Beginning with her work documenting D.C. during World War II and continuing through her coverage of the Miss America pageant and life in the mid-20th century, photographer Esther Bubley succinctly captured pieces of American culture that few others thought important. Now, the National Museum of Women in the Arts celebrates Bubley’s work with a new exhibition that includes pieces from her time spent covering oil boom towns in Texas and farm life in the Midwest. Read more >>> The exhibition is on view Mondays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. to Jan. 17 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW. $8–$10. (202) 783-5000. nmwa.org. (Caroline Jones)
EAT THIS
Heading out of town for the holiday weekend? Cava Grill opens its newest location in terminal B at Reagan National Airport today. In addition to the Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant’s normal bowls and wraps, the airport locale will offer breakfast. Look for a Greek yogurt bar with toppings including chia seeds, granola, hemp hearts, honey, and seasonal roasted fruit. There will also be build-your-own breakfast bowls with “frambled” (fried and scrambled eggs), a choice of potatoes and grains, plus meats like applewood smoked bacon or spicy lamb meatballs. Fuel up with a cup of Compass Coffee. (Jessica Sidman)
OH AND ALSO
Friday: Local eclectic rock band Beauty Pill released its first album in a decade earlier this year and continues to support it with a performance at the Black Cat. Paperhaus and Redline Graffiti open the show. 9 p.m. at 1811 14th St. NW. $12.
Friday: The American Art Museum showcases paintings by Pueblo artist Awa Tsireh, who decorated pottery before transitioning to watercolor works, in its latest exhibition, opening today. 11:30 a.m. at 8th and F streets NW. Free.
Friday: Rorschach Theatre begins performances of Truth and Beauty Bombs: A Softer World, about a photographer who begins to lose his vision and attempts to capture as much work as he can before it’s gone completely. 8 p.m. at 1333 H St. NE. Pay what you can.
Saturday: If you seek confirmation that you’re not the only person who’s had uncomfortable sexual encounters, spend some time with the six performers who make up the traveling storytelling group Awkward Sex… and the City. During the show, Natalie Wall, Emmy Harrington, Meghan O’Malley, and Bobby Hankinson will take the stage and relive some of their best bad moments between the sheets. Read more >>> The show begins at 9 p.m. at the Black Cat Backstage, 1811 14th St. NW. $12–$15. (202) 667-4490. blackcatdc.com. (Tim Regan)
Saturday: Dozens of popular authors, including David McCullough, Jane Smiley, and Marilynne Robinson, read and discuss their work at the National Book Festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Read more in our Summer Entertainment Guide. 10 a.m. at 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. Free.
Saturday: Mexican guitarists Rodrigo y Gabriela perform at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center with Todd Park Mohr, the lead singer and songwriter of Big Head Todd. 8 p.m. at 1551 Trap Road, Vienna. $35–$65.
Sunday: The 3rd Annual All White End of Summer Jam indicates the appropriate dress code in its title, but it’s the homegrown racket with touches of melody coming from the stage, not the color of audience members’ clothes, that will invigorate fans. Headliner Backyard Band has been adding hip-hop swagger, along with bits of noisy crank and R&B sweetness, to its go-go since the early ’90s. The staccato beats will ring through Shaw until Monday morning. Read more >>> Backyard Band performs with TCB, TOB, Spill Gang, and Shooters at 11 p.m. at 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $40. (202) 265-0930. 930.com. (Steve Kiviat)
Sunday: Sonia Manzano, best known to audiences as Maria from Sesame Street, reads from her new memoir, Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx, at Busboys and Poets Takoma. 6:30 p.m. at 235 Carroll St. NW. Free.
Sunday: The National Gallery of Art screens I Magliari, Francesco Rosi‘s 1959 drama about European organized crime, as part of its Italian cinema series. 4 p.m. at 6th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free.
Monday: Barrence Whitfield can warble slow-tempoed gospel and country songs with the best of them, but most of the time he prefers to shout numbers that blend R&B and garage rock at breakneck speed. His band roars in a manner that, with the right exposure, should appeal beyond their original fanbase to devotees of Afropunk and house show hardcore alike. Read more >>> Barrence Whitfield & the Savages perform at 8:30 p.m. at Hill Country Barbecue, 410 7th St. NW. $12–$15. (202) 556-2050. hillcountrywdc.com. (Steve Kiviat)
Monday: Theater companies from around D.C. present new work at the Kennedy Center’s Page-to-Stage festival throughout the weekend. As it concludes on Monday, check out performances by Factory 449, Theater Alliance, and Faction of Fools. 11 a.m. at 2700 F St. NW. Free.
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