FRIDAY, MAY 10
LUNCH AND LEARN: This month’s Cooking Up History demonstration at the National Museum of American History draws inspiration from its new exhibition, Forgotten Workers: Chinese Migrants and the Building of the Transcontinental Railroad, opening Friday. For Regional Chinese Cooking Along the Transcontinental Railroad, join guest chef Martin Yan for a survey of food traditions of Chinese workers from the Guangdong Province. (Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 p.m., FREE)
ROYALTY: Hosted by Brightest Young Things & National Geographic, Queens of Egypt: The Mother of All Parties is an all-access pass to the museum’s latest exhibition, Queens of Egypt, with performances from Madame Gandhi and DJ Tezrah, pop-up talks from NatGeo explorers, and an open bar. (National Geographic Museum, 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., $60)
VIVA MÉXICO: A collaboration between the Phillips Collection and the Embassy of Mexico, the 2019 Contemporaries Bash: Maravillas de México explores the wonders of Mexico with a focus on the artistic contributions of Mexican women. The night features tacos, churros, mezcal and margaritas, plus music from DJ Soyo. (Dock 5 at Union Market, 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m., $125 members, $165 general)
MORE: Open Studio Fridays (National Portrait Gallery, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., FREE),Silver Pride (Equality Center at HRC, 2 p.m.-7 p.m., FREE),Parliament-Funkadelic’s The Mothership: A Smithsonian Gallery Talk (National Museum of African American History and Culture, 2 p.m.-3 p.m., FREE), Amending America: How Women Won the Vote (National Archives, 4 p.m., FREE), Truckeroo (The Bullpen, 4 p.m.-11 p.m., FREE), Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival (The Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, 7 p.m., $40-$45), Ex Hex with the Messthetics and Clear Channel (9:30 Club, 8 p.m. doors, $25)
SATURDAY, MAY 11
CHOO CHOO: The Postal Museum’s annual Train Day celebration of the completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad takes on special significance this year—the 150th anniversary—with the debut of the new Golden Spike stamp. Spend your Saturday immersed in history with curator tours, model trains, and story times. (Smithsonian National Postal Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., FREE)
FLOWER POWER: Spring is in season at the Rosslyn Blooms! Flower Festival. Petworth flower shop She Loves Me will be selling blossoms and plants, and The Lemon Collective will be hosting seven workshops throughout the day, covering succulent felting, watercolors, and and dyeing. (Central Place Plaza, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., FREE)
EUROPE UNITED: If you didn’t get enough of D.C.’s embassies last week, there’s plenty more to see this weekend. The annual European Union Open House is your chance to visit the embassies of the 28 member states. (EU embassies, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., FREE)
WE WANT THE FUNK: The 6th annual Funk Parade makes its way down U Street Saturday evening. The daylong celebrations begin with a #DontMuteDC conference from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at U Street Music Hall includes the daytime festival along U Street and a nighttime festival continuation at the Prince Hall Lodge. (Howard Theater to Lincoln Theater, 5 p.m.-6 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Family Music Workshop (The Kennedy Center Grand Foyer, 9:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m., FREE), Mt. Pleasant Home & Garden Tour (1915 Kenyon Street, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. tour, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. reception, $25-$45), POW! WOW! DC 2019 Mural Walking Tour (Wunder Garten, 5 p.m., FREE), Asian Pacific American Poetry Workshop (Smithsonian National Postal Museum, 5 p.m.-6 p.m., FREE), The Drums with Tanukichan (Black Cat, 8 p.m. doors, $20 advance, $25 day of show)
SUNDAY, MAY 12
SECRET AGENT MOM: If your mom’s more into espionage then brunch, take her to the International Spy Museum grand opening at the institution’s new home at L’Enfant Plaza. All moms receive free admission in honor of Mother’s Day. (International Spy Museum, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., $14.95-$22.95)
I’M GONNA LIVE FOREVER: GALA Theatre’s U.S. premiere of FAME The Musical in Spanish pays tribute to its author’s Cuban heritage. Sunday’s show includes a talk-back with associate director/choreographer Valeria Cossu, music director Walter “Bobby” McCoy and the cast. (GALA Theatre, 2 p.m., $30+)
SUNDAY AT THE OPERA: The Washington National Opera brings Puccini’s Tosca to D.C. Set in Rome in June 1800, the opera is set against the backdrop of Napoleon’s threat to Napoli control of the city. The tragedy chronicles the lengths a famed singer will go to to keep her lover alive. (The Kennedy Center Opera House, 2 p.m., $35+)
MORE: A Parisian Flower Market (Le Diplomate, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., FREE), Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote (National Archives Museum, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., FREE), The Way of the Kami (Freer Sackler, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., FREE), Mother’s Day Flower Arranging Workshop (Milk Bar, 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m., $75)
