Things I'm Talking About

🚫 The shutdown continues, with no end in sight.

🤝 A video I did on volunteering at Capital Area Food Bank has gotten renewed interested on TikTok this week. If you are furloughed, consider volunteering! I have a list for where to volunteer where you can do one-off shifts (it's focused on the holidays but it's relevant now too).

🎥 Tron Ares is being shown at the newly re-opened Air & Space IMAX, and that is the best place to see futuristic or sci-fi movies, and the museum is open through Saturday.

🍇 Total Wine is opening its first DC location in Friendship Heights, presumably on the 17th.

🛳️ Captain Sandy and chief stew Hannah will be hosting a dinner cruise in DC next weekend for the Below Deck fans.

🪧 I am not the best source for news about the DC occupation. If you're looking for up to date ways to get involved, Organize DC is probably the best source of events.

Valerie

⚡ More events. More access. Zero FOMO.

Our premium subscribers get the full event list (250+!), weekly updates, and VIP access to exclusive Not Bored in DC events.

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Give your opinion, and check back next week for the results.

Last week, I asked: How long do you think the government will be shut down? You responded:

• One month (53.6%)
• One week (32.1%)
• One quarter (3 months) (14.3%)
• One day (0%)

Tried & True features your favorite go-to restaurants that have been around for a while and serve you consistently good food.

This Week's Feature: DCity Smokehouse

"DCity Smokehouse BBQ!🍗 The beef brisket & smoked turkey breast are delicious" M.B.

Locations: 203 Florida Ave NW & 1301 Marion Barry Ave SE
​Website​

😋 What is your favorite tried and true restaurant?

Where do you find yourself going back time and time again? Reply and let me know to be featured and share the love for a local DC restaurant.

Looking for something specific? Check out these options:

• ​Museum parties & happy hours​
• ​Art lover's Itinerary​
• ​Hidden gem theaters​

✨ Premium subscribers: Access the full list of 250+ events here.

• 🖼️ Get ready to putt your way through the city at PUTT in the Park, a FREE pop-up mini golf experience at CityCenterDC. Enjoy a stylish afternoon outdoors with a custom six-hole course perfect for some friendly competition. Now through 11/2. Free.
• 🎈 Head to this pumpkin festival where you can pick your own pumpkins and apples, get lost in a corn maze, pet farm animals, and bounce around on jump pads. It's got all the classic fall fun in one spot. Wednesday 10/1 - 11/2. $4+.
• 🧑‍🍳 Join Chef Gustavo for an intimate Argentine-Italian fusion cooking class where you’ll prepare and enjoy a 3-course meal that blends two rich culinary traditions. Wednesday 10/1-31. $160.
• 🎭 There's a powerful story about family, love, and a high-stakes game of Spades in Fremont Ave. at Arena Stage, where three generations of Black men confront their past and each other. Sunday 10/8. $49+.
• 🎈 Get ready for some furry fun at the Alpaca Happy Hour at La Cosecha Latin Market! Sip on drinks, enjoy the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, and hang out with adorable alpacas every Wednesday from 9/24 to 10/15. Free entry - don't miss out on this unique experience!

• 🎈 Chinatown Night Market (YeShi) is back with food trucks, local eats, live performances, and art & craft stations - it's like a festival and a feast all rolled into one! Thursday 10/9. Free.
• 🖼️ Ready to channel your inner fashionista and strike a pose? Check out National Gallery Nights: Strike a Pose for a fun after-hours celebration of fashion, photography, and self-expression. Thursday 10/9. Free admission but snag your tickets early!
• 🎈 The Annapolis Sailboat Show is where you can walk through hundreds of boats, check out a sailboat race, and maybe even catch a live boat refit in action. Perfect whether you're a seasoned sailor or just love being around beautiful boats on the water. Thursday-Sunday 10/9-10/12. $32+.
• 🎭 The 12th DC Palestinian Film & Arts Festival brings together award-winning films, artist discussions, a hands-on culinary workshop, and a kids program. It's a powerful way to experience Palestinian voices and artistry through three days of storytelling and community connection. Thursday 10/9-10/12. $12+.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Watch Olympians compete at the US Equestrian Open Final of Eventing and see dressage, show jumping, and cross-country disciplines in action. Thursday 10/9. Free admission.
• 🤓 Monthly BINGO night at Northeast Library with actual prizes to win and zero pressure to be good at anything except marking your card. Thursday 10/9. Free.
• 🖌️ Turn vintage Pyrex bowls into spooky Halloween candy dishes while sharing retro recipes at this Halloween PYREX Potluck - all supplies included plus you get to shop discounted vintage finds. Wednesday 10/9. $40.
• 🖌️ You'll build your own mini underwater world at this jellyfish terrarium workshop using rocks, sand, air plants, and fun decorative pieces. Plus you get 20% off plants if you want to take home an extra leafy friend! Thursday 10/9. $31+.
• 🎭 Team up with friends for an exciting night at Heist Night at President Lincoln's Cottage. Solve escape room-style puzzles and uncover hidden secrets in this interactive treasure hunt adventure. Thursday 10/09. Tickets start at $50.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Bring toys your kids have outgrown and let them pick out "new" ones at this community toy swap - it's like treasure hunting but more sustainable. Perfect for ages 5+ and no registration required! Thursday 10/9. Free.

