Have a Cool Time This Hot Weekend
It is the weekend before the Fourth of July, and if you are in town, an abbreviated version of the Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival is here for two days ONLY. But with a hazy, hot and humid forecast with temperatures saying in the low- to mid-90s, you may want to stay inside during the day and visit one of the many new museum exhibits. If not, don’t forget to drink plenty of water and use sunscreen.
Major Metro disruptions continue this weekend with all six Blue and Yellow Line stations south of Reagan National Airport including Braddock Road, King Street, Van Dorn Street, Franconia-Springfield, Eisenhower Avenue and Huntington closed through Sept. 8. The Wiehle-Reston East station will also be closed. On the Blue Line, shuttle buses will operate between Franconia-Springfield, Van Dorn Street, King Street and National Airport, but not Braddock Road. There will be also be an express shuttle between Franconia-Springfield and the Pentagon Station. On the Yellow Line, buses will operate between Huntington, Eisenhower Avenue, King Street, Braddock Road and Crystal City, but not National Airport. There will also be an express bus between Huntington and Pentagon. Blue and Yellow Line trains on the remainder of the route will run on regular weekend schedules. Red Line trains single track between Union Station and Rhode Island Avenue with trains running every 15 minutes and additional trains every 7-8 minutes between Shady Grove and Judiciary Square between 9 a.m.-9 pm. Yellow Line trains now running to and from Greenbelt. Orange, Silver and Green Line trains operate on regular weekend schedules.
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival has been cut to two days this year and is focusing on the “Social Power of Music.”
(Photo: Smithsonian Folklife Festival)
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
You have only two days to experience this summer’s Smithsonian Folklife Festival instead of the usual 10, thanks in part to January’s government shutdown. The smaller festival pivoted to focus on the “Social Power of Music,” which corresponds with the Smithsonian’s Year of Music programming. This theme lends itself to concerts on the Mall: spoken-word artist Ruby Ibarra will headline a Saturday evening show alongside D.C. artist Kokayi nd Quetzal featuring Alic Bag and La Marisoul. Musicians will honor the life and legacy of folk artist Pete Seeger during the day on Sunday, with a family-friendly performance from Grandmaster Flash, along with The Bright Siders, Sonia De Los Santos, Dan and Claudia Zanes, and Elizabeth Mitchell and You Are My Flower. There will also be food trucks, instrument workshops and presentations about the D.C. music scene. Check out the full schedule online.
June 29 from noon-10 p.m. and June 30 from 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on the National Mall outside the Smithsonian Metro Station at 12th Street and Jefferson Drive SW and the Freer Plaza. Food trucks will be parked in the USDA parking lot. Admission is FREE!
Michael Sherrill Retrospective
the Michael Sherrill Retropsective at the Renwick Museum features his nature-inspired sculptures that utilize clay, glass and metal.(Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)
The Renwick Gallery provides a retrospective on the fascinating career of artist Michael Sherrill in this exhibit that feature more than 75 objects from his oeuvre. Spanning nearly 40 years of work, the Michael Sherrill Retrospective showcases the artist’s evolution from teapots and clay vessels to his stunning, nature-inspired sculptures that utilize clay, glass and metal.
June 28-Jan. 5 from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily at the Renwick Gallery, Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW. Admission is FREE!
Pageantry and Pyrotechnics in the European Fete Book
A new exhibit at the National Gallery of Art looks at fireworks in Europe. (Photo: National Gallery of Art)
The National Gallery of Art’s In the Library series turns its attention to fireworks with Pageantry and Pyrotechnics in the European Fete Book. The exact origins of fireworks are unknown. They probably originated in Asia sometime around the ninth century and are most often attributed to China, although pyrotechnics were known to have been used in ancient India as well. At some point in the Middle Ages the technology found its way to Europe, but sources vary on when they arrived and who brought them. Fete books, also known as festival books, will show how fireworks displays evolved throughout the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe, which coincided with artists attempting to capture these magnificent events. Visitors will learn how rulers projected power through pyrotechnics and how technology and artistry of the demonstrations increased over time.
June 24-Spet. 6 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Ginny Ruffner: Reforestation of the Imagination
Ginny Ruffner’s Restoration of Imaginiation at the Renwick features glass stumps that come alive with AR when viewed through and iPad or your phone app. (Photo: James Harnois)
Ginny Ruffner has mastered sculpture and glass, and has now spread her artistic wings into augmented reality. In Ginny Ruffner: Reforestation of the Imagination, she weaves the technology into her glass sculptures to create an interactive experience for observers. The installation consists of six islands, each featuring colorless glass sculptures of tree stumps. The landscape appears barren and bleak. Visitors will download an app or use iPads available at the museum, which superimpose digital images of growing appendages of mythical flowers onto Ruffner’s barren sculptures, creating two realities to explore in the process.
June 28-Jan. 5 from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily at the Renwick Gallery, Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW. Admission is FREE!
