Happy Opening Day to all of you who observe this happy occasion. Let’s hope the Mets suck more than our team (not likely), or that they are equally as good. Most importantly, let’s hope for a good and relatively dry time. As a reminder, tonight’s game has been delayed until 7:05 p.m. and a scheduled flyover at 3:59 p.m. will most likely be happening three hours later, at 6:59 p.m. If you want to try your luck for tickets, click here.
By the way, if you stop by the ballpark this weekend, drop by Tap99 and get some Matt’s Mac and Cheese bites: 100% of the April profits will go to local non-profit Siblings of Autism in honor of Autism Awareness Month. Jason Cherry, owner of Tap99, is dedicating this fundraiser to his brother, Matthew, who was diagnosed with Autism at age 3.
For DCPS and several DCPSB schools, next week is Spring Break! The District has Kids’ Week, a great slate of free, family-friendly programming. You can check it all out by following this link. If you haven’t gotten your kids their booster shots, this is a great opportunity to do that. Additionally, if you’re over 50 or immunocompromised, you can get your second booster now. Click here for vaccination clinics and use this time to rest up.
How about a movie this weekend? The Miracle Theatre is worth a visit for their popcorn alone, but if you want to see Academy Award-nominated CODA on the big screen, this is your chance. More info and tickets here.
As usual, Saturdays are busy around here. This weekend marks the last two days of the Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Sakura Matsuri festival and the Cherry Blossom Parade will both be taking place downtown. For more information on these events, click here. For traffic closures, click here and here.
Do you love the Anacostia River? Then The Anacostia River Festival is a day for you! Plan on going to Anacostia park on Sunday, April 10, 1-4 p.m.! For more details and to RSVP, click here.
Also on April 10, get an intro to watercolors from local artist Marcella Kriebel and paint on your cookies at La Collina. More details and RSVP here.
And by the way, you have until April 10 to enter a fun little contest we’re doing with Santa Rosa Taqueria: If you have a great Margarita recipe, write it out, take a photo and tag us on Instagram. If picked, your Marg gets a chance to be on the Santa Rosa menu for a month! More info here.
This week, there is a whole slate of East City Books events: on Tuesday, you can catch Alex Kershaw at the Hill Center, as he discusses his new book Against All Odds. More info here.
On Wednesday and Thursday, catch hybrid events: Mary Laura Philpott talks about her book Bomb Shelter at 7 p.m. Wednesday, moderated by Nicole Chung (tickets). And on Thursday, J. David McSwane talks Pandemic Inc. to Carl Hulse (tickets). You may not get to breathe the same air as your favorite writers (which might not be such a bad thing), but you can still interact and ask questions from home, so give virtual a go!
Can’t get enough of book events? Solid State Books has a virtual talk on Thursday, April 14 about Dawn Winter’s debut novel Sedating Elaine. For more information and to register, click here.
How about a Rioja wine tasting? The Roost is having a really nice one at Show of Hands on Wednesday, April 13. More details and tickets here.
If you’ve never seen an installment of the National Academy of Sciences’ Wrong Answers Only show, you’re in for a treat. Learn about science and laugh with this interactive and educational show. On April 14, it’s all about DINOSAURS! RSVP here and watch past episodes here.
PLAN AHEAD
Capitol Hill Village’s auction is coming up virtually April 14-24, as well as their virtual gathering on April 21. Tickets will be available soon. You can learn more about Capitol Hill Village’s mission to help all neighbors stay in their homes as long as they can, while leading independent lives, by clicking here.
Are you a history buff? Do you love the Library of Congress? Then this event on April 18 is for you! History Unfolded is a project that looks at what reporting the Holocaust in local papers during 1943-1945 was like. An information session will help volunteer researchers understand the process. For more information and to register via zoomgov, click 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. By the way, at the festival’s culinary pavilion, there will be food by Maydan’s Darnell Thomas, Kevin Tien of Moon Rabbit and the fast-casual eatery Hot Lola’s, Maketto’s Erik Bruner-Yang, Disco Mary’s Maria Bastasch, Dave Chappelle’s chef and owner of The High-End Affair Nikki Steward, and Equinox.
Also on April 23, it’s William Shakespeare’s birthday! This year, Will’s party is virtual, but no less fun: programming begins at 4 p.m. and will feature all sorts of great activities for fans of all ages. More information here.
Mark your calendar for April 30 and help DC Brau celebrate 11 years in the brewing game with 11 Years of BREW-TALITY! Brew-tality will be a celebration of beer, wrestling, music and….??? Guess you’d better get tickets here if you want to find out.
Also on April 30, mark your calendars for the FONA Garden Fair and Plant Sale. A must for gardeners of all kinds, this fair has beautiful and rare plants, as well as your garden staples. For more information and times, click here.
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.
Mark your calendars for May 7, 2022 when Maury at the Market: Lights, Camera, Auction is back in person at Eastern Market’s North Hall. You can follow Maury Elementary’s auction action and check out all the incredible things you can bid on via Facebook and Twitter. Remember: You don’t need to have a child enrolled in DCPS to enjoy the party or the loot!
Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 20from 7-9 a.m. and the Capitol Hill BID will have a special station with treats and swag if you’re choosing to live the two-wheeled life. More info here.
On June 12, celebrate 50 years of the Arboretum’s Washington Youth Garden with a party and benefit! More information and details here.
And it’s a ways off, but start getting excited for the DC Jazz Fest, August 31 to September 4 this year. Check out the line-up here.
OFF-HILL
Cross the river for a special marketplace, with food, music and fun. The Soul of the City Marketplace
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.
Feeling like going further afield? How about catching a show in Baltimore? eclectic, multi-influenced band Chalaban will be playing on April 12 at the Creative Alliance. For more info and to listen to a sample, click here.
420 Week starts this coming week and there will be a special series of events, panels and parties at Eaton DC, with DC Brau. For more information, click here.