Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
Thursday, June 14: Bring a sandwich or assemble a picnic to nibble on by the Hirshhorn’s Plaza Fountain before catching the first in a series of films exploring sci-fi femme fatales in the Hirshhorn’s Summer Camp Film Series. Tonight film scholar David Wilt chats about the phenomenon and screens 1958, starring Zsa Zsa Gabor as a Venus “space babe” who encounters an Earth astronaut when his spaceship crashes on to the planet. 8 pm. Free.
Friday, June 15: How do filmmakers capture love in various countries in Europe? What about in Asia? And what does that say about the cultures of both places? Those are the questions that the Italian Cultural Institute has been trying to answer with its “Love in Asia and Europe” film series. Tonight the series finishes up at the lovely Italian Embassy (3000 Whitehaven Street, NW). Several short films from Germany to Japan dealing with romantic love will be shown, with a reception, discussion, and a DJ afterward. 6:30 pm. RSVP to 202-518-0998, ext. 1, or email iicwashington@esteri.it.
There have always been plenty of great ’80s and ’90s dance parties, but what about indulging in your favorite guilty song pleasures of the millennium? You can do just that with the 2000s Dance Party at the Black Cat (1811 14th Street, NW). DJ Will Eastman spins the best from Britney Spears to Missy Elliott to Gwen Stefani and Beyonce. Best of all, proceeds benefit Project Create, a free afterschool arts program for at-risk children. $6; 9:30 pm.
Saturday, June 16: Local pop-rocksters Washington Social Club have long been kicking out danceable and fun music, along with one of the area’s best live shows. Seriously, if you don’t walk away from a concert 1) wanting to be a rock star, and 2) sore and sweaty from all the dancing, something’s up with you. The band’s at the 9:30 Club this evening for a very special event—a CD-release party. It’s bound to be a blast, and it’s just $12. 9 pm. Tickets are available here.
Rock Creek Festival, an annual, weeklong celebration of the area’s diverse cultures and music, kicks off with everything from wind recitals to baroque music to big band performances. Get details here. Saturday evening, there’s a bluegrass concert with Dead Men’s Hollow. 7:30 pm; $20. To reserve tickets, call 202-726-2080, ext. 15, or e-mail Mauricio.Franco@stpaulsrockcreek.org.
Check out more than 100 types of boats at the Antique and Classic Boat Festival this weekend (June 15 – 17) at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels (213 N. Talbot Street). There’ll also be live music, boat rides, food, and more. 10 am to 5 pm; $13 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $5 for ages 6–17 (5 and under are free).
The Reynolds Center (8th and F streets, NW) screens Louis Malle’s classic noir thriller Elevator to the Gallows, which features everything a noir thriller should: murder, adultery, and the French. During the screening, the Thad Wilson Quintet plays live music inspired by the original soundtrack, which was composed by Miles Davis. Free; 4 pm. Tickets will be available in the center’s G Street lobby one hour in advance.
Sunday, June 17: It’s Father’s Day! Is your dad a film buff? Check out what’s playing today at SILVERDOCS, the documentary festival at the AFI Silver Theater in Silver Spring.
Perhaps he’s more of an animal guy? The Washington Humane Society is at Politics and Prose (5015 Connecticut Avenue, NW) with animals waiting for adoption. Noon until 3 pm.
If Pop’s a whiskey and history buff, bring him to Mount Vernon (3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway). Fathers with paid admission to the estate get a complimentary pass to George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill, located three miles away.
And finally, brunch is the staple for Mother’s Day—but why should your dad miss out on delicious food? Check out our guide to the area’s best brunches, and treat your father.
