By: Mimi Montgomery

Photo by Flickr user Erin

FRIDAY, MARCH 16

CHERRY BLOSSOM FEVER: Unless you live under a rock, you probably know it’s cherry blossom season in DC. That extends to ARTECHOUSE, too – check out the spot’s new exhibit Cherry Blossom Dream. It’s an interactive, digital exhibit that has you stepping into 3D-koi ponds and walking amongst cherry blossoms. (ARTECHOUSE, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., $8 – $15)

THREE BALLETS: If you’re a ballet-lover, tonight’s your night. Three pieces by rising choreographers will premiere tonight at Sidney Harman Hall. Clifton Brown of Alvin Ailey will premiere Menagerie,  American Ballet Theater dancer Gemma Bond will show Myriad (which looks at female gender roles), and another ABT dancer, Marcelo Gomes, will show his piece The Outset. Come see the new performances before anyone else. (Sidney Harman Hall, 7:30 p.m., $25 – $118)

ISLAND FEAST: It may not be spring yet in DC, but you can pretend at an island-themed soiree. Big Bear Cafe will host a pop-up for the forthcoming Coconut Club restaurant, which will open soon in Union Market. Chef Adam Greenberg is a four-time Chopped winner, and his spot will serve up Hawaiian dishes like Spam and fried rice and Tiki drinks. Try it all tonight before the new spot opens. (Big Bear Cafe, 5 – 10 p.m., no tickets required)

CHICKS MAKIN’ BEER: Learn about women in the beer-making world at the Museum of American History’s event Innovative Lives: How Women Shaped the Alcohol Industry. From Colonial days to Prohibition to today, women have been integral parts of the booze biz. A panel featuring the women behind groups like Denizen Brewery, Stoudt’s Brewery, and Wigle Whiskey will be in the house, too. (National Museum of American History, 6:30 – 9 p.m., $40)

MORE: General Shaw’s Chicken Comedy Showcase (Shaw’s Tavern, 8 – 9:30 p.m., $10), Women x Art Opening Party (The Lemon Collective, 7 – 11 p.m., FREE), Cinema + Conversation: The Rape of Recy Taylor (Museum of African American History and Culture, 7 – 9:30 p.m.), Metro Collective Gallery Opening (Lecia Store, 7 – 9 p.m., FREE), Textured Travels Photo Opening (Martha Spak Gallery at the Wharf, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE)

Photo by Caroline Angelo

SATURDAY, MARCH 17

OYSTERFEST: Give oysters one last hurrah before spring is officially here. Brasserie Beck will host its Oysterfest today, complete with all-you-can-eat raw and fried oysters, as well as chowder. There’ll be drink specials, too, so take advantage while you can. (Brasserie Beck, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., prices vary) Read More

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) Read More

By: Mimi Montgomery

Photo by Nathan Castellanos

FRIDAY, FEB. 9

BUBBLY, PLEASE: If your New Year’s resolution was to entertain more often, go to this: The St. Regis will host a cocktail class covering how to make the best champagne cocktail. You’ll learn to recreate plenty of recipes at home, and try some, too. Everyone gets to sample the cocktails they make, and there will be appetizers and a parting gift. (The St. Regis Hotel, $85, 4 – 6 p.m.)

PARTY LIKE AN OLYMPIAN: Let the games begin! Kick off the Olympics by watching the Opening Ceremony at Wunder Garten’s dance party. There will be themed cocktails like the Triple Lutz and the Downhill Chaser, a DJ, and prizes for the best costume (so break out those ski jackets). If you can’t make it, come by throughout the games to watch events on the spot’s TVs. (Wunder Garten at NoMa, 6:30 – 11 p.m., FREE)

WRITE ON: The Muslim Writers Collective is hosting its monthly open mic tonight. The theme is Love & Heartbreaks, so if you have something to say in the midst of Valentine’s Day season, sign up to share your songs, poems, or essays. Don’t want to get on stage? Come hang out and listen to the stories in-person. (Thurgood Marshall Center, 7 – 8 p.m., $7)

HAWT DAWG!: Free. Hot. Dogs. Yes, you read that correctly. Go by The Pig at lunch today, where they’ll be giving away 100 of their Boss Hogg Dogs free of charge. These bad boys come with smoked gouda, Cognac mustard, and foie gras aioli, so it’s worth it to elbow people out of your way en route. (The Pig, 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., FREE)

MORE: CinEinsomnia: Ghost (Landmark’s E Street Cinema, 12 midnight, $9.50 – $10), Tedeschi Trucks Band (Warner Theatre, 8 p.m., $67.50), Cabaret Rising (Dupont Underground, 3 – 5 p.m., $35 – $75)

Photo by Erin Kelly

SATURDAY, FEB. 10

YOU’VE GOT MAIL: This is way better than Hallmark – come to the National Postal Museum to make a Valentine for your boo or BFF. They’ll provide the supplies, and afterwards, you can head to the museum’s stamp store, pick out your favorite, and send the card right then and there. Who said snail mail is dead? (Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., FREE)

MOUNTAIN WINE: Cork’s wine tasting series continues this month with a new focus: mountain wines. Come by to taste and learn all about vinos from the mountains of France, Italy, and Spain. On top of the wine flights, there will be small plates, too, and you’ll leave with enough knowledge to host a wine tasting of your own. (Cork Wine Bar & Market, 2 – 3:30 p.m., $40) Read More

2701 12th Street, NE at Evarts courtesy Calabash

Ed. Note: Same block as Salumeria 2703 and Menomale.

