See a guide to the top events going on this weekend in the Washington, DC area, including Maryland and Northern Virginia. Wow! What a lineup!

• Bike to Work Day - May 18, 2012. Join thousands of Washington, DC area commuters by bicycling to work as a fun and healthy way to get to work.
  
  
• Artomatic - May 18-June 23, 2012. Crystal City, VA. The free Washington DC art extravaganza is well-known for transforming empty spaces into vibrant arts communities that celebrate creativity and create a unique and exciting event.
  
  
• DC Dragon Boat Festival - May 19-20, 2012. Thompson's Boathouse Center, 2900 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington DC. Sponsored by the Chinese Women's League of Washington, DC, the event features dragon boat races on the Potomac River, cultural performances and hands-on activities.
  
  
• Andrews AFB Air Show - May 19-20, 2012. Andrews Air Force Base, MD. See Blue Angels pilots demonstrate their flight skills with aerial maneuvers.
  
  
• Gaithersburg Book Festival - May 19, 2012, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The festival includes both national and local acclaim that will address and interact with readers at a free all-day, outdoor event set on the grounds of Gaithersburg's City Hall. The festival will also include writing workshops, exhibitors, book sales, book signings, children's entertainment and activities, food vendors, and a Coffee House featuring poetry readings and musical entertainment.
  
  
• National Asian Heritage Festival - May 19, 2012, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with an Asian street fair in the heart of DC. Enjoy live entertainment and interactive displays.
  
  
• GI Film Festival - Through May 20, 2012. See classic and premier films celebrating the heroic stories of the American Armed Forces including a variety of films presented by award-winning Hollywood actors and directors. Participate in panel discussions with soldiers, journalists, authors, and filmmakers.
  
  
• Taste of Arlington - May 20, 2012, noon-5 pm. Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA. Enjoy a lively street festival, complete with local entertainment, children's activities and, of course, lots of food!
  
  
• Taste of Wheaton - May 20, 2012, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Grandview Ave. and Reedie Dr. More than 25 participating restaurants will offer samples of their dishes for $1 a taste. Musical entertainment and children's activities included.
  
  
• Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival - May 18-20, 2012. Reston Town Center, Reston, VA. See artwork by more than 200 painters, sculptors, fine-crafters and jewelers. Also enjoy musical performances, festive foods, beer garden, and artist demonstrations.
  
  
• Mount Vernon Wine Festival & Sunset Tour - May 18-20, 2012. An elegant evening of wine, live entertainment, reenactments, and tours of the rarely open cellar vaults of George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. Advance tickets are required.
  
  
• Passport DC - Open Houses at Washington, DC Embassies - Through May 19, 2012. The multi-cultural event, sponsored by Cultural Tourism DC, features a wide range of performances, talks, and exhibits at DC's foreign embassies.
  
  
• DC Yoga Week - Through May 20, 2012. Try a free or $5 yoga class this week at one of DC's yoga studios.
  
  
• Strawberry Jubilee Weekend at Great Country Farms - May 19 & 20, 2012. 18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA. The event includes music, strawberries, food, the annual Diaper Derby, hayrides, pedal cart track, multiple rope swings, the giant jumping pillow, and more. Hayrides take visitors to the strawberry fields and guests are welcome to bring their gear for catch and release fishing in the stocked pond.

More Upcoming Washington, DC Events

May Festivals and Events in the DC Area

Memorial Day Weekend in Washington DC

The White House Visitor Center will begin renovations this spring to provide a dramatically improved experience for visitors. The facility opened in 1995 and is in the need of modernization to keep up with other attractions in the nation's capital. The Visitor Center is expected to be closed for approximately 15 months, with an expected reopening date in early 2014. Improvements will include interactive exhibits, a model of the White House, a new permanent museum gallery, a temporary exhibit area, an improved book sales area, and visitor information facilities.

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Washington music legend Chuck Brown has died at the age of 75 of pneumonia. Brown was known as the "The Godfather of Go Go," a danceable genre combing funk and soul that he developed in the early 70's. Among his hit songs were "We the People", "Blow Your Whistle", "Bustin' Loose" and the "Go Go Swing Medley." The National Visionary Leadership Project recognized Brown's contributions in shaping American history in 2007, joining previous honorees such as Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, BB King, and Earth Kitt. Brown's presence and live performances in Washington DC will surely be missed by all. See Chuck Brown's official website to learn more about his life and music.

Photo © Getty Images

The Washington Nationals will offer three concerts following select Nationals home games throughout the summer. The performances are free, but you must have a valid ticket for that day's Nationals game to attend. The concerts will begin approximately 15 minutes after the final out of each game. Here's the schedule:

• Dierks Bentley - June 2, 2012 - Multi-platinum selling country artist Dierks Bentley will be the first act to hit the NatsLive stage after the Nationals take on their NL East rival, the Atlanta Braves, the first weekend in June. The CMA Award winner and 10-time Grammy Award nominee is known for his hits including "What Was I Thinkin," "Come a Little Closer" and "Sideways." His sixth studio album Home was released earlier this year.
  
  
• The Wallflowers - July 21, 2012 - Los Angeles-based rock band The Wallflowers will make their NatsLive debut after the Nationals-Braves game in mid-July. With hits including "One Headlight," "6th Avenue Heartache" and "Heroes," the two-time Grammy Award winning band's album Bringing Down the Horse has been certified platinum four times since its release. The Wallflowers will release their sixth studio album this fall on Columbia Records.
  
  
• Third Eye Blind - August 18, 2012 - Third Eye Blind will wrap up the NatsLive Post-Game Concert Series after the Nationals face the New York Mets in August. "Semi-Charmed Life," "Jumper" and "Graduate" are among the San Francisco-based rock band's biggest hits following the release of their self-titled debut album in 1997, which went on to sell more than seven million copies in the U.S. alone. The band's fourth studio album, Ursa Major, was released in late 2009.

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