Weekend Buzz: Aug. 27, 2025
This Labor Day weekend is packed with fun and stimulating activities. We've got a variety of ways to celebrate, special activities for kids and families (including chicken feeding!), wholesome-ass outdoor activities, and all sorts of selections in local dining (be sure not to miss the last days of the Greater Falls Church Foodie Trek!), and local music, arts, film, and theater. Enjoy!
p.s. We honor the sacrifices of the U.S. Labor Movement and all the great benefits it's brought to workers and families.
LABOR DAY CELEBRATIONS
Celebrate Labor Day with the National Symphony Orchestra on the West Lawn
U.S. Capitol, West Lawn. Sunday, Aug. 31, 8:00 p.m. Free.
Free National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Labor Day Concert! Join us this year as Enrico Lopez-Yañez conducts the NSO and special guests at this family-friendly celebration — a Washington, D.C. tradition!
No tickets required. Seating is first-come, first served.
Sponsored by The National Park Service.
Enjoy the 26th Annual Labor Day Car Show!
26th Annual Labor Day Car Show: Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Downtown Fairfax. Free.
The Annual Labor Day Car Show is a family-oriented event celebrating our 26th year in 2025. Since humble beginnings in the Town of Clifton, the show has grown into a Labor Day tradition and major community event in the City of Fairfax.
Sponsored by the City of Fairfax, Virginia and the Clifton Lions Club of Virginia.
For more info go here.
Labor Day Forest Bathing: Wonder in the Woods
Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 Marcey Rd., Arlington. Sept. 1, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
This Labor Day, step into a morning of gentle discovery and deep calm in the forest of Potomac Overlook Regional Park. This extended guided nature therapy walk invites you to slow down, open your senses, and find moments of quiet awe along peaceful wooded trails. With the warm guidance of certified nature and forest therapy guide Ilana Rubin of Kindred Nature, you’ll connect mindfully with the textures, sounds, and rhythms of the woods, inviting a fresh sense of wonder to unfold naturally.
We’ll pause often to notice, reflect, and simply be — letting the restorative power of nature soothe your mind, body, and heart. We’ll close our time together with light snacks and fresh, local tea beneath the trees, sharing connection and renewal.
No prior experience is needed — just bring your curiosity, openness to wonder, and a willingness to be present. This is a slow and sensory-based wander, not a strenuous long hike or fitness activity.
Important participant guidelines:
- $40 per participant ages 18 and up.
- Arrive by 9:15 a.m. to allow time to walk from the parking lot to our meeting spot at the Nature Center.
- Dress comfortably for the weather to be outside throughout the program. Event proceeds rain or shine, unless hazardous weather is forecasted.
- Bring a water bottle and optional snacks.
- Notify Ilana of any allergies or accommodation needs by emailing kindrednatureguide@gmail.com.
- ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST PREREGISTER.
To pre-register go here.
LOCAL DINING
Enjoy the Greater Falls Church Foodie Trek!
Final Days! ~ 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 Aug. 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.
For more info go to #fcfoodietrek on Instagram.
Enjoy Summer Restaurant Week in D.C.!
Extended! ~ Summer Restaurant Week in D.C. Continues for One More Week, Aug. 18-31.
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 MUSIC
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:
Expressions Lyriques with Wesley Diener
Creative Cauldron, 127 E. Broad St., Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Join Wesley Diener for an evening of passion, drama, and powerhouse vocals in Expressions lyriques with Wesley Diener! Fresh off his summer residency with the Ohio Light Opera, Wesley returns to Creative Cauldron for his sixth solo cabaret, joined once again by Patrick O'Donnell on piano. The concert features Jules Massenet's Expressions lyriques, a lush and rarely performed song cycle that brings French poetry to life in a sweeping blend of spoken word and soaring melody. Wesley will also treat audiences to musical theatre favorites, blending classical flair with Broadway charm in a night that's equal parts elegance and entertainment. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind performance!
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.
Enjoy 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!
Live! At the Library: Guitar Night with Miguelito Perez and FUNSHO
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Great Hall, 10 1st St. SE. Thursday, Aug. 28, 5- 8:00 p.m.
