Great music options outdoors in Maryland and Virginia, opportunities to laugh, and a Saturday-night dance party are highlights this weekend. Five things to do:
Friday: Arcade Fire at Merriweather Post Pavilion
The fact there are still tickets available to this show (as of press time) is amazing. Arcade Fire is one of the best rock bands to emerge in the last decade, with the albums “Funeral” and “Neon Bible,” and the Montreal group has a new record out titled “The Suburbs.” With Spoon. Doors at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $32 to $48.50.
Big weekend at Merriweather: Saturday features the Summer Spirit Festival (the Roots, Erykah Badu) and the Barenaked Ladies on Sunday. For more info, visit merriweathermusic.com
Saturday: Found Footage Festival at the Arlington Cinema ‘n’ Drafthouse
Hosted by Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher (The Onion, “Late Show with David Letterman”), this edition of the Found Footage Festival features a screening of “Computer Beach Party.” This mid-1980s comedy is about a couple of computer geeks who take on a greedy developer. And there are beach bunnies. Doors at 9:15 p.m., starts at 9:45 p.m. $10. Arlington Cinema ‘n’ Drafthouse: 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington; 703-486-2345; arlingtondrafthouse.com
More film fun: If you can’t make it across the river on Saturday but still want something a little different, AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring is screening “Heavy Metal Picnic” on Friday. afi.com/silver
Friday and Saturday: Washington Improv Theatre’s Improvapalooza
What’s better than a little improv? A whole lot of improv. With its “Improvapalooza,” the Washington Improv Theatre promises a new show every 10 or 15 minutes. That’s variety. Performances at 8 p.m. Friday, and at noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday. $10. At the Source Theatre. Visit washingtonimprovtheater.com for details.
Dog Days: The MidCity Dog Days of Summer are taking place Saturday and Sunday. Catch a show, then explore the neighborhood. midcitylife.com
Saturday: No Scrubs ’90s Dance Party at the 9:30 Club
When this event was held a few months back, the line stretched down the block. So it was surprising to see tickets still available. Presented by DJs Will Eastman and Brian Billion. 9 p.m. doors. $15.
More at 9:30: Galactic headlines Friday.
Details: 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW; 202-265-0930; 930.com
Saturday: Kings of Leon at Jiffy Lube Live
If you haven’t heard Kings of Leon’s “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody,” well, we appreciate you climbing out from under the rock you’ve been living to read this. KOL has taken rock ‘n’ roll by storm, and this Nashville, Tenn.-based band visits Jiffy Lube Live on Saturday. Look for new music by the end of the year. 7:30 p.m. $36.50 to $61.50.
Buried the lede? Some of us of a certain age might be more excited about supporting act Built to Spill on this tour. Yeah, get to the show early.
Visit livenation.com for information.
