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You\u2019ve almost made it to summer 2026!<\/p>\n
Even if the forecast won\u2019t grant our Memorial Day weekend pool dreams, we\u2019re staying busy planning your best summer ever. We\u2019ll be sharing getaways, festivals and all your favorite events. Plus, Tommy McFly is cooking up something big for the United States\u2019 250th birthday. Make sure you’re subscribed to our free newsletter<\/a> so you don’t miss a thing.<\/p>\n The Smithsonian Institution Building<\/a>, AKA The Castle, puts renovations on pause and reopens to celebrate America250. Stop by the visitor’s center, caf\u00e9, shop and special exhibition, American Aspirations. It’s a great launch pad for a day of National Mall museum hopping. Through Sept. 7, National Mall, free<\/em><\/p>\n Jazz in the Garden kicks off its season celebrating American Sounds on Friday! First up: Local soul\/funk\/rock band Oh He Dead. A few tickets will be available near the Sculpture Garden entrance starting at 5 p.m. (Heads up: Most tickets are given out via a lottery, and the lottery for the next show is already open.<\/a>) Fri., National Gallery Sculpture Garden, free but tickets required<\/em><\/p>\n Memorial Day weekend means DC Black Pride<\/a> is back! This year\u2019s theme is \u201cBlack Joy, Reimagined and Unapologetic,\u201d and events<\/a> range from workshops to parties and beyond. Most events at The Westin DC Downtown are free. Fri. to Mon.<\/em><\/p>\n The IlluminAsia Festival keeps going this weekend with a Bruce Lee movie screening with live DJ accompaniment<\/a> (Fri.) plus book fairs and a disco on Saturday. National Museum of Asian Art, free<\/em><\/p>\n The USAA Poppy Wall of Honor<\/a> returns to the National Mall, honoring over 600,000 service members we\u2019ve lost. Due to the rainy weather, the location has been changed. You’ll find it near the World War II Memorial, within the Constitution Gardens, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Free<\/em><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t Eric Kayne\/AP Images for USAA<\/cite><\/div>\n Eric Kayne\/AP Images for USAA<\/cite> The USAA Poppy Wall is scheduled to be back in D.C. in observance of Memorial Day.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Dance to cumbia music by YEISON LANDERO and SOROCHE and shop a neighborhood market in Lamont Plaza for MTP Block Fest<\/a>. Sat., 3-7 p.m., Mt. Pleasant, free<\/em><\/p>\n The Capital House Music Festival<\/a> says it\u2019s the District\u2019s biggest free world music event. Catch The Illustrious Blacks, Duane Powell, Deb\u00f3rah Bond and more, supporting local arts and music orgs. Sat., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Alethia Tanner Park, free<\/em><\/p>\n D.C. United faces CF Montr\u00e9al, and then you can get an autograph from goalkeeper Sean Johnson<\/a>. Score Red, White and Blue Deals<\/a> for the whole family at this game, including $1 hot dogs and ticket package discounts. Sat., Audi Field, $27+<\/em><\/p>\n The National Memorial Day Concert<\/a> is a free show on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Sunday featuring military bands and award-winning artists. Gates open at 5 p.m.; here’s security info from Capitol Police.<\/a> Sun., 8 p.m., free<\/em><\/p>\n Wendell Pierce \u2013 yes, from \u201cThe Wire\u201d \u2013 stars in Shakespeare Theatre Company\u2019s production of \u201cOthello.\u201d<\/a> On the purple carpet at STC, he told Tommy<\/a> what Othello and his character in \u201cThe Wire\u201d have in common: \u201cThey are men of principle, but they are flawed.\u201d Show runs through June 18, Harman Hall, $43+<\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tActor Wendell Pierce aims to act in theater, television and film every year. On the purple carpet at the Shakespeare Theatre Company, he told News4\u2019s Tommy McFly what Othello \u2013 who Pierce will play\u2013 and his character in \u201cThe Wire\u201d have in common: \u201cThey are men of principle, but they are flawed.\u201d\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Hometown Holidays<\/a> brings Rockville Town Center to life with live music and performances, outdoor shopping and kids\u2019 activities. Sat. and Sun., noon to 6 p.m., free<\/em><\/p>\n This week, National Harbor’s Thursday Date Night Movie is “Wicked: For Good,”\u00a0<\/a>and the Sunday Family Movie is “Goat.”<\/a> Films start at<\/em> 7 p.m., National Plaza, free<\/em><\/p>\n Plants Alive! in Silver Spring hosts the Maryland Plant Festival<\/a>, featuring a makers market and book signing by Hilton Carter<\/a>. Sat. to Mon., free entry<\/em><\/p>\n ViVa! Vienna!<\/a> is back with carnival rides, crafts, and so much more. Plus, proceeds support charity and humanitarian organizations, so go ahead and get that funnel cake! Sat. to Mon., 245 Maple Avenue, free entry<\/em><\/p>\n “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band performs for the annual Blast Off! show<\/a> at Wolf Trap\u2019s Filene Center, with patriotic tunes and a “Wicked” mashup. Enjoy fireworks to cap off the evening. You must register to attend. Still, show up early because registration doesn\u2019t guarantee admission. Sun., doors at 6:30 p.m., Vienna, free<\/em><\/p>\n The public can pay respects to servicemembers by laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for Flowers of Remembrance Day<\/a>. Flowers will be provided. You can also join a history talk and tour. Sun., 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Arlington National Cemetery, free<\/em><\/p>\n Robber Robber, 7 p.m. Friday, Rhizome, $15<\/strong><\/p>\n Vermont post-punks bring funky bass, BPM percussion and controlled noise. Dark and and heavy at times with intriguing lyrics. Opener Empath makes this bill a bargain. Philly\u2019s punky indie rockers swaddle their tunes in noise, lo-fi and frenetic prog akin to Deerhoof \u2014 with some arresting, distortion-heavy instrumentals. Details<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
D.C.<\/h2>\n
Maryland<\/h2>\n
Virginia<\/h2>\n
Music Snob’s concerts picks<\/h2>\n