Out & About
SUMMER IN THE CITY 2016: events
Concert, parties, food trucks and more pepper regional calendar

Patrons enjoy a ride at Brew at the Zoo. (Photo courtesy the National Zoo)
As summer gets into full swing, lots of activities and events are happening in the District to pack in those long summer days and nights. Free outdoor concerts, movie screenings, beer and food festivals and pool parties in the coming weeks will give plenty to do in the local area.
The Alden and the McLean Community Center hosts Summer Sundays in the Park at McLean Central Park (1468 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean, Va.) every Sunday in July at 5 p.m. Tribute bands will play including the English Channel, a British invasion tribute band; the Reflex, an ‘80s tribute band; Still Surfin’, a Beach Boys tribute band; and more.
Downtown Silver Spring (908 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring, Md.) holds live concerts on the Fountain Plaza every Friday night this summer from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Genres include new swing, latin, pop-rock, classic rock, blues, Motown and pop.
Mansion at Strathmore (10701 Rockville Pk., North Bethesda, Md.) holds free summer outdoor concerts every Wednesday this summer at 7 p.m. Performances are held at the Gudelsky Gazebo. Upcoming performers include Ken &Brad Kolodner, the Wild Reeds, Aztec Sun, Cissa Paz and more. Picnic blankets, low beach chairs and small coolers are welcome. Food is available for sale on site.
Truckeroo, a monthly food truck festival, is held through October at the corner of Half Street and M Street, S.E. The next Truckeroo date is July 8 from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Participating food trucks include Bonmi, Surfside, Tapas, D.C. Slices, Feelin’ Crabby and more. There will also be live music and cold drinks.
Brew at the Zoo is at the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) on Thursday, July 21 from 6-9 p.m. This beer festival features unlimited tastings from more than 70 breweries, food trucks and live music from the Reagans. Animal encounters and brew games are also included. Early admission tickets are $85, general admission tickets are $65 and VIP tickets are $100. VIP tickets include a VIP area at Great Cats Circle, complimentary food tastings, lion and tiger keep talks and a takeaway gift. Proceeds benefit Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Signature Theatre (4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, Va.) hosts an open house on Saturday, July 23 from noon-8:30 p.m. There will be performances every 15 minutes, master classes, family cabarets, season preview concerts and a Broadway on the Plaza finale concert. Games and crafts will also be on the plaza all day.
Kegs and Corks Fest, a craft beer and Maryland wine festival, is at Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds (1450 General Hwy., Crownsville, Md.) starting at noon on Saturday, Aug. 20. There will be unlimited craft beer samples, unlimited wine samples, beer trucks and live music. Lawn chairs and blankets are permitted. Regular admission tickets are $40. VIP tickets are $100 and include private seating under tent, private bathrooms, unlimited beer and wine and a catered reception with food and drinks.
Mer Events hosts a pool party at Vida Fitness Penthouse and Pool Lounge (1212 Fourth St., S.E.) on Saturday, July 30 from 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Tickets are $25 until Tuesday, July 26. Tickets are $30 between July 26-30.
Splash Sunday pool parties are every Sunday this summer from noon-6 p.m. at Capitol Skyline Hotel’s rooftop pool (10 I St., S.W.) There will be two outdoor bars and one indoor bar. An outdoor grill will be running all day. DJ Antonio Ernesto plays music. There is a free burger and beer with ticket. Tickets are $15.
Various outdoor movie screenings occur all over the District this summer.
Congressional Cemetery (1801 E St., S.E.) screens “Singin’ in the Rain” on Friday, July 22. There is a suggested $10 donation.
Dumbarton House Jane Austen Film Festival screens “Emma” on Wednesday, July 13 and “Pride and Prejudice” on Wednesday, July 27 at Dumbarton House (2715 Q St., N.W.). Films begin at sunset and admission is $6.
Films at the Stone presents “Zootopia” on Thursday, July 21 at 8:15 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial (1964 Independence Ave., S.W.). “Race” screens on Thursday, Aug. 25 at 8:15 p.m.
