FRIDAY MAY 21
BIKE TO WORK: This Friday is the 20th annual Bike to Work Day in the region! Hit up the event’s “pit stops” in the District, Maryland, and Virginia to get your free t-shirt (available for the first 15,000 registrants). Remote workers are invited to mimic an outdoor commute by biking to their nearest pit-stop and joining in the fun. (Various locations, FREE with registration required)
VIDEO ART: Friday is the last day to catch Desirae (Des) Lee’s Sunday Afternoon at the Anacostia Art Center. Lee, a Howard University MFA candidate, presents a two-year long video diary in digital mixed media to create “a time capsule of herself and her generation.” (Anacostia Art Center; 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; FREE)
MUSIC CONFERENCE: This Friday is the first day of the DC Music Summit, a three-day event for creatives in the D.C. region. The day’s lineup includes a live feed happy hour and YouTube party — and the entire weekend will offer a hybrid of virtual events and in-person ones at The Eaton. Per the organizers, “all music industry professionals, from beginners to seasoned, are encouraged to attend.” (The Eaton Workshop for in-person options; times vary; $40+)
SATURDAY MAY 22
TOAST GHOSTS: On Saturday, join a Last Call: Prohibition Lantern Tour at the Historic Congressional Cemetery to learn about former region residents — “from bootleggers to tee-totalers” — who are buried on the grounds. Flashlights and comfortable shoes are recommended as costumed actors bring the ‘toast stories’ to life. (Historic Congressional Cemetery; 6 p.m.-10 p.m.; $30)
REVELING: (Virtually) celebrate the arrival of spring with the Washington Revels. Their Celebration of Spring virtual festival video will be released this Saturday. The show promises to be Zoom-box-free and will feature “Revelers as they frolic through historic Glen Echo Park” in a celebration of song, dance, and spring. (Available through June 5, FREE)
FARMERS MARKET: Get your green on. This Saturday is the first day of National Landing’s farmer’s market. Head to Pentagon City to load up on on fresh produce from local sellers across the region. Customers can expect everything from pickles to breakfast sandwiches to speciality meats. (Metropolitan Park; 8 a.m.-12 p.m.)
CAROUSEL: Saturday is the season’s first “Carousel Family Day” at Glen Echo Park. Participants are invited to celebrate the local carousel’s 100th birthday by crafting their own mini-carousel, birthday hats, and birthday cards. (Glen Echo Park; 11 a.m.-3 p.m., FREE with $10 donation recommended)
SUNDAY MAY 23
DANCE: End your weekend by watching Passage, the new work from ReVision dance company. The event celebrates the company’s 10th anniversary season and will take place outdoors and socially distant in Brookland. Please note that tickets are offered on a sliding pay scale. (Dance Place; 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 6:00 p.m., or 7:30 p.m.; $0 – $100)
FILM FESTIVAL: Tune into the first day of JxJ Festival, the Washington Jewish Film & Music Festival. The event spans eight days and includes both virtual and in-person events that includes four outdoor venues. Participants can expect drive-in screenings, concerts, streamable films, livestreamed events, and more. (Various locations; $9.50+)
LA JAMBE: Wine down your weekend with La Jambe. The Shaw wine bar is one of the latest restaurants in the region to reopen after the initial pandemic shutdown. Please note that the location does not offer takeout or delivery at this time (for that, you’ll need to see their Union Market location). (La Jambe Shaw; 5 p.m. to close)
Sponsored NEW BLACK OPERA FILM: Now streaming on demand is a film adaptation of the new opera dwb (driving while black). The 40-minute film is a montage of poetic and haunting moments examining the trials and triumphs Black mothers experience as their children come of age. (Virtual: On Demand; $15)
