11 Things to Do in the DMV This Weekend
This forecast is calling for hot, humid and oppressive weather this weekend. A good weekend to do something inside.
Metro is closing four stations this weekend – Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook and White Flint. Red Line trains will run every 8 minutes between Grosvenor and Glentmont and every 8 minutes between Grosvenor and Silver Spring with buses replacing trains between Shady Grove and Grosvenor stopping at Rockville, Twinbrook and Whiteflint. Riders should add an additional 15 minutes. An express shuttle will run between Grosvenor and Silver Spring adding 25 extra minutes. Orange Line trains will operate every 20 minutes with single tracking between McPherson Square and Smithsonian. Silver Line trains will run every 10 minutes between Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston ONLY. Blue Line trains will operate every 20 minutes with single tracking between Stadium-Armory and Addison Road. Green and Yellow Line trains will run on regular weekend schedules.
Star Wars Day at Nationals Park
The first-place Washington Nationals host the last-place Atlanta Braves this weekend. But if you are willing to brave the heat at Nationals Park, there will be post game fireworks on Friday and Star Wars Day on Saturday. The stadium becomes a mini Star Wars convention with Imperial Stormtroopers stationed throughout the concourse and the Racing Presidents dressed as characters from the films. Fans are also encouraged to come in costume. The first 20,000 fans through the gates get a “Join the Curly W Alliance” T-shirt.
Aug. 12 and 13 at at 7:05 p.m. at Nationals Park, 1500 S. Capitol St. SE. Tickets are $24-$410..
Jazz in the Garden
Now in its 16th year, Jazz in the Garden at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden showcases local musicians in a unique, beautiful setting. Paul Carr, a jazz saxophonist, preforms this week. Upcoming concerts include Sin Miedo, a 10-piece band on Aug. 19; Moonshine Society, a roots rock band, on Aug. 26; and the Fred Hughes Trio to wrap up the concert series on Sept. 2. In addition to taking in the music and scenery, you can pack a picnic to enjoy on the lawn or purchase food and beverages such as barbecue pork sandwiches, beef and chicken kabobs and chicken sausages from the Pavilion Café or gelato from the cart near the fountain. Alcoholic beverages, which must be purchased on site, include beer, wine, sangria and mixed drinks.
Aug. 12 from 5-8:30 p.m. at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Movies Under the Stars
Pack a picnic dinner and your beach chairs or blankets, and head down to Alexandria’s Movies Under the Stars. The city will be showing Lion King at Ben Brenman Park. Arrive early to pick your spot and let the kids work off some of their energy in the playground before the movie begins. There is also a fenced dog park if you want to take Fido. Some concessions will be for sale.
Aug. 12 starting at 8:30 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr., Alexandria. Admission is FREE!
Alexandria Sidewalk Sale
This weekend is the seventh annual Alexandria Sidewalk Sale with more than 50 boutiques and shops throughout Old Town and Del Ray discounting their wares up to 80 percent. Expect to find deals on clothing, jewelry, furniture, antiques, home décor, culinary and fine art. Look for yellow balloons outside participating stores. Parking in Old Town will be free both days.
Aug. 13 and 14 during regular store hours in Old Town and Del Rey. Admission is FREE!
National Bowling Day
Saturday is National Bowling Day, so all AMF, Bowlmor and Brunswick bowling centers are giving away a free game between 10 a.m.-noon. From 8-10 p.m. the bowling alleys will host parties with contests, specials and giveaways. All of that bowling, free or otherwise, eventually adds up to a good cause: once a million pins have been knocked down nationwide, Bowlmor AMF will donate half a million meals to local Feeding America food banks.
Aug. 13 all day and night all AMF, Bowlmor and Brunswick bowling centers in the DMV during regular business hours.
Workhouse Arts Center Brewfest
The Workhouse Arts Center Brewfest focuses on the arts, with 12 bands on three stages and open studios and galleries. Alongside the 15 food trucks and lawn games, it also will include plenty of beers from area breweries, including Blue Mountain Brewery, Adroit Theory, Mustang Sally Brewing Co., Center of the Universe Brewing Co.. D.C. Brau, Old Ox Brewery, Port City Brewers and Fair Winds Brewery. Organizers promise “nearly 100 craft brews by 33 breweries.”
Aug. 13 from noon-6 p.m. at the Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Road, Lorton. Tickets are $35 for general admission with five beer tickets and a souvenir glass. Additional drink tickets are five tickets for $10 on-site. Parking on-site is $15, but free parking is available at Vulcan Materials with a free shuttle to the festival.
Summer Open House: Arts of Afghanistan
Have you checked out the Turquoise Mountain: Artists Transforming Afghanistan exhibition? If not, spend a fun-filled afternoon as the Sackler Gallery hosts its Summer Open House: Arts of Afghanistan. You can make art, taste Afghan food, hear from artisans, watch musical performance, listen to traditional stories and explore the arts of Afghanistan. The day concludes with PechaKucha-style presentations by social entrepreneurs working with atisians in Asia and beyond. Food will be for sale and activities include Afghan games including chess and kite building.
Aug. 13 from 1-7 p.m. at the Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. Sw. Admission is FREE!
Star Wars Marathon
It has been 39 years since we first learned of the Force, Jedi, lighsabers, X-Wing Fighters and the Death Star, and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is bringing George Lucas’s Star Wars trilogy including Star Wars , The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi back to the big screen for a rare intergalactic marathon. For this Star Wars Marathon there is a costume competition, as well as Star Wars trivia, to go along with more than six hours of classic sci-fi cinema.
Aug. 13 with the first movie starting at 2 p.m. at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW. Tickets are $40-$70.
Movie Night
The Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization will screen All That Jazz at Movie Night. Limited seating is available on a first come, first served basis, so don’t forget to take your own chairs or blankets.
Aug. 13 beginning at 8:15 p.m. at Penrose Square, 2503 Columbia Pike, Arlington. Admission is FREE!
14th Street Burger Battle Royale
Head to the 14th Street Burger Battle Royale, where Café Saint Ex, Garden District and Matchbox fire up the gills and go burger to burger, bun to bun for the best burger title. Voters will decide, so come hungry and thirsty: 3 Stars will be there with five beers, including the Dissonance Rye Berliner Weisse, Above the Clouds Farmhouse Pale Ale and Two to the Dome Double IPA on tap.
Aug. 14 from 4-8 p.m. at Café Saint Ex, 1847 14th St. NW. Tickets are $15 at the door and includes three burger tickets and a taste of 3 Stars Dissonance. Additional burger tickets are $3 each.
Movies on the Potomac
Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of National Harbor’s restaurants and meet at the Plaza’s jumbo screen across from the Peeps store for Movies on the Potomac. This weekend enjoy a free screening The Karate Kid.
Aug. 14 from 6-8 p.m. at National Harbor’s Plaza, 165 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, Md. Admission is FREE, but parking is $3 for the first hour, $5 for 1-2 hours and $10 for 2-4 hours.
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.