Things to Do

Things to Do in DC this Week (August 1-3): Karaoke Competitions, Pinball Contests, Pokemon Go Parties

Monologist Mike Daisey goes deep (and critical) on the Donald in "Trump Card" at Woolly Mammoth Theatre.

MONDAY, AUGUST 1

KARAOKE Watch as some of the area’s best wannabe rock stars compete in District Karaoke’s City-Wide Finals at Penn Social. Hearing the words “karaoke competition” may conjure up thoughts of bachelorette parties stumbling through “Don’t Stop Believin’” after one too many vodka sodas, but think of this one more like a night with the cast members of “Glee,” complete with costumes, props, and songs in every genre imaginable. Attendees can vote for their favorite performance to crown the winner of the Popular Vote. Free, 7 PM

GAMES Pinball wizards can show off their stuff at Replay Hangover, a pinball tournament at Black Cat hosted by Fil Baird, a member of the International Flipper Pinball Association. It’s a head-to-head, four-strike tournament, with the loser of each bout receiving a strike. Interested participants should come around 6 p.m when doors open to register. Free, 7:30 PM

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2

BOOKS Author, internet curmudgeon, and bird lover Jonathan Franzen is in conversation with journalist Marcela Valdes at Sixth & I to discuss his fifth novel, Purity, which Showtime is turning into a TV series. The book follows a twentysomething girl named Purity who’s searching for her biological father while also weaving through big issues like nuclear warfare and government surveillance. $20, 7 PM

THEATER Controversial monologist Mike Daisey tackles a controversial politician in The Trump Card at Woolly Mammoth Theatre. Daisey explores just how Trump because Trump by chronicling the mogul’s life while also juxtaposing “the Donald’s story alongside the evolution of the American oligarchy and the rise of dark money.” Through August 7. $20-$80, 8 PM

FILMS Great Scott! Back to the Future comes to the Carnegie Library as part of Events DC and Washington City Paper’s Summer Cinema Series. Bring a blanket, some snacks, and, of course, 1.21 gigawatts. Free, 6:30 PM

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3

POKEMON Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse is capitalizing on its two Pokemon Go PokeStops by throwing a Pokemon Pokestop Meetup featuring a showing of Pokémon: The First Movie, a pizza and chicken wing buffet, prizes, and the chance to meet fellow Poketrainers—who says playing app games make us antisocial? Free admission for Pokemon trainers, $10 for Buffet; 5:30 PM

BEER The craft brew aficionados over at 14th street’s ChurchKey are celebrating the fourth anniversary of Baltimore’s Union Craft Brewing by showcasing 19 of their unique creations, including a limited-release sour called Pink Flamingo and five different specialty casks brought out exclusively for the evening. Coming thirsty is necessary. 5 PM