Ah, it’s the last, most beautiful days of summer… just kidding, who are we kidding? We may be enjoying ideal temperatures lately, but you know that within a week we’ll be back to nasty wool sweaters and mouth sores, and that will continue well into October. But what are we supposed to do with this happy weather in the meantime?
After a grueling ordeal with some flooding, East City Books is BACK and better than ever! Or, you know, as good as ever. August 17th is Bookstore Romance Day, so fall in love with ECB all over again and get your hungry paws on some corset and/or dungaree rippers! There are treats in the store. More info here.
The sausage festival is coming to Wonder Garden on August 17th and 18th! Enjoy delicious sausages and support the LGBTQ+ community with a fundraiser! More details and RSVP here.
This applies to the whole city, but also to our area: DC City Toura wonderful selection of free tours in DC, celebrating 25 years! Sign up for all the tours and get to know your city better!!! Click here for more information.
Shake your booty and the rest of you tonight at the Wharf with your Dance on Friday night Series. Learn to salsa with Mario tonight. Find out more here.
Start your weekend with Yoga in the park at the Eastern Market Metro Plaza. Admission is free, but bring a mat and water! More information here.
The Marine Corps Band will be giving a special concert on August 21st at 7 p.m. on the west terrace of the Capitol. The concert is free and open to the public. You can view the program here. Did you miss them that day? They will be playing again on August 28th.
OUTDOOR CINEMA SEASON
There are outdoor cinema seasons in the area during the spring and summer. Here are some (list is updated). Please check as some of these may be postponed due to rain:
OFF HILL
Have you ever thought about getting a Brompton, a folding bike for people with limited storage space? Then you’re in luck! Starting August 30th, you (and a friend) can borrow a bike for a whole day at Brompton Junction on Wisconsin Avenue as part of the Brompton Borrow program! Here are the instructions: Note that you can only reserve bikes starting August 30th:
- Your name and the name of your guest (if applicable)
- How many bikes you reserve (up to 2 bikes allowed)
- The date you would like to reserve the bikes (must be at least 2 working days after the date of your request)
- The Brompton team will confirm your place within one working day and provide you with collection instructions.
- Pick up your bikes from Junction on the day of your reservation. Please bring the following:
- A copy of your ID card and credit card
- Completed BBI waiver
- The Junction staff will also ensure that you have access to a helmet, as one is mandatory when riding.
- The bicycles must be returned by closing time on the same day.
This show has been on air since July 14th, but I am looking forward to seeing the National Art GalleryThe collection of Gordon Parks’ photographs, selected primarily from the Corcoran Collection, can be seen here. Check out the selection online and don’t miss it in person. The exhibition will be on view at the NGA through January 12, 2025. For more information, click here.
The National Building Museum has a new exhibition called Capital Brutalism. Take a loving look at some of our most polarizing and beloved architecture. (#teamBrutalism). Click here for more information and here for tickets to the Building Museum.
The National Portrait Gallery has an exhibit titled “Brilliant Exiles” on view through June 3, 2025. Taking up a large portion of the second floor, the exhibit focuses primarily on American women who emigrated to Paris between 1900 and 1939. During this tumultuous 40-year period, these migrants excelled in a variety of fields. From writing, painting, and dancing to publishing and interior design, these forward-thinking avatars pushed boundaries and found that instead of judging them for their femininity or for being people of color or queer, Paris celebrated them and let them be. The exhibit is a carefully curated look at the women through their own eyes and, far more often than you might hope, through the eyes of important men in their lives. You can learn more and plan your visit here.
PLAN AHEAD
Keep the Downtown Holiday Market for DC and have Diverse Markets manage it. Sign the petition here.
Back to school day will take place on August 23rd at the Fields at RFK. In addition to book bags to give away and a vaccination clinic, there will also be an arcade, a game truck, a 360-degree camera, and much more fun. More information here.
The National Book Festival takes over the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on August 24th. The event is free and packed with wonderful events. Check out the main page here and plan your day using the tool here.
Are you a theater fan? Then sign up for Mosaic TheaterSeason 24-25 is here!
Take a fun ride on August 31st with Family cycling on the hills and look forward to the unveiling of a new, one-of-a-kind crosswalk mural by Chalk Riot, as well as a street party! Sign up for the ride here or just show up at the street party at 11:30am and enjoy some back-to-school cheer.
The National Art Gallery Gallery Nights are back in September! Remember to sign up for the lottery the week before. Click here for an overview of the themed nights and to sign up for reminders.
Fall offers the opportunity to start new things and develop new habits. How about joining a book club? Folger Library has one and her book recommendation for September is Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. The meeting will take place virtually on September 5th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. More details and RSVP here.
The DC Bike Ride takes place on September 7th and promises to be car-free fun. Register here!
The Because they are funny Comedy Festivalwhich features comedians of color isn’t until September 27-29, but you can check out the list of finalists for Breakout Comedian of the Year here: Mel Mitchell, Flo Hernandez, Khrissy YSF, Lamar Jones, Sammy Anzer and Alex Babbitt. And of course, you can get tickets to the festival events here.
Oktoberfest at the Wharf on October 5th. More info here. Cheers!
WEEKLY FUN
A Sunday tradition that Flea market at Eastern Market is your one-stop shop for wonderful art, clothing, cosmetics and more. Follow them on Instagram here.
At ReLumeYou can make something beautiful and have fun doing it! From candles to seasonal decorations to starting a new hobby, you can do it all there. Winter is coming this week, so might as well learn how to knit? Find out more here.
Looking for a fun activity for your toddler? The Northeast Neighborhood Library offers “Toddler Explorations” on Mondays from 11 a.m. to noon. Click here for more information.
Mr. Henry’s is THE place to hear jazz on the hill. They have performances FOUR nights a week! Check out their event calendar here.
On Monday evening Trivia Kings takes over Barrel for quiz night. For more information click here. (They also host quiz nights around the city.)
Take a quiz on Wednesday evening! Interesting facts about “Two Girls” is holding a quiz in the Fight Club from 7 p.m. You can find more information and quiz tips on Twitter. @twogirlstrivia.
labyrinth has great events almost every night of the week, except Mondays. If you want to try out board games or enjoy some of your favorite games with friends old and new, check out the events calendar.
There’s comedy every Thursday and Friday at Kelly’s Irish Times! Batting Cage Comedy The show starts at 8pm and is free on Thursdays. More information here.
