Kick Off March with a Parade or a Party
March is the month of partying. First we have Mardi Gras on Mar. 5 then comes St. Patrick’s Day on Mar. 17, but you can get a jump on the celebrations this weekend with a Mardi Gras celebration at The Wharf and the Ballyshaner’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Old Town, both on Saturday. And Sunday sees opening day of D.C. United’s 2019 season at Audi Field. But with a 90 percent chance of rain, you better take a raincoat.
It isn’t a good weekend to ride Metro, with work scheduled on every subway line. The Franconia-Springfield, Van Dorn Street, King Street-Old Town, Braddock Road, Huntington, and Eisenhower Avenue stations are all closed this weekend. Shuttle buses replace Blue Line trains between Franconia-Springfield and National Airport. Also, Blue Line trains single track between Smithsonian and Federal Center SW. Blue line trains run every 20 minutes between National Airport and Largo Town Center ONLY. Buses also replace trains between Huntington and National Airport with Yellow Line trains running every 20 minutes between National Airport and Mount Vernon Square ONLY. Red Line trains single track between Van Ness-UDC and Dupont Circle On Metro this weekend, Red Line trains single track between Van Ness-UDC and Dupont Circle. Trains will run every 8 minutes between Farragut North and Silver Spring from 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and every 16 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont. Orange Line trains single track between Smithsonian and Federal Center SW every 20 minutes. Silver Line trains operate every 20 minutes between Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston ONLY. Green Line trains single track between Navy Yard-Ballpark and Anacostia with trains running every 16 mintues.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Old Town Alexandria is a bit early with its St. Patrick’s Day Parade coming a couple weeks before the holiday, which might be for the best as no one is sick of green beer quite yet. The rain-or-shine event features more than 2,000 participants, from pipe-and-drum bands and Irish dancers to dog rescue groups and historical re-enactors. The event starts at Market Square with a Fun Dog Show of costumed pups to benefit the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (11 a.m.-noon).
Mar. 2 from 12:30-2 p.m. starting at King and Alfred Streets then south to King and Lee Streets turning east on Lee Street to the finish t Lee and Cameron Streets. Admission is FREE!
Section 14: The Other Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is known as a playground for the rich and wealthy. However, the area was once a desert outpost and home to Native Americans. Section 14: The Other Palm Springs, California focuses on the conflict that arose over a one-square-mile tract of the city’s downtown, which formed the heart of the reservation belonging to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. The exhibit shows how the area became a hotbed for issues like tribal sovereignty, economics, race and land zoning from the 1940s through the 1960s.
Mar. 1 through January from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily at the National Museum of the American Indian, Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
Queens of Egypt
Journey back 3,500 years with this new exhibit that marks the re-opening of the National Geographic Museum after its temporary closure to install the display. You will be immersed in the 18th and 19th dynasties of ancient Egypt and learn of the daily lives of queens such as Nefertari and Hatsheput. Queens of Egypt feature more than 300 artifacts, including statues, jewelry and sarcophagi, and offers a 3-D tour of a tomb in the Valley of Queens.
Mar. 1 through Sept. 2 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily at the National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, students and military, $10 for children 5-12 and children younger than 5 are FREE!
The REDress Project
In honor of Women’s History Month, the National Museum of the American Indian hosts this outdoor art installation The REDress Project from Jaime Black. Empty red dresses situated outside on the north side of the building will symbolize missing or murdered Indigenous women. Black’s work serves as an alarming reminder of the gendered and racialized violence frequently dealt with by Native women. On March 21, the artist will participate in Safety for Our Sisters: Ending Violence Against Native Women, a symposium that will feature harrowing stories and ignite important conversations about the issue at-hand.
Mar. 1-31 from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at the National Museum of the American Indian, Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
Atlas Intersections Festival
The Atlas Performing Arts Center’s 10th annual Atlas Intersections Festival, wraps up this weekend, combining theater, dance, poetry, music, film, writing, sculpture, photography and arts of all kinds from more than 100 local artists. See the finest creativity that D.C. can offer at one of the city’s most prestigious venues located in one of its most vibrant neighborhoods. Highlights include family fun days from 9 a.m.-noon this Saturday with entertainment by Mr. Skip and the Youth Summit. This weekend’s events include City a Peace with the GenOUT Youth Chorus at 5 p.m. Saturday; Flamenco y Más with flamenco dance, music and song at 8:30 p.m. Saturday; and a concert by Not What You Think at 5:15 p.m. Sunday. See the full schedule online.
