DC Blues Festival at the Carter Barron Amphitheater, Saturday
According to President Felix McClairen, the goal of the D.C. Blues Society is to keep the flame of the blues alive.
"Our mission is to perpetuate, promote and educate the public about the blues," McClairen, who has been the Society's president for seven years, said during a phone interview.
One way the D.C. Blues Society fulfills that mission is through its yearly fest. The 24th Annual DC Blues Festival is this Saturday at the Carter Barron Amphitheater in Rock Creek Park. Five bands will take the main stage, with a second interactive workshop stage for the kids.
The festival is free.
"We're trying to achieve a certain balance and keep it affordable and give fans a wide selection," McClairen said.
An after-party takes place at the Silver Spring American Legion Post. Money raised will go toward paying for the festival as well as the society's Blues in the Schools program.
If you can't make it Saturday, the Blues Society offers a free jam the first Sunday of every month. This Sunday's event is at the Silver Spring American Legion Post.
McClairen said the blues is more popular overseas, despite being the foundation of American music.
"The blues is at the core of all so-called American music," McClairen said, adding he excludes spirituals and gospels from that statement. "All American music can trace itself back to the blues."
Info: Free festival at the Carter Barron Amphitheater in Rock Creek Park; after-party at the American Legion Post in Silver Spring (tickets $17 at the door); free jam at the American Legion Post in Silver Spring on Sunday; for a complete lineup and more details, visit dcblues.org
When: Festival noon to 7:30 p.m., after-party is 8:30 p.m. to midnight; free jam 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday
Shakespeare Theater Company's Free for All Featuring "All's Well That Ends Well," through Wednesday
The annual Free for All is a nice, affordable retreat from the dog days of summer. There are a number of ways to get free tickets, including online and in-person lottery. Visit the website for details.
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Info: Free; shakespearetheatre.org
Jimmy Buffett at Jiffy Lube Live, Saturday
Parrot Heads rejoice: The annual Jimmy Buffett show that passes through the D.C. area is back again. Enjoy all the hits, including "Margaritaville." And maybe this is the year you look into joining the Washington Area Parrot Head Club.
When: 8 p.m.
Info: $36 to $136; livenation.com
'Grease' Sing-A-Long at AFI Silver Theatre, Saturday
Another way to beat the heat is to sing along to the classic "Grease," complete with subtitles to help you along. Not that you need much assistance to belt out "You're the One That I Want," because you know it by heart.
When: 7 p.m.
Info: $11.50, seniors $9, members $8.50, children $7; afi.com/silver
Rascal Flatts at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Sunday
The popular country trio, with more No. 1 hits than you can shake a stick at, makes a stop at Merriweather. Where are the Flatt Heads at?
When: Doors 5:30 p.m.
Info: $45 to $75; merriweathermusic.com