Treat Your Mom to Some Weekend Fun
Happy Mother’s Day weekend! If you haven’t gotten your mom a gift already, there are plenty of things to do this weekend along with opportunities to shop for her. If you are taking her somewhere, you may want to do it on Saturday, which is supposed to be partly cloudy and 93 degrees. Sunday looks worse of any outdoor activities with the forecast calling for highs about 79 degrees with a 60 percent of scattered thunderstorms.
Red Line riders beware! The Cleveland Park and Woodley Park/National Zoo stations will be closed this weekend. Shuttle buses will replace trains between Van Ness-UDC and Dupont Circle. Trains will run between Shady Grove and Van Ness and Dupont Circle and Glenmont every 10 minutes until 9 p.m. and every 15 minutes thereafter and close 25 minutes early. Orange and Blue Line trains will single track between Eastern Market and Stadium-Armory every 24 minutes. Silver Line trains will operate every 24 minutes between Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston ONLY. Yellow Lines, for no apparent reason, will run every 15 minutes between Huntington and Mount Vernon Square ONLY. And Green Line trains will single track between Fort Totten and Prince George’s Plaza every 15 minutes.
European Union Open House
Travel to Europe without leaving the District during the annual European Union Open House. All 28 European Union member states, including Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Ireland and many more participate in this citywide open house. Take advance of this chance to experience authentic culture, traditions, food, dance, film and art from a host of nations from the Old continent with the jet lag. If you have ever attended before, you know the lines and waits are long, so you’ll only be able to visit five embassies at most. Download the brochure to plan your visits in advance and arrive early. You can also download the phone app for your iPhone or Android for live updates on wait times. Make sure to take a government-issued ID.
May 12 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at all 28 European Union member embassies in Dupont and Upper Northwest. Admission is FREE!
In the Library: The Richter Archive at 75
Learn the history and development of the National Gallery of Art’s photographic archives with In the Library: The Richer Archive at 75, a special exhibit in the museum’s library atrium. The George M. Richter Archive of Illustrations on Art arrived at the Gallery in 1943, containing 60,000 photographs that helped form the department of image collections, which is now the largest collection of images of art and architecture in the world with more than 15 million images.
Through Aug. 24 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and closed weekends at the National Gallery of Art, Sixth and Constitution Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Artes de Cuba: From the Island to the World
Cuban arts will be celebrated across two weeks at the Kennedy Center during Artes de Cuba: From the Island to the World. The festival showcases the diversity and range of Cuban and Cuban-American art and artists at more than 50 events. The collection of cultures represented in Cuba, from African to European to Caribbean, will be on full display. The event includes musical performances, films, theater, visual art exhibits and much more. In addition to ticketed events, there are free art exhibits through the Kennedy Center and 12 free performances on the Millennium Stage including music, dance and a fashion show.
Through May 20 at various times at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are free-$129 with most in the $10-$25 range.
Black Out: Silhouettes Then and Now
Sharpen your understanding of an understudied art form, from its historical significance to its modern-day application, at the new Black Out: Silhouettes Then and Now. Cut paper profiles, known as silhouettes, rose to prominence as a form of portraiture in the 19th century. The exhibition focuses on fascinating pieces from that era, such as those by Auguste Edouart, who captured the likenesses of such notable figures as John Quincy Adams and Lydia Marie Child, as well as contemporary interpretations of the form from Kara Walker, who makes panoramic silhouettes of plantation life and African American history; Canadian Kristi Malakoff, who cuts paper to make life-size sculptures depicting a children’s Maypole dance; and Kumi Yamashita, who “sculpts” light and shadow with objects to creat mixed-media profiles of people who are not there, among others.
