Our end-of-the-week picks for Sept. 6-8
We've gathered up some fun things to do in DC this Labor Day weekend. You can also read what else is going on during the week and throughout the month.
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Friday
Redefining Afrofuturism Expo
Hosted by UNIFI and The Fresh Food Factory Market at Sycamore & Oak, the first trade expo east of the Anacostia River will educate attendees on how to increase their purchasing power and buy directly from Africa and the diaspora. Embassies, government agencies, artists, thought leaders and speakers – along with 50 exhibitors – will be present at this free showcase for new technologies, textiles, unique foods and much more.
5-8:30 p.m. | More Information | Free Admission
1110 Oak Drive SE, Washington, DC 20032
Amen Dunes
After a six-year hiatus, Amen Dunes has returned with Death Jokes, a new LP painfully crafted over multiple years. As the musical project of one Damon McMahon, Amen Dunes has evolved from softer soundscapes to full-fledged indie pop that sounds like it could have come from just one person. Expect to hear songs from the new record as well as past favorites by the unique artist.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Black Cat, 1811 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Oh My Heart, Oh My Home.
Studio Theatre presents “An intimate story about sanctuary, belonging and loneliness” from Fringe First winner Casey Jay Andrews. The magnificent storyteller will gather around a doll’s house and weave a stunning fable about the strike of a meteorite, its impact on a neighborhood and the way it challenges a place’s capacity to contain a feeling.
Tickets
Studio Theatre, 1501 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Assimilation, cultural identity and the pursuit of the American dream are all front-and-center in this fascinating production that was nominated for five Tony Awards. Set in Harlem at a bustling hair braiding salon, the play zooms in on the lives of six women (and others) to present a spellbinding portrait of the African immigrant experience in the U.S.
Tickets
Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Saturday
DC Bike Ride
If you’re looking for fun activities in the District this fall, you’ve found a gem with DC Bike Ride. With a family-friendly course, the event is one of the biggest celebrations of cycling in DC and offers a unique experience to its participants, winding riders through city streets and by monuments and memorials. The 20-mile excursion welcomes riders over the age of three and includes a Finish Festival with food, music and fun activities.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
In the history of American music, Bruce Springsteen stands alone. For more than 50 years, the songwriting legend known as The Boss has conquered stages all over the world with his famous E Street Band by his side, playing songs that are etched into the fabric and psyche of Americana. “Born to Run.” “Thunder Road.” “Born in the USA.” All of these and more will echo through Nationals Park at one of DC’s most anticipated events of the year.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC
DC State Fair
Enjoy a free showcase of the District’s agricultural, culinary and creative talents with a daylong celebration of all things homegrown. Inspired by time-honored state fair traditions, growing and gardening, contests and delicious foods, the DC State Fair honors what makes the nation's capital one of a kind. Some past activities have included: competitions for best photographer, best mumbo sauce, the most creative use of space in a micro-garden, slime for kids and much, much more.
Legends & Legacy
Legends & Legacy Celebration on The Wharf
Join Events DC, CitySwing, TOGETHXR and LPGA*USGA Girls Golf for Legends & Legacy: a celebration of women’s sports. Cap off an incredible summer of athletics with a free event in the lead-up to LPGA’s Solheim Cup. The celebration features a full day of free, family-friendly fun at The Wharf, including two panel discussions hosted by legendary sports journalist Jemele Hill. Hear from high-profile women and men working in women’s sports who are changing the legacy of golf culture. Activities will include mini-golf, power putt, an arcade, arts and crafts, music and a U.S. Open Women’s Championship watch party.
12-8 p.m. | Free Admission | Register
District Pier at The Wharf, 101 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond
A new exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, will showcase the imprint of Asian Americans on the physical and cultural terrain of the nation's capital. Installed in a gallery that overlooks DC's Chinatown, the exhibition features examples of cultural products that feature Chinese, Korean and Japanese heritage and/or express coalitional Asian American and BIPOC identities. These include displays of artwork, material culture, images and other graphic material drawn from Smithsonian collections and shared by local lenders, including community members and repositories such as the DC History Center and the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University. A free celebration on Sept. 7 marks the exhibit's opening.
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th & G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20004
MJ – Final Weekend
Winner of multiple Tony Awards, this breathtaking musical centers on Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous Tour, providing a rare look into the creative process behind one of the most dynamic entertainers of all-time. Created by Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, the acclaimed production makes its DC debut at The National Theatre.
Tickets
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Sunday
Adams Morgan Day
The longest-running neighborhood festival in the District has been around for more than 40 years. The lively 18th Street buzzes with music, food vendors, for-sale artwork and family-friendly activities. Celebrate one of DC’s liveliest, most diverse neighborhoods with this day-long extravaganza that is led by volunteers and showcases the businesses, artists and organizations that make up Adams Morgan.
Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment
Discover the origins of one of the most important art movements in history thanks to a new exhibit at the National Gallery of Art. The museum is replicating a legendary exhibit from Paris in 1874 that helped bring about the dawn of Impressionism. In the display, you will be able to view beloved paintings by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissaro and many more.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC
ISEKAI: Blooming Parallel Worlds – Final Weekend
ARTECHOUSE welcomes visitors to its seventh annual installation dedicated to celebrating the beauty of the cherry blossoms in DC. The museum treats your eyes to an exhibit inspired by the Isekai genre of Anime, allowing for the exploration of alternate universes stacked with colors, adventures and immersive technologies. Plus, discover Gachapons hidden throughout the exhibit to win prizes from local businesses or snag a book from the 'Isekai Library'. Make sure to take advantage of tickets with a 10% discount.
Tickets (10% off)
ARTECHOUSE, 1238 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
Soft Power
Billed as a “visionary musical fantasia,” Soft Power details the story of a Chinese American playwright attacked by an unknown assailant soon after the 2016 election. The playwright then imagines a Golden Age musical comedy featuring a Chinese theater producer and Hillary Clinton. The new political satire from Tony Award winners David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori debuts at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Va.
Tickets
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206
Tuan Andrew Nguyen: The Island
In his DC debut, Tuan Andrew Nguyen presents his video work The Island (2017) alongside the sculpted headdress Bidong Spirit I, which was created specifically for the film. Both works were inspired by and reference the Malaysian island of Pulau Bidong, a landing place for Vietnamese escaping by boat after South Vietnam’s collapse in 1975.
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th & G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20004
Places to Stay
Need some inspiration for a place to stay in between events? Washington, DC is filled with a multitude of hotels to fit your needs. Whether you are looking for that specialty boutique hotel or booking at your favorite hotel brand, Washington, DC's booking engine has it all. Find your stay today!
#Only1DC Photo of the Week
Do you know where you’ll be dining pre- or post-event? From pop-up restaurants to award-winning hot spots to laid-back food halls, our DC food guide is perfect for helping you plan a more memorable experience.
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