Attend a discussion about the history and current state of Washington’s black press. (Photo by Damon Green)
This week’s line-up is a bit of a grab bag. Cinephiles: Check out an LGBTQ film festival and a screening of a rare Italian film. Foodies: The EdibleDC Magazine awards are this week, as is a five-course gluten-free dinner at Bar Pilar. Thrill seekers: Take a tour through the hidden tales of the DAR Museum, or create a spooky cocktail perfect for the season.
MONDAY, OCT. 16
LOCAL HISTORY: Join local journalists, publishers, and editors at the D.C. Public Library for a discussion about the history and state of Washington’s black press. Ranging from the first abolitionist newspaper to the challenges facing black journalists today, the panel-driven conversation will be illuminating in both scope and depth. (D.C. Public Library, 6:30 – 8 p.m., FREE)
EDIBLEDC MAGAZINE AWARDS The EdibleDC Magazine Awards are tonight, and it’s sure to be a fun (and filling) time. Celebrate at the reception and award ceremony as prizes are distributed in categories such as Best Community Garden, Best Local Distillery, Best Local Winery, Best Chef and Farmer Collaboration, and more. And, of course, what would an EdibleDC event be without food and drink? Ticketholders can enjoy all the best from local spots such as District Winery, Whaley’s, Sallys Middle Name, and New Columbia Distillers, among others. (District Winery, 6 – 9 p.m., $55)
AJA-MONET Poet Aja-Monet will be at Busboys and Poets tonight to read from her new book, “My Mother Was a Freedom Fighter.” It’s an ode to mothers, daughters, and sisters and spans multiple landscapes, from New York City to Chicago’s South Side to Palestine. Her poems confront it all—love, motherhood, racism, sexism, spirituality, heartbreak, grief—and books will be available to take home at the event. (Busboys and Poets, 6:30 – 8 p.m., FREE)
MORE American Forests Presents Forest Footnotes: Joan Maloof (Busboys and Poets, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE, registration required), YehMe2 with Bortz and Don Campbell (U Street Music Hall, 8 p.m. – 3 a.m., $10 – $20), Marvin and Main Ingredient 10 Year Anniversary Celebration (Marvin, 6 p.m. – 2 a.m., FREE), The Pathological Optimist (Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market, times vary, $8 – $11), Truckfighters (Black Cat D.C., 7:30 p.m., $20), Washington Navy Yard Walking Tour (National Museum of the United States Navy, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., FREE), Atlas Genius (Sixth & I, 8 p.m., $20)
The ballet La Bayadère opens tonight at the Kennedy Center. (Photo by Jeffrey Morris)
TUESDAY, OCT. 17
LA BAYADERE “La Bayadère” opens tonight at the Kennedy Center, performed by the Mariinsky Ballet of St. Petersburg. The beautiful, classic performance follows the story of star-crossed lovers Nikiya and Solor and has been performed for over 140 years. The ballet will run through this Sunday. (The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, times vary, $39 – $199)
GLUTEN-FREE DINNER Those with gluten intolerances don’t need to stare down the bread basket tonight: Bar Pilar is hosting a five-course gluten-free tasting dinner. Each course is paired with a mead from Baltimore’s Charm City Meadworks, and with dishes like ceviche and grilled wild boar, no one will be missing the carbs. (Bar Pilar, 7 – 10 p.m., $50)
SECRETS & SCANDALS The DAR Museum has an impressive collection of pre-industrial American relics, but what about the stories behind them? On the Secrets & Scandals Tour, learn about the many tales hidden within the museum walls, and don’t be surprised if a few skeletons come tumbling out of the closet along the way. (DAR Museum, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., $12)
SPOOKY SPIRITS The Halloween spirit is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with libations? At this Halloween Cocktail Class, guests will learn how to make ghoulish drinks such as the Zombie’s Reaper & Rum, Witchy Whiskey, and BOOtiful Bourbon. Everyone is treated to some Spooktacular Sparkling Punch upon arrival, and there will be small bites served throughout the evening. (Buffalo & Bergen at Union Market, 6 – 9 p.m., $65)
MORE Holly Bowling (The Hamilton, 7:30 p.m., $10 – $25), FRESHFARM Feast (Docks at Union Market, 6:00 p.m., $350 – $20,000)
Purchase a beer, get a pumpkin to carve. (Photo by Kevin Harber)
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18
PINTS + PUMPKINS Fall festivities are underway at The Embassy Row Hotel: The folks from Devil’s Backbone Brewery will be there tonight debuting its new Pumpkin Beer. The best part? Purchase a beer, get a pumpkin to carve. Tools will be provided, and a dollar from each pint sold will go toward the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. (The Embassy Row Hotel, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE, registration required)
