IN THIS ISSUE:

🎨 Art All Night is here, and how to make the best of it
🎸 Lady Gaga announces DC tour dates
🍣 Sushi goodbye: Momiji is closing soon
📖 Take a twilight tour, join a crochet circle, or party like it’s Y2K
🎈 Adams Morgan Day, Bioblitz, local history, and Go-Go

Things I'm Talking About

🚌 After years of begging, I finally got to to go the bus roadeo. If you have been following me on social media for a while, you'll know that this is a yearly very public & very pathetic ritual of mine to try to go. Well, this year it paid off! Find me on IG or TikTok.

👩‍🎤 Lady Gaga has announced an extension to her tour, and added two dates at the Capitol One Arena. Pre-sale tickets go on sale today.

📝 The FTC has stopped defending its rule banning noncompete agreements.

🤖 Data centers are cutting deals with utilities to get better rates on electricity, and the costs are being passed onto consumers.

🏛️ DC Home Rule is facing its biggest threats yet, with a series of legislation being drafted to strip DC of more and more of its autonomy.

🪴 I did a mini wheel pottery class a few months ago at Sio Ceramics, and my friend and I were talking about how much we love having our little creations. They're doing another mini wheel class this weekend.

🪧 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

How to Do Art All Night

Art All Night is put on by different neighborhood small business associations (BIDs and Main Street programs) to bring art to the people throughout DC. It has expanded to two nights, but a lot of people don't know what to expect.

Friday night is focused on the smaller neighborhood activations that are newer to Art All Night. There's still a ton going on, but they haven't been doing it as long so don't have as many devotees, or they're for areas that are typically a bit quieter, like Barracks Row, Mount Pleasant, and Anacostia.

Saturday night is more of the destination neighborhood night. This is mainly neighborhoods who have been hosting Art All Night events for years and have more of a loyal following.

It's also neighborhoods that draw people in already with their restaurants and businesses, like H Street, Dupont Circle, and Shaw.

For both nights, MLK Library will be hosting a block party. This is one of the bigger events, and you may recognize the scenes of people crowding 9th Street by the Gallery Place metro from this block party.

Planning

My advice would be to do a mix, plan your nights around what you want to see or experience, and pop in a local restaurant for dinner to see if they're doing Dine All Night specials.

On Friday, I would recommend you find a neighborhood near you that has some activations and check that out. This is a great time to find something close by to you and explore a bit more of your close-by community.

On Saturday, check out one of the bigger events to get the full experience.

Some things I am looking forward to are the all the dance in Uptown's Node 3, the block party at MLK Library, and the mini ballroom competition in Shaw.

Get More Info

This year, Art All Night has created an app that you can download to see everything going on. This is also the best way to see the Dine All Night participants, since restaurants sign up directly with the city instead of the neighborhood group (like they do for the art activations).

However, not everyone wants to download an app, which is why I put together the list of events directly from the different neighborhoods. I likely will not put in the list of restaurants this year (not enough time) but you can see the list of events. I'll try to keep this up to date, but it also includes links directly to each neighborhoods to see any updates.

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

Last week, I asked: Are you happy that the fall weather is here? You responded:

• Yes (75%)
• No (25%)

🍣 Momiji, one of my favorite sushi spots in DC, is closing this month since the building will be demolished for a new hotel. It never re-opened its indoor dining after the pandemic, and I've been missing its sushi boats ever since.

🎨 Dine All Night is running from September 6-13 as a part of Art All Night. Participating restaurants will have special menu items to highlight their creativity.

🎱 Buffalo Billiards is coming back to DC, in the old Source Theatre space

🪑 Prince George's County has introduced legislation to incentivize sit down restaurants in places where fast food reigns supreme.

🍷 Maison Bar a Vins (not to be confused with Georgetown's Bar a Vin from Chez Billy Sud) is opening this weekend.

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: Comet Ping Pong

"Comet Pizza (for pizza AND wings!). In addition to good pizza, the wings are some of the best in DC. Great beer selection for adults. Ping pong tables for adults and kids to enjoy. Local favorite. I ate here the night before both of my kiddos were born! The community rallied around it after the Pizzagate conspiracy theory. It’s even a fave for school-age kids! Wonderful community backing it." Brittney

Location: 5037 Connecticut Ave NW
​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​
• ​DC-area BARK Ranger programs​
• ​DC Art All Night​

✨ Premium subscribers: Access the full list of 300+ events here.

• 🖌️ Get your hands on some gorgeous blooms at this Locally Grown Flowers workshop where you'll create stunning arrangements with Northern Virginia's best fall flowers. Wednesday 9/10. $150.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Join the Qualified Data Center Task Force meeting if you're a PG County resident concerned about data centers at the old Landover Mall - your voice matters! Wednesday 9/10. Free.
• 🕺 Ready to add some flair to your week? Join an evening of Argentine Tango Lessons and Dance Soiree at The Ven at Embassy Row. Wednesday 9/10. $33.
• 🖼️ Stroll through DC's Art Ave and enjoy a free, family-friendly outdoor art gallery with stunning sculptures and interactive art moments around Farragut Square. Happening 9/10 until 1/12026. Free.
• 📖 Join the Community Crochet Circle at Phillips@THEARC with the Crochet Kingpin, Dwayne Lawson-Brown, for an evening of art-inspired yarn creations. Wednesday 9/10. Free, reservation required.
• You can find Free Art Tables with use of fabric paint markers, markers, and colored pencils to create Free DC items at Shop Made in DC! Mention you’re in for Free DC to grab a seat. Wednesday 9/10 - 9/14. Free.

