FRIDAY, OCT. 6
GREEK FESTIVAL: Didn’t squeeze in a getaway to Greece this summer? The next best thing is Saint Katherine’s Greek Festival, which takes place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Head to Falls Church for Greek food, music and dancing. Don’t miss Saturday’s Taverna Greek Night, featuring a live band and a DJ. (Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m.-8 p.m.; FREE+)
BECAUSE THEY’RE FUNNY: It’s all funny business at the inaugural Because They’re Funny Comedy Festival, which puts a spotlight on rising comedians of color. The festival’s main events, including a breakout comedian competition, will take place at The Anthem. Union Stage will host panels, films and late-night sets, while comedy workshops and live music will take over Pearl Street Warehouse. (Various locations; Friday -Sunday; $39.50+)
FALL WINE FESTIVAL: Wine down this weekend at Mount Vernon’s Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour. Bring a blanket and relax on the East Lawn as you enjoy unlimited samples from Virginia’s premier wineries. Saturday is sold out, but tickets are still available for Friday and Sunday. (Mount Vernon; Friday-Sunday; 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $43+)
SOUTH ASIAN ARTIST SHOWCASE: If you buy a ticket to see sitar player Anoushka Shankar at Strathmore this Friday, you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck. Before the concert, Strathmore is partnering with local South Asian artists to bring audiences a free South Asian Artist Showcase featuring contemporary art and electronic music. (The Music Center at Strathmore; 6:30 p.m.; FREE+)
MORE: “It’s a Material World” Quilt Show and Artisan Boutique (Kensington Town Office; Friday and Saturday; $8), Brick or Treat: Monster Party (LEGO Discovery Center; through Oct. 31; $28.99+), Anomaly (Washington Printmakers Gallery; through Oct. 29; FREE), The Lego Movie (President Lincoln’s Cottage; 5:30 p.m.; FREE), Sun Room (9:30 Club; 6 p.m.; $20), Coco screening and salsa dance class (Color Burst Park; 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.; FREE), Folger Book Fair (East City Bookshop; 6:30 p.m.; FREE), Madams of DC Walking Tour (InterContinental the Willard; 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; $25), Kati Sol (Carlyle Room; 7:30 p.m.; $25)
SATURDAY, OCT. 7
AFRICAN MODERNISM IN AMERICA: David Driskell, Ibrahim El-Salahi, Jacob Lawrence, and over 40 other African and African American artists will be on display in “African Modernism in America, 1947-67“, a special exhibition opening at the Phillips Collection this Saturday. Pay the robust collection a visit anytime between this weekend and Jan. 7. (The Phillips Collection; through Jan. 7, 2024; $20)
ART ON THE AVENUE: Mount Vernon Avenue in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood is transforming into a bustling arts festival this Saturday at the 28th annual Art on the Avenue. All day long, you’ll find over 300 jewelers, pottery makers, glass blowers and other artists, as well as a variety of musicians and food vendors. (Mount Vernon Avenue between Hume and Bellefonte; 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; FREE)
KREEGER OPEN HOUSE: No admission fee needed this weekend at the Kreeger Museum’s Open House. In addition to free entrance, the contemporary art museum will be hosting a family-friendly outdoor celebration featuring live jazz, art workshops and food trucks. (Kreeger Museum; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; FREE)
TASTE OF BETHESDA: Make sure to bring an appetite to Taste of Bethesda, which comes to Woodmont Triangle this Saturday. Bethesda’s best restaurants will be selling food servings on a taste ticket system: $5 will buy you four tickets, and food servings cost one to four tickets. (Woodmont Triangle; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; FREE+)
TASTE OF THE HARVEST: Welcome fall with open arms this weekend at Taste of the Harvest. Taking over THEARC this Saturday afternoon, the festival features autumn-themed activities like candle making, garlic planting and s’mores, as well as double dutch and live performances. (THEARC; 3 p.m.-8 p.m.; FREE)