Part of Live at the Library
This event is free, but tickets are required separately from Live! at the Library and there may be special restrictions.
From acoustic and electric to classical and steel-string, join us for a night of guitars in the Great Hall with music from the 2025 inductee Tracy Chapman and other favorites from the Library’s vast music collection including selections from the Lord Saltoun Collection of Guitar Music and the Les Paul Papers. Join us for a night of guitars featuring a double-header evening of music.
Miguelito Perez, joined by guitarist Ricardo Marlow and flamenco dancer Mariana Gatto, has been an expert voice on the study and performance of Flamenco guitar since 1991, and the multi-talented FUNSHO brings his electric guitar with his specialty blend of blues, pop, and R&B to the Great Hall. Three sets from 5 to 8:00 p.m. in the Great Hall.
Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 or ADA@loc.gov.
For ticket registration go here.
Enjoy the 'Grooves in the Grove' Summer Music Festival at The Wharf DC!
Next Up:
Tre4mdc
Final Show of the Season! ~ The Wharf DC, The Grove, 760 Maine Ave. SW. Aug. 29, 7 – 9:00 p.m.
We're turning up the volume on Friday nights. Catch a free music performance by Tre4mdc in the Grove. Tre4mdc is an R&B artist whose sound is rooted in soul, groove and passion. His smooth delivery feels authentic and timeless.
For more info go here.
Summer Concert Series at The Wharf DC
Rock The Dock!
Final Show of the Season! ~ The Wharf DC, 970 Wharf St. SW. Every Wednesday evening through Labor Day, 7:00 p.m.
Visit the Transit Pier at The Wharf to enjoy a free live performances by Pink PaLiSh (Funk/Soul).
- 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.
UB40
w/ The Pietasters
Wolf Trap, Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna. Sunday, Aug. 31, 8:00 p.m. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
Make sure your picnic includes a bottle of “red, red wine” for this show! UB40 celebrates over 45 years of smooth reggae-pop sounds with a set jam-packed with fan favorites “Kingston Town,” “(I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You,” “Food For Thought,” and of course — “Red Red Wine.” Their latest album UB45 is a testament to the longevity and genius of their sound, reinventing past tracks and forging ahead with brand new, energetic songs you won’t want to miss live.
Tickets Start At: $45.50 (incl. fees).
For ticket info go here.
Jazz in the Gardens | An Evening of Afro-Caribbean Jazz
Buy Tickets Now! ~ Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, Lunar Lawn, 4155 Linnean Ave., NW. Wednesday, Sept. 17, 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Join us for the fifth summer of Jazz in the Gardens in the spectacular setting of Hillwood’s gardens! Be transported by the sound of the steel pan while relaxing on the Lunar Lawn. This evening features Marshall Keys on saxophone, Victor Provost on steel pan, and fabulous musicians from throughout the D.C. area. The concert is presented by executive producer Donna Limerick.
Tickets: $30. Members: $25. Students: $10. Children, 6-18: $5. Free for children under 6.
PROGRAM TIMELINE
5:30-6:30 p.m. | Explore Hillwood
- Enjoy Hillwood’s mansion, gardens, and greenhouse, and exhibition, From Exile to Avant-Garde: The Life of Princess Natalie Paley.
- Visit the museum shop and Merriweather To Go
6:30-7:30 p.m. | Concert on the Lunar Lawn
- Please bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blankets.
8 p.m. | Hillwood closes
PROGRAM GUIDELINES
- This program takes place outdoors on the Lunar Lawn. (Please see the inclement weather plan below.)
- Please bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blankets. Picnicking is welcome.
- 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.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
If inclement weather occurs, the program will be postponed to Thursday, Sept. 18 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
Marshall Keys plays the saxophone with a sense of grace and emotion that is wholly without cliché. He is a versatile musician with an expansive range, known for having a solid, soulful tone and for improvisations that begin simply before developing into elaborate, smartly constructed melodies. Keys received a National Endowment for the Arts grant and was commissioned by the Smithsonian to perform the music of Wayne Shorter. He was guest performer and lecturer at the Romare Bearden Exhibit at the National Gallery of Art. He has toured Africa and Central and South America for the State Department as a Jazz Ambassador and has played jazz festivals in the US, Germany, Ireland, Holland, Mexico, Panama, and Indonesia. Keys’s recent endeavors include playing in the Washington National Cathedral Band and collaborating with saxophonist Paul Carr in the Carr/Keys project.
