Paris & Power Serves: Your DC Weekend Playbook

Bastille garden party, Citi Open preview + dozens of Fri-Sun picks.

Good morning, DC. Summer is in full swing, we hope you’re taking advantage of any official (or unofficial) summer Friday policies.

In today’s District Download:

  • DC Open

  • A bookstore revival

  • Weekend plans

Let’s get to it.

THE DIGEST

🎾 DC Tennis Gets Ready for Star-Studded Summer Show

The Mubadala Citi DC Open is bringing world-class tennis back to the nation's capital from July 21-27 at the Fitzgerald Tennis Center. This ATP/WTA 500 event will feature an impressive lineup including American favorites Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul, and Frances Tiafoe, alongside international stars like Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Lorenzo Musetti, and Holger Rune. The tournament boasts a hefty prize purse of nearly $2.4 million, with the singles champion taking home over $420,000. Last year's winner Sebastian Korda made history as the first American man to claim the Washington title since Andy Roddick in 2007, and he'll be looking to defend his crown. The draw will be announced this Saturday, with qualifying matches beginning the same day and the singles final scheduled for Sunday evening at 5 PM.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

🏈 Commanders Stadium Deal Fumbles at the Goal Line

The DC Council missed a crucial Tuesday deadline to approve the Washington Commanders' proposed $3.7 billion RFK Stadium redevelopment deal, ending an exclusive negotiation period between the team and the city. While the Council approved the fiscal year 2026 budget on Monday with $1 billion set aside for the football stadium, they left out the binding language that would have formalized the agreement. Council Chair Phil Mendelson described recent meetings with team representatives as "very productive" but said members need more time to review the massive spending commitment of over $1 billion over the coming decade. Public hearings are scheduled for July 29-30, but with the Council's August recess, a final vote may not happen until September. Mayor Muriel Bowser remains optimistic about working together on a deal, emphasizing that "without the terms of the deal, there is no deal," while Maryland Governor Wes Moore indicated he's focused on other future projects for his state's designated space.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

📚 Old Town Bookstore Rises from Ashes with Community Love

Friends to Lovers, the DC metro area's first romance bookstore, has made a triumphant comeback after a devastating fire destroyed the shop just three days after its grand opening in November 2024. Owner Jamie Fortin watched her dream go up in flames when a fire struck the Old Town Alexandria store on November 18, forcing three women-owned businesses to close and leaving the interior covered in soot and smoke damage. But the community rallied around Fortin in an incredible show of support, raising $46,000 through GoFundMe within a week and having local business owners host her books in their storefronts during the crucial holiday season. Five months later, Friends to Lovers reopened in a larger space at 301 Cameron Street, stronger than ever and serving as a welcoming haven for women and LGBTQ+ community members. The bookstore not only celebrates romance novels but also champions activism, carrying diverse stories and providing resources like free civil rights cards and emergency contraception, proving that sometimes the best love stories happen in real life.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

🏃 Climb Through a Parkour Paradise

The National Building Museum's Great Hall features an immersive parkour installation called "Momentum" that closes this Sunday, making it your last chance to experience this unique climbing adventure. Visitors can navigate through the interactive installation in the museum's iconic Great Hall for just a $5 parkour ticket plus museum admission. It's a perfect blend of physical activity and architectural wonder in the heart of Penn Quarter.

🇫🇷 Celebrate Bastille Day with French Flair

The Embassy of France is throwing a Garden Party this Saturday packed with authentic French cuisine, drinks, and live music for those who missed last weekend's Bastille Day celebrations. Guests can immerse themselves in Parisian culture while enjoying the embassy's beautiful grounds in Northwest DC. Tickets are $96 and promise an elegant evening of French hospitality and entertainment.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENIN’

Here’s what’s going on around DC this weekend:

Friday

⚾ Padres at Nationals

Catch the San Diego Padres squaring off with the Nats at Nationals Park—first pitch at 6:45 PM. It’s the perfect way to kick off the weekend with hot dogs, cold beers, and baseball fever.

📍Nationals Park

🎭 Sesame Street The Musical

Elmo, Cookie Monster, and the whole gang hit the Terrace Theater at 2:00 PM for a joyful, Muppet-filled family matinee. Tickets start around $65—your inner kid (and actual kids) will thank you.

📍Kennedy Center – Terrace Theater

🎵 Six Foot Blonde + Josee Molavi

This energetic alt-soul quartet takes the stage at The Atlantis at 7:30 PM—expect heartfelt lyrics and major groove energy.

📍The Atlantis

Saturday

🏉 USA Rugby Doubleheader

Watch the USA men’s and women's rugby teams take on England and Fiji in back-to-back matches at Audi Field. First whistle blows at 3:00 PM.

📍Audi Field

📝 David Sedaris at Wolf Trap

The king of dry wit and painfully awkward essays is live at 7:00PM at Wolf Trap for one night only. Expect big laughs, biting insights, and at least one story that makes you squirm in the best way.

📍Filene Center at The Wolf Trap

Sunday

🎾 Citi Open Tennis Qualifiers

More tennis goodness returns with Session 2 at 10:00 AM, again at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.

📍Fitzgerald Tennis Stadium

🪄 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Return to the wizarding world as The Cursed Child hits the stage in DC. The spellbinding sequel brings magic, family drama, and some seriously slick stagecraft to the National Theatre at 7:00PM.

📍The National Theatre

WEATHER

Friday

81🌡 73 | 🌧️ 40% | 💨 6 mph

Saturday

83🌡 74 | 🌧️ 25% | 💨 6 mph

Sunday

89🌡 72 | 🌧️ 25% | 💨 8 mph

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Friday

The Atlantis | Six Foot Blonde | 7:30 PM

Capital One Hall | Zach Person | 8 PM

Bethesda Theatre | B5 | 8:30 PM

Saturday

Jiffy Lube Live | The Offspring with Jimmy Eat World | 7 PM

Howard Theatre | Tiny Desk Contest | 8 PM

The Fillmore | Bilmuri | 8 PM

Sunday

The Atlantis | Rose City Band | 6:30 PM

Jiffy Lube Live | Big Time Rush | 7 PM

The Wolf Trap | Weird Al Yankovic | 8 PM

DC SPORTS

🏈 Commanders Camp Kicks Off, Nats Reload with No. 1 Pick

The Washington Commanders are gearing up as rookies report to training camp this Friday, July 18, with veterans scheduled to join a few days later—keep an eye out for updates on open practices and the revamped defensive line led by Javon Kinlaw and promising youngster Newton. . Over at Nationals Park, the Nats used their top pick in the MLB Draft to select shortstop Eli Willits and filled out their roster with high-upside college and high-school talent, signaling a new direction in the farm system. . Meanwhile, DC Defenders fans are celebrating as the team wrapped up their season crowned UFL champs, completing a stellar 6–4 run in the process

Did You Know? There is no "J" street in DC. The original city plan, designed by Pierre L'Enfant, left out the "J" street due to the similarity between the letters "I" and "J" in the old English alphabet, which made them difficult to distinguish.

Till next time,

District Download