One Life: Marian Anderson
One Life: Marian Anderson at the National Portrait Gallery looks at the singer’s life. (Photo: National Portrait Gallery)
A singer, diplomat and muse, not to mention a strong fighter against segregationist policies, contralto Marian Anderson was an iconic figure of mid-20th century American. Her historic performance at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 was a monumental moment, but One Life: Marian Anderson dives much deeper, displaying paintings, photos, personal effects and archival materials that highlight Anderson’s stirring and influential career. It explores the ways artists, concert promoters and others wielded her iconic likeness as a powerful symbol in the pursuit of civil rights.
June 28-May 17 from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Friday Night Fishing
Fish for free from 5-8 p.m. Friday nights at Diamond Teague Pier with the Anacostia Riverkeepers. (Photo: Capitol Riverfront BID)
Favorite local summer activity, Friday Night Fishing, returns this Friday for its seventh year. Diamond Teague Pier is open to the community to enjoy free catch and release fishing with Anacostia Riverkeeper. All gear and bait are provided, along with river guides to teach and help.
June 28-Aug. 23 from 5-8 p.m. Fridays at Diamond Teague Pier, 1502 First St. SE near the Earth Conservation Corps pump house. Admission is FREE and all gear and bait are provided.
Fridays at Fort Totten
Fridays at Fort Totten is back with free concerts every Friday from 6-8 p.m. (Photo: Mike Kim/On Tap)
Grab your lawn chairs and blankets and head for Fridays at Fort Totten for a free outdoor concert every Friday through August. Take a picnic or get food from a different food truck every week. The remaining schedule include Allthebestkids on June 28, The Monster Band on July 5, Pebble to Pearl on July 12, Sol Roots on July 19, Cecily on July 26, Oh He Dead on Aug. 9, Feel Free on Aug. 16, Deacon Izzy & the Congregation on Aug. 30 and a rain date on Aug. 30.
Through Aug. 30 from 6-8 p.m. at the corner of South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE. Admission is FREE!
1 Journey Festival
The 1 Journey Festival from11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday honors refugees and their importance to our nation’s culture.
(Photo: 1 Journey Festival)
Honor refugees and their importance to our nation’s culture at the 1 Journey Festival held on the front lawn of the Washington National Cathedral. The 1 Journey Festival’s goal is to bring D.C.’s international community together to celebrate art, fashion, food, music and dance from countries that refugees once called home. A diverse lineup of speakers will also present their stories and insights. There will also be a children’s area with family-friendly and interactive fun for kids including building a kite, making a Journey bird and a parade. Food trucks including Bubble Tea Licious & Laos Street Food, KBBQ Box, HH Dumpling, Pho Wheels, Sambal, La Fondita and Tazah will be on hand. You can see the full schedule online.
June 29 from 11 a.m-6 p.m. at the Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Apple Storymakers Festival Block Party
The new Apple store in Mount Vernon Square wraps its grand opening with a block party from 5-11 p.m. Saturday. (Photo: Apple)
The new Apple store across the street from the convention center has hosted a few parties and some gatherings recently, including a U.S. women’s World Cup viewing in Mount Vernon Square, and its opening month festivities conclude with the Apple Storymakers Festival Block Party. Organized by the local No Kings Collective, bands and artists will take the surrounding square for a block party with music and art created before your eyes. Local rock duo Bat Fangs kicks things off, and go-go staples Backyard Band close the night. Other musical groups include Pinky KillaCorn and Aztec Sun. In between, you’ll find, DJs and food, including funnel cakes, Ruby Scoops ice cream and Swizzler hot dogs.
June 29 from 5-11 p.m. at Apple Carnegie Library, 801 K ST. NW. Admission is FREE!
Firefly Festival
The Arlington Parks & Rec department hosts a firefly festival from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday. (Photo: Arlington Parks & Rec)
One of the best natural perks of summer is seeing the night sky lit up by fireflies. Arlington’s parks department is inviting any and all bug lovers to join the fun at the Firefly Festival as experts lead bug hunts, walks, games, crafts and discussions about insect life. Attendees are encouraged to pack a picnic to wait out the sunset for peak firefly viewing times.
June 30 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Fort C.F. Smith Park, 2411 24th St. N, Arlington. Tickets are $7. All children must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Ongoing events
6.13.89: The Cancelling of the Mapplethorpe Exhibition from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 1-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 9 at the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, 500 17th St. NW. Admission is FREE!
All Work, No Pay from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through February 2020 at the National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
America; It’s Complicated at 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday (except July 4) and July 1, 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday through Aug. 11 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $49-$59.
American Myths & Memory: David Levinthal Photographs from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Oct. 14 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Animals, Collected from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.6 p.m. Sunday through Spring 2020 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Tickets are $7-$10.
The American Revolution: A World War from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through July 9 at the National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Americans from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through 2022 at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
Artists Respond: American Art and the Vietnam War, 1965-1975 from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Aug. 18 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Baseball Americana from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday through July 27 at the Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE. Admission is FREE!