• 🍲 Sip unlimited Virginia wines at George Washington's estate while enjoying live music and a rare after-hours tour of the Mansion. Friday 10/10-Sunday 10/12. $61.
• 🕺 The Treehouse has a Call Out Cypher session where dancers can challenge each other, then everyone parties together until midnight. Bar opens at 7pm if you want to grab a drink first. Friday 10/10. Price not stated.
• 🖼️ Interior designers are showing off their creativity with the Room Service Interior Design Showcase where 14 rooms in a former motel are transformed by 19 creatives. Friday 10/10-10/19. Free.
• 🕺 Because They're Funny Comedy Festival is back at the Wharf with three days of multicultural comedy showcasing the next generation of stand-up stars. USA Today called it one of 2024's "Ten Best Live Events." Friday 10/10. $25+.
• 🖼️ The ART Expo features a full roster of mediums from DC artists - paintings, sculptures, photography, digital art, and more! Friday 10/10. Donation.
• 🧑‍🍳 Learn to make fresh focaccia and rustic bread from scratch, plus get the secrets to building an amazing charcuterie board at this hands-on cooking class. Go home with recipes and skills perfect for impressing friends at your next dinner party. Friday 10/10. $69.
• 🖌️ Bring your current craft project or start something new at this 21+ crafting night at Merry Pin where you can knit, scrapbook, or create while sipping cocktails with fellow makers. The upstairs space is all yours for three hours of creative fun. Friday 10/10. Free.
• 🕺 DMV favorite Dom Grayer is hosting a comedy show featuring comedians you've seen on Comedy Central and Netflix, plus you can bring your own drinks and grab homemade pizza. Friday 10/10. $15-$20.
• 📜 Explore DC's hidden stories and complex history with guided neighborhood tours that support the DC History Center covering everything from U Street's bustling energy to Rock Creek Park's natural landscapes. Choose from seven different tours across Indigenous People's Weekend, each lasting about two hours with expert guides. Friday 10/10 - Monday 10/13. $35.
• 🎭 Three Friday nights of free outdoor movie screenings at the University of DC Amphitheater featuring Halloween classics like Beetlejuice, ET, and The Addams Family. Perfect for families who want to get in the spooky spirit without the nightmares! Fridays 10/3, 10/10, 10/24. Free.
• 🍲 Sip and learn at Pentagon City Wine Merchant's $5 Friday Wine Classes where each week brings a new theme and a 10% discount on featured wines. Friday 8/8-10/24. $5.

