Weekend Buzz: Aug. 13, 2025
So much to enjoy around town this weekend! From local craft making, music, film, arts, dance, and theater, to history exhibits, natural history wonders, and nature therapy – not to mention a Super Soaker party and a chance to take the kids to Meet the Mules (Jen & Jessie) at the C&O National Park. Enjoy!
Local Craft Making
Fancy Folds Origami Class
Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., Upper Level Conference Room, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2-3:00 p.m.
Join local origami artist Sarah Rosenthal for a creative paper folding class!
Whether you're new to origami or an experienced origamist, you'll get to learn and practice paper folding techniques. Sarah will review some geometry basics, show you how to transform standard letter-sized paper into origami squares, teach you folding terminology, and instruct you in the use of folding tools. Participants will practice using plain paper and then move on to creating paper cranes using authentic Japanese origami papers. All supplies will be provided. You'll leave with your two cranes, a printed set of instructions, and new insights into this special craft.
About the Presenter
Sarah is a self-taught origami artist. Her love of folding goes back to elementary school as a way to both work with her hands and impress her friends. Her teaching goal is for you to do the same by sharing her paper-folding principles!
To register go here.
Local Music
Bizet's Carmen
A Kay Shouse Great Performance
Wolf Trap, Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna. Friday, Aug. 15, 8:00 p.m. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
Step into the sultry streets of Seville, where desire and danger intertwine in Bizet’s timeless operatic masterpiece. At its heart is the fiery Carmen, whose seductive charm ensnares the heart of a young soldier, only to lead them both toward an inevitable clash of honor, love, and tragedy. With its electrifying drama and iconic score, featuring unforgettable melodies like the “Habanera” and the “Toreador Song,” Carmen is a celebration of freedom, passion, and fate. A must-see for seasoned opera lovers and first-time attendees.
Before the performance, join Wolf Trap Opera’s Arianna Zukerman and Carmen conductor José Luis Gómez on the Terrace Pavilion at 7:00 p.m. for a pre-performance discussion about conducting opera, collaborating with Wolf Trap’s young singers, and what makes Carmen’s role both iconic and demanding.
Sung in French with English captions with the Wolf Trap Orchestra.
Tickets start at $39 (incl. fees).
For more info go here.
Mary Chapin Carpenter
w/ Brandy Clark
Wolf Trap, Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna. Saturday, Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
Tickets start at $54.50 (incl. fees).
Beloved singer/songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter has called the D.C. area home for nearly 30 years, and her performances at Wolf Trap have become a tradition for audiences. Best known for her hits “Passionate Kisses,” “Down at the Twist and Shout,” “I Feel Lucky,” and “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,” Carpenter and her band return to the Filene Center stage for an evening of her new and classic hits.
Country singer/songwriter Brandy Clark, known for writing the music to Tony-winning musical Shucked, kicks off the performance.
For ticket info go here.
The Road To The Ramble
Featuring: The Local Honeys & TreeSap
Capital One Hall, 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., The Vault, Tysons. Thursday, Aug. 14. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
The Vault and Ramble Festival present The Road To The Ramble featuring The Local Honeys and TreeSap.
The Local Honeys come from a long line of storytellers, a lineage of strong Kentucky women who aren’t afraid to tell it like it is and their self-titled La Honda debut is proof it’s in their bones. The duo have mastered the art of telling a good story. The narratives and landscapes they weave into song, the deep understanding and love they share for old time traditions, their undeniable charisma and charm, and their blatant disregard of following the rules make it clear the duo is poised to become not only the defining voices of their home state of Kentucky but the defining voices of a new Appalachia.
TreeSap consists of JP, Mickey, and Dylan of Cabinet.
For ticket info go here.
Summer Passport Music Festival
at Creative Cauldron
Creative Cauldron, 127 E. Broad St. Through Sept. 14.
Featuring some of the most talented and diverse musicians in the metro area and beyond, this annual series, now in its 14th year, is one of the most popular events of the Creative Cauldron season. The concert series offers musical styles for every taste: latin, jazz, blues, folk and world music. Presented in a cozy club format that's been described by one of our frequent performing musicians as, “one of the best listening venues in the DMV.”
Next Up:
QuinTango
Creative Cauldron, 127 E. Broad St. Friday, Aug. 15, 7:30 p.m.
