Thursday, July 25
MUSIC: Art Soiree takes to the rooftop of the Beacon Hotel for its live performance series. This week
features the smooth sounds of Ihsan Bilal, a classically trained R&B artist. Take
advantage of the happy hour, which runs from 5 to 7 PM. Bilal takes the stage at 8,
and the party runs all night. Free. 5 PM.
GLOBAL DOMINANCE: We’re glad the British are feeling a bit better about that whole beating them in two
wars a couple hundred years ago thing—otherwise the
Young Britons Foundation wouldn’t be holding its Transatlantic Toast to Liberty, a chance to knock back a
couple drinks at One Lounge with our former colonial leaders. Just don’t bring up
the Boston Tea Party; I hear that wound’s still a little fresh. Free. 6 PM.
ART: With so many art galleries in town, it’s no wonder DC is a hotbed for young talented
graphic designers.
Nclud is putting five to the test by giving them on-the-fly design tasks—only one will
be crowned champion. Free. 6:30 PM.
Friday, July 26
MOVIE: There’s just two more weeks of the
DC Drive-In movie theater, so if you haven’t checked it out yet, do it now. This week you’ll
get
The American President, starring Michael Douglas as the aforementioned president and Annette Bening as a
lobbyist. When the two fall in love (Douglas is a widower), they have to deal with
the scandal surrounding their relationship. The drive-in theater features all the
amenities of Union Market, special giveaways and contests, the DC Rollergirls as carhops,
and more. If you don’t have a car, picnic tables are available. Free. 7 PM.
SUMMER PARTY:
Wilson Tavern is summering it up with its Seersucker and Sundress party, featuring drink specials,
a silent auction, and special summery cocktails. Proceeds go to We Will Survive cancer.
Tickets ($25) are available online and include one drink and a raffle ticket. 5 PM.
DANCE: So do we all agree that Daft Punk’s new album was a bit of a letdown besides the couple
of smash hits? Well, either way, they’re not the only French deejays making hits—head
over to
U Street Music Hall for a French house music night. There will be plenty of music from the robotic ones,
but you’ll also hear some lesser-known musicians and some indie dance classics. Think Liberation Dance Party
with a bit of an international vibe. Tickets ($10) are available online. 10 PM.
Saturday, July 27
ROCK FOR KIDS: For the past week, campers at
Girls Rock! have been learning how to set up their own rock bands, and now they’ll show off their
stuff at a special early show at 9:30 Club. Bring your kids to inspire them to become
rock stars—children under 8 get in free. Tickets ($10) are available online. 10:30
AM.
ROCK FOR ADULTS: Head back to
9:30 at night for a rare all-locals night, featuring the instrumental rock band Black
Clouds, up and comers and SXSW performers Shark Week, and a couple other local punk/hardcore/indie
rock bands. Tickets ($15) are available online. 6 PM.
DANCE: It’s not unusual to see guys hit the town wearing a suit, but you get a lot of grays,
blacks, and navy blues. Not anymore—the Howard Theatre’s
Neon Tuxedo Disco is exactly what it sounds like—pick up a retro electric lime suit (or at least a
crazy bow tie) and head over for a night of sweaty, colorful dancing. Tickets ($39)
are available online. 8 PM.
BEER:
Drink the District is taking over a block on New York Avenue this weekend for a beerfest. For $30, you’ll
be able to grab unlimited samples of more than 50 beers. As with all of these sorts
of events, the city’s best food trucks have got your stomach covered. Tickets ($30)
are available online. 3 and 7 PM (also Sunday).
FARMERS MARKET: Union Market is hosting its first
Farm to Street party, a local food festival featuring more than 125 vendors, farmers, restaurants, and
drink makers. Bring some extra helping hands to help you stock your kitchen. A $5
donation is suggested, and can be made online. 1 PM.
Sunday, July 28
FILM:
Skateistan
is a documentary following the story of Oliver Percovich and Sharna Nolan, who headed
to Kabul in 2007 to set up a coed skateboard school. The school has been massively
popular and has given the youth of Kabul some hope in the face of more than a decade
of war. The doc will be screened at Tropicalia and will be followed with deejay sets
and a silent auction. $10. 8 PM.
BEER AND LOCAL FOOD: 3 Stars Brewing is throwing another
Artists and Artisans party, featuring local restaurants, farmers, mixologists, craftsmen, artists, etc.
Think of it as a farmers market featuring really good beer. Tickets ($10) are available
online and include a special tasting glass and one beer. 1 PM.
Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com,
or find him on Twitter.
