Tomorrow is the LAST DAY of school for DCPS kids so be aware there will be extremely happy kiddos around the neighborhood this weekend. If you don’t have any yourself, tap into the kids you presumably were at one time and get yourself an ice cream cone (with sprinkles, obvs) from one of our local Ward 6 businesses and enjoy it outside this weekend as you enjoy visits from fireflies.
Anything else going on?
Tonight, catch a preview performance of Scnea Theatre’s production of Bertolt Brecht’s The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. As a theatre major, I feel almost obligated to discuss Brecht and his influence—but I want you to like me, so I will spare you. This play covers Ui, a Brooklyn hood, who rises to a powerful position as kingpin in the cauliflower world in Chicago. Brecht had a lot of thoughts and feeling about the Nazis and this play attempts to explain Hitler’s rise but in through the prism of cruciferous vegtables. Curtain is at 8 p.m. and the show will run through July 14th.
Friday night, the free concert at Yards Park in the Capitol Riverfront features the Shane Gamble band. Bring a blanket and a picnic or grab something from a local business.
The Hill Center’s Global Sounds concert series takes a Northern turn.
Marja Mortensson is from a northern Norwegian Saami family of reindeer herders. Her unique minimalist sound incorporates traditional Saami music. The concert begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $18. Sadly, no reindeeer will be in attendance.
Saturday, celebrate the DC Jazz Festival at The Wharf. All weekend long. There are ticketed performances at the Anthem and concerts on the District and Transit Piers Saturday and Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. The full schedule is here.
Makeshift studio is hosting a Pizza and Picasso night. Kiddos are welcome to come and unleash their artistic side. $22.50 for kids ages 1+ and include pizza and art activities from 5-7 p.m. If you want to make it a night out, throw in another $45 and a sitter from District Sitter will handle the paint situation for a few hours. Sign up here.
Sunday, Halcyon’s By the People returns to Union Market. This second annual arts festival pops up in four areas in town (including on river barges!) Sunday there will be pop-up performances at the Market all day. All of the events are free but everyone should RSVP in advance.
Monday evening, the Folger hosts a screening of Ghost Light, a comedy about a troupe of traveling Shakespeareans who fall victim to the curse of Macbeth. (Legend says that saying the name of the Scottish play outside of a performance can bring bad luck. Some say you can’t say it in a theatre. some say you can’t say it ever. Others say a play with that much swordpplay and witches is bound to have a history of accidents following around.) The screening is at 7 p.m., and tickets are $20.