Weekend Buzz: Aug. 20, 2025
With Labor Day just around the corner, so many cool activities are popping up around town! We have dining festivals in Greater Falls Church and D.C., a how-to on "turning a whim into a brand," and new selections in local comedy, music, art, theater, and film (with loads of Sunset Cinema options, including at Cherry Hill Park!) The Museum of American History is also offering a dollop of motorcycle spirituality. Enjoy!
LOCAL DINING
Enjoy the Greater Falls Church Foodie Trek!
Runs through Aug. 31.
@fcfoodietrek invites you to taste your way through town and Greater Falls Church!
Let us guide you to your next favorite spot for food, drinks, and fun — one delicious stop at a time. Pick up your passport at any of the 12 participating restaurants and start collecting stamps:
📍 Borek G
📍 Cafe Kindred
📍 Ellie Bird
📍 The Falls
📍 Harvey’s
📍 Ireland’s Four Provinces
📍 Panjshir
📍 Preservation Biscuit Co.
📍 Solace Outpost
📍 Stray Cat Bar & Grill
📍 TeaDM
📍 Westover Taco
✅ Turn in your completed passport between August 18–31 for a chance to win a basket of gift cards and goodies from your favorite Falls Church restaurants.
Three lucky winners. Endless flavor. #fcfoodietrek.
One of the Greater Falls Church Foodie Trek's lead organizers, Tricia Barba – owner of Preservation Biscuit Co. at 102 E. Fairfax St., and organizer for the last two Falls Church Restaurant Weeks – described the concept for this summertime foodie trek.
"If it’s of interest to The Falls Church Independent, a few of us are organizing a Greater Falls Church Foodie Trek, happening June 1 through August 31. It’s a culinary adventure inviting locals and visitors to explore the vibrant food scene of Falls Church — one delicious stop at a time."
"The Food Trek features 12 diverse and celebrated local restaurants, including Borek G, Cafe Kindred, Ellie Bird, Harvey’s, Panjshir, TeaDM, and more. Participants can pick up a Food Trek passport at any participating location starting June 1, collect stamps at each spot, and turn in completed passports for a chance to win one of three prize baskets filled with gift cards and goodies from some of Falls Church’s favorite spots."
"This event is designed to spotlight Falls Church’s culinary gems and encourage community engagement through food, drinks, and fun."
For more info go to #fcfoodietrek on Instagram.
Enjoy Summer Restaurant Week in D.C.!
Summer Restaurant Week is Back! Aug. 18-24, around Washington.
Following is courtesy Washington.org.
Reserve your table for Summer Restaurant Week, one of two seasonal dining events spotlighting the city's vibrant culinary landscape. The other takes place in winter.... Savor every last bite while taking advantage of specially priced meals, including to-go options and cocktail and wine pairings, courtesy of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and 200+ participating eateries. Below, we've detailed some standout hot spots, brunch musts, international cuisines and more to help you decide where to dine next.
Choose from lunch, brunch and multiple dinner options
Indulge in a curated culinary adventure with multiple price point options. While offerings vary at participating restaurants, guests can choose from multi-course dinner menus at $40, $55 and $65 per person, and lunch and brunch selections for $25 or $35. Optional cocktail or wine pairings may also be available.
Wine and dine with delight
In addition to specially priced menus, select restaurants offer the option to add on cocktail or wine pairings. Level up your dining experience with libations from spots like 1789 Restaurant, RPM Italian and Dirty Habit. Wine connoisseurs can savor a glass at Lulu's Winegarden and Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar.
Indulge in award-winning flavors
Take advantage of the specially priced menu at Gravitas to indulge in a coveted and award-winning meal. Other affordable hot spots include José Andrés' China Chilcano, Jaleo and Oyamel, as well as Unconventional Diner and Dauphine's.
Get your brunch on
DC’s dining scene wouldn’t be complete without everyone’s favorite weekend meal. During Restaurant Week, enjoy $25 brunch menus from select restaurants. Enhance your standard brunch experience with European flair from L'Ardente and Supra.
Taste the world
Take your tastebuds for a spin around the world during Restaurant Week. Transport yourself to Havana at Cuba Libre. Filomena Ristorante and La Collina serve up Italian favorites, while Zaytinya and Ambar offer a taste of the Mediterranean.
The possibilities are endless
With over 100 restaurants in the region participating and a wealth of options, Restaurant Week shines a bright light on the DMV restaurant community. Be sure to check out the full list of participating restaurants and make reservations in advance.
