It’s the weekend in which we all accept that summer’s really over. There’s no beach trip. No National Mall overrun with tourists in “You Don’t Know Me” t-shirts. No Friday night parades at the Barracks. But, don’t despair! You live on Capitol Hill. There’s always some fun stuff to do.
Thursday, September 9
If you’d like to start your weekend off a little smarter, I recommend you attend the Great Generals of the Civil War Panel Discussion at the National Archives beginning at 7pm. General Wesley K. Clark (ret.) moderates a panel discussion of The Great Generals book series. Panelists include John Mosier, author of Grant; Steven E. Woodworth, author of Sherman; Donald A. Davis, author of Stonewall Jackson; and Noah Andre Trudeau, author of Robert E. Lee. Book signings will follow the program. The event is free and takes place in the William G. McGowan Theater.
On the other hand, if you’d like to start your weekend a little more hung over, I recommend you spend Thursday evening at any number of Hill locations sure to be showing the Vikings and Saints showdown that launches the NFL season. My favorite local spots for football watching fun: Tunnicliff’s, The Pug and Hawk & Dove.
Friday, September 10
It’s the last Friday for Jazz in the Sculpture Garden. Local tenor saxophonist Bruce Swaim will perform. Come dangle your feet in the fountain and wind down with some jazz between 5:30 and 8:00pm.
Then, wander over to the Rock and Roll Hotel for their Friday adult Rock and Roll Spelling Bee. You drink a beer or shot between rounds… and still manage to spell chrysanthemum.
Saturday, September 11
Saturday is all about the arts. The Arts on Foot festival and arts market are taking over 7th & F Streets, NW and Sidney Harman Hall. The free festival starts at 11am and goes until 7pm and offers an interactive and cultural experience with live performances, hands-on activities, fine wines, and fun cuisine.
Or, if you’d like to enjoy some arts even closer to home, take your kids or your neighbor’s kids to KidsFest in Lincoln Park from 10am-1pm. They promise a honey bee hoedown, face painting, field games and live music by “Rocknoceros.”
Head over to the Capitol Riverfront for the grand opening celebration for Yards Park. This event runs from 9am-10pm and has something for everyone. From a moon bounce to henna tattoos to food trucks and beer gardens to fitness classes to music by DJ Keenan, you’ll find something to tickle your fancy.
Sunday, September 12
This is the last day for several well-reviewed museum exhibits. The National Museum for Women in the Arts’ exhibit, “Body of Work: New Perspectives on Figurative Painting” closes at 5pm. It’s also the last day for “Yives Klein: With the Void, Full Powers” at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. “DaVinci – The Genius” has it’s final day at the National Geographic Museum. The Phillips Collection is closing “Robert Ryman: Variations and Improvisations” at the end of the day. Finally, “Art by the Yard: Women Design Mid-Century Britain” has it’s last day at the Textile Museum.
I hope you’ll try one or two of these items… or suggest something else for fun this weekend.