Passport favorites whose energy and poetry are transformative. These five top-flight musicians (violins, bass/vocals, bandoneon, piano) and their Argentine dancers invite you into their world – and rock yours! – as they bring the magic and mystery of tango to the Cauldron. This concert introduces pianist Hai Jin and previews QuinTango's upcoming Europe 2025 tour (August 17-30).
For more on QuinTango go here: https://www.quintango.com/.
Sponsored by Local Thrift and The Falls Church News-Press.
Tickets: Tier One: $30; Tier Two: $25; Live Stream: $15.
Table for Two (Includes two cups of wine): $90.
Table for Four (Includes bottle of wine): $180.
For ticket info go here.
Founders Groove
Summer Concert Series
Final Show Tomorrow Evening! ~ Founders Groove, Founders Row, 110 Founders Ave., Falls Church. Thursday, Aug. 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
This event is all about celebrating creativity, community, and of course, grooving to some awesome tunes. Join us for an evening filled with live music, delicious food, and fun family vibes. Grab your friends, some folding chairs, and come dance the day away with us at Founders Groove!
Final Show:
- August 14 ~ Ty Sherwood (Country)
For more information, visit www.foundersrow.com.
Summer Music Festival
Grooves in the Grove
Next Up:
Alisha Glover
The Wharf DC, The Grove, 760 Maine Ave. SW. Friday, Aug. 15, 7-9:00 p.m. Free.
We're easing into the weekend with Friday night beats. Catch a free music performance by Alisha Glover in the Grove. Her vocal style surveys various genres of music including jazz fusion, funk, gospel, rock, R&B, and pop.
Grooves in the Grove Lineup:
Friday, Aug. 15: Alisha Glover
Friday, Aug. 22: Dejay Sax
Friday, Aug. 29: Tre4mdc
For more info go here.
Glen Echo: Summer Concert Series
Glen Echo Park, Bumper Car Pavilion. Free. Dancers are welcome. Free parking. Rain or shine. Shows: 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Through Aug. 21.
RSVPs preferred, not required. Limited seating available — feel free to bring folding chairs. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks for sale in Bumper Car Pavilion courtesy of Praline. Bringing your own alcohol is not permitted.
Upcoming Concerts:
August 14 | Justin Trawick and The Common Good
August 21 | James Bazen Big Band
RSVP for FREE Summer Concerts! (RSVPs preferred but not required.)
For more info go here.
Summer Concert Series at The Wharf DC
Rock The Dock!
The Wharf DC, 970 Wharf St. SW. Every Wednesday evening through Labor Day.
Rock The Dock 2025 Lineup:
At 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays through Labor Day, come to Transit Pier at The Wharf to enjoy free live performances by these talented local artists:
Upcoming Shows:
August 13: DuPont Brass (Big Horns/Electric Soul)
August 20: Uncle Jesse (90s Pop)
August 27: Pink PaLiSh (Funk/Soul)
- Every concert begins at 7:00 p.m.
- Learn more about different ways to Get to The Wharf.
- Limited bench seating and tables and chairs are available on a first-come first-served basis.
- This event is family-friendly — all ages are welcome. Dogs on a leash are also welcome. You must be 21+ to consume alcohol.
- Waterside bar Cantina Bambina serves up cold Pacifico and mixed drinks throughout the concerts. Outside drinks are not allowed.
- Don't forget to visit the DC Lottery tent on Transit Pier to spin the prize wheel to win cash and DC Lottery swag.
- You may bring in food from any Wharf restaurant. Stageside kiosk Union Pie offers hot and fresh pizza throughout the show. Whether you're craving a Cuban sandwich, a hot and sweet pizza, or chips and guac, our Wharf restaurants have something for everyone.
- In the event of inclement weather, event status updates will be posted on the Rock The Dock event page on The Wharf Facebook page.
For more info go here.
Local Film
Sunset Cinema at the Wharf!
The Wharf DC, 760 Maine Ave. SW. On Thursdays through Aug. 28, come to Transit Pier at The Wharf to enjoy the following free outdoor movies. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m.
August 14: Pitch Perfect
August 21: Ferris Bueller's Day Off
August 28: La La Land
Movies take place at Transit Pier at The Wharf, 970 Wharf St. SW. Learn more about different ways to Get to The Wharf. Movies begin at 7:30 p.m. Limited adirondack chairs available on a first-come first-served basis starting at 7:00 p.m. You may bring a blanket or folding chairs to this event. Closed captions available upon request. Please see the movie attendant on site or email here (below) to make the request.
