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Federal employees, I acknowledge that the shutdown sucks—-hard. But look at it this way: This could be one of the best times to get out and take advantage of local arts. Below, check out Arts Desk’s list of some of the local theaters and other venues that are offering discounts during this time of congressional idiocy.
This post was updated at 3 p.m. on Oct. 3.
AFI Silver Theatre
Free popcorn with any movie ticket purchase until the shutdown ends.
Arena Stage
Federal employees receive $30 tickets to The Velocity of Autumn, Love in Afghanistan, and Maurice Hines Is Tappin’ Thru Life. Tickets must be reserved by phone; maximum four tickets per ID.
Bethesda Row Cinema
$1 off beer, wine, and cocktails with government ID as long as the shutdown lasts.
dog & pony DC
Receive two tickets for the price of one to any performance of Beertown and A Killing Game until the shutdown ends. Use the code “shutdown” when ordering online or mention the “shutdown special” when ordering by phone. Maximum four tickets.
Howard Theatre
Friday and Saturday, federal employees are eligible to see Take 6 and Alice Russell for free, too. Just present your federal ID at the box office, and you’re in. (One ticket per ID.) Sunday, feds can also get 50 percent off tickets for Rufus featuring Sly Stone.
Keegan Theatre
Furloughed employees with ID receive $10 tickets to performances of The Sunshine Boys on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
MetroStage
Get two tickets for the price of one for this weekend’s performances of Gee’s Bend. Excludes Sunday afternoon performance.
Round House Theatre Bethesda
Receive two tickets for the price of one to any performance of This until the shutdown ends. Use the code “shutdown” when ordering online or mention the “shutdown special” when ordering by phone. Maximum four tickets.
Signature Theatre
Free pair of tickets to Miss Saigon for the length of the shutdown (or until the show closes on Oct. 6) when you show federal ID at the box office.
Studio Theatre
Receive 50 percent off tickets to Torch Song Trilogy when you use the code “shutdown” and present federal ID at the box office. Excludes Saturday evening performances.
Synetic Theater
50 percent off Wednesday and Thursday night performances of The Picture of Dorian Gray this week when you use the code “WILDE50” and show federal ID at the box office. If the shutdown continues into next week, the deal applies to all weeknight performances.
Theater J
Receive two tickets for the price of one for performances of After the Revolution on Wednesday, Oct. 2 and Thursday, Oct. 3. Tickets are available at the door with a federal ID beginning at 6:30 p.m.
West End Cinema
Furloughed employees receive 50 percent off popcorn and sodas for the length of the furlough when they show ID.
Also, as I blogged previously, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, National Geographic Museum, and National Building Museum will continue to offer free admission to furloughed employees until the shutdown ends.
UPDATE
Receive two tickets for the price of one for the following shows when you use the code “930ATA” and show federal ID at will call: Marky Ramone’s Blitzkreig with Andrew W.K. on Oct. 2, BOY on Oct. 3, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah on Oct. 5, Soul Asylum and Fountains of Wayne on Oct. 9, and Lee Fields and the Expressions on Oct. 17. Limit two paid tickets per ID; deal expires at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 2.
All guests receive 50 percent off tickets to the equestrian performance through Oct. 8.
All guests can receive $20 tickets to Oct. 3 and Oct. 4 performances of Cabaret Barroco if they mention the Final Weekend Special when ordering by phone.
Receive 50 percent off tickets to the Oct. 3 performance of Chazz Palminteri’s A Bronx Tale when you use the code “930ATA” and show federal ID at will call. Limit two paid tickets per ID; deal expires at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 2.
Receive 50 percent off tickets to The Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, and Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger on Oct. 4 and Steve Aoki and Pharrell Williams on Oct. 25 when you use the code “930ATA” and show federal ID at will call.. Limit two paid tickets per ID; deal expires at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 2.
Receive two tickets for the price of one to Middle Distance Runner and Teen Mom on Oct. 4 when you use the code “930ATA” and show federal ID at will call. Limit two paid tickets per ID; deal expires at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 2.
Government employees with ID pay $5 for tickets to the Oct. 4 performance of The Two-Character Play.
Pay $10 for tickets to this weekend’s performances of Don Juan when you use the code “SHUTDOWN” and show federal ID.
Washington Performing Arts Society
Receive $10 tickets to Wynton Marsalis’ Oct. 6 performance with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall when you use the code “FED10” and show ID. Limit four tickets per ID.
Receive 50 percent off tickets to Christine Salem on Oct. 3 and The Corey Harris Band on Oct. 4. with government ID.
Furloughed employees receive two tickets for the price of one with government ID for the length of the shutdown.
Audiences name their own price for tickets to the theater’s Oct. 3 performance of Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps.
Federal employees receive $20 tickets to the following performances with ID: Bill Engval on Oct. 6, Sutton Foster on Oct. 12, Les Violons du Roy with Stephanie Blythe on Oct. 15, and Dianne Reeves on Oct. 18. Must order tickets at the box office.
Take $5 off Politics & Prose events at Lisner Auditorium.
Photo via Arena Stage