The To Do List

image by Brunch Girl on Flickr

As summer comes to a weary close, and folks are gearing up for one last bash over Labor Day, there’s no doubt that this weekend is not the greatest for going out. Fortunately, a couple standouts, not the least a Capitol Hill bike adventure as well as the first DC State Fair, promise to give us something to do, anyway.

The weekend starts quietly on Friday at the National Gallery’s Sculpture garden with one of the last Jazz in the Garden’s for the year. Miles Stiebel, a smooth jazz violinist, will be offering his music there from 5:00 to 8:30 pm.

If you need something a little…louder, the US Army Band will be playing on the West Front of the Capitol Building the same night. Since they don’t start until 8:00 PM, you can actually make both events, if you are one of the five people on this planet who appreciate both smooth jazz and martial music.

On Saturday, it’s time to get a little more active with Hill and Go Seek. Grab a spouse, or a friend, or just someone who looks good in bicycle togs, saddle up and ride past ten points of interest on the Hill. At each stop, a task (or trick) will have to be performed. Those earning the most points can win all sorts of neat prizes, including t-shirts, memberships, and gift certificates. Sign up at the link, then head to Eastern Market Metro plaza at 5:00 PM on Saturday for the starting gun.

Or, of course you can spend the day at the Lincoln Memorial, listening to Glenn Beck and his ilk. If so, (or if you have visitors from out of town for the event) please read what our own Tim Krepp had to say to the tea partiers.

If Beck and Palin aren’t your speed, you can also join the folks from DCVote, as they offer a counter-protest. They will be starting at 11:00 AM at Dunbar High (1301 NJ Avenue NW) and marching to the MLK memorial at 1:00 PM.

If you’re not looking for confrontation, and would rather spend the day eating superfluous calories, you can try the Columbia Heights Day which includes, for the first time, the DC State Fair. After all, why shouldn’t DC have its own fair? On Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM at the Harriet Tubman Elementary School (11th and Kenyon NW) there will be a dog show, live music, and even a cupcake eating contest. More information here.

Sunday? Well, if you’re not entirely exhausted already, there’s a great free option. That afternoon, the Shakespeare Theatre Company will give an open rehearsal of their upcoming production of All’s Well That Ends Well. There will be three seatings, at 2:30, 4:00, and 5:30. See how they make it all happen at the Lansburgh Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW. More information 202-547-1122 or at their website.