Another weekend is upon us, and as many of these things go, when you have time to enjoy freakishly warm temperatures, the mercury drops low. Still, February in the 40s is not bad at all.
Give them a follow!
Start your weekend off with an early Mardi Gras celebration. Whether you’re eating all the good things before you launch yourself into a season of spiritual penance or you just really like partying, Mott’s Market on 12th Street SE is the place to be. On Saturday, February 11, from 2-5 p.m., let the Mott times roll with a parade, treats, face painting, mask-making, dance lessons, Zydeco music AND MORE! And bring your generous heart and socks, undergarments and other underthing-type necessities to donate to So Others Might Eat (SOME) DC.
The Southeast Library is having a sale tomorrow, February 11. Find more details about the sale and about the renovation here.
Starting today, Friday, February 10 through the 19, indulge your sweet tooth with a dessert tour! For $29, you can enjoy one dessert from each of the participating eateries around Barracks Row and Eastern Market and vote to crown the best dessert. From Ted’s signature pop tarts to The Duck and The Peach’s Apple Caramel Cake, you are sure to find your new favorite. More info and tickets here.
Maury Elementary is having a Book Sale on Saturday, February 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school’s cafeteria. This is a great chance to support your local school and some of the fun year-end activities for fifth graders. More information here.
Friend of the blog, ANC commissioner and map-maker Zach Ammerman will be popping up at Eastern Market on Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. selling his lovely maps. Support local makers like Zach and so many others at our favorite, Eastern Market. By the way, November marks the 150th anniversary of Eastern Market. What should we do to celebrate? Send us a line at info@thehillishome.com and tell us!
Frager’s (and all its sister stores under the A Few Cool Hardware Stores banner) is having a plant market sale February 9-12. All plants are 20% off! More details here.
What event raises awareness of Neurofibromatosis (NF) while featuring runners in their skivvies? Cupid’s Undie Run! The annual, delightfully silly and sweet event is back on February 11 this year in DC –its flagship city– as well as other 29 cities across the country. Take your pants off, don some red frillies, and help raise awareness and funds for three related conditions where tumors grow along the nervous system. For more info and to register or donate, click here.
At Congressional Cemetery, the Death Doula is in! Laura Lyster-Mensh is a trained death doula, or a person who helps with end-of-life decisions. And what better place to have death-positive conversations than the hippest cemetery around? Learn more about death positivity and come on down. More info here.
On Monday, February 13, join Bill Press at the Hill Center, as he sits down for what promises to be a very interesting chat with current Secretary of Energy and former Michigan Governor, Jennifer M. Granholm. More information and tickets here.
On Wednesday evenings, make it trivia! Two Girls Trivia runs a quiz at Fight Club starting at 7 p.m. You can also catch them at Biergarten Haus on Tuesday evenings. For more information and quiz hints, check out their Twitter, @twogirlstrivia.
Wunder Garten, the lovely NoMa outdoor biergarten, is having a very hygge/gezellig winter event: Après Ski! Enjoy hot cocoa, yappy hours, trivia, dance parties AND MORE! It’s happening all February long! Cozy up, you beautiful babies. More info here. And if you’re into Shrek, make sure you go to their Shrek-themed dance party on February 10. Paint yourself green, wear your finest burlap and snack on onions. Tickets here.
Valentine’s Day and you’ve blanked out on what to do? Many places around the Hill are doing fun things. A couple that caught our eye:
- Ladurée is back at Union Station: We highlighted this on social media, but it bears repeating. The delicious and delicate macarons make a beautiful Valentine’s present. Allergic to nuts? Indulge in chocolate! Pair that with a plant or a bouquet from Lee’s Flower Shop just a few feet away!
- Honey Made has lovely cards from Billie Claire Handmade, among other adorable things. You can even browse online, here.
