Thursday: Gear up for a roaring good time at the National Zoo’s annual ZooFari affair, where more than 100 Washington restaurants come together to support animal care, conservation science, and education. You might just bump elbows with chefs Michel Richard (Citronelle and Central), RJ Cooper (Vidalia), or past Top Chef contestant Mike Isabella (Zaytinya). In addition to food and wine, there’ll be entertainment, animal demonstrations, and a silent auction. The shindig gets started at 6:30. For information and tickets ($125 for FONZ members; $175 for nonmembers), click here or call 202-633-3046.
The Latin American Youth Center is raising funds for its first annual LGBTQ Youth Prom. Helping out is simple—stop by Dupont’s Gazuza on Thursday from 5 to 8 for a fundraising happy hour. the $10 suggested donation includes one drink, and there’ll be sushi for sale and hookahs to enjoy.
The Washington Post bloggers Jen Chaney and Liz Kelly are sending off the cult TV show Lost in style with a happy hour at the Reef. From 6 to 8, special drinks include the Dharma-tini, Jin and Tonic, and the Jack (Shephard) and Coke, and prizes—such as posters of the show created by artist Ty Mattson—will be given away to those who show up in the best Lost-themed costume.
The coalition behind the Dupont Underground concept—which seeks to transform the abandoned trolley space below Dupont Circle into an arts space—is holding a fundraiser at the Knoll showroom. The event starts at 6. RSVP to dupontundergroundknoll@gmail.com.
Remember Wheatus, the band that just wanted to rock out to Iron Maiden with Noel? The group is at Velvet Lounge Thursday night, along with Ravenous and Sweet Interface. The doors open at 7:30, and the show starts at 9. Tickets are $10.
Friday: Leave your shears at home: The Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival screens Edward Scissorhands as part of its I Love the ’90s series. Last week’s film was cancelled due to inclement weather, but the forecast is clear for tonight. The film is at Gateway Park; bring chairs, blankets, and something to nosh on. Show up early for ’90s-themed games and prizes. The film screens at 8. Want to know about other outdoor-film series in Washington? Check out our roundup here.
Celebrate the French artist Yves Klein with a cocktail party at the Alliance Française, organized by the Smithsonian Young Benefactors. Price of admission ($10) includes a free drink. To RSVP, e-mail assistant@francedc.org.
From 7 to 9, take a look at the work of artists Ryan Hill and Lindsey Raymond at the Civilian Art Projects. Hill’s work—organized in an exhibit called SuperFacial—is mostly found images and word associations, while Raymond’s Killing Me Softly display shows embroidered and hand-sewn pieces that combine tradition with horror. The show opens at 7; free.
Ru Paul’s Drag Race season-two contestant (and our personal favorite) Pandora Boxx hosts the Summer Launch party at EFN Lounge, which features a men’s-swimsuit fashion show. Summer Camp, Shea Van Horn’s drag persona, is spinning tracks and participating in a special performance with Miss Boxx. There’s a $10 cover charge. The show starts at 9.
Food writer/television host/occasional Top Chef guest judge/all-around-badass Anthony Bourdain is on stage with renowned chef Eric Ripert at the Warner Theatre for an evening of candid conversation about food, restaurants, dining, and more. There’ll be an Q&A session with the hosts as well. Tickets ($39 to $89) can be purchased here. The event starts at 8.
Saturday: Are you ready to rock? Bang your head at DC101’s 31st annual chili cookoff, where you can try all kinds of spicy concoctions from 101 of the area’s top chili cooks competing in four categories. From 12:30 to 8, you’ll hear such bands as Alice in Chains, Anberlin, Cage the Elephant, Stone Temple Pilots, Switchfoot, and Tears of Mars. The festival, held at RFK Stadium, benefits the National Kidney Foundation. Advance tickets ($35) are available here or you can purchase one at the door ($55).
Yoga instructor Emma Saal is at the House of Sweden to host the first of four free rooftop yoga workouts. Saal teaches Budokon, a blend of yoga and martial arts, so be prepared to kick some booty. Peacefully, of course. You can sign up in advance (e-mail rsvp-hos@foreign.ministry.se), but drop-ins are also welcome. 10 AM.
Beautiful Losers, a film directed by Aaron Rose and Joshua Leonard, discusses the graffiti-influenced, DIY visual aesthetic popularized by artists such as Shepard Fairey and Barry McGee. It’s at the National Portrait Gallery’s McEvoy Auditorium at 3:30 Saturday. The event is free, and no tickets are required.
Famed DJ Will Eastman brings his punk/pop/club/indie Bliss dance night to U Street Music Hall. Guest DJs include VS Wild and Phil Real. Doors open at 10 PM, and tickets are $10.
Sunday: Get down on the dance floor at the 9:30 Club, where DC Central Kitchen is putting on its SoundBites benefit concert. More than a dozen restaurants (including Jaleo, Marvin, and Masa 14) will dole out samples of their signature dishes. On stage: Will Eastman, U.S. Royalty, Fatback DJs, Bluebrain, Midnight Kids, and Beautiful Swimmers. Proceeds benefit DC Central Kitchen’s anti-hunger programs. The concert starts at 5. For information and tickets ($30), click here or call 202-265-0930.
Browse through records from more than 30 vendors at DC Record Fair day at the Black Cat. Plus, you can catch DJ sets by DJ Dredd, Fort Knox Five, Alec MacKaye, John Foster, and more. The record-palooza starts at noon, and price of admission is $2 per person.
Send off Lost in proper, dramatic fashion by watching the show’s finale projected on the big screen at Arlington Cinema ’n’ Drafthouse. Doors open at 6:30; free.
