06.30 - and the rockets' red glare
what’s going on in d.c.
Friday: MLK Library presents Go-Go on the Rooftop as part of their summer concert series (6-9 pm) | Freer Gallery shows the Asian thriller, Decision to Leave (7 pm) | Gimme Gimme Disco, an ABBA-inspired dance party takes to 9:30 Club while the Howard Theatre hosts a Beyoncé dance night (both at 9 pm)
Saturday: Look Here, the new National Building Museum summer installation focused on reflective surfaces, opens Saturday (10 am, through Sept. 4th) | The National Gallery of Art hosts first Saturday with art making and story times (11 am - 3 pm)
Sunday: Sawasdee, a Thai festival to celebrate 190 years of diplomatic relations, sets up on the Mall with food, music, and Muay Thai (10 am - 8 pm) | Melanie Martinez performs at The Anthem (7:30 pm)
Tuesday: The Capitol Hill community parade traverses through Barracks Row (10 am) while the Independence Day parade heads down Constitution Ave along the Mall (11:45 am) | what would a DC 4th be without fireworks - they’ll launch near the Mall at 9:09 PM (and the Metro will be free after 5 pm)
all weekend: Washingtonian gives recs on the best ways to “eat and drink” through the 4th weekend, including some barbeques and rooftop spots | a new bookstore opened in Takoma Park - People’s Book |
let’s talk food and drinks
my weekly best bite: bang bang broccoli at Planta (like Planta but don’t want to travel to Bethesda? Sister restaurant Planta Queen recently opened in West End)
Jessica Sidman, a food editor at Washingtonian, asked on Twitter for the “best DC restaurant hot takes.” 572 quote tweets later, we’ve got some contenders, including “Chilis should replace Tatte” and “If you’re from New York you’re not allowed an opinion on D.C. food/restaurants”
A new restaurant opened on H St NE - Purl - offering comfort food and creative drinks (garnished with Nerds)
Death & Co, a popular NYC cocktail bar, opens on July 14th in the former Columbia Room spot in Shaw/Blagden Alley.
what’s on our minds?
Want to brave a swim in the Anacostia River? While there are weekly swims in the Potomac, this summer marks the first time in 50 years that there’s an opportunity to swim in the Anacostia. On July 8th at Kingman Island, interested swimmers can jump in the river. DC Water’s been working on a multi-billion dollar project to clean the river, particularly by 90%+ reductions in sewage outflows.
Quick links to other weekly #goodreads:
Meet Longtime Residents of the Watergate, Washington’s Most Famous Home - per Washingtonian, "Shopping with Prince. Swimming with Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Synonymous with the scandal that brought down a presidency, the Watergate is also home to real people—and some really good stories.”
Never Gets Old: Perry’s Keeps It Fresh With D.C.’s Oldest Drag Brunch, New Rising Star Chef - per DCist, “You might find it hard to recognize Perry’s, given all the changes at the restaurant over the years, if not for the drag queens who dance on top of the bar on Sundays.”