Thursday, September 6
FASHION: Modeled after the super-popular New York version, Georgetown (and some other places
around town) is hosting
Fashion’s Night Out, when your favorite boutiques, stores, restaurants, and salons stay open extra late
and let their hair down a bit. Expect music, cocktails, great deals, and a chance
to show off. Visit Shop Around for our guide to the best events. 6 to 11 PM.
MUSEUM: Phillips After 5 is always a good thing to do on what’s looking like a pretty dreary day. Local hip-hop
artist
Christylez Bacon performs (he’s awesome—lots of improvisation and interesting instrumentals), Chocolate
City Brewery serves up samples, there’s a cash bar if you want some more substantial
drinks—oh, and you can cover yourself with temporary tattoos. Admission is $12; reserve
a space online. 5 to 8:30 PM.
Friday, September 7
FOOD TRUCKS AND BASEBALL:
Truckeroo is back at the Fairgrounds outside Nationals Park. As usual, expect more than 20
food trucks (and a light showing at Farragut Friday), and everything you normally
get with the Fairgrounds: live music, cornhole, beer, and the feeling like you might
be living near a giant sea port. This time, there’s actually a game going on, so expect
a big turnout. It’s also likely to be
Stephen Strasburg’s last home start this season, so you might want to go check that out afterward.
11 AM to 11 PM.
FADS: Like every pop culture fad worth mentioning,
50 Shades of Grey is getting some spinoff promotions. The Lava Barre Studio in Clarendon is hosting
Fifty Shades of Fun, a night that starts off with a showing of its brand new art gallery and ends with
a dance party at nearby Northside Social. In between, you’ll learn how to do burlesque
so you can, I assume, act out at least part of the novel that’s apparently saved a
whole bunch of marriages. Free; donations requested. 5 to 9 PM.
ABOVE-GROUND UNDERGROUND BENEFIT PARTY: Did you know there is an abandoned, underground streetcar station in Dupont Circle?
Am I wrong to assume that’s why the Metro there seems to be in Dante’s first circle?
Probably. Anyway, there’s a group of people trying to restore the station to its former
glory, Atlanta Underground style. Help push things along by heading to Eastern Market
for the
Dupont Underground-Aboveground party, featuring live music by Alex Minoff, the Justin Jones Band, Margot MacDonald, and
DJ Love Supreme, plus Stella Artois and Starr Hill beer, Veritas wine, and specialty
cocktails from Bombay Sapphire. You’ll also get to see two music videos shot in the
underground space. Tickets ($20 to $150) are available online. 8 to 11 PM.
FILM FESTIVAL KICKOFF: The
DC Shorts film festival just kicked off, so I don’t know why you’re reading this event guide—just
go see a whole bunch of movies. The opening party, featuring music from movies but
no actual movies, is Friday on Carroll Square’s roof deck. You’ll get food from Matchbox,
an open bar with Stella (what a big night for them), 42 Below Vodka, and Barefoot
Wine, and the chance to argue annoyingly about art-house cinema with other movie buffs.
Tickets ($25) are available online. 9 PM.
Saturday, September 8
ICE CREAM: Union Market, near the NoMa (can we call it that now?) Metro stop, is finally ready
for its close-up. The market will feature fresh food, art, produce, meat, and whatever
else you want from more than 40 vendors. It’s been more than 20 years since the old
Union Market closed, and it all opens again this weekend. (Visit Best Bites Blog for
a guide to what will be open during the debut weekend.) But forget about that, and
give me the ice cream: The market is out to find the best ice cream and frozen treats
in the District with the DC Scoop contest. Lucky for you, you get to judge it, as
long as you scream for ice cream. Free for three tastings. 1 to 4 PM.
BRO OUT: Are you or is someone you know a bro? Don’t lie. The pretty douchey but pretty funny
website
BroBible is hosting a night of comedy at Sixth & I Synagogue, featuring eight DC and New York
comics, including
Nick Cobb from
Last Comic Standing,
Seaton Smith from
Opie and Anthony,
Chris Distefano from MTV’s
Guy Code, and
Jared Freid from BroBible. Bring your bros. Tickets are $15 in advance (available through Ticketfly)
or $18 at the door. 8 PM.
DANCE: For four years,
Mixtape has been hands-down the most popular gay dance party in the city. Celebrate its fourth
birthday at the Howard Theatre with deejays Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer, who will
spin rock, house, New Wave, and lots of other dance music. The parties are always
straight-friendly, so just go, everyone. Tickets ($10) are available through Ticketmaster.
11 PM.
BYT PARTY: There’s another DC Shorts festival party tonight—it’s called the “Grand Bash” and
is being thrown by BYT, so expect a little more energy, a little more judginess, and
a little more dancing. This one’s outside at the US Navy Memorial, still includes
an open bar, and will have a spread from Whole Foods. Tickets ($20) are available
online. 9 PM.
SUMMER LIVES: This is really, truly, the last pool party of the year (I think). Luckily, it’s supposed
to be extremely hot out. Head to the Capitol Skyline hotel for
Mother Trucker, featuring music, booze, slip-and-slides, and food trucks. Bring your floaties. $5.
11 AM to 9 PM.
Sunday, September 9
MYSTERY PARTY: Details on
Black Cat’s 19th Anniversary Party are scant, but if there’s one place around town you can put blind faith into, it’s
Black Cat. Roll the dice and maybe you’ll hit the jackpot with some surprise guests—I’d
expect at least some sort of live music, dancing, and some reminiscin’. $5. 8 PM.
JUMBO SLICE: The
Adams Morgan Day Festival is the only afternoon all year when 18th Street looks like it does every Saturday
at 3 AM, except with (maybe) less puke. There will be two stages of music playing
go-go, roots rock, samba, jazz, salsa, and more; art; and local shops, restaurants,
and bars, of course. The neighborhood has been doing this longer than just about anyone,
so expect a good time. Free. Noon to 7 PM.
PUBLICITY FOR COMPETITORS:
Huffington Post DC opened up shop a year ago and is celebrating with a showcase at the Kennedy Center’s
Millennium Stage, featuring standup comedy, storytelling, music, readings, and sideshow
performances. Free. 6 PM.
Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com,
or find him on Twitter @jason_koebler.
