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

Prince Of Petworth May 4, 2018 at 12:45pm

FRIDAY, MAY 4

‘ZA AND JAZZ: Friday means it’s quittin’ time, so kick back with some jazz and pizza at A Baked Joint. Every Friday, a live jazz band takes to the bakery-meets-coffee-shop-meets-cocktail-spot; tonight, Three Man Soul Machine will be in the house playing Caribbean-inspired jazz fusion. (A Baked Joint, 7:30 – 10 p.m., FREE)

PETAL POWER: So it is true — April showers bring May flowers. At least that’s the case at the 79th Annual Flower Mart, kicking off today. Through Saturday, come to the National Cathedral for food, artisanal goods, an antique carousel, and — of course — plenty of flower displays. (Washington National Cathedral, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., FREE)

THE FORCE IS STRONG IN THIS COCKTAIL: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away (aka D.C.), May the Fourth was with us. Celebrate the unofficial Star Wars day in appropriate style with themed cocktails — perhaps a Toast of Tatooine or a Lord of the Sith? (EatBar, prices vary)

ISLAND LIFE: If you step on Bahamian soil without leaving D.C., it still kinda counts as a vacation, right? The Embassy of the Bahamas will host a celebration of all things Caribbean tonight. Think a buffet of conch fritters, fried plantains, and coconut bread pudding; a diplomatic meet-and-greet; a DJ spinning island-inspired tunes; and, of course, an open bar with tons of rum. (Embassy of the Bahamas, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m., $52)

MORE: New Music Friday: Leon Bridges Good Thing (Songbyrd Record Cafe, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., FREE), Park View First Friday (Park View, 6 – 9 p.m.), Lord Huron with Midnight Sister (The Anthem, 6:30 p.m., $40 – $60), DIY Paper Flower Making (Shop Made in D.C., 6 – 7 p.m., $45), Rhode Island Independence Day Celebration (Franklin Hall, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.), Curated! A Symposium on Collecting (DAR Museum, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

Photo by Caroline Angelo

SATURDAY, MAY 5

RUN, CHIHUAHUA, RUN!: Yeah, there’s that whole Kentucky Derby thing today, but what about a chihuahua race? That will be happening this afternoon at the Wharf in honor of Cinco de Mayo. Stop by to grab a Corona and watch the mini pups take off toward the finish line. There will be a doggie costume contest, live music, food, and a beer garden, too (and did we mention there will be a chihuahua race?). (The Wharf, 1 – 5 p.m., FREE)

AROUND THE WORLD: Put on your walking shoes: More than 50 embassies will be open to the public today for tours. Make your way through each country’s outpost to experience its food, music, art, dance, fashion, and more. No passport required! (Locations vary, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., FREE)

MINT JULEP ME: If you want an elevated Kentucky Derby-watching experience, this is for you: Swing by the St. Regis for a workshop all about making the perfect mint julep. The race will be on while you mix and sip, and there will be passed apps, too. (Seersucker and sun hats optional.) (The St. Regis, 4 – 6 p.m., $55)

MARVIN GAYE DAY: Today is the first Marvin Gaye Day festival, which will be held to celebrate the opening of the new Marvin Gaye Recreation Center. Mayor Muriel Bowser will cut the ribbon for the new center along with members of Gaye’s family, and his original group, the Marquees, will perform. There will be live music, food trucks, a 5K run and walk, and tours of the new $14 million Northeast building. (Marvin Gaye Recreation Center, 2 – 5 p.m., FREE)

MORE: Lucha Libre Cinco de Mayo Celebration (W Washington Hotel, 5 – 9 p.m.), Mighty Greens Seedling Sale (Eastern High School, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.), Argentine Tango Weekend Bootcamp (Sport & Health Northwest, 2 – 5 p.m., $100), Kentucky Derby Viewing Party (The Watergate Hotel, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., $50), Cinco de Mayo Rooftop Fiesta (Surfside, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.), Ani DiFranco (9:30 Club, 8 – 11 p.m., $40), Triple Crown Get Down (Perry’s, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m., $85), Psycho Killers Talking Heads Tribute Band (Gypsy Sally’s, 7 p.m., $15 – $18), Max Amini (GW Lisner Auditorium, 8 – 10 p.m., $25 – $75)

Photo by Flickr user Mr.TinDC

SUNDAY, MAY 6

BUGGIN’ OUT: Tonight, the Professors + Pints will host entomologist Nate Erwin to talk all things bugs and gardens. Over some drinks, the former manager of the Smithsonian insect zoo and butterfly pavilion will walk you through what kinds of greens attract certain insects, and point out the kinds of plants you can grow to boost your ecosystem. (La Pop, 6:30 p.m., $10)

BOOK IT: The Literary Hill BookFest is all about the authors who live on or write about Capitol Hill, as well as the book sellers and libraries who carry their work. Come to Eastern Market to meet these hometown authors living and working in the District, and to learn more about literary services in the area. (Eastern Market, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., FREE)

YOGA + HIKE: Why pick just hiking or yoga when you can do both? Head to the National Arboretum for a guided hike through its dogwood and Asian collections. Along the way, you’ll stop to take some standing yoga poses, then continue on your path toward the river. (United States National Arboretum, 10 a.m. – 12 noon, $20 – $25)

BOOK TALK: Pulitzer Prize-winner and historian Jon Meacham will be in town to discuss his latest book, The Soul of America. It covers activist leaders and movements in America, from abolitionists to suffragists to Civil Rights marchers, and how hope can overcome fear. Meacham will sit down with MSNBC’s Chris Matthews to talk about the book and its insights into our political environment today. (Jack Morton Auditorium, 5 p.m., $35)

MORE: Film Screening: My Son Tenzin (Freer | Sackler Galleries, 1 – 3 p.m., FREE), Capitol Riverfront Farmers Market Grand Opening (Canal Park, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.), Paella Day (ANXO Cidery, 11 am. – 4 p.m.), Scavenger Hunt at the Zoo (National Zoo, 2 – 5 p.m., $15 – $20), Yoga Sculpt Open Community Class (CorePower Yoga – CityCenter, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., FREE)