Mar. 1-3 at various times at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Tickets range from free-$35 with most priced at $12.
D.C. Independent Film Festival
The D.C. Independent Film Festival (DCIFF) is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, continuing to showcase independent films in multiple genres while hosting seminars and workshops as well. This year’s schedule highlights Australian director Phillip Noyce, who is holding a master class on Saturday. Three of his films will screen throughout opening weekend; screenings will also include discussions with Noyce.
Mar. 1-10 at various times at The Miracle Theater, 535 Eighth St. SE; the Carnegie Institution for Science, 1530 P St.NW; the Australian Embassy, 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW; and the Human Right Campaign, 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Tickets are $9-$16.
JQA
As a congressman, diplomat and one-term president, John Quincy Adams was arrogant – but also known for his passion, eloquence and integrity. This Aaron Posner play imagines JQA in confrontation with a range of iconic figures in American history, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and his own father, John Adams. This challenging and provocative work takes a truly unique look at America’s history, government and people.
Mar. 1-Apr. 14 at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (except. Mar. 2) and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. Tickets are $92-$115.
The Sleeping Beauty
The Washington Ballet takes on a classic fairy tale inside the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater. This quintessential ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, weaves the story of Princess Aurora, her handsome prince and the evil, scheming Carabosse. A magical kiss is at the center of an intense battle between good and evil. Featuring the music of Tchaikovsky and breathtaking choreography, this staging is a highlight of the late-winter theater slate.
Through May 3 at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 7 p.m. Sunday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $25-$160.
Cyrano de Bergerac
Vato Tsikurishvili directs this irresistibly droll and poignant production of Cyrano de Bergerac, which uses Nathan Weinberger’s adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s play. The latest in Synetic’s series of wordless adaptations of literary classics, the show frolics in jewel tones, with movement, dance, ingenious prop use and piquant stage business teasing out the story.
Through Mar. 10 at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Theater at Crystal City, 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington. Tickets are $15-$50.
Mardi Gras
If you can’t make it down to the Big Easy, head toward the Southwest Waterfront to get your fill of costumes, floats and live music for the D.C. edition of Fat Tuesday. The Mardi Gras parade down Wharf Street starts at 3 p.m. with entertainers including stilt walkers, Batala and the Eastern High School Marching Band. The Baltimore-based roots ensemble Junkyard Saints will perform at a dance party on District Pier. Throughout the day, various businesses on the strip will get in on the festivities such as Tiki TNT, which will be serving special Mardi Gras-themed menu offerings. The day is capped off with a fireworks display around 5:45 p.m.
Mar. 2 from 2-6 p.m. at The Wharf, 1100 Maine Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
D.C. United Home Opener
The last time D.C. United fans visited their shiny new stadium, they were giddy: English soccer star Wayne Rooney was making headlines for all the right reasons as last-place United went on a 10-game winning streak to grab home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Despite a heartbreaking penalty shootout elimination, though, fans are dreaming big in 2019. Rooney arrived midway through the season, just weeks before Audi Field opened. What could a full season of both be like, especially with key midfielder Luciano Acosta staying at Buzzard Point? The team gets a tough test on opening night, facing MLS Cup champions Atlanta United. Get to the stadium early for rooftop beers and to soak up the atmosphere.
Mar. 3 at 6 p.m. at Audi Field, 100 Potomac Ave. SW. Tickets are $39-$275.
Ongoing events
EXTENDED! Admissions at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 7 p.m. Sunday through Mar. 17 at Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. Tickets are $20-$111.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 7 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday through Mar. 10 at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Tickets are $40-$114.
LAST CHANCE! Alexander Hamilton: Soldier, Secretary, Icon from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Mar. 3 at the National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Admission is FREE!
The American Revolution: A World War from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through July 9 at the National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Ambreen Butt — Mark My Words from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday through Apr. 14 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65 and older and students older than 18, and youth 18 and younger are FREE!
Americans from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through 2022 at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
Baseball Americana from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday through June at the Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE. Admission is FREE!