- Sticky Fingers has a special meal deal that sounds very Lady and the Tramp (and we love it!): A Dog’s Day Out features a vegan spaghetti and meatballs dinner and Italian Cookies (!!!!) for $45 per person. Upgrade to a bottle of nice Chianti for $30 more (and skip the fava beans because this is not that movie). The proceeds will go to Last Chance Animal Rescue. That’s amore!!!! Book here now!
- Off-Hill: Make your own Valentine’s bouquet at National Landing! On Monday, February 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., go to NaLa (we’re trying hard not to roll our eyes) and go make yourself or a bestie a bouquet with the help of Lily’s Flower Truck. More info here.
- Want to do something fun and meet a new friend? Sign up for our Neighborhood Valentines, coming up on February 20 at The Eastern. More info here.
Mosaic Theater Company, based inside the Atlas Performing Arts Center, always has thoughtful and thought-provoking productions. Bars and Measures opened earlier this month and we hear it’s great. For more information and tickets, click here.
as you are on Barracks Row has great events happening almost every day of the week: from crafting on Wednesdays to karaoke on Thursdays and Sundays to Saturday dance parties, this queer-safe space welcomes everyone. Check out their calendar of events here.
Every Thursday, Kelly’s Irish Times has comedy! The Batting Cage Comedy show starts at 8 p.m. and is free. More info here.
OFF-HILL
Mondays can be tough days, but Songbyrd has Music Trivia this and every Monday up in Union Market district to gladden hearts and fuel your competitive spirit. The best part? It’s ALL AGES! Enjoy it with friends or as a family. More info here.
Some days — especially cold, winter days– are for watching a movie in a comfy theater. The Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market has Tom Hanks doing what he does best, in A Man Called Otto. Tickets here.
Want to go for a bike ride with friends or family and need a fun destination? Why not take the beautiful Metropolitan Branch Trail due north and visit one of our favorites, City-State Brewing Company? Their space is fun and funky, there are always food trucks and pop-up markets and they have an old-fashioned arcade.
PLAN AHEAD
Orchids are beautiful, dazzling plants that capture the imagination and signify the health of an ecosystem–– and they give us vanilla, which is the finest of the flavors. Celebrate the beauty and variety of orchids at the United States Botanic Garden as they open their new exhibit, Discover the World of Orchids this coming February 17 and open through April 30. Keep a lookout for programming related to the exhibit. More information here.
Mardi Gras at the Wharf is happening on February 18, with a mile-long parade with floats and stilts-walkers, as well as live music, Hurricanes made with Thrasher’s rum, and, best of all, the Eastern High School Marching Band will be there!!! The fun starts at 3 p.m. and goes until 7 p.m., when fireworks will close out the festivities. Find out more here.
Want to celebrate Valentines Day Bollywood style? Then you need to know about the 50 Shades of Bollywood Party at Union Market District, 500 Morse Street NE, on Saturday, February 18. For more information and tickets, click here. This is an over-21 event.
On February 25, Ice Yards and the Polar Plunge return! Ice Yards is a celebration of winter at Yards Park. complete with seasonal drinks, axe throwing and more. The Polar Plunge, benefiting Special Olympics, is a centerpiece of the celebration. You can collect donations and take the plunge, or you can contribute to brave souls’ fundraising efforts and watch as they take the plunge! For more information on the Polar Plunge, click here. Ice Yards will happen from 1-4 p.m. and you can get more info here.
And on February 26, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., the Hill Center is launching a series of concerts called, very catchily, HC@HC. The first performer will be Gabrielle Zwi, a bossa nova/jazz performer based in Rockville, Maryland. Give Gabrielle a listen here and check out her Instagram here.
Start thinking very warm thoughts: The Anacostia River Festival is coming May 20, 2023, 1-4 p.m. at Anacostia Park. You can check out the beautiful save the date landing page and keep checking it for updates here.
Do you believe in magic? There will be a live magic show at the Miracle Theatre coming on May 25. Stay tuned for more info!