Emancipation Day is a big DC holiday and this year, the Mayor’s office is going all out with a parade, a concert AND fireworks. On Saturday, April 15, celebrate the end of slavery in the District (which was April 16, 1862) starting at 2 p.m. at Freedom Plaza. The event is free but your RSVP is requested here.
This weekend is going to be a doozy, especially on Saturday: Both the Cherry Blossom “Nation’s Springtime” Parade and Sakura Matsuri, as well as the Emancipation Day parade will take place in downtown, so plan accordingly. Here are street closures for Sakura Matsuri, which will happen along Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 3rd and 7th Streets NW. The Cherry Blossom Parade will happen on Constitution Avenue between 10 a.m. and noon. The Emancipation Day Parade will happen at 2 p.m. on Pennsylvania Avenue, between 10th and 14th Streets NW. Please remember that there will be fireworks on Saturday evening after the concert!
On April 17, the RFK Day of Play helps kick off spring break! Enjoy a family day of fun, competitive sports, teamwork, food and fun! For more information, click here.
If you’re a regular patron at Wunder Garten in NoMa, you know that you can have fun AND learn German. This week, Frühlingsfest kicks off: it means Spring Festival in German 😉 The Festival will feature happy hours, beer tastings, Bavarian Sundays, dance parties AND MORE! For more details and tickets, click here.
Unseen, the latest play at Mosaic Theater, runs through April 23. Take a time-shifting journey through memory and the weight of career choices. For more information and tickets, click here.
Looking for a fun outdoor activity? Join the Guerrilla Gardeners Spring Clean of the Potomac Triangle Parks, this Sunday, 4/16 at 11 a.m. For more information, email Jim at jim@guerrillagardenersdc.org
The Free For All art show at CHAW has their opening reception on Saturday, April 15 at 5:30. Go judge some art! For more information, click here.
This Sunday, Pups at the Park returns to Nationals Park! Bring your pup and they’ll score a DOGS RULE bandana, courtesy of Pedigree. There will be specially designated pup-friendly sections in the stadium. To get tickets, (yes, including a ticket for Fido) click here. The next Pups at the Park will happen on May 19.
By the way, Parker and Ace is officially open today, April 14. Stop by and say hello– we hear there will be a very fun upcoming Pet Paw-traits event on Saturday, April 29, where you can get your beloved fur baby drawn by a cartoonist! This event will take place from 4-6 p.m.
WEEKLY FUN
Want to get your square dance on with the DC Rawhides? They are yee-hawing their way into our hearts on Saturday evenings, 7-11 p.m., at Eastern Market’s North Hall. Click here for more info.
A Sunday tradition, the Flea Market at Eastern Market is your one-stop shop for wonderful art, clothing, cosmetics and more. Follow them on Instagram here.
Mr. Henry’s is THE place to listen to jazz on the Hill. They have performances Wednesday through Saturday, but we have a soft spot for Saturday Showcase. This weekend, Herb Scott and his saxophone are coming to the showcase and you won’t want to miss it. Doors open at 6 p.m. and there is no cover; however, you need to order a minimum of $15 food and beverage minimum. Get the burger and go for it. Tickets and more info here.
Tara Hoot welcomes you to sing Broadway tunes along with her at Crazy Aunt Helen’s this and every other Sunday. Make your reservations here.
Labyrinth has great events almost every night of the week, except for Monday. If you’re looking to demo board games or enjoy some of your favorites with old and new friends, check out their event calendar. For instance, their Magic: The Gathering night is on Tuesdays. More info on that event 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.
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.
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
Looking to recycle your electronics? The next event from RLG is happening Saturday, April 15 at the corner of Sumner Rd SE & Wade Rd SE (near Barry Farm Recreation Center), 10 a.m.-2 p.m.. More info 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 are for watching a movie in a comfy theater. The Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market has a great selection of movies. Check them out here.
PLAN AHEAD
Want to learn how to macramé? Good thing CHAW has you covered with a special class on April 22, all materials covered! Check it out and buy tickets here.
Project Glow is back! On April 29 and 30, the two-day electronic music festival is back at the grounds at RFK and you can get tickets here. We can only hope the music is not as loud as last year’s.
On April 29, why not explore a new neighborhood and celebrate International Dance Day? The Boro, right by Tysons Corner, has a great lineup with salsa and bachata lessons as well as dance performances. Check out more info here.
Over at National Landing, Pink in the Park takes place at Long Bridge Park in Arlington on April 30 as an outdoor musical festival and celebration of pinkness and cherry blossoms. More info here.
Back on the Hill, The Miracle Theatre is celebrating everyone’s favorite gorgeous gamine ingenue, Audrey Hepburn, the whole month of May. Catch four of her best-known films and swoon over her perfect outfits! Tickets here.
On May 6 at 7 p.m., Global Sounds on the Hill at the Hill Center presents Javanese singer and songwriter Peni Candra Rini. This promises to be a fantastic show. For more details and tickets, click here.
Also at the Hill Center but in a completely different vein, enjoy Michael Hearst’s Unusual Creatures, Extraordinary People, Curious Constructions, and Unconventional Vehicles! Part TED-talk for kids with a serious They Might Be Giants-at-a-trivia-competition vibes, this is a show you and your kiddos won’t want to miss. Check out a video and buy tickets here.
Psychedelic guitar and pie? That’s what you can get on May 6 when Jared Mattson plays Pie Shop DC! Give it a listen here. For more info and tickets click here.
On May 7, do your Mother’s Day shopping at Eastern Market Pottery! The Annual Student Sale will take place that day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature 20 local artists and light refreshments will be on hand for thirsty and hungry shoppers. For more information, click here.
Empower Hour is a special luncheon and panel discussing breast cancer which will benefit the Brem Foundation. It’ll take place on May 11, 2023 at the InterContinental at the Wharf. For more information and tickets, click here.
On May 19, do something for the Earth and for your good mood: Bike To Work Day is happening! The event, meant to provide a jumping-off point for commuters to ditch the car and embrace the bike, is it its 22nd year. Be one of the first 15,000 people to register and get a BTWD t-shirt! Register and get more info here. If you take a photo or a selfie, share it with their hashtags, #BTWD2023 or #BTWD.
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 called Smoke and Mirrors: The Magic of Brice Harney. The show is ages 8 and up and you can get tickets here.
CALLING ALL DOODLES!!! If you have a doodle doggo that’s well-behaved and calm around other dogs and crowds, you and your pupper are invited to march with the doodle delegation in the Capitol Hill Fourth of July parade. For more information and to sign up, please email lisa01hudson@gmail.com.
On July 1, local musician Eli Waltz brings his melodic, energy-filled folk music to The Miracle Theatre. He is releasing a new EP called “The Enemy” soon, but you can listen to his other works here. For tickets, click here.