Wednesday, June 3, 2026
June kicks off with lots of celebrations surrounding the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Party at the National Gallery of Art, check out the Spirit of Independence Festival at the National Archives and celebrate Pride Month at the Phillips Collection’s After 5 series. Happy weekend!
In Series Premiers ‘The Song of Sakuntala’
In Series season concludes with The Song Sakuntala. Courtesy In Series.
Beginning Saturday and running through June 21, In Series’ artistic director Timothy Nelson has created a new opera inspired by the Indian play Shakuntala. The show blends Western classical and Indian Carnatic instruments and the opera reimagine the tale of love and destiny through a intercultural musical lens. The show will feature Baltimore sitarist and composer Ami Dang as well as percussionist Rajna Swaminathan. More information can be found here.
Check Out the Spirit of Independence Festival
Celebrate the country’s 250th at the Spirit of Independence Festival. Courtesy National Archives.
The National Archives Foundation is hosting a weekend long extravaganza called the “Spirit of Independence Festival” which will honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The event will be underneath a tent spanning two city blocks in front of the National Archives. Expect lots of free family events. More information can be found here.
Party With The National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is celebrating America’s 250th with a block party. Courtesy NGA.
The National Gallery of Art is throwing a party in honor of America’s 250th on Saturday. Throughout the campus, there will be indoor and outdoor artmaking, food, music, curator talks, video screenings and more, all held rain or shine. More information can be found here.
Also at the NGA this weekend: a new exhibit will be unveiled called “American Icon: The U.S. Flag in Art.” Guests can see how Old Glory has been reimagined over the years. More on the exhibit can be found here.
The National Chamber Ensemble Closes Its Season
Pianist Carlos Cesar Rodriguez will be concluding the National Chamber Ensemble’s season. Courtesy UNCSA.
Enjoy “Mozart and Bruch: The Great Concertos” Saturday evening to close the National Chamber Ensemble’s 2025-2026. The performance, held at Gunston Arts Center in Arlington, will feature pianist Carlos Cesar Rodriguez, who will be joining the NCE for performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major. Artistic director and violinist Leo Sushansky will take center stage in Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor. More information can be found here.
Kick Off Your Shoes and Listen to Some Yacht Rock
Enjoy the sweet, summery sounds of Got Yacht? at The Yards. Courtesy Facebook/Got Yacht?
The Yards is welcoming the warmer weather with the return of “Sail Into Summer,” a yacht rock concert on Friday. Attendees can check out waterfront views while vibing to hits from the band “Got Yacht?” while entering giveaways. Drinks will be available for purchase from District Winery. The event will also feature pop-ups from retailers like VIDA Fitness. More information can be found here.
Phillips After 5 Celebrates Pride Month
Be dazzled by a performance by Vagenesis, Empress Emeritus de Ardeur (center) at Phillips After 5. Courtesy Instagram/the_vagenesis.
Celebrate Pride Month at The Phillips Collection with an evening of drinks and drag, music and art and more. Bread Furst will be offering specials like lobster and crab rolls in the House galleries, as well as wine and beer and cocktails like Aperol Spritzes and Orange Crushes. Sample liqueurs from tasting partner Spirits & Spice. More information on the event can be found here.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Celebrates Soul Divas
This weekend at The Lincoln Theatre, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington honors all the divas, from Tina Turner to Diana Ross to Whitney Houston and everyone in between. Feel free to dance your way through the concert and celebrate the female icons we all know and love. Expect songs like “Respect,” “Lady Marmalade” and “Proud Mary,” among others. More information can be found here.
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens Unveils a New Exhibit
Learn all about textiles at Hillwood Estate Museum & Gardens this weekend. Courtesy Hillwood Estate.
“Interwoven: A Tradition of Textiles” debuts Saturday at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens. The exhibit explores how textiles have served as works of arts as well as functional objects. The exhibit will be the first to focus on this aspect of the collection and will draw from Hillwood’s rich holdings. Guests will be able to explore the power of textiles as expressions of identity and innovation as well as craftsmanship. More information can be found here.