Pilobolus brings its breathtaking display of human movement to DC this month.
THROUGH 7/24
Rirkrit Tiravanija: (Who’s Afraid of Red, Yellow and Green?)
The Thai artist transforms the galleries into a communal dining space in this first-come, first-serve installation. Visitors
are invited to share a meal together as political protest murals and historic images loom in the background. Subversion never tasted so good. Free, memberships $100-$25,000, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, hirshhorn.si.edu
THROUGH 8/3
Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend
Take a deep dive into the world of the unicorn of the sea and discover how leading researchers and members of the Inuit community are working to understand more about this creature. Free, memberships $250-$10,000, National Museum of Natural History, naturalhistory.si.edu
THROUGH 8/4
The Band’s Visit
Winner of 10 Tony Awards, this joyously offbeat jaunt tells the story of a lost band of musicians who brings a quaint town to life in unexpected and tantalizing ways. Don’t miss this masterpiece of a show. Tickets $45-$149, memberships $75-$50,000, Eisenhower Theater, The Kennedy Center, kennedy-center.org
THROUGH 8/11
Ann
The stellar Jayne Atkinson (House of Cards, Criminal Minds) reprises her role as Texas Gov. Ann Richards in Holland Taylor’s comical and captivating tribute to the trailblazing activist and politician. Get ready to laugh, y’all. Tickets $50-$95, Arena Stage, arenastage.org
THROUGH 9/2
Lawn
Relax in this immersive installation, which occupies the entirety of the great hall and features hammocks with hidden speakers, a viewing tower and an augmented reality game for children and adults alike. Tickets $10-$16, memberships $40-$1,500, National Building Museum, nbm.org
THROUGH 1/5
Reforestation of the Imagination
Combining traditional sculpture with augmented reality, this exhibit by Seattle-based artist Ginny Ruffner invites viewers to transform seemingly barren glass and bronze logs and trees into flourishing flora via handheld devices. This isn’t science fiction—it’s a new reality. Free, memberships $250-$5,000, Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, americanart.si.edu
7/4
Nationals vs. Marlins
Celebrate Independence Day with the nation’s home team. As part of the Nationals’ Patriotic series, this special contest features giveaways, on-field and pregame programming. Plus, the team will be sporting some themed uniforms for the occasion. 11:05am, ticket price upon request, Nationals Park, mlb.com
Rirkrit Tiravanija’s 2010 installation at 100 Tonson Gallery in Bangkok
7/9
Pilobolus
This internationally renowned American modern dance company tests the limits of human physicality with feats of extreme strength, flexibility and athleticism. With a repertory of classic and new choreography, this peformance moves body and mind. 8pm, tickets $29-$69, memberships $65-$15,000, The Music Center at Strathmore, strathmore.org
7/10
Dinnertime Documentaries: Bill Cunningham: New York
Start with a self-guided tour of the mansion, gardens, greenhouse and exhibition, Midcentury Master: The Photography of Alfred Eisenstaedt. Then, feast on seasonal specialties at the Merriweather Cafe before diving into the world of The New York Times lensman Bill Cunningham, whose work Modern Luxury spotlighted following his passing in 2016. 5:30pm, tickets $7-$22, memberships $60-$5,000, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, hillwoodmuseum.org
7/13
Max Weinberg’s Jukebox
The legendary drummer—known for his work with the E Street Band and Late Night With Conan O’Brien—puts the audience in control for this interactive performance, inviting fans to select from more than 200 songs to create a set list in real time. VIP ticketholders can enjoy a meet-and-greet reception before the show. 8pm, tickets $35-$55, The Hamilton, thehamiltondc.com
7/17
Jennifer Lopez
Fresh from her three-year Las Vegas residency, J-Lo is ready to celebrate her 50th birthday with the international It’s My Party tour. It’s a nonstop mixtape of new and classic hits, with glamorous garb, showstopping choreography and more. 8pm, tickets $35-$550, Capital One Arena, capitalonearena.viewlift.com
7/18-20
Melissa Villaseñor
Famous for her impressions of everyone from Owen Wilson to Zooey Deschanel on Saturday Night Live, the funny female is headlining the DC venue for the first time with a weekend of stand-up. Tickets $22-$25, DC Improv, dcimprov.com
7/26-9/8
VOLTA
Cirque du Soleil’s energetic, urban and contemporary new show promises never-before-seen acrobatics with the troupe’s signature visual theatrics. Upgrade to the Hennessy Black VIP Behind-the-Scenes experience for a backstage tour, meet and greet with the performers, exclusive suite with private terrace, complimentary cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, and a gift. Truly moving. Tickets $49-$495, Tysons II, cirquedusoleil.comcirquedusoleil.com
7/28
DC Polo Society
Horse around during this modern twist on the traditional day at the fields, with tailgating, yard games, exclusive cocktails and more. Soak up the rays and watch the match from the grass—or upgrade to the DC Polo Society VIP experience, which includes reserved seating, complimentary wine and beer, and reserved parking. The event also takes place Aug. 25. 2pm, tickets $15-$85, DC Fray & Congressional Polo Club, dcpolo.com
8/2
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in Concert
Conductor Emil de Cou and the National Symphony Orchestra perform John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score to the 1980s classic. Revisit the adventures of Elliott and E.T. as the movie is projected on larger-than-life HD screens, both in-house and on the lawn—and be sure to phone home afterward too. 7pm, tickets $40-$65, memberships $80-$25,000, Filene Center, Wolf Trap, wolftrap.org
8/3
Water Lantern Festival
Bask in the glow of thousands of lights floating in the harbor. Reflect on your loved ones and celebrate life with friends and strangers. 4pm, tickets $30-$40, National Harbor, waterlanternfestival.com
8/3
BLT Steak’s Greatest Hits
To celebrate its 15th anniversary, the restaurant is spilling the beans on its most popular recipes. The hands-on cooking class serves up a behind-the-scenes tour and a three-course lunch paired with selections from the cellar. Noon, tickets $128, BLT Steak, bltrestaurants.com
8/24
Summer Feast
Executive chef Drew Adams takes us on a trip down memory lane with his favorite dishes of summers past and present, plus wine pairings by sommelier Winn Roberton and spirits from mixtress Sarah Rosner. The family-style dinner dishes out the jewels of the season, from Eastern Shore steamed blue crab to Virginia oysters. 7pm, tickets $200, Bourbon Steak, Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC, fourseasons.com/washington
8/25
Tame Impala
Back with his fourth album, the music project’s Kevin Parker dazzles audiences with his lush pop sounds, brimming with guitar pedals, delays and reverbs. It promises to be a truly transcendent evening. 8pm, $55-$95, The Anthem, theanthemdc.com
8/31
The National Book Festival
Calling all bibliophiles: Hear notables like Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Barbara Kingsolver and José Andrés discuss their love for writing, reading and the poetry of life at the Library of Congress’ 19th annual fest. Free, Walter E. Washington Convention Center, loc.gov
Photography by: hristopher duggan; courtesy of 100 tonson gallery, bangkok; courtesy of : universal studios; the water lantern festival
