Saturday is the annual H Street Festival. You have been warned.
Hey! It is last official weekend of summer according to the calendar. We already can’t wear white and soon the approaching Polar Vortexes (Vortexi??) will force us into hibernation. Get out there! [The plural is “vortices.” I totally had to look it up. –MHC]
This afternoon stop by Maketto at 3:30 for a cupping (coffee tasting with Chris Vigilante, the founder of Vigilante Coffee which runs the coffee portion of the Maketto operation.
Tonight get out of your head and get mindful at East City Books. Author, meditation and mindfulness instructor Cynthia Kane has taken the four elements of right speech and developed them into a modern practice based on mindful listening, mindful speech, and mindful silence. She will discussing her new book How to Communicate Like a Buddhist. The reading begins at 6:30 and is free. Let them know you are coming and learn more here.
Friday at 8pm at the Atlas Performing Arts Center storyteller and performer Tom Howell presents Steampunk Stories.The show is a multimedia event about the adventures of four people on an airship. The blurb does not mention top hats but I assume there will be at least one. Tickets are $18-$20. Get yours here.
Congressional Cemetery hosts its final Cinematery (Outdoor movie screening) of the Bette Davis and Joan Crawford camp classic Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. The gates open at 6:30 and the movie begins at 7:30. Bring snacks, chairs and drinks. A $10 donation is suggested.
Gallery O/H hosts Suburban Soul in their courtyard from 7pm – 10pm. There is no cover and patrons can purchase drinks.
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s Friday ARTnight this week is the good old Paint ‘n Sip. No skill or experience is necessary to join in the fun. $30 includes materials, snacks and drinks. The event is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Saturday is the annual H Street Festival. In ten years this festival has grown from a quiet, three-block arts event into a gigantic mega-festival which takes up the entire corridor. For the olds out there you may enjoy this column Fritz Hahn wrote in advance of the festival ten years ago. As someone who worked on H during those years, rereading this reminds me that I am both elderly and utterly verklempt. Frozen Tropics has some great tips for handling the festival. (Bring Cash! Stay Hydrated!) My tip is go early if you aren’t into crowds and drunk people. If you are cool with that, all I ask is you not pass out in front of my house.
Southeast-siders: Before you scoff at us NEers who will be subjected to the beery masses, let me remind you that you will not be spared hordes of tipsy millennials. The annual craft beer festival Snallygaster takes place at 1st and N Streets Southeast by Nationals Park. The event is from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. It is strongly suggested you buy a ticket in advance. There is more information here.
For a less debauched evening, the Lantern Walk might be more appropriate. The Lantern Walk is inspired by the story of African American families who built their homes in the historic Barry Farm/Hillsdale neighborhoods by candlelight after returning home from a long day’s work. The event begins in Yards Park and ends at the Anacostia Playhouse. There will be performances at both locations. The event is free but RSVP here.
Sunday morning, shed some of those beer calories with Summit to Soul’s morning run. Called Miles to Mimosas ,the workout is typically 2-4 miles and will be followed by snacks and mimosas at Barracks Row’s newest retail endeavor. Meet at the store, 727 8th Street SE, at 9:30.
You like our skull, huh? We’re bringing a similarly-sized (and similarly-colorful) octopus this year! Mounted on top of an ambulance, of course. Look for us around 6th St.