This event is family-friendly — all ages welcome. Dogs on a leash welcome. You must be 21+ to consume alcohol. Waterside bar Cantina Bambina serves up cold Pacifico and mixed drinks throughout the movies. Outside drinks are not allowed.
You may bring in food from any Wharf restaurant. Stageside kiosk Union Pie offers hot and fresh pizza throughout the show. Whether you're craving a Cuban sandwich, a hot and sweet pizza, or chips and guac, our Wharf restaurants have something special for everyone.
In the event of inclement weather, event status updates will be posted on the Sunset Cinema event page on The Wharf Facebook page.
For more info go here.
Summer Movies on the Lawn: “The Muppet Movie” (1979)
Library of Congress
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Bldg., Southeast Lawn, 10 1st St. SE. Rescheduled to Aug. 14, 8-10:00 p.m.
Follow the fantastic, music-filled adventures of Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear as they travel across the country to seek fame and fortune in Hollywood. Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Rowlf, Animal and the rest of your Muppet favorites are on hand, as well as Steve Martin, Bob Hope, Richard Pryor, Charles Durning, Edgar Bergen, Mel Brooks and other human guests. Color, 95 min. (Digital).
Part of the Library’s eight annual “Summer Movies on the Lawn,” this series showcases iconic films from the Library’s National Film Registry and will be presented on Thursday evenings at sundown on the southeast lawn of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building, located on the corner of 2nd Street SE and Independence Avenue.
No tickets required, but visitors are encouraged to arrive early as space is limited. Visitors must stay with their items on the lawn at all times. Guests may bring their own blankets, chairs, food and beverages, but alcohol is prohibited.
Restrooms are available in the James Madison Building located at 101 Independence Ave. SE. Please be advised, visitors must navigate U.S. Capitol Police security screening to enter the building to use facilities. Restrooms in this building are fully accessible. Themed snacks and drinks will be available for sale before the movie begins.
Accommodations: Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 or ADA@loc.gov.
For more info go here.
Sunset Movie Nights in Georgetown
Paddington in Peru
Georgetown Waterfront Park (K St. & Wisconsin Ave. NW) August 15, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. Weekly through September 12.
Presented by Washington Harbour.
Get ready for another unforgettable summer at the Washington Harbour! Our waterfront movie nights are back for a second year — so grab a blanket, claim your spot at Georgetown Waterfront Park, and settle in for a magical evening under the stars. The lawn opens at 7:00 p.m., and the movie begins at sunset.
Movie Night Schedule
August 15 – Paddington in Peru
August 22 – Top Gun: Maverick
August 29 – Coco
September 5 –Twilight
September 12 – Grease (1978)
Restaurant Deals: Exclusive dinner offerings will be available at participating restaurants located at the Washington Harbour for movie watchers:
Fiola Mare – “Movie with Mare” to-go dinner combo for $26. Includes Fresh Prosciutto Mozzarella Sandwich, Choice of Housemade Ice Cream Bar (Choice of Berries & Cream, Stracciatella with Chocolate & Hazelnut, or Lemon Cookies), and a Nitro Cold Brew Coffee.
Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers – 10 percent off Online Orders. Available from 3:30-6:00 p.m. at the bar, this happy hour has it all… enjoy small bites from $2.99 to $8.99, ice cold draft beer for $5.99, and craft cocktails and wine for $7.99. Perfect for pre-movie bites – the full menu is also available for ordering.
Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers is also offering 10 percent off all online orders directly through their website on movie nights only (8/15, 8/22, 8/29, 9/5, and 9/12). Just use code “MOVIE10” at checkout to get 10 percent off all of your Founding Farmers favorites to fuel your movie-going experience.
For more info go here.
Nocturnes
National Gallery of Art, East Building Auditorium, 4th St. & Constitution Ave. NW. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2-3:00 p.m.
Part of By Land, Sea, and Lens: Creatures on Film.
In the dense forests of the Eastern Himalayas, moths are whispering something to us. In the dark of night, two curious observers shine a light on this secret universe. Together, they are on an expedition to decode these nocturnal creatures in a remote ecological “hot spot” on the border of India and Bhutan. The result is a deeply immersive film that transports audiences to a rarely seen place and urges us all to look more closely at the hidden interconnections of the natural world. (Anirban Dutta and Anupama Srinivasa, 2024, Hindi, English, Bugun with English subtitles, DCP, 83 minutes.)
