FRIDAY, JULY 21
BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK: From Ben’s Chili Bowl to Matchbox to NuVegan, some of the D.C. area’s Black-owned restaurants are offering deals including $25 two-course lunches and $5 mac and cheese this Black Restaurant Week, which kicked off this week and runs through July 30. (Various locations; through July 30; various prices) (Note, this is one of two Black restaurant weeks in the region; the other from local organizers usually happens in November.)
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP: Happy Women’s World Cup! The tournament kicks off on Thursday, but it’s on Friday that the reigning U.S. champs make their debut, facing off against Vietnam at 9 p.m. Catch the game at a local bar like Boundary Stone or Midlands, which will host watch parties for every USWNT game. (Various locations; 9 p.m.; various prices)
SUMMER SOUNDS: Another summer weekend, another outdoor concert series. This Friday evening, Summer Sounds at Chevy Chase Lake kicks off its season with jazz pianist and vocalist Amy K. Bormet. Bring a picnic blanket, and enjoy an evening of music under the stars. (Chevy Chase Lake; 6 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Films at the Stone: Avatar: The Way of Water(Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial; 8 p.m.; FREE), Standup Comedy Showcase: Erik Scott (Crystal City Sports Pub; 8 p.m.-10 p.m.; $15), Union Market Drive-In: Hairspray(Union Market; 8 p.m.; $20), Extraordinary Cinema: Fantastic Mr. Fox(Kennedy Center; 8:30 p.m.; FREE)
SPONSORED AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE: Giselle brings an exciting new generation of American Ballet Theatre stars to Wolf Trap in one of the world’s most cherished ballets. A perfect fusion of music, movement, and drama, Giselle has been called “American Ballet Theatre’s best, most moving classical production.” (Wolf Trap Filene Center; July 27, Gates: 7:00PM | Show: 8:30PM; $28-$98)
SATURDAY, JULY 22
THINKING MUSICALLY: Turn up the volume this weekend at SAAM Arcade 2023, the annual indie game showcase that returns to D.C. this Saturday with the theme Thinking Musically. Music and sound design are essential to the gaming experience, and you can celebrate them all day long with game showcases and live music. (Smithsonian American Art Museum; 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; FREE)
DRAFTS AND CRAFTS: It’s all in the name: Drink locally-brewed beer and check out the work of local artisans this weekend at (D)rafts and (C)rafts, a new festival presented by the DC Brewers’ Guild and the newly established DC Makers’ Guild. Proceeds from the festival will support the groups’ members as they rebuild after the pandemic. (Dock 5 at Union Market; 12 p.m.-4 p.m.; $20+)
SUMMER JAZZ: Didn’t score tickets to Jazz in the Garden? This Saturday, you have another chance to enjoy jazz in a sculpture garden — just a different one. Sara Zhu and Fiesta Mojo Band will headline this weekend’s Summer Jazz Celebration in the Kreeger Museum’s garden. (Kreeger Museum; 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; $35)
SUMMER RECESS: If you’re looking for a darty, the DC Brunch Club has got you covered. The drinking starts at 4 p.m. at Summer Recess, a day party filled with drinks, food, live music, and brunch culture. (Echostage; 4 p.m.-10 p.m.; $25+)
THE ART OF UNEMPLOYMENT: A young D.C. artist has to navigate unemployment in The Art of Unemployment, a film by local creator jay sun. You can watch the movie this weekend at Honfleur Gallery, and dive into an accompanying art exhibit featuring work by locals who have navigated unemployment themselves. (Honfleur Gallery; 7 p.m.; $20)
JURASSIC PARK: See the Steven Spielberg classic like you’ve never seen it before this weekend at Jurassic Park in Concert. As Sam Neill and Laura Dern navigate the wild world of resuscitated dinosaurs, the National Symphony Orchestra will bring John Williams’ score to life. (Wolf Trap Filene Center; 8 p.m.; $40+)
COME ON, BARBIE: Barbie has arrived. In addition to watching the movie at your local theater this weekend (and maybe even pairing it with Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer), you can channel your inner Barbie girl at JR’s Bar, which brings you a Barbie party and drag show this Saturday — one of the city’s few Barbie-themed events that hasn’t sold out. (JR’s Bar; 10 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Hill Family Biking: 3 Bridges Ride (Lincoln Park at the Lincoln Statue; 10:30 a.m.; FREE), Homemade Salsa and Hot Sauce Class (W.S. Jenks & Son; 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.; $20), Indigo & Shibori 101 (Rhizome; 1 p.m.; $15+), Taste of Union Market Food Tour (Union Market ; 1 p.m.-3 p.m.; $65), Hip Hop Bar Crawl: Summer Edition (U Street NW; 2 p.m.-10 p.m.; $20), Watercolor Monotypes (Washington Printmakers Gallery; 2 p.m.-4 p.m.; $100), Jenny Lewis (The Anthem; 8 p.m.; $40+)
SUNDAY, JULY 23
CAPITAL FRINGE: It’s almost time to say goodbye to Capital Fringe. The offbeat theater and performance festival closes out on Sunday, so make sure to check out its eclectic offerings before the weekend’s over. (Georgetown and Dupont Circle; through Sunday; $15)
WORKSHOP WEEKEND: Do you have two left feet? You’ve got a chance to change that this weekend at Dance Loft on 14, which presents Summer Workshop Weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, find intro classes on contemporary, salsa, ballet, bhangra and more, as well as a summer social and a coffee hour. (Dance Loft on 14; Saturday and Sunday; $22)
SPONSORED EV & MICROMOBILITY FESTIVAL: This weekend, Electrify Expo comes to the RFK Festival Grounds. This is a family-friendly event loaded with a massive kids’ zone, hands-on demos of electric cars & trucks, e-bikes & scooters, e-skateboards and more. Tickets at the gate are $20, but save $30 with the Family 4-Pack. Kids under 5 are always free. (RFK Festival Grounds, 7/22 & 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
MORE: Classic English Tea with Globetrotter Marianne Tshihamba (Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; $58), HEIST: Summer Series (The Wharf; 2 p.m.-8 p.m.; $40+), Distiller’s Delight with Catoctin Creek Distillery (Hank’s Oyster Bar Old Town Alexandria; 4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $75)
