12 Of Our Favorite Events This Week

By: Mimi Montgomery

Photo by Flickr user Mr.TinDC

MONDAY, APRIL 2

KAYAK + BLOSSOMS: As part of the Cherry Blossom Festival, head to the Wharf’s boathouse for kayaking. The self-guided tour takes you on a front-row view of the blossoms along East Potomac Park. You can get a double or a single kayak, and no experience is necessary. (The Wharf, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., $35 – $70)

KIMCHI JUICE: Head to H Street restaurant Maketto tonight to check out work by artist Julia Chon. Best known as Kimchi Juice, her art often features animals flipping off the viewer (check her out on Instagram). All month, her work will be on display at the restaurant, and she’ll be at the opening reception tonight. (Maketto, 7 – 10 p.m., FREE)

MOVIE NIGHT: It’s Movie Mondays at the Navy Yard Slipstream. Tonight’s theme is ladies’ night, and both Florence Foster Jenkins and The Dressmaker will be on. Don’t forget to check out the all-night happy hour, free popcorn, and half-off wine bottles, too. (Slipstream, 4 and 6 p.m., FREE)

MORE: Passover Italian Style (Fiola, 5 – 9:30 p.m., prices vary), Songbyrd Music Trivia (Songbyrd Music House & Record Cafe, 7 – 9 p.m., FREE), Industry Night: The Beckett Trio (Atlas Performing Arts Center, 8 – 9:15 p.m., $15), Auditions for Twelfth Night (Grace Episcopal Church, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., FREE), Ira Shapiro: Broken (Politics and Prose at the Wharf, 7 – 8 p.m., FREE), Anthony Ray Hinton: The Sun Does Shine (Politics and Prose, 7 – 8 p.m., FREE)

Photo by Flickr user wolfpackWX

TUESDAY, APRIL 3

METRO HISTORY: Despite all the Metro delays and shortcomings, it’s still an interesting part of Washington’s history. Come learn more about it at tonight’s talk, An Example of the Nation: Modernism and Classicism in the Washington Metro. Zachary Schrag, author of The Great Society Subway: A History of the Washington Metro, will give the lecture, and it’s hosted by Core Architecture + Design and Ten Arquitectos. (West End Library, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., FREE)

LA ESQUINA PROJECT: La Esquina Project is a photo and oral history project that documents the history of the Hispanic community in Mt. Pleasant. Tonight, there will be a guided tour of the exhibit, and a guide will walk you through the background of the project’s interview and photos. (Gala Hispanic Theatre, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.)

MORE: Learn to Dance Tango (Embassy of Argentina, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., FREE), Hold These Truths – Play and Reception (Arena Stage, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.), The Manager Mindset: What Does It Mean to be an Effective Manager? (The Democracy Collective, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., $5 – $10)

Photo by Ryan Bowley

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4

MLK, JR. WALK: Today marks the 50th anniversary of MLK, Jr’s death. To honor his life, meet on the National Mall to walk to the Lincoln Memorial, where you’ll listen to a taped recording of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. You’ll then walk to the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial for a discussion about King’s life and legacy, and the continued effects of his work today. (National Mall, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE)

WES FEST: Today kicks off the Wes Anderson Retrospective at the National Museum of American History. For the next four days, the museum will show a series of Anderson’s movies, from The Life Aquatic to Rushmore. Come to the opening party tonight, where Maxwell wine bar will provide the libations and a live band playing music from the films. (National Museum of American History, 6:45 p.m., prices vary)

WINE + TALK: So Women’s History Month is technically over, but continue the celebrations at tonight’s wine and conversation event. Sip vino while listening to CEOs and female entrepreneurs like Cari Dominguez, president of the International Women’s Forum, discuss the gender gap within business, and how best to attack it. (National Restaurant Association, 6 – 9 p.m. $95)

LADY IN RED: Sheila Tate was Nancy Reagan’s press secretary from 1981 to 1985, and she’ll be at the National Press Club to discuss her book Lady in Red: An Intimate Portrait of Nancy Reagan. The book draws on Tate’s close relationship as well as several interviews with friends and family to describe moments like Ronald Reagan’s assassination attempt. Come for a book talk, signing, and Q&A. (National Press Club, 6:30 – 8 p.m. $10)

MORE: Allagash Beer Dinner (Granville Moore’s, 7 – 10 p.m., $60), Nat Geo + Pod Save the People Live (National Geographic Society, 7:30 – 9 p.m.), Girl Talk: A Round Table Discussion About Sexual Assault (Take Care Shop D.C., 5 – 7 p.m., FREE), Write Bloody Poetry Live (Union Stage, 7:30 p.m., $15), Herbalism 101 Series (Common Good City Farm, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., $325), Spring Symposium: Race and Homelessness (National United Methodist Church, 6:15 – 8:30 p.m., FREE), How to Hang Pictures and Shelving in in Drywall (District Hardware and Bike, 6 – 6:45 p.m., FREE), Lincoln Assassination Tour (St. John’s Church, 7 p.m., $25)

Photo by Flickr user Josh

THURSDAY, APRIL 5

A NIGHT IN GEORGIA: Ever been to Georgia? No, not that one – the country. Get a taste without ever leaving at tonight’s event at the Embassy of Georgia. It’s a cultural celebration of all things Georgian, with a stand-up comedian, music, art, food, a wine tasting, and even a Georgian flash mob. (Embassy of Georgia, 6:30 – 10 p.m., $10 – $35)

EMPANADAS: There’s no such thing as too many empanadas, right? Starting today, Peregrine Espresso on 14th Street will host a pop-up for Cafe Pirqa every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday this month and next. The new Peruvian fast-casual concept will be serving up dishes like empanadas and alfajores. (Peregrine Espresso, 7:30 p.m., prices vary)

GO GAELIC: As part of a week-long language festival, come see an Irish movie in Gaelic tonight. There will be subtitles, obviously, and refreshments served, too. If you like what you hear, head to an event in Dupont Circle tomorrow night, where folks who speak Gaelic will gather and chat. (Chevy Chase Pavilion, 7 – 8:30 p.m., FREE)

MORE: Sculpt & Shape Thursdays (Freedom Plaza, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., FREE), She Kills Monsters (Davis Performing Arts Center, 8 – 10 p.m., $8 – $12), Big Lasagna Night (Casa Luca, 5 – 9 p.m., prices vary), Blood Wedding (Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre, 8 p.m., $15)