Things to do the week of Nov. 4-7, 2024
We've gathered up some things to do across the nation's capital, including museum exhibits, concerts, only-in-DC events and much more. Don't miss our things to do this weekend and things to do this month as well.
Looking for a local perspective delivered directly to your inbox every two weeks? Sign up for our "DC on the Go-Go" Local Newsletter to stay in the know.
Monday
Sailing on String
Intended for young audiences, Arts on the Horizon’s Sailing on String makes for a great family activity at the Kennedy Center. Two explorers create a world made of string that will show kids object transformation, live string music and captivating designs. The immersive 20-minute performance will be followed by a 5-10-minute exploration of the props used during the show.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
Fidelio
The Washington National Opera (WNO) presents Beethoven’s story of resistance, freedom and dissent at one of DC’s most illustrious venues. The Kennedy Center hosts the new production that launches the WNO’s 2024-25 season. Beethoven’s only opera, which was last performed by the WNO more than 30 years ago, is an inspiring tale of how love can conquer tyranny.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
Keegan Theatre
The Woman in Black
Keegan Theatre stages a thrilling adaptation of Susan Hill's classic ghost story just in time for spooky season. The Woman in Black follows young solicitor Arthur Kipps, who is sent to Eel Marsh House to settle an estate only to discover a malevolent spirit. As he recounts his experience with the help of an Actor, the audience is drawn deeper into a story that blurs the lines between reality and nightmare.
Tickets
Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Tuesday
Suchitra Mattai: Myth from Matter
The National Museum of Women in the Arts hosts the first solo exhibition in DC dedicated to the work of Suchitra Mattai, who explores themes of history, heritage and identity across her multidisciplinary work. The Indo-Caribbean artist examines mythology, personal narratives and colonial history through the lens of women and people of color, especially those from Southeast Asia. Visitors will see large-scale textile installations, paintings, collages and sculptures, as well as related pieces from Europe and Southeast Asia.
Hours & Admission
National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
Twilight Zone: Hidden Wonders of the Ocean
ARTECHOUSE and the Woods Holde Oceanographic Institution have collaborated to highlight an awe-inspiring nightly migration of ocean twilight zone creatures and their intricate connections to the planet’s health, including their contributions to the regulation of the earth’s climate. The groundbreaking exhibition offers a 24-minute cinematic journey with immersive 270-degree projections that span from floor to wall, complemented by six interactive installations and six XR activations.
Discounted tickets
ARTECHOUSE, 1238 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20002
Data
Go behind the locked doors of Silicon Valley in this intriguing, suspense-laden play from Matthew Libby. Maneesh is an entry-level programmer at Athena Technologies, a data-mining firm. His brilliance prompts a transfer over to Data Analytics, where Maneesh sees what Athena is actually up to. Torn between idealism and success, the protagonist must come to terms with his identity.
Tickets
Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Wednesday
Breaking It Down: Conversations from the Vault
A new exhibit offers a deep dive and new takes on several artists who are essential mainstays of the Phillips Collection, including Georges Braque, Richard Diebenkorn, Arthur Dove, Sam Gilliam, Paul Klee and Georgia O’Keeffe. Visitors can also admire a growing collection of pieces by contemporary masters, including Sean Scully, Sylvia Snowden, Renée Stout and Joyce Wellman.
Hours & Admission
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
The Other Americans
Emmy Award-winning actor, comedian and producer John Leguizamo is the mastermind behind this compelling drama that will make its world debut at Arena Stage. Leguizamo plays Nelson Castro, a Colombian American laundromat owner in Queens who is dealing with a failing business. When his son, Nick, returns from a mental wellness facility after a traumatic incident, Nelson must reckon with his past, protect his family and attempt to preserve the future.
Tickets
Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
The Second City’s Dance Like There’s Black People Watching
From the creators of Black Side of the Moon and She the People comes a highly anticipated new production at Woolly Mammoth Theatre. The Second City returns with an exclusive new show created just for Woolly Mammoth filled with rising stars, hilarious songs and sketches and razor-sharp satire, all together in a perfect improv package.
Tickets
Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Thursday
Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival & Symposium
Join 100Reporters, an investigative news organization, for a virtual edition of the Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival (DX), the first and only festival dedicated to investigative storytelling on film in the U.S. This event celebrates the finest new films inspired by the investigative instinct and advocates for the rights of reporters and filmmakers to pursue investigations that are in the public interest. In addition to screenings, DX offers a professional symposium and programming for journalists and visual storytellers.
Cole Taylor as Romeo and Caro Reyes Rivera as Juliet © SHAN Wallace
Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare’s timeless story of star-crossed lovers is also a story of the politics of warring families and the violence that consumes them. When all the systems meant to protect and guide a pair of young lovers—familial, religious, and governmental—fail them, can they find a way to safeguard their future despite the chaos around them?
Tickets
Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Mosaic Theater: The Art of Care
Featuring a cast of all-star DC performers, The Art of Care lets these actors share from their own deeply personal experiences. The production combines movement, music and multimedia with the insights of caregivers, medical professionals, policymakers and everyday citizens. The audience at Atlas Performing Arts Center will be invited into the lives of the performers while also examining their own.
Tickets
Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
#Only1DC Photo of the Week
Share your experiences with us using #Only1DC.
Foodie Photo of the Week
Do you know where you'll be dining and drinking during your visit?
More About DC
You may also like..
Partner Content