Have you been flooded by a warm PTSD-like flood of memories from two years ago? What was the last fun thing you did before, you know, the world closed down, et cetera? Me too! Which is why this To Do List will be extra packed with things that can help you escape the torrent of pandemic memories, now laced with thoughts of our current doom. Let’s go!
First of all, if you are feeling sad and overwhelmed, it’s okay. It’s been a rough…. five years, at least. How about curling up with your computer and watching the BloomCam and all the footage of cherry trees reaching their peak? The Trust for the National Mall has you covered. Just click here and replay spring springing to your heart’s content.
(And if you’re feeling generous, why not adopt a cherry tree? It’s a perfect way to ensure everyone can keep enjoying their beauty, generation after generation.)
Want to just curl up in bed and watch a curated selection of domestic and foreign films for Women’s History Month? Angelika Anywhere‘s got you! Click here to review the incredible selection of films.
Now that we know the Cherry Blossom Festival starts March 20 and that peak blossoms will be March 22-25, are you ready to decorate your porch for the Petal Porch Parade? A happy neighborhood celebration of spring and pink, this event encourages neighbors to go ALL OUT and decorate their homes and add them to the official map. For more information, click here. Make sure you click the link and watch the videos with adorable ideas on how to make cherry blossoms for outdoor and window decor!
Don’t forget: INTERSECTIONS is going on through March 13 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center! You can browse shows and purchase tickets here and you can have DC Metro Theater Arts help you navigate the acts you want to see.
Howl to the Chief is celebrating TEN years! It may be their birthday, but you get the presents: On March 12 and 13, everything in the store is, appropriately, 10% off. And with a purchase of $50 or more, you can have a goodie bag! More information here.
Is there a better place than a library? It’s a library throwing a birthday party, of course! The Northeast Library is totally a Pisces (a dreamy, non-judgmental place to escape), and they celebrate their birthday this weekend! Join them for a special concert in the patio on Sunday, March 13 with the Too Much Talent band. More info here.
By the way, you have until March 13 to enter Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s “The Capitol Hill Home” photo contest. The winning entry scores a pair of free tickets to the CHRS Mother’s Day House and Tour Garden. More information here. Not sure what to expect during the tour? Why not take a preview tour on March 26-27? Click here to find out more and reserve your tickets.
At our neighborhood Smithsonian, the National Postal Museum, you can explore Women’s History Month both online and in person. Online, you can discover stamps with themes of femininity, maternity and the impact of women on philately. In person, you can explore an array of beautiful galleries that tell the story of our mail. Start here.
Looking for something sensible? Register for a Zoom session on how to save for college, hosted by the DC College Savings Plan. Click here for Tuesday times and here for Wednesday times.
St. Patrick’s Day
Next week is possibly one of the wackier weeks on the calendar, between Pi Day on March 14 and St. Paddy’s Day on March 17. (St. Patty’s is on August 25, you curs.)
Is there something fun to help observe those two dates?
Wunder Garten brings you LUCKY, a St. Patrick’s Day Pop-up. Starting tomorrow, March 11, and culminating on March 17, there will be Guinness, trivia, prizes and so much more. You can access the full list of events by clicking here.
For Pi Day, may we suggest hitting up our friends at the Pie Shop? Every day is a good day for pie, but March 14 makes the hunger for dough, ahem, infinite. While you’re at it, catch a show! Check their schedule here.
DC Brau is once again offering its seasonal St. Patrick’s Day brew, l Incurable Sadness: Irish-Style Dry Stout. Incurable Sadness is modeled after traditional Irish Stouts, featuring faint hints of cocoa and coffee, and is DC’s answer to Guinness. It may not be on the Hill, but why not grab a pint at the brewery? Click here for directions.
Next weekend, The Wharf will feature a celebration called Ireland at The Wharf Festival. On March 19, from noon to 6 p.m., you can stroll to the sound of bagpipers, listen to live music from 19th Street Band, Danny Burns and the Ben-David band on the main stage, watch authentic Irish dance performances from the Boyle School of Irish Dance and enjoy the Guinness beer garden. Sláinte!