Between Worlds: The Art of Bill Traylor from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Mar. 17 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Big Apple Circus at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, noon and 4 p.m. Sunday through Mar. 24 at National Harbor, 165 Waterfront St., Oxen Hill. Tickets are $20-$95.
Black Out: Silhouettes Then and Now from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. through Mar. 10 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Celebrating New American Gardens from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Oct. 15 at the U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Daguerreotypes: Five Decades of Collecting from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through June 2 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Dawoud Bey: The Birmingham Project from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Mar. 17 at the National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Disrupting Craft from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through May 5 at the Renwick Gallery, 1661 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice across Asia from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Nov. 29, 2020 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Everything in Existence from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday through Monday and 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday (over 21 after 5 p.m.) through Mar. 10 at Artechouse, 1238 Maryland Ave. SW. Tickets are $8-$15 online or $10-$20 at the door.
Evicted from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through May 19 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Admission is FREE!
Eye to I: Self-Portraits from 1900 to Today from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Aug. 18 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
First Chefs: Fame and Foodways from Britain to the Americas from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday through Mar. 31 at the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE. Admission is FREE!
Flickering Treasures from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 14 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors ages 60 and older, youth ages 3-17 and students. Children 2 and younger are FREE!
Game Change: Elephants from Prey to Preservation from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Feb. 1, 2020, at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
A Glimpse of Ancient Yemen from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Aug. 18 at the Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Good as Gold: Fashioning Senegalese Women from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Sept. 29 at the National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
The Heiress at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday through Mar. 10, and noon on Mar. 6 at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. Tickets are $40-$95.
Huckleberry Finn’s Big River at 7 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday; and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday through Mar. 10 at Adventure Theatre, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo in Glen Echo Park. Tickets are $20.
It’s Hip to Be Square: The Mint Family from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Nov. 31 at the U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Nature’s Best Photography from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through September at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Nell Gwynn at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday through Thursday through Mar. 10 at the Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol St. SE. Tickets are $42-$79.
Once at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Mar. 10 at Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney. Tickets are $54-$89.
One Year: 1968, An America Odyssey from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. through May 19 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Orchids: Amazing Adaptations from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Apr. 29 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery’s Kogod Courtyard, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Outbreak from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through 2021 at the National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Perfume & Seduction from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday through June 9 at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for college students, $5 for children 6-18 and children younger than 6 are FREE!
Playball and the National Pastime from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday through Apr. 30 at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, Building 76, 736 Sicard St. SE. Admission is FREE!
Portraits of the World: Korea from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Nov. 17 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Postmen of the Skies: Celebrating 100 Years of Airmail Service from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through May 27 at the National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Admission is FREE!
Rafael Lozano-Hemmer: Pulse from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Apr. 28 at the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street & Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
Recent Acquisitions from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Nov. 3 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Represent: Hip-Hop Photography from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through May 5 at the National Museum of African American History & Culture, 1400 Constitution Ave. NW. Admission is FREE. Timed tickets are required on weekends and for groups of 10 or more.
A Revolution in Arms: Weapons in the War for Independence from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon-4 p.m. on Sunday through Mar. 24 at Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Richard the Third at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 7 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday through Mar. 10 at The Shakespeare Theatre Co.’s Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW. Tickets are $44-$118.
Sea Monsters Unearthed, Life in Angola’s Ancient Seas from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through 2020 at the National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
LAST CHANCE! Secret Cities from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Mar. 3 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors 60 or older, students with ID and children 3-17. Children younger than 3 are FREE!
Shaping Clay in Ancient Iran from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through September at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Subodh Gupta: Terminal from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through 2020 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Superheroes from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through Sept. 2 at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Watching Oprah: The Oprah Winfrey Show and American Culture from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through June at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Ave. NW. Admission is FREE, but timed passes are required.
Welcome to the New World from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Spring 2019 at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for seniors 65 years and older, $14.95 for youth from 7-18 at the door with a 15 percent discount when purchased online. Children 6 and younger are FREE!
What Absence Is Made Of from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through the summer of 2019 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
Zilia Sánchez: Soy Isla (I Am an Island) from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday and noon-6:30 p.m. Sunday through May 9 at the Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens 62 and older, and children 18 and younger are FREE!
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.