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We’re only halfway through August, but wow, the final month of summer might be the best yet.
We’re still buzzing about the Paris Olympics. Maryland has welcomed home Katie Ledecky and Quincy Wilson – AKA the most-decorated female Olympian in U.S. history and Team USA’s youngest-ever male track athlete.
The Summer Games may be over, and our last 8 p.m. sunset of the year is coming up on Friday. But before we're ready for school and the Paralympics… it wouldn’t be August without another meow-velous summer competition.
Pat’s Prized Pets is back to support our Clear the Shelters campaign! 🐶🐱 This year, we want to see your pet's gold medal-worthy trick. Find more details here. We can’t wait to see your pets on the podium!
Before the sun sets on summer, you still have time to take a beach trip! Or, go on a water adventure that doesn’t require crossing the Bay Bridge. Plus, it’s still sunflower season at several Maryland farms.
Weekend highlights
County Fairs
County fair fever! Cram in all the rides and funnel cakes you can in Arlington, Montgomery and Prince William counties this week.
- Arlington County Fair: Through Aug. 18, Thomas Jefferson Community Center in Arlington, free admission
- Montgomery County Agricultural Fair: Through Sun., Gaithersburg, $13.36+
- Prince William County Fair: Through Aug. 17, Manassas, gate admission tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children
D.C.’s Summer Restaurant Week
Through Sun.
🔗 See all our recommendations
Summer Restaurant Week has returned with more dining deals than ever.
D.C.’s features multi-course brunches and lunches ($25 or $35) or dinners ($40, $55 or $65) at more than 350 spots representing 75 different cuisines.
And D.C. is just kicking off a whole season of restaurant weeks. Alexandria Restaurant Week begins on Friday, and Fairfax’s will run Sept. 2-8.
Washington Spirit International Friendlies: Spirit vs. Arsenal
Sun., game at 2 p.m., Audi Field, $15+
🔗 Details
If you were all-in on watching the U.S. women’s national team charge to a gold medal in the Paris Olympics, you’ll be thrilled about the Washington Spirit Friendlies.
On Sunday, the Spirit will play Arsenal, England’s most successful women’s football club and the current home of Team USA’s Emily Fox, a native of Ashburn, Virginia.
It should be a great match, although the status of any Olympians, including Fox and Spirit star Trinity Rodman, is TBA.
However, on Sunday the Spirit will celebrate its Olympians Gabby Carle, who played for Canada, and newly signed midfielder Leicy Santos, who represented Colombia.
Next weekend, Audi Field will host a doubleheader. First, it’s Washington vs. Kansas City at noon. Then, Arsenal will take on Chelsea for the second match of the International Friendlies. That's when Spirit is set to celebrate its gold medalists including Rodman. Look for the pink hair-braiding station so you can try out Rodman's memorable look.
Free pick
Chuck Brown Day
Sat., 1-7 p.m., Fort Dupont Park on Minnesota Ave. SE
🔗 Details
D.C. is celebrating the godfather of go-go with a day of music that’s “bigger, better, more cranking” than ever with Chuck Brown Band, Northeast Groovers, DCVybe, QUICKSILVA and more. Heads up: The party’s moving to Southeast this year.
"Emily in Paris" pop-up bar
Bonjour, oui oui, I'm in Paris! Or at least you'll feel like you're Emily in Paris after stepping inside Morris American Bar.
Adoption events for Clear the Shelters
- Reston Station will host an adoption event from 6-8 p.m. Friday before a free outdoor showing of "Air Bud."
- The Farm Brewery at Broad Run will also host an adoption event on Saturday.
- Crumbs and Whiskers, a cat café in Georgetown, is set to host Brat (Charli XCX) Night on Monday and Sabrina Carpenter Night on Fri., Aug. 23. They also have adoptable cat yoga this Thursday and Aug. 29.
Concerts this weekend
Chameleons, 8 p.m. Saturday, Black Cat, $40
Regarded as one of the greatest post-punk bands of all time, this English group really is unlike any other band under that label – a bleak and more goth sound than others, plus hints of folk. They are performing the classic 1986 album “Strange Times.” Details.
Things to do in D.C.
That 2000's BLOCK Party Hosted By BOW WOW: Fri., The Bullpen in Southeast D.C., $15+
Ben Schwartz & Friends: Fri., show at 8 p.m., The Anthem, $49.50 - $75
Joy of African Movement dance class: Sat., 9-10 a.m., National Museum of African Art, free
FYI: Also on Sat., Aug. 31
Mystics vs. Lynx: Sat., 2 p.m., Entertainment and Sports Arena
East of the River Fall Festival: 2-6 p.m., Sycamore & Oak on the St. Elizabeth’s East Campus, free
FYI: Backpack and school supply giveaway for first 500 kids, plus live music
Uncorked: DC wine fest: Sat., 7-11 p.m., Nationals Park, $75-$110
Future & Metro Boomin: Sat., Capital One Arena
“MJ: The Musical”: Through Sept. 8, The National Theatre
Sneaker Con: Sat. and Sun., Washington Convention Center, $30-$45
Unique Markets, DC Summer Pop-Up: Sat. and Sun., Dock5 at Union Market, free admission
Sky-High Sweat Sessions at Kimpton Banneker Hotel: Sun., 9 a.m., Lady Bird, THE Roof Top, free
FYI: Bring your own yoga mat. Attendees get a free smoothie and 15% off brunch at Le Sel after.
Washington Spirit International Friendlies: Spirit vs. Arsenal: Sun., kickoff 2 p.m., Arsenal, $15+
“MAMMA MIA!”: Through Sept. 1, The Kennedy Center, $49 – $199
Things to do in Maryland
Montgomery County Agricultural Fair: Through Sun., Gaithersburg, $13.36+
All-Star Comedy at Cabin John Regional Park: Fri., 6-8 p.m., Cabin John Regional Park in Bethesda, free
RisuCon anime and cosplay convention: Sat. and Sun., Montgomery County Conference Center in Rockville
Pro Motocross Championship: Sat., Budds Creek Motocross Park in Mechanicsville, $35.52+
Hot Joe's Summer Festival: Sat., 5-8 p.m., 3309 Bunker Hill Road, Mt. Rainier, pay what you wish
JAMAICA Fest: Sun., noon to 9 p.m., Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, free
Things to do in Virginia
Prince William County Fair: Through Aug. 17, Manassas, gate admission tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children
Arlington County Fair: Through Aug. 18, Thomas Jefferson Community Center in Arlington, free admission
Alexandria Restaurant Week: Aug. 16-25
“The Sound of Music” Sing-A-Long: Fri., Filene Center at Wolf Trap, $29+
Leesburg Festival of Crafts & Kites: Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Ida Lee Park, free
Bands & Brews: Del Ray's Summer Bar Crawl: Sat., 12:30-6 p.m., along Mount Vernon Avenue in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, $15
Begonia Show: Sat., 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sun., noon to 3:30 p.m., Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, free
Localpalooza featuring Black Flag: Sat., 3 p.m. to midnight, 8890 Mathis Ave., Manassas, $20
Fairfax Comic Con: Sat. and Sun., Dulles Expo Center, $20+
Boyz II Men: Sat. and Sun., Filene Center at Wolf Trap, $45+
Jerry Seinfeld: Mon. and Tues., Filene Center at Wolf Trap, $55+
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