Things to do in Washington

Sunday, Oct 11

Mahmoud Khalil "No Land To Stand On"

Busboys and Poets

Busboys and Poets Books welcomes author Mahmoud Khalil for a conversation with journalist Ryan Grim about Khalil’s new memoir, No Land to Stand On: Notes from Detention. In his first book, Khalil recounts his experience as a Palestinian graduate student and legal resident of the United States, including his detention by U.S. immigration authorities following his involvement in student protests at Columbia University. Drawing on his prison diary, Khalil describes his time in ICE detention, the uncertainty surrounding his case, and the impact of detention on his family and community. The memoir also traces Khalil’s personal and family history - from his childhood in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria and his family’s experiences of displacement, to his years in Lebanon and his eventual move to the United States. Throughout the book, he reflects on questions of immigration, free expression, displacement, family, and the ongoing struggle for Palestine. Mahmoud Khalil is joining us on the Busboys and Poets stage alongside Ryan Grim, co-founder of Drop Site News and host of the podcast Deconstructed. Grim is a longtime investigative journalist and author whose work has appeared in The Intercept, HuffPost, Politico, and the Washington City Paper. This evening offers an opportunity…

Sunday, Oct 11

CAST OUT

Busboys and Poets

Explore themes of forgiveness and society at the CAST OUT discussion at Busboys and Poets. A thought-provoking event.

Sunday, Oct 11

Mahmoud Khalil "No Land To Stand On"

Busboys and Poets

Attend a conversation with Mahmoud Khalil about his memoir on detention experiences. A must for literature enthusiasts.

Sunday, Oct 11

Busboys and Poets Book Club October 2026 450K

Busboys and Poets

Participate in the Busboys and Poets Book Club discussing anti-colonialism through literature. Ideal for book lovers and social activists.

Sunday, Oct 11

Busboys and Poets Book Club October 2026 450K

Busboys and Poets

Join the Busboys and Poets Book Club to discuss anti-colonialism and anti-imperialism through literature and history.

Sunday, Oct 11

Washington Capitals vs. Seattle Kraken

Capital One Arena

Watch the Capitals face the Kraken in an exciting NHL game. Great for hockey fans and sports enthusiasts.

Sunday, Oct 11

Busboys and Poets Book Club October 2026 450K

Busboys and Poets

Introducing... The Busboys and Poets Book Club A book club that explores anti-colonialism and anti-imperialism through literature, history, and lived experience. Together, we’ll read writers and thinkers who challenge empire, occupation, exploitation, and the lasting legacies of colonial rule, while examining movements of resistance, liberation, and self-determination in the United States and around the world. This month, our club will discuss Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement, a 2016 collection of essays, interviews, and speeches by renowned scholar and activist Angela Y. Davis. Beginning in October 2026, the Busboys and Poets Book Club will meet twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. October Book Club Meeting Dates: Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 5 PM — Busboys and Poets 450K Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 5 PM — Busboys and Poets 14th & V Whether you can make one meeting or both, we invite you to join the conversation. RSVP to let us know that you are coming to this meeting! Sign up to stay updated on upcoming Book Club meetings, current reads, and future discussions. Book Club Perk: Book Club members receive 10% off all Book Club books at Busboys and…

Sunday, Oct 11

Mahmoud Khalil "No Land To Stand On"

Busboys and Poets

Join author Mahmoud Khalil for a conversation about his memoir on detention experiences. Great for those interested in immigration stories.

Sunday, Oct 11

Rare Essence

Ivy City Smokehouse

Join Rare Essence for a night of live music at Ivy City Smokehouse in Washington, DC.

Sunday, Oct 11

Nick Mullen

DC Comedy Loft and Bier Baron Tavern

Catch comedian Nick Mullen live at DC Comedy Loft for a night of laughs. Perfect for comedy fans.

Sunday, Oct 11

Nick Mullen

T. Graye Presents: Pass The Mic

Catch comedian Nick Mullen at T. Graye Presents: Pass The Mic. A must-see for fans of stand-up comedy.

Sunday, Oct 11

Flashy Indigenous People's Day Weekend!

Flash

Celebrate Indigenous culture with vibrant performances at Flash Nightclub in Washington. A lively night for music lovers.

Monday, Oct 12

Nick Mullen

T. Graye Presents: Pass The Mic

Join Nick Mullen for a night of comedy at Pass The Mic in Washington. Perfect for comedy fans.

Monday, Oct 12

Nick Mullen

DC Comedy Loft and Bier Baron Tavern

Experience Nick Mullen's stand-up at DC Comedy Loft. Ideal for fans of unique comedic styles.

Monday, Oct 12

Howard Homecoming

Sandlot Uptown

Celebrate Howard Homecoming at Sandlot Uptown. A community event for alumni and friends.

Monday, Oct 12

Indigenous Peoples Day: Afro, Latin, & Tribal House

metrobar

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day with multicultural artists and vendors, music, and community vibes at metrobar DC.

