Head to the National Cathedral tonight for Ghosts & Gargoyles. (Photo by : rebecca : )
Happy first week of November! Do Halloween right with trick-or-treating events, spooky parties, and fancy soirees. Once the sugar coma settles, refresh with a meditation class and juice cleanse, or just keep the ball rolling and happy hour hop.
MONDAY, OCT. 30
GHOSTS + GARGOYLES: Head to the National Cathedral tonight for Ghosts and Gargoyles. Learn about the mysteries of the cathedral’s gargoyles, its haunted secrets, and the 20th-century Greek sculptor Constantine Seferlis, who devoted 20 years of his life to carving stone for the structure. His son, Clift, will lead the tour, and there will be an optional reception after. (Washington National Cathedral, 7 – 9 p.m., $25)
CHAMBERS OF MYSTERY: The Library of Congress currently has a pop-up exhibit on display embodying seasonal traditions of fantasy and folklore. “Chambers of Mystery” has over 200 rarely-seen LOC collection items that tell the tale of celebrations like Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. Make sure to catch the display before it’s over: It runs through Nov. 1. (Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., FREE, registration required)
LIGHTMEET!: Want to learn more about night photography and light painting? Join expert Peter Flint on Roosevelt Island to learn the basics of slow shutter with hands-on help. Don’t worry—there will be Halloween treats on-site. (Theodore Roosevelt Island, 5:30 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Dojo Comedy Halloween Sketch Show (Dojo Comedy, 10 p.m., $10), Queer Girl Movie Night: Halloween Special (Comet Ping Pong, 6 – 10 p.m., FREE), Lucinda Williams (The Lincoln Theatre, 8 p.m., $40), Bowling for Boobies (Lucky Strike, 8:30 – 11 p.m., donation requested)
Check out the “Treat Your Creature” open mic night. (Photo by Matthew Whatley)
TUESDAY, OCT. 31
BUMP IN THE NIGHT: Smut Slam is a storytelling open mic where participants tell true, first-person, consensual sex stories. In the spirit of Halloween, tonight’s “Treat Your Creature” open mic will focus on all things mischievous, spooky, and costumed. It’s a queer-friendly, kink-friendly, body-positive, and sex-positive event, so bring everyone! (Songbyrd Café, 7:30 – 11:30 p.m., $10)
AROUND THE WORLD: Trick or treat from country to country on Embassy Row tonight. Get a sugar high from international candy while a tour guide describes the history behind each country’s residence. Costumes are highly encouraged (obviously). (Meet at Q Street NW between Connecticut Avenue NW and 20th Street NW, 6:45 – 9 p.m., FREE)
FRENCH FUN: Enjoy an elegant Halloween eve at the French Embassy’s dance soiree. When not tearing up the ballroom floor, take a break with the French desserts and wine available to purchase on-site. It’s not Halloween candy, but eclairs, mousse, and cream puffs sound pretty tasty, too. (Embassy of France, 7 – 10:30 p.m., $35)
GOURD-GEOUS: Break out the knives: The Kimpton Rogue Hotel hosts a pumpkin carving contest tonight. Pre-scooped pumpkins and carving kits will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, and participants have two hours to carve. The winner of “Most Glamorous Gourd” gets a $50 credit to the bar, and there will be seasonal drinks and happy hour deals on-site, too. (Kimpton Rogue Hotel, 6 – 9 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Cathedral Labyrinth Walks: All Treats, No Tricks Labyrinth Walk (Washington National Cathedral, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., FREE), American Horror Story Halloween Party (Lost Society, 5:30 – 2 a.m., FREE), Bring Out Your Dead: Halloween Bash (BUREAU, 8 – 11 p.m., $20 – $50), Shout Out Louds (U Street Music Hall, 7 p.m., $25), Light the Fright (The Mall, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m., FREE), Femme Fatale D.C. Queen of the Damned Anniversary Celebration (Femme Fatale D.C., 6 – 10 p.m., $15 – $20)
Preview the libations for D.C. Cocktail Week. (Photo by corporatemonkey)
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1
COCKTAIL WEEK SNEAK PEAK: D.C. Cocktail Week might not be until Nov. 13 – 19, but that doesn’t mean the fun can’t start now. Get a sneak peek of the cocktails local restaurants and distilleries will be offering at the week-long event tonight. Spots like Dram & Drain, Sally’s Middle Name, Green Hat Gin, Belle Isle Craft Spirits, and more will be on-hand serving up drink previews to the thirsty. (Jack Rose Dining Saloon, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., $35)
