Thursday, September 4
CRAFTS: The American Art Museum hosts its every-once-in-a-while Handi-Hour night, this time with a comic book theme. Reps from Fantom Comics will show you how to put together a comic (with all the “thwap” and “pow” bubbles your heart desires) and some other comics-related crafts. Greg Engert chooses some craft beer to go along with the theme, and local musicians FarAway will perform. Tickets ($20) are available online and include two drinks. 5:30 PM.
FILM: Well, summer missed the memo that it was supposed to go away, didn’t it? American University is taking advantage of that fact with French Films on the Green. Tonight, the university screens Tout Est Pardonné (All Is Forgiven), about a teenage girl who sets out to find her biological father 11 years after he left her and her mother. Free. 8 PM.
Friday, September 5
ART: At Hillyer Art Space’s First Fridays party, the gallery opens three new exhibits, including solo efforts from Rachel Schmidt (drawings depicting the future, and an interactive installation) and Michele Montalbano (an exhibition all about Babel), and a group exhibition selected by the Hillyer Artist Advisory Committee. The artists will be around, and there’ll be snacks and drinks. $5. 6 PM.
VARIETY: Black Cat hosts Circus-a-Go-Go, a variety show featuring the “human noodle,” a strongman, burlesque dancers, a Hula Hooping expert, and other oddities and circus acts for you gawk at. Tickets ($12) are available online. 9 PM.
DANCE: U Street Music Hall hosts Jamie XX of, well the XX. When he spins solo, he plays dubstep, house, and other futuristic tunes that’ll keep you on the dance floor. Tickets ($20) are available online. 10 PM.
Saturday, September 6
SHOP: When the Kennedy Center has a sidewalk sale, you should probably check it out—who knows what they have to sell. Also present will be the International Spy Museum, Friends of the National Zoo, the Shakespeare Theatre Company, and several other museums from around the city. Free. 10 AM to 5 PM.
FOOD TRUCKS: You eat at food trucks all the time, but which ones are the best? You can check out the Ultimate Food Truck Guide in our September issue—or take a trip to the Curbside Cookoff awards. There’ll be a live cookoff between all your favorite trucks, plus separate awards. It’s like the Grammys for food that comes on four wheels. $5. 11 AM to 7 PM at First and M streets, Northeast.
OYSTERS: Union Market is hosting the DC Oyster Fest at its Dock 5 space. Your ticket includes six oysters, a glass of beer or wine, and the chance to watch or participate in an oyster-eating contest, a shucking contest, and oyster-themed arts and crafts. There’ll be live bluegrass music, and all the usual suspects will participate. Tickets ($20) are available online. Noon.
BIKE: Two wheels good, four wheels bad: That’s the thinking at Two Wheel Worship, a celebration of all forms of alternative transportation—bikes, mopeds, motorcycles, etc. There’ll be games, photo booths, races, food, a bar, and live music. Best of all, it’s free and lasts all day. 3 to 10 PM.
BAR CRAWL: There aren’t too many true “dives” in DC, but the Keep Summer A’Dive bar crawl is trying to find them. The crawl hits the Pinch, Red Derby, Looking Glass, Wonderland, and Bravo Bar. Admission gets you drink specials at each, and proceeds benefit Team RWB, a charity that supports veterans. Tickets ($17) are available online. 3 to 11 PM.
Sunday, September 7
FILM: The DC Chinese Film Festival comes to town with 31 screenings across four days. To close things out, the festival is screening The Silk Road of Pop, a film that follows the Xianjiang region’s dynamic pop music scene as it undergoes a massive population change. After the film, there’s a closing reception and awards ceremony. Tickets ($20) are available online. 3:45 PM at the Naval Heritage Center.
ART: Hillyer partners with the 5×5 Project to bring you Ceremonies of Dark Men, which explores the image of black men in America. Five artists have put up billboards around the city focused on the topic, and five poets have partnered with them to expand on the works. At the opening reception, you’ll get a chance to check out photos of the billboards, and the poets will perform their pieces. Free. 2 PM.
Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter.
