While it’s difficult to believe, not everyone is 21+. The not yet a girl/boy, not yet a woman/man people deserve to have fun. Here’s a useful guide to the weekend fun for all the 18-20 year-old people. Fun fact: you don’t have to be 18-20 to enjoy these things!
Taste Talks D.C. – ($20, 6:30 pm) Come see local food scene celebs (like the co-founder of Union Kitchen) chat about what it’s like to break into the culinary business. Don’t eat beforehand — there will be food provided by Founding Farmers, District Doughnut, Luke’s Lobster Bites and more.
The Anecdote Storytelling Night – (Free, 7:00 pm) D.C. furniture store Room and Board is offering an “event of modern storytelling,” hosted by editor of People’s District Danny Harris. RSVP here and bring some school supplies to donate.
Heems @ U Street Music Hall – ($15, 7:00 pm) Check out rapper Heems, performing at U Street Music Hall. Some may know him for his involvement in the alt-hip hop group Das Racist. He’s hoping to release his first solo album later this year (title: Eat, Pray, Thug).
Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea – ($20, 6:00 pm) Source, a D.C. arts festival showcasing new talent around the District, will be showing a brand-new original play about a boy who hopes to find information on his ancestor, who was lost in the Middle Passage. Sounds dark and artsy.
Story League Story Contest @ Busboys & Poets – ($15, 8:30 pm) Are you great at telling stories? Do you talk with your hands? Busboys & Poets is hosting a storytelling contest, where contestants must devise a true personal story based around the theme “stinky.” Winner gets $150.
Tweens @ Black Cat – ($12, 8:00 pm) Head to the Black Cat for a performance by Cincinnati band Tweens, a three-piece pop group with catchy, upbeat, danceable tunes. Actual tweens attending the show will have to bring a parent along to attend.
A-trak @ 9:30 Club – ($25, 7:00 pm) A-trak, aka Alain Macklovitch, has been described as “the DJ’s DJ.” He toured with Kanye West, and his label Fool’s Gold has worked Kid Sister and Lupe Fiasco. See him at the 9:30 Club with Salva, Alex Young, and Royal.
The Dog @ AFI Silver Theatre – ($11, 3:45 pm) AFI Silver Theatre is screening The Dog, a documentary on the real story behind Sidney Lumet’s 1975 film Dog Day Afternoon. The documentary focuses on the true-life events that inspired the classic film and the state of New York’s LGBT rights movement in the 70’s.
Happy Days by Samuel Beckett – ($35, 7:30 pm) Samuel Beckett wrote Waiting for Godot. He wrote other plays too, including this one. If you’re into surreal avant-garde theatre, you should definitely check this out. There’s a woman buried in dirt, you won’t want to miss it.
Free Outdoor Movies – Summer Fridays in D.C. mean heaps of free outdoor movies to choose from. Always a good thing. Go, take a friend, see some cute dogs, and pack a big picnic dinner.
- Man of Steel @ Mosaic Films in the Park
- Thank You For Smoking @ Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival
- Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde @ Golden Cinema Series
Free Outdoor Shakespeare – (Free, 7:00 pm) The Fat and Greasy Citizens Brigade is putting on a free outdoor performance of the bard’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” Show up at 7:00 pm and bring snacks and blankets. Show starts at 8:00 pm.
Bonerama – ($20, 7:00 pm) Ignore the funny name and focus on the funky music. Bonerama comes from New Orleans and the city has influenced their sound. Think brass band mixed with rock band. You won’t want to miss them.
An Honest Liar – ($11, 4:30 pm) Goethe Institut Washington presents the film An Honest Liar, a documentary about former magician James “The Amazing” Randi. Dedicated to entertaining the masses, he decides to use his gifts of perception to expose frauds and con artists.
Lowland Hum @ DC9 – ($12, 6:00 pm) Husband/wife duo Daniel and Lauren Goans make up Lowland Hum, a group dedicated to giving listeners their music as a whole multi-sensory experience.
Kwaidan @ Spooky Action Theater – ($35, 7:00 pm) Get weird at this live performance of a book on Japanese ghost stories. “Kwaidan” means “weird tales” in Japanese. According to the website, the show will require attendees to “move and stand frequently.” Be prepared.
Safeway National BBQ Battle – ($15, 11:00 am) The region’s biggest barbecue festival is this weekend. Go for live music, free samples, chef demonstrations, and freebies from the Nutella food truck, which will be parked at the event Saturday and Sunday.
Roy Hargrove @ The Hamilton Live – ($35, 6:30 pm) Hear award-winning jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove play at The Hamilton. The man has two Grammys. He is good.
DCTV Community Day Festival – (Free, 12:00 pm) Visit the historic Brooks Mansion for a free, all-day festival featuring food trucks, live music, comedy acts, face painting, and, most importantly, a MOON BOUNCE.
Bronx Obama @ The National Portrait Gallery – ($14, 11:00 am) Louis Ortiz is Bronx Obama, an Obama impersonator and professional look-alike. See this strange but probably very interesting documentary on who he is, what he does, and why.
Chubby Carrier @ The Hamilton Live – ($20, 7:30 pm) Chubby Carrier comes from a long line of Louisiana musicians. His style of music is zydeco, which is a hot blend of Cajun, blues, and R&B. After touring the world with Terrance Siemen for two years, Carrier came back to the states and formed his own band. See his unique style of music live at The Hamilton.
Xavier Rudd feat. Ash Grunwald @ The 9:30 Club – ($25, 7:00 pm) Australian musician Xavier Rudd combines tons of wacky Aussie instruments in his set. Think didgeridoos rigged up to drum sets and stomp boxes all over the place. He’ll be playing with Ash Grunwald, a blues player from the same region.
Taj Mahal Trio @The Howard Theatre – ($50, 8:00 pm) Sunday night got you singing the blues? Sing them with Taj Mahal Trio. Founded by multi-instrumentalist Taj Mahal, the group plays classic blues/roots music. Depressing music to fit your depressing end-of-weekend mood.
Mary Poppins Double Feature @ Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center – (Free, 7:00 pm) End your weekend on a good note with a double Disney feature under the stars. Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center is screening Mary Poppins and Saving Mister Banks back-to-back.