The DMV Shows Its Pride This Weekend
This is Pride weekend in the DMV with the area’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents celebrating their pride with events all week culminating this weekend. But you don’t have to be gay to enjoy the festivities with Carly Rae Jepson, En Vogue and Wilson Phillips slated to perform at Sunday’s Festival. There’s plenty of other events going on as well. The DMV will be under a heatwave this weekend with temperatures in the low- to mid-90s on Friday and Saturday — 10 to 15 degrees above normal – and the upper-80s on Sunday. If you’ll be heading out to any of the events going on this weekend, be sure to use sunblock, wear a cap and drink plenty of water.
Reconstruction of the Metrorail system continues over the weekend with Orange line trains operate every 18 minutes beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, rather than every 12-15 minutes. Green Line trains will operate at regular weekend intervals between College Park and Branch Avenue stations; buses will replace trains between College Park and the closed Greenbelt Station. Red Line trains will run every 12-15 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont and every 6-8 minutes between Medical Center and Silver Spring from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Silver, Blue and Yellow line trains will operate on their regular weekend schedules.
Hermione
Don’t miss your chance to see the Hermione in Alexandria before it heads up the coast for Annapolis and Baltimore. The Hermione, which docked at Old Town on Wednesday, is an exact replica of the tall French ship that brought the Marquis de Lafayette and a wealth of supplies to the United States to aid the American Revolution effort in 1780. To commemorate Lafayette’s historic voyage, the reconstructed French tall ship will sail 3,819 miles from France to the U.S. before docking in Alexandria
June 12 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Alexandria Marina, 0 Cameron St., Alexandria. Admission is FREE, but timed tickets are require to go onboard the ship. Tickets will be distributed on a first come, first served basis beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Gilt City Warehouse Sale
Gilt City’s semi-annual Warehouse Sale at Union Market is always a popular shopping destination, so much so that you have to pay to get in. If you do, you’ll access designer clothes and accessories for up to 80 percent off, plus snacks to munch on and drinks to sip on while you shop
June 12 and 13 from 9-11 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 1-3 p.m. or 3-5 p.m. at Dock 5 at Union Market, 1309 Fifth St. NE. Friday tickets are sold out. Tickets for Saturday are $10.
Truckeroo
Truckeroo returns to the Half Street Fairgrounds, with participants including Pepe, Rito Loco, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Captain Cookie, Big Cheesse, Curbside Cupcakes, Surfside, BBQ Bus and 19 other food trucks. There’s also music, drinks and other fun to be had.
June 12 from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. at the Half Street Fairgrounds, 1299 Half St. SE. Admission is FREE, but you’ll have to pay for food and drinks.
D.C. Jazz Festival
The D.C. Jazz Festival which runs through Tuesday, is devoted wholeheartedly to the genre. This weekend alone there will be 69 concerts all over the city from morning til night. The fest takes place at the Hamilton Live and the Yards Park, as well as churches, restaurants, hotels, museums, neighborhood libraries and the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage.
Through June 16 at various times and locations around the city. Most concerts are free with others ranging from $28-$150. See the full schedule and purchase tickets online.
Soccer in the Circle
After successful outings for the two most recent men’s World Cup tournaments, Soccer in the Circle is set to embrace the women’s game when the United States takes on Sweden. Sponsored by the Embassy of Sweden, the event will take place in Dupont Circle Park, with the match shown on giant screens. There will be a Swedish festival, DJ and fun before the match kicks off.
June 12 with events starting at 5:30 p.m. and the game kicking off at 8 p.m. in Dupont Circle Park, . Admission is FREE!
Summer Escape at Mount Vernon
Experience Mount Vernon after hours and indulge in gourmet fare, historic chocolate and other culinary treats. Summer Escape at Mount Vernon offers the opportunity to visit after hours and enjoy the breathtaking views of George Washington’s estate at sunset while enjoying locally brewed craft beer from Old Ox Brewery, Port City Brewing Co., Atlas Brew Works, Old Bust Head and Forge Brew Works. Take an evening tour of the mansion and relax to live music while watching the sun set against the Potomac. Delight in 18th-century music, dancing, bocce and more historic fun. Stroll the lantern-lit grounds as you mingle with costumed residents or chat with a gardening expert and try flavorful herb-infused dips, teas and cocktails. Food-loving guests will delight as 18th-century artisans demonstrate the arts of making beer, cheese and chocolate. Food and refreshments will be for sale.
