Weekend Roundup: June 18-22
By • June 18, 2025 0 312
This weekend, we celebrate Juneteenth, which is tomorrow. Friday through Sunday, check out the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle, the RalRose Rum & Rosé Fundraiser and don’t miss ‘Twelfth Night’ and ‘King James’ last weekends at Folger and Round House Theatre, respectively.
Celebrate Juneteenth
Lisa Fager and Neville Waters of Black Georgetown Foundation on Juneteenth 2024; Nannie’s gravesite restored on June 24. Photo by Bill Starrels; photo by Chris Jones.
Tomorrow is Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, and commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. It is celebrated annually on June 19, and we put together a list of ways to honor and celebrate the holiday, which can be found here.
‘Ain’t Too Proud’ is at The National Theatre
Featuring Grammy winning tunes and Tony winning choreography, “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations” is at the National Theatre now through Sunday only. The musical, which takes viewers on an adventure chronicling the Temptations and their rise to fame, resulting in 42 Top Ten hits, was called “Pretty close to perfection!” by The New York Times. More information on tickets can be found here.
Get Your Barbecue on This Weekend
Courtesy Moki Media.
The Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle returns Saturday and Sunday to downtown D.C. Don’t miss the battle, which is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, as it unfolds along Pennsylvania Ave. There will be live music, plenty of food and the event raises millions for area charities and organizations. More information can be found here.
See the Next Summer Film Series @ The REACH in Honor of World Refugee Day
Belfast movie poster. Wikipedia photo.
Don’t miss the movie “Belfast” Friday evening at the Kennedy Center’s REACH campus in honor of World Refugee Day. The movie will be screened in partnership with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. The movie, which came out in 2021, was directed by Kenneth Branagh and stars Judi Dench, Jame Dornan and others. More information on the screening can be found here.
Take the Family to see ‘Dory Fantasmagory’ at Imagination Stage
Courtesy Imagination Stage.
Based on the book by Abby Hanlon, Dory is the youngest in her family and her brothers and sisters won’t play with her. She encounters monsters to battle all over the house like Mrs. Gobble Gracker. The play is making its East Coast premiere and runs now through August 3 at Imagination Stage. More information on tickets can be found here.
The RalRosa Rum & Rosé Fundraiser is Saturday Evening
The Watson family: Chad Price, Jacqui Watson, Richard Watson and Kim Watson. Courtesy RalRosa Foundation.
The fourth annual Rum & Rosé Fundraiser for the RalRosa Foundation is this Saturday evening at the Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens. Proceeds from the event will go toward RalRosa’s adopted clinic, the Golden Spring Health Centre, Stony Hill, Jamaica and The Holy Cross Health Foundation in Silver Spring. More information on the event and how to get tickets can be found here.
‘Twelfth Night’ Ends Sunday
Courtesy Folger Shakespeare Theatre.
Folger Shakespeare Library’s production of William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” ends on Sunday, with DC Theater Arts calling it “a feast for the senses, and a glorious endorsement of sexuality and love.” The show is a lively interpretation of a Shakespearean comedy and more information on tickets can be found here.
Must Close Sunday: ‘King James’ at Round House Theatre
Gregory Perri (Matt) and Blake Morris (Shawn) in King James. Photo by Margot Schulman Photography.
Called a “celebration of friendship and fandom,” the play “King James” tells the story of Shawn and Matt, who bond over their love of basketball. Set against the rookie season of LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the play is a buddy comedy with a lot of heart. More information on tickets can be found here.
