Hip Hop Theatre Festival (July 7-14) The Hip Hop Theatre Festival is an annual summer festival in Washington, DC, featuring national and international artists. Hip Hop is an urban art form of stories, people, music, dance, and spoken word. The festival is presented jointly by the Hip-Hop Theater Festival and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH). All events are free and seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. Some events are ticketed with tickets available online via RSVP, while most events are open to the public for walk-in.
Army Band Concert (Wednesday July 11 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM) The 257th Army Band presents and evening of “All American Rhythm”. We’re bringing an “all ages” musical line-up to Washington featuring marches, patriotic, swing, country-western, funk, jazz, pop/rock and more at The Yards DC. (Free)
Capital Fringe Festival (July 12-29)- The Capital Fringe Festival, also referred to as the DC Fringe Festival, is an annual performing arts event in Washington, DC featuring more than 130 performances in a variety of venues around Washington, DC. The Capital Fringe Festival introduces risk-taking art and non-traditional performances including theater, dance, music, poetry, puppetry and more. In addition to the roster of performances, there is merriment to be had at the Fort Fringe under the Baldacchino Gypsy Tent Bar, where fanatics can enjoy food, drinks, entertainment, and catch the latest buzz about all the Fringe performances.
Mars Day (Friday July 13 10:00am- 3:00pm) – Come and celebrate the Red Planet with the National Air and Space Museum on Friday, July 13, 2012! From 10am – 3pm NASM will be offering a variety of educational and fun activities including seeing a real meteorite from Mars, Mars in 3-D, hands-on educational games, learning from scientists currently involved in Mars research and mission planning and much more! Your mission to Mars awaits! (Free)
The US Navy in World War Two (Sunday July 15 6:00pm-8:00pm) – A talk on the decisive role the U.S. Navy played in World War ll. Location: U.S. Navy Memorial. Contact: Mike Balis, 202-438-9710. (Free)
Screening of “An Article of Hope” (Monday July 16 12:00pm) – At the Library of Congress. “An Article of Hope” film screening and discussion with director Dan Cohen at the Pickford Theater. “An Article of Hope” tells the inspiring story of Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut. Ramon was one of the seven crew members who perished in the Space Shuttle Columbia accident. Among the items he took to space was a tiny Torah scroll smuggled into Bergen-Belsen, a Nazi concentration camp, during the Holocaust, and safeguarded by Joachim Joseph, a Holocaust survivor. To Ramon, the Torah was to be shared with the world as a symbol of survival. This award-winning documentary presents a unique story that interweaves the heights of scientific achievement, the depths of a nation’s cruelty, the private grief of a boy who came of age during the Holocaust, and the public mourning of many nations in the aftermath of the Shuttle disaster. Film director Dan Cohen will be present to discuss the film following the screening. (Free)
Screen on the Green (July 16 – August 6)- Screen on the Green is a favorite Washington, DC summer tradition. Bring a blanket to the National Mall on a warm night and watch a classic film on a gigantic movie screen. Films are shown on Monday nights beginning at dusk, around 8:30-9:00 p.m. People start to claim their spots on the lawn as early as 5 p.m. Movies play except in extreme weather and there are no rain days.
The Great American Scandal Tour (Every Friday 7:00pm- 9:00pm) – Our nation’s capital is as notorious for its indiscretions as it is for its policies and wonks. It seems every week a new Congressman, presidential hopeful, prominent DC resident, or government agency is under fire for money, sex, drugs, rock and roll- or some combination of the four. Be not wary that our capital city is on a downward spiral, for DC has a long and thick history of missteps, indiscretions, and vengeance- from the horrifying to the hilarious. This wild walking tour brings these stories back from the dead, and no side of the aisle -left, right, front, back, top, or bottom – is safe. The tour will be as brazen, albeit truthfully, as the persons who inspired it. (Free- tip based)
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Water Lily Festival (Saturday July 21 7:00am-4:00pm) – Come for exhibits on blooming lilies and lotuses, arts, family activities and special tours that have an Asian/African theme this year. All celebrate water flowers. Call the park for more information on photo contest, activities at (202) 426-6905. (Free)
The Capitol Groove Music Festival (Saturday, July 28th) – Recently featured in the Washington Post as a must-see concert in DC, Capitol Groove Music Festival is sure to be one of the best festivals in DC this summer. The festival will be showing off DC’s music scene with bands like Drop Electric, Lightwaves, and The Blackout Project. Get your dance on to this incredible lineup Saturday, July 28th at The Fairgrounds, 1299 Half Street SE. Ticket sales will kick off July 10 on Living Social, then will be available for sale on the Capital Groove Festival Web site.