06.24 - love love love
what’s going on in d.c.
Friday: REACH at the Kennedy Center will show Disney favorite Encanto on its video wall (begins at dusk) | Soft rocker Jack Johnson performs at Merriweather Post Pavilion (7:30 pm) | Wolf Trap hosts Broadway in the Park, with two Tony winners performing along with other Broadway performers (8 pm) | Megan Fox’s fiancé Machine Gun Kelly performs at Capital One Arena (7:30 pm)
Saturday: For those looking for an excuse to get dressed up, the Italian Embassy is hosting a Black Tie Sicilian Ball, with open bar, Italian food, and European ballroom music (8:30 pm, $129) | It’s Solstice Saturday at the Smithsonian, with six museums open until midnight.
Sunday: Takoma’s 3 Stars Brewing hosts a plant sale and swap, featuring food options as well (1-6 pm) | 14th St Corridor restaurant Maydan presents a food, culture, and wine festival in honor of World Refugee Day. $25 admission to the market includes wine tasting and access to food stalls and talks (10 am - 2 pm)
All weekend: The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is this weekend at the Mall, with food, music, classes, and demonstrations. Washingtonian compiled eight fun events - including making your own fragrance or learning to train a falcon | Puttery opened in Penn Quarter yesterday, bringing another luxury minigolf option to the area
let’s talk food and drinks
my weekly best bite: Potato Gnocchi at downtown’s Modena
The Giant National Capital Barbeque Battle takes to the mall this weekend with food, a hot dog eating competition, 30 bands, and games. Tickets are $20 and include free samples.
On Saturday, Rosé All Day takes to Yards Park, with tickets including one glass + access to glitter tattoos, flower crowns, and more instagrammable options ($15, 4-8 pm)
Popular Filipino fast-food spot Jolibee opens its first Northern Virginia outpost this weekend, with a location in Alexandria.
what’s on our minds?
Mayor Bowser won her primary race on Tuesday, as did fellow incumbent and council chair Phil Mendelson. For the open attorney general seat, Brian Schwalb, the candidate endorsed by outgoing AG Karl Racine, won his race. And in the two open Ward city council races (Wards 3 and 5), the progressive candidate was successful (Matthew Frumin and Zachary Parker), which will likely push the council to a more progressive direction. Education, police reform, and finalizing D.C.’s budget are likely to be top issues early next year.
D.C. was unsuccessful in its soccer world cup bid, but as perhaps a small consolation, it was successful in securing the MLS All-Star game for 2023. The game will be played on July 19 at Audi Field.
Quick links to other weekly #goodreads:
Fashion Has Abandoned Human Taste - per The Atlantic, “Stores are stocked with copycat designs. It’s a nightmare.”
How OXO Conquered the American Kitchen- per Slate, “The company diced, peeled, and salad-spun its way to America’s heart. Is it really that good?”
When Baking and Real Estate Collide - per The New Yorker, “Tartine, a beloved San Francisco bakery, wanted to grow. Partnering with a developer was one way to rise.”