Donna Limerick, an award-winning documentary producer for over 25 years, produced news and entertainment programs for National Public Radio, WETA-FM, and others. She is President and Executive Producer of North Star Communications, a radio syndication company. She has partnered on projects with Ken Burns and Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Her television and radio production credits, include Quincy Jones, Nancy Wilson, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, and other jazz masters.
Donna was the Concert Producer for “Evolution of the Blues,” written by vocalist Jon Hendricks. It debuted at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1996 and moved on to a worldwide tour featuring Jon Hendricks, Joe Williams, Diane Reeves, Abbey Lincoln, Kevin Mahogany, and trumpeter Roy Hargrove.
She is currently a lecturer/consultant with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture for a permanent exhibit about her mother Mae Reeves (1912-2016), a pioneer hat designer and entrepreneur. Her clients included Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, and Marion Anderson. Donna Limerick has been the executive producer for Jazz in the Gardens at Hillwood since the series began in 2021.
For more info go here.
LOCAL ARTS
See "Layers" at Falls Church Arts
Through Sept. 28
Christopher Jones
54th Annual Labor Day Art Show
& Opening Reception
Glen Echo Park, Spanish Ballroom, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Glen Echo, MD, Opening Reception: Friday, Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m. Exhibit runs through Sept. 1. Free.
The 2025 Labor Day Art Show — the 54th anniversary of this event — will take place in the historic Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park this year as it has for over half a century! The show will be held daily from August 30 - September 1, with an opening reception (RSVPs preferred, not required) on Friday, August 29 at 7:30 p.m.
This unique exhibition and sale presents the work of more than 300 artists from the greater Washington, D.C. area and features a wide range of media, including sculpture, paintings, works on paper, ceramics, fiber arts, jewelry, photography, and furniture. The show is a Glen Echo Park tradition where students, teachers, and art enthusiasts come together each year to celebrate the Park and its many distinctive arts programs.
Presented by Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture.
For more info go here.
Basil Kincaid: Spirit in the Gift
Opens Sept. 3. ~ Rubell Museum DC, 65 I Street SW. Through Fall, 2026.
Basil Kincaid: Spirit in the Gift marks the first solo museum exhibition in Washington D.C. for Kincaid (b. 1986, St. Louis, Missouri). Four large-scale quilted artworks created during the artist’s residency at the Rubell Museum in Miami in 2023 will be presented in the D.C. museum’s largest gallery. Kincaid’s work pays homage to the long history of quilt-making while exploring the relationships between identity, ancestry, and place. Some themes are deeply personal and autobiographical, others are more universal, but all evoke the joy inherent in the artist’s love for and nurturing of community. The entailed and labor-intensive process of creating these monumental works is balanced by an improvisational, spontaneous, and fluid quality that runs throughout them. The result is as indebted to freehand drawing and jazz music as it is to patchwork quilt making and embroidery.
For more info go here.
A Land and 河/River
Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art, 12001 Market St., #103, Reston. Runs through 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.
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.
Cecilia Vicuña: Quipu Viscera
Smithsonian Museum of American Art (SAAM), 8th and G Streets NW. Open: 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily (closed Dec. 25).
Internationally renowned artist Cecilia Vicuña (b. 1948, Santiago, Chile) creates works that engage with deep histories of place, particularly the coastal traditions and ecology of her homeland of Chile.
Quipu Viscera is made of hanging skeins of red, brown, and pink unspun wool. As its title suggests, it evokes the body, specifically the female form. The muted pinks on its exterior give way to more saturated tones toward the center, so that the wool becomes a sort of skin that contains the organs and life within.
The word quipu, meaning "knot," comes from the Quechua language that originated in Peru. It refers to the ancient system of record-keeping using hanging, knotted strings developed in the Andes over 5,000 years ago. When the Spanish colonized the region in 1532, they outlawed the use of quipus. Vicuña is interested in quipus as a form of forbidden knowledge, passed through generations of Indigenous culture.
