The weekend kicks off with plenty of Cinco de Mayo-related events. (Photo by Paige)
Celebrate cultures from near and far with Cinco de Mayo festivities, a Holi festival, an embassy tour, and the annual Funk Parade.
FRIDAY, MAY 5
FOOD: Tacos! Quesadillas! Fajitas! More tacos! Eat them all and wash it down with margaritas and Tecate. Kick off your weekend with Cinco de Mayo gluttony and guac. We’ve prepared a helpful guide.
FRIYAY: With the new month comes First Friday Dupont, a celebration of the local art scene. Stroll down Connecticut Ave. and find your next conversation piece. In addition to area art galleries, museums such as Heurich House Museum will open their doors. (Dupont Circle, 6-8 p.m. FREE)
FUNKY FIESTA: Grab a beer and get ready to dance at Gypsy Sally’s. Latin fusion band La Fiesta Zakke is a nine-piece outfit that blends ska, disco, funk, and rock with Latin rhythms. (Gypsy Sally’s, 9 p.m. $15)
BREAKIN’ EVEN FEST: This homegrown punk/independent music festival returns for a second year, this time with a more diverse line-up and an all-ages policy. Ohio alternative rockers The Sidekicks and Toronto punk quartet Pkew Pkew Pkew will headline on Friday, May 5, while Philadelphia-based shoegaze punks Restorations and Brooklyn’s Worriers are the featured artists for Saturday night. (Songbyrd, 7 p.m., $15)
More: Great American Square Dance Revival, Beyonce vs. Rihanna (Tribute // Dance Party), Truckeroo
Travel around the world in just a few blocks. (Photo by Joe Newman)
SATURDAY, MAY 6
TRAVEL: No passport? No problem. Cultural Tourism DC presents the Around the World Embassy Tour, a celebration of food, art, dance, fashion, and music from dozens of countries. More than 40 embassies are opening their doors, so grab a photo ID and pay a visit to Kenya, Brazil, Japan, Bangladesh, Morocco, and beyond. (Various embassies, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. FREE)
FUNK: There’s a whole lot of rhythm going round this Saturday. It’s time for the annual Funk Parade! Tens of thousands of people will take to the U Street neighborhood to celebrate D.C. music and art. Wear a funky costume, dance to the music, watch the parade—just please don’t tear the roof off any mother suckers. That wouldn’t be very neighborly of you. The parade is from 3 until 4 p.m., and the music festival starts at 7 p.m. (U Street, 12-10 p.m. FREE)
FOLK: Grammy Award-winning folk rock duo The Indigo Girls comes to D.C. this weekend for three performances—two of which are already sold out. Amy Ray and Emily Saliers will perform their greatest hits with the National Symphony Orchestra Pops, conducted by Steven Reineke. (The Kennedy Center, 2-4 p.m. $24-99)
DANCE: CityDance presents its annual DREAMscape production. Hosted by Emmy award-winning dance icon Debbie Allen, the evening will feature performances by Brooklyn Mack of The Washington Ballet, Ballroom dancers Denys Drozdyuk and Antonina Skobina, Cervilio Miguel Amador and Chisako Oga of the Cincinnati Ballet, and more. Proceeds benefit CityDance’s after-school DREAM program, which serves students from underserved communities across D.C. (The Lincoln Theatre, 7 p.m. $25-250)
AW SHUCKS: Do pigs have wings? You can talk of that and other things at Oysterfest. The time has come for this annual event, featuring beer specials and all the shellfish you can slurp. Reservations are booked, so grab a seat at the bar. (Mussel Bar & Grille Arlington, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. $35)
AVOCADOH-YES: I’ll have what she’s having. Yes Please More Please is hosting a Seis de Mayo Mexican Cuisine and Cocktails pop up, and the drinks aren’t the only offering that will leave you feeling frisky. The menu is all about aphrodisiacs such as chocolate, almonds, avocado, and chili peppers (akin to the Seduction Supper series we wrote about last year) . Each part of the three-course traditional Mexican meal will be paired with gourmet cocktails: a chili-infused champagne to start, followed by two tequila-based beverages. Cheese enchiladas mole are available for vegetarians. (Adam’s Morgan, 7-10 p.m. $75)
DANCE: We’re here! We’re queer! We’re learning how to bachata. Grab a partner (with their consent), and try your hand—or feet, rather—at this three-step dance from the Dominican Republic. After Patrick Tran teaches you the moves, the lesson will break out into a Latin dance party. (Maketto, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. $5)
DERBY DAY: Whether you’re in it for the horses, the hats, or the bourbon, there are plenty of plenty of options for Kentucky Derby Day. Due South has a free event at the Yards, with the option of ordering bottomless frozen mint juleps. If you’re looking for an excuse to wear a full seersucker suit, the Bonnets and Bow Ties party is a good bet ($89, all-inclusive). Bar Code has a party planned for all evening ($10 in advance, $20 at the door). And a bunch of bars and restaurants have specials, watch parties, hat contests, and plenty of bourbon to go around, including Acadiana, Bourbon, Jack Rose, and the Red Derby all have things going on.
More: The 6th Annual Running of the Chihuahuas, Off The Beaten Track Warehouse Open Studios, Northeast Eats, free yoga at the U.S. Botanic Garden, Broccoli City Festival, Baltimore VegFest, Revolutionary War Weekend at Mt. Vernon, Suns Cinema anniversary party
Holi DC is happening on Sunday … in Maryland. (Photo by roma g)
SUNDAY, MAY 7
HOLI: Celebrate Holi, the festival of colors with ancient Indian origins. Holi DC is a family-friendly festival that aims to provide a space for lighthearted fun. Too much excitement for you? Bring yourself back to center in the yoga and meditation area. Color packs are $5 and will be sold at the festival. (10310 Oaklyn Drive, Potomac, MD, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. $5-30)
BLOODIES: Come celebrate the cocktail that made brunch boozy. The Bloody Mary Festival brings you three hours of tomato juice, horseradish, and alcohol. Local bars will mix up their take on the classic, including award-winning recipes from Old Engine 12, Due South, Rebellion, and Range. (SW Arts Club, 1-4 p.m. $45)
ROMEO & JULIET: Forget the balcony, and the gender roles. Anystage Theater Company presents an outdoor, all-female production of Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy. Seven women actors will play a dozen roles, a fitting reversal for a play that was first performed back when men did all the acting. Busy Sunday? You can see the show Saturday too, at 2 or 6 p.m. (Lake Anne Recreation Area, Reston, VA, 2 p.m. FREE)
More: Public Service Charity 5K Run/Walk, KCDC’s Tie-Dye Derby , Gay Day at the Zoo
Other helpful links to plan your weekend:
One Station Closure And 20 Minute Wait Times On Metrorail This Weekend
This Week in Jazz
Weekly Music Agenda
May Arts Agenda
May Theater Guide
Dish of the Week: Chilaquiles
