How is it the third week of June already? Pretty soon, we’ll be halfway through the year and back in sweater weather. Enjoy today’s cozy “inside of a mouth” feeling. What’s fun out there?
Looking for a memorable dinner? Remember that tonight is the last night of Chef Kevin Tien’s pop-up at Hill East Burger. He’ll be there slinging incredible burgers until 10 p.m. We’re told it might be a little bit of a wait but obviously it’s worth it. More info here.
Also, Shut Down DC has a protest marking the anniversary of the striking of Roe Vs. Wade at the Supreme Court starting at 9 p.m. Promises to be a big photo-op.
Do you love us? Then why not vote for us and all your favorites in Washington City Paper’s Best of DC? You’d make us all so happy! The link is here.
Live, on the Hill continues to go strong. Every single Friday (weather permitting), you can expect a wonderful local artist to liven up Eastern Market Metro Park. The fun starts at 5 p.m. so get some takeout, bring a blanket or sit on one of the red chairs and enjoy! More info here.
And don’t forget: from 1-4 p.m. every Friday through the end of July, come play chess! More info here. By the way! The tournament is this Saturday, June 24. More information here.
Also on Saturday, June 24, join THE District fishwife herself, Fiona Lewis, as she leads an evening talking about fish, sustainability, and cooking seafood at the Hill Center. The landing page for this event features Lewis’ recipe for one of my favorite soups ever, cioppino. If you’ve never had it, just click through! Sign up for this life-changing event here.
Wunder Garten’s Absolut Taylor Swift party starts this Saturday at 9 p.m. Ready to sing our heart out and cry with fellow Swifties? Then sign up here.
On Sunday, June 25, prepare for a monster collab: Hill Family Biking x DC Queer Bikes will ride down and around the Anacostia River Trail. As with all Hill Family Biking rides, prepare to complete the loop and then beeline to get some ice cream from Capital Candy Jar! Sign up here.
Also on Sunday, take a special tour all about the death of our 16th President at Congressional Cemetery. It’s back by popular demand, so it may have sold out by the time you see it. Click here to nab a ticket.
And more on Sunday! Channel the spirit of those brave gay and trans people of color who stood up to defend their human rights at the Stonewall Riots with Dragasana at the H Street District Yoga Studio. All the donations from this special free class go toward the ACLU’s Drag Defense Fund. Click here to register.
Sunday, Sunday., Sunday! Join BTG Bobby, the Eastern’s sommelier, for Red, White and Bobby and explore American wines with a trusted guide. Bobby knows his wine! For more information or to sign up, click here.
If you haven’t experienced a Death Doula Day at Congressional Cemetery, make a plan of it! It may scare you to talk about death, but it’s an important and fascinating topic at any age. Death Doula Days happen most Saturdays, starting at 10 a.m. More info here.
On Tuesday, June 27, tune in to a virtual tour by A Tour of Her Own discussing why, out of 100 statues at Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol, only 13 are of women. Click here to register!
And on Thursday, June 29, enjoy the riverside breeze and go listen to the United States Marine Band at Yards Park, starting at 7 p.m. More info here.
WEEKLY FUN
May and June kick off outdoor movie season. Cinematery tickets at Congressional Cemetery are available here. NoMa BID kicked off their CiNoMatic series earlier this month. Click here for available movies and dates. Movies on the Pitch at Audi Field continues on July 6 with Puss in Boots. Click here for tickets. Union Market continues their Drive-In at Union Market July 7, with Top Gun: Maverick. For info and tickets, click here.
Mr. Henry’s is THE place to listen to jazz on the Hill. They have performances Wednesday through Saturday, but we have a soft spot for Saturday Showcase. This weekend, listen to the Capitol Jazz Orchestra. Doors open at 6 p.m. and there is no cover; however, you need to order a minimum of $15 food and beverage minimum. Get the burger and go for it. Tickets and more info here.
Want to get your square dance on with the DC Rawhides? They are yee-hawing their way into our hearts on Saturday evenings, 7-11 p.m., at Eastern Market’s North Hall. Click here for more info.
A Sunday tradition, the Flea Market at Eastern Market is your one-stop shop for wonderful art, clothing, cosmetics and more. Follow them on Instagram here.
