Okay silly billies: If you didn’t know, THE H STREET FESTIVAL IS HAPPENING TOMORROW!!!! Now it its TWENTY-FIRST YEAR (how?!), the festival emcompasses all of our beautiful, wonderful, hippy, happy, hoppin’ H Street, from 3rd Street to 15th Street NE. The festival goes from noon to 7 p.m. and it’s just block after block after block of food, vendors, entertainment and just… beautiful humanity! I’ve been going to the festival every year since 2010 and every year I am so glad I do. Here are a couple of tips for you:
- Not into crowds? Then make a plan to go early. Most vendors set up way before the noon start, so you can get yourself some ribs, barbecue, or anything else your heart desires (ribs), and shop without feeling the crush.
- REALLY into crowds? Then the mid-afternoon into evening is your timeframe. You’ll be waiting in line at a couple of places (notably the biergarten-style places where you need to show ID to be allowed in), but you’ll definitely feel the surge of the crowd.
- Not bothered either way but want to be entertained? Then check out the set times at all different stages (there are TWELVE stages) and plan accordingly. Not all stages feature music; for instance, the 5th Street stage has dancing, the 12th Stage has a focus on fashion, and the 13th Street stage has a focus on accessibility. Explore them all!
- Listen, babe: EAR PLUGS. I know, I sound like I’m momming you, but the entertainment is gonna be loud and if you want to have fun and you’re sensitive of ear, you change you and not the culture.
- Hydrate and wear sunblock– H Street is not known for its abundant tree canopy and it’s usually hot.
- Need help? Look for volunteers in H Street Festival t-shirts!
I should mention that the DC Half Marathon is also happening this weekend at West Potomac Park, so this is NOT the weekend you choose to drive around DC. TAKE METRO!
Oktoberfest is starting THIS WEEKEND and Cafe Berlin is doing a WHOLE PIG, y’all! Click here to make your reservations because it goes fast.
Did you know District Flow Yoga offers a FREE outdoor yoga class at Eastern Market Metro park on Saturdays? Just bring your mat, some water, and your most centered self. Find out more here.
Want to escape to a museum and learn about art instead? Then visit the National Gallery of Art, where you can catch a lecture by artist George Morton on the creative practice, and his admiration of John Singer Sargent. The lecture is free but space is limited and first-come, first-served. Click here to learn more.
Don’t forget: Snow Crane ice cream is back through the end of September. Read more about Chef Takeshi Nishikawa and his journey to making delightful and unique cold treats here.
Mosaic Theater Company’s Somewhere Over The Border sounds excellent. I’m going to see it today and will let you know more about it but, suffice to say, Mosaic puts on a great, gutsy show. Get your tickets here.
Feel like staying home but still listening to cool author chats and finding your next read? East City Books has previous chats uploaded to their YouTube channel. Check them out here.
OFF-HILL
The National Museum of Women in the Arts has a new show about quilts that is so touching and beautiful, I hope you make a point of attending. Routed West: Twentieth Century American Quilts in California is so much more than its title implies. It’s a quintessentially American story of female-led artistry ––the kind that tends to be largely ignored and lumped with what’s been typically classified as “the domestic arts.” Through quilts collected by a psychotherapist who became fixated on these beautiful works of art and ingenuity, and expertly curated by Elaine Y. Yau at the Berkeley Art Museum. This show runs through January of 2027, so you have time to plan your visit. Guys. Should we start a quilting bee?
Want to get your stein on but want to skip the festival? Red Bear Brewing is holding OktoBEARfest. This is a kid- and dog-friendly event. Learn more here.
All that fun at H Street left you wanting to dance more? Then celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at La Cosecha with a Karol G party that starts at 10 p.m. Get your tickets here! I’ll be joining you in my dreams because that is way past my bedtime.
PLAN AHEAD
The American Black Film Festival is popping up at the Angelika, September 25-27! Get your tickets here.
The Washington Bach Consort’s Noontime Cantatas resume in October. Click here for the whole schedule.
Want to learn more about the man behind the beautiful gardens and design of the Capitol grounds and many other beautiful green spaces? Steve Livengood will have a special Overbeck Lecture on the subject and if it’s as good as one of his Walking Town tours, this is one you won’t want to miss. Click here to get tickets.
The Wharf is also doing it up for Oktoberfest and I have one word and a number for you: WIENERFEST 500!!!!!!! Click here for the whole lineup on October 3.
And they may suck but they are ours: The Wizards kick off their season October 10. Get tickets.
Or you could run the Dead Man’s Run 5k at Congressional Cemetery! Get your body moving, wear a costume, feel good! Sign up here.
By the way, keep an eye on Congressional Cemetery’s event page. Click here to go there.
Catch an Argentine movie at La Cosecha every second Tuesday of the month. The October film is El Secreto En Sus Ojos and man.. this movie is AMAZING. Get your tickets here.
Learn swing with Gottaswing! and the Capitol Hillbillies at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church! It’s an absolute blast– look at this reel I made about it. Click here to learn more.
Can’t get enough of dancing? Go dance at The Wharf on Thursday evenings! Click here to learn more.
SOUL STROLLS! SOUL STROLLS! Get your tickets!! Click here. Not sure what to expect? Check out a reel I made about it.
Looking for a monster Halloween party? Then Nighmare in Navy Yard is the party you search… IF YOU DARE MWAHAHAHAHAHA! Info and tickets here.
Yasmin Elhady is one funny lady. Catch her one-woman show at Woolly Mammoth in late September and October. Click here for tickets.
The Literary Feast is happening on November 7. Get your tickets here.
The Congressional Cemetery Holiday Market is accepting applications. Fill yours out here and good luck!