When you live in a city as vibrant as Washington, D.C., getting out to explore during the weekend is a top priority. Beyond the patio brunches and late night concerts at the 9:30 Club are tons of cultural experiences available to Washingtonians. This coming weekend is full of fantastic events to celebrate Labor Day Weekend and the end of summer, and here’s a list outlining The Scene’s top picks.
Shakespeare Theater Company: A Midsummer’s Night Dream
Starting Sept. 1, Shakespeare Theater Company will bring its 25th annual free Shakespeare play to Harman Hall. Students can either sign up online for lottery tickets or wait in line for a free ticket. We recommend getting in line before noon to snag tickets before they run out, but bring a blanket and a deck of cards for the wait. The play will be performed at various times for its two week run, so make sure you set time aside to get your free fill of Shakespeare.
When: Sept. 1 to Sept. 13
Where: Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW
Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro, Red Line
D.C. Blues Festival
The 27th annual D.C. Blues Festival provides fun for everyone, with performances by Jackson and Oziel, The Mojo Priests, Full Power Blues, James Armstrong and Sharrie Williams. Musical workshops and an instrument petting zoo will also run throughout the day. The event is free and entertains students with a short, yet wonderful experience. Since the festival is located in Rock Creek Park, make sure to take a picnic for lunch.
When: Sept. 5, 12:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Carter Barron Amphitheater, 16th Street and Colorado Avenue NW
Bus: S2 and S4 from Silver Spring
15th Anniversary Library of Congress National Book Festival
On Saturday, students should head down to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and enjoy the 15th Anniversary Library of Congress National Book Festival, where various authors will gather to promote and sign books. Signings will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 10 p.m. You can find the official schedule of author signings on the festival’s website. Other activities at the festival include author talks and panel discussions, with special evening activities, like poetry slams.
When: Sept. 5, 9 a.m.
Where: Library of Congress, 801 Mt Vernon Pl. NW
Metro: Mount Vernon Square Metro, Yellow and Green Lines
Capitol Concert
To kick off a year of amazing performances at the Kennedy Center, the National Symphony Orchestra returns for the annual Capitol Concert, which will include classical and American music . Rehearsals are open to the public and will begin at 3 p.m. The official event kicks off at 8 p.m., where the audience can listen to talented musicians and vocalists for free.
When: Sept. 6, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, 1st Street SE
Metro: Metro Center, Red Line
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