For more info go here.
LOCAL EDUCATION
From Foodie to Founder: Turning a Whim into a Brand
Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., Upper Level Conference Room, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2-3:00 p.m.
Come meet UrNoVaFoodie influencer Emily Hoang and learn how she turned a side hobby into a full-time business!
Emily started a local food Instagram account on a whim during an English class in 2017 — back when influencers weren’t even a thing. Posting anonymously and just for fun, she had no idea it would one day shape her career. Since then, that spontaneous side project has evolved into a thriving social media agency, a loyal community, and a portfolio of work that’s helped restaurants and small businesses grow through authentic, story-driven content.
In this inspiring session, Emily shares what she’s learned as both a creator and agency owner – and explains why staying true to yourself is still the best social media strategy.
About the Presenter
Emily Hoang is a seasoned digital strategist and social media agency owner with a proven track record since 2017, predating the influencer marketing trend. Beginning as a local food influencer with a passionate Instagram presence, she has expanded her platform into a results-driven engine that supports restaurants, events, and small businesses. Specializing in creative storytelling and community-focused growth, Emily partners with brands to cultivate authentic online voices while maintaining her passion for food, activities, and local engagement. Her career exemplifies that impactful digital influence is rooted in consistency and genuine connection rather than fleeting virality.
Ages: Adults (18+).
Contact: Paula Hawkins: phawkins@fallschurchva.gov, or call at: (703) 248-5368.
To register go here.
LOCAL COMEDY
$5 Comedy Night
The State Theatre, 220 N. Washington St., Friday, Aug. 22.
$5 Comedy Night featuring the DMV's best comedians is back inside at the State Theatre!
You must be 18 or over to enter unless accompanied by your parent/guardian. Valid ID required.
Save some money! There's only a $1 fee when you buy your ticket in person at the box office.
For more info go here.
Dean Edwards
Capital One Hall, The Vault, 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons. Friday, Aug. 22, 8:30 p.m. Doors Open: 7:30 p.m.
Dean Edwards - Former SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Cast Member
Dean Edwards is a clean comedian perfectly suited for corporate events. With over 30 years as a stand-up comedian, he's one of the more sought after comedians touring both domestically and internationally. Most notably recognized for his two-year tenure as a cast member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Edwards is best known for his multitude of remarkable celebrity impressions that include Denzel Washington, Dave Chappelle, Jay-Z, Mo’Nique, Chris Rock, 50 Cent, and Eddie Murphy. Recently, Dean showcased his amazing talents in his first comedy special, NETFLIX’s Tiffany Haddish Presents: THEY READY, which is currently airing on Netflix.
Edwards’ filmography includes supporting roles in Top Five, Spiderman 3 and Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding. He has had guest appearances on Hulu’s supernatural comedy series, Deadbeat, as well as HBO’s The Soprano’s. Dean also spent 2 years creating and workshopping the character of “Donkey” in Dreamworks’ SHREK THE MUSICAL on Broadway. This led to his being chosen as Eddie Murphy’s vocal double, voicing the role of Donkey in Dreamworks’ animated Halloween special, Scared Shrekless and countless other Shrek related projects.
Dean can currently be seen starring in the comedy, ‘CON JOB’, on Amazon Prime. He also voiced Corey Booker, Common and various roles on the 2nd & 3rd season of Showtime’s television series, Our Cartoon President. His talents were also showcased on multiple episodes of Robert Smigel’s FOX series, Let’s Be Real as well as appearing on HBO’s Game Theory with Bomani Jones.
For ticket info go here.
LOCAL MUSIC
DL FunkBand
Clare & Don’s Beach Shack, 130 N. Washington St., Saturday, Aug. 23, 5:30 p.m.
From Dunn Loring, Virginia right outside Washington D.C., the Funkband has perfected a sound so unique – with a fusion of R&B, GoGo, Funk, Rock, and Soul. Take a ride with the FunkBand as they go old school and new school with that perfect blend to keep you Grooving all night.
For more 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:
iO the Singer "The Art & Soul of Nina Simone"
Creative Cauldron, 127 E. Broad St., Friday, Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m.
Jazz, soul, rock vocalist iO, does it all! – singer, songwriter, and vocal arranger with a voice and style often compared to legends like Tina Turner, Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell, Whitney Houston, and Sarah Vaughan. Her career spans sold-out solo performances across Europe and iconic stages like the Tate Modern in London and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. https://www.instagram.com/iothesinger/
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.
