In This Issue

🥗 Free José Andrés lunches for federal workers
🎨 CulturalDC shuts down & disperses arts funding
🎭 Rocky Horror, No Kings & interior design pop-ups
🎃 Ghost mugs, bus roadeo, wine fest & 90+ fall events

Things I'm Talking About

💅 A new reality show is casting in DC focused on "ambitious, stylish, and outspoken personalities who know how to live life big in the nation's capital."

🍽️ José Andrés' restaurants are offering free lunch to federal employees at his restaurants. At each spot, there is a different dish available for free with your government ID.

🎨 CulturalDC, who has been providing funding for artists in DC and recently had many up in arms about selling The Source theatre building on 14th, has announced they are shutting down and dispersing its funds to organizations.

🚌 It's the DASH bus roadeo this week 👀

🍁 The leaves are starting to change, and I'm chomping at the bit to go see the leaves around town so I can enjoy the one redeeming thing about the weather getting cooler.

🌭 Czech Christmas market is in a couple weeks, and I have been dreaming about eating that sausage again.

💪 Consumer Reports did research in lead levels of protein powders, and some are bad.

⚠️ Check all events to make sure they're still happening with the shutdown! I compile these ahead of time, and some may no longer be happening.

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: Think about the worst date you ever went on. Where was it? You responded:

• A bar (34.4%)
• A restaurant (21.9%)
• A cafe (21.9%)
• A cultural spot (9.4%)
• A party (3.1%)
• Outdoors (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: Zeppelin

"Zeppelin - painkiller cocktail (add the extra shot) beef harumaki and a Chaplin roll. If the have Hotate Mukumi, must get the nigiri!" Matt

Locations: 1544 9th Street 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
• Art lover's Itinerary
• Hidden gem theaters
• Where to see fall foliage
• Volunteer opportunities
• Best Christmas markets

✨ Premium subscribers: Access the full list of 250+ events (plus beta events calendar) here.

• 🖼️ Check out Tawny Chatmon: Sanctuaries of Truth, Dissolution of Lies at the National Museum of Women in the Arts to see powerful photos mixed with embroidery and storytelling that celebrate Black history and culture in a fresh way. Opens 10/15-3/8. $16.
• 🖼️ See 14 stunning paintings from the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery on display together for the first time since 1805 at the Folger. Imagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era lets you explore how Shakespeare’s plays and legacy were shaped through art. Wednesday 10/15-11/7. Free.
• 🎈 Step back in time at the Maryland Renaissance Festival where you can enjoy live entertainment, unique crafts, and a pirate ship play area for the kids. Saturday 8/23 through 10/19. $24+
• 🖼️ 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.

• 🎭 Watch the award-winning documentary CURED about the fight to remove homosexuality from psychiatric manuals, followed by a Q&A with the Emmy-nominated directors. Thursday 10/16. Free.
• 🎭 Deaf Way Film Festival is a four-day celebration at Gallaudet University featuring screenings, panels, and art exhibitions that center Deaf stories and filmmakers. You don't need to know ASL or be familiar with deaf culture to attend - everyone's welcome to experience these powerful stories. Thursday 10/16. $65+.
• 🤓 Turn the Library of Congress into your personal playground with this scavenger hunt through the historic Thomas Jefferson Building. You can team up or go solo to solve clues about the library's amazing collections and history. Thursday 10/16. Free.
• 🤓 One Piece Trivia Night at Cleveland Park Library is perfect for anime fans ready to test their knowledge across the manga, anime, and live-action series. Grab up to 7 friends for your team and see who knows their Straw Hats best! Thursday 10/16. Free.
• 📖 Learn about Belle Époque Paris through a royal love story featuring Princess Olga Paley and Grand Duke Paul of Russia, presented by Hillwood's curator. It's history told through romance and illustrated with gorgeous visuals. Thursday 10/16. $13.

• 🕺 The Treehouse is throwing a House & Home party! It's a three-hour house music party celebration for anyone who wants to dance their heart out. Thursday 10/17. Free.
• 🎭 Catch the fun of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Reston Community Players with special events like a drag pre-show and costume contest on Halloween plus games for new viewers opening weekend. Friday 10/17. $30.
• 🎭 Soul Strolls 2025: Grave Robbing and Resurrection uncovers chilling tales of DC's past at Congressional Cemetery with live music, thematic cocktails, and actors bringing history to life in a unique twilight tour experience. Saturday 10/17. $40+.
• 🖼️ High school students curated this cool photo exhibit about The New Thing Art & Architecture Center, a groundbreaking Adams Morgan space from the '60s that brought together Black artists, architects, and community leaders. You'll hear from founder Topper Carew himself, plus there's a jazz performance by Jackson-Reed High School's band. Friday 10/17. Free.
• 🏞️ Join community fishing! Enjoy family-friendly activities and a scenic walk through China Valley down to the Anacostia River, or learn how to fish. Friday 10/17. Free; requires registration.
• 🖌️ Learn to turn your old clothes into wearable art at this patch-making workshop with Pathwork Studio - you'll hand-stitch fabric scraps while sipping craft drinks in a gorgeous conservatory. Perfect for beginners who want to try visible mending and make something totally unique. Friday 10/17. $45.
• 🕺 You're in for something truly special with renowned Javanese singer Peni Candra Rini - she combines experimental music, dance, and shadow theatre to reimagine ancient legends. The Kronos Quartet calls her "one of the world's greatest singers," and after her electric 2023 show at Hill Center, you'll understand why. Friday 10/17. $20.
• 🎈 Get ready for a WILD Halloween night out at Boo at the Zoo! Put on your favorite costume and explore the Zoo after hours, collecting treats at 30 trick-or-treat stations. Oct 17, 6 p.m. $35 (Members get a 15% discount!).
• 📖 Ever heard of the 19th-century author who outsold Mark Twain but somehow got forgotten by history? Dr. Rose Neal will tell you all about E.D.E.N. Southworth, whose badass heroines rode horses and shot pistols while secretly pushing progressive causes. Thursday 10/17. Free.
• 🖌️ Make your own spooky season keepsake with this Ghost Mug Workshop where you’ll hand-build and decorate a unique ghost-themed mug. Friday 10/17. $100 includes all materials.

