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Happy weekend!
Fall festival season is in full swing, but let's start with some furry and fun news.
We’re so grateful to everyone who shared their pets with us for our challenge supporting Clear the Shelters, and absolutely thrilled to share the top dog who astounded our judges with their smarts.
You may not be surprised to hear that this year's champion, retired police dog Phoenix, is good at following commands. But she's also so good at finding her toys! She knows her 14 favorite toys by name, and will happily fetch the right one on command. You really have to see it to believe it!
In other animal news… who else has noticed the “pandas are coming” signs on Metro?
Basil the one-eyed Virginia opossum is still our zoo animal obsession, but we can’t wait to have D.C.’s unofficial mascots back.
The Scene
The most fun things to do and places to be in D.C., Maryland and Virginia
The zoo is staying tight-lipped about panda plans but already confirmed Pandamonium 2024. We’ll keep you posted.
4 things to know for this weekend
- Weekend Weather: Enjoy some fantastic weather this weekend. Here's the forecast.
- Hispanic Heritage Month begins Sunday! Here's how to celebrate in the D.C. area.
- New name, who dis? The Commanders face the Giants for their home opener on Sunday – it’s the first game under the Northwest Stadium banner. Yes, it’s still in Landover. If you go to Northwest D.C., you’ve gone too far!
- D.C. Theatre Week is back with ticket discounts starting at $20. See shows including the upcoming “Babbitt” starring Matthew Broderick.
Weekend highlights
Cirque du Soleil: “OVO"
Through Sun., Capital One Arena, $49+
🔗 Details
Cirque du Soleil's bug-themed show is filled with astounding stunts, dazzling costumes and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Tumblers, trapeze artists, contortionists and all sorts of acrobats entrance audiences of all ages.
Gaver Farm Fall Festival: Military and First Responder Appreciation Weekend
Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mt. Airy, Maryland, prices vary
🔗 Details
Jump into fall fun at Gaver Farm. The Fall Fun Fest features a corn maze, opportunities to meet and feed animals, slides and more.
The sunflower fields are also open, or you can stick to the fall theme with a hay ride and apple picking.
This weekend, military members, first responders and their families can get free admission. Here are all the details.
Alexandria Old Town Art Festival
Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 300 John Carlyle St. in Alexandria, free
🔗 Details
John Carlyle Square hosts dozens of art vendors for you to peruse and enjoy.
Dulles Day Plane Pull benefitting Special Olympics Virginia
Sat., 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Dulles International Airport (follow "event parking" signs), free
🔗 Details
See how strong we are together? A group will pull a plane in a stunt benefitting Special Olympics Virginia, and there will be lots of activities for the whole family.
Washington Ukrainian Festival
Fri. to Sun., St. Andrews Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral (15100 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring), $20 (Saturday and Sunday) or $15 (Sunday only)
🔗 Details
Immerse yourself in the art, food and culture of Ukraine. Some proceeds support humanitarian organizations helping people impacted by the war.
Celebrate Petworth
Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 800 block of Upshur Street NW in D.C., free
🔗 Details
Explore the best this Northwest neighborhood has to offer by checking out performances, vendors, a dog show and kids’ activities.
Celebrate Van Ness
Sat., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., along Connecticut Avenue, free
🔗 Details
Van Ness is throwing an all-day celebration with a Taylor Swift dance party, artisan pop-up, Crush Funk Brass Band and more before settling in for a movie night. There will be a shuttle bus between Van Ness Street, Pierce Mill and Ellicot Street.
Falls Church Festival
Sat., Sept. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Falls Church City Hall and Community Center, free
🔗 Details
Free concerts, a children’s stage with magicians and music and beer gardens make for a fun day on Little Falls Street. Come hungry to sample from local restaurants participating in the Taste of Falls Church!
Hispanic Festival
Sun., Sept. 15, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Lane Manor Splash Park in Hyattsville, Maryland, free
🔗 Details
The Maryland-National Capital Park And Planning Commission’s festival for Hispanic Heritage Month includes music, activities and food for the whole family.
“Jaja's African Hair Braiding”
Through Oct. 13, Arena Stage in Southwest D.C., starting at $20 on TodayTix for Theatre Week
🔗 Details
The Tony-winning comedy “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” kicked off its national tour at D.C.'s Arena Stage. Set in Harlem, New York, the play follows the day in the life of several braiders as their boss, Jaja, gets married. Director Whitney White and wig designer Nikiya Mathis told our friend Jummy Olabanji about the community that comes with Black hair salons and the amount of care that goes into haircare.
You can grab discount tickets for as low as $20 on TodayTix.
Free pick
Dvořák Dreams: An Installation by Refik Anadol
Through Sept. 24, Kennedy Center REACH
🔗 Details
What does the work of Czech composer Antonín Dvořák LOOK like?
This large-scale visualizer at The Kennedy Center brings music into the visual realm. Refik Anadol used artificial intelligence algorithms and data to create this visualizer.
The exhibit will be on display at the REACH until Sept. 24. See it from 4 p.m. to midnight Monday to Thursday, and noon to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Solheim Cup
Through Sun., Gainesville, $65 and up for adults
🔗 Details
Whether you’re an avid golf watcher or love a party with a side of putting, check out the Solheim Cup and root for Team USA.
The Solheim Cup is at Valhalla Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia, where Team USA will take on Europe. It’s the first time the golf tournament is in the D.C. area, and Tommy got a sneak peek of the festivities.
