Things to Do

Where & When: What to Do This Weekend

This weekend, the spotlight is on dance festivals and fun food events

Thursday, October 7
Dance takes center stage during the Velocity Dance Festival, which begins tonight and features the Washington Ballet, City Dance Ensemble, the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and more. Last year, all performances were sold out, so snap up tickets ($18) quickly. Click here for a complete list of performances and to purchase tickets.

Food trucks are currently the hottest things on wheels—and the Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DCRA, and Brightest Young Things are going to crown the king of them all. The DC Curbside Cook-Off is today and tomorrow at the Old Convention Center Parking Lot (11th and H sts., NW) from 11 to 9. The 20-plus contenders, including the Red Hook Lobster Truck and DC Empanadas, were chosen in an online vote. For more information and a full list of participating trucks, click here.

Friday, October 8
The rap-rockers LMFAO are performing at Eden (1716 I St., NW) tonight. Sample a spooky spirit from Eden’s fall menu of Halloween drinks while you dance the night away. 10 PM. Free until midnight; RSVP here.

Can’t get enough of Oktoberfest? Whole Foods Old Town (1700 Duke St., Alexandria) is hosting an in-store event all day. Each department is featuring a different beer and pumpkin dish or product. You can taste them all—and watch performances by alpine dancers—from 5 to 7.

Mr. Tanner comes to Washington. Catch Bob Saget at the Warner Theatre at 8 PM. Buy tickets ($50) here.

MOCA DC (1054 31st St., NW; 202-342-6230) is bringing together members of the art community with “Artists Without Borders.” The initiative aims to promote peace and cultural understanding through art. The opening reception includes live music inspired by different cultures. 6 to 10. Free. The exhibit runs through October 30.

Saturday, October 9
Artisphere opens in Arlington today. Brightest Young Things and the Pink Line Project are celebrating with a party featuring DJs, a dance floor in the Dome theater, and balloon sculptures. There will also be free beer and wine all night and a skateboard art installation. 8 PM to 2 AM. There are shuttles every 15 minutes from DC’s Dupont Circle. Tickets ($20) are available here.

The recently opened Yards Riverfront Park is doing its part for the fall festival season with a day of trapeze artists, three stages of live music, and a break-dancing competition. It’s fun for the whole family with a variety of kids activities, plus lots of food and drink options for adults. At the Capitol Riverfront from 11 to 7. Buy tickets ($12) here.

Georgetown restaurants from the high-end 1789 to the bakery Baked & Wired are opening their kitchens for the Taste of Georgetown. Sample dishes from more than 25 places, then cleanse your palate with a glass of wine from DGB’s South Africa Wines or a St. Germain cocktail. Blues Alley is providing live jazz. 11 to 4. Tasting tickets ($5) are available here or starting at 11 AM in the Eagle Bank parking lot (1044 Wisconsin Ave., NW); alcohol tasting tickets ($10) are available at the event.

Indulge in some retail therapy at Alexandria’s Boutique Week. Score deals on clothes, accessories, furniture—even a new fall wardrobe for your pooch. Shoppers also have a chance to enter a raffle to win an Alexandria shopping spree and a night’s stay the Morrison House. Boutique Week ends October 17. For a complete list of events and stores, click here.

Sunday, October 10
End local hunger . . . by eating? Bread for the City is hosting District Flavors: A Local Food Block Party, with food from local organic farms, performances by hip-hop artists, and free Sweetflow frozen yogurt. Proceeds benefit Bread for the City’s Green Roof Project. 1525 Seventh Street, Northwest; noon to 4.

Tonight is the last chance to take advantage of Rockville’s Restaurant Week. With special prix-fixe menus that are $10 at lunch or $25 for dinner, participating restaurants include La Tasca and Phillips Seafood (1775 Rockville Pike, Rockville; 301-881-4793) For a full list of restaurants, click here.

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