Thursday, August 1
CARTOONS: Rob Paulsen has spent the last couple decades voicing some of your (my) favorite cartoon characters
(Pinky from
Pinky & the Brain, Raphael in
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). He’ll be at the National Press Club discussing what it’s like to play a bunch of
imaginary animals and deranged lunatics on the small screen, and he’s apparently happy
to do samples of the voices he’s played. Tickets ($10) are available online. 6:30
PM.
MUSIC:
Trio Caliente have three members and perform in three languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese),
but their versatility extends far beyond that: They perform Latin jazz, gypsy rumba,
flamenco pop, bossa nova, salsa, and every variation within those genres. Catch them
at the Beacon Hotel’s Sky Bar for Art Soiree’s Sunset Rooftop series. Things get started
with a happy hour at 5; the trio perform at 8. Free. 5 PM.
TV (KINDA): The creators of
CapSouth, a Web series, know that working on the Hill can be a hilarious experience (at least
for those of us in DC). Help them bring the funny by being an extra in their season
finale, which will be filmed at Top of the Hill. They know you’re a bit funnier with
a couple of drinks in you, so the filming will be preceded by a happy hour, which
could be a great idea or a complete disaster—it’s really all up to you guys. Free.
5:30 PM.
Friday, August 2
BBQ: Nothing says summer like a barbecue—and while serving it up yourself is usually half
the fun, sometimes you need to just kick back and relax. Head to the
National Building Museum for Hill Country’s pop-up barbecue, featuring the restaurant’s best dishes, a selection
of Shiner you won’t find anywhere else outside of Texas, and specialty cocktails.
No cover. Noon to 11.
CARTOONS: Speaking of classic cartoons, the
National Symphony Orchestra is going to take on Bugs Bunny and his Looney friends at Wolf Trap. The NSO will
provide the score for some of the Wascally Wabbit’s most famous adventures. Just watch
out for anything labeled Acme. Tickets ($22 to $55) are available online. 8:30 PM.
DANCE: We know you have work, but sometimes you gotta get sick to party effectively. Merriweather
presents
Mad Decent Block Party, featuring approximately one million deejays, including Major Lazer, Zeds Dead, SBTRKT,
and Flosstradamus. If you can skip out of work, BYT is hosting a “magic school bus
ride” up there, which features all their normal shenanigans (and booze). If you can’t,
things will keep going until late into the night. Tickets ($30 to $75) are available
online. 2 PM.
DANCEDANCE: If Merriweather is too far away, you can get your dance on at
Science Club, where Brothers From Another Planet will be spinning electronica all night. This
time, things go down on the bar’s (tiny) patio, so get there early. Free. 10 PM.
DANCEDANCEDANCE: Black Cat is trucking in Rekha, one of the country’s best bhangra deejays (a classic Indian
dance genre that has been co-opted—in a good way—by modern Western pop), from New
York. She mixes bhangra with hip-hop, dancehall, and whatever else she feels like
to make sure you leave sweaty. Tickets ($13) are available online. 9:30 PM.
Saturday, August 3
ART: The
Corcoran is opening its doors for free on Saturdays this summer, meaning you’ll be able to
check out its latest exhibits (including the “Alien’s Guide to the Ruins of Washington
DC” and “War/Photography”), take a free sketching class, and play with sidewalk chalk
out front. Free. Noon.
MUSIC: Every year, the
Summer Spirit Festival brings the best in soul, R&B, and hip-hop (okay, a couple of the best and a couple
of has-beens) to Merriweather. This year’s festival is no different—it features Erykah
Badu and a suddenly rejuvenated Busta Rhymes, and is hosted by comedian Mike Epps.
Tickets ($46 to $125) are available online. 5 PM.
SOCCER:
DC United is having a VERY rough season, but when’s the last time you could say you’ve been
to a
fútbol game? Take a break from the Nats and check out RFK for bicycle night at the stadium.
You’ll meet at BicycleSpace, then bike over with its rolling tailgate party, which
features hamburgers and hot dogs, beer (hopefully once you arrive and not in transit),
and a huge bicycle-mounted stereo system. Tickets ($32) are available online. 5:30
PM.
DANCE: Black Cat’s
Moon/Bounce Dancing Affair has quickly become one of DC’s best alternative dance nights. It features all your
old ’90s favorites, new hip hop and house, and all the songs you love but are too
afraid to request. They’ve got you covered, and you can save face with your friends.
$7. 10 PM.
Sunday, August 4
BIKE-IN THEATER: So DC now has a drive-in theater, lots of walk-up theaters, and plenty of your standard
walk-inside-a-building-buy-a-ticket-and-watch-a-movie theaters, but it now has a bike-up
theater, thanks to
BicycleSpace. Meet there and bike over to Kingman Island to participate in a river clean-up (and
it needs it), then head to the Anacostia Arts Center for a screening of the climate-change
documentary
Chasing Ice, a bike auction, and lots of cold, cold drinks. Clean-up 11:30 AM, free; movie 2:30
PM, $10.
ANNIVERSARIES: One of DC’s best neighborhood bars,
Wonderland Ballroom, opened nine years ago this weekend (it feels like it’s been there forever, though).
You know those folks will celebrate right: Things get started at 4, and specials include
happy hour all night, discounted food, and lots and lots of dancing. Free. 4 PM.
Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com,
or find him on Twitter.
