The 10 Best Things to Do in DC in September

From engaging art to mind-bending acrobatics, this month turns heads.

Ernest Shaw’s “Luba,” is part of the exhibit Movement & Memory at the The Silva Gallery x Latela Curatorial, Sep.5-Oct. 20.

9/5-10/20
MOVEMENT & MEMORY
Baltimore artist Ernest Shaw presents a solo exhibition of new artwork at The Silva Gallery x Latela Curatorial. Shaw’s artwork combines dynamic linework and color blocking to merge realistic portraits of contemporary young Black males and offer a personal reflection on his journey. Mon.- Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 1630 Columbia Road NW,thesilvadc.com

9/6-22
OH MY HEART, OH MY HOME
Straight from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the award-winning one-woman show brings English writer, performer and designer Casey Jay Andrews to Studio Theatre’s Stage 4, where she will take audiences on a touching tale of family and home. 1501 14th St. NW,studiotheatre.org

9/6-10-22
JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING
Set in the vibrant core of Harlem, this comedic treasure delves into the complexities of cultural identity, assimilation, and the pursuit of the American Dream within the African immigrant community. Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW,202.488.3300,arenastage.org

9/7
DC BIKE RIDE DAY
This is your day if you’ve been pining to see the city on wheels. Pedal along 20 miles of car-free roads in the city to see monuments, neighborhoods and iconic views. The ride concludes at the Finish Festival, with food, stretching classes, music and live entertainment, all set against the stunning backdrop of the U.S. Capitol. dcbikeride.com

Ralph Steadman, “Mao- Miu-Min Leapt” is part of And Another Thing.

9/7-12/8
RALPH STEADMAN: AND ANOTHER THING
The iconic style of Ralph Steadman, famously known for his cover illustration gracing Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, gets the star treatment at the Katzen Arts Center at American University. The unprecedented retrospective includes 149 artworks and memorabilia. 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW,202.885.1000,american.edu/cas/katzen

9/8
ADAMS MORGAN DAY
For over 40 years, Adams Morgan Day has been a vibrant, family-friendly celebration featuring music, art and activities for all ages. As the city’s longest-running festival, it welcomes residents and visitors to experience the dynamic and diverse neighborhood. admoday.com

9/8-1/19
PARIS 1874: THE IMPRESSIONIST MOMENT
Discover the origins of the French art movement in a remarkable exhibition featuring 130 works by Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro and Pierre-Auguste Renoir alongside lesser-known contemporaries. Discover the norms the artists challenged and the political and social shifts that inspired their revolutionary approach. Seventh St. and Constitution Ave. NW,nga.gov

OVO, from the brilliant minds at Cirque du Soleil, springs to life for a short but unprecedented stay at Capital One Arena this month (Sep. 12-15). The show captures the wonder and awe of the insect world as only the acrobatic performances of Cirque du Soleil can do.

9/12-15
OVO
Cirque du Soleil returns to DC with the revamped high-energy production OVO, an immersive experience of the colorful and dynamic world of insects. Featuring breathtaking acrobatics, OVO showcases the distinct personalities and skills of various insect species and celebrates the beauty of the natural world. Capital One Arena, 601 F St. NW,cirquedusoleil.com/ovo

9/14-11/16
TWILIGHT ZONE: HIDDEN WONDERS OF THE OCEAN
The inspiring digital art show takes visitors 1,000 meters below the surface, bringing them face-to-face with rarely-seen sea life. In a 24-minute immersive journey, guests will explore the beauty and diversity of the ocean’s twilight zone. Artechouse, 1238 Maryland Ave. SW,artechouse.com

9/21
HFSTIVAL
One of America’s oldest alternative indie festivals returns this year at a bigger venue: Nationals Park. The lineup is stellar and includes The Postal Service, Death Cab For Cutie, Incubus, Bush, Garbage, Jimmy Eat World, Girl Talk, Violent Femmes, Tonic, Filter and Lit. 1500 South Capitol St. SE,nationals.com/hfstival