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

By: Mimi Montgomery

Photo by Miki Jourdan

FRIDAY, MAY 25

JAZZ IN THE GARDEN: It’s back–today marks the summer kick-off of Jazz in the Garden. Recline amongst the pieces in the Sculpture Garden and take in tunes by saxophonist Tony Craddock Jr. & Cold Front as you sip sangria, wine, or beer. While you can bring in your own snacks, you’re technically not allowed to bring in your own alcohol. Keyword = technically. (National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 5 – 8:30 p.m., FREE)

BOOZY POPS, PLZ: What’s better than a popsicle on a warm day? An alcoholic popsicle on a warm day. Head to H Street’s Stable for the launch of their Schnapps-filled freeze pops. You can choose from flavors like pear, raspberry, and apricot-plum, and you can even order a glass of sparkling wine to dunk them in for a slushy treat. They’ll be around all summer, so make it a thing. (Stable, 5:30 – 11 p.m.)

D.C. BLACK PRIDE: Today marks the start of Black Pride. All throughout the long weekend, there will be events in the city. From happy hours, sexual health symposiums, history exhibits, career talks, poetry slams, town halls, block parties, nightclub gatherings, and more, the weekend is jam-packed. Come join 50,000 other people to celebrate this year’s theme — “Communities Together Building Communities.” (Locations and times vary)

SAUCE ME: Fire up those grills–tonight’s cooking class is all about sauces. You’ll learn to make at-home, tangy spreads like smoky chipotle ketchup, garlic herb mayo, BBQ sauce, and balsamic honey mustard to seriously up your cooking flavors. While you mix and whisk, enjoy a welcome cocktail, amuse bouche, and wine and beer. (Tastemakers, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., $65)

MORE: Spargelfest Dinner (German Embassy, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., $87 – $97), Sollers Point Filmmaker Q&A (West End Cinema, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m., $9.50 – $12.50), Georgetown Comedy Show (Chinese Disco, 7 – 9:30 p.m., FREE), Rosé All Day (Shop Made in D.C., 12 noon – 8 p.m.), Nicolay & the Hot Nights with James A.M. Downes (City Winery, 6 – 10 p.m., $15 – $20), Molly Crabapple with Latoya Peterson: Brothers of the Gun (East City Bookshop, 6:30 – 7 p.m., FREE), Opening Reception: Magali Hébert-Huot (Hamiltonian, 7 – 9 p.m., FREE)

Photo by Flickr user Erin

SATURDAY, MAY 26

TREE HUGGERS UNITE: Like walking tours? Cool. Like trees? Even better! Take a holiday weekend stroll through the leafy and tree-lined streets of Georgetown with professional tour guides. Not only will you get some historical background on the tony neighborhood, but you’ll get to learn all about the different types of trees that call the cobblestone streets home. Just, you know–watch out for that rabid raccoon that was on the loose. (Meet at Dumbarton House, 12 noon – 2 p.m., $18 – $20)

JUST TALK: This event is pretty much as it sounds–Meaningful Conversations with Strangers is quite literally a meet-up that fosters meaningful convos with strangers. You’ll meet at the Lincoln Memorial with your other chatters before dispersing across the Mall holding signs offering intelligent convo. From there, let the topics and connections flow. (Lincoln Memorial, 5 – 7 p.m., FREE)

JAZZY: The free outdoor series Petworth Jazz Project kicks off for another season today. Come first thing for a 30-minute kids performance by Baba Ras D before settling in and listening to local jazz pianist Federico Gonzalez Peña. There will be a BBQ food truck if you’re hungry, or take advantage of the holiday weekend and try to squeeze into Timber Pizza or Himitsu. (Petworth Rec Center, 6 – 9 p.m., FREE)

OH MY POD: The Flop House is a podcast where three seriously funny dudes get together to watch an awful movie and discuss it. Tonight, they’ll be getting together to tape their show in D.C. and discuss the film Geostorm, which was supposedly one of the worst-reviewed films in 2017. The hosts have written for shows like The Daily Show (both the Jon Stewart and Trevor Noah iterations) and have won Emmys, so expect to LOL. (Sixth & I, 7 p.m., $25 – $28)

MORE: Outdoor Tai Chi Classes (Chinatown Park, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., FREE), Dardanella: Roaring 1920s Lawn Party (Washington National Cathedral, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., $55 – $125), Lissie with Van William (9:30 Club, 8 p.m., $25), Rooftop Sunrise Yoga (Embassy Row Hotel, 8 – 9 a.m.), K-Pop Dance Party (U Street Music Hall, 10:30 p.m. – 3 a.m., $10), Family Workshop: Tiny Tinkerers (National Building Museum, 10 – 11:30 a.m., $15 – $20), Paper Airplane Regatta (Smithsonian National Postal Museum, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., FREE), Silent Disco Rooftop Party (Cambria Hotel & Suites, 8 – 11 p.m., $16)

Photo by Eric Spiegel

SUNDAY, MAY 27

RIDE TO REMEMBER: The Rolling Thunder Run is a motorcycle ride through the city that takes place each year to commemorate Vietnam War veterans and those left behind. Follow the cyclists as they head from the North Pentagon parking lot to the National Mall and West Potomac Park. There, they’ll pay tribute to those lost in the war; later, there’ll be talks at the Lincoln Memorial and live music, too. (Locations vary, rides start at 12 noon)

BELAY ON: It’s a good weekend to get outdoors, so you might as well pick up a new skill. Learn to rock climb outside by signing up for a workshop with D.C. Wild Outdoor Adventurers. The event is geared toward beginners, so no previous experience is necessary. Just show up with snacks and water, and they’ll hook you up with harnesses, shoes, and helmets. Next stop–Everest. (Carderock Recreation Area, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

HERITAGE TALK: The National Museum of African Art regularly hosts Heritage Talks, which examine different elements of the African diaspora. Today, it will celebrate Ethiopian-Jewish heritages by screening Mekonen: The Journey of an African Jew. The film follows a man who emigrated from Ethiopia to Israel as part of 1984’s Operation Solomon, and chronicles his emotional return to his home country. After, stick around for a discussion, food and drink, and musical performances. (National Museum of African Art, 1:30 – 5 p.m., FREE)

OINK: What’s Memorial Day Weekend without a BBQ? Head to American Ice Co. for an all-you-can-eat pig roast-we’re talking mac ‘n’ cheese, baked beans, cornbread, slaw, and (of course) pork. Maker’s Mark will be on-site making cocktails, and Founders Brewing Co. will provide the beers. Live bluegrass tops it all off. (American Ice Co., 12 noon – 4 p.m., $25 – $50)

MORE: Intro to Art Journaling (WeWork Wonder Bread Factory, 3 – 6 p.m., $65), Willie Nelson & Family and Sturgill Simpson with Cris Jacobs (The Anthem, 6:30 p.m., $95 – $175), Monuments of D.C. Tour and Book Talk (Busboys and Poets, 6 – 8 p.m.,  FREE), Intro to Floral Arrangement Workshop (Steadfast Supply, 1 – 3 p.m., $75), Sally Wen Mao and Dan Brady Reading (Bridge Street Books, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE), Secrets of Washington, D.C. Walking Tour (Meet at Smithsonian Metro Station, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., $20), Laura Veirs (Union Stage, 8 p.m., $18), Vision Board Workshop (Femme Fatale D.C. Pop-Up Store, 11 a.m. – 12 noon, $10), All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feast Cruise (Georgetown Harbor, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., $80)