And just like that, February is more than half over. For those who observe ––and even for those who are just along for the fun–– the Lenten season begins on Wednesday, February 22. That means that Mardi Gras, that last debauched hurrah, happens on Tuesday. How can you get into the spirit of plenty? Here are a few ideas.
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.
Looking for a more manageable way to celebrate Mardi Gras? Junction Bakery on 3rd and Massachusetts NE has a Mardi Gras cupcake which *may* contain a plastic toy inside. Bite down carefully and good luck! They also have several other themed treats, including a True Hurricane (as opposed to a very menacing tropical depression, perhaps?). More info here.
Looking for a full size King Cake? Ravenhook Bakehouse, which pops up at Eastern Market on Tuesdays and has a permanent spot at Union Market, has your back! They have lovely King Cakes, ready to crown a lucky eater, through February 21. Check their schedule here.
And if you’re looking for Hurricanes, our friends at Buffalo and Bergen (Union Market and 3rd and Mass) can make you one that will flip your wig, should you wear one. Check their site for more info.
Barracks Row has Mardi Gras celebrations coming all weekend and through Tuesday! Celebrate the good times with discounts, giveaways and other fun things around the row. Check it out here.
Mosaic Theater Company, based inside the Atlas Performing Arts Center, always has thoughtful and thought-provoking productions. Bars and Measures opened 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.
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 Presidents’ Day, join ANC 6B08 commissioner Edward Ryder for a community cleanup starting at 1250 Potomac Avenue SE, starting at 11 a.m. After the cleanup, meet up at Trusty’s on 13th and Pennsylvania for a celebratory round. Questions? Email 6b08@anc.dc.gov
Every Thursday, Kelly’s Irish Times has comedy! The Batting Cage Comedy show starts at 8 p.m. and is free. More info 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‘s Après Ski continues strong this week, with a Taylor Swift-themed dance party on Saturday and a bourbon tasting. On Tuesday, February 21, run ––do not walk!–– to their Mardi Gras party, which starts at 6 p.m. For more information on Après Ski and all the fun things Wunder Garten does, click here.
Looking for perhaps THE most wholesome way to celebrate Mardi Gras? The DC Dentist, 509 11th Street SE, is giving away floss on Monday, February 20. Hey, why not?
OFF-HILL
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.
Want to paint with glow-in-the-dark paint and enjoy letting go? Then PaintAmore may be the off-beat activity you’re looking for. There are classes Saturday and Sunday of this week at The Selina on New York Avenue. For more info and tickets, click here.
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.
Are you a fan of jazz? Then aside from Mr. Henry’s, you should be going to UDC for their JAZZAlive concert series, just a short ride from the Hill on the Red Line. Celebrate Black History Month on Tuesday, February 21 at 12:30 p.m. with the Allyn Johnson Organ Trio. For info, call (202) 274-5803 or click here.
PLAN AHEAD
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.
Want to learn about the Garifuna people and culture? The Garifuna are native and Afro-descending people from the Caribbean, and the National Museum of the American Indian will have Garifuna artist James Lovell in concert on February 25 from 2-3 p.m. For more information, click 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.
The first Monday of the month at 12:10 p.m., St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on 3rd and A SE hosts the Washington Bach Consort for their Noontime Cantatas. More info 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!