July Event Calendar

July 1-5
Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the Mall

At the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, you will find many exemplary practitioners of diverse, authentic, living traditions—both old and new. The goal of the Festival is to strengthen and preserve these traditions by presenting them on the National Mall. Tradition-bearers and the public can connect with and learn from one another and, in a respectful way, begin to understand cultural differences and similarities. Free.

When : 11:00 am to 5:30 pm (6:00 pm, evening events)
Where : National Mall between 7th and 14th Streets
Call : 202.633.1000
Website : http://www.festival.si.edu/

July 2-3
World Cup Quarter Finals

July 4
July 4th Fireworks National Symphony Orchestra Concert

Come early with a picnic and a blanket to the grounds of the U.S. Capitol for the National Symphony Orchestra Annual Independence Day Concert. The fireworks can be seen from all over the mall, from many rooftops and from across the river. Just make sure that you have a clear view of the top half of the Washington Monument. The fireworks and concert go on except in the case of extremely bad weather. Your best source for up-to-the-minute information is local TV and radio stations. Free.

When : The concert begins at 8:00 pm, Fireworks at about 9:15 pm
Where : US Capitol lawn(west side)
Call : 800-444-1324

July 6
Life in Edo Japan, an Ancient Model for Living Green

In this evening lecture, join us for a look back at ancient Japan during the Edo period when people faced similar environmental challenges we face today including clean water and food procurement challenges. Their solutions might be the blueprint for greener living now.

When : @ 6:45 pm
Where : Smithsonian S. Dillon Ripley Center
Cost : $15-$25
Call : 202-633-3030
Website http://residentassociates.org/

July 6-7
World Cup Semi Finals

July 7-11
Mamma Mia

Don't miss the global phenomenon based on the songs of ABBA! "Dancing Queen," "Take a Chance on Me," "Winner Takes it All," "Knowing Me, Knowing You," and "S.O.S." ingeniously woven into an enchanting tale of love, laughter, and friendship.

Where : The Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Call : 703-255-1868

July 9
Jazz in the Garden: Daysahead (jazz and R&B vocalist)

For the tenth consecutive year, top local and regional artists will perform a mix of eclectic jazz, from swing to progressive to Latin, in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden every Friday, 5:00 to 8:30 p.m., Musicians perform in front of the Pavilion Café, next to the grand fountain and reflecting pool. Visitors can relax indoors or out while listening to live jazz amplified on a state-of-the-art sound system. They also can enjoy delicious food and drink selections from the Pavilion Café’s seasonal light-fare menu, or dance to the music. Free!

When : @5:00 pm
Where : National Gallery of Art

July 10
Alexandria Birthday Celebration (Fireworks!)

An evening of music, activities and fireworks, including: children's activities and refreshment sales starting at 4, performance by the Alexandria Singers at 6, presentation of civic awards by the Mayor at 7:30 with birthday cake, and the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra's pops concert with soprano Millicent Scarlett at 8:30, concluding with the fireworks and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," complete with cannon fire provided by the U.S. Marine Corps at 9:30 p.m.

When : 4:00pm to 10:00pm
Where : Oronoco Bay Park 7 North Lee Street Old Town Alexandria

July 10
World Cup Third Place

July 11
World Cup Final

July 12, 19 and 26
"Screen on the Green" Film Festival on the Mall

Screen on the Green, the free outdoor cinema series on the Mall, will return this summer for an 11th year of classic movies, Cabernet-stained picnic blankets, deflated wedges of brie and boobs who insist on sitting in high-rise camping chairs. Free.
The line-up for Screen on the Green is as follows:
July 12: "Goldfinger"
July 19: "The Goodbye Girl"
July 26: "12 Angry Men"

When :  About 8:00
Where : The National Mall between 4th and 7th Streets
Call : 877-262-5866

July 10-14
Children's Film: Reel Harmony

Listen up! Sound is vital to film, enhancing and creating many moods, from the comical to the magical. Tune in to this selection of international short films that use music and sound, instead of dialogue, to help tell the story.

When : July 10, 14 at 10:30AM, July 11 at 11:30AM
Where : National Gallery of Art
Call : 202-737-4215
Website : http://www.nga.gov/programs/flmchild/

July 16
Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story & More!

The classic love story retold by Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Counod, and Bernstein Romance is in the air!

When : @ 8;15 pm
Where : The Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Cost : $20-$52
Call : 703- 255-1900
Website: http://www.wolftrap.org/

July 17
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Waterlily Festival

Blooming lilies and lotuses Storytelling Celebrate water gardening, rivers, and Asian cultural displays. Free

When : 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (Park is open from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm)
Where : 1550 Anacostia Avenue, NE (Anacostia Avenue and Douglas Street, NE)
Call : 202- 426-6905
Website : http://www.nps.gov/keaq/index.htm

July 18
B.B. King

Called "the last of the great bluesmen" by the Telegraph; the iconic guitarist is back with Lucille for a night of amazing blues.

When : @8:00 pm
Where : The Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Cost : $25-$75
Call : (703) 255-1900
Website: http://www.wolftrap.org

July 22 and 29
Sunset Serenades at the ZOO

The music spans a range of entertainment styles including oldies, jazz, reggae, pop/rock, blues and classical.

When : 6:30-8:00 pm
Where : Lion and Tiger Hill National Zoo
Call : 202-633-3071

July 24 and 25
Next Reflex Dance Collective

Next Reflex Dance Collective was the proud recipient of the 2009 Metro DC Dance Awards' Founders Award for innovation in dance. Next Reflex Dance Collective presents Electro Shutdown & The Pea.

When : July 24, 2010 @ 8:00 pm / July 25, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
Where : Dance Place (3225 8th Street, NE Washington, DC 20017)
Call : 202-269-1600
Cost : $8-$22

July 27 – 31
Maryland Youth Ballet: Caroline Goes to the Zoo

The talented young dancers of the Maryland Youth Ballet present another fantastic adventure of Caroline and her friends, this time as they head to the zoo! This is a great opportunity to introduce young children to the excitement of ballet.

When : Tuesday, July 27, 2010 @ 10:00 am
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 @ 10:00 am
Thursday, July 29, 2010 @ 10:00 am
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 10:00 am
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 10:00 am
Where : Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Call : 703-255-1860
Cost : $8
Website: http://www.wolftrap.org