To register go here.
Shape of the Moon
National Gallery of Art, East Building Auditorium, 4th St. & Constitution Ave. NW. Sunday, Aug. 17, 2-4:30 p.m.
Part of Onward! Highlights from the Flaherty Film Seminar.
The end of the Suharto regime ushered in an era of rapid sociopolitical upheaval in Indonesia. With Shape of the Moon, the second installment of the Sun, Moon, Stars trilogy, filmmaker Leonard Retel Helmrich returns to the central Sjamsuddin family to intimately capture the changes taking place in their country, including the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. (Leonard Retel Helmrich, 2004, Indonesian with English subtitles, 92 minutes.)
This film was selected by Carlos A. Gutiérrez, co-founding executive director of Cinema Tropical, a nonprofit that is the leading distributor of Latin America Cinema in the U.S. and past programmer of the Flaherty Film Seminar.
To register go here.
Local Arts
"Layers" at Falls Church Arts
Mark your calendars! “Layers” will be opening with a meet-the-artists reception at Falls Church Arts this Friday, Aug. 15. See our preview here:
Christopher Jones
Discuss a Kandinsky!
The Art of Looking: Wassily Kandinsky, Improvisation 31 (Sea Battle)
National Gallery of Art, Virtual Talk. Friday, Aug. 15, 1 - 2:00 p.m.
Wassily Kandinsky’s Improvisation 31 (Sea Battle) is the inspiration for this interactive conversation. Join us for a one-hour virtual session and share your observations, interpretations, questions, and ideas about this work of art.
These conversations will encourage you to engage deeply with art, with others, and with the world around you as you hone your skills in visual literacy and perspective-taking.
The program is free, open to the public, and designed for everyone interested in talking about art. No art or art history background required. Ages 18 and over.
To register go here.
Cut + Paste: Experimental Japanese Prints and Photographs
National Museum of Asian Art Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Through Nov. 30, 2025.
Leave your assumptions about prints and photographs behind. In this exhibition, flat surfaces expand outward. Images aren’t simply printed — they're worked, reworked, and then reworked again. Paper artworks accumulate layers of unusual materials like plastic, foam, glue, and tape. In our era of media endlessly copied, reproduced, and loaded to screens, these photographs and prints beg to be viewed in person.
Cut + Paste showcases seventeen Japanese artists who pushed the limits of printmaking and photography. By combining techniques, these artists created multilayered images that challenge distinctions between mediums, art-making traditions, and notions of fine art and commercial design.
The prints and photographs in this exhibition are drawn entirely from our permanent collection and range across the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. These experimental works blur reality, memory, and even how we perceive space and time. Just as each artist’s approach is unique and deeply personal, so is every person’s experience of the multiple layers, angles, and textures of these artworks.
For more info go here.
Body Transformed: Contemporary South Asian Photographs and Prints
Final Weekend! ~ Through August 17. National Museum of Asian Art Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW.
Body Transformed: Contemporary South Asian Photographs and Prints presents a selection of works that center on the human figure. For the artists in this exhibition, the human form and the expressive power of photography and print media offer ways to examine the place of the individual in contemporary society.
Works by Pushpamala N. and Clare Arni, Vivek Vilasini, Ram Rahman, and Naveen Kishore focus on the performing body to confront notions of gender and cultural identity through photography, a medium that has played a complicated role in India since the nineteenth century. Jitish Kallat and Rashid Rana manipulate photographic images to simultaneously assert and dissolve the portrait in jarring compositions that hover between reflections on the public being and the disquiet of the inner self.
Master print artists Krishna Reddy, Chitra Ganesh, and Jyoti Bhatt experiment with provocatively carved lines and vivid colors unique to printmaking. Fragmenting, morphing, and multiplying the figure, these artists incorporate various processes to explore representations of power, place, and sexuality in today’s world.
Body Transformed draws from the generous gifts of Drs. Umesh and Sunanda Gaur.
This exhibition contains images and material that may not be appropriate for all audiences.
For more info go here.
Local Theater
Play On!
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Through October 5.
A delightful musical based on Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night, set to the syncopated soundtrack of Duke Ellington’s greatest hits.
