Celebrate Ella Fitzgerald’s 100th birthday or enjoy art, wine, chocolate, and hip-hop at a variety of festivals and events.
FRIDAY, APRIL 28
CHEKHOV: St. Petersburg’s Maly Drama Theatre is in D.C. performing a limited run of Three Sisters this weekend. Directed by Lev Dodin, this retelling of Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece will be performed in Russian with projected English translation. The play examines status and the emotional impact of losing it, while exploring love, family, and the struggle of adjusting to modern society. (The Kennedy Center, 8 – 11:30 p.m. $19-59)
BAGUETTES: This weekend, the 14th annual Georgetown French Market will transform the streets of the Book Hill neighborhood into an open-air shopping festival for Francophiles. Put on your beret and come listen to live entertainment, nibble on a fresh croissant, color your own Toulouse-Lautrec poster, drink European coffee, and check out the deals and delicacies at over 35 shops, boutiques, restaurants, and galleries. (Wisconsin Avenue from O Street to Reservoir Road, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday and 12 – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. FREE)
More: Tour of #ResisDANCE, Luce Community Showcase: Janel Leppin + Coup Sauvage & the Snips, John Waters book reading
SATURDAY, APRIL 29
(Photo by Clif Burns)
BLUEGRASS: The Charm City Bluegrass Festival returns to Baltimore for its 5th year. Hear more than a dozen performances, learn how to pick a banjo, and drink beer from Union Craft Brewing. (Druid Hill Park, 10 a.m. – 9:45 p.m. $55)
CHOCOLATE: Are you in love with the cocoa? Go ahead. Give in to those cravings at the DC Chocolate Festival. Local, domestic, and international vendors will be there to sell gourmet chocolate and let you sample it. But it’s not all about satisfying your sweet tooth. You can feed your brain too with a full day of classes and workshops with chocolate experts, makers, and award-winning chefs. (Washington Marriott Wardman Park, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. $30-45)
CAROUSEL: Have some old-fashioned fun at Carousel Day. The day-long event will feature family-friendly activities including live music, face painting, storytelling, crafts, and rides on Glen Echo’s renovated historic carousel. (Glen Echo Park, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. FREE)
PROTEST: Another weekend, another protest. This time it’s the People’s Climate March. Recycle your signs from the March for Science, but don’t wear the same outfit. It’s supposed to be unusually hot this Saturday, with a high of 90 degrees, scattered thunderstorms, and a strong chance of proving a point. (Capitol Building, 12:30 – 5 p.m. FREE)
BASEBALL: Fetch the ball—I mean play ball! Show off both team spirit and your canine companion at Pups in the Park. The Nationals play the Mets in this game that’s friendly to people and puppers. Proceeds benefit the Humane Rescue Alliance. (Nationals Park, 1 – 4 p.m. $40)
HIP HOP: Every year, Capital Funk invites dance crews, musicians, and spoken word artists from all over the East Coast to perform for a crowd. The 10th Annual Funk Academy Hip-Hop Showcase will features performances by Future Shock DC, KickRocks Crew, Culture Shock Dance Troupe, Phunktions Hip Hop Dance Company, Major Definition, Capitol Movement, and more. (GW Lisner Auditorium, 7 – 9:30 p.m. $20)
BLACK TIE: Party like you’re in Monte Carlo at a Black Tie European Gala. There will be a champagne VIP reception, food, an open bar, a DJ, chocolates, casino games, and ballroom dancing—with a quick lesson for beginners. (The Embassy of France, 7:30 – 11:59 p.m. $88.74-113.74)
More: Ella Turns 100 , Bollywood Dance Party, Artomatic Groove DANCEfloor, Maryland Day, FONA Garden Fair
(Photo by Kevin Harber)
SUNDAY, APRIL 30
ART HOP: Back for its ninth year, the Art Hop is a weekend-long festival featuring live performances and a range of artwork. Work by more than 70 artists will be shown and available for sale throughout Takoma. There will also be events, such as a sock monkey-making workshop for kids, classes at Dance Exchange, and more. (Takoma, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. FREE)
BE MERRY: Eat and drink at the 9th Annual Wine and Food Festival. Just because “wine” is in the name doesn’t mean it’s all about the fruit of the vine. There will be beers and spirits too for you to sample and compare. Before you get too tipsy, you can learn how to make food and pair wine with it in cooking demonstrations. (National Harbor, 12 – 6 p.m. $39-80)
MARGS: What do we want? Margaritas! When do we want them? It depends on how fast you can rim a glass. The 5th annual DC Margarita March is this Saturday and Sunday, bringing revelers on a tour of eight Dupont Circle-area bars. At each venue, marchers enjoy a different spin on the cocktail. Ticket holders also get discounts on food and beer. The festivities start with mariachi music and ends however your day usually goes after more than a half-dozen margaritas. (Various locations, 12 – 10 p.m. $69.57)
LADY: Melania Trump isn’t the only FLOTUS who celebrated a birthday this week. First Lady of Song Ella Fitzgerald would have been 100, and the local festivities marking the anniversary seem to indicate we’ll be loving her “always.” Come hear the D.C. Youth Orchestra and American Pops Orchestra present A Swingin’ Centennial. The outdoor concert will feature some of the jazz icon’s greatest hits. If you can’t catch this one, check out the first performance Saturday night at 6 p.m. (Marvin Gaye Park, 3 p.m. FREE)