Labyrinth has great events almost every night of the week, except for Monday. If you’re looking to demo board games or enjoy some of your favorites with old and new friends, check out their event calendar. For instance, their Magic: The Gathering night is on Tuesdays. More info on that event here.
as you are on Barracks Row has great events happening almost every day of the week: from crafting on Wednesdays to karaoke on Thursdays and Sundays to Saturday dance parties, this queer-safe space welcomes everyone. Check out their calendar of events here.
On Wednesday evenings, make it trivia! Two Girls Trivia runs a quiz at Fight Club starting at 7 p.m. You can also catch them at Biergarten Haus on Tuesday evenings. For more information and quiz hints, check out their Twitter, @twogirlstrivia.
Every Thursday and Friday, Kelly’s Irish Times has comedy! The Batting Cage Comedy show starts at 8 p.m. and is free on Thursdays. More info here.
And every Thursday, Wunder Garten is doing late night Happy Hours, starting at 9 p.m. Let’s face it: Some of you out there are late owls and you need this. For more info, click here.
During the summer, kids 18 and under have access to free meals in the District! Click here to learn more and help spread the word.
OFF-HILL
On June 24, go to Songbyrd DC for Unni’s Closet and Friends for their Y2K Flea Market from. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is an all-ages pop-up, so come on by one and all! More info here.
Through August 20, go to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library and visit Imagining The Future –– Leonardo DaVinci: In the Mind of an Italian Genius. For more information and additional tie-in events, click here.
Dupont Underground’s “The Ground We Stand On” is an exhibit on local LGBTQ+ changemakers that will be on display through Sunday, June 25. Get more info and tickets here.
The Capital Hill Boys Club (Capital as in $$) have created an incredible art space out of a former laundromat, which you can visit this weekend. Two artists are on display: Denise Hawkins, also known as Ms. D, who works with jute, and graffiti artist Brian Bailey. The gallery is at 1603 Good Hope Rd SE. For more information, contact Dietrich Williams or check out our Instagram reel!
One of my personal favorites, the National Building Museum, has a Lego-themed exhibit! Brick City celebrates famous architecture rendered in Lego, and little hands can take turns playing and creating their own ouchie-block masterpieces. For more info, tickets and membership options, click here. I am a proud supporter of the Building Museum and highly encourage you to support them and their mission as well, and no, they have not paid me to say this.
Rainy days are for watching a movie in a comfy theater. The Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market has a great selection of movies. Check them out here.
Mondays can be tough days, but Songbyrd has Music Trivia this and every Monday up in Union Market district to gladden hearts and fuel your competitive spirit. The best part? It’s ALL AGES! Enjoy it with friends or as a family. More info here.
PLAN AHEAD
I have it on very good authority that Summer Movies on the Lawn at the Library of Congress will kick off on July 6, but the movie is TBD! Keep those summer Thursdays open!
If you’ve never caught an installment of Jazz in the Garden, make sure you sign up for tickets here.
The Miracle Theatre is kicking off an $8 Summer Series starting off on June 30. Watch classics like Labyrinth, Jaws and more for only $8! Click here to get tickets.
Also on June 30, celebrate the rich history of Tennessee whiskey craft at the Fairmont hotel. The Fairmont’s executive Chef Jordi Gallardo will create a three-course dining experience paired with cocktails and a whiskey tasting. Afterward, you can enjoy a cigar at the hotel’s terrace. For more information and tickets, click here. And to learn more about Uncle Nearest’s history and legacy, click here (21+).
On July 1, celebrate CHAWbaret at Crazy Aunt Helen’s! Enjoy an evening of song, reverie and the sweet bloom of friendship–– which can sometimes be as fragrant as a Titan Arum. More info and tickets here.
The Capitol Hill Fourth of July parade is coming and YOU are cordially invited to march along Barracks Row, from I Street SE to Pennsylvania Avenue SE. Check out more info here and sign your group up to march here.
And on the Fourth, A Capital Fourth will be hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and broadcast live on PBS from the West Lawn of the Capitol. The concert starts at 8 p.m. ET. Fireworks to follow (and to continue for days, after unofficially having started on July 1).
Are you ready for Barbie: The Movie? Wunder Garten sure is! Get ready for the Barbie Parties, starting July 15. More info here.
The DC Bike Ride is coming on September 9, by the way! Enjoy 20 miles of car-free, safe streets! Learn more or sign up here.