Urban Bush Women in “Walking with ‘Trane” (Photo by Judith Stuart Boroson)
Let your nerd flag fly this weekend. Learn about a jazz legend, celebration freedom, break out the cosplay, check out a sci-fi movie, or celebrate a karaoke spot’s sweet 16.
FRIDAY, APRIL 7
A LOVE SUPREME: Founded more than 30 years ago by choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Urban Bush Women celebrates the African Diaspora while telling untold and under-told stories through movement. This weekend, the contemporary dance company will pay tribute to legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane in Walking with ‘Trane. Stick around after the show and learn more about it during a post-performance discussion. (The Kennedy Center, 8-9:30 p.m., $25-79)
MOVIE NIGHT: Union Market’s Drive-In returns this weekend with The Royal Tenenbaums, Wes Anderson’s 2001 comedy about an estranged (and also strange) family that reunites when dad announces he’s dying. Purchasing parking in advance is highly recommend if you want the full experience of watching from the comfort of your car. (Union Market, 8-10:50 p.m. FREE for walk-ups, $10 for parking)
RECYCLABLE WINGS: Surfers spend a lot of time in and around water. The new Red Bull TV feature length documentary Waves for Water explores one former pro-surfer’s mission to bring clean drinking water to everyone who needs it. Before the screening, there will be a panel discussion on providing universal access to clean water and healthy food. (American University, 7-9:30 p.m. FREE)
SECRET SOCIETY: Inject some energy into your Friday night and start your weekend on a high note. Secret Society is playing a live show, what this seven-piece band does best. Get on your feet and dance to a mix of R&B, hip-hop, and neo-soul. (AMP, 8 p.m. $25-35)
More: Space Cadets Home Free
Maimouna Youssef will perform at the Halcyon Stage House Party Saturday night.
SATURDAY, APRIL 8
BEER AND BBQ: Are you excited about the warm weather? Town Hall is so ready it’s hosting monthly themed cookouts all summer. The series begins this weekend with an all-you-can-eat BBQ and bottomless beer party. Break out your flip-flops and get your hands messy with ribs, corn, burgers, and more. (Town Hall, 5-9 p.m., $30)
DC2JAPAN: Spend your Saturday at the largest one-day celebration of Japanese culture in the U.S. At the 57th annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival you can eat sushi and other Japanese foods, purchase artisanal crafts, check out performances ranging from martial arts to J-POP groups, and engage in some quality people-watching as folks show off their kimonos and cosplay. (The Yards / Capitol Riverfront, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. $10)
ONE WOMAN RIOT: Did you see the video of a group of strangers singing a song called “I Can’t Keep Quiet” together at the Women’s March? They practiced the song online and it came out pretty well. This Saturday is your chance to join them in raising your voice. Or you can just go watch and give the world a recording that actually starts at the beginning of the song. (Lafayette Square, 12-1 p.m. FREE)
EMANCIPATION DAY: The official holiday commemorating the abolition of slavery in D.C. is actually April 16th, but the city is celebrating a week early with the annual Emancipation Day Parade, concert, and fireworks display. The parade will also include a “Truck Touch” event, which is great if you “this one guy we know. The concert starts at 3 p.m. at Freedom Plaza, and will feature performances by Joe Clair, Anwar Big B Glover, DJ Dirty Ricco, Benjamin Gates, Carolyn Malachi, and Rajan Sedalia. (Parade at 1000-1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW and concert and fireworks at Freedom Plaza) , 1-10 p.m. FREE)
ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER: World-acclaimed violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter is performing an afternoon concert with National Symphony Orchestra pianist Lambert Orkis. You’ll get a little bit of everything in this show: sonatas by Mozart and Respighi, a piece by Saint-Saëns, and another by Sebastian Currier. Mutter recently donated an entire concert fee to charities helping refugees, if that’s any incentive to give her your money and lend her your ears. She’s also, you know, really good. (The Kennedy Center, 3 p.m. $30-95)
SWEET 16: After 16 seasons of “No Scrubs,” “Sweet Caroline,” and “Don’t Stop Believin,” District Karaoke is inviting its loyal fans over for a Super Sweet 16-style bash. There will be a photobooth, music, and games. Remember playing Coke and Pepsi? Here’s your chance to make your teenage self proud. (District Karaoke, 7-11 p.m. $16)
SOUTH AFRICAN DRAMA: See a play then schmooze with the people who made it happen. Mosaic Theater Company’s A Human Being Died that Night opens Sunday, but you can catch it—and a post-show discussion with the artistic staff—on Saturday. The play delves into the weighty subject of apartheid. (Atlas Performing Arts Center, 3-4:45 p.m.)
