Brightly plumed dancers, flag-draped spectators, and body-painted paraders converged on Georgia Avenue last Saturday, lighting up the street with color and rhythm. Check out our photo slide show of DC’s Caribbean Carnival parade.

Monday, June 30: Mondays at Fort Reno - Bellman Barker
There’s no better way to spend a summer night than at a free outdoor indie-rock concert Fort Reno Park in DC’s Tenleytown. Tonight’s show will be headlined by Bellman Barker, who play jangly and lovely pop tunes. Shows start around 7:15. If you want more free summer music, check out our guide to free concerts around town.


Tuesday, July 1: Sergio Mendes at Wolf Trap
The Grammy Award-winning superstar singer from Brazil hits the stage at Wolf Trap this evening. Mendes is the man who took bossa nova mainstream in the 1960s, and he’s still got it—his recent album included appearances by Justin Timberlake, John Legend, and more.

Is it just us, or did yesterday's New York Times' profile of George Lucas make the Star Wars director sound a little (okay, a lot) self-serving (“I mean, why do we have to make another ‘Indiana Jones’?” Mr. Lucas said. “There was no point to it, other than, gee, this might be fun.”) and close-minded ("It’s much easier for me to just do the show I want, say, ‘Here it is, do you wish to license it or not?’ ” Mr. Lucas said. “That’s it. There’s no notes, no comments. I don’t care what your opinion is. You either put it on the air or you don’t.”)? Granted, we're no fans of Lucas, but even those loyal to him seem less than impressed with his constant "plundering" of the series.

Los Angeles Times' Patrick Goldstein points out that an actors' strike may not be a bad thing for movie-going audiences after all. 

Unlike Lucas, The Wackness director Jonathan Levine sounds like the kind of guy we'd like to grab a couple of beers with.

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is on the Mall June 25 through 29 and July 2 through 6 with performances, exhibits, and more. This year it showcases Bhutan, Texas, and NASA. Festival director Diana Parker spoke with After Hours.

How are festival themes decided?

The process is incredibly democratic—anyone can come up with an idea. People bring programs to us, or ideas come from Smithsonian scholars doing research. We’re looking to see if there’s an interesting story to showcase. We start talking to the country or the agency, like NASA, and then start fundraising. When we have that in place, we slate it for the next available year.

Is there any connection among Bhutan, Texas, and NASA?

No, but links always reveal themselves. For example, the national dish of Bhutan is melted cheese with hot chili peppers. Well, that’s nachos or quesadillas if you put it on tortillas. We’re doing a demonstration with a Texas cook and a Bhutanese cook about chilies and cheese. In Bhutan, they have pride in their chilies, which are extremely spicy. I know it’s going to be an interesting discussion over who has the hottest chilies.

The 9:30 Club never ceases to amaze us, with two surprise shows that just went on sale this morning. On Tuesday, August 5, Gnarls Barkley comes through town with Hercules and Love Affair. Two weeks later, Good Charlotte performs at 9:30 with the Maine and Beretta Jane. Tickets for each of these shows are $25 and can be purchased here. These shows might sell out quickly—get your tickets while you can!

The good news from the folks at 9:30 doesn’t stop there—for the indie-music lover in you, tickets to see the Cold War Kids on Saturday, October 18, go on sale Friday, June 27, at 10 AM, and tickets for the Kooks on Monday, September 8, go on sale Saturday, June 28, at 10 AM. Both can be purchased here.

It’s also a good weekend for country-music fans to get tickets for some of the area’s biggest upcoming shows, including the Sunday in the Country tour, with Sugarland headlining, as well as performances from Rodney Atkins, Billy Currington, Jason Michael Carroll, and Laura Bryna. Take a break from the city at this Merriweather Post Pavilion show on Sunday, September 21. Tickets go on sale June 28 at 10 AM ($40-$75).

Beating the crowds is always a plus, but a little hoopla never hurt anyone, either. Whatever your style, the key to celebrating the Fourth of July in Washington is a little bit of planning. Braving the Mall? Get there early. In the mood for something different? Check out these alternatives for Independence Day fun. We’ve got everything from restaurant roof decks to off-the-beaten-track fireworks-viewing spots. What are your best spots for watching fireworks? Let us know your favorite viewing spots in the comments.

Related: Fun Ideas for a Bang-Up Fourth of July in and Around DC

Sticking With Tradition

Cardozo High School
1300 Clifton St., NW
Metro: U Street/Cardozo
Cardozo High School is on a hill high above downtown DC, and its playing field has views of the Mall. The Independence Day crowd is a diverse group of locals with a friendly community feel. It’s a well-known viewing area within the neighborhood, so arrive early to secure your spot.

Thursday, June 26: Oddball bar Palace of Wonders on H Street, Northeast, is celebrating its second birthday, and you’re invited to a special party before the official festivities Friday and Saturday. Enjoy drink specials and a general carnivallike atmosphere. If you have fun, head back on Friday and Saturday for the official parties.

If you like your theater in easy-to-digest formats, than the Source Festival is the place for you this weekend. The festival, held at the newly renovated space at 14th and T streets, NW, is presenting a slew of ten-minute plays. You heard that right—no play lasts longer than it’d take you to make a Starbucks run. Take your pick—the full schedule is here.