FRIDAY, JAN. 7
MEDITATION: Start off your weekend by attending the Smithsonian Asian Art Museum’s “Meditation and Mindfulness” class. This virtual meditation session — which recurs three times a week — will be led by by Aparna Sadananda and Philip Bender and is open to participants of all experience levels. (Virtual; noon-12:30 p.m.; FREE)
JAZZ NIGHT: This weekend, Columbia Station is hosting their DC Weekend Blues Comedy Showtime. There’s jazz first, followed by comedy at 9 p.m. And for good measure, there’s jazz at the end, too. You can also catch the show on Saturday night. (Columbia Station; 8:30 p.m.; $15 – $30)
COMEDY SHOWCASE: This weekend, DC Improv is welcoming in the new year with a show from local standups. Hometown comedians include on the docket at this comedy showcase include Ty Davis, Naomi Karavani, Rob Gordon, Mike Brown. (And pssst: Organizers are hinting that a few out-of-town guests may make appearances, too.) Proof of vaccination is required for entry. (DC Improv; 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. shows; $20+)
DRY JAN: Celebrate Dry January with Assembly. Throughout the month, the Arlington restaurant is celebrating local residents who are going alcohol-free by offering a suite of mocktails. The lineup of fresh drinks include the Cucumber Elderflower Spritzer, which combines elderflower syrup and chamomile tea with club soda, and tops it all off with refreshing mint. (Assembly; 11 a.m. onwards; $8 per mocktail)
MORE: Insurrection by Andres Serrano (6:15 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show; CulturalDC’s Source Theatre; FREE)
SATURDAY, JAN. 8
PHOTO DAY: On Saturday, test your outdoor photography skills at this nature photo session in Arlington. Participants are invited to bring their camera (smartphones count!) and meet at Long Branch Nature Center to capture the beauty of our local outdoors. Registration is required. (Long Branch Nature Center; 2 p.m.-3 p.m.; FREE)
CLIMATE CHANGE FORUM: This weekend, the District’s Commission on Climate Change and Resiliency is hosting an online community forum. Organizers are bringing together local lawmakers, Capital Weather Gang meteorologists, and more to discuss strategies and challenges involved in finding solutions to climate change’s effects in D.C. (Virtual; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Theme Month: Hidden Worlds (Locust Grove Nature Center; 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; FREE); Zeds Dead: Deadbeats Tour (Echostage; 9 p.m. doors; $35+); P&P Live! Dr. Emily Levesque—THE LAST STARGAZERS – with Prof. Mario Livio (Virtual; 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.; FREE); R.I.P. – Remove Invasive Plants at Gulf Branch! (Gulf Branch Nature Center; 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; FREE)
SUNDAY JANUARY 9
BOOK TALK: On Saturday, tune in to a book talk with writers Victor LaValle and Xavier Navarro Aquino, where they will discuss Aquino’s latest book Velorio. The novel is “a tale of peril and possibility buoyed by the deeply held belief in a people’s ability to unite against those corrupted by power.” The event will be hosted by the newly unionzed Politics and Prose and is a part of their P&P Live! programming. (3 p.m. – 4 p.m.; FREE)
VIRTUAL MUSEUM: This Sunday, enjoy one of the Smithsonian museums without leaving your home. Washington DC History & Culture is hosting a live streamed tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The tour will include objects from exhibits including American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith and The First Ladies. (11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; FREE, with donations encouraged)
OUTDOOR EXHIBIT: This Sunday is the last day to experience artist Kristine Mays’ art installation across Hillwood Estate’s 13 acres. More than two dozen of Mays’ life-sized wire sculptures are dotting the grounds, making for a ghostly outdoor stroll. (Hillwood Estate, Museum, & Gardens; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; $17 Adult suggested donation)
BOOZE BRUNCH: For those drinking, heads up: MiCasa, the TexMex restaurant in Dupont, recently debuted a bottomless brunch, and reservations are open. Close out your weekend by picking a bottomless option that includes classic bloody Marys, sangrias, and mimosas, plus cocktails with mango-infused vodka, habanero, prickly pear, and coconut. (MiCasa; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; $25.99 per guest with entree)
MORE: BYOB Comedy Sunday (The Gym; 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; donate-what-you-want); Mark Bowden and Matthew Teague: THE STEAL with Peter Baker (Virtual; 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.; $5 – $36)
