Events to Peep for the Weekend - 9.29 - 10.1

On Friday, rub elbows with local artists, musicians, DJs, fashion icons, and more at DC Mayor Muriel Bowser's "202 Creates Finale Event: Game On." Led by the DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment and the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities, 202 Creates engages residents through events across all 8 DC wards. Complimentary admission, hors d'oeuvres, and treats for all. 6 - 10 p.m. Free. 700 H Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. For more information, search "Game On" on Eventbrite.

Put those pinkies in the air on Friday night and turn up with Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Bruno Mars as he performs all of his hits from ""Uptown Funk" to "24 Karat." 8 p.m. Tickets starting at $195. Capital One Arena (formerly Verizon Center), 601 F Street, NW Washington, DC. www.ticketmaster.com

Get "blown away" on Saturday night by top-tier jazz and multiple Grammy-winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard. 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. Tickets: $55. Blues Alley. 1073 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007.

Ever dream of mixing things up on the OTHER side of the bar for a change? On Saturday, OneRoute presents Mixology for Beginners. Enjoy complimentary snacks while learning and sipping how to craft classic craft cocktails. Design your own and compete with other cocktail enthusiasts. Winner gets to guest bartend at a DC local bar. Last 30 minutes meet, mingle and imbibe. No experience necessary. 1 - 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $45. 407 H Street, NE, Suite B, Washington, DC 20002. E-mail craftmix@oneroutecatering.com to register.

Just in time to usher in Fall, pack up the kiddies on Sunday and head to the 37th Annual Pumpkin Festival to enjoy pumpkin picking, pony rides, face painting, apple slingshot, corn holes, and more. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets: $12. Butler’s Orchard. 22222 Davis Mill Road, Germantown, MD 20876. www.butlersorchard.com/pumpkin-festival

No kiddies? Well, no need to rise early on Sunday. Sleep in and then head to The Smith's Penn Quarter location for their brunch debut. Enjoy an assortment of oysters for starters and follow it up with a selection of entrees including breakfast pot pie, short rib hash, buttermilk waffles, and vanilla french toast. Brunch hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Smith. 901 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. www.thesmithrestaurant.com

Looking Ahead: On Thursday, take the NFL discussion deeper and join Busboys and Poets for its Focus-In! Film Series: Cinema for a Conscious Community screening of the documentary "More Than A Word." "More Than A Word" analyzes the Washington football team and their use of the derogatory term R*dskins. Using interviews from both those in favor of changing the name and those against, "More Than A Word" presents a deeper analysis of the many issues surrounding the Washington team name. The documentary also examines the history of Native American cultural appropriation. 6 p.m. Free/$5 suggested donation. Busboys and Poets. 235 Carroll Street, NW, Washington, DC 20012. www.busboysandpoets.com/about/takoma


Life's short. Be entertained. 

Events to Peep for the Weekend - 9.22 - 9.24

Calling all movers, shakers, and decision makers. It's Congressional Black Caucus weekend! Head to the Park at Fourteenth on Friday and get your network (and party) on at the Urbane Group's CBC Power 100 Party hosted by the National Bar Association's Young Lawyer Division, Washington Bar Association Young Lawyers Division & HUSL SBA. Free. 5 p.m.- 3 a.m. The Park at Fourteenth. 920 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Search "Power 100" on Eventbrite to register.

In keeping with CBC fervor on Friday, join the Black Women's Health Imperative at its 2nd Annual Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference “Black Magic” Reception honoring award-winning journalist Tamron Hall and entrepreneur and health advocate, Miko Branch, co-founder of Miss Jessie's hair care products. Free. 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Long View Gallery. 1234 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. Search "Black Magic Reception" on Eventbrite to register.

