Although many museums and galleries remain closed due to the federal government shutdown, there are still plenty of special events going on around the city this weekend:
*Dancing After Dark, Children’s National’s annual charity gala, will be held Saturday night at Union Market’s Dock 5. This premier philanthropic event brings together hundreds of community leaders and young professionals for an evening of cocktails and dancing to benefit children’s health. Donations will help every child receive medical care, regardless of illness or ability to pay. Tickets are $100.
*Monster Jam comes to Capital One Arena! Watch huge monster trucks perform stunts such as backflips and engage in vertical two-wheel competitions. Fans can also get special Pit Party passes, allowing them to have early access for photos and autographs. Tickets are $15-$125.
*The China National Traditional Orchestra performs Image China: Xuanzang’s Pilgramage at the Kennedy Center’s Opera House. The show tells the story of a Buddhist monk traveling the Silk Road across China on a pilgrimage to India in search of religious texts. It is performed with an 80piece orchestra and elaborate traditional costumes. Tickets are $70-$200.
*Landmark’s E Street Cinema hosts the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, featuring films on nature, conservation, climate change, wildlife, and environmental justice. The festival is a fundraiser for Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. Tickets are $30.
*The DC Improv hosts a bracket-style tournament of comics, featuring eight winners of previous stand-up battles. On Sunday, watch as comics go head-to-head in five-minute sets, with the audience choosing which individual will advance, and a champion being crowned at the end of the night. Tickets are $17.