Monday, Oct 12

PRESEASON: Washington Wizards vs. Brooklyn Nets

Capital One Arena

Catch the Wizards take on the Nets in preseason basketball. Great for sports fans and basketball enthusiasts.

Tuesday, Oct 13

Teddy Swims

Capital One Arena

Experience the captivating Teddy Swims live, known for his genre-defying sound and powerful performances.

Wednesday, Oct 14

National Dessert Day

Stoney's on P St.

Join Stoney's on P St. for dinner and dessert on National Dessert Day. Ideal for dessert lovers.

Wednesday, Oct 14

National Dessert Day

Ella's Wood Fired Kitchen

Celebrate National Dessert Day with dinner and dessert at Ella's Wood Fired Kitchen. Perfect for food enthusiasts.

Wednesday, Oct 14

Book Launch: Human-Centered Schools by Scott Goldstein

Busboys and Poets

Join the launch of Scott Goldstein's book on education reform at Busboys and Poets. Perfect for educators and book lovers.

Wednesday, Oct 14

Book Launch: Human-Centered Schools by Scott Goldstein

Busboys and Poets

Join the launch of Scott Goldstein's new book on education reform at Busboys and Poets. Ideal for educators and readers.

Wednesday, Oct 14

Book Launch: Human-Centered Schools by Scott Goldstein

Busboys and Poets

Attend the launch of Scott Goldstein's book "Human-Centered Schools" at Busboys and Poets. A thought-provoking evening.

Wednesday, Oct 14

Party at the Pitch (DC United)

Sandlot Uptown

Join the Party at the Pitch event at Sandlot Uptown. A community gathering for sports fans.

Wednesday, Oct 14

OBSOLETE

Busboys and Poets

Is AI a bubble or humanity’s last invention? An existing harm or an existential threat? Obsolete cuts through the hype and false binaries to answer all the AI questions you have, while raising some you probably aren’t prepared for. Many today don’t get further than seeing AI as a boondoggle—a new shiny object for techno-capitalists to sink their cash into as we barrel toward climate disaster. Obsolete takes those concerns seriously, but implores us to keep our eye on the ball: the attempt to render you obsolete. The scale of their project has no real precedent. What we think of as big—the Gilded Age monopolies, the Manhattan Project, the Apollo program—doesn’t even come close to capturing its size. Almost none of us wants this vast transformation to succeed. Yet we’re letting it proceed virtually unabated. Why? Because we don’t know it’s happening, we don’t believe it will work, or we don’t think we can stop it. Obsolete takes on all three. AI expert and journalist Garrison Lovely’s debut is a refreshing reset on an AI debate in which basically everyone is getting some big things wrong. With deep access to top researchers, advocates, and industry insiders, Obsolete offers a new…

Wednesday, Oct 14

OBSOLETE

Busboys and Poets

Explore the impact of AI in a thought-provoking discussion at Busboys and Poets. Engage with pressing questions about technology and society.

Wednesday, Oct 14

OBSOLETE

Busboys and Poets

Explore the implications of AI at the OBSOLETE event, addressing critical questions about technology's future and its impact on society.

Wednesday, Oct 14

Certified Big Dawgs

DC Comedy Loft and Bier Baron Tavern

Enjoy a night of comedy with Certified Big Dawgs at DC Comedy Loft. Perfect for fans of queer comedy.

Wednesday, Oct 14

Skip the Small Talk

metrobar

Engage in meaningful conversations and make real connections at Skip the Small Talk event at metrobar.

Wednesday, Oct 14

Rohan Dias

DC Comedy Loft and Bier Baron Tavern

<p>Rohan Dias presents quick paced, oftentimes experimental stand-up that attracts a global audience. His experience from doing stand-up when he was a teenager in Bangalore, to moving across the west coast, and then east coast of the United States has created a comedy style unique to only himself.</p><hr /> <p>Please note, there is a 2 item per person minimum in the showroom. This can be any combination of food items or beverages. This does NOT include items bought in the basement at the Bier Baron Tavern.</p> <p>All General Admission seating is first come first serve, <strong><u>therefore we cannot guarantee seating together. Groups need to be particularly aware of this.</u></strong> We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes to an hour prior to show time for better seat selection.</p> <p>Doors close 30 minutes after showtime. </p> <p>Tickets are available at the door UNLESS tickets have sold out.<br /></p> <p>Guests must be 18+for entry. Those under the age of 21 will be given wristbands to wear.</p> <p>ALL SALES ARE FINAL. NO REFUNDS. This includes switching of showtimes, once purchased all sales are final.</p> <p>Management reserves the right to prevent customers from entering the facility who they deem disruptive or dangerous to other patrons.</p> <p>We offer sign language interpretation upon request. Requests for sign language interpreters, cued speech transliterators, or oral interpreters must be received at least two weeks prior to the event at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">b</a>[email protected]<br /></p>