Drink cocktails and go on a tour of historic Congressional Cemetery. (Photo by johnmcochran2012)
Halloween season is in full gear here in the District, and the schedule of spookiness includes something for all levels of fright tolerance. Catch a screening of “Hocus Pocus,” go on a cemetery tour, compete in a pumpkin pie-eating contest, or even listen to some Halloween-themed spoken word poetry.
FRIDAY, OCT. 20
WALK OF THE DEAD: Get a tour of Capitol Hill’s historic Congressional Cemetery. The cemetery has partnered with Wisdom Bar D.C. for a Halloween Walk of the Dead both Friday and Saturday. Liquid courage will be provided by the bar, which will offer martinis and Manhattans to guests, and a docent will lead a guided walk through the storied burial grounds. Post-tour, attendees will receive 15 percent off their tabs all evening at the bar. (Wisdom Bar D.C., Friday 7:15 p.m., Saturday 7:30 p.m., $35)
SHOP D.C.: Go local this weekend at the brand newShop Made in D.C., a store and café stocked entirely with products made in the District. It’s the store’s grand opening weekend, and there will be plenty of reasons to stop by the celebrations. Check out the space and its 30 area vendors, sample the offerings from its fast-casual café and coffee roaster, and hang out with special guests such as D.C. Brau, Urban Stems, Gordy’s Pickles, Icecream Jubilee, and more. The celebrations will continue until Sunday evening. (Shop Made in D.C., Friday 7 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., FREE)
SPOOKY SCREEN: Get appropriately spooky tonight at a screening of the classic “Hocus Pocus.” Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker star in this Halloween comedy about witch sisters resurrected in Salem, Mass. Can’t make it tonight? The Shakespeare Theatre Company will screen several seasonal films throughout the weekend, including “Ghostbusters,” “Poltergeist,” and “The Shining.” (Sidney Harman Hall, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $5 – $10)
MUSEUM TOUR: The Hirshhorn’s recently-opened exhibit, “What Absence Is Made Of,” tackles the subject of loss. In an increasingly material and consumer-driven society, it’s a timely collection; over 70 works reflect on the importance humans ascribe to objects, memories, and the self and what happens when such things disappear. Tag along with curator Gianni Jetzer today for a guided tour of the new exhibit and an investigation into the space between the tangible and abstract. (Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, 12:30 – 1 p.m., FREE)
D.C. DESIGN WEEK: Happy D.C. Design Week! Produced by AIGA D.C., it’s a celebration of all things design in our nation’s capital. Throughout, there will be a series of lectures, workshops, creative lunches, parties, and pop-up shops all targeted at bringing together the local creative community. The fun won’t stop until Oct. 28, so there’s plenty of time to select which events to check out. (Locations, times, and prices vary)
MORE: Queens of the Stone Age & Royal Blood (The Anthem, 8 – 11 p.m., $49.50 – $76)
Bring an appetite to the Chesapeake Oyster & Beer Festival. (Photo by Nikoo’s Photos)
SATURDAY, OCT. 21
SHUCK YEAH: Roll up those sleeves for the Chesapeake Oyster & Beer Festival. The line-up is extensive: Oysters and beer abound, of course, but there will also be wine, spirits, food trucks, live music, and plenty of activities. Oysters are a la carte, and each guest gets a souvenir glass for unlimited drink tastings. (Capitol Riverfront, 12 noon – 6 p.m., $25 – $95)
WHITE HOUSE FALL GARDEN TOUR: Fall foliage comes with a dash of patriotism today at the White House’s Fall Garden Tour. Check out the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, the Rose Garden, the White House Kitchen Garden, and the South Lawn while learning about the history of the grounds. Tickets are timed and first-come-first-served, so be sure to show up early for guaranteed access. (Corner of Constitution Ave. and 15th Street NW, 8:30 a.m., FREE)
YOGA IN THE BIERGARTEN: Indulge and detox at the same time—MINT D.C. will be hosting a Yoga in the Biergarten class this morning at Sauf Haus. The hour-long session will take place on the biergarten’s roof, and attendees will receive a complimentary mimosa or biermosa post-workout. Stick around for the day: Participants can get $5 mimosas, biermosas, and Bloody Marys through the afternoon. (Sauf Haus Bier Hall & Garden, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., $10)
