Let your weekend plans take you around the world from Paris to New Orleans to Berlin, without ever leaving the District.
Friday
Marie Antoinette at the National Gallery of Art
Kick off French National Day celebrations this weekend by watching Kirsten Dunst’s rendition of the last queen of France – Marie Antoinette. The movie was filmed partly at the Palace of Versailles, the home of Antoinette, and the behind the scenes look will make you feel like you’ve taken a trip across the pond. The 2006 film is the first of six films that will be shown at the National Gallery of Art as part of their summer exhibit “America Collects Eighteenth-Century French Painting.”
National Gallery of Art, East Building Auditorium. 6th & Constitution Ave. NW. 2 p.m. Free.
Saturday
Taco, Beer, Tequila Festival D.C.
Tortillas and tequila will take over The Yards Park this weekend at TasteUSA’s Taco, Beer, Tequila Festival. Enjoy freshly made tacos from twenty taco trucks and taquerias, then wash it all down with ice cold beer from one of the 80 breweries attending or tequila from the tasting bar. Other festivities of the day include a margarita bar, a hot sauce zone, live entertainment from local artists and Lucha Libre wrestlers.
The Yards Park Lot H, 136 N St. SE. 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. $45. 21+.
Bastille Day at the Embassy of France
If you’re in the District for Bastille Day, heading over to the Embassy of France is a must. Instead of celebrating Paris like most Bastille Day activities, this year’s celebration theme is New Orleans – the francophone capital of the U.S. Take a quick trip to The Big Easy by dancing to Don Vappie’s jazz creole quinte and enjoying spicy gumbo. Other featured dishes include New Orleans style shrimp and grits and Bourbon Street spiced chicken prepared by local chefs.
Embassy of France in the United States. 4101 Reservoir Road, NW. 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. $115-$175. 21+.
Sunday
Cabaret
The Tony award-winning musical Cabaret will be celebrating its 50th anniversary at the Kennedy Center starting this week. Step back in time to pre-WWII Berlin and spend your evening at the Kit Kat Club. Cabaret tells the story of Cliff, a young American writer, and his love affair with the free spirited cabaret performer Sally. Their relationship takes place during the transition from a wild and avant-garde Berlin to Hitler’s Nazi Germany. The musical is wild, glamorous and of course, full of drama.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. 2 p.m. or 8 p.m. Tickets $59-$149.
