FRIDAY, JAN. 20
BEATLES CARTOONS: If you watched Saturday morning cartoons anytime between the 1960s and the 2000s, you likely watched the work of Ron Campbell. Before his death in 2021, the Australian cartoonist worked on The Smurfs, The Jetsons, The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, Rugrats, Rocket Power, and The Beatles, an animated ‘60s show. This weekend, see the colorful paintings he created at the Beatles Cartoon Art Show. (Nepenthe Gallery; Fridays and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; FREE)
THE WIFE OF BATH: Marion Turner, an English professor at the University of Oxford, wrote the book on Geoffrey Chaucer — literally. Now, she’s turning her attention to “Chaucer’s favorite character,” the Wife of Bath. Learn more about “arguably the first recognizably real woman in English literature” from Turner in this virtual talk from Smithsonian. (Virtual; 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.; $25)
AFRICAN FASHION: How do traditional African garments and styles show up in wardrobes and on runways today? That’s what designer Sehar Peerzada and jewelry designer Elaine Robnett-Moore will be discussing at History Happy Hour: Fashion, Cultural Expression and the African Diaspora, moderated by Camila Bryce-LaPorte. (Sandy Spring Museum; 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; FREE)
INTERNATIONAL COMEDY SHOW: Laughter is a universal language, and this weekend at the International Comedy Show, eight comics from across the globe — specifically Spain, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Lebanon, Sweden, Iran, Russia and Mexico — want to speak it with you. Don’t worry, they’ll also be speaking English. (Provision No. 14; 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; $19)
FILMS FROM IRAN: Protests in Iran sparked by the death of a young woman who was arrested for the way she was wearing her hijab are still ongoing four months later. Learn more about the country through the eyes of Iranian filmmakers at the Festival of Films from Iran, which is back for its 27th year at the National Museum of Asian Art. (National Museum of Asian Art; through Feb. 12; FREE)
MORE: Cold-Weather Wines from Hot Climates (Virtual; 6 p.m; $75), Jazz Night 24th Anniversary Celebration (Westminster Presbyterian Church; 6 p.m.; $20),Friday Night Flights: Cabernet Sauvignon (The Winery at Bull Run; 7 p.m.; $55), Grocery Shopping with My Mother(Solid State Books; 7 p.m.; FREE), Pleasure Portal (Femme Fatale DC; 7 p.m.; $15), MorMor (Union Stage; 7 p.m.; $25+), Maddy Smith (DC Improv; Friday 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; Saturday 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; Sunday 7 p.m.), Lady Wray (Black Cat; 8 p.m.; $20)
SATURDAY, JAN. 21
WRITERS’ RETREAT: Don’t have $1,000 to drop on a scenic writers’ retreat in New England? Rhizome DC is stepping in to provide a retreat experience at a relatively affordable price. The overnight Rhizome Writers’ Retreat promises an inspiring space, delicious bites, and feedback from local writers.(Rhizome DC; Saturday-Sunday; $100+)
LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION: Hop into the Year of the Rabbit at the National Museum of Asian Art’s Lunar New Year 2023 Celebration, which will feature a cooking demonstration, various arts and crafts workshops, and a traditional lion dance performance. (National Museum of Asian Art; 12 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE)
LUNAR NEW YEAR POP-UP: Fiending for some Lunar New Year snacks? Swing by Rice Market’s Lunar New Year Pop-Up for special macarons, sourdough snacks and other sweets inspired by Malaysian and Vietnamese cuisines. Ring in the Year of the Rabbit — or Year of the Cat, if you’re celebrating in Vietnam. (Rice Market; 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE)
DOUBLE RAINBOW: You’ll find double the artists at Double Rainbow: PRISMMMS, an exhibition featuring works by Holly Bass and Maps Glover that aim to “subvert the current art historical cannon.” The show runs through Feb. 25, but don’t miss your chance to meet both artists at a gallery reception this weekend. (Transformer; 2 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE)
OPEN MIC: Release your creativity this Saturday at Anacostia Arts Center’s Release Open Mic, which invites you to share your poetry, spoken word and storytelling. This month’s host is actor, writer, and spoken word artist Neko Ramos. (Anacostia Arts Center; 6 p.m.-10 p.m.; $15)
MORE: Pressed Flower Frame Workshop (Shop Made in DC Georgetown; 11 a.m.; $55), Fire & Ice Festival (District Pier; 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; $15+), Cats(The National Theatre; Friday 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; $60+),Night Hike and Campfire: Astronomy (Potomac Overlook Regional Park; 6 p.m.; $10), Comedy Karaoke Trivia Funtime Show (Highline RxR; 7:30 p.m.; $15+), imogen xtian smith (Lost City Books; 7:30 p.m; FREE), Shordie Shordie (Fillmore Silver Spring; 8 p.m.; $20+), Momentous Comedy Work Sucks Show (Astro Beer Hall; 9 p.m.; $10)
SUNDAY, JAN. 22
RESTAURANT WEEK: The winter edition of the D.C. area’s Restaurant Week wraps up this Sunday, so make sure to take advantage of the deals your local restaurants are offering. Looking for a nice night out? Enjoy a full meal for $40. More of a brunch person? Lunch — including brunch — starts at $25 at some spots. (Various locations; through Sunday; $25+)
OUR STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE: “Struggle for Justice,” a permanent exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, celebrates those who have fought for freedom. On Sunday’s Day of Action, young changemakers will be empowered to carry that torch forward. (National Portrait Gallery; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; FREE)
LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE: Celebrate the official start of the Year of the Rabbit on Sunday at the city’s annual Lunar New Year parade, which will fill the streets of Chinatown with a variety of cultural and community performers. Make sure to stick around for the grand firecracker finale. (6th and I streets NW; 2 p.m.; FREE)
BLACK EXCELLENCE: Take your ears on a journey through the rich history of Black music with Black Music Excellence through the Ages, a belated Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. Vocalist Richelle Claiborne, a Charlottesville native, will take her audience through soul songs, gospel hymns, jazz tunes and more. (McLean Community Center; 2 p.m.; $20)
MORE: Joggers Club (Outdoor Voices Georgetown; 10 a.m.; FREE), Perfume Our Burial (Lost Origins Gallery; Friday 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; FREE), Lunar New Year Celebration with Washington Samulnori (National Gallery of Art; 1 p.m.; FREE), Chef Ringel’s Mixology or Mocktail Class (DC Harvest; Friday and Sunday; 5:30 p.m.; $60+), Future and Friends (Capital One Arena; Sunday, Jan. 22; $65+), Piano Concert for Ukrainian Relief (Waterford Old School Auditorium; 7 p.m.; FREE), Conlon Conducts the Verdi Requiem (The Music Center at Strathmore; 8 p.m.; $35+)
