Tonight actress Marcia Gay Harden discusses her memoir at Solid State Books on H Street
This weekend we can choose to observe a few holidays or non-holidays depending on your POV. Friday is a day to observe a silly yet harmless Star Wars pun on social media. If you don’t know what I am talking about, I am jealous. Saturday is NOT Mexico’s Independence day but a celebration of Mexican forces beating Napoleon’s army. Good on them. Also, my last name is Italian but I always enjoy seeing it everywhere this time of year. You can also dress up and drink minty gin while watching large domestic animals run in circles.
Humans are so weird.
Tonight, catch the remount of Hooded, or Being Black for Dummies by Mosaic Theater Company at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm’s play is a comedic and irreverent take on growing up black in America. Tickets are $20 – $35. The show runs through June 3rd. Get your tickets here.
Actress Marcia Gay Harden will discuss her memoir The Seasons of My Mother: a Memoir of Love, Family, and Flowers at the Solid State Books pop up at the Apollo on H Street. Harden uses the imagery of flowers and Ikebana to depict the bond she has had with her mother—and how, together, they are facing her mother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Tickets are $10-$30 and can be purchased here.
Friday morning, take the littles to the Atlas for another production for tiny tots in the Theatre for the Very Young series. Outside the Lines by Art on the Horizon is a non-verbal piece about two pen pals who switch places and have adventures. These performances are sweet and easy ways to engage small children in live performance. This show is best for ages 2-5. Tickets are $12 and everyone over the age of 1 will need one. The show runs through Sunday May 6. Buy your tickets here.
Gallery O/H invites everyone to attend the opening reception for the current exhibit by artist Joanathan Bessaci Ribaillier. The French-born artist creates portraits using vintage Michelin maps. The reception begins at 7 p.m.
Dock 5 at Union Market will be turned into Australia’s Bondi Beach for the evening at 2018 Contemporaries Bash: Bondi Beach sponsored by The Philips Collection and the Embassy of Australia. Enjoy the Aussie surfer vibe while enjoy drinks and nibbles celebrating all that the Land Down Under offers. Black tie optional. Tickets are $125 for Philips members and $175 for non-members. Learn more here.
Saturday, POW! WOW! DC kicks off ten days of art and creativity with a party at WunderGarten from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and live painting activities across the street at the lot at First and Pierce streets NE. Bring your bike for a tour of the 2018 mural sites at 3 p.m. This is a kid-friendly event: all are welcome. Learn more about the festival here.
The Wharf holds the annual Running of the Chihuahuas at 1 p.m. as part of its Cinco De Mayo festival. All are welcome to enjoy cold beverages and watch tiny dogs run.
Whiskey Charlie celebrates all the things with drink mash ups celebrating both Cinco De Mayo and the Derby with a special menu inspired by Victor Espinoza, the Mexican-born jockey who won back-to-back Kentucky Derbies in 2014 & 2015. If you haven’t been the bar is on top of the Canopy Hotel at the Wharf and the view alone is worth a visit. Not sure if the chihuahuas will be visible from the bar.
The Goethe Institute presents Dictionary of Marx. This is a one-time-only multimedia experience based on the work of the German economic philosopher Karl Marx at the Logan Fringe Arts Space on Florida Avenue. The old communist turns 200 this year and a dozen local artists have created works such as poetry, theatre, music, film and happenings to mark the occasion. Tickets are $10 and the performance begins at 6 p.m.
Monday evening, come to the Northeast Library for another Village Voices lecture sponsored by the Capitol Hill Village. Former United States Ambassador to Haiti Timothy M. Carney will speak about the current political and economic situation in Haiti now and discuss how the nation is facing current challenges. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. and is free.