September slipped onto the scene before we knew it, bringing a new week & a fresh month of things to do as the District settles into the final stretch of summer.
Hereâs whatâs happening:
EDITORâS PICKS
đ·DC Jazz Fest (Wednesday - Sunday)
Celebrate jazz legends, rising stars, & hometown talent with five days of performances across D.C., ending with a two-day waterfront festival at The Wharf (12p - 10p both days, free) (the over-all festival is across multiple venues & has various showtimes & price points)
â Black-Owned Proper CafĂ© Opening on New Jersey Ave NW (Thursday)
The new coffee & breakfast spot from entrepreneur Marcus Goodwin draws on his commercial real estate background and experience growing up around his parentsâ D.C. restaurant to create a neighborhood gathering place serving coffee, matcha, breakfast, & more (1545 New Jersey Ave NW, 10a - 11:30a, free)
đïž RFK Legacy: A Tailgate Experience (Saturday)
Celebrate the stadiumâs legacy at this free, family-friendly community tailgate with live music, food, games, activities, & appearances from D.C. sports legends. The 59-year-old stadium is currently undergoing demolition in preparation for its next chapter (The Fields at RFK Campus, 1p - 5p, free)
đ¶Capital House Music Festival (Saturday)
Send summer off with a day full of house music, live performances, food, vendors, & drinks at this free outdoor festival (Marian Fryer Town Plaza in Silver Spring, MD, 12p - 9p, free)
đ„ïž DC Black Yacht Fest (Saturday - Monday)
Celebrate Labor Day weekend with three days of events, starting with a Welcome Brunch & Day Party at GAIA and a Black Excellence Gala featuring a performance by Elle Varner at The Gathering Spot on Saturday. Sunday brings the signature Yacht Experience on the Potomac, followed by an official afterparty at ZOOZ, before the weekend closes with an All White Affair at 12 Stories on Labor Day (event tickets $25 - $70, yacht experience $285)
ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
THROUGH 9/7
Last Chance to Visit the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building - Open 10a - 6p daily, free
Featuring the exhibit Voices and Votes: Exploring Democracy Across America
TUESDAY
A Crankin! Celebration - Go-Go Museum & Cafe | 6p - 9p, free
Celebrate the release of âCrankin! Power and Resilience in Washington, DCâs Go-Go Cultureâ with an author discussion, book signing, live go-go performances, Beat Ya Feet dancers, & special guests
THURSDAY
DC JazzFest Downtown - Anthem Row | 4:30p - 8p, free
Pure Poetry Live ft. Foggieraw - Karma | 6:30p - 11:30p, $50+
Phillips After 5: Phillips Flash - The Phillips Collection | 5p - 8:30p, $20
Museum after-hours with flash tattoos, live music, & more
The A1 Dinner Series - Philippe Chow | 10p - 1a, free
The Yards Island Cinema outdoor screening of âSoul Surferâ - The Sundeck at The Yards | 7p, free
Movies on the Potomac Outdoor Screening of âCluelessâ - The Plaza at National Harbor, MD | 7p - 9p, free
FRIDAY
Cruise The Culture: A Piano Warriors Experience - Whitlowâs on Water | 12:30p - 3p, $90
Amapiano & afrobeats brunch cruiseAdult Open Craft Night - Because Science | 5p - 7p, free
Metamorphosis: a Solo Exhibition by Bran Cherie | Closing Reception - Vika Gallery | 6p - 9p, free
FRIDAY - SUNDAY
FOODEESFEST - Tanger Boulevard in National Harbor, MD | opens 1p on Friday, 11a on Sat + Sun, free
Will have 40+ food trucks & vendors
SATURDAY
CAN I KICK IT? Outdoor Movie Series: âScarfaceâ - Lincoln Memorial | 7p - 11p, free
Will have a DJ spinning the soundtrack liveBlack Food & Wine Festival - The Great Lawn at The Parks Historic Walter Reed | 5p - 9p, $56
DC State Fair - Anthem Row | 11a - 6p, free
Tomodachi Anime Food Festival - Rockville Town Center in MD | 11a - 8p, free
