This Saturday presents a confusing cultural conundrum. It is the day of the Kentucky Derby, the tradition-bound horse race that somehow also celebrates seersucker and mint juleps. Saturday is also Cinco De Mayo (no relation) a Mexican holiday that celebrates margaritas and sombreros. Many people who have zero affiliation with, or even understanding of, either culture or event will nevertheless be using it as an excuse to party. Who am I to stop them?
But what else is happening, you ask?
Tonight why don’t get your culture in early and head to the Folger to see the Bard’s tale of love and misogyny The Taming of the Shrew. Despite contemporary feminism’s discomfort with the neat and tidy ending, the play is hilarious and filled with great characters. Need to brush up your Shakespeare? The Folger has kindly posted a video of the actors sketching out the show’s basic plot outline. Shrew runs though June 10 and tickets can be purchased here.
Friday evening, The Alpha Dog Blues Band is throwing a concert/dance party over at the Corner Store. They play party music, like shuffles, boogies and ballads, Chicago blues, and mix with swing. Their covers range from Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, and Magic Sam to Hollywood Fats, Albert Collins, and Brian Setzer. Clearly you will need to leave the heels at home so you can mix it up on the dance floor. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
The St. Mark’s Players open The Secret Garden this weekend as well. The musical based on the children’s book of the same name features everything you would want in a British Children’s novel: orphaned main character, mysterious house, hunchback uncle and charming, fun loving commoners. It runs through June 19th and tickets are available here.
Saturday is a busy one so get some sleep Friday night. Start out the day helping beautify your neighborhood. The Friends of Kim Brenegar will be at Kim’s Garden at Independence and North Carolina Avenues, SE. They will be sprucing up and readying the garden from 10am to 2pm. From 9am-1 The Sherwood Neighborhood Volunteers will be planting and celebrating the one year anniversary of a big tree planting and opening up the large grassy area outside the recreation center once again. Lunch is being provided by The Argonaut and The Queen Vic.
Then head to the Eastern Market North Hall for some Zumba action. Cinco De Mayo Zumba on the Hill is from 1-3 and the instructors promise you will have fun and burn calories. Raffle prizes will be awarded too.
After burning all those calories at Zumba you will need to refuel and where better than the Curbside Cookoff “Trucko De Mayo”in RFK Stadium parking lot 3. From 11:30 -9pm 40 food trucks will be there serving their mobile delicacies. There will also be beer, live music and “activities.” As with all of these food truck extravaganzas, there will be crowds so wear your comfy shoes. The Maloof Skate Park, also in Lot 3, will also be finally opening to the public. A ribbon-cutting will take place between 2 and 3. To celebrate there will be a skating demo with Palace 5ive Skate Team and D.C.’s own Darren Harper, “ the official skateboarder of Washington, D.C.” I had no idea we had an official skateboarder!
For those more interested in horrific 20th century disasters, head to the Postal Museum for Family Day Fire and Ice: the Hindenburg and the Titanic. How is this relevant to the postal service, you ask? Well it turns out the Hindenburg was a flying post office. Again, who knew? Oh the humanity! The event is from noon to 3:30 with a curator led tour at 2.
For the true hard-core Cinco De Mayo partiers, head to the H Street Country Club where the celebrating begins at 11. There will be $3 Coronas, $5 Margaritas, $2 Tacos and cockfighting. Yep, you read that right: instead of the illegal, immoral and just plain weird activity, humans can don giant boxing gloves, a rooster luchador mask, and challenge a friend to a cock fight match. First “cock fighter” knocked out of the box is sent to the “loser’s lounge” (the bar) & the winner moves on. The cockfighting free and they will be collecting donations to benefit the Washington Humane Society. Oh the humanity!
Speaking of humanity, Sunday is the 2nd Annual Sunday Suppers Pie Contest event sponsored by Hands On Greater DC Cares and held at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. The contest is open to any Northeast DC neighbor interested in participating. Pies must be registered at the beginning of the event, tasted throughout and judged (and awarded prizes!) at the end. The categories are: Sweet, Savory, Presentation, People’s Choice, and Novelty.
There will be a discussion about access to healthy and affordable food, urban farming and more. Representatives from DC Central Kitchen’s Healthy Corners, DC Hunger Solutions and City Blossoms will be there to answer questions. Pies must be registered and present by 3 pm to be judged.
Have a great weekend everyone!