Cool Free Things to Do This Summer

By Connect2Mason Director Christian Smith

The Washington, DC area offers many opportunities for free entertainment. People come from all over the world to enjoy the free museums of the Smithsonian Institute, but there are also so many other sources for free entertainment, especially during the summer. Connect2Mason has compiled a list of a few of those free entertainment sources.

1. The Continentals Friday, June 5, 6 p.m. Polka music; dance lessons from 5:30-6 p.m.
Held at the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center.* No tickets needed.

2. Shakin' the Blues Away Saturday, June 6, 6 p.m. Doug Bowles, Alex, Hassan and Cindy Hutchins;
1920s and 30s cabaret.
Held at the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center.* No tickets needed.

3. The Fairfax Wind Symphony Sunday, June 7, 6 p.m.
Held at the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center.* No tickets needed.

4.Original Tuxedo Jazz Band Friday, June 12, 6 p.m. Dance lessons from 5:30-6 p.m.
Held at the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center.* No tickets needed.

5. Washington Post Weekend's Latin Night Friday, June 12, 7:30 p.m. Orquesta La Romana, Joe Falero and the DC Latin Jazz All Stars, and Orquesta La Leyenda
Held at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre at Rock Creek Park. Call (202) 426-0486 for tickets.

6. Washington Post Weekend's Raggae Night Friday, June 19, 7:30 p.m. S.T.O.R.M., Proverbs, Ras Abel & Tesfa, and Ras Lidj & Deep Band
Held at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre at Rock Creek Park. Call (202) 426-0486 for tickets.

7. Cinema series "Who's Afraid of Elizabeth Taylor? Films of a Hollywood Legend."

• "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" Monday, June 22, 6:30 p.m.
• "National Velvet" Monday, June 29, 6:30 p.m.
• "BUtterfield 8" Monday, July 13, 6:30 p.m.
• "Giant" Monday, July 20, 6:30 p.m.
• "A Place in the Sun" Monday, July 27, 6:30 p.m.
• "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf" Monday, August 3, 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are needed and distributed 30 minutes before shows, first come, first served. The films are shown at the Helen Hayes Gallery of the National Theatre , 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC

8. Cabezas de Cera Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m. A progressive Mexican band playing experimental music, jazz, world music and Mexican popular music combined with rock and improvisation.

9. Welsh National Opera Thursday, June 25, 6 p.m.
Held at the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center.* No tickets needed.

10. Los Texmaniacs Friday, June 26, 6 p.m. a trio playing Tex Mex conjunto mixed with Texas rock, blues and R&B.
Held at the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center.* No tickets needed.

11. African American storytelling Monday, June 29, 6 p.m.
Held at the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center.* No tickets needed.

12. Washington Post Weekend's Ska Night Friday, June 26, 7:30 p.m. The Pietasters, Lionize, The Players Band
Held at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre at Rock Creek Park. Call (202) 426-0486 for tickets.

13. Washington Post Weekend's Neo Soul Night Friday, July 10, 7:30 p.m. Fertile Ground, Wayna, Deborah Bond and Tamika Jones
Held at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre at Rock Creek Park. Call (202) 426-0486 for tickets.

14. Washington Area Music Association Jam in the Park Friday, July 17, 7:30 p.m. Tribute to Patsy Cline and Emmylou Harris
Held at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre at Rock Creek Park. Call (202) 426-0486 for tickets.

15. DC Youth Orchestra Friday, July 24, 7:30 p.m.
Held at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre at Rock Creek Park. Call (202) 426-0486 for tickets.

16. Blues Alley Youth Orchestra Sunday, July 26, 7:30 p.m.
Held at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre at Rock Creek Park. Call (202) 426-0486 for tickets.

17. Metro DC Dancers Saturyda, Aug. 15, 7:30 p.m. Aysha Upchurch/Life, Rhythm, Move Project, City Dance II, DCypher Dance Collective, Furia Flamenca, Shang Dance Productions, Urban Artistry
Held at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre at Rock Creek Park. Call (202) 426-0486 for tickets.

18. Joint Service Jazz Sunday, Aug. 16 7:30 p.m. U.S. Army Bluse, U.S. Navy Commodores, U.S. Airmen of Note
Held at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre at Rock Creek Park. Call (202) 426-0486 for tickets.

19. 5th Annual DC Poetry in the Park Friday, Aug. 28 7:30 p.m.
Held at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre at Rock Creek Park. Call (202) 426-0486 for tickets.

20. DC Blues Society 21st Annual DC Blues Festival Saturday, Sept. 5 Noon. Teeny Tucker, Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges, Eddie Turner, Michael Hill & The Blues Mob, Billy Thompson & Friends, Capital Blues Ensemble, and others
Held at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre at Rock Creek Park. Call (202) 426-0486 for tickets.

*The Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center has free performances every day.