D.C.-area nightlife, events and dining

An evening of house music, rare grooves and dance classics with DJ Divine and DJ Source.

A floating nightclub: That’s the general idea behind California electronic music collective Distrikt's first cruise on the Potomac. The three-hour tour features a half-dozen DJs spinning house and funky tunes, including local heroes All Good Funk Alliance, an open bar and circus-style performances. Given Distrikt's reputation for throwing packed day parties at Burning Man, it's safe to say it's going to be pretty intense. And good. (They're taking over the multi-level Cherry Blossom boat, which looks like a paddle-wheeler, so multiple DJs can play at the same time.) The boat leaves the Alexandria City Marina promptly at 7 p.m., and returns at 10, followed by an after-party at U Street Music Hall. You have to get tickets in advance, so don't slack.

Great Country Farms marks strawberry season by opening its sizable berry patch to the pick-your-own crowd. Also on the vine for this two-day festival: Pie-eating and tart-tossing contests and a Diaper Derby and hayrides for kids.

Grammy-nominated singer Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom headlines the weekend of activities celebrating the 50th state with a concert Saturday at 5 p.m. Throughout the weekend there will be lectures and demonstrations highlighting Hawaii's discovery by Polynesian seafarers who navigated (a process called wayfinding) the Pacific Ocean using stars, birds and even kites. There will also be hula dancing, lei making, film screenings and storytelling.

It's no coincidence that strawberry festivals fill the latter part of May. That's precisely when you'll finally find the sweet, seedy berries on the vine at local farms, if only for a brief, brilliant month. At Sky Meadows State Park, the strawberry season kicks off with the 20th Delaplane festival, featuring fruit, sweet sundaes, strawberry shortcake and family activities including an antique car show and games.

A solo performance of Bach's Suite No. 5 on cello.

Food and a live performance from Blues musicians.

A Memorial Day concert of patriotic music, with organist Paul Skevington.

An electronic music dance party on the Cherry Blossom paddle wheel riverboat.

Participants include Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, Iraq War veteran and Dancing with the Stars season 13 winner J.R. Martinez, actors Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna and others.

The local roots-rock band performs a special Memorial Day show.

Wreath-layings and presentations from the Veterans Writing Project. At the Burke Theater.

A ceremony at the cemetery and a procession departing from Shiloh Baptist Church at 801 Sophia St.

Sponsored by the Great Falls Freedom Memorial Committee, featuring a Marine Corps Color Guard, patriotic songs, remarks by retired Marine Corps Lieutenant General Norman H. Smith, and a reading of the names and bell-ringing for each of the 25 residents of Great Falls who have fallen in service to our Nation. The ceremony concludes with a wreath-laying by local dignitaries and raising of the flags by Boy Scout Troop 55.

More than 200 injured veterans participate in a 325-mile ride on hand cycles, recumbents, tandems and traditional road bikes.

Includes a wreath laying ceremony, a guided tour of the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery and more.

By the U.S. Air Force Concert Band

Rides, food, vendors and entertainment.

After fleeing a fight, a Muay Thai kick-boxer goes into hiding and his stepbrother, an assassin, is hired to kill him.

At the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre.

A screening of a film about a crew that arrives in a village in the mountains of Azerbaijan followed by a Q&A with the director.

Guests ride a pontoon boat, hear a story and watch for dragonflies. Best for ages 3 and older.

Guest plant desert-like gardens in a shallow dish.

Every Tuesday, Lindy Hoppers take over the beautiful Josephine Butler Parks Center near Meridian Hill Park for DJs, dance lessons and occasional live bands.

For those who live a bit closer to Maryland, the Tuesday night jam sessions at Takoma Station Tavern are your answer for weeknight jazz. The historic music venue has hosted the weekly sessions since October 2010, with a rotating roster of musicians led by bass player Raymond Magic and emceed by Takoma Station's own Lydia Williams.

A relaxed night of free music, featuring local band Lucky Dub.

A quiz night best suited to those who want to hang out with their friends, whether they get to play trivia or not.

Visitors learn about pollinators and how they contribute to the environment.

The college celebrates its accreditation with a national juried exhibition running through June 19.

A lecture and book signing with British-Chinese broadcast journalist Xinran. At the Jefferson Building, Whittall Pavilion.

Speakers explore active shooter situations in the workplace and explain what workers can do.

A slide program featuring information on native plant species growing in the area.

Will discuss her book "The Woman Who Defied Kings: The Life and Times of Dona Gracia Nasi" a biography of a wealthy Renaissance-era woman who helped Spanish Jews and Moors escape the Inquisition. At the Madison Building, Mary Pickford Theater.

A screening of the new show starring Daniel Sunjata, Aaron Tveit and Serinda Swan includes a Q&A simulcast with the cast.

A guided tour with information on exotic plants.

Since 2007, Imperial China has been one of D.C.'s most exciting and aggressive live bands. Their abrupt tempo changes, full-body grooves and prolific use of samples and loops (which made the band seem much larger than a trio) gave their performances a hyperkinetic, theatrical feel. Wednesday's show at the Black Cat will the band's final performance. Doors open at 8 p.m.

A film starring Gene Kelly as a circus aerialist who becomes an army private and falls in love with a colonel's daughter

A night of performances featuring Some Never Really Get, the Dave Tauler Music Group and more.

One of five classes with artists who have different approaches to clay.

The co-founder of Fabbioli Cellars to speak.

In celebration of Asian American Heritage Month, a screening of the true story of the Chio-Tian Folk Drums and Arts Troupe in Taichung, Taiwan.

Guests travel to Richmond for a lavender class, lunch and a tour of the Maymont Estate and gardens.

A Kluge Fellow at the Library of Congress will discuss illustrated books of the 15th and 16th centuries. At the Jefferson Building.

Guest discover new things through experiments, stories and crafts. Best for ages 3 to 5.

Screenings of the two documentaries as part of the "Searching for the Seventies: The DOCUMERICA Photography Project" exhibition. At the William G. McGowan Theater.

Six ten-minute plays that have LGBT themes are staged.

A long-running night of vintage reggae, ska, rocksteady and dub is a laidback party.

As the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. A well-meaning couple in Gina Gionfriddo's witty Pulitzer finalist play learns that the hard way after setting up a straight-talking friend and a seemingly vulnerable co-worker. Alyssa Wilmoth Keegan, who wowed in Studio Theatre's "Contractions," and Will Gartshore star in the area premiere of the off-Broadway hit.