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Amy here from Free in DC bringing you some highlights from my site. With so many festivals, open houses, and art openings this weekend, this post is organized primarily by theme rather than just by date. All of these events are totally free to attend, though it’s always great to show your support for local artists and vendors if you do have some cash!
FESTIVALS
Did someone say festival? I think there’s an echo in here… there are so many festivals—and open houses—it’s going to be hard to catch them all.
Saturday
Check out the annual D.C. VegFest, this year in Foggy Bottom at GWU from noon to 6 p.m. Enjoy free samples of veggie food, cooking demos, workshops and more.
It’s also the annual Arts on Foot Festival along 7th & F Streets, NW. Chat with local designers and artists, view and purchase their works, enjoy live music and more from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hop over the bridge to Virginia for the 20th Annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival on Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m. If you’re coming from D.C., you may want to hop on the newest Circulator route which covers Dupont-Georgetown-Rosslyn, rather than Metro. The snazzy red bus has comfy seats, gives you a three hour transfer with Smartrip, and is still just a buck.
Sunday
Kick back and listen to some folk music at the annual Takoma Park Folk Festival from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m
Enjoy an eclectic mix of music and performances on five stages at the annual Adams Morgan Day Festival where you can also stroll through the Arts on Belmont vendors and enjoy great food, drinks and people watching from noon to 7 p.m.
OPEN HOUSES
Saturday
Check out the Kennedy Center’s Open House Arts Festival and Multicultural Childrens’ Book Festival from noon to 6 p.m.
Fans of poetry and literature can head over to Bethesda to learn more about the programs offered at The Writer’s Center at their open house event from noon to 3 p.m.
Sunday
Pack a picnic and hang out with friends or family in the garden a the Kreeger Museum Open House. Explore one of DC’s lesser known museums and enjoy live music, workshops and more, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ART OPENINGS & RECEPTIONS
Thursday
It’s the Second Thursday Art Night in Old Town Alexandria. Browse through artists studios and enjoy special events at The Torpedo Factory and walk over to Gallery West, just down the street, for their reception for “Big World–Small Paintings” from 6 to 9 p.m.
Friday
Head over to the opening at Transformer Gallery on P Street for their new site-specific installation, “Archetype,” by British artist Rebecca Key, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Saturday
In the Atlas District over at 8th and H Streets NE, you can check out the opening of “Night Goat and other Flights of Fancy” at City Gallery from 6 to 9 p.m.
Gallery plan b, on 14th St near P, also hosts an opening reception for their new show “Relative: Recent Paintings and Drawings” from 6 to 8 p.m.
OTHER STUFF OF INTEREST…
Thursday
The Art Market, in connection with the Arts on Foot Festival, is taking place today and tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Stroll through, view and purchase works from local artists and designers, just steps from the Gallery Place-Chinatown metro arena exit at 7th & F Streets NW.
“Pix on the Plaza” will be showing a free outdoor screening of “Shine at Light” at Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 13th & Penn. Ave, NW, above the Federal Triangle metro, at 8 p.m. preceded by free Karaoke which starts at 6 p.m.
Friday
Jazz saxophonist Bruce Swain plays the final “Jazz in the Garden” this summer at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
SaturdayLearn how to make gazpacho with chef Ris Lacoste of Ris at the newly renovated “social” Safeway in Georgetown on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Join Collective Voices at MLK Library at 1 p.m. as they host a special Poetry and Performance event to Commemorate 9/11.
Sunday
It’s the last day to check out the Da Vinci exhibit at National Geographic.The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission to the exhibit is free.
Amy Melrose is the creator of Free in DC, a blog that highlights low-cost and free events in the D.C. metro area. For complete details about the events mentioned above, visit Free in DC or follow Free in DC on Facebook.