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

By: Mimi Montgomery

Photo by Flickr user slgdc1433

FRIDAY, MARCH 9

MILLENNIAL WONDERLAND: Okay,so  it opened last week, but what would an event roundup be without mentioning the Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Bar? This year, there are 90,000 blossoms and 1,300 butterflies in the space, not to mention an actual smoke-blowing Godzilla. Yes, the line will be long, but think about all the Instagrams posting you can do from inside. (1841 7th St. NW, 5 p.m. – 1:30 a.m., FREE)

S’MORE IS S’MORE: Get your sweet fix while warming up at the Navy Yard’s Osteria Morini today and tomorrow. The waterfront Italian restaurant will have its outdoor fire pit going, and there will be all the fixings needed to make some kickass s’mores. And we’re not talking Hershey bars and stale crackers – these will all be made with bittersweet chocolate, homemade marshmallows, and graham cracker macaroons. (Osteria Morini, 5 – 9 p.m., FREE)

WHERE’S THE MEAT?: It’s Grills Gone Wild at Rocklands today! Aside from your usual order of barbecue, the spot will be serving not-so-typical meats like camel, ostrich, goat, and buffalo. Supplies are limited, so if you’re an adventurous eater, get there sooner rather than later. (Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., prices vary)

TAKE IT UNDERGROUND: Party with at Dupont Underground tonight. As part of the Kennedy Center’s Direct Current program, which celebrates interdisciplinary, modern art, the Washington Chorus will perform a mashup with DJ Justin Reed, complete with lighting and projection accompaniments. Stick around – there will be drinks, too. (Dupont Underground, 10 p.m. – 12 midnight, $10)

MORE: DIY Junkestra: Instrument-Making Workshop (The Kennedy Center, 7 – 8:30 p.m., $15), Feel the Charm Presents: Girl Talk (Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House, 6 – 10 p.m., $10), Literary Cocktails: Kindred (Petworth Citizen, 7 – 12 midnight, prices vary), The Wiz: Preview (Ford’s Theatre, 7:30 – 10 p.m., FREE), The Room (E Street Cinema, 11:59 p.m., $9.50 – $10)

Photo by Brandon Kopp

SATURDAY, MARCH 10

GO GREEN: Eat your greens while keeping it local – Little Wild Things City Farm will be hosting a pop-up at Shope Made in D.C. today. Come check out the urban farm’s collection of microgreens, edible flowers, and pre-made salads while learning about farming sustainably in a city. (Shop Made in D.C., 1 – 5 p.m., FREE)

SINK IT: If you want to relive your glory days, enter Buffalo Billiards’ District Pong Showdown today. That’s right – 64 teams will compete against each other in a single elimination beer pong tournament to win $1,000. Sure, there may be more productive ways to spend your Saturday, but where’s the fun in that? (Buffalo Billiards, 12 noon – 5 p.m., $70 to enter)

SINGLE + READY TO MINGLE: The “You’re Single, We Get It” podcast is relaunching today, and you’re invited to be a part of the studio audience. Watch as fellow single-ites talk about the best and worst parts of the single life, from navigating overly-curious family members to getting the bed all to yourself. While mingling is encouraged, this isn’t a dating event – just a chance to make new friends. (The Lemon Collective D.C., 7 – 10 p.m., $15)

EMERALD ISLE: Throw on all your green for the Ireland on the Wharf festival today. Head to the waterfront neighborhood for bagpipers, live music, Irish dancers, and a beer garden. And don’t forget: Your day wouldn’t be complete with a stop at Kirwan’s irish Pub for a pint of Guinness. (The Wharf, 2 – 6 p.m., FREE)

MORE: Poetry Workshop: “Haiku to You: The Feminine Voice in Nature” (CentroNia, 12:30 – 3 p.m., FREE), Vocational Farming and the Rise of Boutique Farms (Anacostia Community Museum, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., FREE, registration required), The Low Anthem (Union Stage, 7 p.m., $17 – $25), Library of Congress Photo Safari (Library of Congress – The Jefferson Building, 2:30 – 5 p.m., $74), Roomful of Blues (The Hamilton, 8 – 11 p.m., $35 – $75), Women’s History Month Family Day (National Postal Museum, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., FREE), March Madness Skeeball Tournament (Buffalo Billiards, 2 – 7 p.m., $20)

SUNDAY, MARCH 11

PADDY PARADE: The St. Paddy’s festivities don’t stop. Today is the 48th annual St. Patrick’s Parade of Washington, and this year’s theme is “Showcasing D.C. Irish Culture.” Come out and watch the the floats, bagpipers, and Irish dancers while NBC new4’s Pat Collins heads up the event. (Constitution Ave. NW from 7th to 17th Streets NW, 12 noon, FREE)

FLY FOR GOOD: Working out on a Sunday for a good cause? That’s a triple achievement. This afternoon class at the CityCenter FlyWheel isn’t just a good workout – the proceeds go toward Kids in Need of Defense, which provides representation to children in immigration court alone. So that’s your good deed and workout for the week. (CityCenter FlyWheel, 3:15 p.m., $25 – $30)

GURL POWER: Rock out at Girls Drum! DC Fest tonight. The event will showcase bands with female drummers and benefits Girls Rock! DC, a music education group that promotes confidence and creativity in girls. Come listen to local bands like Lightmare, The Meer, and Syndicate 51. (Songbyrd Music House, 5:30 p.m., $10 – $12)

DIY DYE: If you liked tie-dying as a kid, you’ll love working with indigo. Take a class hosted by Wax & Wane Fiber tonight that’ll teach you how to work with the dye to make uniquely beautiful scarves, blankets, or wall hangings. You’ll learn how to wrap and fold the cloth to make a variety of patterns, so each will be one-of-a-kind. (The Lemon Collective, 1 – 3 p.m., $60)

MORE: Happy Birthday, Northeast Library (Northeast Library, 1 p.m., FREE), Trouble Funk (U Street Music Hall, 7 p.m., $15), Sunday Story Time (Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe, 11 a.m. – 12 noon, FREE), How to Throw a Tico Fiesta Cooking Class (Tico, 3 – 6 p.m., $50), Paella Making Class (La Tasca, 12 noon – 3 p.m., $75 – $150)