The To Do List

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There are far too many drippy dog days of summer between Grand Slam tennis matches. World class tennis practically demands you sit on your bum on the couch, in the lovely air conditioning with something civilized like a gin & tonic in hand.  And of course there is the added pleasure of seeing what those divas the Williams girls are wearing now, and (ahem) how well Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal wear whatever gear they’ve selected.  But the Grand Slam doesn’t resume until August at the US Open, so we, my friends, have to find some things to do. First among those would be procuring tickets to DC’s very own Legg-Mason tournament, staring July 30, and procuring the prescription-strength antiperspirant needed to truly enjoy Rock Creek Park in late July.For those feeling sporty, have you ever wanted to try aikido? Now’s your chance, thanks to the non-profit Capitol Hill Aikikai, which is holding free classes on Thursday nights from 7:30-9:00pm at the Parish of St. Monica & St. James, 222 8th Street, NE. There are also classes on Mondays.

If the Presidents’ tweetfest this week made you feel a bit nostalgic for the administration’s early days, you’ll enjoy the reception and film screening ($10) of Bigger than the Beatles at the Corner Store on Thursday at 7 p.m. Producer/Director Charles Krezell and David Minckler will be on hand to discuss the film and that crazy week before Obama’s inauguration.

It’s Capital Fringe Festival time in Washington, and while most of the action is in Gallery Place, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop is our local outpost for punk theatre. Can an extravagant director and clueless bunch of classical actors produce an eco-friendly farce in an hour and save the world?  Find out when the Capital City Players of DC present 70 Million Tons Thursdays-Saturdays July 8 through 23 at 7:30 p.m. ($18).

It’s the height of outdoor free concert season and, as always, Marvelous Market will be entertaining guests in their garden with live music from 5-7 p.m on Friday.  I wouldn’t hold it against you if you snapped up some gelato at Pitango and finished it off with some Marvelous savory treats. Sweet then savory is always tastier. At the Yards Park, also on Friday, strains of reggae will waft across the water as Jah Works performs from 6-8 p.m.

For a more active music appreciation, there’s the regular free tango práctica at CHAW from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday. It’s an open free event for dancers of all levels and ages for all age levels.

You can always count on the Atlas for variety — extreme variety. Where else could you watch My Beautiful Laundrette, ET, Dreamgirls, and Spike Lee’s 4 Little Girls over the course of one weekend? Take your pick of free flicks as part of their summer film series.  Prefer a live performance? Check out local hip hop dance company DCypher Dance as their high energy show Ascension takes the stage on Saturday at 8 p.m.

For a more refined setting and music that’s, ahem, a bit older, take in the Capitol Hill Chamber Musical Festival’s An Elizabethan Consort, Sunday, 7:30 p.m. at St Mark’s Episcopal Church ($20.)

Do take note that the wide majority of of these eclectic events are inside. Refrigeration: oh how we love you!