From what we’ve gathered informally, a lot — and I do mean A LOT– of you are not exactly planning to be around this weekend. Look, I know I’m just a lowly neighborhood blog writer and many of you have told me in no uncertain terms that I have no business weighing in on *anything* but I can’t help myself: Even though more than half the country voted the guy in, we’re not big fans of the once and future Prez. However, life has to continue, even if we wish we never had to leave our cozy blanket fortresses. Which is why I am asking you: if you are in town, PLEASE support our local businesses. Yes, you may run into people with different ideological views while you’re out and about. Assume that they, much like you, also have to eat. So please, go out to eat. Shop. Spend time being in YOUR neighborhood. I can’t control when or how you interact with visitors, but remember that this is your home and, well, stand your ground. Over on Instagram, many businesses shared their weekend plans, so drop by! Gather the friends who may still be around this weekend and enjoy as much as you can. Check the post HERE and please, please, please: CHECK THE COMMENTS.
The incoming administration can take many things away –– though we hope that is not the case–– but they cannot take away our joy. So let’s enjoy a cold, cold weekend in our Nation’s capital.
Need to know how to get around? Check out MPD’s traffic closures and don’t sleep on their interactive map, which will reflect changes in real-ish time.
Fun Around the Hill
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Hill Center this Saturday, learning how to make New Year delicacies with Janet Cam. Hurry– only a couple of tickets left. Get them here.
Or whisk yourself to Belgium with moules et frites with Marianne Tshishamba. Anywhere but here, am I right? Get your tickets here.
Did you know Capitol Hill Books is having an online sale? That’s right– enjoy one of your favorites without leaving home. Click here to be whisked away.
Next week, Labyrinth has a whole slate of programming to take your mind off things. Want to play a board game? Thursday! Want to play Magic The Gathering? That’s Tuesday AND Friday! And on National Puzzle Day, January 25, bring your skills, assemble a team and see how fast you can assemble a 500-piece puzzle. More information on their Events page.
Feeling hearbroken and frustrated over the fires in Los Angeles? You can support LAFD through this link: https://supportlafd.org/
Want to be part of the K9 Corps at Congressional Cemetery? Then join the lottery– starts today! More info here and link to join the lottery here.
OFF-HILL
The National Building Museum is opening a new permanent exhibit this Saturday, titled “Visible Vault: Open Collections Storage.” The exhibition, 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, will be a fixture at the second floor of the museum. Check out my Instagram post here. This means that every time you visit, you may see a slightly different exhibit– cool right? Get tickets here.
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.
Do you work over at Crystal City uh National Landing and they are forcing you to return to work? Check out Breakfast Bingo and win!
And you can write a haiku for the Golden Triangle’s annual Golden Haiku contest. Check it out here.
PLAN AHEAD
Create a postcard from your ideal summer day at CHAW on January 25. “Postcards from Summer” is an interactive workshop for all ages: a fun, creative “escape” from winter, giving participants the opportunity to create their own summer, wherever they are, and despite the season. Saturday, January 25, 2025 10:00 am – Noon. Free for all ages. RSVP to charlene@chaw.org.
Also on January 25, join Hill Family Biking at 10:30am at Maury Elementary Parking Lot for a 3.5-mile bike ride down to Canal Park for ice skating at special group rate ($13 skate + rental). Take advantage of the noon skate session and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies provided by La Dînette DC.
Winter Restaurant Week is coming January 27! Make your plan and go! Go! Go! Winter is an especially slow time for restaurants so eat up, my pretties. It’s for a good cause.
Want to celebrate Home Rule before it goes away? (Hopefully not!) The DC History Center is having a special event on January 30 all about our right to self-govern. More info and registration here.
Have you ever wanted to understand Shakespeare better? Well, Aquarius season is for the people, and so is The Reading Room festival at the Folger Shakespeare Library. From January 30 to February 2, explore how Shakespeare’s worlds are better staged, adapted and brought to audiences. Learn more and get your tickets to one of more of the workshops here.
Up next in the Chiarina series is Josephine, a monodrama for voice and five instruments that pays homage to the incredible Josephine Baker. This one-of-a-kind production happens February 1 at St. Marks, 3rd and A SE. More information and tickets here. Consider becoming a Chiarina member here.
Did you know February 1 is known as La Chandeleur and you are supposed to eat crêpes? Do it at the Hillwood Estate! More info here.
Want to give your kids ages 8-12 a memorable overnight experience? The National Archives’ next sleepover is on February 1-2. The experience begins at 6:30 p.m on the first and ends on the second at 9 a.m. Sign up HERE and if it’s already full, get put on the waitlist by emailing info@archivesfoundation.org.
Want to go to a special Valentine’s Day concert at the Entertainment Sports Arena with Trey Songz and Tamar Braxton? Click here to get presale tickets with code EDC.
Yep, Valentine’s Day is around the corner and nothing says romance like The Love Birds at the Folger. Love? Check. Poetry? Check. Music? Check. Buy your tickets here.
You can also go with the fam to the Library of Congress and make an old-timey Victorian Valentine. Registration and information here.
And get excited: Mardi Gras is coming to the Wharf on Saturday, March 1! Parade! Live music! Food! Drink! Merriment! More info here.
Fan of fitness and flowers? Then the Friends of the National Arboretum Flowering 5K on March 23! More information and signups here.