The Forecast: July 1, 2009/ Events in DC metro for Fourth of July Weekend

Summer is in full swing, and finally, the weather is fully cooperating. What it means to you, tastemakers, is solid events to quickly fill up your DC social calendar. This list is in no way exhaustive, even I can't be everywhere all the time, but I'll take a moment to fill you in on where you might want to be this Holiday weekend.

THE FORECAST

THURSDAY NITE

Thursdays at The Park are notoriously ri-dic-u-lous! I rarely hit this place during the week, but you may have people in town, so, they wanna go to the hottest spot in DC. Blow them away with the Park. Early set for the more mature crowd. If you're ready to get rowdy, don't show up until around 9 or 10.

Some of my folks from @Twitter (Follow me twitter.com/OriginalNajeema) are having a new set at Current called The New VIP. Thursday is the Grand Opening Support J&K Productions by hitting up Current Lounge at 1215 Connecticut Ave., NW Admission free before 12 am with an RSVP to guestlist@j-kproductions.com Doors open @ 10pm & space is limited on the UPPER LEVEL, so, get on the guestlist.

If you're in a live music kind of mood, don't miss Fertile Ground as the group celebrates the 10 year Anniversary of the Spiritual War Album. Fertile Ground will perform your favorite hits from the past decade and premier new songs from their upcoming album! No Admission, yes, a Free concert as part of the Jazzy Summer Nights brought to you by www.vmginc.net

Date: July 2nd
Location: Hopkins Plaza (Baltimore, MD)
Time: Music Begins at 6p
Featuring: Fertile Ground with N'delible
Cost: No Cost for Admission

FRIDAY NITE

Friday starts the African American Heritage Festival (www.aahf.net) featuring Raheem DeVaughn and Teena Marie. Gates at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore (333 Camden Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21201) open in time for the 4pm show start. Admission all three days (Fri/Sat/Sun) is only $5 each. However, reserved seating is in full effect on ticketmaster. Purchasing a ticket will allow you reserved seating for the Headline Act for the evening.

Artomatic ends this weekend, July 5th to be exact. Artomatic is a month-long art festival in DC that is free to the general public celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The event features nine floors of visual and installation art, theater performances, dance and comedy, three music stages, street performances such as fire dancing and drum troupes, and a film screening theater. So, before the multifaceted multimedia exhibit closes, check out Liberated Muse. Liberated Muse Productions is pleased to present a new anthology of work from writers and visual artists from around the world. This performance mixes spoken word and live music from the Liberated Muse network.

My Favorite DJ (no disrespect to all others - DJ 2Tone Jones) teams up with DJ's Roddy Rod this Friday (4th of July weekend) to rock nothing but Native Tongue classics: Almaz Restuarant & Lounge 1212 U St., NW (Green Line Metro) If you like numbers from A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, Prince Paul, Black Sheep, Monie Love , Queen Latifah, Chi Ali & Leaders of the New School

Check out this event! + Live art installation by Aniekan Udofia Doors open at 9p; $5 b4 midnight

The Official First Fridays is at Ozios (1813 M Street NW). Hosted by Rashad "Ra-Ra" Jenkins, The IDC Group & Juste Pehoua , & First Fridays They heard my cries, and now offer NON- SMOKING 2ND FLOOR DANCE FLOOR/DINNING ROOM & 3RD & 4TH FLOOR VIP LEVELS. Food specials 5-7, drink specials 5-8. TO GET IN: mail ozio@raraandscotty.com with first and last names and email addresses accompanied with each reservation by 5pm Friday, July 3rd. List grants complimentary admission before 11pm and reduced admission until 12am

The Gaylord Hotel on the National Harbor is having another festival. $5 bucks with Fireworks. A perfect chance to hang out at the Harbor for the day. Fireworks at sundown.

SATURDAY

Happy Fourth of JULY

Friend and Photographer, Marcus Dijon his company, Divineye Studios along with Black Shark Productions presents the 1st Annual Photoshoot and BBQ. Models come take a few shots ( 5pm to 8pm), prints available for purchase. BBQ starts at 8pm (so eat somewhere else :-) I hear professional makeup artists will be available, so maybe it is mad dope to get your Model on for the day!

Please RSVP with your full name and number via email to divineye7@gmail.com The BBQ ($5 with Cash bar) is located in Clinton, MD.

In case you lost directions to your cookout, head up to Baltimore where the African American Heritage Festival continues; $5 general admission; Doors open at Noon. The Saturday set includes Tony Toni Tone and EN VOGUE as the headline act. On the plays the Verizon B Stage, enjoy Eric Roberson (@MusicFanFirst) with Angela Johnson, Anthony David as Soul Underground (look for another post with my ERRO recap- coming soon.)

Again, the Festival features vendors and even a screening of I AM SEAN BELL and Hip Hop Love Story. @solsource DC puts this on.

Of course there are fireworks on the Mall. Find a nice spot in SE to watch them and avoid the crowd.

Artomatic closes early tonight !

Hit Layla for your Independence Day. It's bound to be crazy. This is where you take visitors. Get on Taz's list (no, I don't have this information) Just Kidding. I think the website is suite202.com

Or: Hit Station 9 offa U Street. >1438 U Street NW | WDC Nice sophisticated crowd.

@CuzzinJeff & J&K Productions offer you Star Spangled Glamour

Shout out to my brother Jeff!

Complimentary Admission will be granted to all those who join membership by RSVP to guestlist@j-kproductions.com. Guestlist submission grants complimentary admission for ladies before 12 and gentlemen before 11pm.

SUNDAY

Again, back to the African American Heritage Festival. Today's highlights include Laura Izibor, who recently graced DC with her presence and also had incredibly successful Soundscan numbers here in DC. Also, on the headline: the Incomparable Anita Baker. Fertile Ground plays the Verizon B Stage.

Remember Artomatic closes this day as well. So, last chance to check it out!

The skies are clear. I hope I helped to set your calendar. This was the Forecast.

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