Did you know that the Panamanian Golden Frog has not been seen in the wild for a decade? Learn more about that, restaurants in D.C. who’re committed to ethical practices, sake, Spanish ham, slip trailing, and the legacies of Audre Lorde and Bayard Rustin this week.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25
I MADE THIS: Do you make jewelry? Candles? Art? Others uncomfortable? If it’s any of those except the last one, join local makers at Shop Made In DC for Maker Monday. Say what you make to get 10 percent off of food, drinks, and creative goods all day. Hear from industry consultants at a lunch and learn from 12 p.m.-2 p.m. or get encouragement from someone other than your mom at the Maker’s Meetup Happy Hour from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. (Shop Made In DC 19th Street, 12 p.m.-8 p.m., FREE)
THE LAST CURLER: This is your last chance to engage in some freestyle curling and cocktailing on The Wharf’s ice rink this winter. Wear soft-soled sneakers and bring your best sweepers or get paired up with other participants to chuck rocks (the handled puck things) across the curling sheet (ice) towards the house (goal), or watch from the sidelines with a wintery cocktail. (The Wharf Ice Rink, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m., FREE)
SNAIL OF APPROVAL: Slow Food DC, the organization dedicated to “good, clean, fair food,” is recognizing 14 D.C. restaurants, produces, farmers, and distillers (not to be confused with restaurant Farmers and Distillers) who are committed to ethical and sustainable food practices. Your ticket to the Snail of Approval Awards Party includes an open beer and wine bar and a speciality cocktail from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., seasonally-inspired food, and a silent auction of food-related items from the winners. (Urbana Dining & Drinks, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $35-$45)
DIY BOUQUET: Getting married or planning a Sex And The City: The Movie style breakup this week? Make your own handheld bouquet under the tutelage of professional florists. Cost includes wine and supplies to make a bouquet that would retail for $125. (Array Floral, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., $115)
MORE: Twin Drugs (9:30 Club, 8 p.m., $8) Felt from Afghanistan and Kazakhstan Closing Reception (Stimson Center, 5:30-8:30 p.m., FREE), Chef Sammy Davis Spring Cooking Class (Catch 22, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., $40) Speed Dating for Singles ( Pennsylvania 6, 8-10 p.m., $29)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26
BLACK HISTORY: You’ve got four days left to do something other than listen to Beyoncé to honor Black History Month. Behind the Seen, a podcast dedicated to navigating racial bias, hosts a celebration of black history featuring Dr. Karen Wilson, a scholar of African descendant culture, story, song, and dance, and a screening of the film HUMAN. Snacks, drinks, and music will be provided. (Mindspace, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE)
SAKE TO ME: The Embassy of Japan and the Freer Sackler Gallery host a screening of award-winning documentary Kampai! For the Love of Sake followed by a premium sake tasting guided by two world-renowned sake experts. You’ll be an expert yourself by the end of the night, ready to scoff at anyone who dares order green apple-flavored sake in your presence. (Freer Gallery of Art, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE)
WORK THE ROOM: I network by hiding in the bathroom until the event is over, but, if you’re looking to advance in your career, learn how to love networking at GovLoop’s free training. Get advice on sniffing out the right networking opportunities for you, learn how to get conversations started without asking if someone wants to see photos of your cat, and practice networking skills with speed-networking exercises. This is my personal hell, but you might get something out of it. (GovLoop Office, 5:30 p.m.-8:30, FREE with registration)
OH CREPE: Are you full of unholy regret that you missed the chance to make tissue paper peonies last week? Don’t worry, you can make crepe paper anemones this week! Obviously way better, the anemones require paper, paint, pastel chalk, tacky glue, and wire, all of which is included in the cost of your ticket. You’ll leave with three handmade flowers, the materials to make three more at home, and the ability to confidently pronounce “anemones.” (Shop Made In DC at the Wharf, 7 p.m.-8 p.m., $70)
AMPHIBIAN RESCUE: At Defenders of Wildlife in Dupont, Ph.D student and Smithsonian National Zoo researcher Blake Klocke presents on his work to rescue and reintroduce endangered Panamanian amphibians. A happy hour with Klocke at the Madhatter will follow, where you can ask him all the questions about frogs that keep you up at night. (Defenders of Wildlife and Madhatter, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., FREE with registration)