June 12 and 13 from 6-9 p.m. at Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Va. Tickets are $20 each or four for $60.
Taste of Annandale
The first Taste of Annandale celebration will showcase local restaurants during a daylong, family-friendly event. The street will be closed to traffic and lined with booths sponsored by local restaurants, so visitors can sample food from a variety of cuisines. There will be live music and dance groups representing a mix of cultures, a chili cook-off pitting Fairfax County police officers against firefighters, cooking demonstrations and a children’s corner with games, crafts and storytelling.
June 13 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Tom Davis Drive between Columbia Pike and John Marr Drive, Annandale. Admission is FREE!
Peter Pan Family Fun Day
Celebrate Peter Pan Family Fun Day on the Plaza with a day of fun for all ages. Face painting, balloon swords, photo prop booths and Tinkerbell bubbles for the younger crowd and a very special bungy jump ride where kids of all ages can fly like Peter and Tinkerbell. The event will also include raffles, giveaways and craft centers to explore the magical world of Peter Pan. Finish the day with an outdoor showing of Hook on the Plaza at 4 p.m.
June 13 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on the Plaza at Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons Corner. Admission is FREE!
Summerfest D.C.
Summerfest D.C. hits the Half Street Fairgrounds near Nationals Park for three 3-hour sessions, promising more than 115 beers, seven ciders and 25 wines from around the world. There’s plenty from the locals you know like Atlas, D.C. Brau, Dogfish Head, Flying Dog and Heavy Seas, but also some tasty pours from out of town from Ommegang, Firestone Walker and Boulevard, just to name a few. There will also be food trucks, a DJ and games. You can take your own food and unopened bottles of water.
June 13 at noon, 3:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. at Half Street Fairgrounds, 1299 Half St. SE. Tickets are $39.95-$70.
Capital Pride Parade
This weekend wraps up the annual Capital Pride celebration, which is making its 40th anniversary this year. The colorful parade, which grows larger each year, starts at 22nd and P Streets NW and travels 1.5 miles through Dupont Circle and 17th Street and ends in the Logan Circle neighborhood. The parade includes more than 170 floats, vehicles, marchers and entertainment including local businesses, politicians, community groups, drag queens, dogs and more. From 3-8:30 p.m., there will be a family fun zone this year at Stead Park, providing a place to give the kids a break with balloon art, face painting, snacks and more.
June 13 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. beginning at 22nd and P Streets NW winding around Dupont Circle, north on New Hampshire Avenue, east on R Street NW, south on 17th Street, east on P Street then north on 14th Street to the finish at R Street NW. Admission is FREE!
Capital Pride Festival
Thousands are expected to attend the Capital Pride Festival the closing event for this year’s Pride celebration along Pennsylvania Avenue NW in front of the U.S. Capitol. The festival includes vendors, food and drink, and educational opportunities, as well as musicians and DJs. The headliners on the Capitol Concert Stage are a mix of stars from the 80s and 90s along with a few from recent years. Amber is scheduled to perform in the 2 p.m. hour, Katy Tiz in the 3 p.m. hour, En Voge in the 4 p.m. hour, Wilson Phillips at 6 p.m. and Carly Rae Jepson at 7 p.m. There will also be local entertainers on two other stages.
June 14 from noon-7 p.m. with the concert from 1-9 p.m. on Pennsylvania Avenue between Third and Seventh Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Miss D.C. Pageant
The Miss D.C. Pageant is a competition to select the young women – Miss D.C. and Miss D.C.’s Outstanding Teen – who woo represent the District in the upcoming Miss America and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Competitions. The winner and top five finalists are awarded scholarships.
June 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. Tickets are $35-$65.
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.