James Taylor & His All-Star Band
w/Special Guest: Tiny Habits
Wolf Trap, Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna. Gates Open: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 23, 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 24, 8:00 p.m.
Since the release of his self-titled debut album in 1968, James Taylor has established himself as a singular artist whose music embodies the art of songwriting in its most personal and universal forms. A favorite among Wolf Trap audiences, Taylor returns with his heartfelt classics “Fire and Rain,” “How Sweet It Is,” “Carolina in My Mind,” and more. Sharing a knack for acoustic storytelling, folk-pop trio Tiny Habits (“tiny things,” “For Sale Sign”) open the show with their mesmerizing and intimate three-part harmonies.
Tickets Start at: $79 (incl. fees).
For ticket info go here.
Take 5: Jazz at SAAM with Jen Krupa
Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM), Kogod Courtyard, 8th and G Streets, NW. Thursday, August 21, 5 – 7:00 p.m. Free, registration encouraged.
Celebrate a uniquely American art form with Take 5: Jazz at SAAM, a series of free, live performances in the Kogod Courtyard. Trombonist Jen Krupa and her quintet will perform original compositions and timeless standards from the American songbook. She's a member of the faculty at The Juilliard School and is the lead trombonist of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.
Borrow a board game to play during the concert and stop by the Courtyard Café to purchase refreshments.
For more info go here.
Mark Your Calendars for the DC JazzFest!
Various D.C. venues, Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 27 - 31.
Following is courtesy Washington.org.
Check out all the reasons why you should attend the festival and head over to dcjazzfest.org for the lineup, schedule and tickets.
The DC JazzFest has been a cultural staple in the D.C. community for more than two decades, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from all around the globe. Every year, festival goers experience lively performances in music venues all over the District. Of course, the jazz genre blends beautifully with others, so expect to hear the blues, swing music, soul singers and Latin performers as well.
The primary event – DC JazzFest at The Wharf – offers an animated urban experience at the always-bustling Wharf and offers an exclusive location for a fully riveting festival experience. Tickets start at as little as $25 and the festival is family-friendly.
DC JazzFest brings together heritage, history, culture and music. From Downtown DC at the Carlyle Room to Mr. Henry’s in Capitol Hill, it’s all things jazz citywide at the DC JazzFest. As a city, D.C. has a deep, wonderful history of jazz music. Jazz great Duke Ellington (also known as “The Duke”) was born here, a musician who graced many a stage across the city and country, celebrated today with a stunning statue outside the restored Howard Theatre.
During The Duke’s time, U Street was the epicenter of the jazz scene, lovingly known as “Black Broadway.” For decades, the nation’s capital was the embodiment of a thriving jazz culture and the DC Jazz Festival celebrates the city’s homegrown musical past, present and future.
The festival introduces jazz to new listeners of all generations from all age groups and to many from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. Long-time jazz fans are also delighted by the star performances that dot the city throughout the festival’s run. GRAMMY Award Winners and National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters are featured throughout the 2025 lineup, including Lalah Hathaway, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Sun Ra Arkestra and Makoto Ozone.
Up-and-coming artists will also take the stage to give festival-goers the opportunity to see the next generation of talent. The festival draws in local artists to highlight D.C.’s continuous contribution to jazz. DC JazzFest also offers important educational opportunities to students in order to further the future of jazz in the city.
Tickets for DC JazzFest are available now!
Enjoy the 'Grooves in the Grove' Summer Music Festival at The Wharf DC!
Next Up:
DeJay Sax
The Wharf DC, The Grove, 760 Maine Ave. SW. Aug. 22, 7 – 9:00 p.m.
We're easing into the weekend with Friday night beats. Catch a free music performance by DeJay Sax in the Grove. DeJay Sax is an award-winning jazz saxophonist based in D.C.
Grooves in the Grove Musical Lineup:
Friday, August 22: Dejay Sax
Friday, August 29: Tre4mdc
For more info go here.
Glen Echo: Summer Concert Series
Final Show! ~ 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 21 | James Bazen Big Band
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 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 ARTS
See "Layers" at Falls Church Arts
Through Sept. 28
Christopher Jones
Enjoy an Arts Discussion!
American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection
National Gallery of Art, East Building Auditorium, 4th St. and Constitution Ave. NW. Sunday, Aug. 24, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Hybrid event.
From New England to the Grand Canyon, travel through American landscapes alongside the artists who mapped and painted them. Join senior lecturer David Gariff for an exploration of works of art from our American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection exhibition, created between 1800 and 1991. The exhibition is open from August 2, 2025, to February 1, 2026.
