WOW! Summer Special

DC’S BARBECUE BATTLE

This year, the Giant National Capitol Barbecue Battle is on Saturday, June 24, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, June 25, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Pennsylvania Ave. between Third and Seventh streets, NW. The event features two main stages alive with a great mix of DC’s own Go-Go music and a blend of Latin and world music and dancing, reggae, R&B, blues and more. New this year, to celebrate the event’s 30 years the Monster Energy 90’s Block Party will throw back featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff and a variety of live entertainment like BMX and acrobatics action and nostalgia. $20 adult admission, kids 12 and under, free. $30 for a two-day pass. bbqdc.com.

One Jewish Boy At Theater J

In this bittersweet, sophisticated and quick-fire new British comedy about antisemitism, Jesse, a nice Jewish boy, falls in love with Alex, a nice mixed-race girl. The love between them is pure and absolute but Jesse has never been able to shake off the vicious attack that changed him forever. This provocative play received a massive antisemitic response when the UK production opened in 2018; posters were defaced, and the writer received death threats. Don’t miss the US premiere of this urgent and unflinching comedy, which pits the impact of hatred against the power of love. Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW, from June 7 to July 2. theaterj.org.

JEFF TWEEDY AT THE 9:30 CLUB

As the founding member and leader of the Grammy Award winning American rock band Wilco, Jeff Tweedy is one of contemporary music’s most accomplished songwriters, musicians, and performers. Jeff has released three solo albums, written original songs for twelve Wilco albums, and is the author of two New York Times’ Bestsellers, Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back): A Memoir of Recording and Discording with Wilco, etc. and How To Write One Song. 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NE, on Tuesday, June 27, 6:30 p.m. $55. 930.com.

A TASTE OF THE DMV: (ADULTS ONLY) FOOD, MUSIC AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL

The second annual (indoor and outdoor) Taste of the DMV is on Saturday, July 1, 2 to 8 p.m., at Republiq, 2122 24th Pl. NE. The festival features food from all over the DMV, a beer garden, live performances, vendor, raffles, wine tasting, snack booths, photo booths and much more. A Taste of the DMV is for adults 21+ with ID. $10 general admission. atasteofdmv.com.

Summer Special

Frank Stewart, Stomping the Blues, 1997, Gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 in., Collection of Rob Gibson, Savannah

FRANK STEWART’S NEXUS AT THE PHILLIPS

Frank Stewart’s Nexus: An American Photographer’s Journey, 1960s to the Present is a dynamic retrospective of Stewart’s photography that centers on his sensitive and spontaneous approach to portraying world cultures and Black life in many forms—including music, art, travel, food, and dance. His work over the years captured intimate and empathetic images of lives experienced and observed across subjects, cities, and countries.

1600 21st St. NW, from June 10 to Sept. 3. Admission is $16; $12 for seniors; and $10 for students and military; free for 18 and under. Phillipscollection.org.

Sweat At The Keegan

Filled with warm humor and tremendous heart, SWEAT, the Pulitzer Prize winning play by Lynn Nottage tells the story of a group of friends who have spent their lives sharing drinks, secrets, and laughs while working together on the factory floor. But when layoffs and picket lines begin to chip away at their trust, the friends find themselves pitted against each other in a heart-wrenching fight to stay afloat. SWEAT is at the Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW, from Aug. 19 to Sept. 16. $45 to $55. keegantheatre.com.

OUT & ABOUT FESTIVAL AT WOLF TRAP

Out & About Festival is a two-day, three-stage festival of music and nature headlined by Brandi Carlile. Out & About celebrates pride by spotlighting LGBTQ+ artists and allies who live out loud. Out & About features Brandi Carlile, Yola, Lucius, Refus Wanwright, Celisse, Brandy Clark, Jake Wesley Rogers, Bad Moves, Oh He Dead Alphabet Rockers and Jazzy Ash. The Festival is on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25, starting at 4 p.m., each day, gates at 3 p.m. Tickets are $75, up. Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, VA. wolftrap.org.

TREASURES AND TROUBLE: LOOKING INSIDE A LEGENDARY BLUES ARCHIVE

Starting on June 23, highlights from a recently acquired, one-of-akind archive documenting the blues as compiled by Robert “Mack” McCormick will be featured in the Smithsonian Museum of American History Archives Center cases. The late McCormick, who died in 2015, was a Houston-based, self-trained folklorist who built one of the world’s largest and most significant blues archives, with research materials on hundreds of artists beginning in the 1950s (and the collection contains items dating well before that). The display will ask visitors to consider questions such as how has history been told and who has done the telling? americanhistory.si.edu.