With a hipster pool party during the day and an Asian themed soiree at night, go back in time and around the world with this weekend’s top 5 picks.
By Shannon O’Reilly
Get a taste of Spain with one of Jaleo's delicious paellas during their Paella Festival in July.
Journey to Asia
On Thursday, the Freer and Sackler Gallery of Art will host “Asia After Dark: One Thousand and One Nights,” a night of mingling, music, and specialty cocktails while wondering through galleries and outdoor gardens. Check out the featured exhibition, “Arts of the Islamic World,” listen to Arab beats by DJ Turbo Tabla, and watch a belly-dance performance by Barakaat Middle Eastern Dance Company. It wouldn’t be a soiree without food and drinks. During the night enjoy traditional cuisine and unique cocktails. The night begins Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Tickets at the door are $25.
Get Some Space
Start the weekend early by spending the afternoon with an astronaut. Al Worden, command module pilot for Apollo 15, is showcasing his new memoir “Falling to Earth: An Apollo 15 Astronaut’s Journey to the Moon” at the National Air and Space Museum. The day begins Friday, with a discussion led by space history curator, Allan Needell at 12:30 p.m. The day concludes with a book signing and discussion at 4 p.m. with Al Worden himself. All events are free. Find out what it’s like to be on a space mission in 1971.
Get a Taste of Spain
Take your taste buds on a trip to Spain. Stop by the Paella Festival running from July 18-31 at Jaleo, Jose Andres’ renowned Spanish tapas restaurant in D.C.. This year’s menu is inspired by chef Rafael Vidal’s Restaurante Levante in Valencia, Spain. Daily paella specials will rotate between the Jaleo locations, ranging in price from $35 to $50. The menu has a diverse array of paella, including a traditional Valencian paella with chicken, rabbit, and lima beans. Jaleo will also showcase a specialty cocktail called Valencia Fizz, a mixture of Plymouth Gin, Benedictine, Chufra Horchata, bitters, lemon and egg white.
See a Shark
Discovery Channel’s much anticipated annual Shark Week begins Sunday. In celebration of our sharp toothed friends, D.C.’s National Aquarium is hosting Shark Weekend, a two day extravaganza filled with shark themed activities that are for everyone. Kids will be able to touch a shark and go on a scavenger hunt. For the older crowd, Bruckner Chase, an ocean conservationist and long distance swimmer, will be holding a discussion. If you can’t get enough of the shark, “Demon Fish: Travels Through the Hidden World of Sharks” author Juliet Eilperin will be talking about her book.
Break Out The Trucker Hat
Dig up your trucker hat and band t-shirt for Capitol Skyline Hotel‘s Hipster Camp, hosted by Brightest Young Things. It’s an all day pool party lasting from 12 to 8 p.m on Saturday with DJs StereoFaith and William Alberque playing indie rock and b-sides from 2000 to 2006. So come in your hipster get-up, lay by the pool, and try your hand in the ping pong tournament. Entry is $15 and includes a free burger. To buy tickets and learn more about the event, click here.
Don't forget your buddy holly glasses. Capitol Skyline Hotel and Brightest Young Things are throwing another epic pool side bash: Hipster Camp.
