French Market, Maryland Day on Tap
The cherry blossoms are gone and so are the tourists for a month or so, but there’s still plenty to do this weekend (Apr. 25-27) in the DMV. Shop in Georgetown’s annual French Market, go to the drive-in, check out the University of Maryland’s 16th annual Maryland Day or take in a Lord of the Rings movie marathon. Saturday’s forecast is for rain, temperatures should be about 74, but Sunday is supposed to be partly sunny and 65.
With the National Cherry Blossom Festival over for another year, Metro has resumed work on Metrorail. This weekend, Red Line trains will run every 15 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont, with additional trains between Shady Grove and Judiciary Square during daytime hours. On Saturday, trains on the Yellow and Green lines will operate every 15 minutes, rather than every 12 minutes. Buses will replace Orange Line trains between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly and Blue Line trains between Stadium-Armory and Addison Road. Metrorail will open at 5 a.m. on Sunday for customers traveling to the Nike Women Half Marathon. The start line is accessible from Metro Center (Red/Blue/Orange lines), Federal Triangle (Blue/Orange lines) or Archives (Yellow/Green lines).
Georgetown French Market
The Georgetown Business Improvement District presents is annual Georgetown French Market. The Book Hill boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, salons and galleries display their wares in an inviting open-air market, evoking the outdoor markets of Paris where guests wander between shops and galleries tempted by the aroma of fresh coffee and croissants while enjoying the sounds of strolling musicians. More than 35 shops will offer up to 75 percent off on designer goods, art and home furnishings. Some of the neighborhood’s best restaurants will set up curbside to nourish shoppers, grilling up French merguez sausages, filling sweet and savory crepes, offering Banh mi sandwiches and serving fresh French pastries and even discounts off wine! The TD Bank parking lot at 1611 Wisconsin Ave. will become a gathering spot with a Parisian face painter while Dumbarton House and Tudor Place will host arts and crafts activities for children.
Apr. 25 and 26 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days on Book Hill, Upper Wisconsin Avenue NW between P Street and Reservoir Road. Admission is FREE and so are Circulator rides from the K Street and Wisconsin Avenue stops to Book Hill. Free parking is available at Hardy Middle School in the 1800 block of Wisconsin Avenue across from the Safeway.
Union Market drive-in
Union Market’s Drive-In four-week spring movie series continues with the sing-a-long version of Frozen. On May 2, Diner will be shown followed by the people’s choice, James Bond Collection on May 9 with the public voting for From Russia with Love, The Spy Who Loved Me or Goldfinger (vote on the market’s Facebook page). Purchase snacks from the market’s booths or cocktails from the Airstream trailer.
Fridays at 8 p.m. through May 9 at Union Market, 1309 Fifth St. NE. Gates open at 6 p.m. Walk-ins and bikers are free in the picnic area, cars are $10 in the parking lot. Parking pass are available online.
USA Science and Engineering Festival
The USA Science and Engineering Festival features more than 3000 fun, hands-on activities for all ages and more than 150 stage shows, including music, magic, comedy and more. There will also be a career pavilion and college fair for high-school students and the second annual book fair with more than 25 featured authors. Bill Nye the Science Guy will be on stage Saturday at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.Mike Rowe from the Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe will be featured at 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.
Apr. 26 and 27 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. Admission is FREE!
Maryland Day
The University of Maryland will host its 16th annual Maryland Day. UMD’s campus-wide celebration of innovation, creativity and academic excellence offers more than 450 family-friendly events and exhibits that teach and inspire future innovators. Visitors can “Explore Our World of Fearless Ideas” across the university’s 1,250 acre campus. The university will be divided into six areas for exploration: Ag Day Avenue, Arts Alley, Biz and Society Hill, Science and Tech Way, Sports and Rec Row, and Terp Town Center. The 2014 program features several events. See the new foal that was born at UMD’s campus farm. Help set a Guinness World Record for the largest drum circle ever assembled. Check out “Life in the Anchor Chair” and see what it’s like to deliver the nightly news. Visit Hornbake Plaza to meet up with alumni and discover TERPRIDE, a high-tech, retro-fitted bus. Sample the Smith Island Cake ice cream created specifically for Maryland Day and available for just one day. And get autographs from your favorite football and men’s and women’s basketball players.
Apr. 26 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the University of Maryland’s College Park campus. Admission and parking are FREE!
Spring Fest
Capitol City Brewing Co. in Shirlington launches Spring Fest, a spring beer festival featuring seasonal suds from more than 45 breweries serving 4 ounce samples, local food vendors and music by DJ Julius.
Apr. 26 from noon-7 p.m. at the Village of Shirlington, 4001 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Admission is $30 at the gate.
Lord of the Rings Movie Festival
If your ideal lazy Sunday includes watching all three Lord of the Rings films to Arlington for the Lord of the Rings Movie Festival. The movie marathon includes trivia and a Gollum impersonation.
Apr. 27 from noon-10 p.m. at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington. Tickets are $10 here or at the door.
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.