Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

All weekend

Mount Vernon Colonial Market & Fair
Step back in time at Colonial Market & Fair, featuring food and wares made by colonial artisans. Take in the sights and sounds of the marketplace on Mount Vernon’s 12-acre field. Chat with colonial artisans selling traditional handcrafted food and wares. Hear live music from the colonial era. Watch as expert artisans demonstrate period crafting techniques. See General Washington in the General’s Tent. Colonial Market & Fair is included with general admission. Admission is free for Mount Vernon members.

National Book Festival
Create your National Book Festival experience with the Library of Congress in 2021 by engaging in author conversations online, watching the broadcast special on PBS, listening to NPR podcasts, tuning in to Washington Post Live author interviews and attending a ticketed event at the Library. Join an expanded Festival, Sept. 17-26, a 10-day event with the theme, “Open a Book, Open the World.”

Alexandria Old Town Art Festival
The 19th Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival is heading back to John Carlyle Square in 2021! Alexandria is recognized as one of the country’s premier artistic hubs. All artwork is juried, which provides a higher level of quality, diversity and creativity of art on display, exemplifying the gifted artists in regions from all over the country. The show is rated as one of the top 100 art shows in Sunshine Artist Magazine.

LUCHADORA! at Adventure Theatre
Debuting on Friday and playing through October 31. The discovery of a worn pink wrestling mask prompts Nana Lupita, a Wisconsin grandmother, to share her tale about growing up in 1960s Texas. As her tale unfolds, Lupita’s life as a teen tomboy comes alive—bike riding with her friends Leopold and Liesl, working at her father’s flower stand and lucha libre. When a World Championship match is announced, Lupita anticipates seeing it until she discovers her ailing father is one of the wrestlers. With the help of a magical mask maker, Lupita secretly trains to take her father’s place. She soon finds it difficult keeping her secret from her friends and, most importantly, her father.

Draw the Curtain 
Created by Swiss-born artist Nicolas Party is now officially on view at HIRSHHORN, but its larger-than-life installation started a few weeks ago. This site-specific commission is an original pastel painting digitally collaged and printed onto scrim. Painted in the tradition of “trompe l’oeil,” the work addresses themes of dupery and illusion, inviting passersby to consider what lies behind the façades of the buildings in the nation’s capital.

Maryland Renaissance Fair
Take a time machine back to medieval times. With plenty of entertainment, including music, joisting, puppetry, pony rides and so much more. Dates are: September 18, 19, 25, 26; October 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 Times are: 10:00am-7:00pm

Saturday

9:00am: Lincoln Cottage Family Day and 5K
Homecoming is the celebration of the 159th anniversary of Lincoln’s decision to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation – at the very home where he drafted it. The 5K begins at 9:00am. After the race, join for Family Day! Throughout the day there will be pony rides, crafts, storytelling and more. Pack a family picnic to enjoy on the South Lawn. Admission to Family Day is free, however donations are encouraged. You are encouraged to pack a picnic and enjoy the grounds. Ruby Scoops will be on hand if you would like to add a sweet treat to your afternoon!

10:00am & 11:30am: Arts on the Horizon present By the Seashore
Both performances take place outdoors at: Leonadus K. Plenty Amphitheater at Lee District Park. By the Seashore takes us on a magical journey to a place children love to visit – the beach! Young audience members are invited to explore all the amazing things we find on the shore, in the ocean, and in the sky; from birds and fish, to sand and water, and everything in-between! Using an imaginative mix of puppetry, movement, and sound, this sensory-filled production is specifically designed for our youngest audience members. Best for children ages 0 – 3 and their families.

12:00pm-7:00pm: H Street Festival
H Street Festival is a highly anticipated and highly attended festival in Washington D.C.  The festival is 11 blocks long and has 14 staging areas that are diversely themed and programmed to target the different segments of audiences.  The staging areas feature music of different genres, dance, youth based performances, interactive children’s program, fashion, heritage arts, poetry and many more. They have activity stations that focus on participatory artwork, informational stations that promote arts education, and exhibitor stations that showcase D.C. based artists. 

1:00pm-4:00pm: Chevy Chase DC Day at the Chevy Chase Community Center
Event highlights include, a zydeco band, Little Red and the Renegades, will perform throughout the festival. Other entertainment includes a juggler, magician, and balloon artist. There will be art shows and kids’ art projects, and much more. Ch/ART will help young artists make sidewalk chalk art and paper bag puppets. There will be yoga and dance demonstrations and instruction. The Fire department will provide big rigs and equipment demonstrations. Many DC government departments will participate including the Office of Planning to discuss the Small Area Plan. For residents of Wards 3 and 4, meet and greet with Councilmembers Cheh and George. A long-established tradition — the free Ice Cream giveaway — will be back.

6:00pm-9:30pm: Outdoor movie: SOUL
Head to Capitol Riverfront for Unity’s pop-up movie night! They’ll be playing the movie SOUL, and will feature the East of the River Steelband, food trucks, and of course…the movie! Tickets are $50/car, and include a snack pack, food voucher for use at the food trucks, and a giveaway. It should be a fun and safe night out for the family!

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