Cherry Blossom Festival Kicks Off

This weekend marks the start of the National Cherry Blossom Festival from Sunday through Apr. 17. Currently, the National Park Service is predicting the blossoms will begin their peak bloom Mar. 23-24 if a cold spell this weekend doesn’t damage them. But even after the blossoms are gone, the festival goes on with the Blossom Kite Festival at the Washington Monument on Apr. 2 and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Apr. 16. Until there, there are plenty of things to keep you busy this weekend.

With spring in the air and the cherry blossoms about to bloom, Metro announced that there would be no track work the next five consecutive weekends because of the influx of tourists. Metro’s weekend ridership nearly doubles during cherry blossom seasons when tourists flock to the area. All lines will run at regular weekend intervals Mar. 19-20, Mar. 26-27, Apr. 2-3, Apr. 9-10 and Apr. 16-17. If track work does become necessary, it will be scheduled after 10 p.m. Sunday nights.

Follow climber Rachel Pohl, mountaineer Conrad Anker and adventure photographer Max Lowe as they explore our most pristine parks in National Parks Adventure narrated by Robert Redford at 6:15 p.m. Saturday in the National Museum of Natural History’s IMAX theater. (Photo: D.C. Environmental Film Festival)

D.C. Environmental Film Festival

For more than 20 years, the D.C. Environmental Film Festival has brought together filmmakers, policymakers, scientists, educators and citizens committed to the future of the planet. This year’s theme is “Parks: Protecting Wild.” The festival includes 150 films from 33 countries with 73 premiers. The full festival schedule is available online.

Through Mar. 26 at various times and venues in D.C. and Maryland including embassies, libraries, Smithsonian museums and theaters. Most films are FREE and include a discussion afterward while others cost $3-$30 depending on the venue. Many of the screenings require registration. Check the schedule for details.

Maryland Day

Tour the U.S. Naval Academy during Maryland Day weekend. (Photo: Navy Times)

Maryland Day celebrates the state becoming a British colony in 1632. Now it has become a whole weekend of activities in Annapolis and southern Anne Arundel County. Start at the visitor center from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., where you can pick up passes for discounts throughout the city, and take the opportunity to tour the U.S. Naval Academy or historic houses such as the William Paca House and Garden and the Charles Carroll House. A free trolley will provide transportation around downtown and West Annapolis starting at the visitor center and making seven stops including the Naval Academy and St. John’s College.

Mar. 18-20 at various times at various venues around Annapolis. Many events and tours are FREE, with others costing $1-$2.

Okinawa Matsuri Family Days

Eisa dancers will perform at the George Washington Univeristy Museum/Textile Museum Okinawa Matsuri Family Days. (Photo: William Atkins/The George Washington University)

Celebrate the culture and traditions of the Japanese island of Okinawa at Okinawa Matsuri Family Days. Try your hand at origami, bingata textile painting and other art activities. Enjoy children’s stories, dance performances and karate demonstrations. Learn about the geography and natural environment of the island and take home an Okinawan souvenir.

Mar. 18 from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Mar. 19 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Mar. 20 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21st St. NW. Admission is FREE!

Bethesda Film Fest

In the Path of My Father, which was directed by Raseph “Ra” Wright, 14, and co-edited by his sister Sia Wright, 11,of D.C. and produced by an all-youth crew, tells the personal story of two brothers growing up in D.C. without their father. (Photo: Meridian Hill Pictures)

The fourth annual Bethesda Film Fest features five short documentaries made by local film makers. This year’s films include Chop My Money by Theo Anthony of Baltimore, In the Path of My Father by RaSeph and Sia Wright of D.C., Los Angeles Call to Prayer by Omer Bayrakdar of Alexandria, Luchadoa by River Finlay of D.C. and This Little Light of Mine: The Legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer by Robin N. Hamilton of Silver Spring. The same films will be shown at all three screenings.

Mar. 18 at 7 and 9 p.m. and Mar. 19 at 8 p.m. at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda. Tickets are $10 online or at the door beginning at 6 p.m. each night.

Tossed & Found Rummage Sale

Workers prepare items for this weekend’s Junior League of Washington Tossed and Found Rummage Sale. (Photo: Junior League of Washington/Facebook)

The Junior League of Washington’s 24th annual Tossed & Found Sale offers quality, gently used household goods at bargin prices. Items for sale include housewares, fashions, books, sporting goods, electronics and furniture. Purchases must be made by cash or check only.

Mar. 19 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Mar. 20 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at 1225 S. Clark St., 10th Floor, Crystal City. Admission is FREE!
 