NO END IN SIGHT: Join Georgetown’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies as it screens “No End in Sight.” The documentary focuses on the U.S. occupation of Iraq post-2003 invasion, and features interviews with several government officials and members of the Bush administration. A panel discussion will follow post-screening, so stick around. (Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, 5 – 8:30 p.m., FREE, registration required)
FUNNY FOLKS: The Overachievers Comedy Show is a monthly showcase featuring some of the funniest folks on television. Tonight, Lafayette Wright of Comedy Central, Kasaun Wilson of NBC, Jason Weems of “Last Comic Standing,” and Ramy Youssef of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” will all be in the house. Don’t miss out—it’s been called one of the top comedy shows in the country. (Drafthouse Comedy Theater, 8 – 11 p.m., $5 – $15)
POP-UP MAGAZINE: See a magazine in real-time at tonight’s Pop-Up Magazine event. True, exciting stories about the world will be mixed with photography, film, radio, and music and performed onstage to create an of-the-moment “magazine.” Past participants have included names like writer Alice Walker, filmmaker Ava DuVernay, and radio host Ira Glass, so who knows who will show up tonight? (The Lincoln Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $29)
U.S. HISTORY TRIVIA: History nerds: Head to Congressional Cemetery for its U.S. history trivia night. Questions will primarily focus on the 18th and 19th centuries, so drag out those old textbooks. There will be a cash bar, as well, and Halloween isn’t over for this group yet; wear a costume for a chance to win an award. (Congressional Cemetery, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., $5)
MORE: Dia de los Muertos Celebration (National Portrait Gallery, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., FREE), Happy Hour Bike Laps with Foundry Multisport (District Hardware and Bike, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., FREE), Washington Wizards vs. Phoenix Suns (Capital One Arena, 7 p.m. , $6 – $105), Capital Classics: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (Landmark’s West End Cinema, 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 p.m., $9.50 – $12.50), Monotype Printmaking (The Lemon Collective, 6:30 – 8:30 pm., $65)
See the new Jane Goodall documentary, “Jane.” (Photo from Facebook)
THURSDAY, NOV. 2
BEING JANE GOODALL: The new documentary “Jane” tells the story of the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees, Jane Goodall. Drawing from over 100 hours of never-before-seen footage, the film tells the story of Goodall’s unique approach to wildlife observation in a male-dominated field. Join the Endangered Species Protection Network for a happy hour tonight before heading to see the film at E Street Cinema. (Penn Social, 6 p.m., $9.50 – $12.50)
CHASING LIGHT: Tonight, Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library will host a talk with former White House photographer Amanda Lucidon about her new book, “Chasing Light.” Lucidon spent several years covering the Obamas, and her book collects some of her best shots of First Lady Michelle Obama. Those without the book can enjoy Lucidon’s work, too: Actual photographs of the former First Lady will be on display at the talk. (Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE)
OM & YUM: Take a chill pill: Take Five Meditation and Jrink Juicery will host a guided meditation session at Epic Yoga. Bring a mat and disconnect from the world for a while; after, head next door to Jrink for a special juice tasting. (Epic Yoga, 6 – 8 p.m., $19 – $30)
ICE CAPADES: Sean Avery was known as the NHL “bad boy” during his time playing professional hockey, and tonight he spills all the beans: Join Avery at The Wharf’s new Politics and Prose as he discusses his memoir “Ice Capades.” Covering the incidents that led to hockey suspensions and mentions in the gossip columns, Avery will take listeners through his time as a nightlife fixture, a “Dancing with the Stars” contestant, and more. (Politcs and Prose at The Wharf, 7 – 8 p.m., FREE)
MORE: All Souls Requiem (Washington National Cathedral, 7 p.m., FREE), The Shins (The Anthem, 6:30 p.m., $40 – $75), November Ward 5 Community Happy Hour (Nido, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE), Brand Up! (WeWork Wonder Bread Factory, 6:30 – 8 p.m., $10 – $35), Lipstick Bar and Beauty Vision Boards (The Lemon Collective, 7 – 9 p.m., $35)