Blackbeard at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 7 p.m. Sunday through July 14 at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Tickets are $40-$98.
Byhalia, Mississippi at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through July 7 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $25-$89.
Capital Harvest on the Plaza from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays through Nov. 22 at the Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series from 7-9 p.m. through Aug. 30 at Yards Park, 355 Water Street SE. Admission is FREE!
Celebrating New American Gardens from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Oct. 15 at the U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
DinoRoars from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Aug. 31 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice across Asia from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Nov. 29, 2020 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Enrico David: Gradations of Slow Release from 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily through Sept. 2 at the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Independence Avenue SW and Seventh Street SW. Admission is FREE!
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live Show at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday through Aug. 31 in the Smithsonian’s National Zoo Visitor Center’s National Zoo Theater, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children ages 2-12 and children younger than 2 are FREE!
Eye to I: Self-Portraits from 1900 to Today from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Aug. 18 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Flickering Treasures from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 14 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors ages 60 and older, youth ages 3-17 and students. Children 2 and younger are FREE!
Farragut Fridays from 9 a.m.-5p.m. through Sept. 20 at Farragut Square, 17th and K Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Game Change: Elephants from Prey to Preservation from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Feb. 1, at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Gardens Across America from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Oct. 1 at the U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
A Glimpse of Ancient Yemen from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Aug. 18 at the Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Good as Gold: Fashioning Senegalese Women from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Sept. 29 at the National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Helen Zubhaib: Migrations from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Tuesday and Sunday through July 28 at the Woodrow Wilson House, 2340 S St. NW. Tickets are $5-$10 at the door. Children younger than 12 are FREE!
Hello, Dolly! at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through July 7 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $49-$159.
Hoops from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 5 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for youth ages 3-17, students with ID and seniors ages 60 and older.
Infinite Space from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 5-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5:30-11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Sept. 2 at Artechouse, 1238 Maryland Ave. SW. Tickets are $8-$16 online and $10-$20 at the door.
In Mid-Sentence from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Mar. 8 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Jazz in the Garden from 5-8:30 p.m. through Aug. 23 at the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden, Sixth and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
The Life of Animals in Japanese Art from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Aug. 19 at the National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Manifesto: Art x Agency from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through Jan. 5 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Independence Avenue and Seventh Street SW. Admission is FREE!
Mid-Century Master: The Photography of Alfred Eisentaedt from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday through Jan. 12 at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for college students, $5 for children ages 6-18 and children younger than 6 are FREE!
It’s Hip to Be Square: The Mint Family from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Nov. 31 at the U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
More is More: Multiples from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday through Sept. 22 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for people 65 and older and students, and children 18 and younger are FREE!
Nature’s Best Photography from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through September at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Outbreak from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through 2021 at the National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Portraits of the World: Korea from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Nov. 17 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Queens of Egypt from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Sept. 2 at the National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, students and military, $10 for children 5-12 and children younger than 5 are FREE!
Recent Acquisitions from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Nov. 3 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through Jan. 3, 2021, at the National Archives, 701 Constitution Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Ripcord at 8 p.m Tuesday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through July 6 at Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW. Tickets are $20-$50.
Rirkrit Tiravanija: Who’s Afraid of Red, Yellow, and Green, from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through July 24 at the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Independence Avenue and 7th Street SW. Admission is FREE!
Rise Up: Stonewall and the LGBTQ Rights Movement from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 31 at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $12.71-$21.21 online or $14.95-$24.95 at the door.
Sculpture Down to Scale: Models for Public Art at Federal Buildings, 1974-1985 from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. through June 6, 2020, at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Sea Monsters Unearthed, Life in Angola’s Ancient Seas from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through 2020 at the National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Section 14: The Other Palm Springs, California from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through January at the National Museum of the American Indian, Fourth Street and Independence Avnue SW. Admission is FREE!
Seriously Funny: From the Desk of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 31 at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Admission is $12.71-$21.21 in online or $14.95-$24.95 at the door.
Shall Not Be Denied: Women Fight for the Vote from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday through September 2020 at the Library of Congress’ Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE. Admission is FREE!
Striking Iron: The Art of African Blacksmiths from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Oct. 20 at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Shaping Clay in Ancient Iran from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through September at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Smorgasburg D.C. from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays through October at Tingey Plaza, 200 Tingey St. SE. Admission is FREE!
Subodh Gupta: Terminal from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through 2020 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Superheroes from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through Sept. 2 at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Tiffany Chung: Vietnam, Past Is Prologue from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Sept. 2 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
The Warmth of Other Suns from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday and noon-6:30 p.m. Sunday through Sept. 14 at the Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and children 18 and younger are FREE!
The Way of the Kami from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through Nov. 1 at the Freer Gallery of Art, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
What Absence Is Made Of from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through the summer of 2019 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
Whistler in Watercolor from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through Oct. 6 at Freer Gallery of Art, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Women of Progress: Early Camera Portraits from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through May 31 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
