FRIDAY, SEPT. 22
THE NERDVANA EXPERIENCE: What do nerds do after dark? Find out at The Nerdvana Experience, a “weekend of radical nerdiness.” The festivities kick off on Friday with a night of nerd burlesque, followed by an even bigger “nerdlesque” performance on Saturday. Cold brew and a pop culture market close out the experience on Sunday. (Silver Spring Black Box Theatre; Friday-Sunday; FREE+)
MUSIC-POLITICAL CENTER: When the average person thinks of D.C., they probably think about politics. But if you’re from here, your first association might be the city’s rich musical heritage. This weekend, a symposium at Dumbarton Oaks celebrates both — Washington, D.C.: Music-Political Center brings together musicians, music historians and ethnomusicologists for a weekend of dissecting the District. (Dumbarton Oaks Museum; Friday and Saturday; $125)
SHORTS FILM FEST: Named the “coolest short film festival” by MovieMaker magazine, the DC Shorts International Film Festival is not one to miss. Hang out at Alamo Drafthouse this Friday, Saturday and Sunday to catch short films that explore arranged marriages, first dates, ASMR, quirky Airbnbs, life in prison and so much more. (Alamo Drafthouse Cinema; through Sept. 24; FREE+)
REIMAGINED GALLERIES: The SAAM’s modern and contemporary galleries just got a makeover. The third-floor galleries have been redesigned to double the available wall area for installing art, allowing for 42 recently acquired works to go on view. The reimagined space opens to the public on Friday, with a number of gallery talks to celebrate. (Smithsonian American Art Museum; galleries reopening Friday; FREE)
MORE: Car Free Day (Various locations; Friday; FREE), “Go For Broke: Japanese American Soldiers Fighting on Two Fronts” (Japan Information & Culture Center; through Dec. 15; FREE), “Marmo | Marble. Carving the Future.” (Dupont Underground; through Oct. 8; $10), 2000’s Party (Howl at the Moon; 6 p.m.-3 a.m.; FREE), Frankie Cosmos (9:30 Club; 6 p.m.; $22), “/mend/” opening reception (Homme Gallery; 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; FREE), Angels Never Die (The Pocket; 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m.; $12-$15), The Incredibles at Columbia Heights Movie Nights (Tubman Elementary School; 7 p.m.; FREE), Fantastic Bach! Stylus Fantasticus (First Congregational UCC and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Friday and Saturday 7 p.m.; $40), Never in Our Image: Gun Transformation Opera (CulturalDC’s Source Theatre; Thursday through Saturday 7 p.m.; $5+), Something Moving: A Meditation on Maynard (Ford’s Theatre; through Oct. 15; $31+), Catfish Comedy Stand-Up (City-State Brewing Co.; 8 p.m.-10 p.m.; $10)
SATURDAY, SEPT. 23
PANDA PALOOZA: The hottest farewell party in town is taking place at the National Zoo this weekend. Bid adieu to Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji, the three giant pandas soon trading the National Zoo for their native China, at Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell. The nine-day celebration features panda-themed crafts, activities, conversations, films and concerts for the whole family. (National Zoo; through Oct. 1; FREE)
CELEBRATE PETWORTH: Petworth is gearing up for a party. This Saturday, the 800 block of Upshur Street NW will shut down traffic for Celebrate Petworth, a free neighborhood festival organized by and for the Petworth community. Find artisans, exhibitors, family-friendly activities, a dog show and live music all day long. (Petworth; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; FREE)
POETRY IS A COUNTRY: A keynote address from Poet Laureate Ada Limón, poetry-writing sessions led by local artists, and a typewriter poet who delivers haikus on-demand will all factor into “Poetry is a country,” a symposium taking over the National Gallery of Art this Saturday. (National Gallery of Art; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; FREE)
NOW AND FOREVER WINDOWS: This isn’t just any home renovation. This Saturday, the Washington National Cathedral will unveil the Now and Forever Windows, a set of new stained glass windows designed by acclaimed artist Kerry James Marshall. The addition follows the permanent removal of windows that honored Confederate generals. (Washington National Cathedral; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; FREE)
OKTOBERFEST: It’s still September, but Oktoberfest activities are already in full swing. This weekend, Oktoberfest celebrations are taking over Alexandria’s Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ, Bethesda’s Owen’s Tavern & Garden, Arlington’s Nighthawk Brewery & Pizza, Silver Spring’s Zinnia, The Boro Tysons, and Port City Brewing Company, where Wunderfest celebrates all things German. (Various locations; 12 p.m.-6 p.m.; FREE+)
