THURSDAY, JUNE 23
THEATER: You don’t have to trek the New York for Shakespeare in the Park—the Fat & Greasy Citizens Brigade has you covered with their outdoor performance of The Tempest at the Grace Episcopal Church. Grab a blanket, snacks, and enjoy The Bard’s tragicomedy set on a remote island. The last showing is June 24. Free; 7 PM
MUSIC: Peppy post-punkers BRNDA play Luce Unplugged at the Luce Foundation Center for American Art. Head over early to listen to an art talk by museum staff featuring works of art picked out specifically by the band. Free; 5:30.
FRIDAY, JUNE 24
FESTIVAL: The monthly MarketSW returns to #LotSW for another evening of local vendors, live performances, a beer garden and even a cigar lounge. Tonight’s music will be brought—or spun, rather—to you by the vinyl experts of Analog Soul Club DC. 4 PM
MUSEUMS: Just in time for baseball season, the National Portrait Gallery’s exhibit “One Life: Babe Ruth” opens. Babe Ruth was one of the most familiar faces in America—which may not seem remarkable now, when ads featuring second-tier jocks clog the airwaves—but it was down-right novel when he joined the fledgling major leagues. Today, the Babe’s historic importance is less about home runs (thanks to chemically enhanced sluggers smashing his records) than about popular culture: For better or worse, he invented the celebrity-athlete archetype. Take a look through this exhibit’s prints, photos, and ad memorabilia and decide if we ought to blame him for everything that came next.
COMEDY: Karen Williams, the nation’s first openly gay black comic, will be gracing DC Improv with a set in honor of Gay Pride Month. Williams first began performing standup in the 1980s as a single mother in Berkeley, and has been making a name for herself with quick wit and untouchable banter ever since. $25, 7:30 PM
COMEDY: Jay Pharoah brings the laughs to the Kennedy Center. The comedian’s uncanny impersonation of President Obama went sufficiently viral to get him cast on Saturday Night Live in 2010, but the Chesapeake, Virginia, native’s range goes far beyond the soon-to-be-ex-commander in chief. Witness his spot-on Kanye West and Ben Carson or the already legendary “Weekend Update” in which he impersonates nine other comedians. In his standup act, Pharoah tries to be more than just other people’s voices—no wonder his Showtime special last year was titled “Can I Be Me?” $29 to $45, 9:30 PM
SATURDAY, JUNE 25
FESTIVAL: Show off your patriotic side before the Fourth of July with Drink the District’s Red White ‘n Brew beer & wine festival at The Yards. Your ticket includes unlimited tastings, all of which are made in the United States. Pad your stomach by purchasing a tasty snack from one of the local food trucks on-hand. $45, 1 PM
FESTIVAL: Detroit-based lifestyle design brand Shinola is turning turning 14th street into a block party. Enjoy live music from Greensky Bluegrass, the Howard Gospel Choir, and DJ Ben Chang, along with typical block party activities like bocce ball and cornhole. You can also support Shinola’s collaboration with FEED, a hunger relief charity, by buying a tote bag that will afford the organization to provide 100 meals to children and families in need. 3 PM
MUSIC: Indie synth-pop darling Ladyhawke (real name Phillipa Margaret “Pip” Brown) plays U Street Music Hall promoting her latest album Wild Things, a fun, modern take on the new wave dance club hits from the ‘80s. $20, 7 PM
SUNDAY, JUNE 26
FESTIVAL: The parishioners from Shrine of the Sacred Heart are serving up pupusas once again at the second annual Pupusafest. Last year, the church sold close to 10,000 of these stuffed, grilled tortillas native to El Salvador, and they expect to make even more this time. Given that the event runs virtually all day, it is totally feasible (and not at all shameful) to eat a pupusa for every meal. 8 AM
FESTIVAL: The Yards Marina is celebrating their grand opening with a celebration that helps locals get to know the area. Spend the afternoon along the water exploring the Anacostia River on Living Classroom’s Historic Oyster Buyboat and the Anacostia Riverkeeper pontoon, sampling bites from local restaurants, enjoying live music and taking part in mini golf and cornhole games. 2 PM