This lecture is offered in person and virtually. All registrants will receive a recording after the event.
Sign-language interpreters and guides for visitors who are blind or have low vision are available for programs. Please call (202) 842-6905 or email access@nga.gov three weeks in advance for an appointment. Learn more about accessibility.
For more info and registration go here.
A Land and 河/River
Opens this Saturday! ~ Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art, 12001 Market St., #103, Reston. Runs: Aug. 23 - Dec. 20.
Kimberly M. Becoat & Hong Hong
A Land and 河/River explores the powerful and intricate relationship between place, our histories, and imaginings of self. Artist Kimberly M. Becoat uses acrylic paint, sumi ink, and watercolor as well as tar paper, candy wrappers, and other detritus to investigate the idea of urban displacement. Her series, Seneca Village – Everywhere explores the idea of Seneca Village; a 19th Century free-black community of landowners in New York City that was removed for the construction of Central Park. Learn more about Seneca Village here.
Hong Hong’s work 河/River is her first thematic, research-based project that considers her personal relationship with water. The paper-based installation imagines and presents water as a long-form poem, documenting the river as meteorological occurrences, the artists’ birth, her family’s immigration process, and texts she and her mother both love. Hong Hong (whose last name means flood) makes no distinction between our symbolic understanding of water, its nurturing properties, or its ability to destroy or divide.
Kimberly M. Becoat
Kimberly M. Becoat is a contemporary mixed media artist whose work is a stylistic abstraction with a conceptual investigation of new materials and visual experiences with social commentary.
She uses a variety of art materials including acrylic paint, sumi ink, and watercolor as well as less conventional items like sand, tar paper, foil, candy wrappers and other detritus. Her most recent abstract & conceptual work is an investigation of urban environments meant to create “urban displacement”, such as in public housing – aimed to surgically remove “massive amounts of Blacks and Latinos” into designated forgotten pockets of city landscapes.
Kimberly has been featured in a number of exhibits including her current solo exhibition; URBANIA, at MoCADA Museum in New York, Welcome to Urbania, at RUSH Arts Gallery NY (solo exhibit), New Abstractions, at Essie Green Galleries (solo exhibit), Capital One Bank in NY, BAM-art at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, and Deutsche Bank as well as the television shows, Insecure on HBO, Netflix Original Series Luke Cage and the FX series, The Americans.
Kimberly is a native New Yorker, born in Harlem NY - and presently resides and works as an artist in Brooklyn, NY.
Hong Hong
Born in Hefei, Anhui, China, Hong Hong works with image-making and language through repetition, disruption, movement, accumulation, limitation, translation, evaporation, and dispersion. She considers the field of painting, the materiality of the body, the semiotics of poetry as well as the histories of craft in relation to identity, memory, nations, and land. Hong’s practice centers the creation and preservation of a Chinese-American subjectivity rooted in largeness, multiplicity, power, opacity, self-definition, and self-determination.
Hong Hong is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Guggenheim Fellowship in Creative Arts (2025), Chiaro Award in Painting at Headlands Center for the Arts (2025), Tulsa Artist Fellowship (2024 - 2026), United States Artists Fellowship in Craft (2023), Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant in Painting (2023), Carnegie Foundation Fellowship at MacDowell (2020), Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Fellowship at Vermont Studio Center (2019), and Artistic Excellence Fellowship from the Connecticut Office of Arts (2019). She has participated in residencies at McColl Center for Art + Innovation (2022), Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (2020 - 2021), Yaddo (2019), and I-Park (2018).
Hong Hong currently lives and works in Oklahoma.
For more info go here.
Delighting Krishna: Paintings of the Child-God
Closes this Sunday! ~ Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Gallery 24, National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Through Aug. 24.
Imagine a god who appears to you as a mischievous child — you dance together in meadows, play with him, and gift him fruits and flowers. This may give you an idea of how the Hindu Pushtimarg community engages with the divine. They seek to delight and care for the child-god Krishna, and in return, they receive joy and spiritual insight. Delighting Krishna delves into the emotions and philosophy of the Pushtimarg tradition and the ingenuity of its artists.
Pushtimarg religious spaces feature monumental paintings of Krishna on cotton cloth known as pichwais. For the first time since the 1970s, these fourteen pichwais from the National Museum of Asian Art’s collections are on view for the public. These paintings are literally larger than life, averaging about eight by eight feet in size. Pichwais are made to serve as backdrops for three-dimensional displays, typically paired with icons of Krishna, music, and scents. This collection of pichwais dates from the eighteenth to the twentieth century, and most were painted in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, the global epicenter of the Pushtimarg community.
