10 Things to Do in the DMV This Weekend
Summer is here, with hot temperatures. Pools are open, the air conditioners are running, and outdoor movies are back. Awesome Con, D.C.’s comic book, superhero and sci-fi festival is back too. And what’s summer without music, food and beer?
Metro starts its SafeTrack work program this weekend, closing the subway at midnight every night including weekends for about the next year. Red Line trains will single track between Wheaton and Glenmont with trains running every 15 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont and every 8-10 minutes between Grosvenor and Silver Spring from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Orange and Silver Line trains will single track between East Falls Church and Ballston through June 16, including weekdays. Both lines will run every 18 minutes and every 20 minutes after 10 p.m. with the Orange Line operating between Vienna and New Carrollton. Blue line trains will operate every 18 minutes and every 20 minutes after 10 p.m. to coordinate with the Orange and Silver Lines. Yellow Line trains will run every 18 minutes between Huntington and Mount Vernon Square ONLY and every 20 minutes after 10 p.m. Green Line trains will single track between U Street and Georgia Avenue and between Naylor Road and Branch Avenue with trains running every 18 minutes and every 20 minutes after 10 p.m.
Awesome Con
Now in its fourth year in the District, Awesome Con may have assembled its most impressive guest list. It includes the Batman dynamic duo from the 1960s television series, Adam West and Burt Ward; actor Peter Capaldi of Doctor Who; actor Robin Lord Taylor from Gotham; All-New, All-Different Avengers writer Mark Waid; Star Wars author Timothy Zahn; professional wrestler Ron Simmons; and legendary comic book writer Peter David, among others. There also are two ticketed events bookending the weekend: An Evening with Kevin Smith on the convention’s opening night, and StarTalk Live! with Bill Nye and Eugene Mirman on Sunday. You, of course, can attempt to upstage all of them at one of the cosplay competitions on Saturday or Sunday.
June 3 from noon-8 p.m., June 4 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and June 5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. Tickets are $80 for three-day passes and one-day passes are $40 for Friday and Sunday and $50 for Saturday.
Savor
Savor, an American craft beer and food experience from the Brewers Association, is back for its ninth year. Along with trying craft beer and culinary creations from 76 small and independent craft breweries from the District and 28 states, guest can meet the some of the people behind the craft beers. There are also salons, educational sessions, on a variety of craft beer topics. If you can’t make it this weekend, you won’t go thirsty. Brewers from around the country have descended on the city for tap takeovers galore. We’ll have a list of some Savor week activities on Saturday, or you can visit http://www.dcbeer.com/calendar DC Beer website for a full list.
June 3 and 4 from 7:30-11 p.m. at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Tasting tickets are $135 and include unlimited 2-ounce craft beer pours and food pairings, a commemorative tasting glass and exit gift, or $155 for a tasting ticket plus admission to one salon.
Rosslyn Cinema
Rosslyn Business Improvement District kicks off its annual Rosslyn Cinema, a series of outdoor movies every Friday through the end of August. Take a blanket or low chairs and watch movies under the stars. Food trucks, beer and wine are available from 5 p.m. until the movie starts at dusk. This year’s lineup includes E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial tonight, Beethoven 2 on June 10, Eat, Pray, Love on June 17 and Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark on June 24. For the full schedule, visit the website.
Fridays, June 3-Aug. 26, beginning at dusk at Gateway Park, 1300 Lee Highway, Arlington. Admission is FREE!
Washington Jewish Music Festival
The Washington Jewish Music Festival is back for its 17th year, exploring the music from Africa, Israel, Spain and Yemen. The festival works to promote an appreciation for Jewish culture and to unite the region through music, performing artists, educational programming and free events. This weekend’s events include the Yemen Blues returns on Saturday at 8 p.m. playing a mix of music from Yemen and West Africa led by singer Ravid Kahalani. On Sunday, the annual WJMF in the Park brings free performances from the Macaroons and the Brothers Yares along with games, face painting and the D.C. Ballers and The Big Cheese food trucks to Stead Park, 1625 P St. NW. from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and the Hadar Noiberg Trio at 5 p.m. fusing jazz and world music styles with a flute, double bass and drums. For more information, see the https://www.wjmf.org/events/ full schedule online.
Through June 13 at various times mostly at the D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW, but also at the Library of Congress, Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center and Topicalia. Tickets range from FREE-$30 with most priced at $20. Festival passes good for all shows are $75 or $30 for those 30-years-old and younger.
