We have made it to the almost-weekend! Let’s check in: Are you still doing Dry January? Bless your little committed heart! How’s your mental health? Do you need help? Here are a few DC resources. A hug? Nice photos of Jayden Daniels? Drop a note and maybe you’ll get a little something to cheer you up from me. Okay, let’s move on, shall we?
FUN AROUND THE HILL
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. Feeling strong in your knowledge of Shakespeare? Take this (extremely difficult) quiz here!
Our good friend Capitol Jill is joining forces with ChiKo to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Snake with a special afternoon tea service, February 1-2, 2025. There are three seatings available. Read more about Jill here and reserve your spot 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. Mark’s, 3rd and A SE. More information and tickets here. Consider becoming a Chiarina member here.
Also, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church is celebrating the Souperbowl: Pick the team you think will win the Super Bowl by bringing cans to the church on February 2 or 9, 2025 (services are at 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 5 p.m.) and placing them in a designated team basket. The team with the most cans wins, but we all win, as your generous donation and wager will help keep the Lutheran Church of the Reformation food pantry full. An ecumenical bet? Charming!
It’s Winter Restaurant Week!!!! Do yourself a favor and try at least one awesome restaurant you wouldn’t otherwise try. Make sure you tip generously and please please please: Unless it’s a dietary necessity, remember that there are no substitutions in the Restaurant Week menus. Have fun!
Earlier in the month, the Michelin Guide (or if you want to feel fancy, le Guide Michelin) released their list and several spots in our area are featured. You can find the list here. Do future you a favor and make a reservation today!
The James Beard Foundation also announced their nominees and we also have several spots in our local area who are being recognized for their excellence. How amazing is that? Check out the list here and reserve accordingly.
Every 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 just in time for the Lunar New Year, maybe you should try your hand at Mah Jong this coming Wednesday, February 5, 2-4 p.m.! No, it’s not just a game you play by yourself in your computer (or used to, lo many a year ago). More information on their Events page.
Feeling the itch to get crafty but not sure where to start? Try the Northeast Neighborhood Libray’s Crafternoon on Thursday, January 30. All ages are welcome, and so are you. More info here.
If you’re more advanced in the crafting field, go to Relume and make something beautiful! From charm bracelets to watercolors, there are workshops for you. Go to this landing page, click on what you want to do and sign up!
Did you know the Queen Vic has Sunday Roast every Sunday? Feel like you just stepped into a British pub and enjoy your pick of beef or lamb, served with potatoes fried in duck fat, Yorkshire pudding, a pint or perhaps a Pimm’s cup. First-come, first-served! For the full menu and more information, click here.
It’s chilly out, so why not catch a movie? The Miracle Theatre has a slate of timeless classics and recent movies. You can catch Groundhog Day this Friday, January 31 and get “I Got You, Babe” stuck in your head for all of February. Tickets here.
Did you know that ice melt can electrocute dogs? Consider signing this petition to ask the city and well, people in general, to switch to a more life-friendly alternative.
Want to be part of the K9 Corps at Congressional Cemetery? Then join the lottery! It closes February 10 More info here and link to join the lottery here.
Have a kiddo between the ages of 14-24 who needs a summer job? Have them apply to the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program here.
OFF-HILL
Want to help DC Fire and EMS and the Red Cross save lives? Then consider donating blood this coming Friday, January 31 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Capitol View. The drive goes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info and sign-ups here.
The Washington Auto Show is here! If you’re into ogling cars, get tickets here.
Want to celebrate Home Rule before it goes away? (Hopefully not!) The DC History Center is having a special event today, January 30, all about our right to self-govern. More info and registration 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.
Groundhog Day doesn’t just alight upon Pennsylvania: In DC, we have our own Potomac Phil. On February 2 at 8:30 a.m., go to the Dupont Circle fountain and enjoy the seer of seer’s predictions. We’re pretty sure six months of political gridlock is in the parlay. More info here.
Celebrate the year of the Wooden Snake with a DC tradition: the Lunar New Year Parade! On Sunday, February 2, starting at 2 p.m., celebrate the beginning of year 4723! Click here to go to the official parade page for more info, as well as starting and stopping points.
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.
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.
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!
Skip the Small Talk is a movement that is trying to get strangers to interact meaningfully with one another and they hold events in the DC area but also online ones. Intrigued? Check out their event listings here— the next one is happening at Tonic in Foggy Bottom on February 11.
Peacock Alley at the Waldorf Astoria downtown is doing a special series of Wednesday events called Wednesdays at the Waldorf Astoria. These curated events pair foods with special drinks for a one-of-a-kind experience. Book yours here while it’s still the W-A because apparently it may be back to being a Trump hotel sooner than we think.
PLAN AHEAD
Want to sign up to rate this year’s Super Bowl commercials? Go here!
Do you love pancakes and good causes? Then you should add the Troop 380 Flapjack Fest to your calendar. On Saturday, February 8, from 8-11 a.m., mosey on down to St. Peter’s Catholic Church hall, 313 2nd Street SE, and get all the pancakes and sausages your little body can fit (probably not as many as you think). Buy tickets here.
Did you ever want to see how REM’s albums Monster and New Adventures in Hi-Fi would sync up with Buster Keaton’s Sherlock Jr.? Wonder no more and get tickets for the February 11 show NOW. (This feels extremely niche and I love it.)
If you’re looking for a pre-Valentine’s event, TAP99, 1250 Half Street SE, is hosting “Pour Some Love” from 5-8 p.m. The event features tastings from six different craft breweries, as well as swag. If you’re a beer nerd or you love one, this is a must-attend event! Pour yourself and you beloved a cold one and enjoy! (Your beloved can be you.) You can RSVP right here.
Get your cutest knickers on and run for a good cause– just hope that the weather cooperates! On Saturday, February 15, support research for Neurofibromatosis by participating in the Cupid’s Undie Run at the Wharf! Sign up for the race here.
The Intersections Festival is coming to the Atlas starting February 15! Percussion, storytelling, burlesque, music, intersectionality! Get your tickets here.
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.
On February 19, enjoy a pop-up dinner benefiting the children of Palestine at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capitol Street (basement). From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., care for others as a team of cooks from some of the best restaurants in the area dazzle your tastebuds. For more information and tickets, click here. ($50 minimum donation)
Have you ever wanted to race your bike through parking lots? Why not? National Landing is hosting the Garage Racing National Championships on February 22. Learn more about the event here and sign up to race here!
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.
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.