Things to Do

Last-Minute DC-Area Ideas 5/19-5/22: Bourbon and Bluegrass Festival, Catacombs, and Birthday Parties

Plus, a duck pond disco!

Photograph by Age Barros/iStock/Getty Images Plus.

Hot Washingtonian Summer! 

Hello Neighbor,

Remember to wear your sunscreen! 

 

 So, What Should You Do?

For your convenience, this newsletter includes emojis to help you during these unprecedented times: 

  • The 🛋 indicates an event is happening in-person inside.
  • The 🌲 indicates an event is happening in-person outside. 
  • The đź’» indicates an event is happening virtually. 
  • And lastly, the 🆓 indicates an event is free.  

 

Your Last-Minute Weekend Plans

  1. Celebrating Asian Americans. 🌏💓 Watch an AAPI fashion show (Thurs, $35, 🛋, Logan Circle) at the Instagrammable Hotel Zena. Enjoy a traditional Cambodian performance (Sun, $35, 🌲, Kennedy Center) inspired by “Ramayana”– accompanied by a three-course dinner. Discover central Asia as part of the Silk Road Festival (Sun, 🆓, 🛋, Foggy Bottom). Cheer on your favorite team at the Dragon Boats Festival (Sat, 🆓, 🌲, Georgetown).
  2. Art Events. 🖼 The Dupont ArtWalk invites the public to visit eight neighborhood art galleries (Thurs, 🆓, 🛋, Dupont Circle) after hours for free. Head to a pop-art themed party at the Hirshhorn Ball (Sat, $500+, 🛋, National Mall). In case you missed the EU Open House, the Italian Cultural Institute at the Embassy of Italy has timed passes for a sustainable home goods exhibit (Fri, 🆓, 🛋, Naval Observatory). 
  3. Get outside. 🎻 Take an urban forestry tour (Sat, $37, 🛋, Brightwood) complemented with a cider tasting. Celebrate all things Bloomingdale at a park celebration–accompanied by a huge yard sale and a food festival (Sat, free, 🌲, Bloomingdale). Drink bourbon cocktails and tour Lincoln’s Cottage at the Bourbon and Bluegrass Festival (Sat-Sun, $80, 🌲, Armed Forces Retirement Home). Shop around at the Spring Fling (Sat, 🆓, 🌲, Arlington) or admire rare cars at The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style (Sun, speculating 🆓, 🌲, Old Town Alexandria). Take a trip to Buenos Aires at the Festival Argentino (Sat, $30,  🛋, Arlington). 
  4. A hodgepodge of fun. 🧩 If you enjoy chess, here’s your opportunity to play against a grandmaster (Sat, $30, 🌲, Tysons Corner). Eat cake at the 90th birthday party of Dumbarton House (Thurs, donation, 🛋, Georgetown) or the 1st birthday of the Southwest Library (Thurs, 🆓, 🛋, Waterfront). Enjoy traditional Ukrainian folk melodies at this concert benefit (Sun, $45, 🛋, Capitol Hill). Dance with ducks at this disco party (Fri, 🆓, 🌲, Arlington) or to bachata while eating Dominican Food (Fri, 🆓, 🛋, Fort Lincoln). Have a laugh with me at the Washingtonian Improv Theatre (Sat, $5, 🛋, 14th St.). Learn how to cook collards and kale (Sat, 🆓, 🛋, Anacostia) three ways. 

 

What Is on Our Radar: Underrated Indoor Activities

I know the weather is beautiful outside today, but it will get too hot to be comfortable soon. Here are some underrated ways to beat the heat.

  • Suns Cinema. 🎞 Tucked away in Mount Pleasant, this townhouse-turned-indie movie theater showcases films you probably have never seen. Showings vary by date with a changing theme around each month. 
  • DC Bouldering Project. 🧗‍♀️ For a day pass of $29, you can beat the heat by solving various bouldering walls at the only DC indoor climbing gym. Refuel at the nearby Union Market. 
  • Oldest museum of modern and contemporary Latin American and Caribbean art. 🌎 Nested beside the White House, this art museum highlights the collection of the Organization of American States showcasing pieces from the Western Hemisphere. 
  • Crazy golf. ⛳️ Mini-golf without the humidity, this swanky spot in Dupont even has a food court. If you’re going to drink, I suggest purchasing a package that includes drink tickets to save money. 
  • Head underground…to the catacombs of course. 🤍 TheFranciscan Monastery in Brookland is offering limited guided tours. You can take a self-guided tour, but that won’t give you access to the catacombs. 

 

Your Neighbor,

Jade (@clockoutdc)

Jade Womack is an energy economist by day, and an events blogger by night. She started her blog, Clockout DC, when she was moonlighting as a bartender in 2019. She grew up in Arlington, and currently lives in Adams Morgan with her dog.