The Caribbean Carnival is known for its bejeweled costumes and toe-tapping beats. Photograph courtesy of DC Caribbean Carnival
Thursday, June 23
MUSIC: African pop star Youssou N’Dour is bringing Senegalese sounds to the George Washington Lisner Auditorium. The 30-year veteran is known for fusing his country’s traditional melodies with modern rock and pop. Plus, he’s worked with Peter Gabriel, Wyclef Jean, and Sting. Tickets ($30 to $65) can be purchased at the event Web site. 8 PM.
THEATER: The world of physics gets a poetic makeover in Einstein’s Dreams, the musical adaptation of the best-selling novel by Alan Lightman. The story follows a 26-year-old Einstein as he develops his theory of relativity. Tickets ($10 to $20) can be purchased at the event Web site. 8 PM.
SIGNING: Brooke Gladstone, host of NPR’s On the Media, is dropping by Politics and Prose to sign her new book, The Influencing Machine: Brook Gladstone on the Media. The author uses a mix of quirky comics and spot-on analysis to navigate readers through the shifting media landscape. Attendees will receive 20 percent off Gladstone’s book. Free; 7 PM.
Friday, June 24
DANCE PARTY: Don't miss tonight's Becky party at the Rock & Roll Hotel. DJs Stereo Faith and Trevor Martin are notorious for playing your favorite requests, so grab some friends and dance ’til your feet hurt. Free; 9:30 PM to 2:30 AM.
PERFORMANCE: The group Gaia fuses dance, singing, and instrumentals to create an interactive experience at tonight’s Gaia at the Corcoran: Midsummer Night. DJ Stylus will spin tunes throughout the evening, and a bar and light refreshments will be available. Tickets ($30 for members and Corcoran students, $40 for non-members) can be purchased at the event Web site. 7 to 11 PM.
CHILDREN’S THEATER: Take the whole family to see opening night of Adventure Theatre’s Charlotte’s Web. Based on the beloved book by E.B. White, the tale follows the friendship between a farm pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. As Charlotte would say, Some pig! Tickets ($17) can be purchased at the event Web site. 7 PM.
HAPPY HOUR: Green Door is hosting a fundraiser at Town Tavern to raise money for the nonprofit’s homeless members. Proceeds will be used to create toiletry care packages. A $5 donation gets you $2 bottle beers, $2 mixed drinks, and food specials. 6 to 9 PM.
Saturday, June 25
FESTIVAL: Grab a slice of the island life at this year’s DC Caribbean Carnival. A Mardi Gras-style parade with dazzling costumes will kick off the celebration along Georgia Avenue at 11 AM. A slew of tropical-themed festivities at Benjamin Banneker Park will follow—including international cuisine, entertainment, crafts, and more. Tickets $10, Free for seniors and children under 12. 11 AM to 7 PM.
MUSIC: Local musicians will take the stage at the fifth annual Del Ray Music Festival at the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center. Sample music from a variety of genres including reggae, jazz, blues, swing, folk, country, Celtic, and rock. Games for the kids will take place throughout the day, and food can be purchased from local joints Evening Star, Pork Barrel BBQ, and Taqueria Poblano. But four-legged Free; 10 AM to 10 PM.
ART: Today's the first day to see original artwork by more than 90 artisans at this year’s Gaithersburg Fine Art Festival at the Washington Center. All artwork will be for sale, including the works of painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelers, glass blowers, and more. Free; 10 AM to 8 PM.
Sunday, June 26
BARBECUE: You don’t have to travel below the Mason-Dixon Line to get the best barbecue around. Safeway’s National Capital Barbecue Battle is coming to Pennsylvania Avenue (between 9th and 14th Streets) for a finger-lickin’ good time. With all the ribs, pulled pork, juicy chicken, and beef brisket you can eat, you won’t leave hungry. Tickets ($10 in advance, $12 at the door, $5 for children) can be purchased at the event Web site. 11 AM to 7:30 PM.
FASHION: The vintage clothing store Nana is hosting a trunk show with designer Meghan Kinney and her label meg. One lucky shopper will win a gift basket packed with goodies from meg and Nana. 1 to 5 PM.
WATER FESTIVAL: Cool off at the first-ever Great Georgetown Water Balloon Battle at the Washington Harbor. Nick’s Riverside Grill and Tony and Joe’s restaurants will be grilling summertime fare like seafood and gourmet burgers. Drinks, cocktails, and gelato will also be available, along with melodies by a steel drum band. Super Soakers and other water toys are encouraged. Noon to 3 PM, Water balloon toss begins at 2.
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