Chat policy at the Howard Theatre
Want to spend some time learning about housing in the District? In the third installment of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s city-wide housing discussion series, she will be taking the stage at the Howard Theatre with Don Edwards, the CEO of Justice and Sustainability Associates, a nonprofit that works towards sustainable community development. Bowser will outline how she plans to meet her #360000by20205 initiative, an effort to build 36,000 new homes by 2025. Visitors will also have a chance to explore Undesign the Redline, an interactive exhibit that connects housing discrimination in the early 1900s to issues of housing inequity today.
Howard Theatre, Saturday, 10 a.m. 

Share the love
The local artist behind one of D.C.’s most Instagrammable spots, the LOVE mural in Blagden Alley, will be bringing that love to a free three-day exhibit at studio space The Cheshire. Lisa Marie Thalhammer uses color and shape to portray uplifting emotion and messages of acceptance through murals, paintings, and collages. All weekend long, her work will be on display at the Cheshire, with certain pieces available for purchase, in case you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind Valentine’s gift.
The Cheshire, Friday 3 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m.-11 p.m., Sunday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. 

Try some samples at Glen’s Garden Market 
Cozy up after a rainy week with a free food festival. Glen’s Garden Market in Dupont will be offering free samples of local eats and live music on Saturday afternoon. The indoor food festival will be highlighting several local food companies: Think mac n cheese, chili, and wine. For those craving an afternoon dessert, the Capital Candy Jar and Annapolis-based Chocolibrium will be handing out samples of their sweets. Spots are limited, so you might want to save yours beforehand. 
Glen’s Garden Market, Saturday, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. 

Take a closer look at Smithsonian Art
The Smithsonian American Art Museum has one of the largest collections of work by African Americans in the world. As a part of its annual Closer Look series, SAAM will be hosting a panel with artists, scholars, and collectors discussing the history behind some of the pieces in the collection. Register online to reserve a spot ahead of time.
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Saturday, 8 p.m. 

ArtRave and Dupont Underground collab market
Dupont is known for its Sunday morning Freshfarm market, but this weekend a new local market is coming to the neighborhood. Dupont Underground, an old-train-car-tunnel turned art gallery, will be hosting a weekly arts market starting this Sunday, featuring 50 different local vendors, selling handmade items ranging from prints to articles of clothing. Dupont Underground, in collaboration with the arts-venue-coordinator ArtRave, hopes to repeat the market weekly, on Sunday afternoons.
Dupont Underground, Sunday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

Want more ideas of things to do … even if they cost a little money?

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