Summer, summer, summer time! If you are not already in high gear for the summer season, it’s not too late and you haven’t missed out. After all, technically, summer just started on June 21.
How I'm trying to be all summer!
There is nothing that compares to being in the Capitol during this fabulously sunny season (unless, of course, you are vacationing at some exotic locale). We have plenty to do, see, and explore in the D.C. Area. Here’s a round up of my favorite July 2018 things to do:
Why watch the world cup alone when there are so many places in D.C. for like-minded soccer fans to come together?! Dock FC in Northeast D.C. has a special World Cup Package for $50, which comes with a pitcher of beer, nachos, churros, and wings! Yardhouse, the first extension of the California-born sports bar chain to open in D.C., has 110 beers on tap and numerous televisions to watch multiple games on. Or, we can head over to Lucky Bar, which is always a fail-proof place to catch any sporting event. The restaurant maintains a schedule of games they already plan on showing, or you can always request that they turn one of the 22 TV screens to your favorite game if it’s not listed. My recommendation on food there? The Chicken and Chili Burrito! For some outdoor viewing, check the schedule at the National Harbor to see if your team’s game will be on the big screen at the pavilion. Team affiliation will not get you “Huckabee”-ed out of any of these bars and restaurants, as long as you don’t get into a fight with another patron if things don’t go quite your way!
This year, for July 4th, we celebrate 242 years of American Independence! There are spots all over the city to watch the light show- but of course, the main event is on the National Mall. If you want to be in the center of the action, we can head to the annual “A Capitol Fourth” concert at The Capitol Building. For something more intimate, but still very lively, let’s watch from the rooftop of the W Hotel in Downtown D.C., or the rooftop of The Graham Hotel in Georgetown. Better yet, let’s watch them while cozied up together at my downtown D.C. Incall… making our own fireworks!!!
The second most exciting thing in D.C. sports happens this month when MLB All-Star Week comes to the city! What better way to celebrate the American lifestyle than by watching a good game of baseball with an ice cold beer? The MLB All-Star game takes place on July 17th at 8:00pm, and tickets are available on Stubhub. Otherwise, the Washington Nationals vs Atlanta Braves match up on July 20th - July 22nd is definitely going to be a great set of games to see!
Meanwhile, if you start missing soccer after the World Cup wraps up on July 15, DC United Soccer plays a couple of home games this month at the all new Audi Field this month. It’s one of few places I’ve never been (since it’s brand new), and I could definitely use a lesson on professional soccer!
Outdoor entertainment is at its peak this month in the city… one of my favorite summer events is Jazz in the Garden, on Friday afternoons. Pack your own picnic and blanket, then head down to the National Sculpture Garden to enjoy sounds from talented jazz artists - like The Funky Dawgz Brass Band on July 13th. For a change in scenery, visit the National Harbor for its Thursday evening date night movies, or can support the Armed Forces on Saturday evenings at their “Salute the Sunset” Concert Series.
The Wharf, D.C.’s newest waterfront development, is ambitiously redefining Wednesday and Saturday night with its new summer concert and activity series. I would love to see David Thong on the stage on Wednesday, July 4, then have dinner at one Mi Vida or Kith & Kin (my two favorite restaurants at the Wharf)! Alternatively, paying homage to my southern roots at The Wharf’s Saturday Night Dancing series on July 7 sounds like a helluva good time. After a round of dancing, we can enjoy the Wil Gravatt band’s boot stomping performance and grab food at the Waterfront Beer and Wine Garden at Cantina Bambina. My boots, personally, were made for being taken off at the nearby Intercontinental Hotel!
If it’s too hot for outdoor fun, there’s just as much to do inside! Philly Soul Legend Jean Carne performs at Blues Alley in Georgetown from July 12 - 15. For more rich musical talent, I am certain Hamilton, the musical, will deliver! The award winning musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda has come to DC at the Kennedy Center until September 16! Another production worthy of applause is on stage at the Woolly Mammonth Theatre - Damned If You Do by the improv pros at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.
Other concerts topping my wishlist for attendance this month: Chris Brown at Jiffy Lube Live on July 12, Britney Spears (!!!) at the MGM Grand on July 12 & 13, Tory Lanez at the Fillmore Silver Spring on July 20, and the Arctic Monkeys at The Anthem on July 28 & 29.
And then…Childhood throwback moment?! The UniverSoul Circus is back in town at the National Harbor! The production is celebrating 25 years of success in entertaining millions of audiences internationally with exhilarating stunts and amazing acts! We can grab tickets for as low as $20!
Since food is the highlight of my life, of course I’m happy to mention that there are several restaurants on my wishlist to visit this month: cocktails at The Rye Bar, Jaleo for small plates, and the seven courses at Métier. For a cold, refreshing beer in the afternoon, Brew at the Zoo begins at 5pm on July 19.