Wednesday, May 14, 2025
D.C. Arts: 25 Ways to Spend the Summer of ’25
Cut out this page — or bookmark it if you’re reading it online — for the perfect summer 2025 D.C. arts checklist.??
1. “Porgy and Bess” at the Kennedy Center??
As the song says, it’s “summertime, and the livin’ is easy.” The popular Gershwin classic will be performed by Washington National Opera, May 23 to 31.?
?2. Summer Films at the Reach?
At sundown on Friday evenings from May 30 to Aug. 29, enjoy movies at the Kennedy Center’s Reach campus. This summer’s lineup has something for everyone — “The Lion King,” “Chicago” and “Black Panther,” to name a few.?
3. WorldPride International Choral Festival?
Celebrate WorldPride with choral events from May 22 to June 8. Highlights include a Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington AIDS Memorial Quilt Panel Dedication on May 22 and a June 8 International March on Washington with L.O.V.E. Chorus.?
4. “InSight: Photos and Stories from the Archives” at NMAI?
The National Museum of the American Indian presents “InSight: Photos and Stories from the Archives,” opening May 23. The exhibition features images selected from over a half-million in the museum’s collection.
5. “Falsettos” at the Keegan Theatre
The contemporary musical about family, relationships, baseball, bar mitzvahs and AIDS plays at the Keegan Theatre through June 15.?
6. “A Wrinkle in Time” at Arena Stage?
This adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s classic young adult novel has its world premiere at Arena from June 12 to July 20. Follow Meg, Charles and Calvin as they travel into the fifth dimension.
7. “Guerrilla Girls: Making Trouble” at NMWA
Anti-discrimination artists and activists the Guerrilla Girls celebrate 40 years this year. An exhibition showcasing the group’s work is at the National Museum of Women in the Arts through Sept. 28.?
8. “Botiquín de Boleros de Columbia Heights” at GALA Hispanic Theatre?
Dubbed a “musical mosaic,” this immersive, cabaret-style show, running from June 11 to 29, brings anecdotes about Columbia Heights Bolero Bar patrons to life.
9. “Kim’s Convenience” at Olney Theatre Centre
Running from June 27 to July 27 in Olney’s Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab, this show, inspired by the Netflix series, introduces a Korean immigrant family, the Kims. There’s a lot of humor in what happens between assimilated Janet and her parents when they face a possible sale of the family’s store.?
10. “Sense and Sensibility” at the American Shakespeare Center?
“Sense and Sensibility.” Courtesy American Shakespeare Center.?
Spend part of your summer immersed in the world of Jane Austen’s classic characters with “Sense and Sensibility,” running through Aug. 2 in ASC’s Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia.?
11. “Jardin Interieur” at Transformer DC?
Through June 14, check out local artist Marie B. Gauthiez’s solo exhibition, exploring the themes of identity and time.?
12. “Live from the Lawn” at Strathmore?
Enjoy a variety of musical performances in July and August on the lawn at Strathmore. Bring your own food or purchase some at the barbecue truck. Highlights: Yellow Dubmarine’s reggae spin on Beatles’ hits and eclectic folk trio Rainbow Girls.?
13. A Summer of Jameses at Wolf Trap?
James Taylor. Courtesy Wolf Trap.
Three Jameses stand out on Wolf Trap’s packed summer calendar: Arthur, Blunt and Taylor. James Blunt will perform on June 18, James Arthur on July 2 and James Taylor on Aug. 21, 23 and 24.?
14. Enda Walsh Festival at Solas Nua
Tony Award-winning Irish playwright Enda Walsh will be at Solas Nua on June 20 and 21 for film screenings and discussions.
15. Summer Concerts at Glen Echo Park
The free Thursday-evening concerts — great kickoffs to the weekend — run through most of the summer. Don’t miss the U.S. Marine Band’s Latin Jazz Ensemble and brass band Black Masala.
16. “From Shadow to Substance” at the National Portrait Gallery?
Opening June 20, this exhibition explores the National Portrait Gallery’s extensive collection of early photography, including daguerreotypes of former Vice President and U.S. Senator John C. Calhoun, Papal Nuncio Gaetano Bedini and others.?
17. Isaac Mizrahi at Sixth and I?
Isaac Mizrahi. Courtesy Washington Performing Arts.
Multi-hyphenate Mizrahi will be at Sixth and I with his comedy cabaret on May 17, fronting a six-piece jazz band.?
18. “LGBTJews in the Federal City” at the Capital Jewish Museum?
Participants in the National March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay & Bi Equal Rights & Liberation, April 1993. Courtesy Capital Jewish Museum.
Opening May 16, this exhibition is the first to explore the interconnectedness of Jewish history, D.C. history and LGBTQ+ history. Expect lots of photographs and posters, along with oral history stations.
19. “Vivian Browne: My Kind of Protest” at the Phillips Collection?
“Vivian Browne: My Kind of Protest.” Courtesy Phillips Collection.
This summer exhibition, opening June 28, explores the 30-year-plus career of artist Vivian Browne through paintings, prints and works on paper.?
20. “You’ve Got a Friend: Women Pop Songwriters” at Signature Theatre?
For just nine days in July, Signature Theatre will celebrate women songwriters in pop music. Featured artists include Brandi Carlile, Adele, Sara Bareilles, Alicia Keys, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton and Carole King.
21. Georgetown’s Fete de la Musique Returns?
The Georgetown BID, Georgetown Heritage and the Embassy of France-Villa Albertine have partnered for the second annual Fete de la Musique on June 21. The event will feature over 40 acts performing throughout Georgetown.?
22. Jane Monheit at Blues Alley?
Jane Monheit. Courtesy Blues Alley.
If you’re a jazz fan and have yet to see Jane Monheit in person, her weekend shows at Blues Alley on July 26 and 27 are must-sees. Monheit’s interpretation of the Great American Songbook is simply breathtaking.?
23. Grace Jones and Janelle Monaé?at WorldPride
The two superstars will be at the Anthem on June 5 as part of D.C.’s WorldPride celebrations.?
24. “Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World” at the National Gallery
Starting May 18, National Gallery of Art visitors can explore nature through the eyes of artists, checking out art depicting animals and insects alongside actual specimens.?
25. DC JazzFest?
Close out summer 2025 with the DC JazzFest over Labor Day weekend. Expect five days with back-to-back appearances by the best jazz musicians in the country.?
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