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
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party
The Washington Blade’s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party returns Friday, May 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
It’s an exciting election year in Delaware, which is poised to elect its first Black woman senator (Lisa Blunt Rochester) and the nation’s first transgender member of Congress (Sarah McBride).
McBride is scheduled to speak at the party along with several politicos from the area. With the retirement of longtime state Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, a staunch LGBTQ ally, three strong contenders are running to replace him. All three — Marty Rendon, Kathy McGuiness, and Claire Snyder-Hall — are slated to speak at the party. A representative from Blunt Rochester’s campaign is scheduled to speak, along with Kim Leisey, the new executive director of CAMP Rehoboth.
Tax-deductible tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite or via the Blade’s Facebook page. The party is sponsored by Justin Noble of Sotheby’s, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.
Andy Cohen, executive producer of “The Real Housewives” franchise and host of “Watch What Happens Live,” will return to Sixth & I on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
This event will be his fifth appearance at the venue to celebrate the paperback release of his New York Times bestselling memoir, “The Daddy Diaries,” talk about the latest Housewives happenings, and answer audience questions about everyone’s favorite Bravolebrities.
Cohen will be in conversation with Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents California and is the first LGBTQ immigrant to win a congressional seat. Rep. Garcia has also been known to quote from “The Real Housewives” in congressional hearings.
Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Friday, May 3
Center Aging Friday Tea Time will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social” at 7 p.m. at The Commentary. 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.
Saturday, May 4
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Sunday, May 5
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Dinner” at 7 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
AfroCode DC will be at 4 p.m. at Decades DC. This event will be an experience of non-stop music, dancing, and good vibes and a crossover of genres and a fusion of cultures. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 6
Center Aging: Monday Coffee & Conversation will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of their choice. For more details, email [email protected].
The Pride Center of Maryland will host “Transend: transgender & Nonbinary Support Group” at 4 p.m. at its offices. This is a safe place for hot topics, food, resources, information, image consulting and community. This event is free to attend and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, May 7
Pride on the Patio Events will host “LGBTQ Social Mixer” at 5:30 p.m. at Showroom. Dress is casual, fancy, or comfortable. Guests are encouraged to bring their most authentic self to chat, laugh, and get a little crazy. Admission is free and more details are on Eventbrite.
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 8
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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.
Thursday, May 9
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. 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 with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
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