From a press release:

“Calabash Tea & Tonic, DC’s award-winning teahouse, is set to open a second location in the Brookland neighborhood this spring. The 900 square foot Brookland shop is located at 2701 12th Street NE and will feature a large outdoor patio curated with medicinal plants and culinary herbs. Read More

By: Mimi Montgomery

Photo by quemac

MONDAY, JAN. 29

CLOTHES SWAP: It’s time for pre-spring cleaning: Clear your closet of gently-used clothes that you never wear, and bring them to a clothing swap. You’ll be able to trade your threads on-site for other cloths people have brought to swap, and you’ll walk out with a whole new outfit. (The Potter’s House, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE)

TIME IS UP: Platform: A New Generation of Politically Empowered Women is an education and lobbying group inspired by the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements. Today, it will host a panel and workshop about ways to advocate for an end to sexual violence and harassment. Tuesday, participants can go to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers and put their new tactics to use. (Social Tables, times vary, FREE, registration required)

MORE: David Hallberg with Michael Kaiser: A Body of Work (Politics and Prose at The Wharf, 7 – 8 p.m., FREE), Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (9:30 Club, 7 – 11 p.m., $26), Conversations with Women Who Lead (D.C. Mayor’s Office of Women’s Policy & Initiatives, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., FREE, registration required), The Puppet Lobby (Brookland Artspace Lofts, 7 – 8 p.m., FREE)

TUESDAY, JAN. 30

FOOD FREEDOM: We’re a culture obsessed with food – but when does that obsession become unhealthy? Food group pineapple presents a talk on food freedom and our relationship with it. Four women from the wellness and food industry will speak to the group about identities with food and the emotions that accompany eating. (Logan Exchange, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., $25 – $30) Read More

317 7th Street, SE

From a press release:

“Dorjee Momo is creating a more permanent home for Tibetan fare in DC with the opening of its residency in Bullfrog Bagels Eastern Market beginning January 27. This follows six months of private home dinners, events like Emporiyum and Illuminasia Festival, pop-ups at Thip Khao and Sally’s Middle Name, and lunch service at Dupont Circle’s Shop Made In DC.

“I am so excited to share the foods that I learned to make as a child in Tibet, and to play with the flavors and ingredients from places I have traveled to,” says Chef Dorjee Tsering. “When I cook with my team here, it gives me the feeling that I’m back with my family.”

“Sichuan Hot Pot with meats, vegetables, and tofu.” Photo credit: Farrah Skeiky/Dim Sum Media

A former Buddhist monk and Tibetan refugee, Dorjee has lived in Tibet, China, Nepal, and India. He spent years cooking across those countries and creating his own memories of flavors that are so often nostalgic for many. A few years after arriving in DC, he started Dorjee Momo out of Union Kitchen with his wife and business partner Amberjade Tsering. Read More

3409 Connecticut Ave, NW

“Dear PoPville,

How about a topic for last minute local shopping for gifts? Where – what – how much – who for? For example – I was in “Wake Up Little Susie” today and found a couple of fun games – but also a very cool roll-up electronic keyboard – (to the size of a large water bottle) which was too pricey ($60.00) for an general gift, but could be super for a real wandering musician.”

1330 19th Street, NW

Be sure to check out Shop Made in DC in Dupont and I also got this note from Upshur Street Books in Petworth (827 Upshur St, NW):

“We’re doing a blowout on Christmas Eve – all of our Children’s Books will be 25% off. The store will be open from 11am to 4pm for last minute holiday gift-buying. Your chance to stock up on great books for the little ones on your list – classics and new favorites.”

By: Mimi Montgomery

Photo by @maryaabender

MONDAY, DEC. 11

GET YOUR GREENS: No need for a huge, overpowering wreath – head to Shop Made in D.C. for a minimalist wreath-making class. Lil Cox of The Lemon Collective and A Strange Flower will walk you through making a simple wreath of seasonal greens on a gold hoop. The best part? The greens are selected to dry beautifully, so you can keep your creation beyond the season. (Shop Made in D.C., 6 – 7 p.m., $42)

JINGLE BELL ROCK: Get the best bang for your buck at Hot 99.5’s Jingle Ball: One ticket will get you in to see a group of some of music’s hottest artists today, such as Kesha, Logic, Halsey, Zedd, and Fall Out Boy. Early Christmas present, anyone? (Capital One Arena, 7:30 p.m., $60 – $200)

HOMETOWN HISTORY: Last summer, The D.C. Oral History Collaborative partnered with 10 local groups to create new oral history projects throughout the city. Projects included gathering stories on Anacostia, school integration, HIV/Aids in D.C., the city’s jazz history, and more. Join the group tonight to hear what each project unearthed, and learn a little more about D.C.’s past. (Busboys and Poets, 6 – 9 p.m., FREE, registration required)

MORE: Holiday Potluck and Prison Letter-Writing (Emergence Community Arts Collective, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., FREE), Bike Maintenance and Security (District Hardware and Bike, 6 – 6:45 p.m., FREE, registration required)

Photo by LaTur

TUESDAY, DEC. 12 Read More