The DMV has got the music and family-friendly festivities prepped and ready to set the tone for the end of summer – from Motown tributes and Erykah Badu with The Alchemist to commemorating the biggest Halal event of the season with the 12th Annual Halal Food Festival.
Looking for something more calm? Dive into the history of Black ancestry that built the streets of Georgetown, or tap into a new skillset with Baltimore’s Hairpiece Making Class on Sunday, Aug. 17.
Check out a handful of the many events taking over the region this weekend, and don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar to keep up with all the fun!
Thursday, Aug. 14
Harriet’s Wildest Dreams General Info Session
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Free
Harriet’s Wildest Dreams is preparing to host its Aug. 14 general information session with a set agenda in mind: fighting for home rule, gender liberation, and a world beyond cages and control.
A Black-led community defense hub, Harriet’s Wildest Dreams believes Washingtonians deserve safety that isn’t rooted in police, housing that doesn’t come with harm, and care that doesn’t come with conditions.
If feeling heavy watching what’s happening in D.C., join this session to learn how to get plugged into the work, including organization insights from legal empowerment and community care to direct action and abolitionist organizing.
7:30 p.m. | $24+
The Theater at MGM National Harbor, 101 MGM National Ave, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
MGM National Harbor presents Motor City Live! A Motown Tribute back by popular demand.
Featuring a highly talented cast of singers, dancers and musicians performing the greatest hits from The Temptations, The Supremes, The Jacksons, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and so much more, this event creates a true celebration live on stage of the music that transformed America.
Don’t miss out on Motor City Live: See it, hear it, feel it.
Friday, Aug. 15
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Free
Accelerando Music @ The Barn, 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306
‘Tis the season for a fun way to end the summer with Music on the Lawn.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in for live music that’ll have both kids and adults dancing! Enjoy lawn games, grab a bite from a local food truck, and soak in the summer vibes with your whole crew.
Bohemia, Blossom and Gemini Soulstice Presents: Fire & Bloom
9 p.m. | $17.49+
SAX Dinner Theater and Lounge, 734 11th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20001
Brought to you by Bohemia DC, Gemini Soulstice, Blossom, and Sax DC, Fire & Bloom hosts a night of dance music and live aerial and fire performances.
Additional event features include Blossom Espresso Martinis by Blossom Beverages, and intimate live DJ sets inside a former theatre turned nightclub in the heart of Washington, D.C.
Get your spot and groove to a range of melodic house, tech, UKG, and classic cuts by Ms. Behave (Gemini Soulstice), Snugs (Gemini Soulstice), Lady J (Bohemia), and Nonchalant (Bohemia).
Saturday, Aug. 16
History of Black Georgetown Walking Tour
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | $30
Georgetown, Wisconsin Ave, Washington, D.C.
Before it was a part of Washington, D.C., Georgetown was an independent, bustling port city that boasted thriving trades in many goods, including slaves.
Descendants of enslaved peoples and free Black folk have lived in Georgetown for generations (at one point African Americans counted for as much as 30% of the population), but their contributions to its history do not often receive recognition.
This tour will reveal the stories of the Black citizens who made their mark on one of D.C.’s oldest neighborhoods.
The tour starts at 3206 O Street NW DC and ends at the Mt. Zion/Female Union Band Cemetery at 2501 Mill Road NW, with a half-way stop at Thomas Sweet Shop for a bathroom break and refreshment.
12th Annual Halal Food Festival
Noon | $14.27+
Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds, 1450 Generals Highway, Crownsville, MD 21032
The goal is simple: uniting the Ummah (Muslim community) through delicious food.
Established in 2012, the Halal Food Fest (HFF) – recognized as the biggest Halal event of the summer – is a day-long food festival designed by Al-Rahmah School Educational Trust (ASET) to bring families together.
Each year, HFF brings together top-rated halal food vendors, popular restaurants, food trucks, dessert specialists, and more than 50 bazaar vendors in a lively grand indoor bazaar. Beyond food, the festival features exciting entertainment for kids, live performances, and even a fireworks show, creating a vibrant atmosphere for all ages.
Join the fun and enjoy a safe and enjoyable environment, featuring the best halal cuisine in the DMV area.
Sunday, Aug. 17
12:30 p.m. | $520.29
Home2 Suites by Hilton Arundel Mills BWI Airport, 7545 Teague Rd, Hanover, MD 21076
No prior experience needed. This hands-on class is perfect for beginners and professionals alike.
In a session hosted through Weave Genius Academy, participants will learn how to craft four custom hairpieces using a sewing machine, guided step-by-step by expert hair extensionist, educator and former seamstress Rhonda Robinson.
Learn how to create: Hula hairpiece (clip-in style for volume or highlights); enclosed topper (for thinning or crown coverage); ponytail hairpiece (sleek, quick style option); bang hairpiece (custom fringe on demand).
Whether looking to expand hair services, build a new stream of income, or address personal needs, this class will provide the knowledge and confidence to deliver high-demand pieces for people with alopecia, thinning hair, or protective styling needs.
For more information on class requirements, direct deposits and financing options, visit Eventbrite.
Erykah Badu and The Alchemist present Abi and Alan
9 p.m. | $124+
Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Two influential forces in hip-hop and neo-soul come together for a one-night performance at The Fillmore Silver Spring in Maryland.
Erykah Badu and The Alchemist present Abi + Alan, an immersive live experience built around their new collaborative album. The tour’s title, drawn from their birth names, Erica Abi Wright and Alan Maman, reflects the personal and creative connection behind the project.
Backed by Badu’s band, The Cannabinoids, the performance reimagines the album’s studio tracks through live instrumentation, digital textures and The Alchemist’s signature production style, while taking audiences on a multisensory journey through layered rhythms, lyricism and sonic experimentation.
To help folks stay present and truly enjoy the moment, this will be a phone-free event. Upon arrival, all devices will be secured in Yondr pouches, which attendees will keep with them at all times and can unlock at designated phone-use areas if needed.
