Thursday
Salsa Dancing on the Waterfront at The Wharf
608 Wharf St. SW, 6 p.m., free
Like a good cruise ship director, The Wharf keeps coming up with reasons for folks to mix and mingle on the water. Through Oct. 8, there will be free salsa lessons every Thursday at 6 p.m. led by instructors from Classé Dance Company, followed by open dancing with a DJ
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Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor at Politics and Prose
5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, 7 p.m., free
You’ve heard of late-stage capitalism? Bad news: Canadian social commentators Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor think the U.S. has hit “End Times Facism.” The pair of “influential leftist thinkers,” as The New York Times calls them, will be at Politics and Prose to discuss their new book that provides, “a sobering, scary vision of contemporary political battles.” Note that Thursday is a big night for District book lovers: Politics and Prose is also hosting bestselling novelist Kristin Hannah (“The Women”) at Sixth & I, plus Jonathan Capehart will chat with Elizabeth Alexander at the MLK Library.
More to explore: Guitarist Pat Metheny at Strathmore
Friday
Gods, Goddesses and Lotus Eaters: A Hirshhorn Odyssey
Hirshhorn Museum, Independence Ave and 7th Street, noon, free
Washington’s leading contemporary art museum hops on the Homer bandwagon with this free tour highlighting works in its collection that reference Greek mythology. Meet at the Hirshhorn welcome desk; no tickets required. On Saturday the museum gets kid-friendly by celebrating International Dot Day, with pointillistic art activities and special guest Peter H. Reynolds, author and illustrator of the bestselling picture book “The Dot.”
“Some Like It Hot” at Olney Theatre Center
2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, 7:30 p.m., Tickets from $76
Theater critics were initially skeptical when they heard the Marilyn Monroe/Jack Lemmon classic film was being adapted for the stage a few years ago, coming closely on the heels of “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Tootsie,” two other movies featuring straight men in drag. But “Some Like It Hot,” turned out better than both of its predecessors, winning four Tony Awards in 2023. This weekend Olney Theatre Center becomes the first regional theater to produce this musical about 1930s tap-dancing cads who dress up as women to flee the mob. Previews begin Friday and the show continues through Nov. 8.
More to explore: Counterpoint Concerts opens its chamber music series at Dupont Underground
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Saturday
50th Annual Falls Church Festival
223 Little Falls St., Falls Church, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., prices vary
The best thing about the Falls Church Festival — besides the fact that it’s now been around for 50 years — is that it’s fun regardless of how much time you have, how old you are or how much money you want to spend. Got an hour? Stop by the weekly farmers market and browse the tables set up by 85 local community groups and vendors. Got more time and money? Engage in Taste of Falls Church, or day drink in the beer garden. Have kids? Get in line for a $10 pony ride, check out some crafts or go on a scavenger hunt.
H Street NE, 12 to 7 p.m., free
Good go-go is guaranteed at the annual street fair sometimes branded as “D.C.’s largest block party.” More than 500 restaurants, artists, nonprofits and District businesses set up tables along almost a mile of H Street NE, with entertainment stages dotting the way. Pro tips: Take a bus or Uber to Gallaudet University and walk. If you do drive, be aware of street closures and do not block driveways, alleys, etc. in the neighborhood.
More to explore: Free education program open house at Signature Theatre
Sunday
Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts
Capital One Center Metro Park, Tysons, 12 to 5 p.m., free
The suburban arts venue hosts a two-day outdoor open house featuring live painting by local artists, music, food and exhibits curated by the Tephra Institute of Contemporary Arts, a Northern Virginia nonprofit that promotes the “combustibility of creativity.”
Capitol Hill Chamber Music Festival
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 301 A St. SE, 7 p.m., suggested donation $20
A unique tri-city model powers this festival dedicated to chamber music played on period instruments. The musicians will reprise each concert in Annapolis and Baltimore. The series kicks off with a concert called, “These Distracted Times.” Believe it or not, that title is not a reference to late-stage capitalism or end times facism, but a 1649 piece by Welsh composer Thomas Tomkins, who wrote his “A Sad Pavan for These Distracted Times” after the execution of King Charles I. The festival continues at area churches through Oct. 9.
More to explore: Soul songstress Erykah Badu at Wolf Trap.