FRIDAY, NOV. 11
NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS: Attend the formal dedication of the new National Native American Veterans Memorial. The event will begin with a processional of Native veterans followed by the dedication. Additional events marking the new memorial will continue through the weekend. (The National Mall + National Native American Veterans Memorial; 2 p.m. procession, 4 p.m. dedication; FREE)
ART SHOW: Join Honfleur Gallery for the opening reception for their “Peace of War: Intertwined by Art” showcase. The event will feature ten veteran artists and explore ” intergenerational war experiences and finding peace and unity through art.” (Anacostia Arts Center; 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.; FREE)
CAMPING 101: Camping is for everyone. Start off your weekend with NoVa Parks and their Camping 101 class. The event is for all ages and is perfect for people who have never been camping (and are curious what the buzz is about) and campers who want to learn more of the basics. (Potomac Overlook Regional Park; 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.; $7 for people ages 8 and up)
PREVIEW RECEPTION: Pottery on the Hill back in person for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. The weekend-long event celebrates “functional pottery” — think: items like plates or vases. The festival kicks off on Friday with a ticketed preview reception followed by the free show and sale on Saturday and Sunday. (Hill Center DC; 6:30 p.m.; $35)
JEWISH AMERICAN HISTORY: Mark Veterans Day with the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, which is holding a volunteer event where they will be putting together care packages for hospitalized veterans. (National Museum of American Jewish Military History; 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.; FREE)
COMEDY SHOW: Start your weekend at Aurora Market for the My Crazy Family Comedy Show. The standup show will feature comedians from across the region discussing — what else — their dysfunctional family drama. (Aurora Market; 7:30 p.m.; $19)
OPERA: This Friday and Saturday, the Maryland Lyric Opera will host “Un Ballo in Maschera” — a performance that includes a love triangle, political drama, and a prophecy. The show will be sung in Italian — but if you don’t speak the language, don’t worry. English subtitles are projected. (The Music Center at Strathmore; 7:30 p.m.; $60+, with $10+ for students).
MORE: Robin Holcomb / Sara Schoenbeck and Wayne Horvitz Duo (Rhizome DC; 7:00 p.m.; $15 – $20); Winter Walk of Lights (Meadowlark Botanical Gardens; 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; $5 – $18); The Haunted Boy: A Rock Opera (Joe’s Movement Emporium; 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.; $25); Blue Electra Noseda conducts La Mer (The Kennedy Center; 8:00 p.m.; $15+)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
TEXTILES WORKSHOP: On Saturday, join a hands-on workshop about indigo dye and textiles. Participants will learn more about the history of the practice, techniques for creating their own, and the “practical magic of the plant.” The class will be taught by Kenya Miles of Blue Light Junction and will be held at the Nicholson Project. (The Nicholson Project; 11 a.m; $10)
PUBLIC CONCERT: This Saturday, bring a blanket and head to Dupont for a “See You at the Circle” concert by the ensemble Leonardo Garcia y Son Horizonte. The group will play their original salsa and salsa jazz compositions and arrangements. Their performance will be preceded by a DJ. (Dupont Circle; 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.; FREE)
LIGHT IT UP: Holiday lights season is upon us, and the Bull Run Festival of Lights is among those getting things started this weekend. In addition to the lights, the event includes a holiday Christmas village and carnival. The festival run through Jan. 8. (Bull Run Regional Park; 5:30 – 10:00 p.m.; $30 – $75)
MORE: Luangisa African Trunk Show & Tour (Mansion on O Street; Times vary; $26.50), D.C. Metro Modern Home Tour (Various locations; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; $15-40) Ned Collette / Big Trash / Sonic Eddy (Rhizome DC; 3 p.m.; $10 – $20), Miss Richfield 1981: Cancel Cultured Pearls (Atlas Performing Arts Center; 8 p.m.; $42)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
BREW AND CLIMATE NEWS: On Sunday, head to Right Proper’s Brookland Production House and Tasting room and catch up on all your climate news. The Good Brews and Climate News begins with a tour of the brewery and ends with a social hour where news, climate action, and policy will be discussed. (Right Proper Brewing Co. Brookland; 12:30 p.m.; FREE admission)
DANCE FESTIVAL: End your weekend with the DC (District Choreographers) Dance Festival — the two-day celebration from ten choreographers from across the region. Sunday’s portion of the festival will occur at three different locations on Eighth Street NE — starting at the Edgewood Arts Center (CAE), then at Brookland Arts Loft Studio (BAL), and ending at Dance Place. (Eighth Street NE; 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; $15+)
ART AFTER PARTY: On Sunday, join WE THE PEOPLE Art After Party, a show featuring new work created in prison by Billie Allen and work by Halim Flowers. The event is part of the Free Billie Allen Campaign and will be hosted with partners Justice Arts Coalition, Sunrise Movement DC, Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, and Mixed Change. (Eaton DC; 5:30 p.m.; FREE, with suggested donation of $15)
COMEDY AND DRAG: This weekend is the Champagne, Comedy, And Drag Show at DC Comedy Loft.The hour-long event will feature Justine Morris , Anthony Oakes , TaTa Sherise , Katrina Colby , Connor Lyons , Colton Dowling, and Gray West. (DC Comedy Loft; 7 p.m.; $15)
MORE: Holiday Wax Melts w/ Shadija Romero (11 a.m.; Shop Made in DC Georgetown; $85), Owl Moon Raptor Festival (Own Moon Raptor Center; 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.; FREE), National Pupusa Day (El Tamarindo, 12 p.m.; FREE admission), Nutcracker and snowman figure making (Sandy Spring Museum; 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.; $15 for members, $20 for non-members), Georgetown Scavenger Hunt (3051 M St. NW, 4 p.m., $30), Poranguí: Beauty Way Tour and AfterGlow with Ruby Chase, DJ Shango (A.I. Warehouse, 6 p.m.; $20-56)
