And just like that, February shows us its last glimmers of unhinged magic. Will March be in like a lion? Will it be a psychotic lion? Who’s to know? Let’s find you something fun to do, okay?
This week, prepare to ditch your car: Walk, bike, take the bus or Metro and play and explore and meet other people like yourself, who want to be more car-independent and want to support the incredible transit infrastructure of our region. TRANSPOBINGO IS HERE! Learn more about this fun game and tradition here and get ready to play! We are especially excited to be part of raising awareness in this effort and hope you make it to one of the events.
A BIG, HUGE REMINDER: Tomorrow is Economic Blackout Day. One day of several to not support big retailers and bloated billionaires, tomorrow asks you not to spend or use your credit cards. If you have to shop, shop locally! Choose any of our wonderful small businesses and say no to big commerce. More info via the Associated Press.
Sure, Mardi Gras has the day of the week it’s supposed to happen right in the name (you know, Fat *Tuesday*?), but with a little imagination and elbow grease we can all celebrate Fat Saturday all around the District. Get down and boogie your behind before you, uh, repent and confront your mortality as you enter the season of Lent. Frankly, we’ve all been repenting and gnashing our teeth for some time but I don’t think it’s religion related. Anyway, this is just to say that there are not just one, or two, but THREE distinct Mardi Samedi* Gras parties to suit you and bring you joy:
Samedi Gras #1–– Barracks Row Main Street:
The Barracks Row Main Street Mardi Gras Parade will happen March 1 starting at 2 p.m. More info here. There will also be a party and concert featuring STARCRUSH at The 507, starting at 5 p.m. More info here.
Samedi Gras #2–– H Street Corridor:
On March 1, live music kicks off at 3 p.m. and the parade kicks off at 5 p.m. PLUS! Businesses throughout the corridor have lots of specials. Look out for the Capitol Hillbillies, the DC Warriros Drumline, the Joe Brotherton Quartet, and the House of Prayer Shout Band, as well as authentic Mardi Gras cuisine.
Samedi Gras #3–– The District Wharf:
Mardi Gras is coming to the Wharf on Saturday, March 1, starting at 3 p.m.! Parade! Live music! Authentic food! Dizzying drink! Merriment! More info here.
(*Samedi is Saturday. Just in case you didn’t know.)
Are you worried about the security breaches happening with the Department of Government Efficiency? Then the next Profs and Pints chat at the Hill Center is for you. On Monday, March 3, learn from a cybersecurity expert on just how not amazing everything is. Tickets here.
Independent bookstores are the crown jewels of learning and safe spaces. On Thursday, February 27, listen to author Linda Holmes talk about her latest novel, Back After This. Get tickets here (hybrid and in-person). On Friday, February 28 at Solid State Books, listen to author Sophie Lewis discuss her newest book, Enemy Feminisms and learn why all feminism is not good feminism. You can get tickets with and without the book here.
Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s March Preservation Cafe on Tuesday, March 4, takes a look back at 50 years of helping preserve the historic character of the neighborhood. You don’t need to be a member to enjoy these free virtual chats, but you do need to RSVP here.
Celebrate Women’s History Month at the Library of Congress (while you still can)! The theme is women in aviation, so come prepared to fold paper airplanes and to learn about trailblazing women in the African and Middle Eastern collections. Everyone needs tickets to enter the Library of Congress. Get yours here.
Slapstick comedy? Wordplay? HILARIOUS FARCE? Shoot The Metronomics into my veins! The St. Mark’s Players are staging a production of this farcical comedy that, in the words of Steffon, “has it all.” Get your tickets here, and if you go with a group, you get a discount!
Love whiskey but hate stepping out of the house? Then Chat’s on Barracks Row has the event for you: Whiskey Wednesdays are educational and virtual! Click this link and catch the fun Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and make sure to subscribe!
MPD’s Community Engagement Academy is an eight-week program designed to give community members the opportunity to learn firsthand about MPD’s day to day operations. The next cohort starts in March. Wanna learn more? Click here.
OFF-HILL
The National Building Museum’s “Visible Vault: Open Collections Storage” is their latest permanent exhibit. Both a shameless grab for storage space in the main floors of the Building Museum and an incredible invitation to explore, giggle, wonder and ponder on how we build the world around us, the exhibit will be a fixture at the second floor of the museum. Check out my Instagram post here. Every time you visit, you may see a slightly different exhibit– cool right? Get tickets here.
I’m a big fan of skin care and #selfcare, so when the folks at Glowbar invited me to try one of their 30-minute facials in their new store over at Logan Circle (1450 P Street NW), I jumped at the chance. The esthetician who helped me, Brittany, was not just thorough but also incredibly knowledgeable about skin care at a molecular level. Book a treatment here.
Never been to UDC for a noontime jazz concert? Change that this month: Celebrate Black History Month with the Allyn Johnson Trio this Tuesday, February 11 this show has been rescheduled to March 6, so make sure you go! More information here– make sure you scroll to February.
(Arrive prepared: Read more about Allyn Johnson over at Capital Bop.)
Don’t forget! The Anacostia Community Museum is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and they always have something fun going on! Learn more here.
A play inside a record store? Intriguing! Get tickets to Love and Vinyl, which closes in early March at Byrdland Records, and see how it all works itself out. More info and tickets here.
PLAN AHEAD
Fan of fitness and flowers? Then the Friends of the National Arboretum Flowering 5K on March 23! More information and signups here.
On Saturday, March 22, the Washington Men’s Camerata offer up Pardon Our French! — an evening of French choral music–– at Live! at 10th and G NW. For more information and tickets, click here.