THURSDAY, JULY 6
THEATER The 2017 Capital Fringe Festival kicks off on Thursday and runs through July 30. The festival brings independent theater, dance, music, and art to venues all over DC. Things To Do has already collected a list of recommendations, and the festival’s full schedule is listed online. $17 for any show plus $7 button purchase; times vary.
MUSIC The annual summer concert series at Fort Reno Park kicks off on Thursday and runs on Monday and Thursday nights through the end of the month, giving local bands a big outdoor stage to perform on. Dogs and children are welcome, but leave booze and glass bottles at home. The season’s first concert features the bands Mock Identity, TK Echo, and Weird Babies. Free, 7 PM.
FRIDAY, JULY 7
PARTY Inspired by the 50th annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the Smithsonian At 8 event at the Arts and Industries Building will celebrate the sights and sounds of the circus. The event will feature circus performers, a DJ, and cocktails. The event benefits the Smithsonian Associates’ education programs. $30, 9 PM.
DANCE The Black Cat is hosting The IndepenDANCE: A Pro-Choice Prom on Friday night. Benefitting the DC Abortion Fund, the event will feature live music and DJs, plus activity booths and raffles. Attendees are encouraged to dress in prom attire. $25 (advance) or $30 (day-of), 8 PM.
SATURDAY, JULY 8
FILM Austrian filmmaker Gustav Deutsch adapted thirteen Edward Hopper paintings in the 2013 film Shirley: Visions of Reality. Set in 20th century America, the film turns these paintings into vignettes that are tied to actual events in US history. The film will be screened at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s McEvoy Auditorium. Free, 3 PM.
FOOD The Nationals are hosting a Taste of the World food festival at the Big Blue Tent on First Street, prior to their game on Saturday afternoon against the Atlanta Braves. With the purchase of a special ticket (which includes admission to the game), fans can enjoy food and drink offerings provided by participating embassies (including Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Qatar, Romania, and South Korea) as well as cultural dance performances and Nationals salt & pepper shaker giveaway. $30 to $60, 1:30 PM.
BEER Port City Brewing is hosting its 4th Annual Old Town Pub Crawl on Saturday afternoon. Start at any one of the listed bars and work your way through the list; find the Port City representative at each venue to get your card stamped. Visit all 9 spots on the list and receive a free pint glass. Free to attend, 2 PM.
SUNDAY, JULY 9
FESTIVAL The Made In Colombia Festival 2017 at the University of the District of Columbia celebrates Colombian Independence Day with its music, food, beer, and wine, as well as the Miss Independence of Colombia 2017 contest. $15 advance or $20 at the door, 11 AM.
BOOKS Author David Cole will be discussing his book Rules for Resistance: Advice from Around the Globe for the Age of Trump at Politics & Prose on Sunday night. The anthology collects the wisdom of those who have lived under autocratic leaders, such as Masha Gessen, Ai Weiwei and Nadya Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot, and shares insight on issues such as the prosecution of political opponents and the use of libel laws to attack critics. Free, 3 PM.
