July in the Neighborhood: Stars and Stripes and stargazing; Japanese star festival

The planetarium at the Rock Creek Nature Center (NPS photo)

The Rock Creek Nature Center’s planetarium (at 5200 Glover Road NW) exists to teach us about the stars. On Saturday, July 1st, a special planetarium program will teach us about the Stars and Stripes. A ranger will give a presentation at 10:30 a.m. on the evolution of the American flag during the Civil War. Tickets are free, and will be handed out at the Nature Center’s front desk starting 30 minutes before the program.

A more conventional planetarium show later that day, at 2 p.m., explores efforts to explore the edge of our galaxy. And on Saturday, July 15th at 8 p.m., the planetarium will provide the pre-show warmup for the National Capital Astronomers’ monthly “Exploring the Sky” gathering at the field nearby (at Glover and Military Roads). The telescopes will be set up by 9 p.m., and focused on Venus, Mars, the M13 cluster, and the Summer Triangle.

More July events that might get you starry-eyed:

Celebrate Tanabata, the Japanese star festival, at Hillwood. Orihime, the weaver princess, and Hikoboshi, the herder, are star-crossed lovers who meet only on the seventh day of the seventh month. On July 7th from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., Learn more about the legend, picnic on the lawn, make a paper lantern, and enjoy the music of the Washington Toho Koto Society. You can find more details and purchase tickets here.

Watch movies under the stars. Van Ness Main Street and UDC’s “Movie Night in the Park” will present 101 Dalmations (the 1996 version) on July 19th and Minions: The Rise of Gru on July 26th. Both films will be shown at the UDC Amphitheatre at or a little after 8:30 p.m. Picnicking is encouraged, and registration is required. Click the movie titles to do so.

Other things to see and do in July:

July 1, 8, 13, 15, 16, 26 – Enjoy live music at Comet Ping Pong. These are all-ages performances (for those of us who aren’t in bed by 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., when the doors open).

Teatro la Bolsa

July 22 at Peirce Mill – Teatro La Bolsa performs “La gallina y la tortilla de maíz,” a tale of friendship, sharing, and a hen who’d like some help around the kitchen for a change.

July 20, 21 and 22 at Hillwood – Pay-what-you-wish performances of West African dance troupe Coyaba Dance Theater.

Throughout the month – There’s even more on our community events calendar.