• 🕺 Unwind before the weekend at the Music Lounge Kickback! Spend an easygoing evening with games where you can meet new friends and enjoy live DJ spins from DJ Pye. Thursday 9/11. Free.
• 🖼️ Get ready for a night of creativity and pancakes at the Washington D.C. Pancakes & Booze Art Show where you can enjoy free all-you-can-eat pancakes while exploring over 750 pieces of art and live performances. Thursday 9/11. $15.
• 📖 Join the Yarnworks Meetup at Marianne's Cafe in MLK Library for a cozy evening of knitting, crocheting, and good company. Thursday 9/11. Free.
• 📖 Join Emily Rath and friends for a lively book chat about her latest release, Pucking Strong, at the Nannie J Lee Memorial Recreation Center. Thursday 9/11. Free.
• 🕺 If you're a fan of iconic movie scores, don't miss The Legacy of John Williams and Steven Spielberg concert and see the magic of Spielberg classics like Jaws, Jurassic Park, and E.T. live in the Concert Hall. Thursday 9/11 - Saturday 9/13. $49.

• 🎈 Celebrate Busboys and Poets' 20th birthday at their first-ever Boozy Book Fair Birthday Bash with books, booze, and a chance to win prizes! Friday 9/12. $15.
• 🖼️ Ready for an artsy all-nighter? Check out Art All Night, a city-wide festival showcasing everything from painting to music to sculpture in public and private spaces. Friday 9/12 - Saturday 9/13. Free.
• 🕺 Get ready for a wild ride at the International Nerdlesque Festival: International Showcase where burlesque royalty meets geeky fabulousness. Friday 9/12. $35.
• 📖 Experience the iconic Pope-Leighey House at twilight with games, period music, and a leisurely house tour as the sun sets. Friday 9/12. $30.
• 🖼️ Love books and food? Join the Edible Book Contest at Mt. Pleasant Library to celebrate their 100th birthday - create a literary culinary masterpiece and maybe win a prize! Friday 9/12. Free.

• 📖 Celebrate the 100th Birthday of Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library by preserving and sharing community history through photos, letters, and documents. Saturday 9/13. Free.
• 🧑‍🍳 Treat yourself to a culinary adventure at the Sauciety 101: Vegan Cooking Class and join the Executive Chef for a hands-on experience crafting delicious vegan dishes like Cauliflower Steak and Vegan Snickerdoodle cookies. Saturday 9/13. $97.
• 📖 WalkingTown is back, showcasing DC's walkability with free guided tours across neighborhoods, historical sites, and hidden gems. Join in from Saturday 9/13-9/20. Free.
• 🕺 Get in loser! They're takin’ it back to the 2000s for a night of throwback jams, themed drinks, and pure nostalgic fun at the Y2K Vinyl Party. Saturday 9/13. $15.
• 🌲 Get ready for a nature-filled day at the Anacostia River Bioblitz, where you can team up with experts to explore and document the local wildlife using the iNaturalist app. Saturday 9/13. Free.
• 🤓 Ready to roll some dice and slay dragons? Join Dungeons N' Drafts DC for a night of 5e D&D - they've got character sheets, dice, and a welcoming vibe for all adventurers. Saturday 9/13. Free RSVP.
• 📖 Join a local history walking tour of Adams Morgan and Mt. Pleasant celebrating the library's 100th birthday with a deep discussion into the area's musical heritage from hillbilly tunes to punk rock. Saturday 9/13. Free.
• 🍾 Get ready to party at the Go-Go Day Party + Live Band Karaoke at Metrobar. Enjoy great music, delicious drinks, community fun, and outdoor energy - it's going to be a blast! Saturday, 9/13. $13 admission.
• Come root into the present moment at the Wellness Gather, a full day of movement, connection, and soul nourishment in DC. Join for activities like sun salutations, a farmers market stroll, a pop-up at Rock Creek Park, and a scenic sunset hike. All ages welcome! Saturday 9/13. Free.

• 📖 Join the walking tour around Art Deco in Downtown DC. Saturday 9/14. $20.
• 🍲 Ready for a mouthwatering week? Dive into National Harbor's Burger Week from September 14-20! Indulge in chef-created burgers, unique seasonings, and unexpected burger bites while supporting a good cause. Sunday 9/14 - Saturday 9/20. Free entry.
• 🎈 Get ready for a day of Thai-American friendship celebration at The Sawasdee DC Thai Festival on the National Mall. Enjoy food, culture, and creativity in the heart of DC on Sunday 9/14. Free entry.
• 🎈 Celebrate the 47th anniversary of Adams Morgan Day with music, art, and activities for all ages - it's a full day of fun with dance plazas, reggae, and more! Sunday 9/14. Free.
• 🏞️ Lace up those sneakers and join the DC Half Marathon & 5K for a fun run through the streets of DC. Sunday 9/14. $45+.
• 🕺 Northeast Library's Garden Concert Series is kicking off the Fall Season with Ardmore Celtic Americana - a mix of traditional Celtic tunes with a modern twist. Sunday 9/14. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Bring your own mat & racket for casual tennis at the Matcha Mats & Matches, includes a refreshing matcha, and a Pilates session in a relaxed, sunlit setting. Sunday 9/14. $45.

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

• Golden Age of Hollywood Costume Ball
• Plant speed dating
• Cake Fest DMV
• Nerdy bar crawl
• Maryland Renaissance Festival

⚡ More events. More access. Zero FOMO.

Our premium subscribers get the full event list (300+!), weekly updates, and VIP access to exclusive Not Bored in DC events.

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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.