Happy August!
Animal lovers, get ready for a big dose of adorable: It’s Clear the Shelters. And Bao Li just celebrated his 5th birthday! Plus, Tommy met a five-pound mini pig named Synergy helping those who need it most. Even Nats Park is getting a little wild (details below). 👀
This week, we’ve got outdoor movies across the DMV, a Mardi Gras-style parade, competitions putting cardboard boats and athletic dogs on the water, plus much more.
- Weekend weather: Expect hotter weather and chances for storms on Friday and Saturday. Here’s the forecast.
D.C.
It’s country night at Nats Park! After the game, Jordan Davis takes the stage for a Postgame Summer Concert. Go early for line dancing, live country bands and a petting farm with highland cows and mini barnyard friends. Everything is included with your game ticket. Fri., gates open at 5:30 p.m., Nats Park, $25+
Free outdoor movies: Catch Apollo 13” at the Library of Congress (Thurs.); “Zootopia 2” at the Georgetown Waterfront (Fri.); “Wicked: Part 1” at the Kennedy Center REACH (Sat.) and “Black Panther” with a live score by DJ 2-Tone Jones at Skyland Town Center (Sat.).
Who will earn the title of Iron Dog? This nationally sanctioned DockDogs competition will showcase pups jumping and splashing, plus fun activities for the whole family. Sat., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., The Wharf, free
We’re nowhere near Fat Tuesday, but Mardi Gras is coming to D.C. on Saturday. The Krewe of Pyros’ parade – where you can catch giveaways – begins at 10 a.m. at Chinatown Park, followed by a festival at Anthem Row featuring New Orleans’ Mannie Fresh. Sat., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Chinatown/Gallery Place, free
The Mystics are home, playing Dallas tonight, Atlanta on Friday during Sustainability in Style Night and Phoenix on Sunday to celebrate mascot Pax’s birthday.
It’s the final weekend to see TLC musical “CrazySexyCool” at Arena Stage. Grab your tickets, because many shows are sold out. Standing room tickets may be available at the box office two hours before each performance. Through Sun.
Maryland
Head to Watkins Regional Park for Comedy in the Park, this week featuring three-time “Showtime at the Apollo” champion Kareem Green and Belynda Cleare. The show is 18+. Fri., 7-9 p.m., Upper Marlboro, $10
Dance along to horns and heavy funk from 8 Ohms Band at rio’s Lakefront Live. Fri., 6-9 p.m., Gaithersburg, free
Stroll through fields of sunflowers, pick your own produce and explore 5 acres of farm-style fun during the Sunflower Spectacular at Butler’s Orchard. Opens Sat., Germantown, $8-$15
D.C.’s own vocalist, songwriter and actress Kanysha and The Crush Funk Brass Band will perform at Strathmore’s Big Bloom Festival at the Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center. Sat., 5-8 p.m., Silver Spring, free but RSVP required
Get a made-for-summer cooking lesson with a side of history at the Riversdale Historic Site & Museum. You’ll learn how to make cold soups using 19th-century techniques. Sun., noon, Riverdale Park, free
Free outdoor movies: See “GOAT” in Rockville (Thurs.); “Bring It On” in Bethesda (Fri., free), plus “Top Gun” (Thurs.) and “Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie” (Sun.) at National Harbor.
Virginia
The Prince William County Fair is hosting live shows, rodeos, monster trucks, carnival rides and more at the fairgrounds. Through Sat., Manassas, $15-$25
Support local shops and save a few bucks during Virginia’s tax-free weekend by exploring all that Old Town has to offer. Fri. to Sun.
Break out the hairspray! ‘80s cover band The Reflex plays Friday Night Live! in Herndon. Fri, 6:30-10 p.m., Herndon Town Green, free
Will they float or sink? The annual Cardboard Boat Regatta on Lake Anne in Reston is coming back! It’s a spectacle of homemade cardboard boats that gets bigger each year. Sat., 1-3 p.m., Reston Museum, free to watch
Eat, drink, shop, sing and dance at TASTE Leesburg, where you’ll find local restaurants, live music, a karaoke lounge on the Town Green, street performers and a stage devoted to sampling local wines. Sat., 5-10 p.m., free
Free outdoor movies: Watch “Captain America: The First Avenger” at Mosaic in Fairfax (Thurs.); “Hairspray” at Met Park in Arlington (Fri.); “Zootopia 2” in Chantilly (Sat.) and “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” at Reston Station (Sat.).
Music Snob’s concerts picks
Titus Andronicus, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, The Atlantis, $32.50
High concept, high IQ punk. These Jersey boys were the smartest kids in detention. Details.
The Goons, 7 p.m. Saturday, Songbyrd, $32.19
D.C. hardcore, ‘90s edition. Super short, super fast, and brutally heavy punk rock. The “Mars” EP released in the fall is their first new music in 20 years. New York hardcore legends Murphy’s Law open. Details.
Hot Tuna, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, The Birchmere, $86.50
Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady founded this Jefferson Airplane offshoot blues rock band almost six decades ago and remain the only consistent members. Always a special treat. This is an acoustic set. Details.
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