TOP 5 FOR FRIDAY, JULY 6
1. Capital Fringe Preview At Fort Fringe
A free evening of cutting edge theater. We approve. 8 p.m., all ages, no cover
2. Synthetic Division, Lenorable, Miyazaki At Velvet Lounge
An excellent starter show for those interested in getting familiar with the not too shabby D.C. post-rock scene. While this is a release show for Synthetic Division, the openers are the ones you shouldn't miss. Miyazaki are able to make sad kids dance and Lenorable is more proof that two-members bands are in a heyday. 9:30 p.m., 21+, $8
3. Body Jam At Looking Glass Lounge
If you're a fan of party jams, walls that sweat, small dance floors, late 80s/early 90s kitsch and no covers, head to Petworth for this monthly dance party. It may restore your faith in clubs that aren't clubs. 10 p.m., 21+, no cover
4. Mariachi Aztlán And Mariachi Los Camperos De Nati Cano At Folklife Festival
If Mariachi music is something you consider only as a soundtrack for dining experiences, maybe performances by some Grammy winners and Smithsonian Folkways artists will change your mind. 6 p.m., all ages, no cover
5. The Grand American Vaudeville Revue At Red Palace
The only club in D.C. meant for sideshows opens its doors for Baltimore’s Gilded Lily Burlesque and Philadelphia’s Olde City Sideshow. 9 p.m., 21+, $15
TOP 5 FOR SATURDAY, JULY 7
1. Chuck Brown Tribute At Folklife Festival
One of D.C.'s longest running music traditions has added a day of tribute to the Godfather of Go-Go. 11:45 a.m., all ages, no cover
2. Southern Maryland Comic-Con At Capital Clubhouse
A chance for the actual nerds to convene and talk about the not real nerds that just wear Threadless shirts and have black rimmed glasses. 10 a.m., all ages, $10
3. Community Clothing And Book Swap At Meridian Hill Park
A chance to get rid of some of your finer but no longer well fitting threads and now I have a Kindle so this paper isn't so great books. Meet your neighbors, don't spend money and take home some neat new old items. 12 p.m., all ages, no cover
4. Ice Cream Social At Workhouse Arts Center
Since the 4th falls in the middle of the week, the weekend should maybe be spent recuperating. What's better than ice cream and local arts to sooth the soul? 12 p.m., all ages, $15
5. "La Boheme" At Hylton Center For The Performing Arts
Puccini’s most popular opera and the second performance of the Castleton Festival. 8 p.m., all ages, $30 to $60
TOP 5 FOR SUNDAY, JULY 8
1. Coldplay, Robyn, Wolf Gang At Verizon Center
Another case of the openers being much more appealing than the headliner. Robyn is the one to catch. If the idea of seeing a dance-pop sensation open for Gwyneth Paltrow's husbands is off-putting, she'll be DJing at U Street Music Hall on Saturday and Sunday night. 7 p.m., all ages, $42.90, also July 9
2. Comics In The District: A Discussion With Local Creators At DC Jewish Community Center
Six local comic book creators, both of the spandex and adult kind, will participate in this round table discussion. The event coincides with the new play “The History of Invulnerability.” 5:15 p.m., all ages, no cover
3. The Wild Kat Show At Jordin's Paradise
A trunk show featuring five up and coming D.C. designers and curators. Take a gander, munch on some cupcakes and sip cocktails. 11 a.m., all ages, no cover
4. History Repeated, The Black Sparks At Black Cat
The headliners represent the proud D.C. D.I.Y. punk rock tradition. The openers are the future of the genre, a 5-piece punk band made up of 11 to 13 year olds. 8 p.m., all ages, $8
5. Full Metal Brunch At Rock And Roll Hotel
Dress up in your favorite rock duds or whatever you wake up in and get back on the horse. It's what the hair metal 'musicians' this event is in honor of would have done. 12 p.m., 21+, $15