Thursday, June 21
SCAVENGER HUNT: We know you’re fit, clever
people—try out Georgetown BID’s* “Georgetown Dash,” a race/scavenger hunt
hybrid through the neighborhood.
You’ll have to solve clues and complete physical challenges
around the neighborhood. The winning team’s prize package will
be worth over $2,000, so bring your thinking caps and your
running shoes. Afterward, enjoy drink and appetizer specials at
Mr. Smith’s. Proceeds benefit Girls on the Run DC. $100 for
four people, $25 individual. 6 PM.
APARTMENT CRASHING: Even if you love where you’re living, it’s worth checking out
Rhode Island Row, a new apartment complex in Northeast. The complex’s grant opening celebration is open to everyone and includes free food
from local restaurants, DC Brau beer samples, a deejay, and apartment tours, just in case you are looking. Free. 7 PM.
NEW AGE-Y STUFF: The
Benevolent Media Festival is a weekend-long
celebration of do-good projects, including documentaries, photography,
storytelling, and eco-friendly design.
Check out the kickoff party tonight at Epic Yoga, featuring
music, art, and beers from New Belgium Brewing Co. (they do Fat
Tire), Honest Tea, and Ocean Vodka. Your $8 ticket gets you a
free drink and vegan desserts. Tickets are $8 in advance and
$10 at the door. 7 PM.
Friday, June 22
SOUTHERN PRIDE: The Nats are a quick jaunt up the Parkway in Baltimore, but you can still check out the Fairgrounds next to the stadium for
South on South Capitol, a Southern rock music
concert and fair. You’ll get local and regional Southern rock bands
(both covers and originals), mechanical
bull rides, and, of course, cornhole, food trucks, and a
general party scene. Free. 4:30 to 11:30 PM.
SOLSTICE: Enjoy the longest day of the year
with a party hosted by the guys trying to harness the sun’s energy.
Hosted on the solar-powered
roof of the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ headquarters, the summer solstice party features live music, beer, drinks, and food. $40. 6 PM at 900 Seventh St., NW.
PARTY AND CULTURE: The day may be long, but
Brightest Young Things’ party at the National
Geographic Museum will go long into the night. You’ll get after-hours
access to the whole museum (don’t
break anything) and will also be treated to a scavenger hunt,
an auditorium full of rare Nat Geo footage, TED-style informative
talks, and more. Don’t worry—for those of you expecting a
rager, there’s also going to be a dance floor, human-size hamster
balls, food trucks, and plenty of booze. $20 in advance or $25
at the door. 8 PM.
Saturday, June 23
CULTURE:
Pho is delicious, but there’s more to Vietnamese cuisine than the tasty soup. Learn more about the country’s culture at
Vietfest, a celebration of Vietnamese music, fashion, entertainment, and food at George Mason University. Dress up in traditional
Vietnamese attire for free admission. $5. 10 AM to 8 PM.
SWIM: The
Mother Trucker food truck/pool party
extravaganza is back and is always a good time. By now, you know the
deal: lots of food trucks, drinks,
deejays, slip and slides, and general debauchery at Capitol
Skyline’s rooftop pool (and out front . . . no truck-to-roof technology
exists yet). $15. 11 AM to 8 PM.
SWIMSUITS: After Mother Trucker, head to Front Page, which you swore off (except for on free taco/$2 Corona day) for its
Swimsuit Soiree, a swimsuit contest with drink specials, burgers and hot dogs, and “celebrity judges” (something tells us not to expect Drake).
The swimsuit contest winner gets a cool $1,000. Free. 6 PM.
BARBECUE: Head to Pennsylvania Avenue, but ideally not this event’s annoying website, for the 20th annual
Safeway Barbecue Battle to try offerings from dozens of barbecue joints from around the country. There will also be cooking demonstrations, music,
a talent show, inflatable pig balloons, and more. $12. Saturday 11 AM to 10 PM and Sunday 11 AM to 7:30 PM.
Sunday, June 24
BIKE AND MOVIE:
Benevolent Media is back with a cycle-in
movie. Start with a group bike ride around Adams Morgan, down to Wangari
Gardens (near Children’s
Medical Center) and back to the Fridge for a feature-length
documentary about community gardening in DC. The screening will
be followed by a discussion with filmmaker
Cintia Cabib and
Josh Singer of Wangari Gardens. $5. 3 PM.
RUM: It’s associated with pirates and the islands, so you know that as a spirit, rum probably has the most stories to tell (outside
of maybe whiskey . . . definitely more than vodka).
Richard Foss, a culinary historian and author of
Rum: A Global History, will appear at the
Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center to talk about the spirit’s
beginnings and its role in history,
including the American Revolution. Sadly, no rum will be
served. Free. 2:30 to 4:30 PM.
*This post has been updated from a previous version.
Know of something cool to do around town? E-mail Jason
Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter at
@jason_koebler.
