Thursday, June 5
HISTORY: Lots of the fun events in DC this week will be focused around Capital Pride Week—check out the Heurich House Museum’s Pride in Preservation, a night of fancy cocktails and a discussion from the National Park Service about how the contributions and legacy of LGBTQ people can be preserved by the government. $35. 6 PM.
FOOD: Millennials (that’s me) are finally old enough to make some sort of contribution to society besides sick Instagram posts. Millennial Week celebrates wine and food made by young people with an event at the old Wonder Bread Factory, featuring live cooking stations, gelato, wine tasting, and moonshine cocktails. $35. 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
ART: The Phillips Collection’s After 5 party takes on The American ‘50s this month: You’ll get to check out the art, listen to jazz and poetry from the decade, and try classic diner food (remember, this is when the hamburger got popular). $12. 5 PM.
Friday, June 6
FOOD: Alexandria’s West End Business Association is holding its first Food Truck Rodeo for those of you who work out there—it’ll feature a whole bunch of food trucks that don’t normally make it out that way, wine, a beer corral, and a watermelon eating contest. Free. 11 AM to 7 PM.
DANCE: Brightest Young Things and Capital Pride present Blast Off!, a dance party at Union Market that’s probably going to be everything you’ve come to expect from a BYT party. There’ll be burlesque, live music from deejays you haven’t heard of yet but will be huge very soon, indoor and outdoor dancing, photo booths, “space lasers,” moon bounces, and lots of futuristically dressed people. $20. 8:30 PM.
JAZZ: Jazz in the Garden continues with jazz vocalist Juanita Williams—you know the drill. Show up early, drink some sangria, soak up the sun and music. Free. 5 PM.
DANCE: 9:30 Club presents its every-once-in-a-while dance nights. This one pits Lady Gaga vs. Madonna vs. every single diva that ever lived. I know who I’ve got my money on, but if you want to have a say, you’ll have to show up and dance to show your allegiance. $15. 8 PM.
Saturday, June 7
COMEDY: Risk! is a popular LA and New York City-based podcast, where famous comics and normal people alike tell extremely embarrassing stories about themselves that they “never thought they’d dare to share in public.” Anyway, host Kevin Allison will show DC some love with a live recording of the show at Bier Baron. $20. 8 and 10 PM.
DANCE: As far as embassies go, the French one is about as good as it gets. They regularly throw some of the city’s best dance parties, and it’s not every day you get to hang out in an embassy, so don’t miss Alors on Danse, which will feature “vintage” French dance music from the 1970s, a buffet of snacks, and lots of wine and champagne. Your ticket gets you one drink. $45. 7:30 PM.
DOUGHNUTS: Some say history is boring (not me). But the history of doughnuts, on the other hand, is about as sweet as can be. The S. Dillon Ripley Center presents The Whole Truth, featuring food writer Michael Krondi, doughnuts from Astro, and plenty of knowledge about the latest confectionary fad. And, it’s National Doughnut Day, no less. You’re contractually obligated as a denizen of this country to attend. $30. 10 to 11:30 AM.
SHOP: Yards Park turns into your new favorite shopping mall for the day with Fashion Yards, which will feature a whole bunch of fashion trucks and pop-ups, local vendors, and some food trucks for the inevitable “drop” part of shop ’til you drop. Free. 11 AM to 5 PM.
HORSE RACES: The Brixton is continuing its Triple Crown days for the Belmont Stakes. Like the last two races, they’ll have the horses up on the big screen, $8 Bulleit mint juleps, and $5 draft beers all day. Free. 2 PM.
PARADE: More than 250,000 people are expected to be in town for the Capital Pride Parade, which starts at 22nd and P Streets NW, goes through Dupont and Logan Circles, and ends at 14th and S. Literally anywhere along that route will be an insane party, with dozens of restaurants and bars offering some sort of special. Have fun and be safe out there, everyone. Free. 4:30 PM.
Sunday, June 8
FESTIVAL: The main part of the Pride Festival ends with a big, literal festival along Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd and 7th streets. There’ll be three stages of music (with performances by Karmin and Bonnie McKee), food, drinks, and lots more. Besides the parade, this will probably be the biggest event of the weekend. 12 to 7 PM. Free.
SWAP: Why recycle when you can freecycle? Bring your old junk (not too junky, though) to Freecycle Fete, flea market-esque swap in Columbia Heights’ Civic Plaza. One man’s trash, and all that. Free. 12 to 2 PM (RSVP recommended).
BIKE: The Air Force Association Cycling Classic is one of the area’s largest bike races. It’s still not too late to register (on site), but a lot of the fun comes from just showing up and watching the race around the Pentagon, Crystal City, and the Air Force Memorial. There are races all day, so check out which one seems like the most fun to watch before you head down. Free for spectators, $55 to race. All day.
Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter.
