Editor’s note: DCist suspended our daily events guides in mid-March. But we’re bringing back weekday and weekend posts with ways to have virtual fun. We’ll be focused specifically on digital offerings from D.C.-area artists, musicians, fitness instructors, and others. (Want us to know about a virtual event? Submit them here.) And don’t forget about our guide to free movies, audiobooks, art and other offerings from area institutions.
MONDAY, MAY 4
SPY WARS: We maybe celebrating May the fourth inside this year, but we can still pretend to head to a galaxy far, far away. Join the Spy Museum program Star Wars or Spy Wars: Who Needs the Force When You Have Good Intel? and examine the on-screen intergalactic espionage with Spy Museum historian Dr. Vince Houghton. (5:30 p.m., FREE, donations welcome)
RABBI VS. JEDI: There are other ways to celebrate Star Wars Day besides staging a movie marathon. Sixth & I’s Rabbi Aaron will discuss Star Wars episodes four through nine through a Jewish lens, comparing the film’s themes and quotes to Jewish texts. (7 p.m., $6)
BOOK CLUB BUDDIES: Miss your book club? Why not check out East City Bookstore’s monthly Fiction Book Club? This month Erin and company are discussing Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward. All are welcome, just RSVP via email. (6:30 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Climate Change Action (National Children’s Museum, 2:30 p.m., FREE), Courtney Tolbert: “The Battle of Puebla” and “Cinco de Mayo” (Active Wellness Program at St. Alban’s, 1:30 p.m., FREE)
TUESDAY, MAY 5
RUNNING OF THE CHIHUAHUAS: While hanging out at The Wharf is discouraged right now, that doesn’t mean missing the Cinco de Mayo celebration and ninth annual Running of the Chihuahuas. They are gathering the “cutest Chihuahua content” from races in years past for a ten-hour chihuahua extravaganza. Log on to see the dogs scurrying toward their moment of glory, and consider ordering take out from one of your favorite Wharf spots. (12 p.m., FREE)
MOCK MARGARITAS: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at home with this Alt Happy Hour from Booze Free DC. Learn how to whip some mocktails in this cocktail class and chat up other attendees while you shake up your drinks. (7 p.m., $10 to $15)
MORE: Teen Tuesdays—Earth Optimism with Climate Scientist Jeremy Hoffman (Natural History Museum, 3 p.m., FREE), Virtual Livestream Cinco De Mayo Party with DJ (Washington DC Events & Taco Tuesday USA, 6 p.m., $8)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
GET COOKIN’: Virtually add a new recipe to your repertoire. Learn how to make paella from Slate Wine Bar and Xiquet owner, chef, and sommelier Danny Lledó. Get all the tips and tricks you’ll need to make your dish a masterpiece. Register ahead of time and get the recipe. Ingredients are available for purchase from Xiquet (starting at $14 per person) so you’ll be ready to impress. (6 p.m., $35)
WHODUNIT: Practice your detective skills at a Virtual Mystery Online Whodunit. Channel your inner Miss Marple as you interrogate witnesses, search for clues, and hunt for the killer, all via Zoom. May we suggest you take a closer look at the butler? Ages 18 & up. (7 p.m., $26.99)
LIAR, LIAR: Think you can spot a liar from behind a screen? Play along with this virtual event from the Perfect Liars Club and Washington Improv Theater, Perfect Liars Club: Home Edition. Watch four tall tales ahead of time via YouTube and then submit your probing questions. Watch live as the interrogation takes place and suss out the lie before the big reveal. (8 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Minh Lê and Dan Santat—Lift (Politics & Prose Live, 2 p.m., FREE), ESL Conversation Circles (DC Public Library, 10 a.m., FREE)
THURSDAY, MAY 7
SCIENCE CAREERS 101: If quarantine is making you think about a career change, check out the “Here to Career” webinar from the Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access. Hear from Smithsonian scientists Mike Braun, Jesus Maldonado, and Owen McMillan about their work on evolution, conservation, and genetics and ask questions about how they got there—and how you can, too. (1 p.m., FREE)
ART IS LIFE: Luis Peralta Del Valle’s murals decorating Busboys & Poets and Zaytinya are highly recognizable. Now, he might inspire you to pick up a paintbrush. Join this D.C.-based artist for a 30-minute chat on creating during a pandemic. Part of the Anacostia Community Museum’s #taketimeThursday series, he’ll share how art can help in uncertain times. (2:30 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Mother’s Day Floral Virtual Workshop (The Station, 4 p.m., FREE), Mission Debrief: World War II (Air & Space Museum, 1 p.m., FREE)
