Plenty of Sun and Fun Fill This Weekend
This weekend’s forecast calls for partly sunny skies with highs around 91 degrees on Saturday and 84 degrees Sunday, so don’t forget your sunscreen if you will be attending any of the many outdoor events in the DMV.
With a full slate of activities in the DMV this weekend, Metro isn’t helping with a slew of construction and shutdowns this weekend. SafeTrack Surge 14 continues with the College Park and Greenbelt stations on the Green Line closed Saturday and College Park reopening Sunday. Trains will operate every 20 minutes between Branch Avenue and Prince George’s Plaza on Saturday and Branch Avenue and College Park on Sunday with buses replace trains the rest of the way. Farragut West, McPherson Square and Metro Center’s lower level will be closed with buses replacing trains on the Blue and Orange Lines between Foggy Bottom and Federal Triangle. Orange Line trains will operate every 20 minutes between Vienna and Foggy Bottom and every 15 minutes between Federal Triangle and New Carrollton. Blue Line trains will run every 20 minutes between Springfield and Foggy Bottom and every 15 mintues between Federal Triangle and Largo Town Center. Because of the closure, Silver Line trains will operate every 20 minutes between Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston ONLY. Following Thursdays stray current problems, Red Line trains will single track between Judiciary Square and Farragut North from 8 p.m.-closing on Friday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m.-2 hours before the start of the Washington Wizards game on Sunday. Red line trains will run every 24 minutes. Yellow Line trains will operate every 20 mintues between Huntington and Mount Vernon Square ONLY.
The Georgetown French Market is back Friday-Sunday. (Photo: Georgetown Business Improvement District)
The Georgetown French Market
For the 14th year, Georgetown’s Book Hill neighborhood turns into its own version of Paris throughout the weekend. The Georgetown French Market features more than 40 locally owned merchants, restaurants, galleries and salons participating in an open-air shopping frenzy. Expect discounted items and rare finds, as well as a photo booth, live music stages and much more on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be roaming street performers including jugglers, stilt walkers, face painters and acrobats.
April 28 and 29 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and April 30 from noon-5 p.m. along Wisconsin Avenue NW from O Street to Reservoir Road. Admission is FREE!.
Cerarmics like these from artist Cliff Lee will be on sale at the Smithsonian Craft Show Friday and Saturday. (Photo: Douglas Lee)
Smithsonian Craft Show
The annual Smithsonian Craft Show showcases some of the most impressive sculptural design and objects in the U.S. Talented ceramic, jewelry, metal and furniture crafters – some 120 artists in all – will show off their creativity in an expansive exhibition.
April 28 and 29 from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and April 30 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Tickets are $17 for one day or $30 for two days at the door.
Washington Antiquarian Book Fair
This year’s Washington Antiquarian Book Fair includes a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird signed by Harper Lee and the cast of the 1962 film. (Photo: Jeff Marks)
You can splurge or just stare at the 42nd annual Washington Antiquarian Book Fair This annual curated festival featurs rare books, manuscripts, maps and sought-after autographs. This year’s treats include a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird signed by Harper Lee and the cast of the 1962 film listed at $85,000. There are also White House Letters from Jackie Kennedy and first editions of Sylvia Plath poetry. But there are items appealing to those on a smaller budget as well, with more than 60 exhibitors on hand, including appraisers on Saturday to check out any dusty books you have been hanging on to. Friday features literary games to play and on Saturday there will be an appearance by Typewriter Rodeo — poets who use vintage typewriters to pound out custom poems for you in about three minutes.
April 28 from 4-8 p.m. and April 29 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at The Spinx Club, 1315 K St. NW. Tickets are $5-$15.
Filmfest D.C.
Lost in Paris closes this year’s Filmfest D.C. with screenings at 3:30 and 7 p.m. at the French Embassy on Sunday. (Photo: Oscilloscope)
The 31st annual Filmfest D.C. wraps up this weekend. The international film festival showcases more than 80 independent and foreign films from 45 countries. It features comedies, dramas, thrillers, shorts and documentaries. A new category this year, Division and Debate, addresses today’s current issues. This weekend’s highlights include Footnotes about a group of women who attempt to sever the French shoe factory from moving offshore at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Mazza Gallerie; The African Doctor about a small French village that hires a Congolese doctor who tries to integrate into the rural village at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Mazza Gallerie; two groups of short films at 3:30 and 6:15 p.m. Saturday at E Street Cinema; and the closing night film Lost in Paris, about Fiona, a small town librarian whose life is turned upside down when her 93-year-old Aunt Martha goes missing in Paris. It will show at 3:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday at the Embassy of France. Tickets are $25.
