Happy Monday, DC!
Start June at the opening of a National Gallery of Art exhibition featuring the American flag or take the family to a history festival at the National Archives.
Best Things to Do This Week and Weekend
June 1–7
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- “American Icon: The US Flag in Art” exhibit. The work of major artists such as Jasper Johns, Gordon Parks, and Faith Ringgold are examined in this exhibit on how the American flag has been visually interpreted since the 1800s (Sat through December 6, free, National Gallery of Art).
- Spirit of Independence Festival. Celebrate America 250 with Disney music, historic re-enactors, food, and more family fun at Spirit of Independence Festival. The homage to US history features a dog-friendly happy hour and face painting on the National Archives lawn, a tribute to military service members, and an evening with country singer Garth Brooks (Thurs-Sat, free, Downtown).
- A Fine Madness. Woolly Mammoth actor Justin Weaks performs pop-up performances of A Fine Madness this month at Dupont Underground, Hamiltonian Artists, and The Nicholson Project. Audiences can expect an interactive show of poetry, music, science, and storytelling inspired by Voyager Golden Record (through June 28, $25, Dupont Circle, U Street Corridor, Southeast DC).
- “Interwoven: A Tradition of Textiles” exhibit at Hillwood. Hillwood Museum, Estate, and Gardens presents a collection on the home’s former owner, Marjorie Merriweather Post. You’ll get a chance to view her vintage textile collection and garments as well as contemporary pieces from textile and fabric artists Sophia Narrett and Manca Ahlin (Sat through January 3, 2027, $20, Northwest DC).
Want More Things to Do?
Arts and culture:
- View historic treasures and documents from America’s founding at the new exhibit “American Aspirations” (Tues through July 26, free, Smithsonian Castle).
- Play word-themed puzzles and sing karaoke at Planet Word’s Wordplay Wednesday museum parties (Wed, $5+, Downtown).
- For a drag performance, gallery talks about LGBTQIA+ artists, and refreshments, you can spend a Thursday evening at Phillips After 5 (Thurs, $20, Dupont Circle).
- “Master Teachers: Foundation to Future Soul” photography exhibition captures Ron St. Clair’s images of Black music (Thurs through June 30, free, Union Market).
- How much do you know about fashion history? Test your knowledge at the Library of Congress’ trivia night (Thurs, free, timed-entry pass required, Library of Congress).
- Tour through Anderson House, Dupont Underground, the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, and other attractions during Dupont Kalorama Museum Walk Weekend (Sat-Sun, free, Dupont Circle, Kalorama).
- Browse art from regional printmakers at DC Print Fair (Sat-Sun, free, Eastern Market).
Community and heritage:
- Learn how Washingtonians have helped shape American culture (Wed through September 27, free, MLK Library).
- Eric Marcus from the Making Gay History podcast speaks at Congressional Cemetery (Thurs, $20, Capitol Hill).
- Wear rainbow attire to a festive Pride celebration at Mosaic. There’s storytime for kids and live music by Hall Pass (Sat, free, Arlington).
Theater and shows:
- Sally & Tom is a bold comedic play about a theatre group’s staging of a production on American figures Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson (through June 28, $50+, Bethesda).
- Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going to Happen explores love and intimacy through dark comedy (Thurs, through July 12, $42+, Logan Circle).
- The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC performs a lively tribute to America’s Soul Divas (Sat-Sun, $26+, Lincoln Theatre).
Music and concerts:
- Grammy-winning producer and songwriter James Blake arrives in DC to promote his first self-released album Trying Times (Tues, $58, Wharf).
- DC rapper Sideshow has a homecoming show at Pearl Street Warehouse (Thurs, $27, Wharf).
- Bongo District and Les the DJ kick off summer’s live concert series at Anthem Row (Thurs, free, Downtown).
- This underground rap show at Songbyrd brings local artists Paco Panama and Ankhlejohn to the stage (Thurs, $20+, Union Market).
- Flash’s sister club Berhta welcomes partiers to their spacious open-air venue Bananas for a EDM party headlined by DJ Marten Lou (Sat, $35, Northeast DC).
- Britain’s genre-defying artist Yungblud performs an electrifying concert at The Anthem (Sun, sold out, $98+ from third-party sellers, Wharf).
Bites and beverages:
- Watch the Season 8 premiere of steamy dating show Love Island at Public Bar paired with food and drink deals (Tues, $7, Dupont Circle).
- The first 100 guests to visit Life Alive Organic Café’s patio party get a goodie-filled tote bag; there’s free drinks, food, and live music, too (Sat, free, Alexandria).
Things to do with kids:
- Kiddos can spend the morning reading with PG County Library (Tues, free, National Harbor).
- Youngsters can laugh along to a movie screening of Shrek 2 outdoor at Transit Pier (Wed, free, Wharf).
- The Boro Biergarten opens this weekend with glitter tattoos, live magic shows, and more family fun. Plus, there’s drink specials for adults (Thurs-Sat, free, Tysons).
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.
