Monday, June 25: Just easing back into the work week? Meet your friends for a drink tonight using the new Washingtonian.com Happy Hour Finder. Searchable by neighborhood, type of bar, and day, it makes it easier than ever to find a good happy hour.
Tuesday, June 26: Joyce Carol Oates talks about her new book, The Gravedigger’s Daughter, at Politics and Prose (5015 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-364-1919) at 7 pm. The prolific author’s new work, partly based on the story of her grandmother’s life, is about a Jewish immigrant family living in upstate New York and dealing with prejudice from others—plus their own demons. Free.
Wednesday, June 27: The 41st annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival kicks off today, running through July 1 and July 4 through 8. This year’s themes are “Mekong River: Connecting Cultures,” “Northern Ireland at the Smithsonian,” and “Roots of Virginia Culture.” The festival will focus on the food, music, art, and much more from these parts of the world. 11 am to 5:30 pm, with evening events beginning at 6 pm. The festival is located on the Mall between the US Capitol and Lincoln Memorial. Free.
Arlington Cinema ’N’ Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington; 703 486-2345) hosts a sneak preview of Hairspray tonight. The evening starts off with Tracy Turnblad and John Waters lookalike contests at 6:30; the screening is at 7:30. $10. Click here for tickets.
Thursday, June 28: The camp-classic sci-fi film Barbarella, Queen of the Galaxy, starring Jane Fonda, screens tonight at the Hirshhorn Museum (Seventh St. and Independence Ave., SW; 202-633-1000) as the final offering in the museum’s Summer Camp series. 8 pm. Free.
Plenty of free concerts are taking place around town this summer, but how many can boast an accompaniment of wildlife? Just one—the Sunset Serenades at the Zoo, a series of concerts kicking off tonight at the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-633-3067). Starting at 6:30 pm, bluesy rock outfit the Melanie Mason Band plays on the Lion/Tiger Hill until 8 pm. Details can be found here.