May 11-Mar. 10 from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Capitals Viewing Party
The Washington Capitals finally broke their curse and made it to the Eastern Conference finals. Although the Caps face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Tampa, you can almost be there. The Caps are throwing a Viewing Party at Rosslyn’s Gateway Park with a 40-food projection screen and appearance by Slapshot and the Red Rockers. Fans can bring their own food, picnic blankets and low chairs, but alcohol is prohibited. Eastbound Lee Highway will be closed between N. Fort Myer drive and Lynn Street for the events, so Metro is your best bet to get there. The Rossyln station is two blocks away.
May 11 from 7 p.m.-end of the game with the game starting at 8 p.m. at Gateway Park, 1300 Lee Highway, Arlington. Admission is FREE!
Union Market Drive-In
Temperatures are warming up in the DMV and that mean’s it is time for outdoor movies under the stars again. While Many don’t kick off until June, the Union Market Drive-In opens this Friday with a screening of Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark starring Harrison Ford projected on the building façade, while the D.C. Rollergirls whiz around the parking lot on skates brining food and drinks to car. Some vendors, like Bidwell and Buffalo and Bergen, will be open inside as well. Admission is free for walk-ups or bike riders or $10 per carload to park in the markets parking lot. Check out the rest of the schedule along with others in our Outdoor Movie Guide.
May 11 starting at 8:30 p.m. at Union Market, 1309 Fifth St. NE. Gates open at 6 p.m. and at 8:15 p.m. Admission is FREE! Parking is $10 online or at the gate while spaces are available.
Georgetown Garden Tour
Now in its 90th year the annual Georgetown Garden Tour takes you through the eight enchanted hidden gardens, featuring formal oval lawns, poolside terraces and rows of roses. For the first time, the tour includes the home where Jackie and John F. Kenndy lived just before his inauguration in 1961. Five of the gardens are available in the book Gardens of Georgetown, which will be available for sale. Refreshments including baked good and cold beverages from 2-4 p.m. at Christ Church are included.
May 12 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. starting at Christ Church, 3115 O St. NW. Tickets are $40 online or at the door. Children younger than 15 are FREE!
Day of the Dog
Congressional Cemetery is one of the most dog-friendly spaces in D.C. – so much so that there is a years-long waitlist to join its K9 Corps of dogwalkers who enjoy its expansive grounds. But humans and canines don’t have to be members to enjoy the cemetery’s annual Day of the Dog, where activities include a “Wiener Waddle” race for dachshunds, one-hour yoga sessions with adoptable puppies and guided tours. Tapas Truck and the Big Cheese food trucks will be on hand if you get hungry, and D.C. Brau and Port City Brewing will be serving beer along with Modelo and Pacifico.
May 12 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE. Admission is FREE, but yoga is $25.
Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
If you haven’t bought a Mother’s Day gift yet, the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival features 130 artists selling their contemporary fine art and fine craft, jewelry and furniture. There is also live music on Del Rey Avenue featuring rock, jazz, reggae and more from Katie Hargrove, Rochelle Rice, Brent & Co. and The Moxie Blues Band on Saturday and Sara Jones, Sweetnova and L Unica on Sunday. There will also be children’s activities both days with a face painting station on Auburn Avenue from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Food vendors, including Bethesda Curry Kitchen, Haagen-Dazs, Mamma Lucia, Momo Chicken & Grill, Smoke BBQ and Tyber Bierhaus, will be on restaurant row next to the stage on Norfolk Avenue.
May 12 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and May 13 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle along Del Rey, Auburn and Norfolk Avenues in Bethesda. Admission is FREE!
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Family Day
Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with an afternoon of family fun in the Kogod Courtyard, including art-and-crafts, such as making a parol lantern from the Philippines or a rubbing inspired by Korean artist Do Ho Suh’s work, which is currently on display. There will also be music and dance performances, and a scavenger hunt looking for Asian American and Pacific Islander artists in the museum’s galleries.
