I would like to wish a happy second birthday to my cats, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Knightley. They are sources of joy, fur and entertainment and I’m deeply grateful to the incredible volunteers at the Humane Rescue Alliance for helping to bring these gentleman cats into my life. Click here if you need a cuteness fix or if you’re looking for a little furry bestie. (Mr. Knightley feels you should adopt Ketchup, Mustard and Mayo, but he’s very biased.)
So, apart from adopting cats, what are you doing this weekend?
Got this link in my inbox and it made me chuckle. Maybe it’ll make you chuckle, too.
Don’t forget to sign up for the DC State Fair through August 15! Scroll down to the PLAN AHEAD section for more information!
The Dog Days of Summer brings you live jazz at Eastern Market tomorrow, August 8, from 5-7 p.m. Hang out by the pergola, get some delicious food and enjoy this gorgeous weather! More info here.
It’s the Second Saturday of the month, which can only mean two things: The Southeast Library has a book sale at the Northeast Library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. AND THEN Capitol Hill Books has their Second Saturday sale. Wine and cheese kick off starting at 5 p.m. Get 10% off your purchases from 5 to closing as well. PLUS, if you’re into book clubs, drop by starting at 5:30 and join! Next month’s book will be Earth Abides by George Stewart, so you can be ready.
On August 9, visit the Library of Congress and celebrate America’s pastime! Enjoy the Library’s baseball-themed collections and make a baseball-related craft. Visiting the Library of Congress is free but you must have a day pass. More info and day passes here.
Whenever you have a chance to experience a chef’s creativity, jump in and don’t hesitate! On August 14, go to The Duck and The Peach for a tasting menu by Chef Rochelle Cooper and special guest Chef Kaity Mitchell of L’Ardente. Get your tickets here.
Take in the sights around the Hill and be part of a fun Bar Crawl, organized by our friends at Union Pub, The Eastern and Barrel! The Crawl will take place every Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer, with brunch seatings at Barrel starting at 11 a.m. After brunch, explore the Hill and visit The Eastern and Union Pub at your own pace! For more info and to get your tickets, click here.
The weather has been pretty nice lately, but even so, you might want to catch a movie at the Miracle Theater.
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.
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.
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
Into Whiskey? Then I’m willing to bet Whiskies of the World at Hook Hall is going to be a hit with you! More information and tickets here.
The Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum IS BACK BABY!!!! Catch a movie or catch a nerdy documentary– we don’t judge how you get your jollies. Currently, you can watch The Fantastic 4: First Steps and. Learn more and get your tickets here.
Can you believe Songbyrd has been open for TEN WHOLE YEARS?! Celebrate with a show! Click here for tickets.
The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are a must-see this time of year: EVERYTHING IS IN BLOOM! If you’ve never visited, change that! Here is a video on how easy it is to get there by Metro.
The Arboretum will be open until 8 p.m. starting June 1! Plan accordingly!
It’s a party at Sycamore and Oak every Wednesday in summer! Catch Go-go and FUN! More details and RSVP here.
The newest destination with a potentially confusing name that has the activations you want is the Bridge District (as opposed to District Bridges, which is in Northwest). Come hang out near Anacostia Park and enjoy a Farmers’ Market, yoga, a pickleball clinic and so much more. Click here to learn more about it.
And over at Art Place at Fort Totten, explore their free Kid Art Maker series. All supplies are provided; you just show up and have fun! Learn more here.
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
Are you a fan of poetry? If so, then consider subscribing to the O.B. Hardison Series at the Folger Shakespeare Library. The series, which features conversations, programming and celebrations of poetry and poets, starts in October. Learn more and get tickets here.
Summer Restaurant Week starts August 18! Plan on trying out a new favorite or revisit a special menu at your favorite spot! Don’t forget to tip well.
And on August 19, come take my Intro to Tarot Reading class at Relume! We’ll talk about the history of tarot and ground ourselves and have a great time learning how to be comfortable with visual signs. It’ll be fun! Click here to sign up!
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.
Want to make candles and get your tipple on? Pour Decisions at The Ugly Mug is the event for you! Learn more and sign up here.
On August 28-30, the DC Jazz Festival lights up the Wharf. Plan ahead and get your tickets here.
DC Plant Week happens at several places around the DC area, August 25-31. Are you a proud plant parent? Perhaps you’d like to make your black thumb a little more green? Then check out the whole slate of events here.
Capitol Hill musician Laura Tsaggaris and her band are headlining at The Hamilton Live on September 6! How cool is that? Even better? Fellow DC artist Sara Curtin is the opening act. GET TICKETS HERE! Laura and her band are celebrating the 20th anniversary of her debut album, Proof, which they will play in its entirety at the show. You can listen on Spotify, but it’ll be even better live!
The Library of Congress is holding the 25th edition of their National Book Festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 6 and you’re invited! Click here for more information and click here for a lineup of authors. Can’t attend in person? Then sign up for email alerts and info here, so you can tune into livestreams!
Dodi and Diana kicks off the 25-26 season at Mosaic Theater Company. If you’ve never seen the vibrant, forward-thinking and fearless plays that Mosaic chooses season after season, you are seriously missing out. Some of the best theater in DC is right on H Street. Learn more here.
Did you get a taste of the good, car-free bike-riding life and now you want more? Then the DC Bike Ride is the event for you! Go all around the District and enjoy sun, a good ride and the breeze in your hair. Click here to sign up.
On Saturday, September 6, enjoy the best of the agricultural, cultural, artistic and culinary talents with the DC State Fair. This year, the fair takes place at Bryant Street NE, just two stops away from Union Station on the red line. Think your pie is unbeatable? How about your compost? There are so many contests, one is bound to be your category. REGISTER HERE THROUGH AUGUST 15!!
DC’s take on the Montréal Nuit Blanche is called Art All Night and this year it’ll happen all over the District on September 12. Click here to learn more and stay tuned for activations around Eastern Market Main Street, Barracks Row Main Street and H Street.
Want to learn how to make a belt and support local makers? Then sign up for a Stitch and Rivet workshop here!
Oktoberfest at the Wharf is happening Oktober 4 and OMG GUESS WHAT THEY HAVE THE WIENER 500 DACHSHUND DASH AND IT’S GOING TO BE EPIC AND YOU CAN SIGN YOUR DACHSIE UP HERE. (Squee!)
The Because They’re Funny Comedy Festival is coming to DC October 10-12. Tickets are on sale NOW!
Snallygaster is back on October 11. Get your tickets here.
And the Dead Man’s Run 5k at Congressional Cemetery is happening October 12 but you should register now. You know the early bird gets the discount! Register here.