THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
MUSIC Memphis blues singer Valerie June’s second album, The Order of Time, continues the gorgeous songwriting in a blend of American styles that she established on her 2013 debut Pushin’ Against a Stone. June performs at the Birchmere with alt-country singer Amythyst Kiah. Tickets $35, 7:30 PM.
BOOKS Fiction writer Ben Loory recently published his second collection of fables and fairy tales, Tales of Falling and Flying. He will read from the book and discuss his imaginative storytelling at Kramerbooks. Free, 6:30 PM.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
THEATER Ford’s Theatre’s production of the Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman opens Friday. The 1949 play challenges the idea of success and the cost of the American Dream. Through October 22. Tickets $20-$62.
MUSIC The 2014 film Selma tells the story of Martin Luther King Jr.’s move to secure equal voting rights and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. The National Symphony Orchestra will play the film’s score as it plays at the Kennedy Center, with composer Jason Moran on piano. The evening will feature a post-show panel discussion with Congressman John Lewis, director Ava DuVernay, Moran, Selma sound editor Greg Hedgepath, and conductor Ryan McAdams. Tickets $24-$89, 8 PM.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
FESTIVAL DC neighborhoods aren’t the only ones hosting festivals this fall; the Merrifield Fall Festival takes place at the Mosaic District. The festival features a pumpkin patch, food vendors and a beer garden, craft vendors, and activities for children. Free, 11 AM to 6 PM.
THEATER The Keegan Theatre’s production of Stones In His Pockets opens this weekend. The tragicomedy centers around a small town in Ireland whose townspeople are all extras in a big Hollywood movie; the cast is two actors who play all 15 characters in the play, with quick role changes and minimal costume changes. Through October 15. Tickets $30-$45.
BEER While some local beer festivals are geared toward introducing visitors to craft beer, Snallygaster at Yards Park is aimed at beer aficionados, with a good balance of local breweries (Bluejacket, Right Proper) and out-of-market ones (Hill Famstead, Jester King, Port/Lost Abbey). The festival will feature more than 400 different beers, plus food trucks and music from the Pietasters and more. Tickets $35, 1 PM.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
ZOO The Smithsonian’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration kicks off at the Zoo with ZooFiesta. The event will feature live music, talks about conservation in Central and South America, and demonstrations with animals native to the regions. Free, 11 AM to 4 PM.
STATE FAIR DC is not a state, but that doesn’t stop it from having a state fair. The 8th annual showcase of DC’s agricultural and creative talents takes place at Waterfront Station in Southwest DC. The DC State Fair holds unique competitions specific to the District—best pupusas, mumbo sauce, and Double Dutch jumpers—as well as a Sloppy Joe-eating contest and a pet parade. Free, 11 AM to 8 PM.
BEER Lost Lagers is teaching a Historical Homebrewing Class with a focus on Oktoberfest, amber, and other lagers, at the Hill Center. Beer experts and historians Michael Stein and Peter Jones will run through the historical recipes from Bavaria, Vienna, and America with a series of beers for sampling. Tickets (includes homebrewing ingredients) Tickets $85, 11 AM.
COMEDY Stand-up comic Jen Kirkman is a regular on Chelsea Lately and has narrated a few episodes of the sketch series Drunk History. She’s released several albums and a New York Times-bestselling book I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales From a Happy Life Without Kids. Her new stand-up tour, The “All New Material, Girl” Tour 2017, stops at the Howard Theatre. Tickets $22.50-$40, 8 PM.