ANOUSHKA SHANKAR: Washington Performing Arts presents Grammy-nominated sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar in two separate concerts. An adventurous musician, Shankar infuses jazz, pop, and flamenco into her music. In this program however, she devotes her time to North Indian classical music. Catch the early or late show. (Sixth & I, 7 and 9:30 p.m. $40)
HIP HOP HALCYON: Halcyon Stage is opening its doors for a progressive hip hop concert meets house party meets dance performance. Presented in partnership with the Howard Theatre, Guerrilla Arts, and Urban Artistry, Halcyon Stage House Party: Visions of the Future will be led by Gabriel ‘Asheru’ Benn and Tarik‘Konshens the MC’ Davis. The event will feature a cross-discipline dance battle, musical mashup, and multimedia storytelling. (Halcyon House, 8 p.m. $20)
More: National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, Fort Knox Five, Capital BrewFest: Blossom Bash, DC Wine Fest, Community Collective Photography Showcase, Great American Square Dance Revival, Bae Bae K-Pop Dance Party + Dance Cover Contest, Bhangra Blowout, The Vi-Kings, 90s Night at Ollies!
Lawn games will be part of the fun at the Anacostia River Festival.
SUNDAY, APRIL 9
WAKE N’ BOOGIE: Start your Sunday sweating with Ecstatic Dance. Local DJ Choppy Oppy will blend live and electronic music for a vibe that will help you forget Monday is coming. There are worse ways to get your workout in. (Dance Loft on 14, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $10-20)
CELEBRATE ANACOSTIA: The National Cherry Blossom Festival continues with a variety of events across the city, including East of the River. Join the Anacostia River Trail bike ride, support small businesses at an artist market, check out live performances, explore historic Anacostia’s food and arts scene, and paddle a canoe at the Anacostia River Festival. (Anacostia Park, 1-5 p.m. FREE)
NERD ALERT: Sword meets science fiction in Krull, the 1983 film centering on a scary-looking villain, a damsel in distress, and a hero with a magic weapon. It’s screening as part of this week’s Sci-Fi Sundays offering at the National Air and Space Museum. You can make an evening of it and buy the double feature combo ticket to also see Big Trouble in Little China, another cult classic. (National Air and Space Museum, 5:15-9:30 p.m.), $15-20)
DATE NIGHT: A hurricane is coming and a Lower East Side mom is struggling to keep the electricity that powers her daughter’s respirator on. As she prepares for the worst, a series of characters bring new meaning to the phrase “it takes a village.” Sunday is cheap date night for Nilaja Sun’s Pike St. Sip $3 PBRs and see this one-woman-show with a partner or friend for the price of one. (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 7 p.m. $20-59)
LAUGH LOCAL: D.C.-area talent takes center stage at the DMV Comedy Showcase. Five comics will take to the mic to crack jokes and hopefully get you to crack a smile. (DC Improv, 7:30 p.m. $17)
More: Gabriel Iglesias, First Sunset for Dancers 2017
Other helpful links to plan your week:
Weekly Music Agenda
This Week in Jazz
April Arts Agenda
April Theater Guide
Dish of the Week: All Of The Artichokes
