12 Of Our Favorite Events in D.C. This Weekend

By: Mimi Montgomery

Photo by Flickr user Erin

FRIDAY, MARCH 23

TULIP FESTIVAL: Today and tomorrow, the park at CityCenter will be filled with over 40,000 tulips. You can walk through it and enjoy the flowers for free, and it’s just a dollar per stem to take some home. Get as many as you can – all funds raised will support DC Central Kitchen. (CityCenter, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., FREE)

ASTRAL WEEKS: Washington Post‘s David Malitz recently released a book, Astral Weeks, which looks at the story behind Van Morrison’s album of the same name. Malitz will be at Right Proper tonight do a reading, answer questions, and sign copies of the book. Fittingly, the brewery’s Astral Weeks beer will be on-tap all night. (Right Proper Brewing Company, 7 – 9 p.m., FREE)

ONE JOURNEY: One Journey is a group that promotes refugee entrepreneurs and celebrates their contributions. Come to its fundraiser tonight and enjoy food, coffee, and art all made by local refugees. There will be speakers and a raffle, too. (The Warner Building, 7 – 9 p.m., $85)

FOLGER FRIDAYS: It may be hard to imagine Shakespeare as a graphic novel, but that’s the kind of thing illustrator Gareth Hinds creates. Come hear the author and artist talk about turning pieces like Macbeth or Beowulf into lively illustrations. After, stick around the theater to see a performance of The Winter’s Tale. (Folger Theatre, 6 – 7 p.m., FREE)

MORE: Argentine Tango Lessons (18th Street Lounge, 7 – 9 p.m., $20), Washington Wizards v. Denver Nuggets (Capital One Arena, 7 p.m., prices vary), Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea (The St. Regis, 4 – 6 p.m., $85), Fabio Trabocchi Collaboration Dinner (Del Mar, 6:30 – 10 p.m., $200), Lucius with Ethan Gruska (The Lincoln Theatre, 6:30 p.m., $35), Stand-Up by Dulce Sloan from The Daily Show (Drafthouse Comedy, 7 – 9:30 p.m., $20)

Photo by Miki Jourdan

SATURDAY, MARCH 24

FIESTA: Rock out to a live mariachi band and DJ at the Mexican Cultural Institute’s black-tie fiesta tonight. In between learning moves from in-house dancers, take a break to try out the Mexican buffet and open bar (complete with tequila, of course). There will be galleries display Mexican art and a chance to win a trip to Mexico, too. (Mexican Cultural Institute, 8:15 p.m. – 12-midnight, $90)

TO DYE FOR: The Freer|Sackler museum launches its latest exhibit today. To Dye For: Ikats from Central Asia looks at the history of the now-popular fabric used by designers like the late Oscar de la Renta. The collection mixes 30 ikat pieces from the museums collection with several de la Renta creations, highlighting its cultural legacy and lasting presence. (Freer|Sackler, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., FREE)

MARCH: Even if it’s not your thing, there’s no arguing that the March For Our Lives will be a historic event. Whether you’re protesting or just there to check it out, there are plenty of events happening around it, including musical performances by the likes of Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. (Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd and 12th Streets NW, 12-noon, FREE)

MORE: Doctor Faustus Screening (Shakespeare Theatre Company, 2 – 5 p.m., $20), Plant Bazaar x Cultural DC: Mobile Art Gallery (The Lemon Collective, 1 – 4 p.m., FREE), Demi Lovato & DJ Khaled (Capital One Arena, 7:30 p.m., prices vary), Influential Women in American History Wikipedia Editing Workshop (DAR Headquarters, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., FREE, registration required), Souls of China Paperback Launch (Washington Marriott Wardman Park, 2 – 3 p.m., FREE), Colin Currie and Nicolas Hodges Performance (The Library of Congress, 8 – 11 p.m., FREE), Gang of Youths (Union Stage, 8:30 p.m., $15 – $25)

Photo by Flickr user Josh

SUNDAY, MARCH 25

CEZANNE: Today is the opening day of the National Gallery’s exhibit dedicated to Cézanne’s portraits, the first of its kind. The collection shows about 60 Cézanne portraits that span the artist’s whole career, including some that have never been shown in the U.S. (National Gallery of Art, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., FREE)

WOMEN, FASHION, ART: Also at the National Gallery, take a tour focused on women and fashion in art. You’ll look at pieces from the 15th to the 19th century and the women in them, using their wardrobes as a way to discuss the societal evolution of female roles. Your guide will be Rebecca Durgin, who has a degree in the history of decorative arts. (National Gallery of Art, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., $6.90)

CHOCOLATE EGGS, PLEASE: Bring the kids (or your inner child) to this chocolate egg-making class at the Watergate. The chocolatiers from SPAGnVOLA will be on-hand to walk you through molding your own eggs, as well as adding goods like mousse and berries. The event is being held next weekend, too, if you’re looking for an Easter weekend outing. (The Watergate Hotel, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., $40 – $60)

WHISKEY FESTIVAL: The bar Jack Rose is already known for its whiskey collection, but now it’s stepping it up a notch. Come to its first whiskey festival today, complete with 15 stations of scotch, rye, bourbon, and international liquors. There will be specially-crafted whisky cocktails in the house (as well as appetizers), as well as seminars and meet-and-greets with distillers. (Jack Rose, 1 – 5 p.m., $80)

WATERCOLOR + TIMBER PIZZA: Artist Marcella Kriebel is hosting another Art You Can Eat event, this time at the award-winning, nationally-recognized spot Timber Pizza. You’ll get a custom Kriebel illustration of Timber’s pizza, which you’ll watercolor paint under her instruction. Before, during, and after, feast on Timber’s seriously awesome pizzas while having unlimited house wine. (Timber Pizza Company, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., $90)

MORE: Kelly Lee Owens (Union Stage, 7:30 p.m., $15), Pup ‘n’ Petals (National Mall, 2 p.m., FREE), Studio Spring Cleaning Sale (Atlantic Plumbing, 12 noon – 4 p.m., FREE)