Things to Do

Best Things to Do in the DC Area 5/31-6/5: Pride, Neighborhood Festivals, and Awesome CON

Plus free admission to museums!

Photograph by nktwentythree/ iStock / Getty Images Plus.

Happy Pride!

Hello, neighbor.

There’s a heatwave in town! Stay hydrated!Ā 

Ā 

So, What Should You Do May 31 – June 5?

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

  • The šŸ›‹ indicates an event is happening in-person inside.
  • The 🌲 indicates an event is happening in-person outside.Ā 
  • The šŸ’» indicates an event is happening virtually.Ā 
  • And lastly, the šŸ†“ indicates an event is free.

Ā 

Top 5 Picks of the Week

1. Pride. šŸ³ļøā€šŸŒˆšŸ³ļøā€šŸŒˆšŸ³ļøā€šŸŒˆĀ Ā 

  • Parties and get-togethers. šŸŽ‰Ā There are a few parties this weekend, such as a Queer Prom (Sat, šŸ†“, šŸ›‹, Adams Morgan) and BENT: Pride Month Kickoff (Sat, $25, šŸ›‹, Shaw), and BloominGay’s Pride in the Park (Sat, $30, 🌲, Bloomingdale).Ā 
  • Festivals and celebrations. šŸ» Additionally, celebrate Pride at the release party of Pride Plis (Thurs, šŸ†“ entry, 🌲, Navy Yard) or the Queer Beer Festival (Fri-Sat, $65+, šŸ›‹ /🌲, Wharf). There’s also the 5th Annual Alexandria Pride kick-off event (Sat, šŸ†“, šŸ›‹, Alexandria).Ā 
  • Crafting and art events. 🧶 For some Pride-forward crafting, consider aĀ cross-stitch class (Sun, $40, šŸ›‹, Union Market) or an embroidery class (Sun, $50, šŸ›‹, Georgetown). Families may be interested in visiting the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Pride Family Day (Sat, šŸ†“, šŸ›‹, Penn Quarter). Additionally, there’s an opening reception for the Dupont Underground exhibit ā€œThe Gender Within: The Art of Identityā€ (Fri, $10, šŸ›‹, Dupont Circle).Ā Ā 

2. A chance to explore some neighborhoods. šŸš²šŸš¶ā€ā™‚ļøšŸ–¼ This Saturday, Seventh Street NW will be closed from Pennsylvania Avenue to Florida Avenue as part of open streets (Sat, šŸ†“, 🌲, variety of neighborhoods). Additionally, the Annual Dupont Kalorama Museum Walk (Sat & Sun, šŸ†“, šŸ›‹, Dupont & Kalorama) returns. The museum walk includes admission šŸ†“ to Dumbarton House, Woodrow Wilson House, the Phillips Collection, Anderson House, the National Museum of Jewish American Military History, and Dupont Underground.

3. Romanian Film Festival. šŸ‡·šŸ‡“šŸ‡·šŸ‡“šŸ‡·šŸ‡“ Explore Romanian film all month long at this šŸ†“ festival. Curated by Romanian film critic Mihai Fulger, it includes 12 features released during the pandemic and offers viewers a better understanding of the Eastern European psyche via various Q&As with directors (starts Fri, šŸ†“, šŸ›‹, Barracks Row).

4. A few more festivals. šŸŒŽšŸ¦®šŸ‡®šŸ‡³šŸŒ­

  • Join the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs for DC Afro Latino Fest (Sun, šŸ†“, 🌲, Columbia Heights). This celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month event will feature cultural performances and live music.
  • Have some summer fun full of face painting, dancing, and raffle prizes at the Uptown Shuffle, part of Cleveland Park’s Construction Fest. (Sun, šŸ†“, 🌲, Cleveland Park).Ā 
  • Planet Bethesda happens this weekend, including a ā€œkids’ korner,ā€ a biergarten, music, a canine courtyard, and family fun (Sun, šŸ†“ entry, 🌲, Bethesda).
  • Head to the Textile Museum for an Indian Art and Culture Family Day (Sat, šŸ†“, šŸ›‹, Foggy Bottom). The event, cosponsored by the Embassy of India, will include scavenger hunts, embroidery, block printing, and gallery tours of the exhibit ā€œIndian Textiles: 1,000 Years of Art and Design.ā€

