Before a possibility of snow re-enters the forecast next week, get outside this weekend for Lunar New Year celebrations and your pick of informal road races, either sprinting against the streetcar or stripping down to your underwear.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8
ZOOM ZOOM: In the market for a new way to get around town? See the latest models of motorcycles from beloved brands beginning Friday at the 38th annual Progressive International Motorcycle Shows. The event continues through Sunday. (Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., FREE under 11, $17+)
THE DIRTY SOUTH: For more than 20 years, Athens, Georgia’s Drive-By Truckers have turned out highly-aware alternative country that dissects the “duality of the Southern thing.” At The Anthem, they’re joined by the legendary Lucinda Williams and Erika Wennerstrom, perhaps best known for her work in Heartless Bastards. (The Anthem, 6:30 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, $40-$75)
RED ROOM REIGNS: The Black Cat turned 25 last year and announced some major changes, shuttering its downstairs space. Friday night marks the grand opening of the revered Red Room, the Black Cat’s beloved bar. The new space, now upstairs, will be open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., free of cover charge. (Black Cat, 9 p.m. doors, free entry)
SLOPE STYLE: Embrace the remains of winter with an Après Ski Party featuring ski virtual reality and a DJ dance party. The weekend-long event continues with a photo booth hosted by Devil’s Backbone and a costume competition with prizes from REI and Stable on Saturday. If you miss out, Wunder Garten will do the whole thing again next weekend. (Wunder Garten, 4 p.m.-1 a.m., free entry)
MORE: Smithsonian Year of Music: Welles (Pearl Street Warehouse, 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show, FREE), Luce Unplugged Community Showcase: Twin Jude & Weed Tree (Smithsonian American Art Museum, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., FREE), Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards (Capital One Arena, 7 p.m., $9+), Juan MacLean DJ Set with Philco (U Street Music Hall, 10 p.m., FREE before 11 p.m. for 21+, $10)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9
FRONT OF BOOK: Pop-Up Magazine, an occasional live magazine event featuring storytellers, visuals, and a live score, presents journalism in real time. Saturday night’s D.C. Winter Issue 2019 program features stories from Will Butler of Arcade Fire, Jason Concepcion, Josie Duffy Rice, and Ed Yong. (Warner Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $25+)
SOAR: Celebrate Black History Month with Family Day: African American Pioneers in Aviation and Space at the National Air and Space Museum. The special program includes a talk from Tuskegee Airman Col. Charles McGee and hands-on activities. (National Air and Space Museum, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., FREE)
NEW YEAR: The Kennedy Center celebrates the Lunar New Year with Family Day. Welcome the Year of the Pig with face painting, calligraphy demonstrations, lantern making, and music demonstrations. A Cantonese lion will also be making appearances throughout the day. Note: Parking is first-come, first-serve; offsite parking with transit is available at the Watergate or Columbia Plaza. (The Kennedy Center, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., FREE)
SPRINT: Undress for a good cause at Cupid’s Undie Run, an annual mile-ish run that lasts about 15 minutes and includes pre- and post-run parties at Penn Social. Funds raised support research to find a cure for neurofibromatosis. (Penn Social, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., $45 in advance, $50 at the door)
MORE: Late Night Glow Snow Tubing Trip (Kelly’s Irish Times, 4:30 p.m., $69), Florida Panthers vs. Washington Capitals (Capital One Arena, 7 p.m., $69+), Makeup Girl with Outcalls, Deep Sea Peach Tree and Jeff Draco (Songbyrd, 7 p.m., 8 p.m., $10), Spafford with Of Tomorrow (9:30 Club, 8 p.m. doors, $20), Valerie June with THAD (Sixth and I, 8 p.m., $35-$38), National Symphony Orchestra: Schumann’s Piano Concerto / Noseda Conducts Brahms and Liszt (The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 8 p.m., $15-$89), 200 Leagues on the Dance Floor (Rock & Roll Hotel, 9 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. show, FREE for 21+, $10 for 18-20)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10
RACE THE ROUTE: Think you’re faster than public transit? Prove it at the third annual H Street Running of the Streetcar. Sprint the nearly 2 miles from Benning Road and Oklahoma Ave NE near RFK to 3rd and H. Your donation helps H Street Runners host their motivation station at the Rock and Roll D.C. Marathon/Half Marathon. (Duffy’s Irish Pub, 2 p.m.-5 p.m., $5)
YEAR OF THE PIG: Head to Chinatown for the District of Columbia’s 2019 Lunar New Year Parade. Gather at 1 p.m. for a 2 p.m. start. The event also features a lion dance, a Kung Fu exhibition, and a firecracker finale. (6th and H St NW and 6th and I St NW, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., FREE)
A LOVE SUPREME: Saxophonist and composer John Coltrane’s legacy hasn’t waned since his death in 1967. In a special program at the Kennedy Center, National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Archie Shepp is joined by Jason Moran, Amir ElSaffar, Darryl Hall, Nasheet Waits, and Marion Rampal for an all-star tribute to Coltrane, his mentor and friend. (The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 8 p.m., $20-$59)
MORE: Fort Totten Hike (Fort Totten, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., FREE), 3rd DC9 Punk Flea Market (DC9, 2 p.m., free entry), Gun Violence Prevention Forum (Washington National Cathedral, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m., FREE), Looking Through Time: The Past in 3D (Colony Club, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., $45), Music at the Monastery (Franciscan Monastery, 4 p.m.-7 p.m., FREE)
