Head to the Hirshhorn for World Architecture Day. (Photo by Brandon Kopp)
A full moon is upon us this week, so all bets are off. Take a dive into the future with a tarot card reader, forage for medicinal herbs, or throw a few back for National Vodka Day. But don’t forget to look up on Thursday evening, when the lunar beauty will reach its peak.
MONDAY, OCT. 2
BRUTALIST DONUT It’s World Architecture Day, and the Hirshhorn will host a bevy of activities to celebrate. Affectionately called the “Brutalist Donut” for its semi-circular shape and Brutalist architecture style, the museum will offer complimentary donuts for guests. If there’s extra time to spare, check out the day’s many events—story time, gallery tours, and art talks abound. (Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, 10 a.m – 7:30 p.m., FREE)
HERBAL HELP Head to the Josephine Butler Parks Center tonight for the first community herbalism class in a series of six. Learn how to grow, identify, and use easily-accessible herbs for everything from food to medicine. The best part? Tickets are sold on a sliding scale, so everyone who wants to can attend. (Josephine Butler Parks Center, 6-9 p.m., $130 – $230)
DANCE IT OUT Brazilian Zouk is a fast-paced, catchy style of dance popularized by the Carnival beats found in Brazil. Learn the fundamentals and try out some moves at DanceSport in Dupont Circle. Its team of experienced teachers will lead two classes—one for beginners and one for the more advanced—followed by a Zouk dance party at Gazuza Lounge. (DanceSport Dupont Circle, 7 p.m. – 12:30 a.m., $12 – $20)
TALKIN’ TECH It’s the first day of Techweek’s five-day-long debut in Washington. A dive into all things technology and innovation, the event will showcase speakers from the likes of Axios and UrbanStems, networking get-togethers, interactive workshops, a hiring fair, and a startup showcase (just to name a few). The hiring fair and some events are free, but check out the all the options to make sure no opportunity is left behind. (Locations and times vary, FREE, $70 – $120 for access to specific events)
MORE Alex Cameron with Jack Ladder and Crocodiles (Songbyrd, 8 p.m., $13 – $15)
Get a peek into the future at Tarot & Tea Tuesday. (Photo by Pianoman75) (Pixababy)
TUESDAY, OCT. 3
FORTUNE TELLING Halloween may be a few weeks away, but channel those inner fortune tellers tonight at Calabash Tea Bar’s Tarot & Tea Tuesday. Tarot teacher Ron Evangelista will be on-site to give tarot readings on a first-come, first-serve basis. He’ll later cover the tarot basics before diving into his show, where he’ll analyze the relationships of folks in the room (don’t worry—it’s all on a volunteer basis). (Calabash Tea Bar, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE, registration required)
WAR ZONE Head to the French Embassy tonight for the talk War Correspondents: The World’s Witnesses. Many news organizations can no longer afford full-time foreign correspondents, leading to a rise in war tourism: freelancers who enter war zones with little training or resources. Learn more about this new development at tonight’s panel, moderated by Karen DeYoung of The Washington Post and featuring journalists who’ve worked with the likes of The New York Times and PBS NewsHour. (French Embassy, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE, registration required)
JEFFREY EUGENIDES Politics and Prose hosts another literary evening: Pulitzer Prize-winner Jeffrey Eugenides will be in D.C. to discuss his newly-released (and first) collection of short stories, Fresh Complaint. The author of Middlesex, The Marriage Plot, and The Virgin Suicides will be in conversation with Tope Folarin, a locally-based author, to discuss his shift to short-form. (St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7 p.m., ticket only $10, ticket with book $32)
PITBULL + ENRIQUE It’s Mr. Worldwide! Pitbull will be performing with Enrique Iglesias and group CNCO tonight at the Capital One Arena. Put on those dancing shoes and get ready for a combination of rap, dance, and reggaeton. As Pitbull would say: Dale! (Capitol One Arena, 7:30 p.m., $39.95 – $285.75)
Head to an information session with D.C. Doors. (Photo by Clif Burns)
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4
HOUSING FOR ALL It’s simple: Homebuyer education = successful home ownership. Learn more at a D.C. home buyer’s information session with Atlantic Coast Mortgage. Hosted by D.C. Doors, a mortgage assistance program of the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency, the event will cover how to buy a home in the District using a D.C. Doors mortgage. (District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency, 6:30 – 8 p.m., FREE, registration required)
