THURSDAY, JUNE 2
THEATER: Poet, storyteller, and DC resident Jeremy Garcon reads from his latest emotionally-packed book, Boy I Adore, for Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Happenings Happy Hour at the Harman Center for the Arts. Enjoy a complimentary drink during the reading, and afterwards take advantage of the artisans in the lobby selling handmade goods and food. Free, 6 PM
EXHIBITION: “The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great” opened this week at National Geographic Museum and runs until October 9. The exhibition’s two headlining heroes of Greek conquest certainly command attention, along with other featured Grecian legends such as Homer and Socrates. But with 500-plus artifacts spanning 5,000 years, the real insight to be gained is from the scraps left by the anonymous lives that made up everyday life there: an Athenian athlete, a Mycenae priestess, an Iron Age warrior. See what real life was like in the time of odysseys in the largest exhibit of Greek history to reach North America in 25 years. $15.
MUSIC: The hardscrabble life of R&B/funk singer Charles Bradley can be heard in his scratchy, soulful voice—an anguished tone that tells tales of homelessness, violence, and calamity. The now 67-year-old was moonlighting as a James Brown impersonator a few years ago when he was discovered by the cofounder of Daptone Records and launched a late career that has so far produced three albums and landed “the Screaming Eagle of Soul” in the number-one slot of Paste magazine’s best live acts of 2015. See him at 9:30 on Thursday. $25, 7 PM.
MUSIC: Armed with four guitarists, an energetic, in-your-face sound and an incredibly silly name, garage punk group Diarrhea Planet play the Black Cat tonight. The show’s presented by Oskar Blue Brewery, and a portion of your ticket will go toward disaster relief organization CAN’d Aid. $12, 7:30 PM.
FRIDAY, JUNE 3
FOOD AND MUSIC: Brian McPherson, chef at Hotel Monaco Alexandria’s restaurant Jackson 20, is raising money for the No Kid Hungry project with go-go music and southern cuisine. The Jackson 20 A Go-Go has all the culinary favorites—roasted pig, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, and McPherson’s much-loved Rufus chicken sandwich—as well as live tunes by the Backyard Band (you may have heard their excellent cover of “Hello” by Adele). $35, 5 PM.
BIKE PARTY: Get your Pride on with DC Bike Party and Capital Pride for a celebratory Pride Ride across the city. Get decked out in your most festive gear as you make your way from Dupont Circle to NoMa’s Wunder Garten for an after-party of drinks, games, and dancing. Free, 7:30 PM.
TV: After years of turning down TV offers, the country’s best music venue is finally coming to your living room with 12 one-hour episodes with “Live at 9:30” on WMPT. The “variety show” features performances by Garbage, Tove Lo, and Ibeyi (among many, many others); standup from Hannibal Buress; and cameos by Bob Boilen of NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concerts,” Henry Rollins, and more—all without getting beer spilled on your shoes. 9 PM.
SATURDAY, JUNE 4
FESTIVAL: The 12-and-under set get their own summer festival with Imagination Bethesda in downtown Bethesda. Even the most hyperactive attention spans should be occupied by the variety of activities, including face-painting, puppet-making, drum-circling, and door-knocker-decorating. Children’s entertainers—maybe you’ve overheard a sing-along from Mr. Jon and Friends or Rocknoceros—perform live. Free, 10 AM.
FESTIVAL: It’s finally starting to feel like summer, just in time for Summerfest at the Half Street Fairgrounds. Stop by on Saturday or Sunday to sample more than 100 craft beers. $40-$70, 12 PM.
SUNDAY, JUNE 5
CONVENTION: Comic lovers and fans of all things nerdy would be remiss if they didn’t spend at least part of the weekend at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for Awesome Con. The local event, which celebrates “all aspects of geekdom and pop culture, with a wide assortment of comic books, collectibles, toys, games, original art, cosplay, and more,” will hold contests, tournaments, and discussion panels with guests ranging from Adam West to Bill Nye. $35-$75, 10 AM.
STREET FAIR: Previously postponed due to the buckets of rain pouring down on DC all last month, the 11th annual Fiesta Asia Street Fair will take place on Pennsylvania Avenue today. Experience the cultures of the more than 20 represented Pan-Asian cultures with live performances, food, crafts, and a parade. Free, 10 AM.
