THURSDAY, JULY 16
MUSIC: Get footloose with Kevin Bacon, who’s taking a break from Hollywood and visiting the Birchmere with his older brother, Michael. The two form the Bacon Brothers duo; Kevin writes and sings, while Michael strums the cello and guitar. 7:30 PM, $39.50.
MUSIC: Potomac-native Maggie Rose left Washington to pursue her passion: country music. Now, she’s coming back home for a performance at 9:30 Club. “I’ve finally cut out a place for myself as an artist that is unique and real,” she says on her website. 7 PM, $25.
FRIDAY, JULY 17
COMEDY: Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg steps away from the View and makes her way to the Kennedy Center for a one-night only show. 8 PM, $55 to $125.
DRINK: Release your inner dweb at Nat Geo Nerd Nite. Stop by National Geographic for a happy hour involving Dogfish Head beers and grub from DC food trucks–all set within the museum’s Indiana Jones and Monster Fish exhibits. The night continues with a presentation by journalists, conservationists, and photographers. 6 PM, $15.
SATURDAY, JULY 18
MUSIC: It’s time to spice things up with some Salt-N-Pepa. The Grammy Award-winning female rap duo is sure to “Push It” and “Shoop” across the stage at the Howard Theater. 8 PM, $39.50 to $75.
EAT: Ice cream fans, this one’s for you. More than 15 different creameries come together at Union Market for DC Scoop, a celebration of ice cream sandwiches, gelato, popsicles, and even root bear floats. And, yes, there will be complimentary samples. 1 to 4 PM, free.
SUNDAY, JULY 19
MUSIC: Music legend Patti LaBelle brings her one-of-a-kind vocals to Wolf Trap. Surely, there will be dancing: LaBelle’s been known to kick off her shoes and get down on stage. 8 PM, $30 to $65.
SPORTS: It’s Star Wars day over at Nationals Park. Fans are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters and take in the “photo stations, themed face painters, roving characters,” and enough on-theme food to fill a Bantha. Bonus: The team will give R2-D2-shaped beer koozies to the first 25,000 nerds through the gate. 1:35 PM.
Correction: An earlier version of this post made reference to “Trekkie-themed grub,” a misplaced reference to the Star Trek franchise. Star Trek should never be blended with the Star Wars canon. So say we all.
