Free Summer Saturdays at the Corcoran, through Labor Day Weekend “Free” is one of those good four-letter words.
With so many free world-class institutions here in the D.C. Metro area, some of the private museums with admission fees can get overlooked by tourists and locals alike.
With its Free Summer Saturdays, the Corcoran Gallery of Art plans to change that.
Now in its third year, the Free Summer Saturdays mean just that: No admission charged on the best day of the week.
“It really is such an incredible program,” said Sarah Durkee, vice president of public education at the Corcoran. “It’s grown every year.”
One thing that makes the Free Summer Saturdays special stand out is that even the freeloaders get access to special exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops, etc.
“The idea is to not only make admission free, but have it with a series of programs,” Durkee said.
While the contents offered at the Corcoran can amaze, such as the Chuck Close exhibit last summer, it’s the word “free” that appeals to many.
“It’s an easy excuse for people to come through the doors,” Durkee said.
Info: corcoran.org
When: Through Sept. 3
Scream at the Black Cat. Friday
What a way to kick off Memorial Day weekend. The Virginia-based band Scream, which was a mainstay of the early D.C.-area hard-core punk scene, reunites for a show at the Black Cat. With the Shirks.
Info: $15 main stage; blackcatdc.com
When: 9 p.m. doors, Friday
The Five One at Jammin’ Java, Saturday
This Reston-based band — yes, Reston — combines clever beats, poetic lyrics and creative mixes to create a form of alternative hip-hop that engages the senses.
Info: $10 in advance, $13 day of show; jamminjava.com
When: 10 p.m. Saturday
Rockville Hometown Holidays, through Monday
This annual Memorial Day weekend celebration has become quite the event. The family-friendly festivities include arts, crafts and plenty of food. But it’s the free concerts that really stand out. Last year, Soul Asylum put on an amazing show. On Sunday, don’t miss George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic.
Info: Free; rockvillemd.gov
When: Through Monday; George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic perform Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
Rolling Thunder, through Monday
That roar you hear is not a series of jet engines about to take off. No, it’s probably members of Rolling Thunder coming into town. Rolling Thunder is a national nonprofit dedicated to soldiers that are prisoners of war or missing in action. Each year on Memorial Day weekend, Rolling Thunder members gather in the D.C. area. There are a number of events scheduled, but the signature happening is the Ride for Freedom starting at noon Sunday at the Pentagon and finishing at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. A moving sight, indeed.
When: Events all weekend, Ride for Freedom on Sunday
Info: For the weekend’s schedule of events, visit rollingthunder1.com