SPACE 4 ART: Celebrate the launch of Space4: Visual Arts, D.C.’s first mobile arts gallery. Sponsored by CulturalDC and the Ward 6 community, the 40-foot-long renovated shipping container will function as a travelling space for local D.C. artists to exhibit their work. Stop by today to check out the gallery, listen to speakers and local music, and see an interactive installation by artist Salvatore Pirrone. (The Yards Park, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE, RSVP required)
GOURDS GONE WILD: Pumpkinpalooza takes place today at The Wharf, and it’s a true celebration of all things orange and round. Try a hand at pumpkin bowling or a pumpkin pie-eating contest, bring the furry friends for a pet costume contest, and hang out at the beer and wine garden while listening to live music. Keep an eye out, though: Word on the street is that the headless horseman will pay a visit. (The Wharf D.C., 1 – 6 p.m, FREE)
INTERNATIONAL ARCHEOLOGY DAY: Dive into the past at the National Museum of Natural History’s celebration for International Archeology Day. The family-friendly event will feature discussions with actual archeologists, mock excavations, practices in decoding ancient alphabets, artifact analyses, and more. Don’t forget to check out the collections at the museum, as well. (Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., FREE, registration required)
MORE: Del Campo: Cooking with Food Waste (Del Campo, 12 noon – 3 p.m., $98), Fall Festival (Old City Farm and Guild, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., FREE), Pumpkin Carving & Painting (Glover Park Hardware, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., FREE), Community Crafting Class (Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library, 1 – 2:30 p.m., FREE), Silent Disco Dance Party (The Embassy Row Hotel, 8 – 11:30 p.m., $10 – $20), Zedd (The Anthem, 8 p.m., $41 – $76), Garlic Planting Party (Washington Youth Garden, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., FREE), Kids Euro Festival (locations, times, and prices vary), Vintage Pop-Up Shop (Suns Cinema, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., FREE, registration required)
Take a ranger-guided hike through Rock Creek Park’s changing colors. (Photo by John Leszczynski)
SUNDAY, OCT. 22
FALL FOLIAGE STROLL: There’s no reason to escape to the Shenandoah for some changing leaves. Take in autumn’s best right here in D.C. with a Fall Foliage Stroll. A ranger will guide the group on a two-mile hike through Rock Creek Park, stopping at picturesque views along the way. Don’t forget the camera. (Rock Creek Park Nature Center & Planetarium, 10 a.m. – 12 noon, FREE)
BLUEJACKET BIRTHDAY: HBD to Bluejacket Brewery! The space turns four today, and everyone’s invited to the birthday party. Executive Chef Marcelle Afram will be firing up the outdoor grill, there will be live music, and some of Bluejacket’s most rare beers will be on-tap. Plus, the brewery released a new Bourbon Barrel-Aged Double Mexican Radio brew to commemorate the occasion, so be sure to get there early and try it out. (Bluejacket Brewery, 12 noon – 4 p.m., FREE)
NIGERIAN SUPPER CLUB: Have a hankering for Nigerian cuisine? The Chop Spot is hosting a supper club series each Sunday in October to celebrate Nigerian Independence Day. Executive Chef Adanna Ibe will whip up a three-course dinner featuring GizDodo (chicken gizzards and fried plantains), Ogbono Soup, and a fruit cake. There’s a bit of mystery to the event, too: Guests won’t know where the dinner will be hosted until 24 hours before, so come with a sense of adventure. (Location to be announced, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., $45)
SPOOKY SPOKEN WORD BRUNCH: In honor of Halloween, The Pinch is changing up its Spoken Word Brunch this month to focus on all things spooky. All formats are welcome—slam or literary poems, monologues, short essays, song lyrics, plays—but an emphasis on the creepy and scary is appreciated. Come showcase original work of your own, or simply sit back and enjoy the creative vibes. (The Pinch, 12 noon – 3 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Yoga at the National Building Museum (National Building Museum, 10 – 11 a.m., $20), The Walking Dead Halloween & Premiere Watch Party (Parlay Sports Bar & Lounge, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m., FREE, $8 – $20 for specials), Diviner’s Brunch (Busboys and Poets, 12 noon – 4 p.m., FREE, registration required), Persians in Film (Georgetown Neighborhood Library, 2 – 4:30 p.m., FREE), Screening: Singin’ in the Rain (Sidney Harman Hall, 1 p.m., $5 – $10), Screening: Center Stage (Sidney Harman Hall, 3:30 p.m., $5 – $10)
