FRIDAY, APRIL 7
ADMO ART WALK: Adams Morgan has turned into an art gallery. That’s thanks to ADMO Art Walk, a month-long exhibition of local artists in your favorite AdMo small businesses: Sakuramen Ramen Bar, Yerevan Café, Fleet Feet DC, Tryst, The Potter’s House and more. Sign up for a guided tour to make the most of it. Did we mention it’s all free? (Adams Morgan; through April 30; FREE)
TELL YOUR STORY: Be your own superhero this weekend at Tell Your Story, a story-making workshop with comic book creator Evan Keeling. In this Searching for Shakespeare event, the local comic artist will walk you through what it takes to tell your own story, and you’ll learn how to make a mini 8-page book out of a single sheet of paper. (Southwest Library and Francis A. Gregory Library; Friday 4 p.m.; Saturday 2 p.m.; FREE)
ART CHAT: Make your Friday couch time a little classier with the National Museum of Women in the Arts’ Art Chat @ Five. While the museum is under renovation, they’re inviting the community to join them on Zoom every week for a discussion about a rotating selection of art. Cocktails — and couches — encouraged. (Virtual; 5 p.m.; FREE)
BLACK UTOPIA: What does utopia look like to you? To Maurice James Jr., it looks a lot like the current exhibition at the Anacostia Arts Center. The Black Utopia Museum, curated by James, is a collection of art and memorabilia that tells the story of Black history, Black future and Black power. Join James for an artist talk this Friday. (Anacostia Arts Center; 6 p.m..; FREE)
AURORA’S WEDDING: Aurora’s Wedding is a ballet for the whole family. The 90 minute performance is just the third act of The Sleeping Beauty, picking up right after the magical kiss between Princess Aurora and Prince Florimund, and focusing on their wedding celebration. See the princess in real life this weekend at Capital One Hall. (Capital One Hall; Friday through Sunday; $48+)
WE ARE FUGAZI: Tickets to catch We Are Fugazi From Washington, DC at AFI Silver this weekend are only $5 — the same price that the hometown hero band insisted on charging for their concerts. The immersive documentary, consisting of fan footage and rare archival footage, takes you back to Fugazi’s heyday. Grab your tickets before they sell out, like they did in February. (AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; Friday through Sunday; $5)
MORE: Long Lunch: Build Your Own Pizza + Dough Workshop (Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital; 11:30 a.m.; $55), C’est L’art Opening Reception (Gallery B at Bethesda Place; 4 p.m.-8 p.m.; FREE), Arts Club Opening Receptions (Arts Club of Washington; 5 p.m.-7 p.m.; FREE), Live, on the Hill: Jazz Performances (Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park; 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; FREE), Yu-Jung CHEN, Sookkyung Park, and Sharon Shapiro Opening Reception (IA&A at Hillyer; 6 p.m.; FREE), Salsa at the Printmakers (Washington Printmakers Gallery; 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; $15), Dark Comedy Show (Tokyo Pearl; 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; $20), Gimme Gimme Disco: A Dance Party Inspired by ABBA (9:30 Club; 9 p.m.; $33)
SATURDAY, APRIL 8
REMIXING SOCIAL CHANGE: Calling all hip-hop heads: Remixing The Art of Social Change is back as part of the Words Beats & Life Festival. After a three-year hiatus, the hip-hop and social change conference returns to D.C. with a slate of activities happening all day. Attend panels about rap laureate Lupe Fiasco, hip-hop scholarship, and the next 50 years of the genre, then participate in breakout sessions and other activities. Don’t forget to grab your free (and vegan) lunch. (Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library; 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; FREE)
JAZZ AND BLOSSOMS: Switch gears from hip-hop to jazz at Franklin Park, where the Words Beats & Life Festival presents outdoor concert and celebration Jazz & Blossoms. Enjoy the spring weather with performances from Grammy-nominated vocalist Bilal and Pete Rock & the Soul Brothers, as well as food trucks, games, face painting and dance workshops. (Franklin Park; 2 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; FREE)