Through April 30 at various times at AMC Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, and Landmark’s E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. Individual screenings are $13 in advance or $14 at the door. Student tickets are $10 at the door only with student ID. A director’s package with 10 tickets for $100 and a weekday package with 4 tickets for $45 are also available online.
Macbeth
The Shakespeare Theatre Company performs a modern-day version of Macbeth through May 28. (Photo: Shakespeare Theatre Company)
One of Shakespeare’s most revered plays takes another turn at Sidney Harman Hall courtesy of Shakespeare Theatre Company. Macbeth is a harrowing tale of a country ripped apart by invasion and civil war, with the title character and his lady at the center of a series of murders. Director Liesl Tommy brings Broadway experience to this classic, allowing audiences to see Macbeth in a new light.
April 28 at 8 p.m., April 29 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and April 30 at 7:30 p.m. through May 28 at Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW. Tickets are $44-$118.
The D.C. Chocolate Festival features classes, speakers and, of course, chocolate tastings. (Photo: D.C. Chocolate Festival)
D.C. Chocolate Festival
The second annual D.C. Chocolate Festival is a chocolate lover’s dream. It brings together chocolate makers and chocolate enthusiasts for a day of tastings, educations workshops and keynote addresses. More than 30 chocolate vendors will display their wares.
April 29 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Road NW. Tickets are $30-$45.
People’s Climate March
The People’s Climate March will march down Pennsylvania Avenue, around the White House and to the Washington Monument.
(Photo: People’s Climate March)
Environmentalists will once again rally this weekend, this time for the People’s Climate March. The demonstration comes one week after the March for Science and Earth Day rally and on President Trump’s 100th day in office, but organizers say Saturday’s march will be more political and aimed at specific Trump administration policies. (Trump will be at a rally in Harrisburg, Pa.) Organizers are prepared for 50,000-100,000 people. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, Virgin Airlines founder Richard Branson and former vice president Al Gore are expected to attend.
April 29 with line-up beginning at 11 a.m. at Third and Jefferson Streets SW and the march begins at 12:30 p.m. from Sixth Street and Pennsylvania Ave. NW and proceed to the White House. From 3-5 p.m. on the Washington Monument grounds, there will be speakers, music and art. Admission is FREE!
The carousel at Glen Echo Park opens Saturday with Carousel Day. (Photo: Glen Echo Park)
Carousel Day
Have some old-fashioned fun at Carousel Day. The day-long event features family-friendly activities including live music, face painting, storytelling, crafts and, of course, rides on Glen Echo Park’s restored historic Dentzel carousel that opens for the weekend.
April 29 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Admission is FREE, but carousel rides are $1.25.
Draft Day Party
The Redskins host their annual Draft Day Festival on Saturday with new drafts, current players and more. (Photo: Andre R. Sturdivant)
Watch the fourth and fifth round draft picks for the Washington Redskins be announced live from FedEx Field during the Draft Day Party. Current players will be on hand along with alumni as well as the 2017 first rounds draft pick and other early round picks. Other activities include the debut of the 2017 cheerleaders who will sign autographs from noon-1 p.m. and perform at 2 p.m., a performance by the drumline, access to the locker room, photo opportunities with the Super Bowl trophies, discounts at the retails store. Concessions will be open and there will also be kid-friendly activities such as testing your passing and field goal kicking skills, “Dress Like a Redskins Player” and more.
April 29 starting from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at FedEx Field, 1600 FedEx Way, Landover. Admission is FREE, but pre-registration is required. Park in Lot A and enter through Gate H. Arena Drive will be closed.
Art Hop
Takoma’s Art Hop arts festival is this weekend.
(Photo: Main Street Takoma)
Back for its ninth year, the Art Hop is a weekend long-festival featuring live performances and a range of artwork including painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, jewelry, pottery, mosaic and more. Work by more than 70 artists will be shown and available to sale throughout Takoma and Takoma Park. There will also be live music at the gazebo and events such as a sock monkey-making workshop for kids, classes at Dance Exchange and more.
April 29 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and April 30 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. throughout Takoma and Takoma and at the gazebo, 7035 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park. Admission is FREE!
Adams Morgan Pinewood Grand Prix
Adams Morgan hosts its first Pinewood Grand Prix on Saturday. (Photo: Tom’s Workbench)
With speeds up to 8 mph, the first Adams Morgan Pinewood Grand Prix rolls into town this weekend. Custom built cars, crafted from a block of wood, four plastic wheels, four nails and a dream, will forego traditional combustion engines in favor of gravity. The race is open to all ages (though adults who win should probably give their trophies to a nearby child if it looks like they are taking the loss hard). Cars will be timed over the course of several heats to determine which is the fastest. Race categories will include best looking and one specifically for neighborhood businesses to compete against each other. Car kits are available at Adams Morgan Ace Hardware, Urban Dwell and The Brass Knob. Cars cannot be more than 2 1/4 -inches wide, 7-inches long or weight more than 5 ounces.
