The leopard gecko from the National Zoo (Photo by Smithsonian National Zoo)
By DCist contributor Lyndsey McKenna
Whether you’re running in a marathon or away from Halloween frights, you may find your heart racing this weekend.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26
NO BROWN BAGS: Ditch your sad desk lunch: DC Design Week, organized by the DC chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts, continues with Creative Lunches across town. Go behind the scenes at PBS and learn more about the design decisions behind public broadcasting. (PBS, noon.-1 p.m., $10-$15)
BRING AN APPETITE: Carb-load for marathon weekend at Taste of DC. Located at Audi Field, the extravaganza will feature more than 50 restaurants, 2 stages, a massive beer garden and a marketplace. (Audi Field, through Saturday, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., free entry with registration)
NIGHT AT THE ZOO: Adults have the run of the National Zoo at the annual Night of the Living Zoo bash. Enjoy live music, performance artists, and a costume contest—no kids allowed. Upgrade to VIP tickets for giveaways and access to a private bar and lounge. (Smithsonian National Zoo, 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m., $30-$90)
MORE: Nikki Giovanni (Busboys and Poets 450K, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., FREE), Robyn Honey Album Listening Party (U Street Music Hall, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m., FREE), Bloomie Movie Nights: Hocus Pocus (Crispus Attucks Park, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m., FREE), Newseum Frights (Newseum, 8:30 p.m.-11 p.m., $60-$70)
Photo via Howard University
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27
GO BISON: It’s Howard Homecoming weekend! The day begins with a parade led by the Howard University Showtime Marching Band and the annual tailgate in the Howard Center parking lot, both at 10 a.m., and the continuation of Yardfest at noon. Kickoff against against South Carolina State University is at 1 p.m. (Howard University Greene Stadium, game 1 p.m.-4 p.m., $30-$45/$10 HU students)
GET CRAFTY: Channel your best Amy Poehler or Nick Offerman and get to the Washington City Paper’s 15th annual Crafty Bastards, a marketplace and showplace of more than 200 vendors. (Lot A at the Yards, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Sunday, $6-$10)
ON YOUR MARK: While most of the event has been canceled due to fears of bad weather, the National Arboretum’s OAKtoberfest 5k will still host a few festival events, including the 5K fun run, guided arboretum tours, and a scavenger hunt, plus views of fall foliage with strollers and costumes welcome. Online registration is closed, but you can still sign up on site. (U.S. National Arboretum, 8 a.m., $55)
WHO’S THAT BAND: Where else can you hear “Love Will Tear Us Apart” followed by “Cut to the Feeling” and “Debaser”? The 12th annual Halloween Cover Benefit Show promises a night of “stupid bands and stupid costumes” and will feature musicians covering Everclear, The Pixies, The Kinks, Joy Division and Carly Rae Jepsen. (The Pinch, 7 p.m.-midnight, $10 with costume, $15 without a costume)
MORE: Boundary Stone Ride (South Stone, 9 a.m., FREE), Opera Outside (Meridian Hill Park, 11 a.m., FREE), Día de Los Muertos Family Day (Smithsonian American Art Museum Kogod Courtyard, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., FREE), Dogtoberfest (Glen’s Garden Market, 2 p.m.-5 p.m., free entry), Rock the Core Cider Festival (Eagle Bank Club at Audi Field, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., $25-$75), DC Fray Halloween Bonfire Party (Butler’s Orchard, 8 p.m.-11 p.m., $49)
Racers at the 2014 Marine Corps Marathon (Photo by Elvert Barnes)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28
THE FINISH LINE: An arduous summer of training ends Sunday for runners of the 43rd Marine Corps Marathon. The race gets underway on Route 110 between the Pentagon and Arlington Memorial Drive and the course snakes through Arlington and along the waterfront and the National Mall. With road closures in effect, organizers recommend taking Metro to find a spot to spectate. (Ends at Marine Corps War Memorial, 7:45 a.m., FREE to watch)
IN MEMORY: The National Museum of the American Indian celebrates the migration of monarch butterflies and Día de los Muertos with butterfly luminaria and butterfly masks. The event will also host traditional ofrendas and dance featuring the Danza de los Tecuanes and the Danza de los Viejitos. (Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., FREE)
SUDDENLY, SEYMOUR: Celebrate Halloween Broadway Center Stage style with the classic Little Shop of Horrors starring Megan Hilty and Josh Radnor. The limited run begins Friday night and includes two performances each on Saturday and Sunday. (The Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., $89-$215)
MORE: Bikes, Baristas, and Beers, Halloween Edition (District Hardware and Bike, 8:45 a.m.-noon, FREE), The Addams Family (National Museum of American History, 5:25 p.m., $6-$10)
