Thursday, August 30
PICTURES: The
Corcoran’s best photojournalism students are displaying their work at the gallery during tonight’s
one time only showcase. Though the program is new for the Corcoran’s College of Art,
you’ll see photos by journalists from around the world. Drinks and appetizers will
be served. Free. 6 PM.
PARTISAN PARTIES: If you’re a Democrat bummed that all your GOP friends are livin’ large and getting
lots of press coverage in Tampa while you’re stuck in your office or doing whatever
you do in DC, tonight’s your chance to get even. Gen44 presents
Let’s Stay Together, an Obama fundraiser that doubles as a night of live-band karaoke at Public Bar in
Dupont Circle. If you need a little “help” before you get up onstage, $2 PBRs should
get you in the mood. $25. 7 PM.
Friday, August 31
MICHAEL JACKSON: As long as copies of “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough” and “Thriller” exist on this
planet, humans reserve the right to throw massive blowout parties on
Michael Jackson’s birthday, death day, and at random intervals throughout the year. The King of Pop
would have been 54 earlier this week—both U Street Music Hall and the Howard Theatre
are doing it up big.
DJ Dredd spins all the hits and some deeper cuts at the Howard, while James Nasty and
Jerome Baker III do the same at U Hall.
U Street Music Hall: Free; 5 PM.
Howard Theatre: $15; 10:30 PM.
JAZZ: I guess the rule goes something like “Don’t wear white after Labor Day, and don’t
play jazz in the garden after it, either,” because this is the last one of the year.
The
Dixie Power Trio play cajun and Louisiana funk, so get ready for something a little more lively than
usual. Free. 5 PM.
BIKING AND BEACH BARS AND IT’S A FULL MOON AND NEIL ARMSTRONG JUST DIED, EVERYONE: Usually Bike to the Beach is a very grueling thing that involves lots of training
before you ride more than a hundred miles to the coast. Not Friday. BicycleSPACE is
hosting another one of its
Full Moon Parties (go to honor Neil Armstrong, everyone!)—you’ll take a leisurely ride around the city
and head to the New York Avenue Beach Bar, which has been closed every time I’ve tried
to go to it, but then again I keep trying to go in the rain. It’s got most things
you could want from a beach (besides, you know, the ocean): sand, tiki torches, booze,
and kids building sand castles and throwing temper tantrums (maybe not that last one).
Tickets ($7) are available through Eventbrite. 8 PM.
STORIES: Is this storytelling trend a new thing? It seems like a new thing. Black Cat hosts
the
Ultimate Story Showcase with comedians and storytellers from popular radio shows (This American Life) and storytelling troupes (the Moth; And I Am Not Lying). Tickets ($12) are available
through Black Cat’s website. 9 PM.
Saturday, September 1
GAMES: School just started, and don’t lie, you miss recess games like tag, capture the flag,
and “eat the sand or I’ll punch you, nerd.”
DC Games, which exists, is hosting its annual all-day game festival at Potomac Park. Instead
of playing normal games, they have to DC-ify everything and make it complicated with
games like “moralityball,” which combines flag football and capture the flag; “giants,
wizards, and elves,” which is like a big group game of rock, paper, scissors; and
“humans vs. mosquitoes,” which is tag. Still, sounds fun! Also there will be lots
of scavenger hunts and other cool things. Free. 11 to 4.
GET CRUNK: We know you listen to lots of Southern rap in your cubicle all day. Time to prove
you know how to dance to 2 Chainz, T.I., and various other LouisiAnimals, ATLiens,
and St. Lunatics at 9:30 Club’s
Grits & Biscuits. $15 at the door. 10 PM.
’90s: I know you liked that Third Eye Blind concert the other week; I probably saw you
there. Black Cat’s backstage is hosting a
dance night featuring all the ’90s guilty pleasures you can possibly think of, with some old-ish-school
hip-hop thrown in. $7. 9:30 PM.
FOOTBALL: If you’re sick of watching preseason football and want to get into games that actually
mean something, check out the
AT&T Nation’s Football Classic. RFK Stadium will finally get football again when Morehouse College takes on Howard.
Tickets ($27.25 to $52.25) are available online. 3:30 PM.
Sunday, September 2
LOBSTERS: It’s a bit of a jaunt, but lobsters are good, right? Loudoun Valley Vineyards is
hosting a
lobster feast—for $19, you’ll get a whole lobster, corn, potatoes, and other fixins, plus wine
and live music. Tickets are $19; to RSVP, e-mail zandial@novapersonalchef.com or call
703-283-7210. Noon to 5.
BAD IDEAS: You didn’t forget, right? It’s a holiday weekend, woohoo. For some reason, Labor Day
is the perfect reason for Rock & Roll Hotel to cart in pounds and pounds of free fried
chicken and bacon and . . . condoms? You can question the wisdom of giving out free
fried food during what’s supposed to be a sloppy drunk dance night, but who can argue
with something called
“Moombacon Massive”? The best deejays from DC, Baltimore, and Philly come in to make sure you’re ready
to puke and/or hook up with someone by the time the night’s over. Free. 10 PM.
TRADITION: It’s a Labor Day tradition—get to the Capitol to watch the
National Symphony Orchestra’s annual concert. Bring a blanket or some glow sticks or something. Free. 8 PM.
Monday, September 3
FESTIVAL, PG COUNTY STYLE:
Greenbelt’s Labor Day festival was a shockingly important event during my high school career, and even now it’s got
at least a mild allure. Go eat extremely unhealthy but delicious food, watch has-been/cover
bands approximate the real thing, and hop on a ride or two if you’re feeling crazy.
Don’t miss the bingo table. If you get to Greenbelt early, you can check out the parade.
Free. 10 to 6.
FESTIVAL, FANCY VIRGINIAN STYLE: Or you could be a huge sellout and go to Herndon, where instead of dunk tanks and
pirate swing rides and corndogs and used-book sales they have delicious wine and craft
microbrews from local breweries and fancy food and Coldplay cover bands. But don’t
come crying to me when you have to pay to get in. Admission is $20 with alcohol, $10
without. Noon to 6.
ENDLESS SUMMER: GO TO THE POOL OR BEACH, FOR GOODNESS SAKES. OR HAVE A BARBECUE. WHILE
YOU STILL CAN:
Local pools and beaches everywhere, endless summer for life; varying prices.
Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com,
or find him on Twitter @jason_koebler.