Aspiring songwriter Vy comes to swinging 1930s Harlem to make it big. But when she discovers the doors of opportunity are closed to women, she disguises herself as a man to pitch her songs to Harlem’s hottest composer, the Duke. However, when her tunes attract the attention of Cotton Club performer Lady Liv, the object of the Duke’s affection, Vy-Man is swept up in a swinging tempest of love, mistaken identity and jazz.
If music be the food of love, then Play On’s timeless classics "Take the 'A' Train," "Mood Indigo" "I Got it Bad and That Ain’t Good" and "It Don’t Mean a Thing," combine with stunning dance to make for a joyous feast in a fun and fresh take on a beloved comedy.
"Charming, enchanting, laugh-out-loud funny… this show is quite the revelation." ~ What’s On Stage
- Running time: approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
- Content Warnings: This show will contain strobe and lighting effects, loud noises, theatrical haze and herbal cigarettes. Contains adult themes around gender/sexuality/sex.
- Recommended for ages 8+. Signature does not admit anyone under 6.
For more info go here.
Everything is Wonderful
Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Dr., Arlington. All performances at 8:00 p.m. Through Aug. 23.
By Chelsea Marcantel.
When an Amish couple’s two sons are killed in a car accident, the family struggles to maintain their faith and cling to their way of life. In an act of unfathomable forgiveness, they take in Eric, the wayward young driver of the car. But Eric’s mistake cracks open the family’s dark history and brings back their eldest daughter, excommunicated five years earlier. Miri finds her family in shambles, the man who killed her brothers living in the barn, and the man who drove her away intent upon marrying her younger sister. Without a way forward, this insular community must seek to heal the deep wounds of the past, forcing everyone into a new kind of reckoning.
This is the same venue as our production of City of Conversation.
Trigger Warning: Everything is Wonderful contains content that may be distressing to some audience members, including themes of death, grief, and sexual trauma.
For more info go here.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
National Theater, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Wednesday, Aug. 13, 7:00 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 14, 7:00 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 15, 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 16, 1:00 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 16, 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 17, 1:00 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 17, 7:00 p.m.
Broadway’s Spellbinding Sensation Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is coming to a city near you on its first-ever North American Tour. Join the next adventure and experience the wizarding world like never before at this record-breaking hit and winner of six Tony Awards including Best Play. “It’s one of the most defining pop culture events of the decade” (Forbes).
When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all — with the power to change the past and future forever. Prepare for a mind-blowing race through time, spectacular spells, and an epic battle, all brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage. It’s a “marvel of imagination” (The New York Times) that will “leave you wondering ‘how’d they do that?’ for days to come” (People Magazine).
Historical Exhibits
InSight: Photos and Stories from the Archives
National Museum of the American Indian, 4th St. & Independence Ave., SW. Opened May 23, Running: TBD.
InSight: Photos and Stories from the Archives features images from the Archives Center at the National Museum of the American Indian. The photos were selected from more than a half million images stewarded by the museum. They give an intimate view of Indigenous lives across the Western Hemisphere and across time. They show everyday moments of joy and quiet reflection. In these images, people attend social gatherings, pose for family photos, and learn from relatives.
Each photo has a story to tell. It is the rich insight shared by Native people that brings these stories to life.
Explore highlights from the Archives Center in the museum’s Collections Search.
For more info go here.
Learn About Natural History!
Dazzling Diversity
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Ground Floor, National Mall, 10th & Constitution Ave. NW. Through Dec. 16. Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Open seven days a week (closed Dec. 25).
What is the most diverse group of animals on the planet? Insects! They constitute more than two-thirds of all described animal species — and there are more waiting to be discovered.
Celebrate the vast and varied insect world through the pages of early illustrated natural history books. These books span from the late 1700s to the early 1900s, and all are digitized and searchable online in the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL), the world's largest open access digital repository of biodiversity literature. The exhibition provides a glimpse into the wealth of recorded scientific knowledge in their pages, and highlights the continuing relevance of historical science to contemporary biodiversity research.
Dazzling Diversity offers a snapshot of different classes of insects and their habitats while sharing the careful artistry of scientific illustration. Among the works featured is the Biologia Centrali-Americana, a monumental effort to thoroughly catalog all known flora and fauna in Central America and Mexico, which was published over the course of 36 years, from 1879 to 1915.
Read these books and more online in the Dazzling Diversity: The Insect World collection at the Biodiversity Heritage Library.
