Laura’s Weekend Picks: Eat, Drink, Dance in the Hood

From Laura Herman of LauraLikesThis. Laura is also a contributor over at Brightest Young Things and you can find her on Twitter @Lmhhabs.

The great thing about four-day work weeks is that they go by so quickly. I felt like I needed a weekend to recover from last weekend’s three-day July 4th  festivities, but here we are again, on the brink of another weekend: time to rinse and repeat, everyone!

Here’s my round up of where to eat, drink, party and sneak in some culture in and around Borderstan this weekend:

Thursday, July 7

• Venus in Fur is extended at The Studio Theater and Brightest Young Things has the hook up with special discounted tickets and a happy hour tonight. Join them for drink specials (your discounted $30 ticket comes with one free drink!) from 6 to 7:45 pm before the show that starts promptly at 8. Use the promo code BYTVENUS when ordering your discounted $30 tickets, available here.

Friday, July 8

• Since we’re all Sweetgreen fans here in Borderstan, you may want to venture out of the ‘hood and check out the local chain’s newest location in Foggy Bottom, which opens today at 2221 I (“Eye”) Street NW. Free salads/wraps for the first 200 people through the door; more info here.
• New-and-improved happy hour alert! Local spots Rice Restaurant (1608 14th Street, NW ) and DC Noodles (1412 U Street, NW) are debuting new happy hour specials, including wines, sake and $4 appetizers every day from 5 to 7 pm.

• “Freethiopian Fridays” also start this week at Axum’s Level X Lounge (1934 9th Street NW). Stop by to sample some of the best Ethiopian food in CITY for FREE! Just purchase a drink at the bar between 7:30 and 9 pm tonight (and all other Fridays) and enjoy a complimentary buffet. Stick around later for live music and more drink specials.
• Finally, check out the FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE PARTY at Black Cat (1811 14 St. NW) , featuring new wave, pop, 90s music and other oddities with DJ Jackie O. Doors at 9:30 pm; $5 entry.

Saturday, July 9

• Fellow Borderstan contributor, Cecile, sat down with the Bitches Who Brunch earlier this week to hear all about their blogging adventures and Summer Brunch Soiree, which will be held this Saturday, July 9 from noon to 3 pm. The event will benefit the D.C. Farm to School Network and celebrate the new brunch menu at Ris. Tickets the cocktail-style brunch party are $45. RSVP is required and no tickets will be sold at the door. Visit their site for more information and click here to buy tickets.
• Dodge City (917 U Street NW) debuted a new-and-improved two-level backyard patio that has to be one of my favorite new summer haunts. Probably because they have a misting fan to keep cool in the DC heat. Check out some preview pics and stop by for yourself this weekend.
• At night, Joy of Motion Dance Center’s resident adult hip hop company DCypher Dance celebrates its fifth anniversary at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H Street NE) starting at 8 pm — it’s worth the trek outside of the Borderstan neighborhood. The hip hop concert titled Ascension: Phase 5 features choreography from DCypher Dance member Nikki Gambhir, as well as a host of talented artists including Porche Anthony of Beat Ya Feet Kings — a Washington based hip hop dance crew who competed on Season 4 of MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew– and others. Adult tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Tickets for children, students and seniors are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Purchase tickets and learn more here.

Sunday, July 10

• Eat Local First Week kicks off Sunday with a party at Local 16 (1603 U Street NW). The week-long campaign focuses on spotlighting local farms, local restaurants and the organizations and people that are making locally-grown food more accessible in the DC community. Support local businesses, farms and the Eat Local First campaign at Sunday’s Local Roast from noon to 5 pm. A $15 donation will get you local food, two drinks (including local beer!) and a fun afternoon on Local 16’s rooftop, as well as a chance to win tickets to the July 16^th Farm-to-Street Party which sounds amaaaazing. Learn more about Eat Local First Week (events all next week!) and get tickets to the kickoff bash at Local 16 here.
• Borderstan also just gained +1 in the brunch department. We learned from Metrocurean this week that one of our favorite local spots, Cork Wine Bar (1720 14th St. NW), will begin serving brunch next weekend, on July 17. Check out Amanda’s preview of their menu. I can’t wait–the crispy polenta, charred heirloom tomato, spicy tomato sauce, poached egg,  and crème fraiche sounds awesome.

What are you doing this weekend? What did we miss? Enjoy the weekend, Borderstanis, and see you next week!