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Cool Pools
Free Films Outdoors
Ten Fun Things Under $10
Thursday, May 28: Step Afrika, a DC-based dance troupe, is celebrating its 15th anniversary with several performances at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street, Northeast. Check out these exciting dancers and their moves tonight at 8; tickets ($16 to $35) are available here for shows throughout the weekend.
A $10 ticket for three great bands? That’s what you’ll get Thursday night when the Title Tracks (John Davis, formerly of Georgie James), Cymbals Eat Guitars, and Sinta bring their melodic guitar rock to the Black Cat’s backstage. 8:30 PM. We’re pretty sure this show will sell out, so get your tickets in advance here.
Tom Stoppard seems to be all over town lately. One of his plays, Rock ’n’ Roll, is now at the Studio Theatre. The play deals with what the author’s life might be like if he’d moved back to his native Czechoslovakia. 8 PM; tickets ($53) can be bought here.
Friday, May 29: Into the Night at the Museum movies? Then you should head to Mount Vernon this weekend for its Night at Mount Vernon events. The grounds will be lit with lanterns, and tours will be given while characters from George Washington’s time stroll around. 6 to 9; $15. More info is here.
The Herndon Festival offers plenty of family-friendly fun throughout the weekend, including artists, food vendors, music, and face painting. Tonight, the Legwarmers, the area’s favorite ’80s cover band, are playing. Schedules, directions, and more are at the festival’s Web site.
We’re slightly baffled by the continuing popularity of folks playing air guitar to crowds, but, hey, some people seem to like it. That’s why the US Air Guitar Championships is coming tonight to the 9:30 Club. For a $15 ticket, you can see the best of the best in air guitar battle it out. 8 PM.
Art exhibits! Dance and theater performances! Poetry readings, open mikes, and more! It’s the annual wacky, free art festival Artomatic. It kicks off today at noon and stays open tonight until 1 AM at 55 M St., Southeast (Navy Yard is the closest Metro). Admission is free.
Saturday, May 30: Hundreds of folk artists and artisans will make use of the Glen Echo Folk Festival’s seven stages, with performances and demonstrations in music, dance, and traditional crafts. There’ll be plenty of events for kids and adults, including storytelling and participatory dance. Free.
At the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight, hear Au Revoir Simone, a band that plays dreamy electric-tinged pop. Opening act the Antlers have put out one of our favorite albums of the year, with crescendoing, emotional rock. The show starts at 9:30 PM; tickets are $12 in advance here and $14 at the door.
WalkingTown DC is always a treat, especially on a weekend that promises to be as gorgeous as this one. The concept is simple: Cultural Tourism DC leads dozens of free walking tours—and a few bike tours—in neighborhoods across the city. There’s everything from tours of local cemeteries to stories of spies in Georgetown. Click here for the full schedule. (WalkingTown is taking place Sunday as well.)
Sample bottles from 20 Maryland wineries at the Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival in Terrapin Park (191 Log Canoe Cir., Stevensville). The festival will feature live music and a row of vendors selling everything from fine jewelry to art to ice cream. The festivities go from noon to 6 both Saturday and Sunday. For wine tasters, tickets cost $17 in advance and $20 at the door; non-drinkers pay $10. For more information, visit chesapeakebaywinefestival.org.
Sunday, May 31: Top Chef contestant and Alchemy Caterers owner Carla Hall will be dishing out grilling tips at Wagshal’s Market (4845 Massachusetts Ave., NW) as part of DC’s Grill Masters series. Entrance to the event, which runs from 11:30 to 12:30, costs $10. For reservations, call 202-363-0884.
Fifty Virginia wineries will offer unlimited pours of more than 300 wines at the Vintage Virginia Wine Festival at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville. Vendors will serve cheese and other goods to pair with wine, and local artists will sell crafts and artwork. Bands will perform on the outdoor amphitheater stage, and in the Family Tent kids can enjoy jugglers, magicians, balloons, and more. Festivities run from 11 to 6 both Saturday and today. A $20 shuttle will take you to and from the Vienna Metro station on the Orange Line. Tickets are on sale here.
The CoolOut, a popular party on the Beacon Hotel’s rooftop that started last year, is kicking off its summer series on Sunday afternoon. Head to the hotel anytime from 3 to 9 for DJs, prizes, drink specials, and more.
