Welcome to July. The month where, historically and ironically, I’m trying to be inside as much as possible avoiding heat-related illness.
Despite July being affectionately referred to as a “month where ain’t shit happening,” this calendar is ripe with the biggest number of events we’ve ever featured on a single calendar.
It feels really great to get to send our friends to events put on by independent organizers in D.C., especially in a month where anything but independent events suck up so much air in this capital city.
In this latest F+F letter, you’ve got
THE RECOMMENDATIONS, for deep cinephiles or casual summertime watching, UPTOWN TALKIES gives recommendations on which films to catch in D.C. this month
THE CALENDAR, as always, the printable F+F Community Calendar for JULY
THE HIGHLIGHTS, a.k.a. five events worth putting on your schedule right now.
QUESTION FOR THE GROUP:
Would you come to a F+F Community MEETUP?
We have such a fun subscriber community here at F+F and I wanna see everyone in person at a featured event!
Reply to this email with
YES, I’M IN FOR THE MEETUP!
and I’ll send you a personal invite once the first one is planned.
As always, I’m on the hunt for more events to feature in the newsletter, on the calendar, and on Instagram and beyond. Send details for a D.C. event you want to share with Form & Function by email or on Instagram @formandfunctiondc.
Need friends to FUNCTION with? Forward this email to a pal and help us build our subscriber community.
See you out there,
Alexya ☆
SEEING THE MOVIES WITH UPTOWN TALKIES
I was looking for some kind of Google search result to support my claim that July must be National Movie Month. Apparently it’s either in October or June or August, so we’ll split the difference and call it July.
So many of us have memories of riding down to the theater with family, neighbors, friends in July to see a matinee of the Big Movie of the Summer, to pass the time, and to escape the heat. Sitting in a chilly theater with a bag of hot popcorn is basically synonymous with midsummer.
That all being known, I tapped someone special for this newsletter’s marquee event.
If you’re in D.C. I hope you’re already following UPTOWN TALKIES, but for the uninitiated, it’s a (mostly anonymous) Instagram account inviting you to see thoughtful, interesting movies playing across D.C.’s many theaters. Lucien even hosts a few showings from time to time, so if you’ve ever been cine-curious, taking these recommendations is a great way to see good, independently screened movies AND make it social.
ig comment from UT’s fans
Lucien’s off in the mountains this week but just before taking off graciously wrote us a little roundup of Uptown Talkies-certified screenings to get to in D.C. in July.
FRIDAY JULY 3 - AFI SILVER
‘Close Encounters Of The Third Kind’ (dir. Steven Spielberg, 1977, United States)
If one takes a post-Fabelmans read of this movie, it is potentially about more than just aliens and our place in the cosmos. Ultimately there are few science fiction films better staged than this. Come for Spielberg’s blocking, stay for Francois Truffaut’s surprisingly good turn as a Francophone Alienologist. Screening in 70mm at 2:15 and 5:15pm. (Tickets)
FRIDAY JULY 10 - FREER GALLERY
‘The Killer’ (dir. John Woo, 1989, Hong Kong)
While this movie has nothing to do with Wendy Williams, it packs an astounding punch in just under two hours — bedazzling action sequences juxtaposed with touching, painterly melodrama. See it for free at the Freer Gallery at 7pm. (Details)
THURSDAY JULY 16 - SUNS CINEMA
‘Dry Leaf’ (dir. Alexandre Koberidze, 2026, Georgia)
Potentially would pair well with an edible from your favorite H Street dispensary. A road/detective movie shot on a pixelated “potato” camera, Dry Leaf explores the simple, the mundane, and the downright, stupefyingly gorgeous. Screening one night only at 8:45pm. (Tickets)
THURSDAY JULY 30 - LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
‘Written On The Wind’ (dir. Douglas Sirk, 1956, United States)
Do your friends tell you you’re too emotional? That not every person you walk past on the street is a potential soulmate? Then boy oh boy do I have the movie (and the director) for you. This is one of the best melodramas of all time, playing in perhaps the best screening venue in D.C., the cozy (and free) Pickford Theatre in LOC’s Madison building. 35mm!! (Details)
FOLLOW @UPTOWN__TALKIES FOR MORE MOVIES IN D.C.
Many events require tickets or RSVPs. Find everything you need to know about the JUNE calendar lineup here.
A VERY VENEZUELAN BAKESALE @ HILL’S KITCHEN — SUNDAY, JULY 5 FROM 10AM UNTIL SELLOUT
I know there’s a strong contingent in the F+F subscribers of people who love food and love doing good for the world. Gabriela Montes de Oca is teaming up with Miles, Sarah, and the team at Hill’s Kitchen to raise funds for Gaby’s native home in the wake of the earthquake devastation. If you’re into building your community around food, this is a great place to be.
HENDRIK MEURKENS JAZZ TRIO @ CAFE CINO — FRIDAY, JULY 10 FROM 6-8PM
There’s a new Black-owned cafe in town ran by two beloved D.C. baristas, and they’re not stopping at just coffee. One of (I’m certain) many events that will be hosted in their space, Cafe Cino welcomes iconic jazz harmonicist Hendrik Meurkens performing live as a trio. Tickets include a little food, too.
TINY DESK LIVE @ HOWARD THEATER — SATURDAY, JULY 11 AT 7PM
Since 2022, NPR’s invited the D.C. community to Tiny Desk On The Road, a live show putting local artists on stage with the year’s Desk contest winner. For those of us who still have yet to be invited to the recordings down at NPR HQ (!!!) this is just as great.
D.C.-based funk synth pop outfit ViRG and the soul-rock band Les Greene and the Swayzees will be opening the night.
‘LO QUE DIJO LA GITANA’ LIVE ART SHOW @ THE UNDERLINE — SUNDAY, JULY 12 AT 3PM
gyzelle garcia’s art is an invitation. She presents her live art installation, an exhibition of stories relating to her identity that eventually turn into invitations for the audience to draw out their own narratives. The Underline hosts a fully curated and immersive residency all this month, with its opening on the 12th.
ÉCHAPPÉE, THE DOMESTIQUE GARDEN WINE PARTY @ CRISPUS ATTUCKS PARK — SATURDAY, JULY 25 AT 5PM
Tres chic. It’s a French cycling-themed wine party in D.C.’s favorite hidden community park. No biking fits or gear required to enjoy. Secret garden vibes. Bring a blanket and some picnic snacks to enjoy with the wine.
