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You’ve almost certainly heard there’s a government shutdown. While that does mean some closures and cancellations, there’s still plenty to do in the D.C. area.
Have museum plans? You’re in luck (for now). The Smithsonian museums and National Zoo will stay open through Monday, at least.
The Library of Congress and U.S. Botanic Garden are among the spots closed for now. While National Parks and monuments may be accessible, make a plan in case some facilities like bathrooms and visitor centers aren’t open.
Whether you want to celebrate “Life of a Showgirl” or visit D.C.’s first Pickle Bash, we have plenty of options below.
- Weekend weather: It’s feeling like fall now, but you might not need a jacket on the sunny weekend ahead. Here’s the forecast.
Celebrating Taylor Swift’s new album
Ready for it? There are plenty of places for Swifties to get together to sing along to “Life of a Showgirl.”
“The Official Release Party of a Showgirl” is hitting theaters, including the Greenbelt Cinema, which plans to stir up special spritzers and mocktails.
Several bars and restaurants have “Showgirl” parties, too, including Makers Union (multiple locations), Shipgarten (McLean, Virginia), Lady Madison Restaurant (Downtown D.C.), Public Bar Live (Dupont), 1310 Kitchen & Bar (Georgetown) and The Madhatter (Dupont).
If you know a “mini Swiftie,” check out the album release party at Pink Moon in Bethesda, which will feature a tribute act and meet-and-greet with a Taylor Swift lookalike/actor.
More weekend highlights
Free & family-friendly
DC Pickle Bash
Sat., Geranium Street and Georgia Ave. NW, free entry
🔗 Details
Embrace your sweet and sour sides at the first annual DC Pickle Bash, a block party that’s uniting pickle lovers to “brine, bite and be merry.”
Craft shop Merry Pin is behind the Geranium Street block party, so you can expect craft stations in addition to local vendors, competitions, kids’ activities and more.
An All-Access Pickle Pass ($45 for adults, $25 for kids) is available for anyone who wants to go wild on an all-you-can-eat pickle bar. You’ll also get a pickle drink!
If you’re not pickled out by 7 p.m., head to the Dill Disco with a live DJ, dancing and more fun. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $25 at the door.
Free & family-friendly
Art on the Avenue
Sat., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, Alexandria, free entry
🔗 Details
Shop works from dozens of artists, catch live music on multiple stages and stop by Pam’s Pie Competition & Bake Sale for a baked fall treat. Among festival favorites is the Kids Art Corner on the school field near Del Ray Artisans (open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), so there’s plenty to do for the whole family. This Alexandria tradition is celebrating 30 years.
Free & family-friendly
Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash and Oktoberfest
Sat., 2-7 p.m., The Wharf
🔗 Details
Look at those little legs go! Our favorite part of The Wharf’s Oktoberfest is the Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash, where mini dogs show off major speed. Tommy will serve as your host for the races, which run from 2-5 p.m. It’s usually crowded near the race track, but you can also catch the action on a big screen.
Have a speedy Dachshund? They can sign up to race here. The fee is $33, and proceeds benefit Rural Dog Rescue.
End your night with a free polka dance class from 5-7 p.m. Just saying, there will be a prize for the best-dressed dancer. Break out your dirndl or Lederhosen!
Go-Go Museum & Café fundraiser – The Juke Joint: Put It in the Pocket
Sat., 2-6 p.m., 1920 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, $100
🔗 Details
Go-go music is much more than just the official music of D.C. It’s a rallying point for residents and a rich part of the city’s history.
But the Go-Go Museum & Café, which is dedicated to preserving and sharing that history, is having trouble staying open. Challenges include high expenses and cuts to arts funding, founder Ron Moten said. (You might remember Ron as our Scene Setter and guest curator from earlier this year!)
The museum hopes to raise $500,000, and they’re kicking off the effort with a big concert this Saturday.
The museum is open five days a week for tours and events, and it’s free for D.C. residents.
Free & family-friendly
Moon gaze on International Observe the Moon Night
Sat., 7-9 p.m., Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly
🔗 Details
International Observe the Moon Night is Saturday, and there will be dozens of in-person and virtual events for you to try. But what better location than the National Air and Space Museum?
The Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly invites sky watchers of all ages to peek through a telescope with the guidance of experienced observers. Check the forecast before you go and call 202-633-2517 for last-minute updates.
(The Air and Space Museum’s D.C. location on the National Mall will host an event on Friday).
Concerts this weekend
Neko Case, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Lincoln Theatre, $74.40
Singer-songwriter with an impeccable voice (vocals as clean and crisp live as they are on record) just released her eighth album, “Neon Grey Midnight Green,” and it’s another beauty. Her heartfelt, clever storytelling is just as honest as her voice. She tapped one of her personal favorites for this tour: D.C.’s Des Demonas – a punk supergroup that’s more dynamic than most with influences varying from pop, blues, Afro beat, psychedelic and more. Details.
The Tubs, 7 p.m. Thursday, Songbyrd, $18/$22
Irish jangle pop band hearkens back to New Zealand’s Dunedin sound and Flying Nun Records bands like The Clean, The Verlaines, The Bats, The Chills and Tall Dwarfs. Details.
(the) Melvins with Redd Kross, 8 p.m. Saturday, Black Cat, $41.40
Two innovative and influential bands that got going in the ‘80s joined for an inevitable tour together (Melvins’ current bassist doing double duty as a founding member of Kross). The former had an early hand in (or invented) several styles over the years – grunge, experimetal, instrumetal, ambient metal – inspiring countless metal and punk bands over four decades. Redd Kross came out of the late ‘70s California punk scene when founding brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald were still in middle school. They’d soon start playing the kind of loud, raucous power pop for which The Replacements became legend. Details.
More to do in D.C.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary with Barry Bostwick: Thurs., 8 p.m., Warner Theatre, $53+
Concert – Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Stephanie Mills: Fri., Capital One Arena, $103+
Concert – The Floozies: Fri., 9:30 Club, $38.25
International Observe the Moon Night Pop-up Stargazing/Moongazing: Fri., 8:30 – 10:30 p.m., National Air and Space Museum, free
Celebrating 45 Years of Dance Place – Lionel Popkin: Fri. and Sat., 6 p.m., Dance Place in Northeast, $30 general admission
Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash and Oktoberfest: Sat., 2-7 p.m., The Wharf, free
Go-Go Museum & Café fundraiser – The Juke Joint: Put It in the Pocket: Sat., 2-6 p.m., 1920 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, $100
Comedy – Luenell: Sat., 7 p.m., Lincoln Theatre
Home Rule Music Festival: Sat., 1-9 p.m., Alethia Tanner Park, free
DC Pickle Bash: Sat., Geranium Street and Georgia Ave. NW, free entry
Halloween Pet Portraits: Sun., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Congressional Cemetery, $31.60
Washington Spirit vs San Diego Wave FC: Sun., 1 p.m., Audi Field, $30.10+
More to do in Maryland
Black Barn Alpacas Fall ‘Ag’tivities: Weekends from Oct. 3 to Nov. 2, Finksburg, $18-$20
Concert – TP20 – Celebrating 20 Years of T-Pain featuring Armani White & Earthgang: Fri., 8 p.m., MGM National Harbor
“Hauntings (& Encounters!)” exhibition: Oct. 4 to Nov. 4, Strathmore Mansion Galleries, free (Opening reception Fri.)
Taste of Bethesda: Sat., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Norfolk Avenue in Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle, free
Germantown October Fest: Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., BlackRock Center for the Arts, free
International Observe the Moon Night skywatching: Sat., 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Gaithersburg Community Museum, free
Comedy – Maz Jobrani: Sat., 8 p.m., MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill
Takoma Park Street Festival: Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Carroll Avenue, free
More to do in Virginia
Festival Latinoamericano: Fri., 5-9 p.m., Arlington Mill Community Center, free
Waterford Fair: Fri. to Sun., Waterford, $21.58 (single-day adult ticket)
Rosslyn Fall Fest: Sat., 1-6 p.m., NOW Pop-Up Park (1401 Wilson Blvd), free
Celebration of the Arts: Sat. and Sun., outside Capital One Center in Tysons, free
MPAartfest: Sun., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., McLean Central Park, free
Workhouse Oktoberfest: Sat., Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, free entry
Moongaze on International Observe the Moon Night: Sat., 7-9 p.m., Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, free
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