There are many ways to experience it. Practice round tickets sell for as low as $1 for kids ($65 for adults), or you can go super (SUPER) premium.
Fun fact: The U.S. has won ten of the last 17 Solheim Cups!
Concerts this weekend
The dB’s, 7:30 p.m. Friday, The Atlantis, $25
An incredible opportunity to see one of the classic bands of ‘80s college rock live and up close. Brilliant, jangly power pop. Details.
American Aquarium, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Union Stage, $25+
Wistful and earnest alt-country from Raleigh, North Carolina. B.J. Barham is trying to make you cry, but his lyrics are just as likely to make you laugh. Details.
DeVotchKa, 8 p.m. Saturday, Black Cat, $32
The Denver band behind the “Little Miss Sunshine” soundtrack – except for “Superfreak” and those Sufjan Stevens songs – tour for the 20th anniversary of classic LP “How It Ends.” The group with the burlesque background is known for incorporating almost as many traditional genres as it does instruments – a lot. Details.
Common and Pete Rock, 7 p.m. Sunday, 9:30 Club, $75
Two hip-hop legends – respectively one of the best rappers and one of the best producers to come up in the ‘90s – collaborated for an LP this year, “The Auditorium, Vol. 1.” Details.
Things to do in D.C.
Cirque du Soleil: “OVO”: Through Sun., Capital One Arena
Sunset Cinema at The Wharf: “My Old Ass”: Thurs., 7 p.m., The Wharf’s Transit Pier, free
Live! At The Library: Film Costume Ball: Thurs., Sept. 12, 6-9 p.m., Library of Congress, free but RSVP required
The 1924: A Science Speakeasy: Fri., 6-9 p.m., National Academy of Sciences in Northwest D.C., $20
Nationals 1924 Championship Centennial Weekend: Fri., Sat. and Sun.
Don't Tell Comedy: Fri., various venues, $25
Walking Town free tours throughout the District: Sept. 14-21, free
Celebrate Petworth: Sat., Sept. 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 800 block of Upshur Street NW in D.C., free
Celebrate Van Ness Main Street: Sat., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Connecticut Avenue NW between Van Ness and Nebraska, free
Library of Congress Family Day: Hispanic Heritage Month: Sat., 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Thomas Jefferson Building - Great Hall, free
Paramount+ & NPF Present: "Forrest Gump" at the National Mall: Sat., lawn opens at 5 p.m., movie begins at dusk, National Mall near Smithsonian Metro Station and 9th Street, free
Dancing Queens Drag Brunch: Sun., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Roof Terrace Restaurant at the Kennedy Center, $98.91 per guest + tax
Washington Spirit vs. Houston Dash: Sun., 1 p.m., Audi Field
Washington Mystics vs.Atlanta Dream: Sun., 3 p.m., Entertainment and Sports Arena
Things to do in Maryland
The Great Frederick Fair: Sept. 13-21, Frederick, Maryland, $8 in advance or $10 at the gate for adults, free for kids under 10
FYI: Carnival rides and grandstand shows cost extra
Washington Ukrainian Festival: Fri. to Sun., St. Andrews Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral (15100 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring), $20 (Saturday and Sunday) or $15 (Sunday only)
Bowie International Festival: Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Allen Pond Park, free
Maryland Seafood Festival: Sat. and Sun., Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, $15+ (kids 12 and under can go for free with a paying adult)
Acoustics & Ales: Fri., 5-7:30 p.m., North Four Corners Local Park in Silver Spring, free entry
Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival: Sat., Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, free entry, parking is $10 in advance, $15 day of
In The Streets festival: Sat., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., downtown Frederick, Maryland, free entry
Latinas in Aviation Global Festival: Sat., College Park Aviation Museum, free
DC Polo Society | End of Summer Social: Sat., Congressional Polo Club in Poolesville, Maryland, $28.45 – $35
Hispanic Festival: Sun., Sept. 15, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Lane Manor Splash Park in Hyattsville, free
Commanders vs. New York Giants: Sun., 1 p.m., Northwest Stadium in Landover
Maryland Restaurant Week: Sept. 13-22
Brushes and Beats: A Go-Go Themed Youth Paint & Sip: Sun., Arts'tination in Oxon Hill, free with RSVP
Things to do in Virginia
Cox Farms Fall Festival: Select days from Sept. 15 to Nov. 5, Centreville, $10-$25
Solheim Cup: Through Sun., Gainesville, $65 and up for adults
22nd Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival: Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 300 John Carlyle St. in Alexandria, free
Torpedo Factory Art Center’s 50th Anniversary: Fri. to Sun., Alexandria
Virginia Native American Festival: Sat., 10 a.m., Riverbend Park in Great Falls, $12
Falls Church Festival: Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Falls Church City Hall and Community Center, free
Fall Family Fest: Sat., noon to 4 p.m., Perch Putt rooftop in Tyson’s Corner, free ticket with registration
NOVA Family Fair: Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, free
Moon Festival - Tết Trung Thu at Eden Center: Sat., noon to 5 p.m., Eden Center in Falls Church, free entry
Welcoming Week Family Storytime: Sun., 2-4 p.m., 418 S Washington St. in Alexandria, free
“Encanto” characters at Shipgarten: Sun., noon to 6 p.m., McLean, free entry
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