MORE: The Power of Sleep (Apothékary on Connecticut, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $20-$25), Indian Ragas on Piano by Ustav Lal (The Kennedy Center, 6 p.m.-7 p.m., FREE), William Basinski (U Street Music Hall, 7:30 p.m., $20-$25), JYNX Comedy Night (Busboys and Poets Monroe St, 8 p.m., $10), CAN I KICK IT? Screening (Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House, 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE with registration)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27
GOT THE BLUES: Unravel the mysteries of blue cheese—its smell, its texture, its purpose here on Earth. Taste five varieties of blue cheese and learn about what makes the odorous fungus so special. (District Space, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $35)
DRY SPELL: Local artist Heidi Nielson leads this drawing night all about the stately cactus. You won’t have to draw from memory, oh no, you’ll be surrounded by the lush eleganza of She Loves Me flower and plant shop. BYO art supplies; still life cactus arrangements and inspiration provided. (She Loves Me, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., $10)
MOVING PHOTOGRAPHS: Join the opening night reception for On the Move: Photographs by Juana Barreto Yampey, Helena Giestas, and Olivia Vivianco. The collection of new work reflects on the continuous movement of people from place to place, featuring the migrant route through Mexico, Brazilians in daily life, and the characters of Southern America bus terminals. You’re sure to be moved. (Art Museum of the Americas, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., FREE with registration)
FALL FASHION: Winter for the layperson is Fall for the fashion initiated. Join Fashion Group International of Greater Washington, DC for dispatches from Fall 2019 Fashion Week. Are boot cut jeans really back? Is the tiny bag trend finally over? Can we all agree to stop wearing high heels? Who is taking care of Choupette the cat/Chanel now that Karl Lagerfeld is dead? Get your some answers and listen to a panel of local experts project the sartorial future over wine and desserts. (Anthology Apartments, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., $30)
MORE: TedX LeDroit Park: Translation to Transformation (Cramton Auditorium, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., FREE), Candlelight Yoga at The Line (The Line Hotel, 7 p.m., FREE), THE HATE U GIVE Screening & Discussion (5:30-8 p.m., XFINITY Store Chinatown, FREE), Marvel Cinematic Universe Trivia (Nick’s Riverside Grill, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28
MONUMENTAL: Wondering how to celebrate Lincoln’s birthday this year? Forget polishing all of your pennies and making origami swans from $5 bills again; instead, learn about the artist who created the Lincoln Memorial: Daniel Chester French. Author of Monument Man: The Life and Art of Daniel Chester French, Harold Holzer, will join Howard University Professor of History Edna Greene Medford to explore French’s impact on American sculpture, iconography, and historical memory. (National Archives William G. McGowan Theatre, 7 p.m., FREE with registration)
HAM IT UP: Want to finally win the respect of your peers? Lean the art of Spanish ham carving from Master Carver Carlo Sanchez Gonzalo. The class will cover the history of Cinco Jotas ham, Spanish ham culture, the artisanal production process, and the art and technique of traditional jamón carving. Ticket cost includes Cinco Jotas jamón iberico, paleta, and lomo, as well as fino sherry to enjoy. (Del Mar de Fabio Trabocchi, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $75)
DON’T SLIP: Decorate pottery with the squeezy bottle painting technique known as “slip trailing.” You’ll design an unique planter AND take home a plant to put in that planter so that your masterpiece won’t sit empty for months while you forget to buy a plant. Ticket cost includes plant, planter, slip trailing supplies, snacks, and drinks. (REWILD, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., $65)
OH LORDE: The Mayor’s Office of LGTBQ Affairs is ending Black History Month 2019 by celebrating Black LGBTQ excellence. Brave Souls Collective, an education and outreach group committed to HIV prevention and artistic expression, and the African American Collective Theatre, which performs new and classic African American theatre, will put on a theatrical performance honoring the legacies of Audre Lorde and Bayard Rustin. (Eaton Hotel, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE with registration)
MORE: Georgetown Cabaret (U Street Music Hall, 8 p.m., $14), Vundabar (Rock & Roll Hotel, 8 p.m., $15), Board Game Night (Labyrinth Game Shop, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE), Buffy the Vampire Slayer Bingo (Black Cat, 8 p.m.-10:30 p.m., donation suggested), Najmieh Batmanglij: Cooking in Iran (Politics and Prose Union Market, 7 p.m.-8 p.m., FREE)
