A Pot Full of St. Paddy’s Weekend Activities
It’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend, and with rain forecast for Friday and Saturday, many people will spend their weekend in the nearest pub drinking green beer and pretending they’re Irish. At least the temperatures are finally starting to warm up as Spring finally approaches. Although the late cold temperatures have pushed the peak bloom of the cherry blossom trees back to Apr. 11-14, there’s plenty to do this weekend inside and out. Saturday probably won’t be a good day for runners or spectators at the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon, but the weather is supposed to clear up for the D.C. St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday.
This weekend, Red, Orange and Yellow line trains will operate at regular intervals, with Yellow Line trains running only to/from Mount Vernon Square instead of Fort Totten. Blue Line trains will operate normally between Franconia-Springfield and Stadium-Armory, and Silver Line trains will operate normally between Wiehle-Reston East and Stadium-Armory. However at Largo Town Center, Morgan Boulevard, Addison Road, Capitol Heights and Benning Road, trains on both lines will arrive and depart about every 20 minutes. On Saturday, Metrorail system will open two hours early — at 5 a.m. –for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.
Exposed D.C.
The ninth annual Exposed D.C. photography show, which opened Thursday at the new Capital Fringe headquarters, uses the work of local photographers of all skill levels to “tell the story of living, working and loving in this city that is so much more than a collection of monuments.” The 42 photographs tell the story of the Washington, D.C. area, not as a political venue or tourist destination, but as a place where people live, work and love every day. All prints in the show are for sale.
Mar. 14 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at 1358 NE, 1358 Florida Ave. NE. The exhibit will also be open Mar. 20 and 28 from 6-8 p.m. and the closing reception on Apr. 11 from 4-8 p.m. Admission is FREE!
The New African Film Festival
The New African Film Festival, which highlights the continent’s best new cinema returned Thursday to the AFI Silver. Standout films include Triangle – Going to America, the opening night selection which will also screen Saturday at 6:30 p.m., about two men who fall in love with the same woman as the trio travel from East Africa through Libya, Italy and Mexico to eventually make it to America. Stories of Our Lives Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. is a documentary about LGBT people living in Kenya; The Samaritans, which screens Saturday at 5 p.m. and Wednesday at 7:10 p.m., is a mockumentary about an annoying, incompetent American heading up one of the 4,000 NGOs operating in Kenya.
Through Mar. 19 at various times at the AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Road, Sliver Spring. Adult admission is $12 per movie, seniors are $10 and children are $7. Click here for the schedule and to purchase tickets.
Iberian Suite: Global Arts Remix
The Kennedy Center’s three-week long Iberian Suite: Global Arts Remix continues this week. The festival of theater, dance, music, visual arts, literature, design, cuisine and film highlights the many cultures that comprise the Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking peoples. The Iberian Peninsula is home to Portugal and Spain, which laid claim to much of North and South America, and coastal Africa long before Britain began exploring new worlds. Visual arts are highlighted in exhibitions and installations around the building, and additional events focus on literature, film, cuisine and more. Highlights this weekend include the exclusive U.S. exhibition of “Picasso Ceramist and the Mediterranean,” a selection of more than 140 of Pablo Picasso’s ceramic pieces through Mar. 22; Eugenia Leon, the internationally renowned songstress and Mexican cultural icon on Mar. 14 and 15; and Carmen Souza, a jazz and world singer returns with a mix of West African rhythms and contemporary jazz on Mar. 16;
Through Mar. 24 at various times at the Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW. The full schedule is available here. Tickets range from FREE to $100.
Orchid Month at Hillwood
March is Orchid Month at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens. Surround yourself with the warmth and fragrance of Hillwood’s greenhouse this winter and see hundreds of orchids blooming in concert. With a greater number and variety of orchids in bloom during March than any other season, a month-long focus on the exotic beauties features workshops, tours and colorful displays. All month long visitors can get behind the scenes of the working greenhouse with Jason Gediek, head of design operations, and learn more about its history, Marjorie Post’s infatuation with orchids and the exotic blooms and fragrances on display at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesdays, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fridays and 12:30 p.m. Saturdays included with admission. This Friday from 1-3 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon, attend the hands-on workshop “To Repot or Not.” Orchids need to be repotted every 1-2 years. Each type of plant requires a different potting material and technique. Your plant will leave this workshop with a “good home” and reward you with years of gorgeous flowers. Cost is $30 or $25 for Hillwood members. Advance registration is required. Today from 1-3 p.m. and Sunday from 1:30-3:30 p.m., learn how to get your to rebloom in another hands-on workshop. Learn how to care for your orchid in order to get more flowers. Orchids can last for decades and offer countless blooms during their lifetime. Take an orchid or two from your collection and get specific pointers on everything from watering and pruning to the proper light and fertilizer. Cost is $30 or $25 for Hillwood members. Advance registration is required. From 1:30-3:30 on Saturday, there will be a workshop on “Three Unique and Easy to Grow Orchids for Your Home” covering everything you need to know about dendrobiums, oncidums and paphiopedalums (Lady Slippers). These orchids are guaranteed to be easy to grow in a home environmnent while providing long-lasting beautiful flowers. Cost is $30 or $25 for members. Advance registration is required.
