MONDAY, MAY 16
NEW POP-UP: The Spy Museum adds a new pop-up exhibit to its rotation, showcasing Operación Jacque. The pop-up includes a small collection of artifacts from the hostages rescued from Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in the 2008 operation the museum refers to as Columbian “Argo.” (International Spy Museum; daily through December 31; included with admission to the museum)
CULTURE TALK: The House of Sweden hosts a talk about the logistics behind opening the first-ever Swedish Holocaust Museum in Stockholm. The deputy director for international affairs at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum will join the event to discuss the ways in which Holocaust commemoration is part of a Swedish cultural heritage. (House of Sweden; 7 p.m.; FREE)
WEEKLONG EXHIBIT: Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Central Asia Program at George Washington University with a week of festivities. View the “News from Central Asia” exhibit at the Elliott School of International Affairs . The celebration also includes creative workshops making wearable ornaments and more. (Various times and locations; FREE)
MORE: Elevate Maryland: Live Podcast Recording (Columbia Busboys and Poets’ 6:30 p.m.’ FREE), NLE Choppa (The Fillmore Silver Spring’ 8 p.m.’ $25)
TUESDAY, MAY 17
ARAB LITERATURE: Tune into the Middle East Institute’s virtual DC Arab Literature Festival. Panels explore the works of leading and emerging Arab writers, as well as the challenges of publishing and translating works from the Middle East. There will be two panels Tuesday, one featuring authors at 10:45 a.m. and the next featuring poets at 12:30 p.m. (Middle East Institute; Through Wednesday; FREE)
COOKING DEMOS: Join the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs for another celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month — this time with food! The event will feature cooking demos from local chefs, including Wok and Roll’s Qinhhai Zhang, Pho Viet’s Nina Nguyen, and Pogiboy’s Paolo Dungca. (U.S. Navy Memorial Plaza; 6 p.m.; FREE)
PHOTO EXHIBIT: Head to the opening reception for a photo exhibit on the late 19th-century journey of U.S.-based teachers to Argentina, named “An Epic Story.” The exhibit features 45 digitized portraits of the government-hired teachers that were tasked to help build the education system in Argentina. (Embassy of Argentina; 5 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: David Foster with Katharine McPhee (The Birchmere; 7:30 p.m.; $115), D.C. Youth-Led Mayoral Candidates Forum (Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library; 5 p.m.; FREE), Something Wilder author Christina Lauren in conversation with Ali Hazelwood and Kate Clayborn (Miracle Theatre; 6:30 p.m.; FREE), Kwame Onwuachi In Conversation with Nina Oduro (Sixth & I; 7 p.m.; in-person $18, virtual $12), The Lily Show and The Matthew Presentation (Smitty’s Bar; 7 p.m.; $20), My Place in the Sun author George Stevens, Jr. in conversation with Michael Beschloss (Planet Word; 7 p.m.; FREE), A MetroStage Cabaret with Yvette Spears (The Lyceum: Alexandria’s History Museum; 7:30 p.m.; $25)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18
PARK TOUR: Explore the future site of the 11th Street Bridge Park, courtesy of Building Bridges Across the River. On the guided tour, hear an insider’s perspective of the park’s history, design, and progress before it opens. (Good Hope Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE; 5:30 p.m.; FREE)
PAINT AND SIP: Head to the equestrian-themed H Street NE bar, Hill Prince, for a night of painting, cocktails, mocktails, and more in an event supporting Planned Parenthood of Metro Washington. A ticket gets you one complimentary refreshment and supplies to participate in an artist-led group painting of Georgia O’Keefe’s Red Canna. There will also be a bake sale. (Hill Prince; 6:30 p.m.; $50)
POETRY SERIES: Explore what water means to you through poetry and stories with Waterkeepers Chesapeake. This Busboys and Poets event will occur monthly, with May’s iteration at the Takoma location. This special series of poetry events that explores the right to clean water while celebrating the Clean Water Act 50th anniversary. (Busboys and Poets Takoma; 8 p.m.; $5)
EARLY SCREENING: Are you a big Downton Abbey fan? Head to Cinema Arts Theatre in Fairfax for a sneak preview of the film Downton Abbey: A New Era. Tickets include a complimentary glass of wine or beer, other refreshments, and popcorn. Plus, it’s for a good cause; Variety DC co-hosts to raise funds for adaptive equipment for children with mobility disabilities in D.C. Maryland, and Virginia. Period dress is encouraged! (Cinema Arts Theatre; 6:30 p.m.; $25)
MORE: Artist in Residence Workshop: Taisha Estrada (The Mansion at Strathmore; 7:30 p.m.; choose what you pay), Michigan Rattlers (Black Cat; 7 p.m.; $15), Andy Hull With Creeks (Jon Simmons of Balance & Composure) (Sixth & I; 7:30 p.m.; $23 in advance), Stand-up Comedy Show (City-State Brewery; 8 p.m; FREE), CiNoMatic Presents: Cool Runnings (Alethia Tanner Park; 8:30 p.m.; FREE), DC Fray’s Free Bingo Series | Feeling Lucky? (as you are bar, 7 p.m., FREE)
THURSDAY, MAY 19
BIRTHDAY PARTY: Celebrate the Southwest Library’s first birthday all weekend. The anniversary kicks off with music, face painting, cupcakes, and crafts at the 3rd and I St. SW park Thursday at 4 p.m. Other festivities include a disco party at the duck pond Friday and a Lansburgh Park block party Saturday. (Southwest Library; Through Sunday; FREE)
FASHION SHOW: The Spring Fashion Fête bringing together Asian American and Pacific Islander designers and small businesses. The Asian American Chamber of Commerce event starts with a vendor market, followed by a fashion show, then a reception with a cash bar and complimentary small bites. (Hotel Zena; $35; 5:30 p.m.)
HANDI-HOUR: Join the Renwick Gallery for the in-person return of the original crafting happy hour. Sip on ANXO Cidery drinks, included in the tickets, while creating your own mini macramé piece. Don’t forget to explore the gallery’s latest exhibition, This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World. (Renwick Gallery; 5:30 p.m., $20)
MOCKTAIL CLASS: Want to learn how to make a good mocktail? Boxwood in Old Town Alexandria has got you covered. Join an interactive workshop to make beautiful spirit-free cocktails with Sam, founder of Umbrella Dry Drinks. (Boxwood; 5 p.m.; $50)
DC PHOTOGRAPHY: See D.C. through the eyes of over 100 local students at the opening reception of the 6th annual “Everyday DC” exhibition at the Charles Sumner School Museum & Archives. The exhibit, featuring images from nearly a dozen middle schools, is a collaboration with DCPS and the Pulitzer Center to challenge students to consider how the city is portrayed in the media. (Charles Sumner School Museum; 4:30 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Virtual creative writing workshops: Meditating on our roots with Raychelle Heath (Virtual; 7 p.m.; pay what you can), Hello Betty Sneaker Sip & Paint (Hello Betty Bethesda; 6:30 p.m.; $65), Hope Springs! Catalogue for Philanthropy Spring GIVE LOCAL GALA (THEARC; 7 p.m.; virtual; $50), DC Latino Professionals Spring Happy Hour (Rosebar Lounge; 6:30 p.m.; FREE), BYOB Door Mat Painting Workshop (FSC Workshop; 6:45 p.m.; $55), The Last DC Comic Standing Comedy Competition (Library Tavern; 7 p.m.; FREE)
