September in the Neighborhood: A big day out on our Main Street; Levine’s Community Sing; Picnic at Peirce Mill

Enjoying a picnic and a show at Forest Hills Park. (2016 photo)

Community spirit and solidarity: In the District, we have them in spades. And to maintain our energy for good works and good trouble, we need art. We need music. We need opportunities to relax, connect with friends and loved ones, and enjoy ourselves.

Some suggestions for filling our cups in September:

September 6: Children’s Day at Peirce Mill (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) is all-ages fun, with hands-on activities that teach the history and physics of the 200-year-old mill, and a Spanish- and English-language performance by Teatro La Bolsa (at 11 a.m.).

September 13: Make a day of it with Van Ness Main Street. Its Good Clean Fun initiative is organizing a Forest Hills Park cleanup (9:30 to 11:30 a.m.). Twenty local artists and artisans are selling their wares at the VNMS Second Saturday pop-up market (4340 Connecticut Avenue, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

And, VNMS is sponsoring a free jazz concert at Forest Hills Park (4 to 6 p.m.) featuring performers from the Washington Conservatory of Music. We hear that Swifties will find the setlist especially… engaging. More details now and to come at vannessmainstreet.org.

(Forest Hills Connection is an editorially independent program of VNMS.)

Starting September 13: Saddle up for the Rock Creek Conservancy Weed Wrangle, an opportunity to rid area parks of invasive plants. The volunteer events, under the direction of expert Weed Warriors, are held every Saturday and Sunday (and the occasional Friday) through mid October.

September 17: This installment of Hillwood’s Jazz in the Gardens series showcases the talents of local Afro-Caribbean musicians (6:30-7:30 p.m.).

Or, sing your hearts out at Levine Music’s Community Sing (7 to 9 p.m.). All ages and skill levels are welcome, and everyone will be belting out five-part harmonies by the end of the evening.

September 27th: Pack a basket (perhaps with delicious food from local restaurants) for Peirce Mill’s Picnic in the Park (4 to 7 p.m.). Carly Harvey, DC’s “Queen of the Blues,” will serenade the picnickers.