Summer Arts Preview
By • May 10, 2023 0 1091
The D.C. area is full of wonderful ways to spend your summer hours, soaking in all the culture and arts scene. Check out these noteworthy events this May, June, July and August.
~ May ~
JXJ Festival
May 11-21
Various locations
The annual festival is presented on stages and screens throughout the DMV. It’s one of the biggest and most respected Jewish film festivals in the North America.
Bourbon & Bluegrass
May 20 and May 21, 1-5 p.m.
140 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW
The most rollicking fundraiser of the year, Bourbon & Bluegrass, returns with delicious food, lawn games and tours of the cottage.
~ June & July ~
“Dolly” with The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C.
June 3, 8 p.m. and June 4, 3 p.m.
Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. closes out their season celebrating Dolly Parton. With Parton’s career spanning decades, attendees can look forward to hits like “Jolene,” “Islands in the Stream,” and “Here You Come Again.”
Kumanana! An Afro-Peruvian Musical Revue
June 7-25, GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW
Kumanana shines a spotlight on the wealth of artistry in the Afro-Peruvian community.
Frank Stewart’s Nexus: An American Photographer’s Journey, 1960s to the Present
June 10-September 3
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW
Explore the powerful exhibit featuring Stewart’s photography that centers on his spontaneous yet sensitive approach to showcasing world cultures and Black life.
2023 Annual Martha Washington Lecture
June 13, 7-8 p.m.
Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
This event features Holly A. Mayer and Lorri Glover, contributors to the new book “Women Waging War in the American Revolution.” They’ll be in conversation with fellow historian Graham Hodges about women’s struggles for security and independence during the Revolutionary War. Post-lecture, enjoy a reception with wine and beer and a book signing.
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival
June 29-July 4, July 6-9
National Mall
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival was established in 1967 and honors the contemporary living cultural traditions and celebrates those who sustain and practice them. The festival has featured participants from 50 states and over 100 countries. This year’s festival highlights the culture of the Ozarks and explores creativity and spirituality in the U.S.
Umm Saeed uses homemade henna harvested and prepared from her own trees. Learn the meanings of her traditional designs for hands and feet at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Photo by Jeff Malet.
~ August ~
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Aug. 2-Sept. 24, The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
The glitzy, glittery world of Paris’s Moulin Rouge is brought to life in the touring version of the Broadway musical.
The 19th Annual DC JazzFest
August 30-September 3
Various locations
The festival celebrates jazz with over 100 concerts in over 30 venues citywide. It’s one of the premier musical cultural institutions in the nation’s capital, having recently announced the start of a three-year partnership with the nation of Cuba “through a series of in-person and virtual exchanges.” Expect to see performances at Arena Stage, The Anthem, The Wharf and more.
