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Radar: Things To Do in D.C. This Week
May 31, 2023 @ 12:00pm
Each week, District Fray rounds up some of the coolest events going on around the DMV.
This week, we’ve got summer movies with live scoring, we’ve got trivia by the Potomac, we’ve got improv workshops for the LGBTQIA+ community. But wait, there’s more. Try out a running group based on tempo, a zero-proof party or a gourmet drag brunch. A hodge podge of events, we hope that at least one has you excited to get out this week. Note: Some descriptions courtesy of event hosts and edited for clarity.
Don’t miss: Check out our Outdoor Movie Guide.
Looking for more ideas? Check out our entire events calendar.
6.1
Can I Kick It? Summer Movie Series at Franklin Park
Not your ordinary outdoor movie night, this series scores the movie live with hip-hop beats. This week, “Wakanda Forever” kicks off the season. Free. 7:30 p.m. 950 13th St. NW, DC; shaolinjazz.com // @shaolinjazz
Tempo Thursday at National Gallery of Art
If running at alternating tempos for an hour or so is your thing, this is the perfect weekly run for you. Free. 6:30 a.m. 6th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, DC; netrackclub.com // @ne_trackclub
6.2
Absence of Proof Launch Party at Binge Bar
If you’re sober or sober-curious or just like drinking things that taste good, this party is for you. $40. 7 p.m. 506 H St. NE, DC; facebook.com/bingebar // @bingebardc
Korean Film Festival Opening Day at National Museum of Asian Art
Get up to speed (or rewatch some favs) of Korean film at this festival that runs through June 30. Free. 7 p.m. 1050 Independence Ave. SW, DC; asia.si.edu // @natasianart
Sadie Barnette’s “New Eagle Creek Saloon” at STABLE Arts
This interactive installation and performance series will transport visitors to Barnette’s family history—and that history’s place in the collective history. Reimagining San Francisco’s first Black-owned gay bar, the exhibit dives deep into safe spaces. Free. 2 p.m. 336 Randolph Pl. NE, DC; stablearts.org // @stablearts
6.3
DanceAfrica DC 2023: Master Class at Dance Place
Join dance teacher Babadunjo Olagunke “Baba D” to learn one of many African dances at this festival that celebrates so much of the many African cultures. Free+. 10 a.m. 3225 8th St. NE, DC; danceplace.org // @danceplacedc
Drag Duels Drag Brunch at Bark Social
Join Sirène Noir Sidor-Jackson, the Reigning Drag Duels Champion, Vagenesis the 2022 National Bearded Empress, and a very special guest judge, as they preside over the most stunning drag lipsync battle. Bonus: Dogs allowed with registration. $20+. 11 a.m. 935 Prose St. North Bethesda, MD; barksocial.com // @bark_social
Dupont-Kalorama Museums Consortium Walk Weekend
A bunch of museums in the Dupont Circle area that normally cost for entry — from Anderson House to National Museum of American Jewish History — will be free this weekend. Free. 11 a.m. Dupont Circle NW, DC; dupontkaloramamc.com
Official Fray Event: Art Out Loud at Selna Hotel & Cowork
District Fray Magazine and Selina are kicking off Pride Month with an official Capital Pride party celebrating queer artists and allies in D.C., where we transform Selina into a six-hour arts party featuring 30+ artists, makers and creatives celebrating queer culture in the District. $25+. 6 p.m. 411 New York Ave. NE, DC; capitalpride.org // @capitalpridedc
6.4
2nd Annual Drag Brunch at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC
Kick off Pride Month with Four Seasons’ take on Drag Brunch. Hint: it’s gourmet. $150+. 12 p.m. 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; fourseasons.com/washington // @fourseasons
Carmina Burana + Hailstork’s Fifth Symphony at Strathmore
After a successful “Knee on the Neck” world premiere in 2022, National Philharmonic is back with a beautiful and moving performance of Composer Adolphus Hailstork’s Symphony No. 5. $19. 3 p.m. 5301 Tuckerman Ln. North Bethesda, MD; strathmore.org // @strathmorearts
I AM WOMAN: A Celebration of Women in Hip-Hop at The Kennedy Center
Honor the genius of women in hip-hop with artists MC Lyte, Rapsody, Kash Doll, Bahamadia, Mama Sōl and more. $49+. 8 p.m. 2700 F St. NW, DC; kennedy-center.org // @kennedycenter
6.5
Cap City Trivia at Dacha Navy Yard
D.C. is nothing if not a city of people who know facts about the most random of subjects. See if your fact about fruit roll-ups happens to come up at this weekly trivia series. Free. 7 p.m. 79 Potomac Ave. SE, DC; dachabeergarden.com // @dachanavyyard
Declan McKenna at The Anthem
McKenna’s songs examine what it’s like to enter a world of problems, and the forces we lean on to find our place within them. $45+. 8 p.m. 901 Wharf St. SW, DC; theanthemdc.com // @theanthemdc
6.6
Newstalgia at DC Improv
