Free Food and Ukulele Music on Tap
There’s plenty on the calendar to keep you busy this weekend. From free chicken sandwiches and Slurpees across the DMV to ukulele music in Reston, there’s something for everyone going on. The Capital Fringe Festival and Fort Reno concerts are both back, and the National Symphony Orchestra plays along to Fantasia. And for microbrew fans, Mad Fox Brewing throws itself a fourth birthday party.
On Metrorail, Green and Yellow line trains will operate at regular weekend intervals. Orange and Blue line trains will operate every 20 minutes. Red Line trains will operate every 15 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont and every 10 minutes between Grosvenor and NoMa-Gallaudet from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Oh thank heaven: It’s free Slurpee Day
It’s July 11, and 7-Eleven is celebrating 7-Eleven Day with free small Slurpees from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. today while supplies last. The company will give away 500,000 gallons of Slurpee today For the uninitiated, a Slurpee is 7-Eleven’s frozen flavored drinks that are similar to slushies and “icees.” The cold drink comes in a variety of fun flavors, including Blue Lightning Blast, Fanta Oddball Orange, Alienade, Lemonade, Cherry Orange Blitz, Sprite Snowball Blast, Diet Coke Frost Cherry and Mountain Dew Game Fuel along with favorites like Coke, cherry and banana. There are also sugar-free varieties. And instead of having a single celebration, the retailer has decided to make all next week, 7-Eleven Week. You can also buy a quarter-pound Big Bites hot dog for $1 all day Friday. During 7-Eleven week, from tomorrow to next Saturday, guests can use the 7-Eleven app to get more freebies. Free treats include a Big Gulp on Saturday, M&M’s brand birthday cake chocolate candies Sunday, Grandma’s Cookies on Monday, Hostess Twinkies on Tuesday, Twix or Snickers brand ice cream bars on Wednesday, Quaker Chewy yogurt snack bars Thursday and Pillsbury cookies Friday. The week closes with another free small Slurpee drink July 19. To receive all of the 7-Eleven Week freebies, you need to download and register on the 7-Eleven app, then have your member barcode on your phone scanned at checkout.
July 11 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at participating 7-Eleven stores. For a list of stores in the DMV, click here.
Cow Appreciation Day
Some people will do anything for a free meal, even dress like a cow. Chick-fil-A is hosting its annual Cow Appreciation Day July 11 at its restaurants including those in the DMV. Customers who visit Chick-fil-A dressed head to toe as a cow will receive a free full breakfast, lunch or dinner meal. The meals include an entree, side and beverage. Don’t want to get dressed up all the way? You can still don a cow item such as a T-shirt, hat, scarf or purse, and get in on the action. Those who partially dress as a cow will receive a free entree such as a breakfast or chicken sandwich. According to the chain, more than 900,000 customers participated in last year’s Cow Appreciation Day. If you’re looking for tips on how to get your spots on, Chick-fil-A lists costume suggestions on its website including taking a white sweatshirt and pants and adding black construction paper spots. Or you can download a DIY costume kit here.
July 11 at Chick-fil-A restaurants including those in the DMV such as Catholic University and the University of Maryland. Click here to find the location nearest you.
Capital Fringe Festival
The Capital Fringe Festival, the DMV’s smorgasbord of offbeat theater, is back with 18 days of creative and uninhibited performances. In its ninth season, this year includes more than 145 independent productions.
Through July 27 at Fort Fringe, 607 New York Ave. NW, the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE and various other locations in D.C. Admission is $17 plus a one-time purchase of a $7 Fringe button. Tickets and buttons can be purchased at the Fort Fringe box office from 10 a.m.-midnight on Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 a.m. on Saturday, 3 p.m.-midnight Tuesday through Thursday and noon-1 a.m. Friday. Tickets are on sale from 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Atlas. Tickets are also available online or at other venues starting 45 minutes before the play begins.
Disney’s Fantasia Live in Concert
Experience Disney magic on the big screen when the National Symphony Orchestra casts an enchanting musical spell on sorcerer Mickey and other animated characters in Disney Fantasia Live in Concert while performing Beethoven, Gershwin, Tchaikovsky and more along with scenes from the original 1940’s Fantasia and the updated Fantasia 2000.
July 11 and 12 beginning at 9:30 p.m. at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna. Tickets are $22-$55 online or at the gate.
5th annual Ukulele Festival
Ukulele fans will head to the waterfront at Lake Anne this Saturday to enjoy the tranquil tunes when the plaza hosts the 5th annual Lake Anne Ukulele Festival, sponsored by the Lake Anne Merchants, the Reston Community Center, Friends of Lake Anne and the Northern Virginia Ukulele Ensemble. The festival features performances by several internationally known and local ukulele musicians, music demonstrations, a public jam session, vendors and other family-friendly activities. Workshops and open mic sessions will be held at 9:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. at Café Montmartre. Performers on the main stage on Lake Anne Plaza include The Aloha Boys, Sweater Set, Kathy & Marv, Stuart Fuchs and Gerald Ross.
July 12 from 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza, 1609 Washington Plaza, Reston. Admission is FREE!
Mad Fox Brewing celebrates 4th anniversary
Falls Church beer baron Mad Fox Brewing Co. turns 4 with a party at the brewpub. The fun starts at 11 a.m. with the first 400 guests getting a free pint glass. From there, they’ll tap specialty beers Orange Whip IPA at noon, Praha Pils at 2 p.m. and the rare Batch 100 at 4 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Justin Trawick Band at 1 p.m. Happy hour prices begin at 5 p.m. and birthday cake will be cut at 5 p.m.
July 12 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Mad Fox Brewing Co., 444 W. Broad St., Falls Church. Admission is FREE!
Fort Reno
Back on track after a brief scare, the free outdoor concert series Fort Reno kicked off this week and runs through the rest of the month. Here are the DMV bands playing in the next week: July 14: Indie-pop solo artist Baby Bry Bry, punk band Aloners and psych rock act Tiger Horse. July 17: punk band the Priests, the indie-rock band Sotano and art-punk band Puff Pieces. You are welcome to bring friends, babies, dogs, lawn chairs, babies and food but not drugs, alcohol or glass bottles.
Mondays and Thursdays through July 31 from 7-9:30 p.m. at Fort Reno Park across from Woodrow Wilson High School off Belt Road in Tenlytown. Admission is FREE.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.