Encounter these intriguing paintings from multiple angles through insights from Hindu community members, curators, conservators, and a conservation scientist. Alongside the pichwais, court paintings illuminate Krishna’s playful charm, and mixed-media works show how the Pushtimarg tradition engages the senses. Awash with color and brimming with joy, these artworks themselves invite delight.
For more info go here.
American Vignettes: Symbols, Society, and Satire
Rubell Museum, 65 I St. SW. Through Fall, 2025
American Vignettes: Symbols, Society, and Satire showcases nearly 100 artworks spanning painting, photography, sculpture, installation, and mixed media by over 40 emerging and established artists, all drawn from the Rubells’ unparalleled and ever-growing collection of contemporary art of more than 7,700 works. Each artwork viewed separately stands alone, a vignette within one or more of the three exhibition themes. When considered together, the artworks compose a larger narrative, that of contemporary artists — some born in America, some who made America their home — and their compelling and varied approaches to artmaking.
For more info go here.
Water in the Gas
Final Weekend! ~ The Kreeger Museum, 2401 Foxhall Rd. NW. Through Saturday, Aug. 23.
The Kreeger Museum and Hamiltonian Artists are pleased to present WATER IN THE GAS, an exhibition featuring the work of 2022-2024 Hamiltonian alumni Misha Ilin, Madyha J. Leghari, Edgar Reyes, and Isabella Whitfield.
The title for the exhibition comes from Jean Dubuffet’s 1961 painting, Water In The Gas (L'eau dans le gaz), which lives in The Kreeger Museum’s permanent collection. It is said that the French phrase can be traced back to the early 20th century, when households used coal gas for electricity. High concentrations of water vapor would create obstructions in the pipes, resulting in pressure and creating small explosions. The expression is used when tension is rising in the atmosphere, or an argument is brewing.
In the same vein, this exhibition calls us to consider the ways in which socio-political pressures give rise to generational implications. WATER IN THE GAS places artists living and working in what is widely considered to be an unprecedented moment in U.S. history, in conversation with artists whose lives and careers were impacted by some of the most defining power struggles of the 20th century.
Situated in the tumultuous geopolitical climate of 1934-1965, selected works from The Kreeger Museum’s permanent collection reflect themes of citizenship, censorship, industry, labor, and sovereignty. The paintings and sculpture range from Josef Albers’ geometric abstraction, to Max Beckmann’s representational work of children playing. Other featured artists include Fernand Léger, Joan Mitchell, David Park, and David Smith.
Drawing upon current events and rising temperatures in the United States’ socio-political climate, Hamiltonian alumni point to what might be left behind for generations Z and Alpha — from fenced borders, radioactive rays, and class disparity to four-leaf clovers, indigenous relics, and obstetric illustrations etched in salt stone. Their contributed works move across sculpture, photo, textile, and installation.
This exhibition is curated by Anisa Olufemi, Director of Programs and Curator at Hamiltonian Artists, and presented under The Collaborative, a program developed by The Kreeger Museum in 2021 to support Washington-area artists.
For more info go here.
LOCAL FILM
Sunset Cinema Returns to Cherry Hill Park Tomorrow Night!
Cherry Hill Park, 312 Park Ave., Friday, Aug. 22, 7:45-10:00 p.m.
🎥 Our free Sunset Cinema series, presented by Raising Cane's, kicks off Friday, August 22, with Despicable Me 4!
Join us at Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave.), and arrive early!
🌭 Food trucks will be on-site selling hot food and sweet treats an hour before showtime. Food trucks begin serving at 6:45 p.m. and the film begins at 7:45 p.m.
2025 Sunset Cinema Dates
The 22nd Annual Sunset Cinema Series presented by Raising Canes brings an outdoor film to Cherry Hill Park on the third Friday of the month between August - October at dusk (between 6:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.).
- Despicable Me 4 on Friday, August 22, 2025
- Food Trucks open at 6:45 p.m., movie begins at 7:45 p.m.
- Moana 2 on Friday, September 19, 2025
- Food Trucks open at 6:15 p.m., movie begins at 7:15 p.m.
- Shrek - the People's Choice Movie on Friday, October 17, 2025,
- Food Trucks open at 5:45 p.m., movie begins at 6:45 p.m.