Organized by
Designed, edited, and produced by Smithsonian Exhibits
For more info go here.
Local Dance
Enjoy Salsa Dancing on The Wharf!
Saturday Night Salsa Dancing
Transit Pier at The Wharf, 970 Wharf St. SW. Saturday, Aug. 16, 7:00 p.m.
On select Saturday's throughout the summer, meet us on either Transit Pier or District Pier at The Wharf to enjoy free dance nights with dance instructors and live music.
Join us for Salsa Night at The Wharf with Salsa with Silvia and live Latin grooves by René Ibáñez & Cubano Groove. Whether you’re a beginner or pro, learn easy-to-follow moves and dance to the rhythms of Cuban salsa, boogaloo, and jazz.
Event Details:
- Dancing begins at 7:00 p.m., followed by open dancing.
- This event is family-friendly — all ages are welcome. You must be 21+ to consume alcohol.
- Waterside bar Cantina Bambina serves up cold Pacifico and mixed drinks throughout the event. Outside drinks are not allowed.
- In the event of inclement weather, event status updates will be posted on The Wharf's Facebook page.
For more info go here.
Dance on the Lunar Lawn
from Dance Institute of Washington
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave., NW. Wednesday, Aug. 13, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Spend a summer evening in the gardens and enjoy a performance by the talented young students of The Dance Institute of Washington (DIW), the leading minority-led dance equity organization in Washington, D.C.!
Enjoy an evening of DIW’s repertoire, featuring their pre-professional dancers. This evening’s works will show various forms of their identity in artistic expression.
Since 2021, Hillwood has explored and expanded its programming in the world of dance. Marjorie Post was a lover of dance, both in her personal life and as a patron of the performing arts. This connection between Post, Hillwood, and dance inspires programs that give a platform to movement artists from the Washington, D.C. area. In past years of Dance on the Lunar Lawn programming, Hillwood has co-commissioned a piece with Dance Place, hosted performances by SOLE Defined, Gesel Mason, Coyaba, the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company, and has cultivated a multi-year partnership with the Dance Institute of Washington, featuring pre-professional dancers. This summer’s performance by the Dance Institute of Washington marks the fourth summer of our collaboration with this wonderful organization.
Program Guidelines:
- Program will take place under the Courtyard Tent. Theater-style seating is available, as well as table seating in the back of the tent.
- Merriweather To Go has sandwiches, light snacks, and beverages, including beer, wine, and champagne available by the glass or bottle.
- Hillwood’s liquor license does not allow patrons to bring in outside alcohol.
Program Timeline:
5:30-7:00 p.m. | Explore Hillwood
- Enjoy Hillwood’s mansion, gardens, and greenhouse, and exhibition, From Exile to Avant-Garde: The Life of Princess Natalie Paley on view in the Adirondack building
- Visit the museum shop and Merriweather To Go
7 - 8:00 p.m. | Performance followed by Q & A
8:30 p.m. | Hillwood closes
Inclement Weather:
If inclement weather occurs, the program will be postponed to Thursday, August 14 with ticket purchasers notified of the change by 3:00 p.m. If inclement weathers persists, the concert will be live-streamed on Thursday, and all ticket purchasers will be notified and sent a link to the performance by 3:00 p.m.
About the Artists
The Dance Institute of Washington (DIW) is the leading dance equity organization in Washington, D.C. DIW's unique model combines world-class dance experiences with comprehensive subsidized services to improve academic, career, and community opportunities. DIW increases the inclusive and diverse representation at every level of the professional ballet and dance industries in Washington, D.C. Through that exemplary effort, DIW impacts racial and economic equity in dance nationally and globally.
Tickets Available: $30; $20 for members; $10 for students; $5 for children (6-18 years-old); Free for children under 6.
For info, call us at: 202.686.5807, or go here.
Get Stoked to Get Super Soaked!
Super Soaker: The WETTEST day party!
By Drinks in the District
Twelve After Twelve, 1212 18th Street NW. Saturday, Aug. 16, 1 - 6:00 p.m.
You will have a great time and get WET doing it.
SUPER SOAKER: THE SUMMER SEND OFF
Grab your friends and join us for the most fun and most WET day party in D.C. It's the last super soaker of the year and we aren't leaving summer quietly!
We're turning up on the open-air rooftop of Twelve After Twelve in Dupont Circle.
