THURSDAY, JUNE 22
DANCE The Chamber Dance Project presents “Ballet, Brass & Song” on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at Sidney Harman Hall. The performances will feature the world premiere of Songs by Cole, a ballet with a live jazz trio performing Cole Porter’s music, along with several other dance performances accompanied by brass, jazz, and chamber musicians. $30 to $45, 7:30 PM (Thursday) and 8 PM (Friday and Saturday).
MUSIC The music of John Williams has appeared in too many legendary films to count, from Star Wars to Harry Potter to E.T. The NSO Pops series is featuring Williams’ music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall. In honor of the 40th anniversary of Star Wars, the second half of the program will feature that series’ music. $24 to $99, 7 PM (Thursday) and 8 PM (Friday and Saturday).
BOOKS Politics & Prose is launching a new book series starting this Thursday, featuring local book critic Bethanne Patrick, aka The Book Maven. The series, called “The Uncorked Reading Series”, will feature monthly book discussions over locally sourced dishes, craft beers, and New World wine. The first installment will focus on the works of Richard Russo, including his new book of stories, Trajectory. Free, 8 PM.
FRIDAY, JUNE 23
DANCE The Bowen McCauley Dance Company is hosting its 21st Season Adieu! at the Signature Theatre on Friday and Saturday nights. The performances feature a world premiere, Le Café Carambole, as well as a trio piece recently commissioned by the National Chamber Ensemble and a piece performed by guest artist Ilana Goldman in honor of the 100th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s birth. 8 PM, $40 to $100.
FILM The US Holocaust Memorial Museum is screening the documentary Trezoros: The Lost Jews of Kastoria on Friday afternoon. The film tells the story of Kastoria, Greece, where Jews and Christians lived together for millennia, even when Axis forces took control of the city in 1940. When Italy surrendered to the Allies in 1943, Germany took over the city. The documentary uses archival footage that is now in the Museum’s collection. Free, 2 PM.
SATURDAY, JUNE 24
FESTIVAL The 6th annual Vine on the Waterfront Food & Wine Festival will be held on Saturday at Old Town’s Oronoco Bay Park. The festival, formerly known as Alexandria’s Food and Wine Festival, features tastings by a number of local restaurants and wineries, as well as shopping with local artisans and activities for children including a moonbounce. Free to attend (tickets for tastings available on-site), noon-6 PM.
BEER The NoVa Summer Brew Fest at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville is a great introduction to craft beer and a way to sample beers by a ton of local/regional breweries. The Fest, which runs on both Saturday and Sunday, features nearly 50 breweries and cideries, as well as vendors and artisans. $35 (includes 6 tasting tickets), 11 AM.
MUSEUMS The Smithsonian American Art Museum is hosting an afternoon tribute to JFK as part of its annual America Now series in the Kogod Courtyard. Washington Ballet’s dancers will perform a newly-commissioned work entitled Who When Why, and a multimedia performance featuring the band Liner Notes will include poetry and videos. Free, 4-7 PM.
SUNDAY, JUNE 25
MUSIC Indie-rock songwriter Jason Molina passed away in 2013 at the age of 39, leaving behind the legacy of nearly two decades of releases from his bands Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co. In honor of the recently published biography Jason Molina: Riding with the Ghost, the original members of Magnolia Electric Co. are reuniting for a handful of tour dates as Songs: Molina – A Memorial Electric Co., to pay tribute to the songs from Molina’s career. The band will perform at the Rock & Roll Hotel on Sunday night. $15, 8 PM.
FOOD The 12th Annual Crab Cake Competition pits 8 chefs against one another to earn the title of the best crab cake in DC (and a $1,500 check). Tickets to the event at Ivy City SmokeHouse include a sample of each of the crab cakes, a voting token, and unlimited beer, wine, and oysters. $85, noon.