NATIONAL VODKA DAY Celebrate National Vodka Day with Dr. Stoner, the man behind Dr. Stoner’s Fresh Herb Vodka. Sold locally in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., the vodka is made entirely of natural ingredients. Sample the booze tonight by indulging in specialty cocktails served alongside food by Chef Todd Gray at Equinox Restaurant. It’s for a good cause, too—part of the proceeds will go toward the Houston Humane Society and World Animal Protection. (Equinox Restaurant, 5 – 7 p.m., $22.09)
STRONG STEM The Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations continue tonight with a reception honoring STEM leaders. The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers will be at Café Citron to lift a glass and network. Come learn about SHPE’s mission to empower the local Hispanic community by providing opportunities for STEM education and development. (Café Citron, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., FREE, RSVP required)
CINEMA CLASSICS The Landmark Theatre’s West End Cinema hosts its Capital Classics series each Wednesday. Three times throughout the day, the theater plays all the old-school movies that are required viewing for any aspiring cinephile. Today’s pick? The legendary film Citizen Kane, which many critics hail as the best of all time. (Landmark’s West End Cinema, 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., $9.50 – $12.50)
MORE Wine & Design (3210 Grace St. NW, 7 – 9 p.m., $27.37), Barbara Carney-Coston (Busboys and Poets, 6:30 – 8 p.m., FREE) DIY Mending Workshop (Petworth Library, 7 – 9 p.m., FREE)
Take waltz lessons at the Austrian Embassy. (Photo by NCinDC)
THURSDAY, OCT. 5
WALTZ IT OUT Wedding season may be over, but don’t let those dance moves get rusty. Tonight, sign up for Viennese waltz lessons from the best in the game at the Austrian Embassy. Led by native Austrians and longtime waltz instructors Herb and Carol Traxler, the night will include dance lessons, posture and etiquette instruction, and an introduction to Viennese waltz music. Now for the most important part: There will be a bar offering Austrian wine. Dance on! (Embassy of Austria, 8:30 p.m., $40)
PRESS PLAY Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Happenings Happy Hour brings local groups into conversation with the space’s current productions. Tonight, the Press Play improv group will put on a free performance inspired by two shows currently at the theater—The Lover and The Collection. Both deal with relationships, doubt, and human flaws, so prepare for an insightful—yet funny—evening (a complimentary drink is provided, too). (Sidney Harman Hall, 6 – 7 p.m., FREE, registration required)
CUBE LIFE Tonight marks the launch of the inaugural series of artists’ work on the Canal Park Glow Cube. It’s quite literally what it sounds like: A big, glowing plastic cube on which still and moving images can be projected. The art series is titled “Art and the Environment,” and will honor the park’s environmental design and legacy. Celebrate at the opening reception, which will feature food and drink from local joints, an introduction to the artists, and a preview of all the pieces to be displayed throughout fall and winter. (Canal Park Cube, 6 – 9 p.m., FREE)
GIRL TIME Girls’ Night In is a weekly newsletter and online community that focuses on prioritizing self-care for women. Delivered via email each Friday morning, it provides a list of readings perfect for taking a break, chilling out, and a cozy night at home. Celebrate the launch of GNI’s own online shop and merchandise tonight at Madewell. There’ll be a pop-up shop, and guests can score a discount off Madewell clothing, too. (Madewell, 5 – 8 p.m., FREE)
TEACHER’S NIGHT OUT This one’s for the teachers. Tonight, the Spy Museum will host a special night just for K-12 educators. There’ll be exclusive access to the museum with a scavenger hunt, curriculum brainstorms and resources, small bites, and a signature cocktail—aptly named The Teachertini, of course. And who knows? A real spy may even be thrown into the mix, too. (International Spy Museum, 5 – 8 p.m., FREE, registration required)
MORE Film Screening: This is Palestine (Busboys & Poets, 6 – 9 p.m., FREE, RSVP required), October Full Moon Meditation (Two Rivers Sanctuary, 7 – 8:30 p.m., FREE) Jeni’s 14th Street Grand Opening Party (Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, 7 – 11 p.m., FREE)
