It’s another weekend or weekend-feeling pair of days. What shall we do?
On Monday, January 17, we observe Martin Luther King, Jr. day and the District government has organized an array of events to mark this yearly day of service. From a peace walk to several volunteer opportunities this weekend, you can observe the Civil Rights leader’s birthday appropriately. Click here to browse and sign up.
Looking for something the kids can do to observe what would have been Dr. King’s 93rd birthday? How about having them enter the DC Public Library‘s “I Have a Dream” poetry and essay contest? The contest is hosted by the Petworth branch, but you can enter via email through January 20. For more information and details, click here.
Are you a member of the Capitol Hill Art League? CHAL welcomes artists of all kinds to join and to have a chance to participate in several exhibits throughout the year. Currently, work is being accepted for Twists and Turns, a show juried by local artist Will Fleishell. Learn more about CHAL here and submit your work here. In the meantime, take a look at their latest juried show here.
Have you ever been curious about how the Senate and House office buildings came about, who they are named after, or, ahem, what kinds of buildings they displaced? The Capitol Conversations taking place tomorrow, January 14, at 1 p.m., is for you. Click here to connect directly via Zoomgov.
Wondering how maple sugaring works? The United States Botanic Garden has a lecture all about the art of getting sugary gold out of trees tomorrow, January 14 at noon. Click here to register and for more information.
DC knows how to brunch, and arguably there is no better way to brunch than with a drag show. Crazy Aunt Helen’s has a Disco Funk Brunch almost every Sunday and all you need is to make sure you make reservations here.
Sunday January 15 is also National Bagel Day (because, of course, there is a day for everything). According to our pals at Lawn Love, DC is the fourth best city in the nation for getting your bagel on, despite a dismal score in actual quality, which is shocking. Need to get that bagel fix and celebrate? We can vouch for the excellent quality at Buffalo and Bergen, Bullfrog Bagels and Call Your Mother. And by the way, your mother would want you to take down the menorah– Hanukkah ended in early December!
Winter Restaurant Week starts January 17. Restaurant Week is an opportunity for the service industry to garner the public’s support during a time when business is slow. Please support all our wonderful restaurants during this special week and don’t forget to tip generously. You can find a list of places to support by searching here for the Capitol Hill, H Street and Capitol Riverfront sections of their list.
Mosaic Theater Company continues their season with Dear Mapel, which opens January 19. You can check out a trailer here and get tickets here.
Are you interested in a stronger memory and fighting cognitive decline? Capitol Hill Village wants to hear from you! Send a message to Meghan Wrinkle at mwrinkle@capitolhillvillage.org or call 202-543-1778 ext. 114 if you’d like to be a part of a stronger memory cohort. More info here.
Psst– Wunder Garten has Argentine empanadas by La Buena Empanada. That is all. (Oh yeah– they also have a whole bunch of events that pair well with empanadas here.)
Want to laugh and learn more about the world? Spend some time browsing through LabX’s YouTube channel-– pair it with takeout from our of our local restaurants and you have a perfect and pretty COVID-free night in!
PLAN AHEAD
The Capital City Symphony will have a Discovery Day complete with an instrument petting zoo on January 23. Listen to pieces composed during lockdown, pet a new sonorous friend and stay for a wonderful full-orchestra concert. More info and tickets here.
Interested in knowing more about DC’s food roots and cultural influences? The DC History Center will take a closer look on January 27 through “Who Feeds The District?”– part of a series on the different roles of food in our society. For more information and to register, click here.
Are you interested in researching you family history through the DC History Center? On February 5, there will be a virtual orientation to help you get started, especially if you’re researching your Black ancestry. For more information and to sign up, click here.
Have you ever wanted to be one of those crazy people who run around the city in their underwear for the event we all know as Cupid’s Undie Run? The Undie Run, which is actually a benefit to help raise awareness and funds for Neurofibromatosis (NF) research, is a delightful and cold tradition, happening on February 12 this year. Interested? Learn more or register here.
The National Cannabis Festival is happening April 23 at the RFK Festival Grounds. The concert will feature Wiz Khalifa, but in addition to the music, there will be a whole host of events promoting community, education, policy and high times. Click here for tickets and vendor information.