MONDAY, JULY 3
PARK CHAN-WOOK: Spend some time in the thrilling world of Park Chan-wook this week at AFI Silver’s The Films of Park Chan-wook series, which runs through July 13. On Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday, catch 2000’s Joint Security Area, one of the first entries into what became known as Korean New Wave cinema. Thirst, Chan-wook’s moody vampire tale, plays Tuesday. (AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; through July 13; $13)
R&B AND BUNS: It’s never too early for a cookout. Pregame Fourth of July at Sandlot Anacostia’s R&B and Buns: An R&B Cookout, where local DJs will provide a groovy ‘90s and ‘00s R&B soundtrack while food vendors cook up BBQ, glizzies and burgers. (Sandlot Anacostia; 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; $20)
BARRY FARM: Ahead of Independence Day, talk and jazz radio WPFW invites you to reflect on what independence Black Americans still lack in the face of gentrification of historically Black communities. They’ll screen local documentary Barry Farm: Community Land and Justice in Washington, DC, followed by a conversation with the filmmakers. (Busboys and Poets Brookland; 6:30 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Jaws (Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market; 7 p.m.; $13), Anees (Echostage; 8 p.m.; $21+), Late Night Stand-Up (Sudhouse DC; 9:45 p.m.; FREE)
TUESDAY, JULY 4
INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE: Constitution Avenue NW will become red, white and blue this Tuesday for the annual Independence Day Parade, which kicks off at 11:45 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. Head downtown — or to the parade’s YouTube — to catch floats, music and performers. (Constitution Avenue NW and virtual; 11:45 a.m.; FREE)
SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL: Celebrate America’s birthday by celebrating all the folk art it has to offer. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival runs through Monday and Tuesday (and then restarts again next weekend), bringing you workshops on plant knowledge, quilting, mandalas, Indigenous foodways and much more. (National Mall; Monday and Tuesday; FREE)
A CAPITOL FOURTH: Boyz II Men, Renée Fleming, the Muppets (yes, those Muppets) and more are on this year’s A Capitol Fourth lineup, brought to you by PBS. Held on the U.S. Capitol’s West Lawn, the concert is free for the public to attend — or to stream from the comfort of your couch. (Capitol West Lawn and Virtual; 8 p.m.; FREE)
FIREWORKS: This year’s Independence Day Firework Celebration will kick off at exactly 9:09 p.m. from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Pull up to the National Mall, Cardozo High School, a rooftop bar, or anywhere else with a great view. (Various locations; 9:09 p.m.; FREE)
Looking for more ways to celebrate Fourth of July in the D.C. area? We’ve got a guide for that.
MORE: Capitol Hill Parade (Barracks Row; 10:00 a.m.; FREE), Palisades Parade (Palisades; 11 a.m.; FREE), U.S. Navy Band (Alethia Tanner Park; 4 p.m.; FREE)
SPONOSORED TRIVIA NIGHT: TOTALLY 90’s: Dust off your mixtapes, feed your Tamagotchi and put on your jelly shoes for some totally 90’s trivia! Join the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and New Columbia Pub Quiz for a happy hour trivia night in the museum’s Kogod Courtyard. Test your knowledge of all things 90’s with questions inspired by the Portrait Gallery’s collection. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase at the Courtyard Café, and prizes will be awarded at the end of the evening. Tuesday, July 11, 5 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. Registration encouraged but not required.
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is back on the National Mall this month.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 5
BOLLYWOOD & BHANGRA: Bust a Bollywood move this week at the Washington Printmakers Gallery. On Wednesday, a summer edition of the Bollywood & Bhangra Beatz workshop kicks off, promising a six-week journey through two of India’s premier dance styles. (Washington Printmakers Gallery; 7 p.m.; $150)
MORE: Barenaked Ladies (The Anthem; 7 p.m.; $75+), Comedy as a Second Language: Carmen Lynch & Pedro Gonzalez (Busboys and Poets Takoma; 7:30 p.m.; FREE)
THURSDAY, JULY 6
LIDO PIMIENTA: This week, ethereal Colombian-Canadian songstress Lido Pimienta pays the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage a visit. Her modern music is rooted in Colombia’s cumbia and bullerengue genres, and her lyrics flout staunch critiques of colonialism and capitalism. (Kennedy Center; 6 p.m.; FREE)
POPS WITH WORKS: In honor of Fourth of July, Alexandria’s Nepenthe Gallery brings you works by Betsy Enzensberger, a Southern California-based pop artist known for her whimsical resin sculptures of melting popsicles. Join the gallery for Art + Wine + Cheese on Thursday, featuring a red, white and blue sculpture by Enzensberger. (Nepenthe Gallery; 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; FREE)
IRON MAN: Fifteen years ago, Iron Man hit theaters and became the first entry into the maddening, multiverse-filled world known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Last year, the Robert Downey Jr.-starring film was inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry. This Thursday, it screens at the library’s annual summer movie series. (Library of Congress; 8:30 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Downtown DC Live: Courtney King (Franklin Park; 12:30 p.m.; FREE), Summer Clothing Swap (The Outrage; 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.; FREE), A Trip to Belgium: Moules Frites (Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital; 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; $69), “Visionary Not Reactionary” (White-Meyer House; 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; FREE), Cisco Bradley / Pwisans Ete’nel (Rhizome DC; 7 p.m.; $10+), Lord of the Rings Trivia (Atlas Brew Works Ivy City Brewery & Taproom; 7 p.m.; FREE), When Home Rule is Under Attack (Virtual; 7 p.m.; FREE), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (Franklin Park; 7:30 p.m.; FREE)
