The Washington Informer invites the DMV to bask in a weekend filled with culture, community, and even some social experiments.
In the mood to wine and dine? Let your taste buds do the work in Thursday’s A Guided Tasting Experience, or check out the African + Caribbean Music & Arts Festival on Sunday and dive into a cultural culinary explosion.
Enjoy five nights of laughter with Improvapalooza 2024, and pay homage to R&B royalty at Saturday’s “Tribute to Legends.”
Residents can celebrate Latin culture at the Washington Salsa Festival and Embassy of Nicaragua, or celebrate National Black Business Month with the Black Business Showcase and Black + Forth Farmers Market.
There’s always something happening in the DMV to keep your spirit — and social life — lit. To keep up with all the fun, don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar.
Thursday, Aug. 22
Washington Wines, D.C. Dines: A Guided Tasting Experience
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.| $95 + fees
La Vie, 88 District Square SW Floor 4.6, Washington, D.C., 20024
Join Sommsation Wine Company for an evening of exquisite wines from the state of Washington at the Sommsation Lounge at La Vie in D.C. The Sommsation Lounge is designed to bring guests the best of wine country, through experiential tastings, sommelier-led education, and expert pairings.
The team of sommeliers will take guests on a journey through the top wineries from Washington State – limited-production wineries not easily found on local shelves or wine lists. All seasoned wine experts and curious wine beginners will discover the unique flavors and varieties sommeliers, winemakers, and critics can’t get enough of.
7:30 p.m. | $24.14
Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St NW, Washington, D.C., 20005
Improvapalooza is Washington Improv Theater’s community-beloved marathon of experimental improv shows. In a culmination of five nights of daring improv experiments, the festival hosts over 200 shows featuring outlandish costumes, big ideas, and even bigger laughs, each completely different from the next.
Seating at Improvapalooza is festival-style and is first-come, first-served. To make sure you get a seat, arrive early for the show you want to see.
Check out the schedule here: witdc.org.
Friday, Aug. 23
10 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Free
6500 Springfield Mall, 6500 Springfield Mall Town Center Springfield, VA 22150
Come to Springfield Mall Town Center for a day of shopping, supporting local businesses, and enjoying the summer vibes. Discover unique products, delicious treats, and one-of-a-kind finds from a variety of small businesses. Whether you’re looking for gifts, home decor, or just want to treat yourself, this event has something for everyone. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with the community and shop small.
General admission is free. Friday vendor space is $125 plus fees.
Evening at the Embassy of Nicaragua
7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.| $68.45
Embassy of Nicaragua, 1627 New Hampshire Avenue Northwest Washington, D.C., 20009
Having been recently redecorated, the Ambassador and all the diplomats of Nicaragua are proud and excited to officially welcome guests to the Embassy. Take in the beauty and excitement of Nicaragua, without ever boarding a plane.
Step onto foreign soil and experience an energetic, culturally magnificent Central American nation at the Embassy of Nicaragua. Through the food, drink, music, diplomats and other cultural aspects of the evening, get a taste of the rich customs of the multiple regions of Nicaragua.
Saturday, Aug. 24
“Tribute to Legends” Marvin Gaye & Teddy Pendergrass
8 p.m. | $40+
The Hamilton, 600 14th St NW, Washington, D.C., 20005
Get ready to groove with “The Official Teddy Pendergrass Band,” in an ultimate homage to the legendary R&B icon. Endorsed by Teddy Pendergrass’ estate and family, this band is on a mission to keep his legacy burning bright.
Featuring original band members Robert “Wawa” Legrand, Bill Jolly, Brett Jolly, and Johnny Croom, this powerhouse ensemble delivers a soul-stirring experience like no other. They breathe new life into Teddy’s timeless classics, from the seductive “Turn Off the Lights” to the soulful anthem “Love T.K.O.” and the sultry “Close the Door.”
With each note, they transport audiences back to the golden age of R&B, capturing the essence of Teddy’s electrifying live performances.
8 p.m. | $39+
EagleBank Arena, 4500 Patriot Cir, Fairfax, VA 22030
The Washington Salsa Festival promises a thrilling celebration of salsa music and dance at the EagleBank Arena, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. The 2024 edition boasts an impressive array of talent.
Headlining the event are some of the most celebrated names in salsa music including Grupo Niche, a Colombian salsa group known for their vigorous, up-tempo music and politically inspired lyrics; El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, often dubbed as ‘the most popular salsa group that has ever existed;’ and more.
Sunday, Aug. 25
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Free
The Spice Suite, 2201 Channing St NE, Washington, D.C., 20018
The Black and Forth Farmers is a bi-weekly outdoor marketplace located in the heart of the Langdon, Northeast neighborhood at Black and Forth. Easily accessible by foot, car, and public transportation (Rhode Island-Brentwood Metro station), this market exclusively hosts Black-owned farmers and food artisans.
Stop by to join in on outdoor fitness workshops, dance to live DJs, and pick up groceries, flower arrangements, a cup of coffee, and so much more from Black-owned businesses. The Black and Forth Farmers Market features fruits and vegetables, pastured eggs, sweet and savory baked goods, prepared foods from food trucks, lemonade, seedlings, flowers and more, and is stationed at the entrance of The Spice Suite, a spice shop with pantry staples like hot sauces, sugars and spices, jams, honeys, ground coffee and kitchenware.
The Black + Forth Farmers Market will take place rain or shine.
African + Caribbean Music & Arts Festival
Noon – 9 p.m. | Free
Veterans Plaza, 1 Veterans Pl, Silver Spring, MD 20910
A product of Carnival Nation – a dynamic community focused on showcasing the DMV’s rich multi-cultural heritage through ‘Music, Arts and Cuisine’ – the 2024 African + Caribbean Music & Arts Festival showcases drum core, steel orchestra, live bands, performances, and more. The highly anticipated event is free for all ages and brings the sounds of reggae, afrobeats, soca, and kompa, with host Vibes Master G-Nice.