URBAN NATURALIST: How many trees in your neighborhood can you name? Raise that number this weekend with How to Be an Urban Naturalist, a free workshop brought to you by Capital Nature. Part presentation and part outdoor walk, this event will train your eye to notice and identify the flora and fauna around you. Make sure to bring your smartphone — it’ll come in handy as you learn how to use the nature app iNaturalist. (Georgetown Neighborhood Library; 2 p.m.; FREE)
NOIRE NIGHTS: Getting bored of your Spotify playlists? Head to Noire Nights to find something new. Kicking off this Saturday at DC Brau, the showcase promises to bring a “whole new vibe to the D.C. music scene” by spotlighting the best underground R&B and alternative artists from the area. If you’re a musician but you didn’t get the invite, make sure to take the stage during open mic. (DC Brau; 6 p.m.; $17)
TATREEZ INHERITANCE: Take a tour of Palestinian heritage without leaving the city. This weekend, the Museum of Palestinian People invites you on a tour of Tatreez Inheritance: Preserving Palestinian Cultural Heritage in 75 Years of Exile. Your guide will be Wafa Ghnaim, the exhibition curator herself. (Museum of the Palestinian People; 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; $25)
PAINTA DAY: The Congress Heights Art and Cultural Center hosts Painta Day on Saturday, the third annual festival that celebrates the work of artist Shawn Lindsay, known as Painta, and other local artists. Works from several of Lindsay’s series, including “The Wild Side,” “The Red Room” and “The Mirror Selfie” will be on display at the venue whose mission is to celebrate the arts and culture of people in the African diaspora; there will also be music from local musicians, bands and DJs and Painta apparel for sale. (Congress Heights Art and Cultural Center; 2 p.m.-6 p.m. FREE)
MORE: Community Tree Planting: Mount Olivet Cemetery (Mount Olivet Cemetery; 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; FREE), Mini-Oasis Restoration (Reservation 630 West; 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; FREE), Unni’s Closet & Friends (Songbyrd Music House; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; FREE), Spring Artisan Market (Capitol Cider House; 3 p.m.-6 p.m.; FREE), Hell Is Real: A Live Comedy Show (The Public Option; 7 p.m.; FREE), The Comedy Karaoke Trivia Funtime Show (Highline RxR; 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; $15+), Flashband Showcase! British Rock: Bangers & Mashups (Pearl Street Warehouse; 8 p.m.; $15), My Fair Lady (The National Theatre; Thursday through Sunday; $60+)
SPONSORED JEFF VANDERMEER’S ANNIHILATION: Enjoy a night of (un)natural history with best-selling author Jeff VanderMeer as we enter the world of his eco-fiction novel Annihilation. (Yes, the book inspired the film.) Join us for a book talk and signing and take a peek at “Area Q” specimen in the Q?rius Education Center. (Museum of Natural History; 6:30 p.m.; FREE)
SUNDAY, APRIL 9
JEWISH WASHINGTON: Passover is one of various holidays coinciding with this weekend (shoutout to those observing Easter or Ramadan, we see you). Whether you’re celebrating or not, it’s a great weekend to learn about D.C.’s own Jewish heritage with the History of Jewish Washington Walking Tour, brought to you by Off the Mall Tours. (Judiciary Square; 10 a.m.; $25)
MOLCHAT DOMA: One of Belarus’ coolest bands comes to D.C. this weekend. Molchat Doma, a new wave outfit from Minsk, bring their ‘80s reminiscent post-punk tunes to the 9:30 Club. Los Angeles and Bologna-based openers Nuovo Testamento recall a different ‘80s phenomenon with their disco-flavored pop songs. (9:30 Club; 7 p.m.; $28)
MORE: Thinking Klearly Easter Drive (5026 Benning Road SE; 12 p.m.; FREE), Yacht Rock Brunch (metrobar; 12 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE), Workshop: Indigo & Shibori 101 (Rhizome DC; 1 p.m.; $15+), Vintage & Vinyl Pop Up (Slash Run; 3 p.m.-7 p.m.; FREE), Comedy is Calling (Capitol Cider House; 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; FREE)