Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
Thursday, June 7: There’s a rare treat for film buffs—and regular old movie watchers, too—as E Street Cinema (555 11th Street, NW) finishes up its run of Killer of Sheep. The 1977 film, by Charles Burnett, is considered a masterpiece about race and ’70s-era Los Angeles. But it never got a theatrical release, and though nearly legendary, it’s rarely shown. Don’t miss this chance to check out the film’s exploration of the life of Stan, a family man who grows numb from the psychic toll of working at a slaughterhouse.
It’s Thursday—must be happy hour time. Head over to Tapatini’s (711 Eighth Street, SE) on the Hill, where top-shelf martinis are $5 from 5 to 9. Starting at 9, a sponsored liquor is on the house.
Anonymous art is the name of the game at the Flashpoint Gallery (916 G Street, NW) this evening. The Washington Project for the ArtsCorcoran invited ten area artists to create two-by-two-foot pieces and then ask nine more artists to do the same. The results will hang in the gallery without identifying information. Buy a piece, and you won’t learn who the artist is until afterward. The show’s opening reception is from 6 to 8 pm.
Lavender Diamond is big news—just check out this recent New York Times profile of the group’s lead singer, Becky Stark. But if you go to the Black Cat back stage (1811 14th St., NW) at 9 pm, you can catch Stark and her mates while the group’s trippy folk-pop flies under the radar—for now. $10.
Friday, June 8: There are very few musicians whose music I’d want to dance to all night long, but Madonna may be the exception. The swank Shaw lounge BeBar (1318 9th Street, NW) hosts a full-on Madonna dance night as part of the Capital Pride festivities starting this weekend. Dancing starts at 10 pm, but you may want to get there early, because I’m betting this night will be popular. Related: I interviewed Derrick Vann of BeBar recently.
Chicago’s famed Second City brings its show to the East Coast at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike). The political satire will be full-blown this evening with the troupe’s show, “Truth, Justice, or the American Way.” 7 and 9:45 pm. Admission is $25. Tickets are available here.
Tickets still are available for pop mistress Nelly Furtado’s show at the Patriot Center (4400 University Drive, Fairfax). Furtado puts on a fresh show, and her mix of sultry hip-hop and catchy pop is fun to indulge in. 8 pm; $35–$45.
Saturday, June 9: Marimekko in Silver Spring is all about the do-it-yourself fashion today. For details on how to make a personalized bag from its lovely and extensive collection of prints, check out the After Hours Blog.
Celebrate Washington’s homegrown go-go music scene with an outdoor concert and festival. Today from 2 until 7 pm, the National Music Center puts on a concert that, while it celebrates go-go, showcases a diverse lineup of local bands. The Lissen Band, a stellar go-go group, is playing, but so are hip-hoppers Awthentik and The Fif, pop rockers These United States, and reggae-hip hoppers the BPMs. Plus, the venue—outdoors in front of the former City Building Museum (801 K Street, NW)—is a cool one. Beer and food will be on sale; admission is $10.
The Capital Pride Parade in Dupont Circle is something I look forward to every year. Fantastic and flamboyant floats, hundreds of parade participants, and thousands of spectators fill the streets from Dupont to Thomas Circle, where the parade finishes. The fun gets started at 23rd and P Streets, NW, at 6:30 pm.
After a long work week, does your pooch need some quality time with you? Take him to Union Pub from noon until 4 pm, where the bar hosts Dog Day Saturdays. You can bring the pup on the patio and enjoy $5 Corn Dog Bite Buckets, $5 Flying Dog Golden Ale, and more. For other dog-friendly happy hours, click here.
Sunday, June 10: No pool membership this summer? Head to the Best Bites Blog to find out how to score a poolside spot—with champagne.
Architecture in Helsinki, a fantastically quirky and melodically upbeat band from Australia, hits the 9:30 Club (815 V Street, NW). Its growth has been exponential—I remember when the group were playing the tiny DC9 just a couple of years ago—a testament to how catchy and fun its music is. $16.
