Auto Show Races Into Town This Weekend
The Washington Auto Show is back in town for a 10-day run. Check out the new makes and models or even take one for a test drive. It is also Lunar New Year and the Smithsonian American Art Museum is celebrating on Saturday. If you are really brave, you can take the Polar Bear Plunge at National Harbor on Saturday.
The Foggy Bottom and Farragut West Metro stations are closed this weekend with buses replacing trains between McPherson Square and Rosslyn. Orange Line trains will run every 15 minutes between Vienna and Rosslyn and McPherson Square and New Carrollton. Blue Line trains will run every 15 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Rosslyn and between McPherson Square and Largo Town Center. Riders should add 12-15 minutes of travel time for each closed station stop. Silver Line trains will operate every 15 minutes between Wiehle-Reston East and Rosslyn ONLY. Red Line trains will single track between Medical Center and Grosvenor. Trains will run every 18 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmon with trains operating every 9-10 minutes between Farragut North and Silver Spring from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. From 8 p.m.-closing on Friday and Saturday, Yellow and Green Line trains will single track between Mount Vernon Square and U Street with trains running on a regular schedule..
Washington Auto Show
One of the nation’s largest auto shows calls D.C. home, and the 2017 edition will be quite the spectacle. Car lovers will be dazzled by over 600 new makes and models from more than 35 manufacturers at this year’s Washington Auto Show. Local sports stars and mascots will be on hand, to go along with a fascinating Art-of-Motion exhibition, VIP tours led by leading automotive writers and chances to Ride ‘N Drive vehicles at the show including the new Bolt EV, which will debut in showroom in the DMV in February..
Jan. 27 from noon-10 p.m., Jan. 28 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Jan 29 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children 6-12 years old. Daily VIP tours are available for $40.
Spy Fest
Espionage skills will be put to the test at Spy Fest: A Kidspy Family Festival!, a special family festival at the International Spy Museum. Find out if you and yours have the savvy to beat a lie-detector or the ability to defeat a ninja, with these attributes challenged through a series of tradecraft demos and spy skill exams including “Speaking in Code.” KidSpy agents and their handlers will get an insider’s peek into the shadow world of spying.
Jan. 27 from 6-9 p.m. at the International Spy Museum, 800 F St. NW. Tickets are $14.
The Lillian Hellman Festival
Arena Stage’s annual Lillian Hellman Festival honors the iconic writer and activist, and focuses on her great accomplishments. Events include readings of some of Hellman’s most vital works, in-depth panel discussions of the activist’s career and a screening of the film Julia, based on Hellman’s Pentimento: A Book of Portraits starring Jane Fonda as Hellman and Vanessa Redgrave as Lillian at 8 p.m. Friday; Howard University’s Department of Theater Arts reading of The Children’s Hour at 8 p.m. Saturday; and the panel discussion Beyond Gender: Inspiring Generations of Female Writers at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Jan. 27-29 at various times at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. Admission is FREE, but reservations are required.
Polar Bear Plunge
The annual “Keep Winter Cold” Polar Bear Plunge is the Chesapeake Climate Action Network’s priority fundraising event, powering victories to move our region off of fossil fuels and to clean energy solutions. Each year, activists, friends, and families show their commitment to fight climate change by jumping into the icy Potomac River.
Jan. 28 with check-in at 10 a.m. and the plunge at 11 a.m. National Plaza in National Harbor, Participants must raise at least $350, but it is free to watch.
Chinese New Year Festival
The Smithsonian rings in the Year of the Rooster with a Chinese New Year Festival at the American Art Museum. In addition to traditional Chinese music being performed throughout the afternoon, there will be calligraphy demonstrations, an art scavenger hunt, paper lantern making, mask coloring, New Year card making and other crafts related to the rooster. There also will be dancing from Johns Hopkins University’s Yong Han Lion Dance Troupe from 11:30 a.m.-noon, a lion parade from noon-12:15 p.m., the Beijing Chinese Orchestra from 12:15-12:40 p.m., the Beijing Acrobatic Troupe out of China from 12:50-1:20 p.m. and 2:15-2:45 p.m. and Peking opera performed by the Beijing Opera Art’s College from 1:30-2 p.m.
Jan. 29 from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the American Art Museum’s Kogod Courtyard, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Sips & Suppers
Now in its ninth year, Sips & Suppers is a two-evening event that brings some of the country’s best chefs and mixologists together to support D.C. Central Kitchen and Martha’s Table. First up is Sips, a cocktail reception that gathers culinary experts including Joan Nathan and Alice Waters to share signature dishes and drinks at the Newseum. The next day, Suppers features 63 chefs working in pairs to host intimate dinners all over the DMV that include delicious food and wine and discussions about health and maintaining a sustainable environment.
Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. and Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. in more than 35 homes through the DMV. Admission is $250 for VIP Sips tickets, $150 for Sips general admission, $600 for Supper tickets and $675 for a combo ticket.
Destination Winter Bridal Showcase
Experience live music, talk with award winning professionals in the areas of floral design, cake design travel, event planning and more during Alexandria’s Destination Winter Bridal Showcase. Gather ideas taste free samples, fill your gift bag and enter to win many prizes.
Jan. 29 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Carlyle Club, 2050 Ballenger Ave., Alexandria. Tickets are FREE!
D.C. Record Fair
The D.C. Record Fair returns this weekend, with 43 East Coast dealers — including a number from the District — stacking crates loaded with vinyl. Start digging and filling gaps in your collection, or just enjoy the scene, which will include DJs spinning tunes and drinks, naturally.
Jan. 29 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Penn Social, 801 E St. NW. Admission is $5 before noon and $2 from noon-5 p.m.
Metropolitan Washington Winter Restaurant Week
The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington curates two Restaurant Week promotions per year, and you’re in luck: one is right around the corner. More than 250 area restaurants will participate, offering up multiple-course and prix fixe meals for $22 at lunch and brunch and $35 for dinner.
Jan. 30-Feb. 5 for lunch and dinner at various restaurants in the DMV. Lunch is $22 and dinner is $35.
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.