The Coolest Happenings In & Around Town
Comet Ping Pong's Summer Outdoor Music Series
Through August 16th, Comet will present a series of 7:00 p.m. concerts in their parking lot pizza garden for a limited audience of pre-reserved, seated, dine-in guests. The summer schedule features artists ranging from jazz to bluegrass to indie rock to folk, and each performance will feature a comedy opening act to be announced. Tickets are available by purchasing a table which seats up to 2, 4 or 8 guests per table. There will be a 2 drink minimum for all attendees, and food and drinks will be available to purchase from Comet Ping Pong and Buck's Fishing & Camping. 5037 Connecticut Avenue NW; eventbrite.com
The Dock Days of Summer at DC Brau
From 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. every Sunday through September, DC Brau will be hosting local bands and DJs on their loading dock for guests in the beer garden and taproom. No cover, all ages welcome (although you must be 21+ to consume alcohol). The current line-up includes:
8/8 - Chris Nitti and Juan Zapata
8/22 - Dead on the Dock with The Black Muddy River Band
8/29 - Brothers Brau & Friends
9/5 - The Ornette Hawkins Trio
9/12 - Brothers Brau & Friends
9/26 - Dead on the Dock with The Black Muddy River Band
Follow @dcbrau on social media for updates and more information. 3178 Bladensburg Road NE; dcbrau.com
Hi-Lawn Theme Nights
Every Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., local musicians are performing Live on the Lawn, with a lineup ranging from funk & soul grooves from Jarreau Williams, to high energy cover band The Perfectionists, to retro hits from Cathy D Music. Local concerts are free to attend, but reservations are recommended. And every Monday from 3:00 to 10:00 p.m., Hi-Lawn is hosting a nautical-themed deck party featuring seaside specials (freshly-shucked oysters, fried clam strips and lobster rolls), plus discounted Champagne (in bottle, magnum and half-bottle formats) and buckets of beer. Come mid-July, Hi-Lawn will launch Games We Play Tuesdays featuring communal lawn games, such as giant chess, Jenga, cornhole and more, plus themed specials for the night. 1309 5th Street NE; hilawndc.com
Immersive Art Installation “Inside the Wardrobe”
The 20,000-square-foot, walk-through exhibit is a celebration of self-expression that invites guests to get reacquainted with the fun of getting dressed. After a year that saw many people trade their work clothes for leggings, once and future fashionistas will delight in “Inside the Wardrobe,” an experiential art installation that explores the concept of self-expression through fashion. Staged in a 20,000-square-foot space in Georgetown Park, “Inside the Wardrobe” will take visitors on a journey through more than 20 interactive experiences focused on the fun and tactile nature of engaging with your closet. At every turn, guests will be surrounded by style, in an endlessly Instagrammable fashion funhouse that will spark a conversation about the evolving nature of style and how we present ourselves to the world. Design Foundry, a DC-based events company known for its artistic event displays, has put together a small army of designers, creatives, craftspeople and carpenters to create this first-of-its-kind, open-to-the-public fashion funhouse. “Inside the Wardrobe” will run through Aug. 29, Thursday-Sunday. The exhibition will be open on Thursdays and Fridays, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. $28 (adults); students, seniors, military, and first responders ($24); and children 4+ ($19). A portion of the proceeds will go to designated charity partners, all of which strive to support self-expression and empowerment. 3270 M Street NW, Suite C100; insidethewardrobe.com
#Cottagecore at Kingsmill Resort
Families and friends are discovering the block of luxury cottages at Kingsmill Resort and turning it into their own neighborhood. Kingsmill Resort, located in Williamsburg, VA, is welcoming large family and friend groups with an offer to rent an entire block of private luxury cottages on the beautiful James River. They’ll even change the street sign for your visit and offer a private chef. The resort is also home to a million-dollar spa, indoor and outdoor pools, lazy river, five restaurants and is located only minutes away from famous Williamsburg attractions including Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, and Jamestown. There’s something for every member of the family and all skill levels with offerings such as championship golf, hiking, biking, pontoon, jet ski and kayak rentals, fishing and tennis. Kingsmill Resort is about 2.5 hours from DC and 45 minutes from Richmond. For more information, visit kingsmill.com for specific details or call 800.832.5665.