Prepare your taste buds for the annual Taste of Georgetown Saturday, which showcases the spectacular cuisine of thirty of Washington, D.C.’s finest restaurants, highlighting Georgetown’s culinary personalities and featuring nearly sixty delectable dishes to sample. Wine pairings and the jazz talents of Blues Alley also will be featured. Benefiting Georgetown Ministry Center's Homeless Assistance Programs11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tickets: Starting at $22 for 5. K Street, between Wisconsin Avenue & Thomas Jefferson, NW Washington, DC 20007. www.tasteofgeorgetown.com

Fly "On the Wings of Love" Saturday night as five-time platinum and gold record winner Jeffrey Osborne takes the stage at Rams Head to deliver all of his mega hits from “Stay With Me Tonight” to “Only Human." 8 p.m. Tickets: $75. Rams Head On Stage, 33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. www.ramsheadonstage.com

Kick back on Scion's outdoor patio for brunch on Sunday for upscale brunch cuisine in a relaxed setting. Entree choices include crab cakes Benedict, lobster hash, and cinnamon vanilla French toast. Brunch time: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Scion. 2100 P Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037. www.scionrestaurant.com

A ray of talent will brighten the Birchmere on Sunday night when singing sensation Avery Sunshine hits the stage to deliver her array of hits from "Blessin' Me" to "All in my Head." 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $55. The Birchmere. 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305. www.birchmere.com

Looking Ahead: On Tuesday, "beef up" your midweek with theater when you check out "The Skeleton Crew," a play the examines what happens when closing rumors spread through one of the last auto-stamping plants in Detroit, forcing a tight-knit family of workers to face what they’re willing to sacrifice to survive. A timely and searing portrait of livelihoods under siege written by Dominique Morisseau and directed by Patricia McGregor. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20-$69. 1501 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. www.studiotheatre.org

Life's short. Be entertained. 

Events to Peep for the Weekend - 9.15 - 9.17

On Friday, get a jump on a week-long list of Congressional Black Caucus events with Vine of the Rhyme--a unique paint and sip experience. Guests will also enjoy two tastings and a choice of a full glass of their favorite wine, while creating artwork. Music provided by Dr. Deep Crates and DJ Pheelin It. Doors open at 5:30; event begins at 6:30. Tickets: $35-$45. Parlay Sports Bar & Lounge. 1827 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. Search "Vine of the Rhyme" on Eventbrite for tickets.

Head to the Improv on Friday to check out funny lady Sommore when she brings her raw and unapologetic comedy style to the stage for laughs, laughs, and more laughs. 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $30. DC Improv. 1140 Connecticut Avenue, NW, WDC 20036. www.dcimprov.com

While the warm weather continues to accommodate us, head to Charm City on Saturday for the 4th Annual Baltimore Seafood Festival featuring signature seafood dishes from Baltimore restaurants, cooking demos, live entertainment, and beer, wine, and cocktails. Noon-7 p.m. Tickets: $15+. Canton Waterfront Park. 3001 Boston Street, Baltimore, MD. 21224www.baltimoreseafoodfest.com

On Saturday, put a little "mood" in your evening as you celebrate the life of iconic blues singer Bessie Smith. Starring Miche Braden, reprising the role she originated off-Broadway, the musical "The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith" is packed with a trove of Bessie's all-time hits, including "I Ain't Got Nobody," "St. Louis Blues," and "Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do." 8 p.m. Tickets: $20. Atlas Performing Arts Center. 1333 H Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. www.atlasarts.org

Brighten up your Sunday morning when you kick off your day participating in The Color Run to celebrate healthiness, happiness, and individuality. The Color Run will also feature an all-new Lay’s® Poppables™ Foam Zone, Unicorn Medal, inspirational Dream Wall, giant inflatable unicorns, and Purple Color Zone. 8 a.m. Registration: $49. National Harbor. 165 Waterfront Street National Harbor, MD 20745. www.thecolorrun.com

If you thought coconut pancakes was magical enough, hold on to your hats for Kingbird's Sunday bottomless brunch that includes the savory hot cakes as well as lump crab scrambled eggs and smoked brisket hash--and magician Alain Nu performing card and hypnosis tricks! Brunch time: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Kingbird - The Watergate Hotel. 2650 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037. www.thewatergatehotel.com

Looking Ahead: On Tuesday, make your way to the Warner Theatre to see King of Comedy Dave Chappelle kick off a two-week comedy residency that's sure to be full of thought-provoking observations and, of course, laughs. 7 p.m. Tickets: $77-$98. Warner Theatre. 513 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. www.warnertheatredc.com



Life's short. Be entertained.