Through March at various times at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. Click here for a full schedule or to purchase tickets.
When You Wish
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. presents When You Wish, a sassy, campy salute to music from the world of animation. The show features the music from Disney, School House Rock, Saturday morning cartoons and more. The chorus will bring back memories of your favorite cartoons, but with a twist only it can provide. With tap dancers, drag queens, consumes and a sing-a-long as part of the fun, you won’t want to miss this over-the-top, outrageous concert.
Mar. 13 at 8 p.m. and Mar. 14 at 3 and 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. Tickets are $29-$63 online or at the box office.
Happy Pi Day
No matter how you celebrate it – pizza pie or cherry pie — Pi Day occurs every Mar. 14. This Saturday at 9:26:53 a.m. and p.m. will be a once-in-a-century event because the year and time line up with the digits of pi that follow 3.14 (1592653). To celebrate, Dog Tag Bakery, 3206 Grace St. NW, the Georgetown bakery run by veterans, will donate proceeds from its mini apple pies to Blue Star Families, an organization that aids veterans’ transitions to civilian life. At Dangerously Delicious Pies H Street location, slices will be $3.14 from 9-11 a.m.and 8-10 p.m. The Chinatown location, normally closed weekends, will give a surprise to anyone placing an order at 9:26:53 a.m. or p.m. And, One Eight Distilling, 1135 Okie St. NE, will give free tours of the distillery from 1-4 p.m. along and offer slices of pie for purchase from Whisked!
Mar. 14 and bakeries and pizzerias across the DMV.
Rock ‘n Roll Marathon
The Rock ‘n Roll Marathon is back with runners traveling through the city starting on Constitution Avenue NW and finishing at RFK Stadium. The finish line festival is from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at RFK Statdium’s Lot 7. The awards program will be from 10:30-10:45 a.m. followed by Beter than Ezra from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. The Cheaters will perform from 8:30-10:15 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m. The northbound and southbound rams from 295 to Pennsylvania Avenue will be closed from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and the southbound ramp from East Capitol Street to 295 will be closed from 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. A list of road closures is available http://cdn.runrocknroll.competitor.com/files/2015/02/Copy-of-RnR-USA15-RCG-final-2-11-15.pdf here. Also, there will be a FREE health and fitness expo at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from noon-7 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday with more than 80 exhibitors offering free samples and showcasing the latest in running gear, sports apparel, and health and nutritional information.
Mar. 14 starting at 7:30 a.m. at Constitution Avenue and 14th Street NW. The 5K starts at RFK Stadium’s Lot 7. The marathon, half marathon and 5K all end at RFK Stadium Lot 7. Admission for spectators is FREE!
Women in Aviation and Space Family Day
Join the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum for its Women in Aviation and Space Family Day, a family day that celebrates the accomplishments of women in aviation and space exploration. From the days of the earliest pilots to today’s space program women have been making significant contributions. During this event, visitors will have the opportunity to meet female role models and learn about the women who inspired them including USAF Col. (Sel.) Nicole Malachowski, the first female pilot selected to fly in the Thunderbirds Demonstration Squadron at 12:30 p.m. and USMCR Maj. (Ret.) Monica Marusceac, the second female AV-8 Harrier Jet pilot at 1:30 p.m. Visitors can also make a Lockheed Vega, and visit discovery stations and a flight simulator; take a paper airplane design challenge.
Mar. 14 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center, 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly. Admission is FREE, parking is $15.
Smudge! Comics Arts Expo
The second annual Smudge! Comics Arts Expo showcases independent comics and inspires attendees to become storytellers themselves. More than 50 local comics creators will be on hand. Browse and buy comics-related art or try your hand at making comics. Check out presentations in the Black Box Theater and free classes in the Education Lab. Plus, there will be screenings of comics-related documentaries in the Dome Theatre.
Mar. 14 from noon-6 p.m. at Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. The complete schedule is http://www.smudgexpo.com/programming/ here. Admission is FREE!
Mingering Mike’s Supersonic Rewind Dance Party
Mingering Mike’s Supersonic Rewind Dance Party is a throwback dance party with a DJ spinning the soul hits of the 60s and 70s and live music from The Vybe Band that influenced Mingering Mike. Meet the artist Mingering Mike and check out his self-made album covers, put on your best 70s look for the photo booth and make your own album covers inspired by the exhibition, Mingering Mike’s Supersonic Greatest Hits.
Mar. 14 from 5-8 p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum Kogod Courtyard, 8th and G Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
44th annual D.C. St. Patrick’s Day Parade
More than 100 marching bands, piper and drum bands, Irish dancers, military units, dance schools and decorated floats will fill the 44th annual D.C. St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The best views to see the entertainment is near the judges’ stand between 15th and 16th Streets.
Mar. 15 from noon-2:30 p.m. along Constitution Avenue between Seventh and 17th Streets NW Admission is FREE! Reserved seats in the grandstand are $15 each.
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.