at the Black Cat. Dance all night long with both familiar and fresh faces in the DJ booth. (Indoors; Black Cat; 8 p.m.; $20+)
MORE: Innovative Housing Showcase (Outdoors; National Mall; Friday-Sunday; FREE), “Embodied” Opening Reception (Indoors; The Corner at Whitman-Walker; 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; FREE), Mount Vernon Summer Fest (Outdoors; Mount Vernon; Friday and Saturday; 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; $48), Brewer’s Ball (Outdoors; The Wharf; 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m.; $150+), Pride Shabbat (Indoors; Sixth & I; 7 p.m.; $36), MIXTAPE Pride Party (Indoors; 9:30 Club; 10 p.m.; $25)
SATURDAY, JUNE 10
CAPITAL PRIDE: Capital Pride tells us their events are still on, but they will take necessary precautions in consultation with the DC government. Those events include Saturday’s Pride Parade and Block Party in Logan and Dupont circles, Saturday’s Pride on the Pier at The Wharf, and Sunday’s Pride Festival on Pennsylvania Avenue. More options to party with pride include Capital Pride’s Trans Pride Pool Party, Revolution — the official Saturday party, and the official Afterhours party at Flash, which takes place from 3:45 a.m.-9 a.m. on Sunday morning. (Outdoor and indoor options; various locations; Saturday and Sunday; FREE)
For more ways to celebrate pride in the D.C. region all month, check out our guide.
PALETTE: The artistic languages and lived experiences of eight women inform “Palette,” an artistic celebration of women and community now on display at the Anacostia Arts Center. This Saturday, hear directly from the eight international and local artists behind the exhibition at this Creative Meet + Greet. (Indoors; Anacostia Arts Center; 2 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE)
SUMMER CIRCLE: Local musicians can be the soundtrack to your weekend at The Summer Circle, a music festival spotlighting local talent at The Hall College Park. The lineup includes O-Slice, Nomen, Odd Mojo, Kassim, Zaamwé, Hasani and more. Plus, D.C.-area artisans and entrepreneurs will be repping their products. (Indoors; The Hall College Park; 2 p.m.-10 p.m.; $20)
SUNS CINEMA TURNS SEVEN: It’s been seven years since two Mount Pleasant residents transformed a former cell phone store into a neighborhood favorite bar and eclectic cinema. Wish Suns Cinema a happy birthday this weekend at their Seven Year Anniversary Party. Tickets are sold out online, but according to their Instagram, you can get in with $10 at the door. (Indoors; Suns Cinema; 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; $10)
MORE: Children’s Summer Reading Festival (Outdoors; Lorton Library; 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; FREE), Dumplings & Flavors Along the Silk Road (Indoors; Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital; 11 a.m; $100), Pride LGBTQ+ Tour (Outdoors; Congressional Cemetery; 11 a.m.; $5), Riccardo Merlini Drum Clinic Workshop (Indoors; The Pocket; 12 p.m.-2 p.m.; $50), Woodmorstock (Outdoors; Silver Spring; 12 p.m.-6 p.m.; FREE), Getting Creative with Photography (Indoors; Washington Printmakers Gallery; 2 p.m.; $99), Jazz in the Parks (Outdoors; The Parks at Walter Reed; 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; FREE), Poetry Prom: Remedies for Disappearing Book Release (Indoors; The Village Cafe; 7 p.m.-11 p.m.; FREE), Young the Giant with Milky Chance (Outdoors; Merriweather Post Pavilion; 7 p.m.; $30.50+), Isata Kanneh-Mason (Indoors; Music Center at Strathmore; 8 p.m.; $35+), Summer Stand-up Showcase (Indoors; City-State Brewing; 8 p.m.-10 p.m.; $15), Kym Register & Meltdown Rodeo + Tami Hart + Evil (Indoors; Quarry House Tavern; 9:30 p.m.; $15)
SUNDAY, JUNE 11
TAKOMA PRIDE DAY: Looking for a pride event that’s perfect for the kids? Look no further than Takoma Pride Day, taking over Laurel Avenue this Sunday. A kid’s parade kicks off the festivities, followed by drag queen story time. This year’s theme for Pride Day is Protect Trans Rights. (Outdoors; Takoma Streetery; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; FREE)
SPRING ART FEST: Make a collage, a quilt, a mug, marbled paper and so much more this weekend at Art Works Now’s Spring Art Fest. Admission, which starts at $20 in a pay-what-you-can system, will support low-cost and free art programming for the community. (Indoors; Art Works Now; 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; $20+)
BISEXUALITY IN ART: No, we’re not talking about the bisexual couch. In honor of Pride Month, the National Gallery is hosting a lecture that celebrates the art and life of Gwen John and Marie Laurencin, two important members of the European art scene in the early 20th century who are known for their focus on female subjects. (Indoors; National Gallery of Art; 1 p.m.; FREE)
YO LA TENGO: It might be nearing summer, but Yo La Tengo will have you crooning about your autumn sweater this weekend when they play the 9:30 Club. Since forming in 1984, Yo La Tengo has been delivering enveloping, poetic indie rock songs to the ears of their devoted audience. Catch them as they tour their latest album, the lively, critically-acclaimed This Stupid World. (Indoors; 9:30 Club; 7 p.m.; $45)
MORE: Digital Sketching with Carlos Carmonamedina (Indoors; Smithsonian American Art Museum; 1 p.m.-3 p.m.; FREE), Music in the Meadow: U.S. Navy Band (Outdoors; U.S. National Arboretum; 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; donation based), Music of Friends Concert (Indoors; Embassy of France; 3 p.m.-5 p.m.; $50), Enveloped: An 18th Street Singers Spring Concert (Indoors; Holy Trinity Catholic Church; 7:30 p.m.; FREE), Alex Lahey (Indoors; Songbyrd Music House; 7 p.m.-11 p.m.; $18+)