May 12 from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Washington Jewish Film Festival
The 28th Washington Jewish Film Festival wraps up this weekend showing films from around the world. Over its 11 days, Jewish history, culture and experiences are celebrated with more than 80 screenings, many of which are regional, U.S. or world premieres. This year’s themes include Arab citizens of Israel, trailblazing women and LGBTQ films. There will also be discussions with filmmakers and experts after screenings. This year’s closing night film is The Invisibles at 7 p.m. About 7,000 Jews were hiding in Berlin after it was declared “free of Jews.” The movie tells the story of four survivors. Tickets are sold out, but a “rush” line will offer tickets as they become available. Check out the full film roster to plan your movie-going experience.
Through May 13 at various times at the Edlavitch D.C. JCC, 1529 16th St. NW; the AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring; Bethesda Row Cinema, 7235 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda; and E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. Regular tickets are $13.50 in advance and $15 at the door, while “spotlight” screenings with parties or other events Q&As are $23 in advance and $25 at the door. Closing night is $35 at the door only. Note that screenings before 6:15 p.m. on Saturdays are advance sales only due to Shabbat and tickets are not available at the door.
Funk Parade
In honor of U Street’s diverse cultural history, people from all over come together to celebrate the spirit of funk at the one-of-a-kind fifth annual Funk Parade at 5 p.m. from the Howard Theatre to the Lincoln Theatre along T Street to a right on Vermont Avenue then a left on U Street. There is also a street fair from 1-7 p.m. at nine locations around the neighborhood and music festival from 7 p.m.-midnight at 22 area bars and restaurants. Watch the streets come to life with live musical performances and entertainment from a variety of vibrant dancers, marching bands and visual artists. Get an education on go-go music, made famous by D.C.’s own Chuck Brown, and then groove to Latin hip-hop, funk brass and frenetic DJ sets, among many activations. Performers include Aztec Sun, Black Masala, Batala Washington, the Malcom X Drummers and Dancers, Eastern High School Marching Band and more. There will be plenty of opportunities to fuel up from street-side food and drink vendors, so you can funk out all day and night long.
May 12 from 1 p.m.-midnight in the U Street NW neighborhood. Wristbands (good at all venues) for the music fest is $10. Admission to the street festival and parade are FREE!
Saint Joan
Saint Joan is George Bernard Shaw’s powerful telling of the story of Joan of Arc. Acclaimed company Bedlam handles the production, which depicts Joan’s incredible life in detail, from her days as a naïve farm girl to her defeat of the English at Orléans to her trial and eventual burning at the stake, all by the age of 19. Four actors will take on more than 25 roles in this production.
May 12-June 10 at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday through Thursday and May 14 at the Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol St. SE. Tickets are $35-$79.
Movies on the Potomac
Finish off Mother’s Day with an outdoor movie for the whole family at National Harbor’s Movies on the Potomac. This week’s family film is Despicable Me 3, which will be shown on the Plaza’s big screen. Pack your blankets and chairs and pack a picnic or grab food to go from one of the many restaurants there. Sunday night family-friendly movies are every Sunday night through Sept. 30. Check out the full slate, as well as other area outdoor movies in our Outdoor Movie Guide.
May 13 starting at 6 p.m. at the National Harbor Plaza across from Peeps & Company, 150 National Plaza, Oxen Hill. Admission is FREE!
Ongoing Events
1968: Civil Rights at 50 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 2 at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Admission is $21.21 for adults, $16.96 for seniors 65 and older, and $12.71 for children ages 7-18 in advance or $24.95, $19.95 and $14.95, respectively, at the door.
Alexander Hamilton’s American Revolution from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday through Sept. 16 at Anderson House, 2119 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Admission is 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!
The Artistic Table from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday through June 10 at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for college students, $5 for children 6-18 and free for children younger than 6. Adults and seniors get $3 off weekdays and $1 on weekend if purchased online.
The Barber of Seville at 7:30 p.m. May 11 and 17, 7 p.m. May 19 and 2 p.m. on May 13 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $45-$150.
Beautiful Blooms: Flowering Plants on Stamps from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through July 14 at the National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Admission is FREE!
