Dan Savage’s short film festival returns (Image courtesy of HUMP!)
Show some love to Mother Earth and the scientists who study her, eat some shellfish for a cause, drink a few beers, and see a documentary about a D.C. LGBTQ youth gang.
FRIDAY, APRIL 21
ARTOMATIC: It’s that time of year again. Artomatic runs through May 6th, bringing all kinds of art to Crystal City. Today, you can add your mark to the community weave (a large loom), leave or take a book from the Artomatic Book Library, watch a screening of a short horror comedy film, take salsa dancing lessons, hear live music, or go to a workshop for those who have been procrastinating on their March for Science protest signs. (1800 South Bell Street, Crystal City, VA, various times. FREE)
HUMP!: Get your mind out of the gutter…actually, never mind. Curated by Dan Savage, HUMP! Film Festival is exactly what it sounds like. It features a collection of dirty shorts, by which we mean brief and filthy films. These are amateur productions, filmed and edited by people who aren’t porn stars but would like to be—if only for a weekend. Sex positive, creative, and fun, the festival aims to change how America makes and shares porn. You can check it out any night this weekend. There will be two screenings each night. (The Black Cat, 7 or 9:30 p.m. $20)
TRASH OR ART: One man’s trash is another man’s art supplies. Artists Eric Celarier, Ani Hoover, and Nicole Salimbene create art from found materials. “Finder-Maker” sends a message about our relationship with the planet, a great option for the artsy this Earth Day weekend. Attend the opening reception tonight and ask the artists all the questions you’re dying to know. This event is a shared opening with “Forgetting is Normal,” which features video by Kylos Brannon. The artist focuses on memory and the human capacity for recalling the past and sculpting identity. (Honfleur Gallery, 6-9 p.m. FREE)
A scene from the inaugural National Cannabis Festival last year. (Photo by Katherine Kokoska)
SATURDAY, APRIL 22
STONEY BALONEY: The National Cannabis Festival is making 4/20 a week-long celebration. You can check out the main event, a concert headlined by Talib Kweli and The Pharcyde. There will be music, vendors, munchies, and good vibes. (RFK Stadium, 12-8 p.m. $35)
MARCH: What do we want? A planet that isn’t totally f**ked! When do we want it? Ten years ago! Join mad pissed-off scientists, teachers, and citizens at the March for Science, an Earth Day call to action. Protest in celebration of science and demand people, namely politicians, take scientific study seriously. Can’t make it? No worries. You can probably use your signs again next weekend at the Climate Change March. (Constitution Avenue, NW and 15th Street, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. FREE)
TABLECLOTHS: Taste of Dupont returns for the ninth annual celebration of the area’s culinary offerings. A $25 ticket gains you entry to the participating restaurants, which will be showcasing appetizers, entrees, drinks, and desserts. Come eat and drink your way across the neighborhood. (Dupont Circle, 1-4 p.m. $25-30)
SLURP: Celebrate all those environmentalists’ efforts to repopulate oyster beds by eating the fruits of their labor! Hank’s Oyster Bar is hosting its 10th Annual Oyster Fest, featuring all-you-can-eat fresh oysters on the half shelf, fried oysters, popcorn shrimp, and of course, Old Bay fries. (Hank’s Dupont, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. $90)
CRACK: Don’t be shellfish. You can eat crustaceans for a good cause at Crawfish for Cancer’s 5th Annual DC Boil. Proceeds support multiple myeloma cancer research. There will be live music, drinks, and plenty of mini lobsters (that’s basically what these are, right?). (Pinstripes Georgetown, 12-5 p.m. $90)
BEER: The DC Beer Festival returns to Nationals Park this weekend. Taste 200 beers (okay, maybe don’t taste all 200) from dozens of craft breweries. Your liver deserves better than getting drunk on Bud Light. (Nationals Park, 12-3 p.m. or 5-8 p.m. $45)
CLEAN UP: Clearly someone wasn’t listening when the scoutmaster went over the Boy Scout Rule: Leave the campground cleaner than you found it. Whatever, guy. We’ve got you. Come beautify a local green space for Earth Day at the 9th Annual Rock Creek Extreme Cleanup. Wear comfortable clothes and bring yard gloves if you have them. (Parking lot across from Pierce Mill on Tilden Street, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. FREE)
