Saturday, May 25

Black Birders Walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Sunday is the beginning of Black Birders Week, an annual event celebrating Black bird lovers and nature enthusiasts, with a focus on getting new and underrepresented communities out to enjoy wildlife. The Smithsonian is getting an early jump on the festivities with a guided morning walk through Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, where more than 250 species of birds have been observed in the park. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars if possible, though the park will have some pairs to share. 9 a.m. Free.

ViVa! Vienna! Festival

This Memorial Day weekend marks the 40th anniversary of the ViVa! Vienna! festival, an annual community event sponsored by the Rotary Club of Vienna that brings funnel cake and merry-go-round rides to the pedestrianized streets around Vienna Town Green. Kids will love the traditional amusement rides, vendors selling treats like cotton candy and entertainment from the Vienna Singing Princesses, while adults can spend time in the BrewFest beer garden with brews from Caboose Brewing Co. and Settle Down Easy Brewing Co. and listen to cover bands on multiple stages. Shuttle buses will ferry visitors to the festival from the Vienna Metro station and an overflow parking lot. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free admission; tickets required for BrewFest, raffle and rides.

Rockville Hometown Holidays Music Fest at RedGate Park

The city of Rockville’s free, family-friendly music festival brings in 1990s alt-rock radio fixture Everclear and a Bon Jovi/Journey tribute band to headline its two-day run. (BonJourneyNY’s set starts at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, and Everclear plays Sunday at 5:45 p.m.) Beyond the main acts, the pair of stages at Hometown Holidays host all sorts of music, from Colombian folk fusion to go-go to big band. Meanwhile, kids can jump in a moon bounce, create crafts or build sandcastles in a sand dune. Beverage booths and a food court provide refreshments, with poutine, gyro platters, bubble tea and shaved ice among the offerings. Saturday and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. Free.

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Capital House Music Festival at Franklin Park

The annual Capital House Music Festival brings a variety of grooves — deep, soulful, funky, Baltimore — to Franklin Park for a day-long party. The headliner is Crystal Waters, whose breakthrough hit “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)” was written about a homeless woman singing in front of the Mayflower Hotel, but there’s much more, with music coming from DJs and vocalists including Teddy Douglas, Tantra, Chosen, Michele Miruski and Kini Sullivan West. Donations benefit the Sam “the Man” Burns Legacy Foundation, named in honor of the late D.C. DJ. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free; donations requested.

Pixar Putt at the Wharf

Bring the kids along for a Pixar-themed mini golf pop-up at the Wharf — featuring characters from classics like “Toy Story,” “Cars” and “Monsters, Inc.” — unless it’s after 7 p.m. on Fridays or Saturdays, when the course is reserved for golfers 18 and up. Daily through Aug. 4. $30-$32.50 for adults; $27.50-$30 for children under 12.

Heavy D Day Party at Songbyrd

The girls, the girls, they loved Heavy D, the smooth, charismatic hip-hop star known as “the Overweight Lover.” The string of hits that Heavy D and the Boyz produced in the late ’80s and early ’90s, including “We Got Our Own Thang” and “Now That We Found Love,” were romantic but danceable, endearing him to a generation of female fans — and guys who wanted to dance like Heavy D, too. Six DJs are teaming up at Songbyrd to pay tribute to Heavy D, a.k.a. Dwight Myers, who died in 2011 at the age of 44, including some of D.C.’s most veteran party rockers: Quartermaine, 2-Tone Jones, Oso-Fresh, Roddy Rod, Jahsonic and RBI, playing tunes by Heavy D and compatriots Pete Rock & CL Smooth and Al B. Sure. 1 to 5 p.m. $10-$15.

Ahadadream at Flash

London-based DJ and producer Ahadadream has been creating percussive club music for a few years, with his tracks regularly working their way into sets by Skrillex and Fred Again, but it’s only in the last year that his reputation has really taken off: He’s been named part of Beatport Next 2024, and one of “Dance’s Future Stars” by BBC Radio 1 DJ Pete Tong. Hear Ahadadream’s propulsive sound, which draws influences from South Asia, the Middle East and Britain’s underground dance scene while always keeping the drums moving forward, for the first time on the rooftop at Flash during Nu Androids’ Sundown sessions. 4 p.m. $35.

Alive & Outside: The Block Party at the Sandlot Georgetown

With an “attitude of gratitude,” the Sandlot is celebrating the possibility of hanging out outside, together, with people in a world three years out from pandemic lockdowns. Listen to a local DJ lineup and grab a bite and beverage from a food truck. Note that the event is 21 and up. 3 to 9 p.m. $20-$30.

Arab American Culture Festival at Dew Drop Inn

From music school Quartertonez Music and dance troupe Malikat Al Dabke, this celebration of Arab heritage has vendors and performances from countries across the Arab world. Stick around for the after-party, which runs from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. 4 to 9 p.m. $25 suggested donation; after-party ticket $25.

KolschFest at Silver Branch Brewing

A bright, refreshing, gently fruity kolsch beer is perfect for summer heat, and with Memorial Day serving as the unofficial start of summer, two local breweries are featuring their kolsch at events this weekend. First up is Silver Branch, whose all-day Kolschfest features singalong music from the Polka Terps and glasses of freshly brewed kolsch ($7.50 for one, $35 for six), as well as a special food menu. Noon to 10 p.m. Free admission.

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