It’s August, it’s hot and shows no signs of relenting. What shall we do? A little outdoors stuff but mostly stick close to the air conditioning and eat ice cream. Do a taste test between some of our favorites and get back to us!
Did you know August 3 is Disc Golf day? If you’re not aware of what this game is, you can give it a try at The Fields at RFK. More information here. There is also a course at Gallaudet University, which you can explore here.
Do you love plants? Do you want to nab some plants and see if you can grow anything during this last part of summer? DO IT! Ginkgo Gardens is having their anniversary sale extended through Sunday, August 4. Check it out in the flyer above.
The Mudala DC Citi Open ends this weekend. Snag single game tickets here. Not only do you get a world-class tennis experience, but five Michelin-starred chefs, including José Andrés,Patrick O’Connell from The Inn at Little Washington, Michael Rafidi from Albi, The Dabney’s Jeremiah Langhorne and Matt Baker from Gravitas. will be offering incredible food experiences at the Tournament Suites and the VIP Citi Lounge.
Looking for something cute and adorable to do with your littles on Saturdays? Barracks Row Main Street holds Mad Science in the Park events every Saturday at 10 at Eastern Market Metro Park (the north one, with the bunny sculptures) through August 17. Investigate, play and let some of those wiggles out! More info here.
The Olympics are going strong and you can watch them at, where else? Wunder Garten. RSVP here! Or! You can go to The Brighton at the Wharf, which opens at noon through Olympic season. More info here.
Want to catch game action here? Tonight is another Pups at the Park at Nats Park and tomorrow is Harry Potter day! And don’t get mad if they run out of Gryffindors– the world needs Hufflepuffs too. For tickets, click here. Btw, next Friday, catch Teddy Swims after the game! Learn more here.
Tomorrow is the last Singalong Saturday at the Wharf! Love singing? Love karaoke? Let’s go! More info here.
National Night Out is a country-wide event to celebrate community. MPD is joining in the celebration with activations in all police districts (we’re in the First District, btw) as well as a big main celebration at Sycamore and Oak. For more information, click here.
Craving theater? Why not catch The Moors at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop? The show opened July 18 and runs through August 10, 2024. Travel to a bleak and foggy land of despair and wonder what if. For more info and tickets, click here.
And The Miracle Theatre has great classics coming this August, like the Harry Potter… uh, octalogy (?) and The Princess Bride! Click here to get your tickets.
Looking for a fun weekday activity? Aside from all their other incredible programming, the District Wharf has extended their Pixar Puttthrough September 2. Perfect for those who love Pixar classics and putt-putt– and who are definitely not going to either cheat or lose their temper on a hard hole. That’s definitely not me, but you, maybe? More info here.
Want to do something cool and stinky? Check out the corpse flower that is currently opening up at the United States Botanic Garden! More info here.
Psst! Want to do something good for a little animal who needs you? How about helping Rural Dog Rescue with some Frontline for kitties and doggos? Click here to donate.
Want to do something silly, fun and good for your body? How about Prancercising on Fridays at 6:30 a.m.? Check out our Instagram reel for more info.
Psst: Is this the weekend you decide to run as ANC commissioner? Hey, why not? Check it out here.
OUTDOOR MOVIE SEASON
Spring and summer are outdoor movie season dates around the area. Here are a few (list will be updated):
- Sunset Cinema at the Wharf
- NoMa’s CiNoMaTic
- Library of Congress’ Summer Movies on the Lawn
- Audi Field’s Movies on the Pitch
- Congressional Cemetery’s Cinematery
- Union Market’s Drive-In
OFF-HILL
The National Building Museum has a new exhibit called Capital Brutalism. Take a loving look at some of our most polarizing, beloved architecture. (#teamBrutalism). Click here for more information and click here for tickets to the Building Museum.
The National Museum of Women in the Arts has an incredible exhibit titled “New Worlds: Women to Watch 2024.” This biennial show highlights some of the boldest, most touching and creative work by women and women-identifying artists working right now. From a haunting multimedia exhibit about climate change to a powerful nude sculpture and self-portrait of an artist who’s a breast cancer survivor, the show takes viewers on a circular journey where the past is also the future. Highly recommend it! For more information, tickets and membership options, click here.
The National Portrait Gallery has an exhibit on view through June 3, 2025, called “Brilliant Exiles.” The exhibit, which takes over a large part of the second floor, focuses on mostly American women who emigrated to Paris between 1900 and 1939. During that tumultuous 40-year period, these migrants excelled in different areas. From writing, painting and dancing to publishing and interior design, these forward-thinking avatars pushed boundaries and found that Paris did not judge them for their womanhood or for being people of color or queer, but instead celebrated them and let them be. The exhibit is a carefully curated view of the women through their own eyes and, far more often than you might hope, through the eyes of important men in their lives. You can learn more and plan your visit here.
PLAN AHEAD
Keep the Downtown Holiday Market for DC and managed by Diverse Markets. Sign the petition here.
RAMW’s Summer Restaurant Week, August 12-18. Click here and try a new local restaurant!
- Joselito is launching their Restaurant Week early! Starting August 5, you can get their $40 dinner menu and (super deal!) brunch menu for $25. For reservations, click here. If you get a chance to try the arroz caldoso, DO IT. It’s so good.
- Irregardless is going burgers! Can confirm that the burger in their current menu is delicious, so give either it or the Shnap Burger (made with red snapper) a try during RW.
Belga Café will have a La Crema Wine Dinner on August 15 from 6-9:30 p.m. These curated dinners are a great way to appreciate a chef’s creativity as it pairs with a product. For tickets, click here.
Sausagefest is coming to Wunder Garten! Enjoy delicious wieners and support the LGBTQ+ community with a fundraiser! More details and RSVP here.
Back to School Day is happening August 23 at the Fields at RFK. In addition to book bag giveaways and an immunization clinic, you can also find an arcade, a game truck, a 360 camera and a lot more fun. More info here.
The DC Bike Ride happens September 7 and promises to be a car-free blast. Sign up here!
The Because They’re Funny Comedy Festival, showcasing comedians of color, isn’t until September 27-29, but you can get your tickets starting May 1 here. Are you a young comedian? Why not submit a video to be considered for their Breakout of the Year contest? Click here for more info.
WEEKLY FUN
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.
At ReLume, you can make something beautiful and have fun while doing it! From candles to seasonal decorations to starting a new hobby, you can do it all there. This week, why not make your own notebook? More info here.
Looking for something fun to do with your toddler? The Northeast Neighborhood library has Toddler Explorations on Mondays, from 11-noon. More info here.
Mr. Henry’s is THE place to listen to jazz on the Hill. They have performances FOUR nights a week! Check out their calendar of events here.
On Monday evenings, Trivia Kings takes over Barrel for trivia night. For more info, click here. (They also host trivia nights all over town.)
On Wednesday evenings, make it trivia! Two Girls Trivia runs a quiz at Fight Club starting at 7 p.m. For more information and quiz hints, check out their Twitter, @twogirlstrivia.
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.
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.