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
Plan your wedding the LGBTQ way
Washington D.C. LGBTQ+ Wedding Expo scheduled for Sunday
Rainbow Wedding Network will host “Washington D.C. LGBTQ+ Wedding Expo” on Sunday, March 1 at 12:30 p.m.
Guests can meet and mingle with a curated selection of LGBTQ-welcoming wedding professionals from across the region, each ready to help bring your vision to life, and spend a beautiful afternoon exploring everything they need to create a celebration that reflects them.
There will be a relaxed, self-guided look at the Watergate’s spaces and amenities, savor signature cocktails and delicious tasting samples, and connect with other couples who are on the same journey.
Visit Eventbrite to reserve a spot.
Friday, February 27
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga and Drag Bingo will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour Meetup” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. 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.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Saturday, February 28
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 Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black lesbian. You do not need to be a member of the Beta Kappa Chapter or the Beta Phi Omega Sorority in order to join, but they do ask that you either identify as a lesbian or are questioning that aspect of your identity.Send an email to [email protected] to receive the zoom link.
Sunday, March 1
LGBTQ+ Community Coffee and Conversation will be at 12 p.m. at As You Are. This event is for people looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ community. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, March 2
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, March 3
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, March 4
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 www.thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more information, email [email protected].
Thursday, March 5
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 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 Center’s website.
Sweat DC is officially expanding to Shaw, opening a new location at 1818 7th St., N.W., on Saturday, March 28 — and they’re kicking things off with a high-energy, community-first launch event.
To celebrate, Sweat DC is hosting Sweat Fest, a free community workout and social on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the historic Howard Theatre. The event features a group fitness class, live DJ, local food and wellness partners, and a mission-driven partnership with the Open Goal Project, which works to expand access to youth soccer for players from marginalized communities.
For more details, visit Sweat DC’s website and reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