Global Rhythms: Music, Dance & Storytelling from Around the World - Glen Echo Park in MD | 12p - 6p, free
Boozy Scoop & Paint - Tipsy Scoop | 11:30a - 1p, $93
Paint while enjoying boozy ice cream at the Black-owned D.C. location of the alcohol-infused ice cream franchiseABC: Another Blerd Cookout - Anacostia Art Gallery & Boutique | 3p - 8p, $35
SUNDAY
Dupont Circle Cocktail Crawl - Casmara Rooftop | 2p - 8p, free
MONDAY
Culture Cup DC - Hi-Lawn | 11:30a - 7p, $55+
Will have a 5v5 soccer tournament, music drinks, food, games, & vendors,Electric Coney Fifth Annual Labor Day 0.5K - Electric Cool-Aid | 11a - 6p, $60
Registration fee includes a tank top, running bib, and 3 drinks & a hot dog at the after party following the run
PARTIES + MIXERS
WEDNESDAY
First Wednesdays: Howard Theatre Edition with Push Play & D Floyd - Howard Theatre | 6p - 11p, $50
FRIDAY
First Fridays: HAPPY HOUR RELOADED - 11:Eleven gallery | 6p - 9p, free
Ji Like a Gogo: the Cookout w/ Reaction Band + ABM - 4400 Forbes Blvd in Lanham, MD | 10p - 2a, free
Sucka For Love: R&B w/ a Lil Bounce - Officina | 10p - 3a, free until 10:30p with RSVP
All the Stars Day Party - Tigres de la Noche | 6p - 10p, $21+
Phone-free eventBCKYRDGNS x FAAJI NIGHTS: A Night With Ruger - Public Bar Live | 10p - 3a, $30
South House vs Naija House: Labor Day Weekend Kickoff - Strand | 10p - 3a, $33
ElevateEnt X WithLoveDC: LABOR DAY WEEKEND HAPPY HOUR - EV Lounge | 8p - 1a, free with RSVP
LGBTQIA+-friendly
SATURDAY
FORWARD SOCIETY & GLOBAL ENTRY - Sachi Nightclub | 10p - 3a, $13+
The Nightcap: Labor Day Edition - Grazie Mille | 9p - 3a, free before 10:30p with RSVP
90âs vs 00âs Hip-Hop & R&B Day Party with Diamond the Body - ONYX | 3:30p - 9:30p, $34+
Green Room x Jersey Party: Jerseys & Matcha - Llamabar | 11a - 5p, free with RSVP
Itâs 5âo Clock Somewhere - Public Bar Live | 9a - 3p, free before 11a with RSVP
LGBTQIA+-friendly morning rooftop partyDayshift: the 30+ Day Party - Howard Theatre | 5p - 9p, $35+
Set It Off Day Party - Lucha Rosa | 5p - 11:30p, free before 7p with RSVP
SUNDAY
Riddim on the Roof: West Indian Day Party - Realm | 4p - 10p, free before 6p with RSVP / $60 for access to West Indian buffet + a complimentary drink
Rhythm and Brewed: Afro R&B Café Experience - Llamabar | 12p - 3p, $24
Gogo Verzuz: New Impressionz vs. CCB - Sax | 11p - 4a, $40+
SUMMER NEVER ENDS - Royal Sands | 4p - 10p, free
#KNOBCREEKNIK: Labor Day Patio Day Party - Dirty Habit | 3p - 8p, free
Odeal & Friends - Cities On Fire: Afro+ After Party - A.i. Warehouse | 10a - 4p, $60
WIZKID Starboy: An Afro+ After Party - Karma | 10p - 4a, $60
MONDAY
Monday MOOD: Labor Day Edition - doi moi | 7p - 12a, free
Labor Day at the Wharf - La Vie | 4p - 10p, $14+
CONCERTS + SHOWS
THURSDAY
Lucki - Echostage | 8p, $167+
FRIDAY
End of Summer Jam (On The Water Edition) - Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore, MD | 8p, $93+
Performances by 42 Dugg, Yung Miami, Skilla Baby, YG Teck, & Nasg Chaz
FRIDAY - SUNDAY
Afro+ Festival - Northwest Stadium Festival Grounds in Landover, MD | Friday 2p - 11p / Sat + Sun 1p -11p, $149+
Music festival with performances by Davido, Tesm, Lil Baby, Latto, Sexyy Red, Wizkid, Chief Keef, Alkaline, New Impressionz, Foggieraw, Ayra Starr, Odeal, Friday, & more
SATURDAY
Ken Carson: xperimenting tour - The Anthem | 7:30p, $242 for VIP
*check resale sites for additional pricingSomething Different: DMV Talent Live - Capital Turnaround | 8p, $34
SUNDAY
Bryson Tiller: the Neo Trapsoul Tour - CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD | 7:30p, $103+
Kehlani (rescheduled date) - Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia MD | 6:30p, $43+
MONDAY (Labor Day)
Channel Tres - 9:30 Club | 7p, $41+