Space Day
Meet astronaut Terry Virts and hear about living and working on board the International Space Station, meet the Luner Reconnaissance Orbiter Team and hear Chris Gail read Three Is Nothing to Do on Mars at Space Day. You will also learn about how scientists, engineers and innovators are preparing for Mars, meet a spacesuit engineer, see model rockets,, build a Mars habitat, drop test a space capsule, design an astronaut mission patch and more. You’ll also be able to observe the sky, weather permitting, in the Phoebe Waterman Haas Pubic Observatory.
June 4 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum, Sixth Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
Dupont Kalorama Museum Walk
Six museums in Northwest Washington open their doors for the Dupont Kalorama Museum Walk, with shuttles stopping at the Anderson House, 2118 Masschusetts Ave. NW; Wilson House, 2340 S St. NW; and Dumbarton House, 2715 Q St NW. Other participating museums include the Heurich House, 1307 New Hampshire Ave. NW, and the Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. The National Museum of American Jewish Military History, 1811 R St. NW, is open only on Sunday. Activities differ at each stop: The Phillips will have jazz musicians playing and also host an instrument petting zoo, while the Heurich House will be set up for croquet, corn hole and badminton. The Anderson House will have family story time with Isabell Anderson’s fairy tales at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; guests can make campaign buttons at the Wilson House; the English Country Dancers will perform from 2-4 p.m. at Dumbarton House; and Jewish veterans will be on hand at the NMAJMH to discuss their experiences in the military.
June 4 and 5 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at six museums in the Dupont-Kalorama neighborhood. Admission and shuttle rides are FREE!
Takoma Trukgarten
Taste beers from Rockville’s new 7 Locks Brewing, along with favorites Denizens, Port City, Jailbreak, Hellbender, Gordon Biersch and the Brewer’s Art while filling up on food from local trucks and restaurants: Republic, Hardy’s Barbecue, La Strada, Say Cheese and the Bao Banh Boys at the Takoma Trukgarten. At this family- and dog-friendly outdoor event, there also will be music all day from five bands: Foozie, Swings, The Sea Life, Go Cozy and Shirt/Pants.
June 4 from noon-5 p.m. at the city parking lot next to 201 Ethan Allen Ave., Takoma Park. Tickets are $20 in advance for entry, six tasting tickets and a commemorative glass; $30 in advance for entry, glass and 12 tasting tickets; $10 for designated driver; and free for those under 21. Additional tasting tickets are $10 for six. Tickets are $5 extra at the gate.
Blue Point Toasted Tour
Blue Point Brewing Co, brings its laid-back east coast flair to the DMV as part of its national Toasted Tour. The outdoor event takes parking lot partying to a whole new level with an afternoon of games like Toasted Twister, cornhole, giant beer pong and Jenga, seafood cooking demos with Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford and of course, Blue Point beer. There will also be live music by U.S. Royalty, Vacationer and Cheerleader.
June 4 from 2-7 p.m. at Yards Park, 355 Water St. SE. Admission is $5, with beer and food available for purchase. VIP admission, which includes three beer tokens, a food voucher and swag is $35.
Taste of Wheaton
As a dining destination, Wheaton is no secret to food lovers in the DMV. At Taste of Wheaton, sample dishes from a number of the town’s restaurants, including Lumpia Pansit Atbp, Los Cobanos, Filipo’s Italian Specialties, Moby Dick Sushi, Hung Phat, Hollywood East Café, Pollo Campero, Ruan Thai, IHOP, Yummy in My tummy, Sarku Japan, Ledo Pizza, Green Plate Catering, Starbucks, the Limerick Pub and the new Squire’s Rock Creek Chophouse. There also will be mixology demonstrations with bartenders from BeClaws and Squire’s, in addition to kids rides, music from Tio Caliente, Urban Funk, Dub City Renegades and Amaretto, dance, face painting, henna tattoo art, balloon sculptures and caricatures..
June 5 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Wheaton Triangle, corner of Grandview Avenue and Reedie Drive. Admission is FREE! Tastings are $1-$5.
Feria de Sevilla
Experience Spain’s music, dance, art and food at the 25th Feria de Sevilla, a free flamenco festival. Listen to live flamenco beats, watch the intricate foot and arm work of passionate flamenco dancers and taste a variety of Spanish tapas.
June 5 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. 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.