Things to Do

What to Do This Weekend: October 27 to 30

BYT’s Night at the Newseum, opening night of “The Black List” at the National Portrait Gallery, and Halloween festivities galore.

New York City’s Ballet Hispanico is making its Strathmore debut Friday night. Photograph courtesy of the Strathmore

Thursday, October 27

BEER: Halloween is right around the corner, which means it’s time to break out the pumpkin-infused brews. During tonight’s Halloween and Pumpkin celebration, Bier Baron (1523 22nd St., NW) will serve eight pumpkin beers—including the nearly sold-out Southern Tier Pumpking, Dogfish Head’s Punkin, and Schlafly’s Pumpkin. Tickets ($25 online, $30 at the door) include one pumpkin, decorating supplies, and eight beer tasters. Plus, there will be prizes for the best pumpkin and costume. 7:30 PM. And if you haven’t already, be sure to check out our Halloween Event Guide.

MUSIC: Tickets are still available for the Strathmore’s tART Cocktail Party. Guests can groove to live jazz performances, sample hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails from an open bar, participate in live and silent auctions, snap a few glamour shots in a funky photo booth, and more. Cocktail attire is recommended. Tickets ($100) can be purchased through the Strathmore’s Web site. 6:30 PM.

FUNDRAISER: Fido can model his All Hallow’s Eve finest during Jackson 20’s annual Howl-o-ween Costume Party. Dogs and their owners are encouraged to wear costumes for a chance to win prizes—including overnight packages at a Kimpton hotel. Complimentary dog treats and fresh water dishes will be on hand, and Halloween-themed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be available for purchase. Tickets ($10) can be purchased at the door. Proceeds will benefit the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Registration is 4:30 to 5:30 PM; the contest starts at 6.


Friday, October 28

PARTY: Brightest Young Things’ fourth Night at the Newseum is taking a frightful turn with the 3D Halloween edition. Guests will receive free 3D glasses to view a 40-foot animation, along with exclusive after-hours access to museum exhibitions. There will also be tunes by DJ Questlove, four bars, a Halloween photo booth, table tennis, and food by Wolfgang Puck Catering available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite for $25 or at the door for $30. 9 PM to 1 AM. 18 and up.

BALLET: New York City’s Ballet Hispanico is making its Strathmore debut with “ Espiritu Vivo.” Choreographed by Ronald K. Brown, the dance explores the intersection of African and Latino diasporas. “ Club Havana” and “ Mad’moiselle” are also on the program. Tickets ($25 to $55) can be purchased through the Strathmore’s Web site. 8 PM.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Don’t miss opening night of the National Portrait Gallery’s new exhibit, “The Black List.” Featuring the work of acclaimed photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, the collection includes 50 portraits of influential African-Americans such as Colin Powell, Whoopi Goldberg, and John Legend. The exhibit runs through April 22.

FOOD TRUCKS: Where can you find lobster rolls, tacos, and cupcakes all in one place? At the Truckerboo Festival! More than 25 food trucks will line the parking lot at Navy Yard from 11 AM to midnight, so there’s no way you can leave hungry. We recommend TaKorean, DC Empanadas, Fojol Brothers, and Red Hook Lobster Pound. Plus, there will be trick-or-treating for kids from 3 to 5 PM. You can keep a lookout for participating venues here.

Saturday, October 29

THEATER: Signature Theatre’s production of Saturday Night opens tonight with the first of four performances. Stephen Sondheim’s first musical is about a group of Brooklyn bachelors whose get-rich-quick scheme ultimately backfires. Tickets ($47.40) can be purchased through Ticketmaster. The play runs through October 30; today’s shows are at 2 and 8 PM.

MUSIC: Electro-funk duo Chromeo are dropping by the Fillmore tonight. Musicians P-Thugg and Dave 1 “create dance-floor burners that all music fans can love,” according to NPR. You can listen to some of their tracks here. Tickets ($25) can be purchased through Live Nation. 7 PM.

KID-FRIENDLY: Take a trip around the world with 19th-century journalist Nellie Bly during the Newseum’s Family Day. Little explorers can partake in a scavenger hunt, catch a 3D film, compete in a live game show, and more. Tickets ($12.95 for children, $21.95 for adults) can be purchased through the museum’s Web site. 11 AM.

Celebrate the season with LeDroit Park’s Oktoberfest and Harvest Festival. Stop by the Park at LeDroit (3rd and Elm sts., NW) for an afternoon of pumpkin carving, music, dancing, games, a puppy parade, and more. Several food trucks will also be on hand—including Mojo Trucks, Top Dog, Capital Greenz, and DC Slices. Free. 11 AM to 5 PM.

Bring the whole family to the Verizon Center for the Washington International Horse Show’s kids’ day. Budding equestrian champs can ride and groom ponies, get their faces painted, snack on treats from Georgetown Cupcakes, and more. 10 AM to 2 PM.

Sunday, October 30

THEATER: Today is your last chance to catch a showing of Parade at Ford’s Theatre. The Tony Award–winning musical is based on the true story of Leo Frank’s 1913 murder trial. Click here to read our review, and here for our Q and A with one of the stars, Euan Morton. Tickets ($25 to $50) can be purchased through Ticketmaster. 2 PM.

FOOD: Seafood lovers won’t want to miss Addie’s Second Annual Oyster Roast. Guests can devour roasted, fried, shucked, and barbecued bivalves, along with barbecue chicken, chili, roast pig, and other seasonal dishes. Other activities include an oyster-eating competition, a costume contest for kids, pumpkin decorating, and a silent auction. All proceeds will benefit the Washington Nationals Diabetes Care Complex. Tickets can be purchased through the restaurant’s Web site for $50 ($20 for children under 12) or at the door for $60. Noon to 5 PM.

KID-FRIENDLY: Architects in training can create their very own pop-up haunted house at the National Building Museum. Kids can also enjoy treats and ghost stories about the museum. Tickets (free for adults, $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers) can be purchased through the museum’s Web site. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 10 AM to noon.