MONDAY, MAY 23
MUSIC PREMIERE: Head to the Kennedy Center for the first East Coast performance of composer Damien Geter’s musical response to violence against African Americans: An African American Requiem. The choral work infuses old and modern together with traditional Latin requiem and spirituals. The evening will open with D.C. composer Nolan Williams Jr.’s Spirituals Suite for Choir and Orchestra. (Kennedy Center; 7 p.m.; $15)
AUTHOR TALK: Learn more about D.C.’s history with a book talk with the author of Chocolate City. Author George Musgrove, who wrote the book with Chris Myers Asch, will highlight the city’s four-century story of race, democracy, and activism. (Creative Grounds DC; 7 p.m.; FREE)
LAUGHTER YOGA: Laughter is the best medicine. Mix it with stretching and yogic breathing at this event from the U Street Neighborhood Association. Sessions are suitable for all ages and abilities, and mats aren’t required. (Temperance Alley Garden; 6:30 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Construction Fest Scavenger Hunt (Cleveland Park Main Street; FREE), Avi Kaplan (The Miracle Theatre; 8 p.m.; $25), BenDeLaCreme is… Ready to Be Committed (9:30 Club; 7 p.m.; $45), Baltimore Ravens: A Championship Celebration (Strathmore; 7:30 p.m.; $35)
TUESDAY, MAY 24
FRESH JAM: Mark the start of strawberry season with this Common Good workshop. Learn the basics of making and canning strawberry jam from scratch from Nick Moyer, a chef studying chemical engineering, and take home your own jar. (Common Good City Farm; 6 p.m.; $25)
WINE CLASS: Join Planet Wine Shop for Planet of the Grapes, a casual wine class about the history of international grape varieties. The shop’s own Tony LaFalce will showcase six wines made with the Vitis vinifera grape varietal and offer tastings alongside cheese and bread bites. (Planet Wine; 7 p.m.; $30)
MORE: Virtual Tour of Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth University (Virtual; 7 p.m.; $10), Anaïs Mitchell (9:30 Club; 7 p.m.; $25), U.S. Capitol Historical Society Honoring the 100th Anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial (Rayburn House Office Building; virtual; 12:30 p.m.; FREE)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25
IMPROV COMEDY: Enjoy a night of comedy from some of the funniest improvisers in the area at the DC Arts Center. The monthly event features two shows; the first features cast members interviewing TikTok creators to inspire hilarious scenes, and the second involves making a brand-new rock musical on the spot. Stay for a third murder mystery show for just $5 more. (DC Arts Center; $10-15; 7:30 p.m.)
AAPI CULINARY PANEL: Join DC Fray for a conversation about the intersection of food and community in D.C. with AAPI panelists, including Maketto owner Erik Bruner-Yang, Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate founder Tim Ma, Rose Ave Bakery owner Rose Nguyen, Glassey owner Taj Sohal and more. The panel doubles as launch party for DC Fray’s May issue. (Studio by Tishman Speyer; 6:30 p.m., FREE)
CANDLE-MAKING CLASS: Make your very own soy candle with local candlemaker Lilly of Relume at Shop Made in DC. Ticket holders pick a vintage vessel and a custom scent blend for the candle before topping it with crushed flower petals and other decorations. (Shop Made in DC Union Market; 6 p.m.; $30)
MORE: Hazel Scott 101st Birthday Celebration: Program 2 (Sixth & I; 8 p.m.; $35), BODEANS (The Birchmere; 7:30 p.m.; $35), CiNoMatic Presents: The Sandlot (Alethia Tanner Park; 8:35 p.m.; FREE), Live Band Karaoke (Union District Oyster Bar & Lounge; 7 p.m.; FREE), Hip Hop Glow Bingo (The Hangout; 8 p.m.; $35), Comedy & Cocktails Open Mic Night (Bar Bao; 7 p.m.; FREE), MOAPIA Presents: 2022 AAPI Movie Night (Southwest Library; 6 p.m.; FREE), Rooftop Bingo at Hi-Lawn (DC Fray; 6 p.m.; FREE)
THURSDAY, MAY 26
BENEFIT CONCERT: Tune into a virtual benefit concert for Ukraine from the Hillwood Estate. Enjoy classical and contemporary Ukrainian music from Sunflower Ensemble, a string quartet. The evening will include works by Mykola Lysenko, known as the father of Ukrainian classical music, plus compositions by Myroslav Skoryk and Boris Lyatoshyns’ky. (Virtual; 7 p.m.; $35)
GRAPHICS WORKSHOP: Up your graphic design game with a workshop by Dominiqua Eldridge, the designer behind ArtbyUniik. This in-person workshop on how to use Canva aims to help you accomplish your design goals. It is presented by The HIVE 2.0 and Enterprising Women of Color DMV Business Center. (Anacostia Arts Center; 6:30 p.m., FREE)
COCKTAILS AND CONVERSATION: Sip on cocktails and check up on your mental health at “U Good?”, a cocktails and conversation event. The event will also feature a panel on sex positivity in the Black queer community, card games, and more. (The Gathering Spot; 7 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: New Orchestra of Washington Presents: The Time is NOW (Kennedy Center; 7:30 p.m.; $45), Joe Kaplow, Near Northeast, Cinema Hearts (Quarry House Tavern; 8:30 p.m.; $13), Smashing Statues: The Rise and Fall of America’s Public Monuments (Smithsonian Associates; virtual; 7 p.m.; $25), Nelly (MGM National Harbor; 8 p.m.; $46.50), Jesse McCartney – The ‘New Stage’ 2022 Tour (The Fillmore; 8 p..m; $30), “Space Between” Opening Reception (Mehari Sequar Gallery; 7 p.m.; FREE), LGBTQ+ Night Out @ The Evening Star in Del Ray (Go Gay DC; 7 p.m.; FREE), Movie Night @ metrobar (metrobar; 9 p.m.; FREE)
