Things to do the week of Oct. 14-17, 2024
We've gathered up some things to do across the nation's capital, including museum exhibits, concerts, only-in-DC events and much more. Don't miss our things to do this weekend and things to do this month as well.
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Monday
An Epic of Kings: The Great Mongol Shahnama
One of the most celebrated medieval Persian manuscripts – considered the national epic of Iran as it covers the beginning of time through the 7th century – informs a new exhibit at the National Museum of Asian Art. The Great Mongol Shahnama (now dismantled) includes stories and illustrations; the exhibit offers a rare opportunity to view 25 folios from the manuscript alongside contemporaneous works from China, the Mediterranean and the Latin West.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
The ‘70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography
Across a wondrous collection of roughly 100 works by more than 80 artists, the National Gallery of Art gives visitors a chance to explore the dramatic shift in documentary photography that played out during the turmoil-filled decade of the 1970s. As Americans faced the Watergate scandal, inflation, energy crises and a host of other developments, documentary photographers shifted their collective perspective, leading to brilliant images that depict vibrant communities, suburban sprawl, conceptual art, nature and much more.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC
The The
Performing as The The since 1979, Matt Johnson has created uncompromising music across an array of genres, first emerging as part of the post-punk/new wave boom of the early 1980s. The The’s most popular release has the perfect title: Soul Mining, which dropped in 1983 to wide acclaim and featured Johnson’s most popular composition, “This Is The Day.” Over more than four decades, Johnson’s lyrics have continued to mine the soul while touching on the personal and the political. The Anthem hosts Johnson as part of The The’s tour supporting its first LP release in 25 years.
8:30 p.m. | Tickets
The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Tuesday
OSGEMEOS: Endless Story
Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo are the identical twin brothers that comprise OSGEMEOS, which is Portuguese for “the twins.” The Hirshhorn Museum presents the first U.S. survey and the largest American exhibition of work by the duo to date. In total, the full-floor exhibit features roughly 1,000 artworks, photos and archival materials that detail OSGEMEOS’ unique artistic voice that combines heritage, urban art, graffiti and magical elements.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Independence Avenue & 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20560
Yard Act
After their post-punk debut nearly topped the charts in Britain and received a Mercury Prize nomination, the stakes could not have been higher for Yard Act’s follow-up. The band hit it out of the park with Where’s My Utopia, building on the previous LP’s success with Afrobeat sounds and Italian disco influences. Black Cat hosts the exciting quartet.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
Black Cat, 1811 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Mean Girls
The "plastics" are back: Broadway hit Mean Girls makes an electric return the city where it first premiered. The creative team consists of award-winning all-stars like Tina Fey, composer Jeff Richmond ("The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and original director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw (Book of Mormon).
More Info | Tickets
National Theatre DC, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Wednesday
Twilight Zone: Hidden Wonders of the Ocean
ARTECHOUSE and the Woods Holde Oceanographic Institution have collaborated to highlight an awe-inspiring nightly migration of ocean twilight zone creatures and their intricate connections to the planet’s health, including their contributions to the regulation of the earth’s climate. The groundbreaking exhibition offers a 24-minute cinematic journey with immersive 270-degree projections that span from floor to wall, complemented by six interactive installations and six XR activations.
Tickets
ARTECHOUSE, 1238 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20002
Babbitt
Star of the big screen for decades and two-time Tony winner Matthew Broderick makes his Shakespeare Theatre Company debut with this momentous adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’ beloved novel. Broderick takes on the role of George F. Babbitt, a middle-class American everyman whose life suddenly turns upside down.
Tickets
Harman Hall, 610 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Drive-By Truckers
Road warriors since the band formed in 1996, Drive-By Truckers have carried the torch of Southern rock for three decades. The group has built a dedicated following through lineup changes and 14 studio albums, slinging their bar-band/hard rock/alt-country mix to adoring audiences all over the country. The Warner Theatre hosts these modern legends, who, as you may guess, feature a roaring live show filled with guitar solos and Southern flair. They will play their classic LP, Southern Rock Opera, in its entirety.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Thursday
William Gropper: Artist of the People
The Phillips Collection presents DC’s first exhibit dedicated to William Gropper, a social realist whose art addressed mid-20th century political issues with feverish satire and brutal honesty. The son of poor immigrants from Romania and Ukraine, Gropper provided searing commentary on anarchy, labor, democracy, freedom and human rights across thousands of published illustrations, more than 30 of which will be on display at the Phillips.
Hours & Admission
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Mister Lincoln
Scott Bakula (pictured above) comes to the stage at Ford's Theatre to portray one of the most iconic men in history. Written by Herbert Mitgang and directed by José Carrasquillo, Mister Lincoln unpacks the sixteenth president's life and tenure in a witty one-man show. Learn about one of the most revered figures in U.S. history inside the theatre where he was fatally shot in 1865.
Tickets
Ford's Theatre, 511 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Homeshake
Once a member of Mac DeMarco’s live band, Ontario-based musician Peter Sagar began his Homeshake project in 2014. Now a decade in, Sagar’s music has become synonymous with chill-out vibes; his bedroom pop is dreamy, ethereal and asks very little of the listener. With Homeshake’s latest LP, Horsies, set to drop June 28, Sagar embarks on a North American tour that includes a stop at DC’s Black Cat.
7 p.m. | Tickets
Black Cat, 1811 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
The Magnetic Fields
Led by singer/songwriter Stephin Merritt, Magnetic Fields are one of the most ambitious groups in pop history. Back in 1999, the group received critical acclaim for the expansive 69 Love Songs, a masterpiece that celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The inventive Merritt brings his band to The Lincoln Theatre for a four-night extravaganza to celebrate the classic LP.
Tickets
Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
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