FRIDAY, FEB. 24

DISTRICT POSTCARDS: D.C. can be as pretty as a postcard, something photographer Shedrick Pelt wants to remind you of with his new book, District Postcard Views. The book features vintage-inspired images of landmark locations throughout all eight wards, with an emphasis on Black landmarks, that are printed on removable postcards. Join Pelt for an evening of conversation, music, and light food and drink at his book launch. (DC History Center; 5 p.m.-7 p.m.; FREE)

THE NORTH COUNTRY: They might be called the North Country, but this experimental pop collective is from right here in D.C. Their glitchy, spacious music falls somewhere between Fleetwood Mac and 100 gecs, with beautiful melodies encased in avant garde flourishes. Intrigued? Check them out this Friday at Songbyrd, with local indie folk group you and me and you opening. (Songbyrd Music House; 7 p.m.; $15+)

RHYTHM & HUES: Close out Black History Month with a party at Rhythm & Hues, a celebration of Black music, art and culture taking over Lady Bird, the rooftop bar at the Banneker Hotel this Friday. Black winemakers will keep your glass full, while local Black artists and craft makers will host a live art demo and showcase their work. The soundtrack will be set by D.C.’s own DJ Trini. (Lady Bird at the Banneker Hotel; 7 p.m.-10 p.m.; $35)

MORE: Renwick Invitational 2023 Open House (Renwick Gallery; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; FREE), Sweet Home Café Black History Month Chef’s Table (National Museum of African American History and Culture; 12 p.m.-3 p.m.; FREE), Friday Night Services: Mardi Gras Edition (Sixth & I; 6 p.m.; FREE), Inter-generation Roast Battle (The Barking Dog; 8 p.m.; $10)

SATURDAY, FEB. 25

MOTHER TONGUE FILM FESTIVAL: Make it around the world in four days with the Mother Tongue Film Festival, which comes to the National Museum of Natural History this weekend. Kicking off on Thursday, the festival seeks to showcase cultural and linguistic diversity through an eclectic lineup of short and feature length films from around the world, which are free to view at the museum and, in some instances, to stream from your couch. (National Museum of Natural History and Virtual; Thursday-Sunday; FREE)

FEEL THE HERITAGE: From Harriet Tubman to Martin Luther King Jr., Black History Month celebrates Black historical figures who have left an indelible mark on the nation’s history. If you want to celebrate local historical heroes too, check out the Feel the Heritage Festival, which centers the history of Arlington’s Black communities for its 29th year this Saturday. (Charles Drew Community Center; 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; FREE)

HIGH SCHOOL FILM FESTIVAL: A first date, the Grim Reaper, and gentrification on Kennedy Street are just a handful of the topics tackled by the short films that will be screened this weekend at the 2023 D.C. High School Film Festival. Free and open to the public, the festival will bring together young artists and industry insiders for a celebration of the next generation of local filmmakers. (Miracle Theatre; 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; FREE)

BLACK WOMEN IN CULINARY ARTS: Supporting Black-owned business means creating space. At least, that’s the philosophy behind Taste N Shop at Anacostia Arts Center, a series that brings together Black entrepreneurs to talk about their businesses and industries at large. This weekend, Taste N Shop is featuring Elise Smith of WinniE’s Bakery and Candy Schibli of Southeastern Roastery in conversation about being a Black woman in the culinary world. (Anacostia Arts Center; 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; FREE)

QUEER BLACK BROADWAY: You might know about Black Broadway, the nickname U Street Corridor earned in the early 20th century for being a hub for Black entertainment. But do you know about the scene’s queer history? If not, join Off the Mall Tours for this Queer Black Broadway Walking Tour, which highlights the secretive but active queer community associated with Black Broadway. (2204 14th St. NW; 3 p.m.; $25)

OPEN BOOKS, OPEN MIND: New open mic just dropped. This Saturday, East City Bookshop is debuting their new open mic series, Open Books, Open Mic. In honor of Black History Month, their first theme is Celebrating Black Poets, and they’re calling local Black poets to come out and read, and everyone else to come out and support. (East City Bookshop; 6 p.m.; FREE)

MORE: REI Every Mile Together Festival (REI Co-op; 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; FREE), Books N Bros with Sidney Keys III (Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library; 1 p.m..; FREE), Planning and Starting Your Garden From Seeds (W.S. Jenks & Son; 1 p.m.; $15), Indigenous Cinematic Resistance (Busboys and Poets 14th Street; 5 p.m.; FREE), Diaspora Voices for Ukraine: A Night of Art Beyond Empire (Rhizome DC; 7 p.m.; $5+), DC Square Dance (St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church; 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m.; $10)

SUNDAY, FEB. 26

BRING IT ON: Put some pep in your step this weekend with a Bring It On brunch at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Order eggs and mimosas right to your reclining movie theater seat as you watch this cult classic, which follows two high school cheerleading teams, one led by Kirsten Dunst and the other by Gabrielle Union, as they duke it out for a championship title. (Alamo Drafthouse Cinema DC or Crystal City; 11:25 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.; $11)

ORLEANS EXPRESS OF MARYLAND: You don’t need to hop on a flight to New Orleans to get a taste of Mardi Gras. You just have to drive to Silver Spring’s Rosensteel Hall. That’s where the Orleans Express of Maryland will be offering an afternoon of New Orleans style jazz this Sunday. Feel free to dress for the occasion: Mardi Gras accessories are encouraged. (Rosensteel Hall; 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m.; $22.50+)

BLACK BREWERS TASTING EVENT: Say cheers to beer — Black-owned beer, that is. This weekend, metrobar invites you to Cheers and Beers: Black Brewers Tasting Event. For $20, you’ll be treated to an afternoon of sampling the creations of local Black brewers and mingling with other alcohol enthusiasts. (metrobar; 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; $20)

J.I.D & SMINO: The Forever Story and Luv 4 Rent are two albums that flew somewhat under the radar last year, but each makes a strong case for itself as one of the best rap records of 2022. The former is Atlanta rapper J.I.D.’s third studio album; the latter is Missouri hip-hop act Smino’s third studio effort. Catch both talents this weekend when they bring their Luv Is 4ever tour to Silver Spring. (Fillmore Silver Spring; 8 p.m.; $234)

MORE: Black History Month Fashion Show (Saks Fifth Avenue; 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; $135+), Beyond Traditions Artist Talk (Sandy Spring Museum; 12 p.m.; FREE), Mardi Gras Celebration (Michele’s; 12 p.m.; $95), History of Black Georgetown Walking Tour (3206 O St. NW; 2 p.m.; $25), Gabrielle Zwi (Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital; 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; $15)