FRIDAY, SEPT. 1
JAZZ HOP: As part of the 19th Annual DC Jazz Fest, the Anacostia Business District has partnered with local organizations for a neighborhood Jazz Hop. Throughout the day, there will be events all throughout Historic Anacostia — from dynamic jazz performances at the Anacostia Arts Center to exhibits at Busboys and Poets to PopUp outdoor jazz cafes around the area. (Various locations; 12-8 p.m.; FREE)
OPENING RECEPTION: Before the long weekend, the IA&A Hillyer is hosting an opening reception for their September exhibits. This month’s collection features works from Mark Tan, Nicole Wandera, and Adam Odomore. All works will be on display until Oct. 1. (IA&A Hillyer; 6 p.m.; FREE)
MY FATHER, MY MARTYR, AND ME: 2022 Washington Award winner Fargo Nissim Tbakhi is returning to D.C. with their interactive solo performance: My Father, My Martyr, and Me. Deemed by DC Theater Arts as “one of the most profound shows D.C. theater has to offer,” Tbhaki uses an invented method called “unarcheology” to examine their life, their father’s life, and the life of Sirhan Sirhan. Through the performance, Tbhaki hopes to decolonize possibilities for solidarity, support, and love towards the survival of the Palestinian people. There will also be performances on Saturday and Sunday, with openers Jessica Valoris and leena aboutaleb, respectively. (Rhizome DC; 7:30 p.m.; $10+)
LABOR DAY FESTIVAL: Greenbelt will host its annual Labor Day Festival, four days of art exhibits, carnival games, musical performances, food vendors, a parade on Monday, and more. (Roosevelt Center; various times; FREE but some rides and activities cost money)
MAGIC FESTIVAL: The DC Festival of Magic is back for its third year. Magician Larry Hass will kick off the event on Friday, but there will other performances throughout the weekend (Capital Hilton; 8 p.m.; $55+)
MORE: Coming Out Cookout (Living Life Alternatives Shelter; 1 p.m.; FREE),Sting (Wolf Trap; 8 p.m.; $219), Live, on the Hill (Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park; 5 p.m.; FREE), Sail Away (Washington Printmaker’s Gallery; 12:00 p.m.; FREE), Ann Beattie on Onlookers (Politics and Prose on Connecticut Ave; 7 p.m.; FREE), Daniel Adam Maltz (Miller House Museum; 6 p.m.; $45+)
SATURDAY, SEPT. 2
CHINESE CULTURE FESTIVAL: Make your way downtown for the Washington Chinese Culture Festival. The event will feature music and dance performances, art exhibitions, authentic Chinese cuisine, Peking opera and more. (Pennsylvania Ave between 3rd and 4th streets, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; FREE)
CLOSE TO VERMEER: As part of their special screenings program, National Gallery of Art will show Suzanne Raes’ documentary on Johannes Vermeer. The film follows the making of the largest ever Vermeer exhibition at the Rijkmusuem in Amsterdam. (National Gallery of Art East Building Auditorium; 2 p.m.; FREE)
LABOR DAY At GLEN ECHO: The historic park has all sorts of holiday weekend activities. The Labor Day Art Show will run from Saturday until Monday. They will also host social dance showcases on Saturday and Sunday. (Glen Echo Park; various times; FREE)
JAZZFEST: DC Jazz Festival continues with its signature event — performances on the Wharf. The performances begin on Saturday, but Sunday will also feature its own star-studded lineup. (The Wharf; 12 p.m.; $20+)
MORE: Diplo (Echostage; 9 p.m.; $64+), DJ’s Farrah Flosscett, Groovy Gene, and Marauder at Summer Sunset Series (The REACH, 6 p.m.; FREE), Saturdays in September(Glenstone Museum; 5 p.m.; FREE),Dono w/ DPCD + Jesse in Grey (The Pocket; 7 p.m.; $15-18), Paint the Town Labor Day Show & Sale (Kensington Town Hall; various times; FREE), Sounds of ABBA Tribute (Olney Theater Center; 8 p.m.; $15+)
SUNDAY, SEPT. 3
CHITA RIVERA: Tony Award Winner Chita Rivera is bringing her show Chita: The Rhythm of My Lifeto the D.C. region. Rivera will perform signature moments from her career, pulling from shows like West Side Story, Sweet Charity, Bye Bye Birdie, Chicago, and more. (Olney Theater Center; 8 p.m.; $90+)
MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD FESTIVAL: This long weekend also marks the 30th Annual Middle Eastern Food Festival in McLean. Eat authentic Middle Eastern food and enjoy live music and dancing at the church grounds. (Holy Transfiguration Melkite Greek Catholic Church; 12:30 p.m.; various prices)
MORE: DJ Delight (Anacostia Skating Pavilion; 12 p.m.; FREE), The Motherland Comedy Festival (Bowie Center of Performing Arts, 6 p.m.; $50+), Pub Choir (Songbyrd DC; 7 p.m.; $38.63), Chamber Music Concerts (Kennedy Center; 5 p.m.; FREE), Rodney Laney (Arlington Draft House; 6 p.m.; $20)
MONDAY, SEPT. 4
PARADE: Celebrate the unofficial end of summer with the 85th annual Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade This year’s festivities will feature dance groups, antique cars & fire trucks, clowns, high school marching bands, community groups, equestrian units, & more. (Olde Towne Gaithersburg; 1 p.m.; FREE)
CHILI COOK-OFF: Arlington Democrats unite for a fierce chili cooking competition. The event will feature Congressman Don Beyer and Delegate Sam Rasoul. (Lyon Park Community Center; 2 p.m.; $50)
COMMUNITY MUSIC FESTIVAL: The Inner Arbor Trust is hosting a free, family-friendly music festival at one of Maryland’s best outdoor venues. The festival will feature performances from Columbia Big Band, Columbia Jazz Band, Old Line Brass Quintet, and Maryland Community Band. (Merriweather Post Pavilion; 12 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Lauren Mayberry (9:30 Club; 7 p.m.; $35), Kensington Labor Day Parade (St. Paul Park; 10 a.m.; FREE), The Bright Light Social Hour (Songbyrd; 7 p.m.; $18), Jazz4Justice (Mr. Brown’s Park; 2 p.m.; FREE), Labor Day Car Show (Old Town Fairfax; 8 a.m.; FREE)