PLAN AHEAD
Have a hunger to support women business leaders in our area? Then this panel discussion by Re:Her and She DC at La Cosecha on Tuesday, March 19 starting at 6 p.m., is for you. There will be drinks and a thoughtful discussion. For more information and tickets, click here.
Want to race in a 5K and celebrate women? Sign up for this year’s HerStory 5k on Saturday, March 19 at Freedom Plaza. For more information and to sign up, click here.
Are you (or your teens) looking for volunteer opportunities? Serve DC is looking for you. On Saturday, March 19, you can volunteer to help with HerStory 5K and there are plenty of options to fit your desire and ability to help. Click here for more information.
Also on Saturday, March 19. take a walk with the DC History Center around Mount Vernon Square and learn about its rich history. We won’t judge you if you deem it necessary to browse at the Apple store after your tour. For tickets and more info, click here.
The Foghorn String Band will be at the Hill Center on Sunday, March 20, as part of their American Roots Series. If the first show sells out, a second date will be added. Get your tickets here.
Keep celebrating women’s history month with the Duck and the Peach and their Women in Wine series. There will be a Sunday night dinner and tasting on March 21. For more information and tickets, click here.
On March 24, meet the artist who created this year’s artwork for the National Cherry Blossom Festival with A Tour of Her Own! This virtual tour is part of a double-header: The first part is Herstory, all about which women sculptures were sculpting statues of, you guessed it, women! Click here to register and for more info.
On March 26, join the Guerrilla Gardeners of Washington and help clean up Triangle Park. From 10-noon, help out with general cleaning, pruning and beautification. The Guerrilla Gardeners will provide the gloves and tools, unless you prefer to bring your own. For more information or to join them, visit their website.
Get ready to paint the night pink on March 31: Cherry Night, a special nightlife event part of the Cherry Blossom Festival. Go to venues that will be lit up for the evening and wear your finest pinkery or your pinkest finery. More details here.
CHAWbaret, celebrating 50 years of Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, is happening on April 2. From 6:30-10 p.m., you can enjoy jazz singer Amy K. Bormet and then a live CHAWbaret. In person seating is limited and $50 per person. If you would rather celebrate virtually, it’ll be free but a donation is encouraged, so CHAW can celebrate 50 more years! More information and tickets here. If CHAW has been a part of your life, you’re encouraged to send your reminiscences of your CHAWesome experiences.
The Capital Food Fight is back in person on April 7 at The Anthem and tickets are on sale now. Learn more about this raucous night of fun to feed those who need it most 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.
The Mother’s Day House and Garden Tour organized by the Capitol Hill Restoration Society is one of those so very Capitol Hill events you have to do at least once (but you’ll want to do every year). The tour, which benefits and supports the mission of CHRS, will take place May 7 and 8, 2022. For more details and to secure your tickets, click here. Not sure what to expect? Why not take a preview tour on March 26-27? Click here to find out more and reserve your tickets.
On a personal note, I’m proud to say that a photo of mine was selected as one of the winning entries in this year’s Exposed DCphotography contest. If you are a photography lover, Exposed DC supports photography around the District and the photo scene. I look forward to inviting you to the reception for this year’s winning images. Take a look at them here.
OFF-HILL
Tonight, go to DC Brau and help celebrate the re-release of The Legislator Dopplebock, with a traditional German beer ritual. The Burning Of The Bock is a fire-side ritual that warms and caramelizes the beer, giving it a smokey character and unique flavor. The event is free and will begin at sundown at the DC Brau brewery.
The Dupont Underground is back! On Friday, March 18, you’re invited to Négritude, a show put on by the Howard University Visual Arts Program, 4-7 p.m. For more details and tickets, click here.
And on Saturday, March 19, celebrate Middle C Music’s 20th Anniversary with plenty of music and freebies! For years, Middle C was the only music shop in the District, so you may want to take the trek and celebrate! More info and RSVP here.
Through April 24, the United States Botanic Garden will be showcasing a beautiful collection of orchids at the Kogod Courtyard at the Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum. The collection is a celebration of women who’ve helped catalog, conserve and preserve these beautiful plants. More information here.