ITALIAN FILM The Embassy of Italy and the Italian Cultural Institute and the Hirshhorn combine forces tonight to screen “Il Deserto dei Tartari.” Rarely played outside of Europe since its 1976 premiere, the film is an adaptation of writer Dino Buzzati’s 1938 novel, and was the Italian director Valerio Zurlini’s last film before his death. Focusing on life, mystery, paranoia, and death during wartime, it’s a haunting piece of film history. (Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE)
BUEN PROVECHO Go on a food tour and purchase tickets to ¡Buen Provecho!: A Taste of Columbia Heights, benefitting local school CentroNía. Each ticket will unlock two tastes at a variety of participating restaurants throughout the neighborhood (&pizza, The Coupe, RedRocks, and Wonderland Ballroom are just a few on the list). Not only will it be a tasty evening, but all the proceeds will support the more than 2,400 children and families who benefit from CentroNía’s programs and services. (Tynan Coffee & Tea, 6 – 9 p.m., $35 – $500)
WOMEN IN FOOD DELIVER Join pineapple D.C. and online grocer FreshDirect for a conversation about female entrepreneurs in the food world. It’s a stacked line-up: The panel includes the likes of Anita Shepherd of Anita’s Yogurt, Nekisia Davis of Early Bird Foods, Chloe Epstein of Chloe’s Fruit, and Vanessa Dew of Health-Ade Kombucha. Learn about fresh food and building a business, and take home some yummy products, too. (Union Market, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., $15)
MORE Red Carpet Premiere: Same Kind of Different As Me (AMC Loews Georgetown, 6:30 – 9 p.m., $10 – $3,000), Naf Naf Grill Grand Opening (Naf Naf Grill – K Street NW, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., FREE), Free Writing Workshop (Split This Rock, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., FREE), Black Card Declined: A Comedy Game Show (Drafthouse Comedy, 8:45 – 10:15 p.m., $5), Storytime: Pumpkin Play (Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., FREE)
Celebrate Washington Blade’s Best of Gay D.C. 2017 list at a party tonight. (Photo by LaTur)
THURSDAY, OCT. 19
BEST OF GAY D.C. To celebrate its Best of Gay D.C. 2017 list, Washington Blade will host a party tonight at Town Danceboutique. There will be complimentary cocktails from 6 – 8 p.m., food provided by this year’s award finalists, and performances by Pamela Stanley, Sasha Adams, Ophelia Hart, and more. The evening will be hosted by Destiny B. Childs, so get ready for a wildly fun soiree. (Town Danceboutique, 6 – 9 p.m., $15 – $20)
D.C. DUDS Washington boutique owners Betsy Fisher and Theresa Watts and designer Hilton Hollis will discuss D.C style tonight at the talk “From Anchor Suits to Bare-ing Arms: The Evolution of Fashion in Washington.” Presented by The New York Times, the discussion will be moderated by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Helene Cooper at Dupont Underground. Bonus: A free glass of champagne awaits each guest. (Dupont Underground, 7:30 p.m., $20)
REEL AFFIRMATION The Reel Affirmations Film Festival is an annual international LGBTQ film series here in Washington. The weekend-long lineup features documentary, short, and feature films, as well as receptions, panels, and Q&As. Tonight, the event kicks off with two screenings: “Signature Move” and “God’s Own Country.” (The Gala Hispanic Theater, 7 – 9 p.m. and 9 – 11 p.m., $12)
HURSTON/WRIGHT LEGACY AWARD READING This evening, the newly-opened Politics and Prose at The Wharf will celebrate this year’s nominees of The Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy Award. It honors the best in black literature across the globe, and was the first national award presented to black writers by black writers. Several of this year’s honorees will be speaking at the event—stop by to see the likes of Jacqueline Woodson, Patricia Bell-Scott, Ibram X. Kendi, and more. (Politics and Prose at The Wharf, 7 – 8 p.m., FREE)
MORE Evenings at Dumbarton Oaks (Dumbarton Oaks, 6 – 9 p.m., FREE), KJARKAS 46th Anniversary (DAR Constitution Hall, 8 p.m., $45 – $80), Sri Lankan Short Eats + Appetizers with Gastronaut Skiz Fernando (Bazaar Spices, 7:30 – 8 p.m., $35), Thursday Tasting Series with Sally: Japanese Whiskey (Ri Ra Georgetown, 8 – 9:30 p.m., $25), What’s Happening with Behavioral Health in D.C. (Busboys and Poets, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE, registration required), Meet the Winemaker: Peter Franus of Napa Valley (Wardman Wines, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., FREE), Right to Roam Film Screening (Patagonia Store, 7 – 10 p.m., FREE), Small Talks D.C. with J.D. Vance and David Wessel (New America, 4 – 6:30 p.m., FREE, registration required), Guns N’ Roses (Capital One Arena, 7 p.m., $38 – $4,059), M Street Miles Ghost Race (lululemon, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE, registration required)
