Blossom Kite Festival Set for Satuday
The annual Blossom Kite Festival is scheduled for Saturday on the Washington Monument grounds, but it questionable whether the weather, which is forecast to be 43 degrees and rainy, will cooperate. If Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, there are many other activities inside.
This weekend, Red, Orange, Silver and Green line trains will operate at regular intervals. Blue and Yellow line trains will operate every 18 minutes, with the Yellow Line running between Huntington and Mount Vernon Square only. There will be no track work for the next two weekends because of the crowds using Metro to visit the cherry blossoms.
Blossom Kite Festival
Spring is in the air literally as the fifth annual Cherry Blossom Kite Festival showcases the creativity of kite makers and skill of kite fliers from across the U.S. and other countries through a variety of competitions and demonstrations including the popular Hot Ticks Showdown and the Rokkaku Battle. Take your own kites or children can make at kite at an activity station while supplies last to fly on the public field.
Mar. 28 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the grounds of the Washington Monument near 17th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
La Grande Fete
Le Grande Fete is the closing celebration of the D.C. Francophonie Cultural Festival sponsored by Smithsonian at 8, the Smithsonian’s after-hours event series for young professionals, and Francophone D.C. Launch into a world tour of francophone cultures and sample food and drink from more than 30 embassies as you explore each nation’s unique attractions and traditions. See a special performance by Emeline Michel from 8-9 p.m. The dance party starts at 9 with DJ Princess Staya, who will spin music from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and destination in between.
Mar. 27 from 7-11 p.m. at the Embassy of France, 4101 Reservoir Road NW. Tickets are $40.
Cherry Blast
The seventh annual Cherry Blast: Art + Music Dance Party, a multimedia experience, pops up at Blind Whino, formerly a church and now a brightly painted dedicated art space. The multi-sensory event fills it with visual and performance art, cutting-edge DJs and interactive sensory experiences. Downstairs, DJ Native Sun will play from 8-9:30 p.m. and DJ Dyescold will play with live percussionist Trae from 9:30 p.m.-midnight. Upstairs, Black Masala performs from 8-9:30 p.m. followed by Ursula 1000 from 9:30 p.m.-midnight.
Mar. 27 from 8 p.m.-midnight at Blind Whino SW Arts Club, 700 Delaware Ave. SW. Admission is $15.
Fabergé Egg Family Festival
The Fabergé Egg Family Festival celebrates spring’s arrival to Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens. Celebrate the season in grand Russian style with festive folk music and traditional Russian games including an egg roll. Step into Fabergé’s Workshop to decorate your own Fabergé-inspired egg and enjoy the exquisite imperial eggs and other splendid Fabergé pieces in the collection.
Mar. 28 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Mar. 29 from 1-5 p.m. at Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for members and colleges and $5 for children ages 6-18.
Cherry Blossom Celebration
It’s only a matter of time before the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, but the annual festival is already underway. On Saturday, the Freer and Sackler galleries hold a Cherry Blossom Celebration with a day of Japanese art, anime and manga films, a trunk show packed full of vintage Japanese garments and plenty of family-friendly fun.
Mar. 28 from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Arthur M Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW, and Freer Gallery of Art, Jefferson Drive and 12th Streets SW. Admission is ar. FREE!
Orchids 101
Every year, the Smithsonian unveils a new orchid exhibit. But what if you want orchids at home? At Orchids 101, orchid specialist Tom Mirenda from the Smithsonian Gardens will teach you all about the flower and help you choose the right one for your home.
Mar. 29 from 2-4 p.m. at the S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Drive. SW. Admission is $25.
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.