Cherry blossom hype has hit its peak: This weekend, get some sun and run, bike or walk through the blooms before the season ends.
FRIDAY, APRIL 5
MAD MEN: Don Draper may have claimed Lucky Strikes were toasted, but the truth is even stranger than fiction. In the twentieth century, advertisers used representations of doctors to ease concerns about the health risks related to smoking. “More Doctors Smoke Camels: A Close Reading of Historical Advertising,” a look at select tobacco advertisements, will be on display through March 2020. (National Museum of American History, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., FREE)
BUSINESS TIME: It’s opening night for Arena Stage’s presentation of Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar’s Junk. Set in the financial world of the 1980s, the play follows Robert Merkin as he prepares a hostile takeover of a family-owned manufacturing business. Directed by Jackie Maxwell, the staging continues through May 5. (Arena Stage Fichandler Stage, 8 p.m., $66-$82)
SING OUT: Emmy-, Grammy- and Tony-winning performer Cynthia Erivo is three-quarters of her way to an EGOT; she joins the National Symphony Orchestra for Legendary Women’s Voices, a program paying homage to the greats, including Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Beyoncé. (The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 8 p.m., $29-$109)
MORE: Hirshhorn/AM: The Lemon Collective (Hirshhorn, 9 a.m.-10 a.m., FREE), Tanya Tagaq (The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, 6 p.m., FREE), Best Buddies Prom (Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 6:30 p.m. VIP, 7 p.m. student party, 7:30 p.m. general, $10-$250), San Antonio Spurs vs. Washington Wizards (Capital One Arena, 7 p.m., $9+), CherryFest (Wunder Garten, 7 p.m., FREE), Atlas Obscura Society DC’s Explorers’ Salon (DC9, 8 p.m., $17)
SATURDAY, APRIL 6
IN BLOOM: Just because the cherry blossoms are at their peak doesn’t mean they should have all the glory. Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Family Day celebrates Orchids: Amazing Adaptations, a Smithsonian Gardens, U.S. Botanic Gardens, Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery partnership. (Smithsonian American Art Museum, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., FREE)
SECOND TIME AROUND: Shop and save at during the first-ever Thrift Crawl DC. Area stylists take the overwhelming feeling that often faces thrifters out of the equation, and stores—including Crossroads Trading, Buffalo Exchange, Fia’s Fabulous Finds, and Fruaglista—will be offering exclusive discounts to participants. Tickets include a complimentary tote bag. (Various locations with lunch at DC Reynolds and happy hour at Kingfisher, 12 p.m.-8 p.m., $30+)
PEAK PETAL: The National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Petalpalooza takes over the Wharf for a full day of free programming, including art installations, a blossom bar and performances across multiple stages. The night concludes with fireworks, weather permitting. (The Wharf, 12 p.m.-9:30 p.m., FREE)
ZOOM ZOOM: The Washington Auto Show is your chance to get up and close and personal with hot wheels without risking a ticket. Over 600 cars from 35 makers will be on display with plenty of opportunities to get behind the wheel. The exhibition continues through April 14. (Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 12 p.m.-6 p.m., $5-$12)
MORE: 21st Annual Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk (National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism During World War II at Louisiana/New Jersey and D St NW, 9 a.m., FREE), NEDA Walk (Constitution Gardens, 9 a.m.-11 a.m., suggested donation for fundraiser), Slow Art Day (Hirshhorn, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., FREE), Vinyl and Vinyasa (Songbyrd, 11 a.m. doors, 11:30 a.m. start, $10), The Official DC Cocktail Fest (National Building Museum, 12 p.m.-10 p.m., $60), Ready to Roo DC: Oxfam Discussion and Letter Write (Dacha Beer Garden, 2 p.m.-3 p.m., FREE), New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals (Capital One Arena, 7 p.m., $75+), Triptych (Eyes of One on Another) based on works of Robert Mapplethorpe (The Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater, 8 p.m., $19-$29)
SUNDAY, APRIL 7
PETAL POWER: Just because you’re not running the annual Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run and 5k Run-Walk doesn’t mean you can’t take in the excitement of race day. Start your weekend at the free health and fitness expo at the National Building Museum on Friday and Saturday; finish the weekend by spectating along the course or volunteering to earn your spot in next year’s race. (Washington Monument Grounds, 7:30 10 Mile start, 9 a.m. 5k start, FREE to spectate or attend the expo)
SPIN CYCLE: If you’d rather race past the blossoms by bike, grab your helmet and hurry to the 5th annual National Cherry Blossom Festival Greenscape Corridor Bike Ride. The easy-paced 12-mile trek takes you past some of D.C.’s most spectacular greenery for presentations form National Park Service and U.S. National Arboretum horticulturists. (BicycleSPACE Downtown, 11 a.m., $15 suggested donation)
LACE YOUR SNEAKERS: It’s bound to be a beautiful day in the neighborhood—Adams Morgan, to be precise—when ITVS Indie Lends Pop-Up hosts a screening of Morgan Neville’s film about Fred Rogers, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Bring your own tissues and enjoy treats courtesy of The Cup We All Race 4. (The LINE Hotel, 5 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Yoga and Wine (District Winery, 10 a.m., $35), Premier Drams 2019 (Jack Rose Dining Saloon, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., $125), New York City Ballet (The Kennedy Center Opera House, 1:30 p.m., $29-$99), Nick Lowe’s Quality Rock & Roll Revue starring Los Straightjackets (The Hamilton, 6:30 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show, $27.50-$45)
