Events to Peep for the Weekend - 6.30 - 7.2

Chi-town's own funny man and host of Fox's "Hip Hop Hollywood Squares," DeRay Davis, takes over the Improv stage on Friday night for three hard-hitting comedy shows. 6, 9, and 11 p.m. $35-$45. DC Improv. 1140 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036. www.dcimprov.com

Pack up the kids on Friday and head to FedEx Field for the incomparable UniverSoul Circus featuring death-defying acrobats, hip hop clowns, lions, tigers, and bears. Oh my! 8 p.m. Tickets: $18-$45. FedEx Field - Lot D Green. 1600 FedEx Way, Landover, MD 20785. www.universoulcircus.com

On Saturday, take a respite from the heat and head inside the Roundhouse Theatre for the final weekend run of August Wilson's Life in Stories: How I Learned What I Learned. With direction by Wilson's longtime friend and collaborator Todd Kreidler, actor Eugene Lee steps into Wilson's shoes to share the playwright's personal stories that take him from his first kiss, to a stint in jail to life-defining encounters with racism and more. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets: $45-65. Round House Theatre. 4545 East-West Highway Bethesda, MD 20814. www.roundhousetheatre.org

Be sure to hydrate on Saturday before you hit the Red, White & Brew festival featuring unlimited full pours of American beer, cider, and wine sangria; lawn games; and live music all day. 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Tickets: $29-$89. Yards Park. 1300 1st Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003. Search "Red, White & Brew" on Eventbrite for tickets.

If you've planned for a long 4th of July weekend break, plan for a long Dirty South style brunch on Sunday at the Bad-N-Boozy Trap Brunch and Day Party featuring food specials, bottomless mimosas, drink specials, and, of course, trap music! Brunch 12-4 p.m. Party 4-8 p.m. Red Rocks. 1348 H Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. Search "Trap Brunch" on Eventbrite for tickets.

On Sunday, sample some culture at the amazing Jollof-Fest, when you shop, sip, and participate in the blind tasting of Jollof prepared by teams of 2-3 people representing the countries of Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Liberia and more! 2-8 p.m. Tickets: $12-$120. 1630 19th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. Search "Jollof-Fest" on Eventbrite for tickets.

Looking Ahead: On Wednesday, head to the Lincoln Theatre for nostalgia sake, and re-live the 1998 social powerhouse cult classic, "Do the Right Thing" as it nears its 20th anniversary. 8 p.m. Tickets: $10. The Lincoln Theatre. 1215 U Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20009. www.thelincolndc.com

Life's short. Be entertained...and have a safe and happy fourth of July! 

Events to Peep for the Weekend - 6.23 - 6.25

On Friday, the incomparable and "golden" Jill Scott takes to The Theater stage, to bring audiences all of her hits from "A Long Walk" to "The Way" to "It's Love." 8 p.m. Tickets: $206-$609. The Theater at MGM National Harbor Resort & Casino. 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. www.ticketmaster.com

The 7th Annual Black Theatre & Arts Festival kicks off on Friday, for 10 days of celebrating extraordinary stories by people of African descent. This year’s festival will feature more than 150 provocative and ground-breaking performances by local and national artists, writers, filmmakers and musicians. For performance locations and times, log on to: www.dcblacktheatrefestival.com

On Saturday, get those mallets out and head to the Chesapeake Crab & Beer Festival in Charm City, for all you care to taste crabs, beer, and other fine foods. Also featuring live music. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tickets: $39-$89. Rash Field. 201 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230. www.mdcrabfest.com

If BBQ is more your thang, roll up those sleeves on Saturday and head to the 25th Annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle, featuring live entertainment including Be'la Dona and EU, plus cooking demonstrations, wine, beer, and, of course, lots of Que to sample. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. $12. Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, between 3rd and 7th Streets. www.bbqindc.com

They'll be nothing "routine" about brunch at District Commons, when you kick off your Sunday indulging in such culinary delights as toasted coconut pancakes, eggs Benedict, and shrimp & grits. Bottomless drinks can be added for $16. Brunch time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. District Commons. 2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. www.districtcommonsdc.com

Funny man Craig Robinson, featured in such comedies as "Hot Tub Time Machine" and "Peeples," wraps up his weekend set in Baltimore on Sunday, in what is sure to be a night of laughs. 7 p.m. Tickets: $27. Baltimore Comedy Factory. 5625 O'Donnell Street, Baltimore MD 21224. www.baltimorecomedy.com

Looking Ahead: On Wednesday, continue to get your funny bone tickled while also giving back when you check out Blerdfest: A Comedy Variety Show to Benefit Black Lives Matter. Featuring such DC comedians as Lafayette Wright, Natalie McGill, and Ahmed Vallejos, BlerdFest welcomes all humanoid Earthlings to come thru for a dope time. 8 p.m. Tickets: $10. Songbyrd. 2477 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. www.songbyrd.com






Life's short. Be entertained. 