The music is open format. So prepare to jump up, twerk, and sing your heart out. There's something for everyone. We've been doing this party the last three summers so we know exactly what we're doing. Bathing suits and sunglasses encouraged because you'll get wet and getting shot in the eye is no fun. (We use low pressure water guns... but still...)
What to expect...
- Making new friends and getting a tan;
- Throwing your ass around uncontrollably;
- Plastic bag for your cell phone;
- Temporary tattoo station;
- Not remembering anything that happened (please drink responsibly).
From $18.46. No Refunds.
For ticket info go here.
Fun for Families & Kids!
Meet the Mules, Jen & Julie!
National Park Service, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., D.C., Mule Pen behind the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center. Free. No registration required. Every week on Friday and Saturday. Aug. 15 and 16, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
We're excited to announce that our Meet the Mules program will be kicking off (see what we did there?) this week! 🐎
Come on out and meet our two working mules, Jen and Julie! Both Jen and Julie provide a unique opportunity for visitors to have a physical connection to the history of the C&O Canal, as well as the story of the United States. Mules were considered the "engines" of the canal because they pulled boats on the canal between Georgetown and Cumberland. By visiting the mules, you can learn more about how mules worked to build and operate the canal, how the park cares for Jen and Julie, and some fun facts along the way.
The program will take place at the mule pen behind the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
For more info go here.
We Could All Use a Little Woodland Nature Therapy...
Woodland Nature Therapy: Flourishing with Tranquility
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Visitors Center, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna, Aug. 16, 9-11:00 a.m.
Step into calm on a gentle wander of wonder through the woodlands of Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. During this rejuvenating morning of nature therapy, we’ll slow down with sensory invitations to reconnect with ourselves and the forest, and share in warm-hearted moments under the forest canopy. Guided by certified nature therapy guide Ilana Rubin of Kindred Nature, this experience includes mindful slow walking, quiet reflection, facilitated sharing, and a closing tea. All adults are welcome. Registration is required.
About Nature Therapy
Nature therapy, also known as forest therapy or forest bathing, draws inspiration from the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku. Through mindful and sensory nature connection invitations, we create space to slow down and reconnect — with nature, with ourselves, and with each other. This practice helps us rediscover our sense of belonging within the natural world and our community. Research shows that nature therapy naturally reduces stress, restores focus, boosts creativity and mood, and supports immune health.
Your Experience:
- Slow down with guided mindfulness practices in a tranquil woodland;
- Notice the subtle stillness and richness of life in mid-to-late summer;
- Enjoy gentle guided wanders and quiet moments in the gardens;
- Reflect, share, and connect within a warm-hearted, supportive community;
- Close with tea, light snacks, and gratitude.
Each program offers a unique journey, co-created by the season, the location, the wildlife, and our group. We may walk about a mile or less at a relaxing pace, on a mix of terrain that can include both paved and unpaved paths. Every invitation is adaptable to your comfort level — no experience or special skills needed. Whether you're new to mindful nature connection practices or have joined us before, you're warmly welcomed to this experience.
Meet Your Guide:
Ilana Rubin brings warmth and expertise as a certified nature and forest therapy guide and as the founder of Kindred Nature. Trained and certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs, Ilana established Kindred Nature in 2021 to replenish inner radiance, resilience, and belonging with nature and community through empowering and restorative experiences. She has guided many rejuvenating nature connection programs at NOVA Parks sites, as well as for diverse clients including the US Forest Service, the GW Office of Integrative Medicine and Health, families, couples, and individuals. Visit Kindred Nature to learn more.
Program Details:
- Registration: $35 per participant (ages 18 and older). All attendees are considered participants. Advance online registration required.
- Welcome: All adults are warmly invited - no previous experience or background needed!
- Meeting Point: Meet at the Visitor Center of Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.
- Bring: Water bottle, comfortable weather-appropriate clothing, and shoes for outdoors.
- Weather: Program runs rain or shine unless conditions are hazardous.
- Arrival: Please come 10-15 minutes early to be ready to begin our journey together.
- Special Requests: For dietary allergies or accommodation needs, please contact: kindrednatureguide@gmail.com.
- Refund Policy: A refund is provided only if your space is filled by an individual on the waitlist. Refunds are not provided within 72 hours of the program.
Compiled by Christopher Jones
Member discussion