• 🐾 Get ready for some tail-wagging fun at the Spooky Pooch Howl-o-ween Celebration, where you and your pup can strut your stuff in a costume contest and enjoy a yappy hour with treats for both humans and dogs! Saturday 10/18. $13 Adult (with 1-2 dogs).
• 🍲 DC's official wine fest is back with tons of seasonal wines to sip through at the spacious Dock5 warehouse. Perfect excuse to try something new and hang out with fellow wine lovers for the day. Saturday 10/18. $44+.
• 🤝 Thousands of people are gathering for No Kings: DC Rising, a massive demonstration on Pennsylvania Avenue to unite against the current administration's policies. Saturday 10/18. Free.
• 🛍️ Find great deals on books, art, vinyl, jewelry, and more at the AAFSW 2025 Art & Bookfair held inside the State Department, with new items added throughout the sale and big discounts on the last day. Saturday 10/18-10/19. Free.
• 🏞️ Take a stroll through DC’s most beautiful fountains and gardens on this free 4.5-mile walk starting at Union Station where you can enjoy classic architecture and running water before winter hits. Saturday 10/18. Free.
• 🐾 Your pup gets a rare chance to explore Oak Hill Cemetery's historic grounds - dogs are only allowed twice a year, and this is the last opportunity in 2025! They'll provide water and waste bags so you can focus on the adventure. Saturday 10/18. Free.
• 🎈 Celebrate fall with fresh heirloom apples and a lively pie-baking contest at the Adams Morgan Apple Festival where you can taste, cheer, and enjoy sweet treats while supporting local arts education. Saturday 10/18. Free.
• 🎈 Celebrate with live R&B and Go-Go, a rosé garden, and all you can eat crabs at the 2025 Anacostia Crab Feast. Saturday 10/18. Free entry; $60 for all you can eat crab.
• 🖌️ Turn your doodles into mesmerizing mandala art at this drop-in workshop where you'll learn to build layered patterns that are both meditative and fun. Perfect for all skill levels and ages, just show up anytime between 11 AM and 3 PM. Saturday 10/18. Free.
• 🎈 Georgetown Fall Market is back for a cozy fall sidewalk festival with pumpkin painting, live music, and delicious fall treats. Saturday 10/18. Free.

• 🕺 Ready to set sail with Bravo’s Below Deck Mediterranean? Join A Night with Sandy Yawn and Hannah Ferrier on Sunday, 10/19. Starting at $80.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Watch bus drivers navigate their 40-foot buses through obstacle courses at the 2025 DASH Bus Roadeo. It's like a rodeo but with busses and a monster truck rally theme. Food trucks, activities for kids, and you can cheer on the operators tackling tight turns and precision stops. Sunday 10/19. Free.
• 🍽️ DC's top chefs are teaming up to cook winning recipes from middle and high school students at this special dinner at Moon Rabbit. See how student creativity inspires James Beard nominees. The multi-course meal supports Real Food for Kids' culinary competition that actually gets student recipes served in school cafeterias. Sunday 10/19. $150-$200.
• 🎈 Come to Georgetown Canal Day for a family-friendly afternoon in the Mule Yard and aboard the docked Canal Boat. Enjoy live tunes from Hollertown, explore canal history, and take part in community activities. Sunday, 10/19. Free.
• 🧑‍🍳 Bring something you baked from Nadiya Hussain's cookbook to this community potluck-style bake club where everyone shares their creations and swaps baking stories. It's like a book club but way more delicious. Sunday 10/19. $15.
• 🎈 Enjoy dishes from 20 of the DMV’s top restaurants, raffles, and both live and silent auctions at the Carpenter’s Cook-Off 2025, a community tradition for 20+ years. Help decide winners, the Val Hawkins award, while supporting Carpenter’s Shelter’s mission to end homelessness. Sunday, 10/19. $75 for general admission.
• 🎈 Experience Turkish culture with live folk dances, rock and folk concerts, Turkish coffee and tea tastings, and a bustling bazaar on Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Turkish Festival 2025 is Sunday 10/19. Free admission.
• 🍲 Cake fans will love Cake Fest DMV where you can taste over 100 cakes, enjoy fall-themed fun, and even wear a costume if you want. Saturday 10/19. $18.
• 🖌️ You'll love making your own floral press earrings using real pressed flowers and hand-shaped clay. No experience needed and all materials are included. Sunday 10/19. $59.
• 🧠 Spend your Sunday afternoon at this horror writing workshop where you'll try new prompts and techniques to make your writing deliciously creepy. Plus, you can sign up to read your work at a special event on October 25! Sunday 10/19. $15.

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

• Murder mystery dinner
• Speed-friending
• Hand-pulled noodles class
• Gilmore Girls Fest
• Howard Homecoming

⚡ 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.