FRIDAY, AUG. 11

JOKE FEST: Start your weekend off with a laugh at Planet Word’s JokeFest. This inaugural open mic event will be moderated by some seriously funny people: Indian-American stand-up comedian and science journalist Kasha Patel, stand-up comedian and viral TikToker Lilly Sparks, and D.C.’s own Montenegro Comedy. (Planet Word; 7 p.m.; $15)

SYLVAN ESSO: Sylvan Esso, the electronic duo from Durham, North Carolina, describe their work as “pop music for feeling feelings.” It’s an apt summary of their sound, which is strange, immersive, and deeply emotional. Get into your feelings this Friday when they stop at the Anthem. (The Anthem; 8 p.m.; $45+)

MORE: Long Lunch: Portuguese Street Food (Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; $55), Converse with a Conservator: James Hampton’s Throne (Smithsonian American Art Museum; 5:30 p.m.; FREE), Practically Einstein at Rockin’ at the Ridge (City Ridge; 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; FREE), Scorching Late-Summer Comedy Show (City-State Brewing; 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; $15), The Purple Experience: A Prince Dance Party (Songbyrd Music House; 8 p.m.-12 a.m.; $15+), Kinda Evil (Comet Ping Pong; 10 p.m.; $18.54)

SATURDAY, AUG. 12

NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL: It’s every bookworm’s favorite weekend of the year. The Library of Congress’ National Book Festival is back at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, and it’s bringing an all-star lineup of authors with it. Hear from Elliot Page, Douglas Brinkley, Amor Towles, Mary Louise Kelly, George Saunders and many more this Saturday. (Walter E. Washington Convention Center; 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; FREE)

HIP-HOP TURNS 50: It’s been 50 years since a legendary Bronx house party helped usher in a new era of music, which came to be known as hip-hop. While Smithsonian’s Museum of African American History and Culture’s block party celebrating the anniversary is sold out, you can celebrate the genre’s local pioneers at DMV Hip-Hop 50, a concert hosted by Words Beats & Life featuring hometown heroes like Oddisee, DJ Kool, ADÉ and more. (Lincoln Theatre; 8 p.m.-11 p.m.; FREE)

WALK TOWARDS LIBERATION: GirlTrek is more than just a walking group; it’s a self-described “life-saving sisterhood” that seeks to unite Black women through walking as an act of self-love. See for yourself this Saturday at the Anacostia Community Museum, before checking out the museum’s current exhibition: To Live and Breathe: Women in Environmental Justice in Washington D.C. (Anacostia Community Museum; 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; FREE)

INTERNATIONAL SHORTS: Take a trip around the world without leaving the city. This Saturday, the National Gallery of Art presents a selection of international short films from the Thomas Edison Film Festival, including shorts from Austria, Taiwan, Germany, Canada, Norway and more. (National Gallery of Art; 12 p.m.-4:15 p.m.; FREE)

STORYBOX COMICS FAIR: Calling all comic fans: The STORYBOX Comics Fair is taking over Denizens Brewing Co. in Silver Spring this Saturday. This free event celebrates the burgeoning D.C.-area comic scene with a comic workshop, a panel featuring local comic creators, and a live podcast recording. Plus: beer! (Denizens Brewing Co.; 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; FREE)

COLUMBIA PIKE: Dive into the rich history of Arlington’s Columbia Pike corridor this weekend at this artist talk with the Columbia Pike Documentary Project, presented at MoCA Arlington. The group will discuss their current exhibition, “A World in a Zip Code,” which documents Columbia Pike through photography, video art and oral histories. (Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington; 1 p.m.; FREE)

CARIBBEAN BAR CRAWL: Dance your Saturday away at the 10th Annual Caribbean Bar Crawl, which brings Caribbean DJs, drummers and drink specials to U Street NW. Eight bars are participating, and they’ll each spin a different sound, from reggae to dancehall to hip-hop. (U Street Corridor; 2 p.m.-10 p.m.; $20)

ROLLER DERBY: DC Roller Derby kicks off its 15th season this Saturday, and they need your support as they take on the Black Rose Rollers of Hanover, Pennsylvania. Head to the Gardens Ice House in Laurel on Saturday afternoon to cheer on your local roller stars. (The Gardens Ice House; 4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $15.49)

WOMEN IN JAZZ: Jazz in the Parks, one of the city’s best outdoor summer concert series, is back on Saturday for its third installment of the season. This weekend, local pianist, vocalist and composer Amy K. Bormet will present her Washington Women in Jazz collective. Bring your own picnic blanket and snacks — or, pick something up from a local food vendor. (The Parks at Walter Reed; 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; FREE)

MORE: Art in the Garden (Tudor Place; 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.; $45), Maker Talk: From Paper to Product with Shawn Hart (Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library; 1 p.m.-2 p.m.; FREE), Sip & Paint Summer Series (Anacostia Art Gallery; 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; $10), Alive & Outside: The Block Party (Sandlot Anacostia; 3 p.m.-10 p.m.; $20), Baylen Levine (9:30 Club; 8 p.m.; $45), The Southern Ocean (The Runaway; 8:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.; $15)

SUNDAY, AUG. 13

NOISE OF A NEW MUSICAL: Static: Noise of a New Musical follows a teenager on the Appalachian trail who uses her radio, her songs, and her intuition to figure out what happened to her missing father. Written by teen playwright Tess Rowan, the 2022 Capital Fringe Best Musical winner comes to Flying V this weekend. (Flying V Theatre; Friday 8 p.m.; Sunday 7 p.m.; $15)

NICE JEWISH BOY PAGEANT: Who will be crowned this year’s Nice Jewish Boy? Find out at the NJB+ Pageant, which returns to D.C. this weekend. Four queer Jewish contestants will show off their unique talents before a panel of judges, and event proceeds will support Keshet and GLOE, two queer Jewish organizations. (Edlavitch DCJCC; 2 p.m.; $30)

PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC: We want the funk, and George Clinton is bringing it this Sunday. Clinton, the musical mastermind behind Parliament and Funkadelic, will tear the roof off the Lincoln Theatre this weekend with his funky collective, featuring members of both legendary groups. (Lincoln Theatre; 8 p.m.; $95)

MORE: Historic Alleyways Walking Tour (909 M St. NW; 2 p.m.; $25), Traditional Jazz Jam with the Conservatory Classic Jazz Band (Alfio’s La Trattoria; 2:30 p.m.-5 p.m.; $15), Sunset Yoga at Potomac Yard (National Gateway; 7 p.m.; FREE)