Chuck Brown Day at Fort Dupont Park
The ninth annual celebration honoring the “Godfather of Go-Go” trades Chuck Brown Memorial Park in Langdon for the more spacious amphitheater at Fort Dupont Park. The Chuck Brown Band headlines the tribute to the legendary singer and guitarist, with a day of go-go performances featuring the Backyard Band, the District Kings and DJ Kool. Picnics and lawn chairs are welcome, but grilling is prohibited. 2 to 7 p.m. Free.
Cool ‘Disco’ Dan Day at the 14th Street Graffiti Museum
Chuck Brown isn’t the only D.C. legend being honored this weekend: Since 2017, Aug. 19 has been celebrated as Cool “Disco” Dan Day in honor of graffiti artist Danny Hogg, whose ubiquitous tag made him a folk hero in D.C. in the late 1980s and early ’90s. (Hogg died in July 2017 at the age of 47.) Head to the 14th Street Graffiti Museum, an outdoor venue located in 16th Street Heights, for mural painting, DJs, a screening of the D.C. hip-hop documentary “Fresh Convos” and a candlelight ceremony at dusk. 4 to 10 p.m. Free.
CityFest at Culture House
Visual artists, musicians and creators are the focus at this new community festival, held at Culture House in Southwest Washington. At least 20 up-and-coming performers are scheduled to take to the stage, while muralists create works on the spot. Vendors sell art, clothing, crafts and accessories, and visitors browse food from restaurants including Stop Smack’n and Spice Kitchen West African Grill. Noon to 8 p.m. $10-$50.
Maryland Seafood Festival at Annapolis City Dock
The Maryland Seafood Festival usually involves feasting on crabs, watching cooking demonstrations and listening to bands on Sandy Point’s beach at the foot of the Bay Bridge. But this year, the 30-year-old festival is switching locations and heading to the Annapolis City Dock for the first time. In addition to the famous crab soup cook-off, try out the new Naptown Seafood Sampler featuring eight samples from Maryland restaurants, plus a drink, for $25. Musical performances and nautical experiences, including deck tours of the vintage Mildred Belle Chesapeake Bay buyboat, round out the day. Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. $15-$20. Free for kids 12 and younger.
Reston Cardboard Boat Regatta at Lake Anne Village Center
A wacky and wonderful local tradition, the Reston Cardboard Boat Regatta requires competitors to build a viable boat using nothing but cardboard, tape, and optional water sealer or paint, which is rowed from the dock at Lake Anne Village Center to a buoy and back. There are often plenty of spills and thrills during the race heats. Cheer on your favorites while listening to the Crush Funk Brass Band and enjoy food and drink from waterfront restaurants and bars, including the Lake Anne Brew House and the Nordic Knot pretzel shop. Noon to 4 p.m.; races begin at 2 p.m. Free.
Kid-friendly animal workshops at Colorburst Park
The final event in the Columbia park’s kid-focused summer series brings (adoptable!) pets from a local animal rescue center to star in educational workshops about the relationship between animals and the Earth. A reading from the Howard County Library focuses on animals, and a DJ offers the soundtrack to arts and crafts. 10 a.m. to noon. Free; RSVP required.
Those torn between a night in watching documentaries and a night out at a bar can compromise with this month’s Nerd Nite, where presenters share unusual research on not-so-academic topics. Listen to marine biologist David Shiffman explain the cultural impact of “Sharknado” 10 years after its release, or Washington Post humor columnist Alexandra Petri discuss the animal companions of historical figures, including Teddy Roosevelt’s White House pets and Nikola Tesla’s odd experience of falling in love with a bird. 6 to 9:30 p.m. $10.
Third Hill Brewing grand opening party
Third Hill Brewing welcomed its first customers to the former Astro Lab space in June, but the Silver Spring brewpub has settled in enough to host an official grand opening. In addition to fresh beer — we’ve been pretty happy with unfiltered IPAs and the roasty stout — expect live music from Jon Watkins, giveaways and a line to play the new Foo Fighters pinball machine. 1 to 10 p.m. Free.