 
 
 
 

Kites of Asia

A Chinese dragon kite from the National Air and Space Museum. (Photo: Eric Long/National Air and Space Museum)

Celebrate Spring at the National Air and Space Museum’s Kites of Asia. Thrill to the beauty of artistry of kites on display and in their air. Talk to kite experts, see pan-Asian kite displays, watch indoor kite flying, make your own kite and maybe take a dance lesson. Visitors will discover the diversity of kites from across Asian and find out more about how kites are made at hands-on stations. You will also learn how kites helped the Wright brothers develop the first airplanes.

Mar. 19 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum, Independence Avenue and Sixth Street SW. Admission is FREE!

Welcome to Hecht

The DMV Food Truck Association will hold Welcome to Hecht at the old Hecht warehouse on Saturday.
(Photo: DMV Food Truck Association)

The DMV Food Truck Association presents Welcome to Hecht at the Hecht warehouse mixed use development. There will be food trucks including Feelin’ Crabby and Ada’s Kitchen on Wheels, live performances, a crossfit class, pilates classes and tastings from local distilleries and bakeries.

Mar. 19 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the old Hecht Warehouse, 1401 New York Ave. NE. (Enter at 16th Street and New York Avenue.) Admission is FREE!
 
 
 

Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington

It’s time to get a little country at the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s Boots, Class & Sass show. (Photo: Michael Key/Washington Blade)

Grab your boots and your cowboy hat and join the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington for their Boots, Class & Sass concert. This is more than just a revue of your favorite country songs. Expect some clogging, drag queens and a special performance from the D.C. Cowboys dance company.

Mar. 19 at 3 and 8 p.m. and Mar. 20 at 3 p.m. at The Lincoln Theater, 1215 U St. NW. Tickets are $25-$63.
 
 
 

Great American Square Dance Revival

The D.C. Square Dance Collective holds its Great American Square Dance Revival on Saturday.
(Photo: NC Squares)

Join the D.C. Square Dance Collective for the cherry blossom edition of its Great American Square Dance Revival. Sarah Gibson from North Carolina will be calling the figures with Anna RG on fiddle, Kate Bretton banjo and Ann Porcella on bass. It’s an all-lady lineup that will get your feet tappin.

Mar. 19 from 8-11:30 p.m. at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church, 1525 Newton St. NW. Admission is $5 cash or check at the door.
 
 

A Ballerina’s Tale

A Ballerina’s Tale tells the story of Misty Copeland, the first African American to become principal dancer for the American Ballet Theater. (Photo: A Ballerina’s Tale)

After 15 years with the world-renowned American Ballet Theater, Misty Copeland as promoted to principal dancer in June 2015, making her the first African-American woman to be honored in the company’s 75 year history. A Ballerina’s Tale is a documentary about Copeland and a testament to the spirit of dance and the power of human achievement. A discussion with a museum educator will follow the screening.

Mar. 20 from 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE. Admission is FREE!

Bluegrass Jam

Bring your instrument Sunday and Atlas Brew Works will provide the sitting material.
(Photo: Atlas Brew Works)

Atlas Brew Works hosts its first Bluegrass Jam. Take your instruments and they will provide the sitting material to jam all afternoon. Beer will be for sale at the bar and the brewery’s Guerilla Vending Machine will have sandwiches from Dirty South Deli. Children and dogs are welcome.

Mar. 20 from 1-8 p.m. at Atlas Brew Works, 2052 West Virginia Ave. NE. Admission is FREE!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CineMatsuri

Personal Non Grata kicks of CineMatsuri on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. (Photo: Persona Non Grata Film Partners)

Organized by the Japanese-American Society of Washington, D.C., CineMatsuri is D.C.s first-ever Japanese film festival. Now in this thirds year, the festival showcases five of Japan’s more recent and best films, each in a different genre, reflecting the diversity of today’s Japanese cinema. This year’s films include Persona Non Grata at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday; Flying Colors at 7 p.m. Monday; Snow on the Blades at 7 p.m. Tuesday; I Am a Monk at 7 p.m. on Wednesday; and The Emperor in August at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Persona Non Grata will be shown again at 9:15 p.m. Friday at the Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market and 7 p.m. Sunday at Bethesda Row Cinema. Movies are in Japanese with English subtitles.

Mar. 20-27 at the times listed above. Sunday’s screening is at the Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, with weeknight screenings at E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. Tickets are $13 online or cash at the door for the first showing and $11 for next weekend’s encores of Persona Non Grata.