We’re sprinting into the weekend with the speed of Noah Lyles (did you see the photo finish? 🙀). In case you missed it, the newly crowned “Fastest Man Alive” raced to Jummy after winning the gold medal.
With the Olympic flame burning in Paris through Sunday, there’s a decathlon of activities in the Washington DC area. Feast your way through Leesburg, show off your skills at the Montgomery County Ag Fair, shop the sidewalk in Alexandria, or watch baseball and singing at Teddy Swims in Nats Park. Of course, the Olympic watch parties in Paris are a great choice, too.
Finally, our annual Clear the Shelters campaign officially begins on Saturday, and next week we will share details of this year’s Pat’s Award-Winning Pet ChallengeGet ready to show off your furry, scaly or feathered friends.
Get into the Olympic spirit
Free choice
Washington Spirit hosts watch party for US Women’s National Team gold medal game
Sat., 11 a.m., The Bullpen at the Navy Yard
🔗 Details
The US women’s national soccer team has the spirit – Trinity Rodman And Casey Krueger of the Washington Spirit, that is.
And our local athletes are really giving it their all; see Rodman’s best moments from the USA-Germany game here.
Next, The USWNT faces Brazil on Saturday morning, hoping to win its first gold medal since 2012.
Washington Spirit brings fans together to experience this big moment in the bullpen at the Navy Yard.
The watch party – and the game – starts at 11 a.m. ET. Of course, you can also watch on Peacock, the USA Network and NBC4.
Free choice
Cardboard Boat Regatta
Sat., 12pm-3pm, Reston Museum
🔗 Details
Will it race? Can it even swim?
If the US rugby team can do all this on a cardboard bed at the Paris Olympics, we bet You can sail on Lake Anne with a cardboard watercraft.
Watching is free, but participants must register in advance.
Try Olympic sports
Are you watching the Paris Olympics and thinking, “I could do that!” (or maybe, “I could never do that!”)? Put yourself to the test!
Boxing, table tennis, trampolining and rock climbing are just some of the Olympic sports you can try in the Washington DC metropolitan area.
We’ve looked around for places that welcome beginners. Here’s the full list!
Concerts this weekend
Kid Congo Powers & the Pink Monkey Birds, Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Black Cat, $20
The guitarist of legendary punk, post-punk and alternative rock bands The Gun Club, The Cramps and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds returns with his band of punky garage and surf rockers. Local pop-punk supergroup The Owners open. Details.
Pretty Bitter and Flowerbomb, Friday 8pm, Black Cat, $20
These catchy, soulful alternative rock bands from Washington have recorded a split EP together: “Take Me Out.” Two songs each and a collaboration. This is the release party. Details.
Scott H. Biram, Saturday 7:00 p.m., Bright Box Theater, $15 (advance)/$20 (at the box office)
The Dirty Old One Man Band brings their mix of country, blues and punk to Winchester this weekend. Details.
Things to do in DC
East Potomac Park Mini Golf: Preview play through August 13, Hains Point, $15
Summer movies on the lawn of the Library of Congress: “Lady and the Tramp” (1955): Thursday, 8 p.m., lawn in front of the Thomas Jefferson Building at the corner of 2nd Street SE and Independence Avenue, free, but limited seating
Sundeck Salutations Yoga Series: Thursdays in August, The Yars in the Southeast, free
Nats Summer Concert Series: Teddy Swims: Fri., game starts at 6:45 p.m., Nationals Park, from $21
FYI: Nats vs. Angels on Fri., Sat. and Sun.
Black Eyed Peas: Wednesday, The Anthem, $55-$95
Missy Elliot: Thursday, Capital One Arena
Iron & Wine: Fri., The Anthem, $45
The LOX: Fri, 8pm, Howard Theater, $59.99+
US Women’s National Team Gold Medal Game Watch Party, hosted by Washington Spirit: Sat., 11 a.m., The Bullpen at Navy Yard, free admission, but registration requested
Espresso Martinis & Bikinis Beach Party: Sat., 2-10 p.m., The Cove in Southeast DC, free or $30 for skip-the-line ticket with two drinks
Firsthand experience: Pop-up books: Sat., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., National Museum of Women in the Arts, $20-25
For your information: For “learners aged 13 and over”
Caribbean Sports & Family Day Festival: Saturday, 11am to 9pm, The Fields at RFK Campus in the Northeast, free
Afro Bounce DMV Day Party: Sat., 3-10 p.m., Hook Hall in Northwest, free under $25
The Runback II: Juvenile & The 400 Degreez Band + Mannie Fresh: Sat, 10:30 p.m., Howard Theater, from $85
Last chance: “New Worlds: Women to Watch 2024”: Until August 11, National Museum of Women in the Arts, included in admission
Jazz in The Parks: Elijah Easton with Allyn Johnson, Kris Funn and Quincy Phillips: Sat., The Parks at Walter Reed, free
Summer Dresses & Whiskey: #KNOBCREEKNIK: Sun., 3-8pm, Dirty Habit in Northwest DC, admission free
Summer Restaurant Week: 12-18 August
Things to do in Maryland
Montgomery County Agricultural Fair: August 9-17, Gaithersburg, $13.36+ (NOTE: Closed Friday due to weather)
Friday Night Live!: Fri., 6:30-8:30 p.m., City Hall Plaza in College Park, free
Bethesda Outdoor Movies: “Sister Act”: Fri., Woodmont Triangle, free
Sad Summer Festival: Fri., 2 p.m., The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park in Columbia, $72.90 (including fees)
Miles Johnson: “Reflections of Progress” – debut solo art exhibition: Sat., 6-10 p.m., 4002 34th Street in Mount Rainier, donations welcome
Summer Family Day at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park: Sat., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sandy Spring, free
The Hey Cousin Culture Fest: Celebrating Black Joy: Sun., 1-8 p.m., Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, free
Things to do in Virginia
“Soft Power”: Through September 6, Signature Theater in Arlington
One Loudoun Carnival in Uptown: July 7-18 August, Ashburn, Virginia
Torpedo Factory Art Center 2. Friday: Fri., 7-10pm, Alexandria, free
Cardboard Boat Regatta: Saturday, 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., Reston Museum, free
Taste of Leesburg: Saturday, 5-10 p.m., downtown Leesburg, admission free, tasting tickets are $45 through Friday.
Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale: Sat., Old Town and beyond, free admission
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