Children of the late 1980s and early ’90s: Clear your calendar tonight. If you’re lucky enough to get a ticket and you’re thirsting for nostalgia, it’s your day.
Danny, Donnie, Jon, Jordan and Joey — you know them better as New Kids on the Block — will be on stage at the Verizon Center. After more than 10 years apart (it was only 10 years?), the band is on a reunion tour complete with a new album. The boys also will perform some of their staples from the early years, including “Hangin’ Tough” and “You Got It (The Right Stuff).”
Tickets start at $38, but chances are those are gone. At last check, tickets still are available at ticketmaster.com. There are plenty available at stubhub.com, but be prepared to pay at least $105. (Is nostalgia really worth that much?)
Boy bands past their prime not your idea of a great listen? There’s still hope. The Duke Ellington Jazz Festival is in full swing.
Acts tonight include Bar J Wranglers, Step Afrika! & The W.E.S. Group and Monty Alexander. Friday’s highlights include Chopteeth, the Sonny Fortune Quartet, Busboys and Poets.
On Saturday, Jazz n’ Families Fun Day at the National Mall starts at noon. A good number of the performances are free, and all of them are easily accessible by Metro (bus and rail). For a complete schedule of events including times, prices and directions to venues, visit dejazzfest.org.
If you’re looking for a taste of France right here in Washington, the Cafe du Parc at the Willard InterContinental is hosting an outdoor wine festival starting at 3 p.m. Friday.
A variety of wines from French regional wine purveyors, cuisine, music and grape stomping all will be featured along Pennsylvania Avenue. Tickets for wine and food can be purchased at the event. For information, call 202-637-7300.
This weekend, comedian George Lopez brings his America’s Mexican Tour to the Warner. The show is at 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday and features special guest Bryan Kellen. All seats are $55. For information or to buy tickets, visit warnertheatre.com.
Though it’s too late to enter, this weekend is the annual Army Ten Miler.
This event, which is the largest 10-mile race in the United States, starts and finishes at the Pentagon and passes the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol and the Washington Monument as it makes its way through the streets of Washington.
Volunteer registration for race day is still open if you want to get involved — visit armytenmiler.com to sign up.
The weather for Saturday morning (for now) looks to be beautiful and cool, so it looks as if it would be a good day to take in the sights and cheer along the runners.
Finally, hockey fans, the Capitals are home at 7 p.m. Friday against the Flyers and at 5 p.m. Sunday against the Bruins.
Tickets are available at capitals.nhl.com or through ticketmaster.com.