• 🎈 If you're up for a day of sipping wine and listening to live music, check out the 2025 Autumn Reggae Wine & Music Festival at Linganore Winecellars featuring live reggae bands, 20+ wine samples, and local vendors. Saturday 10/11. $30+.
• 🖼️ Get ready for a magical night at DC WitchFest 2025 in Columbia Heights this Saturday! Join RJintheDistrict & Skye Marinda Tarot for a festive sidewalk block party with art, tarot readings, and maker’s market. Saturday 10/11. Free.
• 🍲 Join the 6th Annual Old Town Oyster Week for a week-long celebration of all things oyster, including a thrilling Oyster Shucking Competition on Saturday 10/11. Cost varies.
• 🍲 Test your courage on a mechanical bull at Wunder Garten's Oktoberfest celebration - plus there's Spaten lager on tap and plenty of bratwurst to fuel your bravery. Saturday 10/11. Free.
• 🧠 Learn how October traditions have changed over the past 50 years at this hands-on workshop comparing past and present fall practices. You'll walk away with cool insights about how our communities have evolved. The museum is still open for this event. Saturday 10/11. Free.
• 🏞️ Take a scenic DRIVE along Beach Drive through Rock Creek Park this fall - enjoy the colorful foliage and fresh air from the comfort of your car. Saturday 10/11. Free.
• 🍲 Snallygaster returns for its 13th year with 450+ craft beers, ciders, and cocktails from 175+ breweries, plus live music and food trucks on Pennsylvania Avenue. This is DC's biggest beer festival and it always sells out, so grab your tickets early if you want unlimited tastings and that commemorative glass. Saturday 10/11. $75+.
• 🍲 Ready to indulge in TWO DAYS of unlimited food + wine tastings at the Taste of Nova festival? Join 120+ top chefs and beverage stars for mouthwatering tastings, live cooking demos, and captivating panels celebrating Northern Virginia's food and drink scene. Saturday 10/11-10/12. $100+.
• 🎈 Create your own fairy houses using materials found in nature at the Fairy House Festival at Pope-Leighey House. Enjoy storytime at noon and treat yourself to cider + cookies. Saturday, 10/11. $20 per fairy house.
• 🖌️ Learn to make your own linocut stamps and protest art while supporting a local social justice organization with part of the proceeds. You'll walk away with new printmaking skills and some meaningful art you created yourself. Saturday 10/11. $39+.

• 🕺 Get ready to strut your stuff at the DC Dance Challenge's Spectacular Ballroom Evening with dazzling performances and a chance to dance socially in a glamorous setting. Sunday 10/12. $65.
• 🍲 Get a shuckin' good time at Oyster Wars 2025 at The Salt Line for an epic showdown of top chefs, breweries, and oyster farms. Sunday 10/12. Early bird tickets are $70.
• 📖 Maggie from Soulshine Aura will capture your aura using vintage Polaroid cameras, then guide you through a personalized reading to reveal the meaning behind your colors. Sunday 10/12. $13.
• 🕺 Songbyrd is throwing a massive 10-year anniversary block party with six bands and performers who all have special ties to the venue. You'll get everything from Nighthawk to Batala DC to Mambo Sauce Band all in one epic celebration. Sunday 10/12. TBA.
• 🛍️ Need a new Halloween costume? Swap your old Halloween costume for something new at this fun event that also features a vintage market, live DJs, tarot readings, and craft tables for DIY costume inspiration. Sunday 10/12. Free.
• 🕺 Cosmic Carillon at the Netherlands Carillon brings a space-themed bell concert (think church bells) and interactive solar system activities with the National Park Service and local partners. Sunday 10/12. Free.
• 🧑‍🍳 Learn to make gorgeous fall cakes like sweet potato toffee and caramel apple (plus a vegan option!) with Rammy Award-winning pastry chef Rochelle Cooper from The Duck & The Peach. It's part demo, part hands-on, and comes with complimentary wine and beer. Sunday 10/12. $125.
• 🤸 Find a moment to breathe and move with a gentle, playful yoga session in nature at A Seat On The Mat. Reconnect with yourself and the outdoors in a supportive space. Sunday 10/12. $12+
• 🤸 Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month with a fun Aqua In Pink aerobic class happening at four different pools around DC. Sunday 10/12. Free.
• 🖼️ Rev up your engines for Gears & Grounds, a cars, bikes, and coffee event at Union Market District. Get ready to soak in DC's motorsport culture with a side of caffeine. Sunday 10/12. Free.

🤫 Psst! I couldn't fit everything in this issue. See 90 events happening this weekend and next week like:

• Empanada Fest
• Clothing swap
• Fall dried flower earring workshop
• Learn to pick locks
• DASH bus roadeo

⚡ More events. More access. Zero FOMO.

Our premium subscribers get the full event list (250+!), weekly updates, and VIP access to exclusive Not Bored in DC events.

​👉 Upgrade to Premium here​

Know of something cool happening? Submit an event for consideration!

* Items marked with an asterisks contain affiliate links (for which I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you) or sponsored. Events are featured based on if I find them interesting and think others will too, regardless if they are affiliate or sponsored.