Our City Film Fest, through Sunday
The Our City Film Festival, which celebrates all things D.C., returns for its fifth year this weekend.
“I would say there’s been an increase in quality and the amount of films,” said festival director and founder Kendra Rubinfeld.
Of the 20 to 25 films submitted at the December deadline, 12 were selected for the festival. The only thing that all the films must have in common is that they must incorporate, or take place or be about the metro area.
The festival is divided into five blocks, all on Sunday at the Goethe-Institut: Our Body, Our Mind, Our Heart, Our Soul and Our Docs in Progress. After each block will be a Q&A with the filmmakers.
“We wanted to incorporate the name of the film festival into the names of the blocks,” Rubinfeld said.
Saturday evening is the opening night party at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue with live music, food, drinks and a chance to meet the filmmakers.
When Rubinfeld started the Our City Film Festival, presented by D.C. affordable-housing nonprofit Yachad, she was told the event wouldn’t make it past the second year.
Now in its fifth installment, Our City attempts to unite a city under the umbrella of film.
“If a film festival can’t do it, what can?” Rubinfeld said.
When: Opening night party 8 p.m. Saturday; first film block 10:30 a.m. Sunday
Info: $10 per block, $8 for the opening night party; ourcityfilmfestival.com
Crystal Couture in Crystal City, through Saturday
A fashion show and trunk sale in Crystal City? Believe it. The annual Crystal Couture is back again with more than 40 of the area’s best designers and boutiques. In the former food court in the Crystal City shops area, this show is very Metro-accessible.
When: Through Saturday; runway schedule begins at 6 p.m.
Info: Free; crystalcity.org/artful/couture
Mad Fox Barleywine Festival, Saturday
This second annual event takes over the Mad Fox Brewing Co., the excellent brew pub in Falls Church. At the end of January, Mad Fox had 28 barleywines on hand from multiple producers, with more on the way. Plus plenty of food. Barleywine is served in 4-ounce glasses.
When: 11 a.m. to midnight
Info: Free admission, price is per serving; madfoxbrewing.com
Zumba Fitness at Riot Act, Saturday
A fitness craze at a local comedy club? Sure, why not? Get in shape to the tunes of this Latin dance fad.
When: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday
Info: $25; riotactcomedy.com
Dum Dum Girls at the Black Cat, Sunday
Wait, what? Dum Dum Girls for $15? If you missed the Dum Dum Girls when they played the Black Cat in October, don’t make the same mistake twice. And give the band’s excellent September release, “Only In Dreams,” a listen while you’re at it. With Widowspeak and Punks on Mars.
When: Doors at 8 p.m.
Info: $15; blackcatdc.com
