Angie Thomas will discuss her debut novel The Hate U Give at Busboys & Poets on Monday. (Photo courtesy of Epic Reads)
A look back on the presidential election (*shudder*), celebrations of Japanese culture, and more of this week’s most intriguing events.
MONDAY, MARCH 13
GAME OF THORNS: Presidential historian Doug Wead’s new book is like the HBO show, but instead of fire-breathing dragons and epic sword battles, it’s … a sweeping look at that election the entire country couldn’t get away from last year, and interviews with the larger-than-life personalities who played a role in it (including the POTUS himself). Wead will discuss it with White House correspondent Ken Walsh at a book talk event, while the entire audience fends off post-traumatic stress. (East City Bookshop; 6:30-8 p.m.; FREE)
ADULTS OF ALL AGES: Angie Thomas’ debut novel The Hate U Give, about a young woman forced to grapple with police brutality when she’s the sole witness to her friend’s murder, has garnered quite a bit of buzz and recently topped The New York Times bestsellers list. Hear Thomas discuss it just as she’s breaking big. (Busboys & Poets at 14th and V; 6:30-8 p.m.; FREE)
OPEN MIC: La-Ti-Do has been operating in D.C. since 2012 as a weekly cabaret. Now the group is branching out into open mic nights. If they get enough interest for this inaugural evening, they’ll keep them going monthly. Their hashtag alone is empowering: #MondayIsMyFriday. (Bistro Bistro; 8-10 p.m.; $5 to spectate, FREE to participate)
More: Soulful Movement; Zaytinya Dinner; St. Patrick’s Day at Ri Ra Georgetown
TUESDAY, MARCH 14
Hear three-award winning Canadian poets at Bridge Street Books on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of grist and whatever)
O CANADA: For many Americans, the nation to the north has been pretty appealing as of late. But if moving there isn’t in the cards, meeting people from Canada and learning about their lives might suffice. You can start by enjoying a night of poetry from three award-winning Canadian authors. (Bridge Street Books; 7-8:30 p.m.; FREE)
NINA SIMONE: Celebrate Women’s History Month with a screening of What Happened, Miss Simone?, an Oscar-nominated 2015 documentary about the “High Priestess of Soul” that covers her remarkable grasp on singing, piano-playing, and revolutionary activism. A discussion and light refreshments will follow the screening. (We Act Radio; 6-8:30 p.m.; FREE)
ENVIRONMENTAL FILM: The 25th annual Environmental Film Festival kicks off with a bang, courtesy of Water and Power: A California Heist. The documentary from executive producer Alex Gibney is described as “a real-life version of the 1974 film noir Chinatown.” One of the best and most unsettling movies of all time, but real? Gulp. Sign us up. (National Geographic Society, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; $30)
BUSINESS PITCH: Dying to act on that business idea you’ve been pitching at parties for years with little success and abundant eye rolls? Now might be your chance—the producers of Piranha Tank Live! (not to be confused with Shark Tank) will hear five-minute pitches at a networking event where you can also meet fellow entrepreneurs and suss out the competition. (WeWork Tysons; 5-8 p.m.; FREE)
More: Story District; Young Professionals Happy Hour; Airedale Trivia; Namour
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15
Cindy Kaza will communicate with the beyond at DC Improv on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of DC Improv)
JAPANESE DRUM: A troupe of athletic performers will honor centuries of Japanese music and theater traditions in a performance called Kodo, which translates to “heartbeat” or “children of the drum.” Indeed, the performers will make use of a drum called a taiko. (Strathmore; 8 p.m.; $35-75)
JAPANESE CULTURE: To keep the theme alive, this event brings the festivities from the stage to the street, with an Osaka-style festival featuring a live bucket drum band, an open bar, interactive sushi rolling (yum), live art, and streaming sumo matches (yum?). Plus, art and other prizes will be raffled off to benefit the Human Rights Campaign. (Zentan; 6:30-9 p.m.; $45 for regular ticket, $65 for VIP ticket)
FROM THE BEYOND: If you’re not especially superstitious, strap on your Suspension of Disbelief hat for a night of spiritual exploration with Cindy Kaza, an “evidential medium” who can conjure specific information about people “from the other side” and convey messages from the departed. She might just find something in your past that even you didn’t know. (DC Improv; 7:30 p.m.; $20)
LGBTQ HAPPY HOUR: Booz Allen Hamilton is hosting a happy hour for queer women and the trans and ally communities to discuss a topic tailor-made for a happy hour: finding a job in consulting or government. Food will be free, as will limited alcoholic drinks, but get there early because it’s first come, first serve. (801 Restaurant & Bar; 6:30-9:30 p.m.; FREE)
More: Games and Politics; What Slaveholders Think; 13th; My First Five
THURSDAY, MARCH 16
The leadup to the Funk Parade, seen here in 2015, kicks off Thursday at Tropicalia. (Photo courtesy of angela n.)
FEMALE GAZE: Cristen Conger hosts a podcast and video series called Stuff Mom Never Told You. At an open conversation, she’ll try to pick up where mom left off, covering female celebrity, power, and the public gaze through the lens of the Phillips Collection’s Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit. (Phillips Collection; 6:30 p.m.; FREE)
FUNK PARADE: It’s back! On May 6, the fourth annual event will blast U Street with uplifting jams. But the party starts much earlier, with a kickoff featuring Reesa Renee News, Joe Keyes “The Late Bloomer” and The Late Bloomer Band, Alex Vaughn, and more. (Tropicalia; 7-10 p.m.; $15)
MUSIC, THEATER: This is not a drill: R&B legend and Parks and Recreation guest star Ginuwine is in a play at the Warner Theater. It’s called Married But Single Too, and the plot is juicy: An R&B superstar lets his marriage slide into disarray, leaving the door open for infidelity and jealousy on both ends. No word on whether a pony makes an appearance. (Warner Theatre; 8-11 p.m.; $86)