April 29 with registration at 10 a.m. and racing at noon at Kalorama Park, 1840 Columbia Road NW. Admission is FREE!
National Harbor Wine & Food Festival
The National Harbor Wine & Food Festival is this weekend.
(Photo: The Trigger Agency)
The National Harbor Wine & Food Festival returns for the 11th year along the banks of the Potomac River. This year’s festival will include more than 150 international wines, spirts and beers along with local and regional favorites. There will be a craft Bier Garden, cooking demonstrations from chefs Scott Drewno at 2 p.m., Victor Albisu of Del Campo and Taco Bamba at 3 p.m. and Seng Lunngrath of Thip Khao at 4 p.m. on Saturday and Majorie Meek-Bradley of Smoked & Stacked at 2 p.m. and Rock Harper at 3 p.m. on Sunday. There is also a wine store on-site if you find a wine you want to take home.
April 29 and 30 from 1-6 p.m. at National Harbor, 165 Waterfront St., Oxen Hill. General admission is $39 in advance or $45 at the gate and includes a souvenir wine glass, unlimited samples, cooking demos and entertainment. Two-day admission is $69 as is VIP admission, which is $80 at the gate, with all the above plus an hour early admission at noon, gift back and access to the VIP Pier.
Earth Day Plant Sale and Picnic
Picnic in the gardens to Tudor Place on Saturday.
(Photo: Tudor Place)
Enjoy a picnic on Tudor Place’s historic grounds before or after perusing a wide range of plants for sale at its annual Eatth Day Plant Sale and Picnic. This is the only time that the estate allows picnicking on its gorgeous property, so take advantage of the free opportunity. Enjoy the historic gardens and browse a range of heirloom and native sun to shade perennials to added to your own garden. Take your own food or purchase some from Arlington’s House of Steep on-site, which will have light refreshments, healthy food and a variety of plant-based treats. Plants for sale include perennials, as well as tropical and house plants. There will be a terrarium demonstration from 1-3 p.m.. Preregistration has closed, but there will be a limited number of registrations available on-site Saturday.
April 29 from noon-3 p.m. at Tudor Place, 1644 31st St. NW. Admission is FREE!
Taste of 8th
Try samples from restaurants along Barracks Row on Saturday. (Photo; Barracks Row Main Street)
More than 20 restaurants will serve appetizer-sized samples of the best-known or newest dishes at the Taste of 8th. Participating restaurants include Ambar, Banana Café, Betsy, The Brig, Capital Teas, Cava, Café Kimchi, Chat’s Liquor, DCanter, District Donut, EatBar, Las Placitas, Lavagna, Matchbox, Medium Rare, Nooshi, Springmill Bread, Souk, The Sweet Lobby, The Ugly Mug, Trattoria Alberto and Yes! Organic Market.
April 29 from 1-4 p.m. along Barracks Row, Eighth and G Streets SE. Tasting tickets are five for $20 in advance or $25 at the event.
Zombie Yoga
Perfect your corpse pose at Zombie Yoga in Congressional Cemetery on Sunday morning. (Photo: Congressional Cemetery)
Perfect your corpse pose at Zombie Yoga with Kelly Carnes, who will be leading an all-levels zombie-themed yoga class in honor of Walpspurgisnacht, the springtime “witches holiday” observed in Northern Europe that marks the halfway point to Halloween. Don’t forget your mat. Students are encouraged to wear costumes. Proceeds will go to the cemetery’s preservation fund.
April 30 from 11 a.m.-noon at Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE. Suggested donation is $10.
On-Going Events
Architecture of an Asylum: St. Elizabeths 1852-2017 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 15 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors, students and children.
Artomatic through May 6 from noon-10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon-midnight Fridays and Saturdays and noon-8 p.m. Sundays (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) on floors 3-9 at 1800 S. Bell St., Crystal City. Admission is FREE! Parking is also free after 4 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.
The First Lady of Song: Ella Fitzgerald at 100 from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through April 2, 2018 at the National Museum of American History, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
The Faces of Battle: Americans at War, 9/11 to Now from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Jan. 28, 2018 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Frédéric Bazille and the Birth of Impressionism from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through July 19 at the National Gallery of Art, Sixth and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE through July 9.
Fun Home at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday through May 13 at National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $48-$203.
In the Heights at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays through May 21 at GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW. Tickets are $60 for adults and $40 for seniors 65 and older, students and members of the military.
A Raisin in the Sun at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and noon Tuesdays and Wednesdays through May 7 at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. Tickets are $91-$111.
Smart People through May 21 at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, noon on Wednesdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. Tickets are $40-$91.
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.