Sunset Cinemas are located at Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Avenue) next to the barn and playground. Arrive early to get a good spot! Viewers are encouraged to bring blankets, bug spray, and a picnic. Drinks, popcorn and snacks will be available for purchase (cash and card).
Eats & Sweet Treats
New this year, food trucks Kaziville and Mr. Flavor will be onsite selling chili dogs, nachos, ice cream, smoothies, and drinks starting an hour before the first two movies begin. Ice cream will be available at the third movie.
Recreation and Parks will be selling popcorn and drinks for purchase during the film (cash and card).
In the case of inclement weather, screenings will be rescheduled to the next Friday evening.
For more info go here.
Opacity
National Gallery of Art, East Building Auditorium, 4th St. and Constitution Ave. NW. Sunday, Aug. 24, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Part of Onward! Highlights from the Flaherty Film Seminar.
Experience four films selected by Brazilian curator and film scholar Janaína Oliveira, programmer of the 2021 Flaherty Film Seminar.
This special program from Oliveria’s ”Opacity” seminar features work by internationally renowned filmmakers Deanna Bowen (Canada) and Morgan Quaintance (United Kingdom), as well as Ibrahim Shaddad, Eltayeb Mahdi, and Suliman Elnour, collectively known as the Sudanese Film Group (SFG). Titles include Jamal (A Camel, SFG, 1981, 14 minutes), a short told from the point of view of a working camel; Jagdipartie (Hunting Party, SFG, 1964, 41 minutes), a film using Western tropes to tell the story of a hunt, filmed in Germany and digitally restored by the Arsenal Institute for Film and Video; Missing Time (Morgan Quaintance, 2020, 15 minutes) considers a relationship between amnesia, concealed histories, state secrets, and the constitution of the self; and The Paul Good Papers at Notasulga (Deanna Browne, 2012 23 minutes), connects histories of racial disparity between Canada and the U.S.
To register go here.
The Cameraman's Revenge and Other Shorts
National Gallery of Art, East Building Auditorium, 4th St. and Constitution Ave. NW. Saturday, Aug. 23, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Part of By Land, Sea, and Lens: Creatures on Film.
This program of short films is a compendium of work made over a span of one hundred years by international artists and scientists, as well as pioneers and practitioners of experimental film. The common element to these titles is that the main non-human characters – all “little beasts” – were filmed in remarkable ways that commend their beauty and intricacies, and incite awe in the viewer. Titles include several works by French pioneering scientist Jean Painleve of sea creatures never before captured with moving images; the 1912 stop-motion animation The Camerman’s Revenge by Wladyslaw Starewicz; Stan Brakhage’s 1963 classic of the Avant Garde, Mothlight; and several shorts by contemporary film artists who turned their lenses to the marvelous and stunning lives of insects, amphibians, birds, and the like.
Total running time approximately 75 minutes. 16mm and 35mm prints shown when available; otherwise, works shown digitally.
For more info and registration go here.
Sunset Cinema at the Wharf!
The Wharf DC, 970 Wharf St. 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 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.
Sunset Movie Nights in Georgetown!
Next Up:
Top Gun: Maverick
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 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.
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
Final Performances! ~ 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. 20, 7:00 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 21, 7:00 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 22, 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 23, 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 24, 1:00 p.m. and 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. Ongoing exhibit.
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.
FUN FOR KIDS & FAMILIES!
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, 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.
Take a Spiritual Journey (with Visions of a Good Oil Change...)
Zen and the Open Road
National Museum of American History, Behring Center, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW. Ongoing exhibit.
Marking the 50th anniversary of Robert M. Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values, this special display features his 1966 Honda Super Hawk motorcycle. The temporary display within the permanent America on the Move exhibition extends Pirsig's story from the road to the sea, including his life aboard his sailboat, Arete.
With the motorcycle as the centerpiece, visitors also can view Pirsig’s leather riding jacket and motorcycle helmet, the bike’s keys, and the worn motorcycle maintenance manual that accompanied the ride. Pirsig’s typewriter, on which he wrote the book, as well as a typed manuscript and a signed first edition of the book will be on display. Pirsig endured rejection by 121 publishers but persevered, eventually selling the book to the publisher William Morrow and Company. With the publication’s royalties, Pirsig purchased a 32-foot sailboat that inspired his next novel, Lila: An Inquiry into Morals. A first edition of that 1991 book and the Apple II computer that he used to write it will also be showcased.
For more info go here.
Compiled by Christopher Jones
Member discussion