Thursday August 12
Taking advantage of our love-hate relationship with the Metro and Craiglist’s Missed Connections is Separated at Birth, a new Dog & Pony DC play about subway-rider stereotypes. Just a heads up: The play, which premiered last night, includes a cast of clowns, so don’t be surprised by a bunch of red noses. Tickets ($15) are available here. Flashpoint Gallery; 8 PM.
Sixty of Washington’s top performers hit the Strathmore stage to celebrate 1964 through 1966, the main years of the British Invasion. Hear covers of the Kinks, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Zombies, and more. Grab tickets ($19) now— only a few grand-tier seats are still available. 7:30.
Fashion Follows Art at this month’s Phillips After 5. Project Beltway’s Rachel Cothran hosts a special showcase of Jason Wu’s Fall 2010 collection for TSE amid the minimalist paintings of Robert Ryman, which were the inspiration for the clothes. The designer, who is also responsible for Michelle Obama’s inauguration gown, is one of our favorites. Reserve tickets ($12) here. 5 to 8:30 PM.
Soul, ska, and R&B combine at TNT!, an explosive dance night featuring nothing but 45s at the Velvet Lounge. Free; 9 PM.
The men’s clothier Instructions Apparel previews its fall fashion at Ping Pong Dim Sum with a benefit cocktail soirée. Learn how to knot a tie before sitting down for a complimentary shoe shine, then sip on free JC Cognac refreshments and $5 cocktails as live models strut their stuff. The event benefits the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, which helps place high-achieving African-American youths in rewarding local internships. E-mail theartofdressingwellevents@gmail.com to RSVP. A $10 donation is suggested. 6:30 to 8:30.
Friday August 12
The Art Whino gallery at National Harbor is hosting the first in a monthly series of events—called Indulge—that pair art, music, and food. Tonight, Mie N Yu is behind a three-course menu with cocktail pairings. Dishes include tuna tartare with chili peppers, lemongrass, and soy; beef salad with mixed greens; and pecan-and-chocolate tarts. Singer Tamara Wellons performs. For more information and tickets ($65), which must be purchased in advance, click here. 8 to 11.
Seaton Smith, our fave local comedian, is taping his first DVD special at the Warehouse Theater tonight. Be part of this epic moment in Black Hipstery. Doors at 8, show at 8:30; tickets ($5) are available here.
Electropop and 2000s dance music dominate the floor at Apex’s Siren dance party. Eight bucks gets you a night of debauchery, complete with lasers, fog machines, and . . . fake snow.
Metro DC Dances, the awesome annual free dance performance, takes place tonight at Carter Barron Ampitheatre. The show, now in its eighth iteration, features jazz, hip-hop, and modern pieces performed by groups such as Next Reflex Dance Collective, New School of Dance Arts , and Deviated Theater. Free; 7:30 to 9.
Saturday, August 14
Love urban dance? Culture Shock DC showcases the best professional, amateur, and collegiate dance teams at the East Coast Dance Concert, now in its seventh year. The concert, at Carter Barron Amphitheatre on Saturday, is free and begins at 7:30. If you feel inspired after seeing the show, head to CityDance Center at Strathmore on Sunday and learn how to pop-and-lock in special workshops throughout the day. Click here for times and fees.
Today begins the second and final weekend of Arts on N Street, a celebration of local art, music, fashion, and more along N Street, Northwest, near the Washington Convention Center. Peruse handmade wares—from paper goods to photographs to clothes—while taking in musical performances. The event is free and runs from 10 to 4.
Who says you can’t live life in the clouds? The women profiled in Breaking Through the Clouds: The First Women’s National Air Derby certainly didn’t. The documentary, which chronicles the groundbreaking 1929 event, screens twice at the College Park Aviation Museum today. Call 301-864-6029 for tickets ($5); 11 AM and 2 PM.
Relive the War of 1812 at the Battle of Bladensburg Encampment. The mock battle will be held on the lawn of the Riversdale House Museum. There will also be cannon and musket demonstrations, live music, and museum tours. The battle is free; house tours are $3 for adults, $2 for seniors, and $1 for students. Children under age five are free; noon to 4.
Sunday, August 15
Legally Blonde ends its run tonight at Wolf Trap. The bubbly musical, based on the film starring Reese Witherspoon, tells the story of a not-so-ditzy blonde who discovers her true potential. And wears pink. Lots and lots of pink. Tickets ($20 to $80) are available here. 2 and 8 PM.
Does city living have you feeling claustrophobic? You can enjoy the great outdoors without breaking the bank today thanks to Free National Park Weekend, a monthly promotion during which entrance fees are waived at parks across the country. Check out the full list of participating parks here.
Avoid stadium traffic by sailing to today’s Nats game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on the Take Me Out to the Ballgame cruise aboard the Capital Elite. It may not be the most efficient way to get to Nationals Park, but it’s certainly the most fun. The cruise provides one-way transportation, traditional baseball snacks, and a one-hour scenic tour before the game. The ship leaves at 11:45 AM from the marina at 600 Water Street, Southwest, and docks at the stadium. Call 866-302-2469 for tickets ($17.90).
Synetic Theatre’s family-friendly production o
f The Adventures of Uncle Rabbit was supposed to close today, but popular demand will keep the show running until August 20. Catch a performance, which tells three Nicaraguan folktales with pantomime and song, before it’s too late. Tickets ($20) are available here.
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Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and writes about weddings, fashion, and shopping. Her work has also appeared in Refinery29, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington City Paper, among others. She is a Georgetown University graduate, lives in Columbia Heights, and you can find her on Instagram at @washbridegroom and @sarahzlot.
Michael J. Gaynor has written about fake Navy SEALs, a town without cell phones, his Russian spy landlord, and many more weird and fascinating stories for the Washingtonian. He lives in DC, where his landlord is no longer a Russian spy.
