Thursday, August 19
Join the Washington Post’s free publication, Express, for its monthly happy hour at Tommy Joe’s Restaurant in Bethesda. Mingle with fellow commuters and enjoy $2 Coors Lights, $3 Blue Moons, and $4 Absolut and Malibu drinks. Be sure to enter the free giveaway, which includes a $250 cash prize. 5 to 9.
Tudor Place celebrations 100 years of film in Georgetown with a cocktail reception and special exhibition of turn-of-the century films and movie equipment. Admission ($15) includes a free movie pass to any AMC theater. This event is for adults only ages 21 and up. Click here to reserve a ticket ($12 for members, $15 for the general public). 5:30 to 7:30.
Who says Shakespeare needs to be pricey? A free production of Twelfth Night opens tonight at the Shakespeare Theatre Company as part of its annual Shakespeare Free for All. The show runs tonight through September 5. For tickets, enter the online lottery the day of the performance before 1 PM. If you’re one of the lucky few, you’ll receive an e-mail saying two tickets will be waiting for you at the box office. 8 PM.
Country-folk singer/songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter takes the stage at Wolf Trap tonight with songs from her latest album, The Age of Miracles. Carpenter began her career in Washington’s clubs before making it big with such hits as “Down at the Twist and Shout.” Tickets—only $25 lawn seats remain—are available here. 8 PM.
Friday, August 20
Wet your whistle at DC Beer Week, which gets started tonight at the Rock & Roll Hotel. The seven-day brewfest kicks off with Nerd Nite DC at 6, an exploration of the history, artistry, and science of beer. ChurchKey’s Greg Engert, Brian Strumke of Stillwater Artisanal Ales, and other luminaries will be on hand to share their wisdom. Stick around until 10 for Rock and Barley, a concert featuring music and beer pairings. Tickets ($10 for either and $16 for both) are available here.
Head to Current Sushi to catch a glimpse of Miss DC 2010, Stephanie Williams, who’s there to help raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. Enjoy music by DJs Mo and Dynamix, both on the outdoor deck and inside. A donation of $5 is suggested.
Get your groove on at the 7th Annual Dance DC Festival, which kicks off tonight at the Atlas Performing Arts Center and runs through August 22. An opening reception tonight features performances based on the evening’s theme, Carnaval Africana, which highlights Afro-Brazilian dance and music. Free; 6 pm.
Didn’t snag a reservation for Washington’s Restaurant Week? Head across the border for Alexandria’s equivalent, which features 60 restaurants offering a $35 prix fixe three-course dinner, a $35 dinner for two, or a selection of $3.50 desserts. Click here for the full list of participating restaurants.
Saturday, August 21
Start drooling over winter clothes at Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase. The luxury department store will be previewing fall collections—with Champagne—all afternoon. Third floor; 3 to 6.
Arlington’s Tortoise & Hare Bar and Grille is turning three this weekend, so, like the adorable toddler it is, it gets a birthday party—although instead of cake, presents, and cone-shaped hats, it’s offering free appetizers Saturday from 7 to 9, a fashion show, and live music from Down Wilson at 10.
Conner Contemporary Art shows off the work of students in fine-arts programs at area colleges and universities for the tenth year in its “Academy 2010” exhibit. Check it out between 10 and 5 during its last day at the gallery.
Cap your night off with Midnight Magic at the Source Theater. Illusionists David London and Josh Norris will perform tricks from their individual shows . Close-up magic starts in the lobby at 11:59, while the seated show kicks off at 12:30. Tickets—$20—are available here.
Find family fun and free Shakespeare at Sidney Harman Hall today. Shakespeare Theater Company offers games, crafts, activities, giveaways and demos—as well as performances of Twelfth Night—at the Target Family Fun Fair in celebration of its popular annual Shakespeare Free for All. 10 to 2.
Sunday, August 22
As part of DC Beer Week, Capitol Lounge is hosting a craft-beer cruise on the Cherry Blossom River Boat. The event, from 6 to 9, includes 16 craft beers, a wine-and-bourbon bar, appetizers, and music. The boat departs from behind the Torpedo Factory Art Center on the Old Town waterfront. Dress is business-casual to semiformal. For more information and to purchase tickets ($70), click here. For details about D.C. Beer Week—including a kickoff party Friday night—click here.
Restaurant Nora’s executive chef, Benjamin Lambert, is leading a guided walk through the Dupont Circle Farmers Market as part of Saveur magazine’s DC Flavor Tour. The event, from 10:30 to 2, includes a four-course lunch at Nora and a Saveur tote bag. For tickets ($99) and more information, click here.
Wrap up the weekend with rich imagery and English subtitles—Mount Vernon’s 5 Eye Asian film festival continues tonight with Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams. The Japanese film, based on the nighttime musings of one of the country’s most visionary directors, casts Martin Scorcese as Vincent van Gogh. 8:30 in the parking lot
at Fifth and I streets, Northwest. Free.
The Arlington County Fair wraps tonight. Rustle up your inner child for one last chance at rides, rainforest animals, and. . . racing piglets? 11 to 10; Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 South Second Street.
Supercalifragilisticexpialido . . . we give up already. But the cast of the Kennedy Center’s Mary Poppins sure won’t—the 1:30 matinee is their last performance. Grab tickets ($100) quick—they’re almost sold out.
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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.
