Good day, DC!
Colombian artist Karol G lights up Northwest Stadium with her electric Latin tunes this weekend. Also, the Mubadala DC Open tennis competition continues at Rock Creek Park.
Best Things to Do This Week and Weekend
July 27–August 2
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- Karol G. If you missed Colombian artist Karol G’s explosive Coachella performances, don’t fret. The reggaeton megastar is coming to the DC area this weekend to sing songs from her latest tropical-infused record Tropicoqueta; be on the lookout for themed snacks and drinks at Northwest Stadium (Sun, $200+, Northwest Stadium).
- Mubadala DC Open. Some of tennis’ greatest players are competing at the Mubadala DC Open. Our beloved summer sporting event brings hometown favorite Frances Tiafoe back to the courts at Rock Creek Park along with multi-Grand Slam doubles champion Venus Williams. In between matches, fans can eat Michelin-starred bites and check out live interviews with players (through Sun, $60+, Rock Creek Park).
- Prince William County Fair. Families can venture through a petting zoo, watch live rodeo and derby shows, and ride a camel at the Prince William County Fair. The amusement spans nine days at the county’s fairgrounds (Fri through August 8, $25 for adults, $15 for ages 5 to 12, free for ages 4 and younger, Manassas).
- Black Books Matter Fest. Meet more than 50 authors at the third annual Black Books Matter Fest. Mahogany Books’ National Harbor location will host several local writers for book signings, panel discussions, and crafts for children (Sat, free, National Harbor).
Want More Things to Do?
Arts and culture:
- Novelist Colson Whitehead takes readers back in time to a 1980s Manhattan in the final book in his Harlem Trilogy, Cool Machine (Mon, $27+ for in-person tickets, $12+ for virtual, Downtown).
- Local author Ana Patricia Rodríguez explores Salvadoran contributions to DC’s art and culture in her book Avocado Dreams (Mon, free, MLK Library).
- Put your jigsaw skills to the test at Red Bear Brewing Co. (Tues, $20, NoMa).
- Watch a movie screening of space drama Apollo 13 outdoors (Wed, free, Wharf).
- Cool off inside Vida’s rooftop pool at a swimming party for the book Fat Swim (Thurs, $48, U Street Corridor).
- Discover America 250 history and fashions at Art Museum of the Americas (opens Thurs, free, Downtown).
- Writer Colin Asher stops by Solid State Books to discuss The Midnight Special (Fri, free, $36 for book and a drink, H Street Corridor).
- Socialize with fellow bookworms, or find a new date at East City Bookshop (Fri, $11, Capitol Hill).
Theater and shows:
- Dancing With the Star’s Derek Hough performs a Symphony of Dance: Encore! at MGM National Harbor (Sat, $70+, National Harbor).
Music and concerts:
- Local duo April + Vista plays songs from their debut album, Fly on The Wall, at Songbyrd (Wed, $25, Union Market).
- Dance at Black Cat in your favorite cosplay to DJ collective AniParty’s Japanese tunes (Thurs, $24, Shaw).
- Night owls can dance the night away at this Never Sleep Party (Fri, free+, H Street Corridor).
- Deejays spin thumping emo and punk beats at Emo Night Brooklyn (Fri, $36, Shaw).
Bites and beverages:
- Taste Peruvian dishes, drink discounted cocktails, and meet alpacas at Inca Social’s commemoration of Peru’s Independence Day (Mon-Fri, free entry, Arlington, Vienna).
- Aslin Beer Company teams up with Centrolina for a four-course dinner paired with a fruity La Dolce Vita brew (Mon, $55, Alexandria).
- Join this burger potluck inspired by recipes from Superiority Burger Cookbook (Thurs, $15, Capitol Hill).
- Sip Teaism teas and tap into your creative side with a collage art-making session (Fri, $28, Penn Quarter).
- Enjoy wine, dinner, and community at Flor’s Shabbat Dinner (Fri, $34, Georgetown).
Things to do with kids:
- Otakon returns to DC for another multi-day fest packed with anime, superhero, and manga mania (Fri-Sun, $100+ for adults, $55 for ages 9 to 12, free for ages 8 and younger, Mount Vernon Square).
If you enjoyed these events, please don’t forget to share this post with a friend on social media, and sign up for our newsletter for more things to do.
Briana A. Thomas is a local journalist, historian, and tour guide who specializes in the research of D.C. history and culture. She is the author of the Black history book, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a story that was first published in Washingtonian in 2016.