Events to Peep for the Weekend - 6.9 - 6.11

On Friday, get the whole family "hoppin'" to the Kennedy Center on for Hip Hop Culture: /peh-LO-tah/ - a futbol framed freedom suite, as Marc Bamuthi Joseph explores soccer by layering poetry, movement, visuals, and music into a fresh theatrical form based on Hip Hop aesthetics. This D.C. premiere co-commission features verbally and physically energetic performances. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 2700 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20566. www.kennedy-center.org

Kickoff the DC Jazz Festival on Friday with a performance by neosoul darling, Lalah Hathaway, at the Howard Theatre, performing all of her hits from "Baby, Don't Cry" to "I'm Coming Back." 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $75-$95. Howard Theatre. 620 T Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. www.howardthetre.com

On Saturday, do the "wright" thang and support the journalism and media arts students of the Richard Wright Public Charter School for its 2017 black tie gala fundraiser. This red-carpet, black tie affair is an enticing evening of the arts, featuring food, notable musical artists, and short student-produced films from ROXIE Film Productions. Joe Clair of WPGC will serve as this year's host. Live entertainment will be featured from DC's own, Familiar Faces, and saxophonist Zedric Teague. 6-10 p.m. Tickets: $25-$100. Warner Theatre. 513 13th Street, NW Washington , DC 20004. www.richardwrightpcs.org

Get your laugh on Saturday night with comic veteran and impersonator extraordinaire, Aries Spears, when he hits the DC Improv stage for three fun-filled shows. 7, 9:15, and 11:30 p.m. Tickets: $27. DC Improv. 1140 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036. www.dcimprov.com

Step your brunch plans up a few notches on Sunday and settle in for the best in Indian cuisine at Rasika West End and indulge on classic samosas, omelets, and pancakes jazzed up with cardamom and masala flavors. Brunch time: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Raskia West End. 1190 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037. www.rasikarestaurant.com

After you wrap up brunch, head to Annapolis on Sunday for the conclusion of the annual Annapolis Arts & Wine Festival featuring fine art, handmade crafts, wine tastings from 24 Maryland wineries, live music all day long from 11 local bands, and delectable cuisine and activities for the whole family. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets: $12-$45. Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. 550 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401. www.AnnapolisArtsandWineFestival.com

Looking Ahead: On Thursday, kickoff the dawning of summer at Insignia on M’s rooftop grand opening.The immersive, water-themed rooftop party will feature music from Tres Chill, hors d'oeuvres from Due South, and live, interactive art from local Fathom DC artists, including Kasey O’Boyle. All proceeds go to Washington Project for the Arts. Tickets: $20. 7 p.m. Insignia. 1111 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003. Search "Insignia" on Eventbrite for tickets. 

Life's short. Be entertained. WPT will return on June 22nd! XO

Events to Peep for the Weekend - 6.2 - 6.4

On Friday, the 25th Annual Capital Jazz Fest kicks off its three-day weekend events with R&B soul crooners Charlie Wilson and Robin Thicke. Saturday and Sunday artists include Corrine Bailey Ray, Incognito, Dionne Farris, George Benson, Maysa, and many more! Friday night show time: 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $64-$115. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Maryland 21044. www.capitaljazz.com

"Get down on it" and make way for Kool & The Gang along with Morris Day & The Time on Friday night, as they fire up the crowd with classic hits from"Celebrate" to "The Bird." Time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $35-$125. Wolf Trap. 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182. www.wolftrap.org

Lasso up and make way for girl power on Saturday, when you cheer on Wonder Woman, as she makes her way to a theater near you. Experience the story of Dianna, princess of the Amazons and trained warrior, before she became the kickass comic female legend we all love. Check local listings for showtimes.

Saturday is Bowiefest time! Grab the family and head to Allen Pond Park for rides, performances, contests, and a host of food and drink options throughout the park. There will also be an Arts and Crafts fair, a Business Expo in the Ice Arena, and local organizations discussing their services. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Allen Pond Park. 330 Northview Drive, Bowie, MD 20716. www.cityofbowie.org

It's Sunday Funday for brunch, so get a little loco at Little Coco's and indulge in semolian pancakes, Italian baked eggs, and Nutella brioche French Toast. Bottomless mimosa options available. Brunch time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Little Coco's. 3907 14th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20011. www.littlecocos.com

Get a lil' bit of everything on Sunday at the 2017 Taste of Wheaton, and enjoy food samples from some of downtown Wheaton’s best restaurants, a beer & wine garden, live music and dance performances, kids' rides, and face painting, balloon sculptures and caricature drawings. Time: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets: $1-$5 per taste. Wheaton Triangle at the corner of Grandview Avenue and Reedie Drive in downtown Wheaton (one block north of the Wheaton Metro station). www.wheatonmd.org

Looking Ahead: On Thursday, socio-political comedian and TV host W. Kamau Bell along with Dwayne Kennedy head to Charm City for a night of entertainment that will make you both laugh and think. Time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $28. Baltimore Soundstage. 24 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202. www.baltimoresoundstage.com


Life's short. Be entertained.