The trio of Patrice, Will and Nema use self-deprecating humor to advertise their event, so let’s go show them some love. $47. 7:30 p.m. 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; dcimprov.com // @dcimprov
Improv for All – A Workshop for LGTBQ+ Community + Allies at Studio Theatre
You can see improv often in D.C., but how often can you practice performing it? Check out this workshop where all are welcome to tell their stories and, hopefully, lock in some jokes. Free. 7 p.m. 1501 14th St. NW, DC; studiotheatre.org // @studiotheatre
Last week’s Radar picks
5.24
R&B Yoga Playground at Eaton DC
It’s yoga elevated — here, you can breathe, stretch and savasana to the soundtrack of R&B hits. The perfect mid-week stress release exists. $25. 6 p.m. 1201 K St. NW, DC; eatonworkshop.com // @eatonworkshop
Rooftop Bingo at Hi-Lawn
Lucky for you, if this round doesn’t work out, you can try again the next Wednesday and the next and the next and the next. Free. 7 p.m. 1309 5th St. NE, DC; hilawndc.com // @highlawndc
5.25
Zero-Waste Home Cooking at Bold Fork Books
Learn from authors of “Perfectly Good Food,” Margaret and Irene Li, about how to reduce the waste in your home kitchen. $8+. 7 p.m. 3064 Mt Pleasant St. NW, DC; boldforkbooks.com // @boldforkbooks
Vinyl + Storytelling at Eaton DC
How long has it been since you sat down with the sole purpose of listening and telling stories? Join Eaton for a time to connect, screen-free, and vibe to some curated tunes. Free. 7 p.m. 1201 K St. NW, DC; eatonworkshop.com // @eatonworkshop
5.26
Tune Up at the Parklets at National Landing
As National Bike Month comes to a close, Phoenix Bikes will make sure your ride is good to go for now and many months to come. Free. 9 a.m. 12th Street and South Fern Street, Arlington, VA; nationallanding.org // @nationallanding
Outdoor Movie: “Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark” at the REACH
This movie series proves that people contain multitudes — you can be a teacher AND an adventurer who’s deathly afraid of snakes. Free. 8 p.m. 2700 F St. NW, DC; kennedy-center.org/reach // @kennedycenter
5.27
Brick City at the National Building Museum
Ever seen massive Lego sculptures that make you wonder how people can be so creative? You can see multiple here, including streetscapes from Colombia, New Orleans, India, Mexico, Japan and Vegas. Free. 10 a.m. 401 F St. NW, DC; nbm.org // @nationalbuildingmuseum
AANHPI Heritage Month Pop-Up at the Outrage
Shop hyper local from Asian American, Native American + Pacific Islander vendors. Free+. 12 p.m. 1811 14th St. NW, DC; the-outrage.com // @theoutrageonline
5.28
NY Dog Film Festival at AFI Silver Theatre
Celebrate the bond between humans and dogs at this spot-on film festival. Through this medley of films, you’ll appreciate your pup even more than before. $13. 3:45 p.m. 8633 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; afisilver.afi.com // @afisilvertheatre
National Memorial Day Choral Festival at The Kennedy Center
This grand concert will honor veterans and fallen heroes so we can all remember the true meaning of the holiday. Free. 3 p.m. 2700 F St. NW, DC; kennedy-center.org // @kennedycenter
Mimosa Classic Pop-Up Day Party at Air Restaurant & Lounge
Learn a bit more about the mimosa (and drink plenty) with the background music of several DJs in this gorgeous lounge in Adams Morgan. Free+. 5 p.m. 2473 18th St. NW, DC; theairdc.com // @theairdc
5.29
First Day of “Incendiary” at Woolly Mammoth
In this play, a Black mother will try anything to save her son from death row. Using storytelling techniques from video games and comic books, the play grapples with trauma in new ways. Tickets on sale the week before opening. 8 p.m. 641 D St. NW, DC; woollymammoth.net // @woollymammothtc
The Hip Hop R&B Boat Party at Boomerang Tours, Inc.
Catch a ride from the Georgetown waterfront and sail out to the hits of the ‘90s and ‘00s. You know drinks are included. $60+. 4 p.m. 3100 K St. NW, DC; ridetheboomerang.com // @boomerangyachtsandpirateship
History Tour of the White House Neighborhood at the John Paul Jones Memorial
Learn more about “the scoundrel who saved the Battle of Gettysburg” and more niche facts in a celebration of our nation’s history. $24. 4 p.m. 17th St. SW, DC.
5.30
Party & Prance at Trade
Practice your pointe at haus of bambi’s queer-centric, gender-inclusive ballet class and happy hour. Dance education is for everyone. Free+. 6:30 p.m. 1410 14th St. NW, DC; hausofbambi.com // @hausofbambi
5.30-6.4
DanceAfrica DC 2023
Get a glimpse into the cultures and dances of the African diaspora at this festival, which holds performances and classes as well as a market and oral histories. Free+. Various times. Various locations; danceplace.org // @danceplacedc
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