Golden Cinema Series screens films every Friday through July at Farragut Park (Connecticut Ave., and K St., N.W.) at 7:30 p.m. Upcoming films include “Clear and Present Danger,” “Manchrian Candidate,” “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” and “Mars Attacks!”
Georgetown Sunset Cinema screens movies at Georgetown Waterfront Park at sundown. “Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind” is on Tuesday, July 12; “ET” is on Tuesday, July 19; “Thelma & Louise” is Tuesday, July 26; and “Into the Wild” is Tuesday, Aug. 2.
Mitchell Park Films in the Field screens films at S and 23rd St., N.W. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is on Thursday, July 21 at 8:30 p.m.; “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” is on Thursday, Aug.18 at 8 p.m.; and “Ghostbusters” screens on Friday, Sept 9 at 7 p.m.
Family Night at Sursum Corda is on the plaza at L and First streets N.W. “Up” screens on Friday, July 19 and “Zootopia” is on Friday, Aug. 16. Movies start at sunset.
Union Market (1309 Fifth St., N.E.) hosts a drive-in movie for “Ratatouille” on Friday, Aug. 5 and “Grease” on Friday, Sept. 2. Movies start at 8 p.m. and include captioning. Drive-in parking is $10. Ground seating is free.
U Street Movie Series hosts its film screenings at Harrison Field (1330 V. St., N.W.). “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” is on Friday, Aug. 17; “Finding Nemo” is on Saturday, Sept. 17; and “The War Room” is on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

Truckeroo, a monthly food tasting event, returns July 8 in Southeast Washington. (Photo courtesy Georgetown Events)
Out & About
LGBTQ Military Happy Hour set for Sept. 15
In-person gathering to be held at Tom’s Watch Bar
Modern Military Association of America will host “Pride in Service: An LGBTQ+ Military Happy Hour” on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. at Tom’s Watch Bar.
This in-person gathering is the perfect chance to connect, share stories, and celebrate the diversity within the military community. Come relax, meet fellow LGBTQ+ service members and allies, and enjoy a fun, supportive atmosphere. Don’t miss out on an evening full of pride, camaraderie, and good vibes. Visit Eventbrite for more details.
Friday, September 11
Go Gay DC will host “Out in DC LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena.This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.
Saturday, September 12
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host screenings of “Princess Sparkles” and “Kiloran Bay” at 1:30 p.m. “Kiloran Bay” is a 13-minute musical short set amid the wild beauty of the Scottish Hebrides and the fierce joy of a wedding cèilidh. “Princess Sparkles” is about a girl who accidentally signs up to pet-sit a princess only to discover she’s actually a nippy, Fox News-watching pig. More details are available on the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.
Sunday, September 13
“Nellie’s DC Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. Come get served like a queen by a queen. Join Sapphire Blue, Deja Diamond and their team of amazing drag performers for the most fun you’ll have all weekend. Tickets are $58.51 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, September 14
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10:00a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, September 15
Center Bi Pan+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting. Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Wednesday, September 16
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “Movement for Healing” at 3 p.m. This trauma- and yoga therapy–informed class is designed to help guests gently reconnect with their body and their breath. Through mindful movement, somatic awareness, and grounding practices, guests will explore how to release tension, increase mobility, and cultivate a deeper sense of safety and ease within. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, September 17
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.
Out & About
Blade Foundation to host fundraiser in Rehoboth on Sept. 12
Mayor-elect Stewart, state Rep. Snyder-Hall to give remarks
The Washington Blade Foundation will host a fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 12 in Rehoboth Beach featuring remarks from Rehoboth’s Mayor-elect Susan Stewart and Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall.
The Foundation funds fellowships for aspiring queer journalists and enterprise journalism projects.
The event will be held at a private home in Rehoboth. Tickets are $100 and include open bar from Diego’s, catered appetizers from the Blue Moon, entertainment, guest speakers, and an auction. Tickets are available here.
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