Thursday, July 3: If you’ve got the Fourth off, you may want to indulge your patriotism (a.k.a. beer-drinking habits) a bit and celebrate by heading to the Independence Eve Bash at Clarendon Ballroom starting at 6 tonight. There’s all the important ingredients for a good summer-evening bash: a roof deck (but get there early, as that will fill up quickly), live music (cover band Dr. Fu and a few DJs), and drink specials. The cover charge is $5 from 6 to 7 but will go up to $10 afterward and will increase throughout the night.
Another option for those with Friday off: It’s the Midtown Liberty Bar Tour. Twelve downtown-DC bars participate in this crawl that will (a) get you loads of beer at a discount (beer and rail specials for $2 and $3) and (b) let you donate to a local charity (the Manna Food Center). The tour starts at 5; register at Mackey’s for $10 with two cans of food, $13 without. Specials go until midnight.
Tonight, U Street showroom Dekka helps kick off “Independent’s Month” with a fashion show of local designers and a shopping bazaar at the Columbia Heights bistro Rumberos. There’ll be a prix fixe menu, a runway show, art installations, and a big old sale on wares from some Dekka vendors. 8 to 11 PM.
What beats the heat better than a poolside happy hour? Splash Poolside Party at the Washington Plaza Hotel takes place every Thursday from 6 to 10. The admission fee—$10 in advance, $15 at the door—gets you DJs, cocktails, a cash bar, and a poolside grill. RSVP at euronetinternational.com. For more, check out our guide to great indoor and outdoor spots for a summer drink.
Friday, July 4: OMG, your Fourth of July beach weekend fell through?! Worry not, city-bound friend—we’ve got a roundup of events to help you make the most of the holiday. Check out our guide to the Fourth (including where to watch fireworks), and start planning a day of America-rific fun!
>>Events and Parties on the Fourth
>>Where to Watch Fireworks in Washington
>>Fourth of July Dance Parties
>> Fourth of July Recipes
Saturday, July 5: Tonight’s the last night you can catch the Landless Theatre Company’s production of Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical. Yes, it’s an adaptation of the famous, er, “adult” movie—and yes, it’s a musical. Check it out at the DC Arts Center at 7:30 PM. $18. FYI, the play does contain nudity and adult content, in case you couldn’t suss that out yourself. So don’t bring the kids.
Something you can bring the kids to is Kidz Bop Live at the 9:30 Club at 1 PM today. The concept? Kids singing catchy pop-rock songs. It was the perfect Internet phenomenon when it took off several years ago, but apparently momentum is now enough that live shows are being staged. If you’ve got a little one who’s a music lover, this might be the perfect way to pass an afternoon. $25.
It’s been a while since local band Metropolitan released any new material (its last record, The Lines They Get Broken, was released in 2005), so a performance by John Masters and the rest of the guys is long overdue. Metropolitan plays the Black Cat’s main stage alongside Bellflur and Wye Oak (a Baltimore duo we love so much that we keep mentioning them in our weekly music playlists—check ’em out). $10; 9 PM.
Sunday, July 6: Today is the last day you can catch the wonder that is the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Seriously, where else are you going to get to explore the cultures of Texas, Bhutan, and NASA all in one place? Nowhere else, that’s where. So get on down there to sample Bhutanese food and Texas beer and wine and to learn about NASA programs. Find out more about the festival in our interview with the director. 11 AM to 5:30 PM.
You might not have heard of singer/songwriter John Hiatt, but you’ve probably heard one of his songs—his tunes have been covered by everybody from Dylan to Springsteen. He plays gritty guitar rock, has a charismatic live show, and is playing tonight at Birchmere. You should check it out. 7:30 PM; $49.50.
Feeling like you need a fuzzy friend? Today from noon to 2, head to the Dog Shop in Georgetown to meet adoptable dogs from the Washington Humane Society or sign up to be a volunteer. Call 202-337-DOGS for more info.|
We post our weekend picks every Thursday morning. Check washingtonian.com next Thursday to plan your weekend.
Related:
Plan summer fun with our Nightlife Guides
Bargain Happy Hours
Bottomless Brunches With Champagne and Mimosas
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