Dance, Travel & Say Goodbye This Weekend
This weekend’s weather forecast is supposed to be good, so it will be the perfect time to get out and stretch your winter-weary legs. The Atlas Performing Arts Center’s Intersections Festival is back and Dino’s Italian restaurant in Cleveland Park says goodbye.
However, if you are traveling by Metrorail, you need to leave some extra time for travel since there will be major construction going on, and several stations will be closed. Trains on the Yellow and Green line will operate at regular weekend intervals, except at Greenbelt Station, where trains will arrive and depart every 20-25 minutes. Red Line trains will run every 16 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont, with additional trains between Van Ness and Silver Spring during daytime hours. Buses will replace Orange Line trains between Eastern Market and Cheverly. The last Orange train will leave New Carrollton for Cheverly 41 minutes earlier each night. Buses will replace Blue line trains between Eastern Market and Benning Road. The last Blue train will leave Largo Town Center for Benning Road 30 minutes early each night.
Atlas Intersections Festival
The Intersections Festival has dance, music and theater, like any other D.C. arts festival would. But it has one thing the others don’t: A dog circus. Mutts Gone Nuts, a canine thrill show in the Lang Theatre, is one of the 60 acts, many of which are free, that will be featured in the Atlas’ 16-day festival. If dog tricks aren’t your thing, catch performances from artists like the Jane Franklin Dance Company, UrbanArias, Christylez Bacon and Mary Alouette. Among the featured performances are a concert by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington telling true stories of life-changing experiences told though patter and pop songs at 7:30 p.m. today and 9:30 p.m. on March 8 in the Sprenger Theater. Also, Rewind, two programs featuring the best independent short films showcased during the 10 years of the DC Shorts Festival at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m Saturday and again on March 7 in the Lang Theatre.
Feb. 21-March 8 at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Times and ticket prices vary by performance.
Discover Engineering Family Day
Every February, the National Building Museum and the National Engineers Week Foundation invite visitors to debunk the myths of engineering and discover how professional engineers turn an idea into reality. Celebrate National Engineers Week by participating in this free, hands-on, and fun-filled festival. The program and activities are recommended for children ages 6-12. At Discover Engineering Family Day visitors can meet astronaut Robert Crouch; see engineer Nate Ball, co-host of PBS’ Design Squad Nation, demonstrate the Atlas Power Ascender; make slime; control a robot; build a skyscraper; catapult a ping pong balls; test the strength of a building in a tsunami; and meet Curious George and Cat in the Hat from WETA and PBSKids.
Feb. 22 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Admission is FREE!
Travel and Adventure Show
The two-day Travel and Adventure Show is your ticket to discover authentic travel experiences, snap up the deals and win trips and giveaways, and be entertained and delighted at this amazing travel extravaganza. You’ll hear travel tips from the experts including Rick Steves, Pauline Frommer, Samantha Brown and Andrew McCarthy. Experience climbing the rock wall and see cultural performances. Whether you want to escape to the Caribbean, discover the thrill and beauty of Africa or see America like never before, you’ll meet the experts who can help you plan and book your next trip. Bon Voyage!
Feb. 22 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Feb. 23 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. Admission is $12 online and $15 at the door. Children 16 and younger are free. Active military and up to four family members are free with ID.
Mardi Gras Family Day
Join the Anacostia Community Museum for its annual Mardi Gras Family Day, which includes the celebratory traditions in South Africa this year. There will be storytelling, face painting, mask-making and other hands-on activities, live performances and more. Attendees can also participate in the Art of Adornment workshop with creative artist Januwa Moja-Nelson (workshop space is limited, sign up upon arrival).
Feb. 22 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Smithsonian Institution’s Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE. Admission is FREE!
Heart Ball
The Greater Washington Heart Ball will be held in the District again this year Heart Month activities are rounded out with this black-tie affair. Proceeds from the Heart Ball benefit lifesaving research and American Heart Association education and advocacy campaigns. Heart disease remains the Number 1 killer of people in the United States today. The Heart Ball is a premier society event and a celebration of the life-saving work of the American Heart Association. The event brings together more than 500 of the region’s most prominent physician, corporate, health care, and community leaders. The evening includes, live and silent auctions, dinner, dancing and special presentations to honor United States Military doctors (retired and active) through the Heart Heroes program. Also the official after-party, Heart After Dark returns to keep the festivities going until 1am.
Feb. 22 from 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 1331 Maryland Avenue, SW. Tickets range from $100 to $1,000 and are available .
Bird Walk and Owl Prowl
Search for birds in several refuge habitats on this guided Bird Walk for all ages. Field guides and binoculars are recommended. During the Owl Prowl for those 10 and older, explore the refuge at night while looking and listening for owls. Registration is required for both programs.
Feb. 23 at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Patuxent Research Refuge North Tract, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, Md. The North Tract is located on Rt. 198 between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 32. The Bird Walk is from 8:15-10:30 a.m. and the Owl Prowl is from 5:30-7 p.m. Admission is FREE, but registration is required by calling 301-497-5887.
Dino’s Last Dance
This is Dino’s last night of full service off menu. But there will still have food in house, so why not throw a farewell party? Dino will just cook food until it’s all gone! There will be a cash bar for beer, booze and vino. One last night to have fun. There are no reservations, no assigned seating, no menus, no special requests. There will be a lot of pasta, sliced meats, prosciutto and cheeses, veggies, etc. Dino will just bring out food and serve you one last time!
Feb. 23 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at Dino’s, 3435 Connecticut Avenue NW. Cost is $30 and includes dinner and a cash bar. Tickets are available online. Admission at the door only if space is available..
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.