Weekend entertainment guide: Festivals galore

Alicia Lozano, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – The first week back at work after a long holiday weekend can be a rough. If the daily grind has left you a bit antsy, take comfort in all the excellent events going on throughout the region.

See the most talented youth in the area dance, sing, mime and tap their way through downtown Silver Spring Friday evening as part of the Youth Arts Fair. Highlights include a hip-hop choir, competitive tappers, ballet dancers, a drill team and poets. This event is free, and runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 301-365- 4480 for more information.

D.C. Jazz Festival kicks off Friday and continues through June 10. It will feature more than 100 performances in dozens of venues in the District, including the newly revamped Howard Theatre, Bohemian Caverns and The Hamilton.

This weekend, the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage is hosting two special performances as part of the fest.

Saturday at 6 p.m., Baltimore jazz pianist and 2010 Strathmore artist in residence Matt Wigler shares his talents as a musician, singer and composer. Sunday at 6 p.m., Berklee College of Music’s The Erena Terakubo Quartet performs, featuring Japanese saxophonist Erena Terakubo, pianist Takeshi Ohbayashi, bassist Zach Brown and drummer Roberto Giaquinto. Both of these performances are free to the public, but check the jazz fest website for complete information on events.

The 32nd annual Washington Folk Festival also starts this weekend in Glen Echo Park. Festivities kick off Saturday at noon, and will include music, storytelling, dancing and crafting. Click here for a full list of performances. The festival is free to the public.

If you haven’t had a chance to swing by the Herndon Festival, this is your last chance until next year. Carnival rides, fireworks, kids’ activities and international food stands are just some of the fun that can be expected. Don’t miss the 10K and 5K races Sunday morning, or the three stages of live music. Check the website for a complete list of activities.

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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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