Botanical Art Worldwide: America’s Flora from 10 a.m-5 p.m. daily through Oct. 15 at the U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
LAST CHANCE! Brand New: Art and Commodity in the 1980s from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through May 13 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Independence Avenue and Seventh Street SW. Admission is FREE!
Candide at 7 p.m. on May 12, 14 and 26, 7:30 p.m. on May 18, 22 and 24, and noon on May 20 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $45-$275.
Cézanne Portraits from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through July 1 at the National Gallery of Art, Sixth and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Community Policing in the Nation’s Capital 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 60 and older, students with valid ID and youth ages 3-17 Children are FREE!
Diane Arbus: A Box of Ten Photographs from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Jan. 21 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Do Ho Suh: Almost Home from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. through Aug 5 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Drawn to Purpose: American Women Illustrators and Cartoonists from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Oct. 20 at the Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE. 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!
Evicted from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through May 19, 2019 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Admission is FREE!
Fridays at the Fountain from 5-9 p.m. Fridays through Oct. 19 at the Crystal City Water Park, 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington. Admission is FREE!
Girlfriend 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 June 10 at Signature Theatre Company, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. https://tickets.sigtheatre.org/syos/performance/7658 Tickets are $40-$98.
Heavenly Earth: Images of Saint Francis at La Verna from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through July 8 at the National Gallery of Art, Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Hung Liu in Print from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday through July 8 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65 and older or students and free for children 18 and younger.
Making Room: Housing for a Changing American from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Sept. 16 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for seniors 60 or older, students, and children ages 3-17.
The Marines and Tet: The Battle That Changed the Vietnam War from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through July 8 at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Admission is $21.21 for adults, $16.96 for seniors 65 and older, and $12.71 for children ages 7-18 in advance or $24.95, $19.95 and $14.95, respectively, at the door.
Mark Bradford: Pickett’s Charge from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Nov. 12 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
LAST CHANCE! Michel Sittow: Estonian Painter at the Courts of Renaissance Europe from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays through May 13 at the National Gallery of Art, Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Mural from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and 11 a.m-6 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 28 at the National Gallery of Art East Building, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 21 at the Renwick Gallery, Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW. Admission is FREE!
LAST CHANCE! Outliers and American Vanguard Art from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays through May 13 at the National Gallery of Art, Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Pictures of the Year: 75 Years of the World’s Best Photography from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 20 at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for seniors 65 and older, $14.95 for your 7-18 and free for children 6 and younger.
Portraits of the World: Switzerland from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Nov. 12 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, 2019 at the National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Admission is FREE!
The Prince and the Shah: Royal Portraits from Qajar Iran from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Aug. 5 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Recent Acquisitions from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Nov. 4 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Remembering Vietnam from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 6, at the National Archives, 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Sally Mann: A Thousand Crossings from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through May 28 at the National Gallery of Art, Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!!
Secret Cities from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through March 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!
Secrets of the Lacquer Buddha from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through June 10 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Sharing Images: Renaissance Prints Into Maiolica and Bronze from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Aug. 5 at the National Gallery of Art, Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Snow Child at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday through May 20 at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW. Tickets are $41-$120.
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!
The Sweat of Their Face: Portraying American Workers from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Sept. 3 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
To Dye For: Ikats from Central Asia from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through July 29 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Tomb of Christ from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Aug. 15 at the National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors/students/military and $10 for children 5-12.
Tony Lewis: Anthology 2014-2016 from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through May 28 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Independence Avenue and Seventh Street SW. Admission is FREE!
UnSeen: Our Past in a New Light, Ken Gonzales-Day and Titus Kaphar from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Jan. 6 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Vietgone at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through May 20 at Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. Tickets are $20-$76.
Waiting for Godot at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday through May 20 at Lansburgh Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW. Tickets are $38-$118.
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!
LAST CHANCE! The Wiz at 7:30 p.m. most nights with noon matinees on Friday and 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday through May 12 at Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW. Tickets are $27-$71.
Women House from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday through May 28 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 and free for children 18 and younger.
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.