SPIN: One of the most highly anticipated events of the year for vinyl collectors, Record Store Day brings massive crowds to your local music shops—and for good reason. From concerts to free swag to rare releases, it’s a day-long party and spending frenzy. A number of local shops are participating, so wake up early, go brave the crush of people, and get your hands on some new albums … but not literally. God help you if you get your fingerprints all over the records. (Various locations, open-close. $Your Record Budget)
More: Arlington Festival of the Arts, Takoma Park Earth Day Festival, Art Workshop: Basic Botanical Illustration, The Annapolis Cup: 2017 Croquet Match, MOCO Beer Fest, Squirrel Nut Zipper & Ozomatl, Dengue Fever, Miz Washington Opening Night CelebrationHalcyon Stage Cabaret: Ari Shapiro / HOMEWARD
SUNDAY, APRIL 23
VROOM VROOM: The promotional posters for the Maryland High Rollers Car & Truck Show are super sexist. Try to ignore the scantily clad models and focus on the vehicles they’re using as striptease props. Weather permitting, a range of luxury, old school, and custom rides will be parked outside for a contest and several hours of ogling. (6814 Laurel Bowie Road, Bowie, MD, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. FREE)
UNICORNS: Don’t let anyone tell you unicorns aren’t real. Celebrate the ASPCA’S 2017 Help a Horse Day with a Unicorn Festival. Proceeds benefit The Big Purple Barn, a sanctuary for horses and ponies in need. Each horse has a story. (The Big Purple Barn, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. FREE)
BOOK FESTIVAL: Take a look; it’s in a book (in Kensington). Buy a new novel, listen to live music, hear a poetry reading, and salivate at cooking demos by recently published cookbook authors. The 12th annual Kensington Day of the Book Festival. (Old Town Kensington, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. FREE)
NOM: Try a few new things at the Taste of Islam festival. Sample delicious foods (pity the fool who thinks it’s all about pita). Bring a date, or try one here! (Get it?) Experience the art of henna design. You can also see the latest in hijab fashion and tour the mosque. (Dar Al Hirjah Islamic Center, 12-5 p.m. FREE)
BEER & BEATS: Chill out in Alexandria. Back for the second year in a row, the Barley & Music Fest will offer craft brews, live music, vendors, and more. (John Carlyle Square Park, 12-6 p.m. $25)
FILM: Filmfest DC is in full swing, screening dramas, thrillers, comedies, documentaries, shorts, and more from around the world. Some of the offerings tell stories from right here in D.C. Check It is a documentary about a local gang formed by LGBTQ youth. Sick of being bullied, the teenagers and young adults decided to fight back. The film depicts violence, and the internal struggle many of these young people face. But through mentorship, boxing, and friendship, they might find a place for themselves. We’ve got a guide to many of the other offerings, too. (Landmark’s E Street Cinema, 5:45 – 7:30 p.m. $14)
MUSIC: New Orleans-based folk-blues band Hurray For The Riff Raff is coming to the 9:30 Club. Lead singer Alynda Segarra was raised in the Bronx, where she fell in love with doo-wop and Motown. Her alto voice is soothing and sultry as she sings original songs. You may have seen her perform at SXSW or last month on The Daily Show. Ron Gallo will open. (9:30 Club, 7-10 p.m. $20)
WHAT IS ART: Some people sip a fine wine and immediately pick up on the notes and subtle flavors that whisper, “I’m super expensive, but totally worth it.” Others give it a try and think, “yup, that’s wine alright.” At a vineyard, an expert will walk you through the tasting menu and explain, pour by pour, what makes each bottle special. That experience is what curators had in mind when they developed DC Arts Center’s Art Tasting series. At tonight’s artists’ talk and closing reception, you’ll see 15 distinctly different pieces of art. Curators will explain why each one is considered art, how it’s made, if it’s part of a historical trend, and more. (DC Arts Center, 5-7 p.m. FREE)
More: Arlington Festival of the Arts
Other helpful links to plan your weekend:
Two Station Closures And Other Service Disruptions Are Planned For Metrorail This Weekend
Weekly Music Agenda
This Week in Jazz
April Arts Agenda
April Theater Guide
Dish of the Week: Get Amped For Ramps