Café Cinema at Opaline
Opaline Bar & Brasserie Patio is presenting Café Cinema every Wednesday evening at dusk with classic films, spirited Unicones and savory-seasoned popcorn. In addition to Chef Jonathan De Paz’s French-inspired menu, guests will enjoy bottomless savory-seasoned popcorn for $3 and spirited Unicones for $9 each (non-alcoholic options also available). Savory popcorn is Cajun and truffle flavored, and Unicones are made with rum, tequila or vodka. 806 15th Street NW; 202.730.8701; opalinedc.com
Staycation Getaway at The Ritz
Just over the bridge from DC in Arlington, The Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City underwent a multi-million dollar renovation, and features sweeping views of the monuments and downtown. The hotel is offering a great staycation package for local travelers looking to get away this summer, but without hopping on a plane. The Staycation ‘Rediscover Local’ Package is valid through December 31, 2021. This package encourages locals to find their own travel inspiration, experiencing our beautiful city and its surroundings. This packages includes: Breakfast in the hotel restaurant for up to 2 adults; Exclusive 20% savings in Food and Beverage outlets including the hotel’s beloved Afternoon Tea experience; Complimentary hotel parking; Late check-out upon availability, destination experiences with a reduced price, complimentary souvenir, and more.ritzcarlton.com
Sandlot Tysons
Sandlot Tysons, the fourth iteration of the Sandlot brand and the first outside of DC Proper, has opened at The Boro. In partnership with The Meridian Group and The Boro, Sandlot Tysons will introduce a new twist on their offerings, providing a mix of cultural programming in collaboration with retailers, residential and office tenants and patrons of The Boro. The new, expansive mural by Jessie and Katey will be the iconic backdrop to Sandlot Tysons. Building off of The Boro’s lively pedestrian activity, Sandlot Tysons will host a calendar of cultural arts events and experiences for the community to enjoy, including weekly programs like Car Wash & Cocktails with Xact Detail every Friday, Free outdoor fitness and workout sessions with the Sweat DC team every Saturday morning, Live regional DJ’s from Rock Creek Social Club, Joy Club, Adobo DMV and more every Saturday, Sunset Sip & Paint Sessions with renowned artist Lex Marie every Sunday and more.1640 Boro Place, McLean, VA; sandlottysons.com
Sculpture Garden Summer Concert Series
Live music is back at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. The National Gallery closes out the summer with four outdoor concerts in the Sculpture Garden. The series not only revisits jazz, but it also offers the expanded musical genres of global psychedelia, mariachi, and brass. Concerts in the Sculpture Garden are held every other Thursday evening beginning July 29 and continuing to August 12, August 26, and September 9, 2021. World music group Bombay Rickey kicks off the first concert, followed by Baltimore Jazz Collective, US Army Brass, and the all-women mariachi band Flor de Toloache. The Bombay Rickey concert on July 29 is the first in-person program held at the National Gallery of Art since March 8, 2020. To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests, all concert-goers over the age of two need a free pass for admission. Passes will be released at tickets.nga.gov/events two weeks in advance of the concert date: July 29 for Baltimore Jazz Collective on August 12; August 12 for US Army Brass on August 26; and August 26 for Flor de Toloache on September 9. The National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden is located on the north side of the National Mall. On concert days, the Sculpture Garden closes to the public at 4:00 p.m. Gates reopen at 5:00 p.m. Concerts start at 6:00 p.m., and the evening ends at 8:30 p.m. Admittance to ticket holders is provided throughout the evening.
The Drive-In at Union Market
Let’s roll down the windows, feel that summer breeze and turn up the radio because the 9th Annual Drive-In at Union Market is back. A DC “must-do,” the series of six movies will launch the first Friday of every month through October 1. While enjoying films under the stars, enjoy dozens of local, regional and international foods: Egyptian favorites by Fava Pot, night market noodles from Som Tam, ice cream locally churned by The Creamery, tasty takeout burgers from Lucky Buns and more. Alcohol purchased from Market vendors is permitted on Neal Place. Alcohol is not allowed in the parking lot. For those on foot, pack your chairs and blankets and set up shop in front of Union Market for great views and picnic-style entertainment. Tickets are not required to watch on Neal Place. Movie audio will be transmitted through an FM transmitter on the radio. As always, all movies are shown with open captioning. Each movie showing costs $20 per car. 1309 5th St NE; unionmarketdc.com
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
This 360-degree digital art experience will be held at the Rhode Island Center, a large
complex of new buildings, leisure, and cultural facilities. In the exhibition, visitors will step into more than 300 of Van Gogh’s sketches, drawings, and paintings through the use of floor-to-ceiling digital projections, made possible by state-of-the-art video mapping technology. The exhibition also includes a one-of-a-kind VR experience in a separate gallery. This multi-sensory experience guides the viewer through a ten-minute journey on “a day in the life of the artist,” providing a chance to discover the inspiration behind some of Van Gogh’s most beloved and iconic works, including Vincent’s Bedroom at Arles and Starry Night Over The Rhone River. A drawing studio and additional galleries that explore the life, works and techniques of Van Gogh offer a new, intimate understanding of the Post-Impressionist genius and his work. Immersive and educational, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience provides a COVID-safe digital experience and family-friendly activity for adults and children alike. Tickets start from $34.90 for adults and $19.90 for children. 524 Rhode Island Avenue NE; feverup.com
The Wildset Hotel
The Washingtonian team behind the new boutique property, The Wildset inn and seafood-centric restaurant, Ruse, in St. Michaels, MD includes northern VA natives and sister duo behind critically acclaimed Henrietta Red in Nashville. The 34-bedroom hotel (every room is different and celebrates women with added touches like books, paintings, and photographs by female authors and artists throughout the space) is spread across four buildings. The hotel also features a sundries and coffee shop (pool coming in 2022). Ruse, a 78-seat restaurant features a stunning oyster bar, outdoor patio, and innovative wine list. Additional information available upon request. thewildset.com
