FRIDAY JULY 14
APA FILM FESTIVAL: At the DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival, a stand-up comedian takes up a day job as a Chinese teacher in a Los Angeles school; an Asian-American woman is forced to confront her internalized racism during a one night stand; and a woman mysteriously wakes up on the moon. Find out what happens — and see a lot more — this weekend at Angelika Pop-Up, Eaton DC and AFI Silver. (Various locations; Thursday-Sunday; FREE+)
BASTILLE DAY: Bonne Fête Nationale! On July 14, France celebrates Bastille Day, and D.C. celebrates with a bunch of French stuff. Swing by Le Diplomate on Friday or Saturday for live accordion, face painting, balloon twisting, and a St. Germain bar cart. Bistro Du Jour (Friday only) and Lutèce (Friday-Sunday) will offer drink and food specials, but you can dive deeper into French wine at Hill Center’s special tasting (Friday 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.). On Saturday, from 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Tenleytown will get its own little arrondissement at Fessenden Park. (Various locations; Friday-Sunday; prices vary)
CAPITAL FRINGE: Capital Fringe is in full swing. Among the independent theater festival’s offerings are A Bro’s Tale, comedian and award-winning storyteller Majdy Fares’ one-man show about a man stifled by his hypermasculine hometown; Drown the Muse, a Greek-inspired portrait of two struggling artists; and Keys, Wallet, Phone, Dignity, the story of one man’s post-pandemic journey “fueled by sex-drive and self-awareness.” (Georgetown and Dupont Circle; through July 23; $15)
BIG TIME RUSH: Let your inner seventh grader live out her wildest dreams this weekend at Merriweather Post Pavilion, where Big Time Rush will be taking the stage. Following the Jonas Brothers formula, the Nickelodeon-bred boy band got the gang back together in 2021, and released their appropriately-named comeback album, Another Life, earlier this year. (Merriweather Post Pavilion; 7 p.m.; $29.95+)
DEE AHMED: Local comedian Dee Ahmed is turning his career up a notch this weekend: He’ll be filming his first comedy special at DC Comedy Loft. Buy a ticket, and make sure to laugh loud enough for the microphones to pick up. (DC Comedy Loft; Friday and Saturday; 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; $20)
MORE: POP-UP! Fine Art Gallery (Nepenthe Gallery; Friday-Sunday; FREE), Cyrano de Bergerac (Synetic Theater; through August 13; $35+), Space Jam (Metropolitan Park; 7 p.m.; FREE), Activity (Pie Shop; 8 p.m.; $15), First Aid Kit (9:30 Club; 8 p.m.; $40+)
SATURDAY JULY 15
BROCCOLI CITY FESTIVAL: Chances are, Ice Spice is somewhere on your summer Spotify playlist. This weekend, she’ll also be on your local stage at the Broccoli City Festival, along with an all-star lineup that includes Lil Uzi Vert, Jazmine Sullivan, City Girls, Chloë, Keke Palmer, Brent Faiyaz, Kodak Black and Glorilla, plus hometown heroes like Backyard Band and Fat Trel, and up-and-coming rapper Foggieraw, fresh off a collaboration with Alicia Keys. (RFK Festival Grounds; Saturday and Sunday; $149+)
LOTUS AND WATER LILY FESTIVAL: The festivals just keep coming. In this case, the headliners are Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens’ beautiful lotus and water blossoms. For eight days, the Lotus and Water Lily Festival will bring D.C. cultural performances, classes, ranger programming and more. (Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens; through July 22; FREE)
COTE D’AZUR: If you’re not taking off on a European vacation this weekend, Bastille Day Sur La Côte d’Azur might be the next best thing. Presented by the French embassy, this luxurious event celebrates France’s Provence-Côte d’Azur region with specialty dishes, live music, wine and a silent auction. (Embassy of France; 6:30 p.m.-11 p.m.; $190+)
VIDEO GAME RECITAL: Put the controller down and head to Falls Church’ Holy Trinity Lutheran Church to hear your favorite video game music brought to life by the Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra. Alternatively, stream the concert from home and keep the games going. (Virtual and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church; 7 p.m.; $7+)
MORE: Equinox Fitness Summer Series (The Great Lawn at City Ridge; 10 a.m.; FREE), A Trip to Morocco: Chicken w/ Preserved Lemons, Carrot Salad, and Mint Tea (Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital; 11 a.m.-2 p.m; $69), Sounds of the City: Black Owned Pop-Up Shop (Anacostia Arts Center; 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; FREE), Summer Fest Market (Woodley Park; 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; FREE), Latin Classical Psychedelic (Edgewood; 7 p.m.; $5+), Generation Roast Battle: Comedy Show (The Barking Dog; 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; $15), Taste of the South 2023 Gala (The Anthem; 8 p.m.; $185)
SUNDAY JULY 16
BYE-BYE KUSAMA: It’s your last chance to get the perfect Instagram shot: “One with Eternity,” the Hirshhorn’s breathtaking retrospective on Yayoi Kusama, will close on Sunday. Free next-day passes are released daily on the museum’s website starting at noon, so set your alarm now. (Hirshhorn Museum; through July 16; FREE)
$1 ICE CREAM: Happy National Ice Cream Day to all who celebrate — including the folks at Ice Cream Jubilee, who will be serving scoops of their unique ice cream for only $1 to loyalty members. Sign up in advance, then visit one of their D.C. area locations to enjoy. (Ice Cream Jubilee; Sunday; $1)
PUNK ROCK PARKING LOT: Enjoy a three-course meal of punk rock this Sunday at Punk Rock Parking Lot 13, a show taking place not in a parking lot, but at Fats Fairfax. “Spooky bluesy slammin’ jammin’” group Tula Vera kick things off at 9 p.m., followed by Thaylobleu and Buko Buko. (Fats Fairfax; 8 p.m.-12 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: AI and Online Dating: Automated Love (ArtsClub; 2 p.m.; $10), Sunset Yoga at Potomac Yard (National Gateway; 7 p.m.; FREE), Joyland (National Museum of Asian Art; 2 p.m.; FREE)