The work was acquired by the museum in 2023 for its permanent collection.
The installation is organized by Sarah Newman, the James Dicke Curator of Contemporary Art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
For more info go here.
Passages: A Night of Encountered Performance
Museum of Modern Art, Arlington, 3550 Wilson Blvd. Friday, Aug. 29, 6 - 9:00 p.m.
Step into Passages—a one-night takeover where art, sound, and performance collide. Wander the galleries as poets, dancers, and musicians perform intimate, site-specific performances. No stage. No seating chart. Each piece is repeated periodically throughout the evening, allowing you to wander, return, and experience the works from different perspectives and moments in time.
Come for one passage — stay for many.
Museum exhibitions will be open and a Zero-Proof Cocktail Bar from Juicebox will be available.
Full performance line up:
All Night: Live Painting Passages
Live Painting performance from Zhenya Parish on the MoCA Arlington lawn.
6:00 / 7:00/ 8:00: “Ocean Passages: Cello with Underwater Recordings” Musical Passage
Heather Spence, Marine Biologist, Musician, and Composer, performs passages of nautical themed compositions on cello, from Northwest Passage by Stan Rogers, to Sweet Water Kill (The Ocean Song) by Rasputina, and original works accompanied by underwater recordings from her marine biology research. Will be in compliment with the exhibition, Seamarks, by Christina Lorena Weisner.
6:15 / 7:15 / 8:15: “THOROUGHFARE: A Visual and Sonic Journey” Poetry Passage
A visual journey and sonic telling of the experience of personal passages. With Poets, Jonté Luki, Whiskey Girl, and Unique the Word. Will take place on the back lawn, on the stage behind the Tiffany Gallery.
6:30 / 7:30 / 8:30: “Middle Passenger” Poetry Passage
Bennie Herron, Artist and Poet, performs this piece in the passages of the museum galleries.
6:30 / 7:30 / 8:30: “What If I Never Saw You Again” Dance Passage
Angel Ramirez, Dancer, Artist, and Choreographer, presents What If I Never Saw You Again. This piece explores the profound emotional weight of imagining life without a loved one, revealing the quiet ache of absence through evocative solo movements and partner work. The piece captures the ongoing struggle of navigating daily life while burdened by emotional hardship and internal limitations. Will take place in the Tiffany Gallery.
6:45 / 7:45 / 8:45: “Voice of the Unseen” Musical Passage
Arturo Cuevas (Subsonics) will explore the flute as a generator of spectral voices, where breath and resonance converge to reveal the unseen dimensions of listening. Will take place alongside the exhibition Between You and Me, by AVAST Artists.
For more info and to RSVP go here.
Galleries for Modern and Contemporary Art
Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM), 8th & G Streets NW. Open 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily (closed Dec. 25).
The Smithsonian American Art Museum reopens its modern and contemporary galleries with a new installation of its permanent collection that freshly examines the explosion of possibility in American art between the 1940s and today. Artists using new materials and techniques — and inspired by the social, cultural, and technological changes around them — are featured in American Voices and Visions: Modern and Contemporary Art. This is the initial phase of a multiyear renewal and reinstallation of the museum’s permanent collection galleries slated for overall completion in 2026 in honor of America’s semiquincentennial.
The reopening of the modern and contemporary galleries is the first reinterpretation of its holdings since the museum’s National Historic Landmark building reopened in 2006 after an extensive renovation. The selected works on view highlight established strengths of the museum’s collection, such as its leading collections of work by Black and self-taught artists, while featuring new areas of collection growth since 2006, including post-World War II and contemporary art, time-based media and Latinx art. The installation acknowledges the multifaceted narratives, identities and artistic practices that exist in the United States by including the often-overlooked histories and contributions by Asian American, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, LGBTQ+ and women artists, part of a museum-wide effort to provide a more expansive view of American art.
For more info go here.
LOCAL FILM
Weapons (Rated R)
Paragon Theaters Founders Row, 112 Founders Ave.
In the Mood For 'Dark Comedy, Psychological Horror, Supernatural Horror, Witch Horror, Horror, and Mystery'?
When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.
For showtimes go here.
