My goodness, neighbors: Tomorrow is the longest day of the year and in about a week, we’ll be halfway done with the year. Where does the time go? I had the privilege of photographing a bar mitzvah recently and the older sibling — whose rehearsal I’d photographed a couple years back– was looking so adult, it made me tear up a little. How else are we filling our cup these days?
Celebrate the solstice: Watch a sunrise or sunset this week. Read a poem. Tell yourself you could have written a better one. Write it. Savor the failure. Grill. Announce your first sighting of a firefly with the same fervor and intensity that you reserve for the breakingest of news. Enjoy a little solstice magic. ✨
Speaking of woo-woo things, I will be teaching a Tarot for Beginners class at Relume TODAY! Do you have a tarot deck lying around but aren’t quite sure how to go about doing a reading for yourself? Take my intro class and learn how to establish a tarot practice to center yourself! Sign up here.
On June 21, celebrate Gays and Graves at Congressional Cemetery! This celebration features tours of notable LGBTQ+ residents of the cemetery, workshops on queer history, as well as a vendor market and more. Learn more here and sign up!
Celebrate Juneteenth at the Library of Congress on June 21. This year, the celebrations will focus on African American quilting traditions. More info and tickets here. You need a day pass to enter the Library of Congress.
Make sure you check out the amazing playlist Jonathan Lottman of Spin Time Records did for Juneteenth!
Think you’re an 80s music trivia buff? Then Relax! Walk like an Egyptian to Cynthia’s and join them for their first-ever music trivia night. The fun happens June 25 and you can get tickets here.
On June 27 enjoy whiskey and space travel with their special Flight to Mars whiskey tasting. Click here for more information and tickets.
It’s also worth pointing out that it might thunderstorm AND there is a heat emergency this weekend, so this could ruin outdoor plans. Catch a movie at the Miracle Theater instead?
Twelfth Night is now at the Folger Shakespeare Library. The beloved play about twins, mistaken identity, a shipwreck and happy endings is a zany, sexy romp with lots of singing, additional gender swaps, lots of yellow stockings and the feel of a European disco throughout. For tickets and other events at the Folger, click here.
And the very excellent Andy Warhol in Iran is a must-see. A two-person play that breaks down the fourth wall and gives you an incredibly thorough foreign policy, art history, culture, intersectionality and gender lesson, with not an insignificant amount of love (yes, tough, but love) for our own fractured nation? MORE LIKE THIS! Get your tickets here. Luckily for you, this incredible work of art runs through July 6.
Maketto has weekly bake sales that have a delicious array of pastries available from 9 a.m. until they sell out. Every week there is a different menu, so get on it. More info here.
And at the far end of the Hill, enjoy the RFK Flea Market every Saturday, weather permitting, starting at 7 a.m. and wrapping up at 3 p.m. For more info, click here.
The Arboretum will be open until 8 p.m. starting June 1! Plan accordingly!
Don’t forget the Library of Congress has Live! at the Library events every Thursday from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy something different each week against an incredible and historic background. You must have a pass to enter but all events are free. More info and RSVP here.
Want to explore our beautiful Anacostia River by boat with Anacostia Riverkeeper? Schedule a private boat tour here!
Yoga classes can be pricy, which is why you gotta take advantage of the freebies. District Flow Yoga has a free Vinyasa class at Eastern Market Metro Park. Bring your own mat, towel and water (and hand sanitizer?) and enjoy 60 minutes of yoga. More info here.
Want to dance your way to fitness? Freestyle Dan’s Fit comes to Barracks Row on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays to get your rear in gear. Check it out here.
The Saturday Rail Market at Union Station is happening this Saturday and future Saturdays, so put it on the calendar. Enjoy vintage finds and all sorts of different vendors. More information here.
It’s Parade Season at the Marine Barracks and you can reserve tickets to all upcoming shows through August 22. Click here and book your seats.
OFF-HILL
The Giant BBQ Battle is back and greater than ever. Two days of barbecue, giveaways and all sorts of fun summery activities? Yes please! Grab your tickets here.
On June 25, go to the coolest, nerdiest trivia game around. Civics Trivia at the National Archives kicks off at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:15) and it’s FREE AND THERE WILL BE FREE PIZZA! It will be a phones-out, all-out raiging nerd-down and you need to be part of it. Click here to snag your spot.
National Landing has jazz every Thursday afternoon starting at 4:30 p.m. in a series called Jazz@Met. Click here for more info and a performer line-up.
Don’t forget! The Anacostia Community Museum is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and they always have something fun going on! Learn more here.
PLAN AHEAD
BIG AND TRUE! Open Streets is finally coming to Capitol Hill! The event, which prioritizes people and fun over cars, will take place on Saturday, June 28, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The event will close a one-mile stretch of Hill roads: from North Carolina Avenue SE at 6th Street to 11th Street SE, through two blocks of East Capitol Street SE and finally continuing on Massachusetts Avenue SE, stopping at 17th Street SE. Learn more here and mark your calendar!
The Capitol Hill Fourth of July parade is a yearly tradition in the heart of our neighborhood. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. along 8th Street SE (Barracks Row). Find all the information you need here.
The Embassy Chef Challenge is taking place on July 10 at the Andrew W. Mellon auditorium on Constitution Avenue NW. This is your chance to delight your tastebuds with a friendly competition from embassies around the District. It’s an incredible and delicious event and you can get your tickets here.
It’s not till the end of the summer, but the Dog Days of Summer at RFK on August 26 is a great chance to learn more about pet services, products and emergency services in the District. Click here for more info as the event draws near.
On August 28-30, the DC Jazz Festival lights up the Wharf. Plan ahead and get your tickets here.
The Because They’re Funny Comedy Festival is coming to DC October 10-12. Tickets are on sale NOW!