FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25
MUSIC COMPETITION: This Friday, six semi-finalists will compete in the 67th Chopin Competition. The hybrid piano event will feature artists performing works by Frederic Chopin — and the winners will move forward to this Sunday’s final event with the National Philharmonic. (St. Ann Church; 2:00 p.m.; FREE)
ART EXHIBITION: This weekend, BlkArthouse and Shedrick Pelt are hosting the opening night premiere of their art exhibition Attacks on Democracy. The show features Pelt’s photography from the Capitol insurrection and immediate fallout. The opening night will also include a panel with Pelt and other Black photojournalists, plus a cocktail hour. (Gallery O on H; 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; $15+)
DC IMPROV: Kick off your weekend by heading to DC Improv. On Friday, the comedy shop will host Sheng Wang (he’s opened for Ali Wong and written for ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat) as he headlines the main showroom. The event will also include comics Christian Escoto and Jaffer Khan. (DC Improv; 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. shows; $20+)
Sponsored LIVE THEATER RETURNS: Four African American sisters face family secrets as they gather for their mother’s funeral in Girls of Madison Street. Conflicts emerge and tensions flare, but they soon learn the bonds of sisterhood know no bounds. (Creative Cauldron, Falls Church. Thur.-Sat. 7:30pm, Sun. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., thru Mar 10. Tickets $35, $25 for groups of 10.)
MORE: Opening Night: Nature Unbound at Amy Kaslow Gallery (Amy Kaslow Gallery; 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.; FREE); An Evening with We Banjo 3 (The Hamilton Live; 6:30 p.m. doors, 8:00 p.m. show; $16.75+); Independent Film Series (Kentlands Mansion & Arts Barn; 7:30 p.m.; $15); Fridays at the Saloon (Saloon on U Street; 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; FREE); Punkhouse Comedy Showcase (Pie Shop; 7:30 p.m.; $10+)
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 26
POLAR PLUNGE: This Saturday, raise money for Special Olympics DC by taking a dip in an above-ground pool at the Yards Park. Everyone who takes the plunge must raise at least $100. In addition to the big jump, expect live music and games, food vendors, and an “ice bar.” (The Yards Park; 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Polar Plungers raise at least $100, spectating FREE)
SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS: On Saturday, bring your budding scientists to the Beacon Hotel for a day of science, art, and health projects for kindergarteners and their families. The Discover Science with Dr. Bear event will focus on Mindfulness and Neuroscience — and is free for all attendees. (Beacon Hotel; 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; FREE)
BLACK HER-STORY MARKET: This weekend, Hotel Zena is celebrating Black History Month by hosting their Black Her-Story Market. Local Black female artists will share their products, and the event will also feature a live DJ, craft cocktails, and snacks from Figleaf. (Figleaf Bar & Lounge, Hotel Zena; 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; FREE)
MARDI GRAS: This weekend, head to the one and only Mardi Gras Parade at the Wharf. There’s a parade with floats headed down Wharf Street and a dance party on the agenda, and the evening ends with a fireworks show. The event will also include stilt walkers, Eastern Hirsch School Marching Band, Live Music, and fireworks. (The Wharf; 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.; FREE)
REFUGEE HISTORY: On Saturday, the German-American Heritage Museum on Sixth Street is hosting a presentation about exiled Europeans adjusting to life in the United states during World War II. The event is being held both in-person and online and will be hosted by historian Dr. Luick-Thrams. (Virtual and at German-American Heritage Museum; 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m; $10+)
SCARY STORIES: This weekend, get a chill up your spine by attending “Fear Factor: stories about what scares us.” The storytelling event — hosted by emcee Nick Baskerville and featuring storytellers Alex Dixon, Jenn Kamara, Vijai Nathan, Jack Scheer, Kathy Stershic, and Cyndi Wish — will be held in-person at The Auld Shebeen restaurant in Fairfax and will be streamed live online. (Virtual and at The Auld Shebeen; 7:00 p.m.; $5.00+)
SYMPHONY: On Saturday, sit back and relax at Atlas Arts’ Capital City Symphony – Convergence: When East Meets West. Musicians Deepak Ram and Noah Getz will present a concert of saxophone and bansuri, and Indian bamboo flute. (Atlas Performing Arts Center; 7:00 p.m.; $35+)
MORE: Kuumba (Tysons Galleria; 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; FREE); Street Photography & the Art of Seeing at the National Portrait Gallery (National Portrait Gallery; 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; $129+); The Black Virtuoso Tradition (Virtual and at THEARC; 3:00 p.m.; FREE); The Comedy Karaoke Trivia Funtime Show at Highline RxR (Highline RxR; 7:00 p.m.; $10+); SUSTO (The Hamilton Live; 6:30 p.m. doors, 8:00 shows; $18+); Fake Birthday w/ Caitlin Cook & A.J. Holmes (The Loft; 8:00 p.m.; $20+); Lost Origins Presents: The Heavyweights Comedy Show (Lost Origins Gallery; 7:00 p.m.; $7); Kristin Rebecca: Folk Music: Life told in Song (Atlas Performing Arts Center; 7:30 p.m.; $20+)
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 27
DC BRAU: This Sunday, DC Brau is hosting Brahman Noodles — the Maryland band that performs Americana-bluegrass classics and originals. The event will take place at the DC Brau taproom in NE and is free and open to families. (DC Brau; 3:00 p.m .- 6:00 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Street Photography, the Art of Seeing and the National Monuments at Twilight (Meet at the base of the Albert Einstein Statue; 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.; $129)
This post has been updated to include a sponsored item that had been errantly omitted.