5. Simu Liu. Kit Harrington. Melissa Joan Hart. šŸ‘½šŸ’„šŸ¦øā€ā™€ļø DC’s Awesome CON (Fri-Sun, $, šŸ›‹) returns this weekend, filled with various meet-ups (’90s!, Marvel, Doctor Who, Star Trek, and more!), video games, a LGBTQ+ Pride Alley, and opportunities to meet your favorite stars. For those in cosplay, there’s aĀ cinematic photography workshop at the Eaton (Sat, šŸ†“, šŸ›‹, Downtown).

 

Ā Everything Else This Week

  • Outdoor movie season. šŸŽžšŸŒŒ There are a few films this week, including Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Tues, šŸ†“, 🌲, Adams Morgan), Space Jam (Wed, šŸ†“, 🌲, NoMa), Spider-Man: No Way Home (Thurs, šŸ†“, 🌲, Navy Yard), and Midway (Thurs, šŸ†“, 🌲, Navy Memorial).
  • Everyone is a foodie. šŸ¹ Discover new cocktails at aĀ sugar-cube cocktail class (Fri, $60, šŸ›‹, Alexandria), a tiki pop-up at Morris American Bar (ongoing, $, šŸ›‹, Convention Center), or at aĀ cocktail book signing (Thurs, $, šŸ›‹, 14th St). Head to an urban farm and enjoy aĀ sustainable-cooking class (Thurs, $25+, 🌲, Shaw) or a Shavuot Feast cooking class (Wed, šŸ†“, šŸ’») from home. There’s also a natural-wine party (Sat, $55+, šŸ›‹, Park View).
  • Free fitness. šŸƒšŸ»ā€ā™€ļø Make new friends at this evening of fitness—there’s an optional 3-mile run or 2-mile walk, a free yoga class, and a complimentary cocktail from Yours Truly (Wed, šŸ†“, šŸ›‹/🌲, West End).
  • It’s a doggy dog world. 🦮 Celebrate all things dog with a Paws on the Plaza party—featuring a dog park, a splash pad, pet vendors, a beer garden, and more (Sat, šŸ†“, 🌲, Tysons Corner).
  • Fun art events. šŸŽØ Varsha Suresh will debut her first solo exhibit, ā€œKurukku Vazhiā€ (Sat, šŸ†“, šŸ›‹ , 14th St). Additionally, the Line hotel will host an art installation, ā€œSustain,ā€ and a series of short films (Fri, šŸ†“, šŸ›‹, Adams Morgan).
  • Bans Off Bodies. šŸ’ž Raise money for Planned Parenthood at the Bartenders Against Bans (Wed, šŸ†“ entry, šŸ›‹, Downtown) cocktail fundraiser. Sixth & I will host a lecture regarding Judaism and abortions (Thurs, $12, šŸ’»).
  • Ballet on the plaza? 🩰 This week, the Washington Ballet (Thurs-Sat, šŸ†“, 🌲, City Center) will have šŸ†“ outdoor performances as part of its Dance for All series.
  • Disney trivia. šŸ°Ā When you wish upon a star, you might win this themed trivia (Thurs, šŸ†“, šŸ›‹, Ivy City).
  • Getting crafty. šŸŽØ Residents of Wards 7 and 8 are invited to take a lotus-painting workshop (Sat, šŸ†“, 🌲, Kenilworth) at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. The Anacostia Community Museum will host a knitting/crocheting Craftism Circle (Sat, šŸ†“, šŸ›‹, Anacostia).

 

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.