SPLASH: Since 1971, swimming in the Anacostia River has been illegal due to concerns around water quality. This weekend, District residents will be legally permitted to take a dip during Splash, the first permitted swim event in the Anacostia in over 50 years. Make sure to register for a designated 20-minute time slot. (Kingman Island Dock; 12 p.m.-4:30 p.m.; FREE)
LEMON ZEST: When life gives you lemons, buy a ticket to Lemon Zest, a music and arts festival back for its second year at College Park’s The Hall. This year’s lineup includes hip-hop jammers T.M.I. Band, pop punkers SometimeLastNight, moody indie songwriter Violets Are Red, Baltimore indie rockers Lisztomania, and more. (The Hall College Park; 7 p.m.-11 p.m.; $30)
THE SOPRANOS: Instead of rewatching The Sopranos this weekend for the seventh time, head to Capital Turnaround to see Steve Schirripa, Vincent Pastore and Michael Imperioli in person. Hosted by comedian Joey Kola, the three The Sopranos actors will be in conversation about their iconic show and its cultural impact. (Capital Turnaround; 8 p.m.; $55+)
THEATRE WEEK KICKOFF: Show some love to local theater productions with Theatre Week, which begins Friday, though the official Theatre Week Kickoff Fest takes over Arena Stage Saturday. There will be interactive workshops, exhibits, panels and performances that celebrate the D.C. area’s upcoming theater season. (Arena Stage; 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; FREE)
FABULOSÉ: Close out your weekend with a little perreo at Fabulosé, a Latiné drag show taking over DC9 Nightclub Saturday night. Featuring 13 drag kings, queens and performers, Fabulosé promises to represent all flavors of the Latiné diaspora, and of drag culture. (DC9 Nightclub; 11 p.m.-3 a.m.; $10+)
MORE: Climate Action & Disaster Preparedness Community Engagement Fair (Waterfront Station; 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; FREE), Ride for Equity (Lincoln Park; 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; $30+), Play Day (Takoma Park Middle School; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; FREE), Farewell to Summer Bash (Hank’s Oyster Bar The Wharf; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; $100), Pre-Loved Bazaar (Black Cat; 12 p.m.-3 p.m.; FREE), Chevy Chase DC Day (Chevy Chase; 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE), Introduction to Linocut Printmaking Workshop (Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital; 2:30 p.m.-5 p.m.; $60), Pinot on the Potomac (Alice Ferguson Foundation; 3 p.m.-6 p.m.; $50+), Jonas Brothers (Capital One Arena; 7 p.m.; $89+), History Makers 2023: Rick Ross, Monica, Black Alley & Kenny Burns (The Anthem; 8 p.m.; $79+), Måneskin (Merriweather Post Pavilion; 8:30 p.m.; $34.50+), ExPats Theatre: Scorched (Atlas Performing Arts Center; through Oct. 15; $45), American Television (Record Release) (Comet Ping Pong; 10 p.m.; $18.54)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
SOUTHWEST FALL FESTIVAL: Autumn officially arrives on Saturday, and you can welcome the season with open arms at the Southwest Fall Festival, a cozy celebration taking over The Lot across from Waterfront Station this Sunday. Enjoy a book bazaar, an author talk with Black Children’s Books DMV, a video game truck, a cookout courtesy of King Ribs BBQ, live entertainment from Emma G and the Dream City Brass, and more. (Waterfront Station; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; FREE)
CLIMATE WORKSHOP: Bangladeshi-American artist and climate activist Monica Jahan Bose hosts the Sari Climate Workshop, where participants will strategize actions to fight climate change, and then draw, paint, and write those commitments on an 18-foot sari in solidarity with women farmers of coastal Bangladesh. (Anacostia Community Museum; 2 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE)
SPONSORED 1898 FILM SERIES: Calling all history buffs! Join the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery for the first of two film screenings exploring the impact of U.S. expansion around 1900 and its ongoing impact. These films are presented in conjunction with the exhibition “1898: U.S. Imperial Visions and Revisions,” currently on view through Feb. 25, 2024, and sponsored by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. (National Portrait Gallery; Sunday, Sept. 24, 2 p.m.–4 p.m.; Registration is required.)
MORE: Barbecue Boot Camp (Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; $100), Family Picnic in Partnership with Rainbow Families (Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; $5), History of Black Georgetown Walking Tour (Georgetown; 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m.; $25), Rolling on the River (The Wharf; 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; FREE), TwerkxTequila Dance Party (Songbyrd Music House; 11 p.m.-3 a.m.; $19.32), Jenny Holzer’s The People (National Mall; through Sunday; FREE)
Correction: This post has been updated to include the correct date for the Fabulosé event at DC9 Nightclub. It is Saturday.