BUSHWICK BOOK CLUB: Celebrate Banned Books Week with the D.C. chapter of the Bushwick Book Club. This Saturday, they’ll be bringing an evening of new works — including songs, short films and animation — inspired by Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury’s revered novel about a dystopian society where books are outlawed. (RE4CH Creative; 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m.; $13)
CLUB QUARANTINE: D-Nice made history as the first DJ and hip-hop artist to play the Kennedy Center Opera House. This Saturday, he’s back, and he’s bringing Club Quarantine Live with him. Hosted by comedian Chris Spencer and featuring numerous special guests, the black tie event celebrates performance, music and community. It’s part of a residency Friday-Sunday that will include a comedy show Friday and CQ Praise & Worship, a gospel music show, on Sunday. (Kennedy Center; 7:30 p.m.; $149)
MORE: Park Chan-kyong: Gathering (National Museum of Asian Art; through Oct. 13; FREE), Brunch on the Go (Pacers Running Navy Yard; 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; $65), SterlingFest (Sterling Community Center; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; FREE), Bavarian Beer Gardens Oktoberfest (Rustico Alexandria & Rustico Ballston; 12 p.m.-6 p.m.; FREE), College Park Day (College Park Aviation Museum and Airport; 12 p.m.-6 p.m.; FREE), Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers (National Gallery of Art; 12 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; FREE), Weekend Workshop: Interactive Memory Collage (National Portrait Gallery; 2 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE), DC Sing-Along Night (U Street Neighborhood Association; 4 p.m.-6 p.m.; FREE), Dancin’ In the Street: A Simchat Torah Celebration (Sixth & I; 7 p.m.; $20), The Comedy Karaoke Trivia Funtime Show (HIGHLINE RxR; 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; $15+), The Good Liar (Hotel Washington; 8 p.m.-9 p.m.; $50), Improv Comedy Night (DC Arts Center; 8 p.m.; $15+)
SUNDAY, OCT. 8
CHOCOLATE AND COFFEE FEST: Get your cacao and coffee bean fix this weekend at the DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival taking over the Dulles Expo Center this weekend. In addition to gourmet coffee roasters and chocolatiers, local food purveyors and artisans will be onsite at this sip and shop event. (Dulles Expo Center; Saturday and Sunday; $12.50)
SUNDAY IN THE COUNTRY: After being all All Things Go All The Time last weekend, Merriweather hosts another music festival this weekend, with a slightly different flavor. WPOC’s Sunday in the Country brings country stars like Jelly Roll, Chase Rice, Chayce Beckham and Hailey Whitters to Columbia. If that’s not enough country music for you, catch the Zac Brown Band at Merriweather on Saturday. (Merriweather Post Pavilion; 4 p.m.; $59.50+)
MURDER MYSTERY: Have you already started planning your Halloween costume? You’re gonna need one for the Halloween Murder Mystery taking place at Atlas Brew Works this weekend. Arrive in costume, and you’ll receive a specific character assignment — as well as a beer, included in the price of your ticket. (Atlas Brew Works Ivy City Brewery & Taproom; 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; $50)
MORE: Dog Adoption Day 2023 (Bagels ‘n Grinds; 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; FREE), Indigo & Shibori 101 (Rhizome DC; 1 p.m.; $15+), Waterfront Village Home Tours (St. Augustine’s Church; 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; $20+), Capitol Hill Walking Tours (Capitol Hill; Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m.; $15), Dave Sager’s Pie in the Sky Band (Rosensteel Hall; 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; $22.50) The Lost Sorrows of Jean Eustache (National Gallery of Art; 2 p.m.-4:15 p.m.; FREE), Virginia Opera: Siegfried (Center for the Arts at George Mason University; Saturday 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m.; $40+), Civic Happy Hour with GGWash, District Hunt, & Spur Local (City-State Brewing Co.; 3 p.m.-5 p.m.; FREE), Harmony & Flavors: A Wine & Jazz Dinner with Marcus Johnson (J. Hollinger’s; 5:15 P.M.; $25+), Rainbow Visibility: Miss Universo Latina (Atlas Performing Arts Center; 6 p.m.; $80+)
