MONDAY, JULY 17
FORT RENO CONCERT: What’s a summer in D.C. without a Fort Reno concert? The time-honored tradition returns to Tenleytown this month with shows on Monday and Thursday evenings. This week, catch Grey Swift, Washington Bach Consort and NAYAN on Monday, followed by Latex Velma, Freddy Hall and the Delarcos on Thursday. Bring some cash for a Fort Reno t-shirt. (Fort Reno; 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; FREE)
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ: Wendell Brunious is bringing a taste of New Orleans to the Potomac River Jazz Club. The trumpeter and vocalist, who recently became music director of the legendary Preservation Hall, will shed light on NOLA’s rich jazz culture at PRJC’s July Jazz Talk. (Virtual; 8 p.m.; FREE)
SPIT DAT: Spit Dat, one of the District’s longest-running open mics, seeks to combine “world-class talent with a living room vibe.” At this month’s Hotter Than July special, that talent will include award-winning local poet, activist and DJ Art.is, and local writer and teacher Amuche The Poet. Head to Woolly Mammoth this Monday to give them an audience, or to perform alongside them. (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company; 8 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Tony McManus (Alexandria History Museum; 7:30 p.m.; $22), Stage Fright: Shark Week (Sudhouse DC; 9:45 p.m.; FREE)
TUESDAY, JULY 18
BIRDS OF THE GARDEN: Flock to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens this Tuesday for Birds of the Garden, an activity-packed day that celebrates all things birds. The event kicks off in the morning with a special bird walk, followed by a series of ranger-led tours highlighting different aspects of the gardens as part of the Lotus and Water Lily Festival. (Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; FREE)
KILLER MIKE: Killer Mike is coming to town. You may know him as half of hip-hop duo Run the Jewels, as a featured artist on a number of Outkast songs, as an actor who appeared in Baby Driver, or as an outspoken activist. This week, he’ll be stopping at the Lincoln Theatre as the prolific rapper behind MICHAEL, his recently-released solo album. (Lincoln Theatre; 8 p.m.; $35)
MORE: Earth Wind and Fire Tribute Band (Franklin Park; 12:30 p.m.; FREE), Profs & Pints DC: Unbuilt Washington—The City That Never Was (Penn Social; 6 p.m.; $14.31), The He-Man Effect author Brian Brown with Solid State Books (Black Cat; 7 p.m.; FREE)
SPONSORED MLS All-STAR: The stars are aligning in D.C. this summer with MLS All-Star! The best of MLS and Arsenal FC will show off their skills in the 2023 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T 5G on Tuesday, July 18 at Audi Field. MLS All-Stars and Arsenal FC will face off again at the 2023 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target on Wednesday, July 19. For more information on tickets and all events, visit MLSSoccer.com/AllStar.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 19
NATIONAL PUPPETRY FESTIVAL: Whether you’re a seasoned puppeteer or just puppet-curious, the National Puppetry Festival has something for you. Kicking off on Tuesday and running through Saturday, this annual festival brings panels, performances and more to the University of Maryland. (Virtual and University of Maryland; through July 22; $5+)
NATIONAL EDUCATION SUMMIT: Get schooled in education this week at the Smithsonian National Education Summit. Taking place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, this summit brings together the country’s leading education experts for three days of talks, workshops and panels. (Virtual and Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building; through July 20; FREE)
MORE: CorePower Yoga at Sunrise Fitness Series (Metropolitan Park; 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.; FREE), Inspire Success Day (The Lot at 4th and M St. SW; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; FREE), Wednesday Night Trivia (Baja Tap; 7 p.m.; FREE), Rock the Dock: La Unica (The Wharf; 7 p.m.; FREE), Timeless Butterflies (ARTECHOUSE; through Sept. 8; $17.30+)
SPONSORED DRINK IN MLS WEEK: Score big with beer deals at Dacha during MLS All-Star week. Steps from Audi Field, join Dacha Navy Yard and show your ticket for Happy Hour discounts on one of our exclusive beers, The Offside (a session IPA) or Minkey Lizzy (a newly launched sour.) Kick off your fun with us and drink up the game day fun. Visit DachaBeerGarden.com
THURSDAY, JULY 20
ART CYCLE: Bicycle and recycle this Thursday at Art Cycle, a 3.8-mile bike tour of Arlington that highlights seven Arlington public art displays. Following the ride, check out the Arlington Art Truck‘s e-waste art exhibition, and donate any art or craft supplies you have to the Arlington Public Library. (Arlington Central Library; 3 p.m.-7 p.m.; FREE)
IT TAKES A VILLAGE: The Hillwood’s Lunar Lawn is transforming into a dance floor this Thursday for It Takes a Village, a performance by Coyaba Dance Theater. Bring your own lawn chair, and enjoy this blend of traditional and contemporary West African dance and music. (Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens; 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.; $2+)
THE 272: In 1838, a group of America’s most prominent Catholic priests sold 272 enslaved people to save their largest mission project — now known as Georgetown University. In this installment of the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Historically Speaking series, author and professor Rachel L. Swarns will uncover this harrowing origin story. (Virtual and National Museum of African American History and Culture; 7 p.m.; FREE)
MONSTERS OF THE AMERICAN CINEMA: When his husband dies, Remy Washington finds himself in charge of a drive-in movie theater, and of his late husband’s teenage son. Monsters of the American Cinema, a new play that has a pay-what-you-can preview night this Thursday, tells the story of Remy and the teenager’s complicated relationship, which is strengthened by their shared love of classic American monster movies. (Atlas Performing Arts Center; through August 6; pay what you can)
MORE: The Stage at Union Station (Union Station; 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; FREE), Blind Rosé Tasting (I’m Eddie Cano; 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.; $39), The Whole Beast: Duck Boot Camp (Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital; 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $69), Yappy Hour & the “Pop Up” Dog Park (Elm Street Park; 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; FREE), Rosslyn LIVE: Variety Show (Gateway Park; 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; $10), The Simpsons Trivia (Atlas Brew Works Ivy City Brewery & Taproom; 7 p.m.-9 p.m.; FREE), Bend It Like Beckham (The Wharf; 7:30 p.m.; FREE), Summer Groovefest: Diva Rewind (CityCenter; 7:30 p.m.; FREE), The Womb: Comedy Workshop (Busboys and Poets Takoma; 7:30 p.m.; $15+)