Sunset Cinema at the Wharf!
Final Film of the Season! ~ The Wharf DC, 970 Wharf St. SW. On Thursday, Aug. 28, come to the Transit Pier at The Wharf to enjoy the final film of the season. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m.
August 28: La La Land
When Sebastian, a pianist, and Mia, an actress, follow their passion and achieve success in their respective fields, they find themselves torn between their love for each other and their careers.
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:
Coco
Georgetown Waterfront Park (K St. & Wisconsin Ave. NW). August 15, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. Weekly through September 12.
Coco (2017): Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family's ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer.
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 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 (8/29, 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 Oct. 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.
FAMILIES & KIDS
Free Parent Support Group
Meet with other parents of children with disabilities for connection and support. Led by Benta Sims, LPC.
- Thursday, Aug 28, 7 - 9:00 p.m.
- Meridian High School Library (room 201)
- Visit here for registration/questions
Contact: Bethany Baker, LPC bethany.stickel@.... with any questions.
This is DROP IN so just come when you can for however long works for you/your family's needs.
Teddy Bear Fix-It Clinic
There will be a new Teddy Bear Fix It clinic at the Falls Church Farmers Market on August 30!
We’d love to see you there!
Come join us for a fun-filled day of teddy bear repairs! Bring your beloved stuffed animals that need a little Tender Loving Care, and our team of volunteer experts will fix them up as good as new. It's a great opportunity to learn some basic sewing skills and give your furry friends some extra love. Don't miss out on this special event at 300 Park Ave.!
We’ll also be repairing donated stuffed animals from the Clock Tower Charitable Thrift Shop — giving them a second life, supporting the work of Northern Virginia Family Services, and doing our part for the circular economy by keeping them out of landfills.
King Bullfrog!
Clare & Don’s Beach Shack, The Swamp, 130 N. Washington St. Saturday, Aug. 30, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for a kids' show in the Swamp!
For more info go here.
Chicken Feeding!
Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm, 6411 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. LAT/LONG: 38.801791, -77.007987. Every day through Dec. 31, 10 - 10:30 a.m. Free.
Meet the Ranger at the Visitor Barn. Talk. Learn all about chickens and their role on an American farm. Guided by a Park Ranger, you will visit the feed barn, see the chicken coop, and even try feeding the chickens!
This program is great for all ages. Children must be supervised by an adult for the entirety of the activity.
For more info go here.
LOCAL HISTORY EXHIBITS
The Electric Dr. Franklin
National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW. Open every day, except Dec. 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free. No tickets required.
The Electric Dr. Franklin showcase explores the founding father's pioneering contributions to electrical science and features objects connecting his experiments to the technology of today, including the smartphone. Objects on view include a static-generating glass rod and fur pad; a static electricity generator based on Franklin’s design; and one of the Leyden jars he used in his experiments.
For more info go here.
OUTDOORS
Bird Watching at Dumbarton Oaks
Dumbarton Oaks Park, R Street NW. Sunday, Aug. 31, 8 - 10:00 a.m.
By DC Bird Alliance.
Join us for a bird walk at this historic and beautiful park right here in Washington, D.C.
Dumbarton Oaks is, ".... a milestone in the history of American landscape architecture and a landmark in our social history, as it represents the finest work of Beatrix Farrand, America’s first professional female landscape architect." (https://dopark.org/about/)
WHAT TO BRING / PARK INFO:
- A waterproof bag to protect your phone, camera, etc.
- Comfortable footwear for a walk on packed and loose dirt/rock established trails.
- Water and snacks.
- If you have binoculars, please bring them.
- There are no restrooms along the route.
CANCELLATION: The walk will proceed in rain (best time to bird!), but will be cancelled in the event of heavy downpours or thunderstorm; cancellation will be at least 2 hours before meeting time. So please check before you head out.
ATTENDANCE & COMPLETING MANDATORY WAIVER
- Please only RSVP if you are committed to attend.
- Please change your RSVP if your availability changes so another bird-lover can join us.
- Please do not bring unregistered guests to this event. It's not fair to the flock on the waitlist and it's not fair to your guide.
For more info and to RSVP go here.
Compiled by Christopher Jones
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