FRIDAY, MAY 5
BOAT SHOW: All aboard the inaugural DC Boat Show, kicking off this Friday at National Harbor. Check out hundreds of powerboats, sailboats, new and pre-owned vessels, shop the latest in marine gear, and enjoy live music and local beer on the Potomac waterfront all weekend long. (National Harbor; Friday through Sunday; $40)
SO GOOD: Looking for artisan-made goods? Look no further than So Good, a retail pop-up taking over Union Market this Friday. Whether you’re shopping for mom or simply browsing for something to spruce up your apartment, So Good has plenty of aesthetically-minded, responsibly manufactured crafts, artwork, clothing, and jewelry to offer. (Union Market; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; FREE)
INDIGENOUS WOMXN: Portrait of an Indigenous Womxn [Removed] at the National Portrait Gallery is built to move — and move you. During the live performance, artist Anna Tsouhlarakis will create a sculpture using posters of missing or murdered Indigenous women, then carry that sculpture throughout the gallery, placing it in conversation with specific portraits that reflect — or erase — the history of Native Americans. (National Portrait Gallery; 1 p.m.; FREE)
CINCO DE MAYO: Please don’t call it Mexican Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s victory over France in the 1862 Battle of Puebla — though it is now most visibly celebrated in the U.S. with tequila and tacos. This Friday, participate in the festivities with Bryant Street NE’s Cinco de Mayo Party, The Parks at Historic Walter Reed’s Cinco de Mayo & Salsa Night, bottomless brunch and drink specials at Mission Navy Yard, or “The Mexican Way” with the Mexican Professionals Network at Public Bar Live. (Various locations; 4 p.m.-1 a.m.; FREE+)
MORE: Paintings of Postpartum Trauma and Healing (Dupont Underground; through May 28; $10), Bike Month Kickoff (Mah Ze Dahr; 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; FREE), Cinco De Mayo Celebration (Banditos Tacos & Tequila; 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; FREE), Exhibition Opening Reception (Arts Club of Washington; 5 p.m.-7 p.m.; FREE), Art Walk (Glen Echo Park; 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; FREE), Ellie Engle Saves Herself author Leah Johnson (East City Bookshop and hybrid; 6 p.m.; FREE), Flowing Flames: An Elemental Breathwork Series (Eaton DC; 6 p.m.; $66), Cheers! An Evening of Cocktails and Toasts (Sandy Spring Museum; 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $35+), Sunset Boat Party (Georgetown Waterfront Park; 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.; $54), Madams of DC Walking Tour (InterContinental the Willard; 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; $25), Wandering Bird (Pie Shop; 8 p.m.; $15), Exclusion (Arena Stage; through June 25; $76+), Fungo: A Comedy Show (Kelly’s Irish Times; 8 p.m.-10 p.m.; $12)
SATURDAY, MAY 6
VEG RESTAURANT WEEK: You have no excuse not to eat your veggies this week. It’s DC Veg Restaurant Week, which means the District’s premier plant-based restaurants will be offering loads of specials and discounts. Over 30 restaurants are participating, including DC Harvest, sPACYcLOUd, Motherland Kitchen and HipCityVeg. Visit them to make your wallet, and the environment, happy. (Participating restaurants; through May 13; various prices)
SOUTH ASIAN LITERARY FESTIVAL: In a reading rut? There’s a literary festival in town that can help you with that. The DC South Asian Literary Festival comes to Bethesda — and to your laptop — this weekend, celebrating the South Asian literary community with an impressive roster of poets, novelists, writers and experts. (Bender JCC of Greater Washington and The Writer’s Center; Friday and Sunday; $5+)
WOCO FEST: The Boulanger Initiative is back with their annual WoCo (women composers) Fest, which brings classical work by women and other gender-marginalized people to stages near you. Catch a talented lineup of musicians, including Grammy Award-winning vocal band Roomful of Teeth, this weekend at Strathmore. (AMP by Strathmore and The Mansion at Strathmore; Friday and Saturday; $20+)
AROUND THE WORLD: Who needs 80 days when you can travel around the world in one afternoon? Around the World Embassy Tour is back at your local embassies, bringing you free food, performances, and cultural traditions from Albania all the way to Zambia. Check out Passport DC for the full list of participating embassies. (Participating Embassies; 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; FREE)
KENTUCKY DERBY: The most exciting two minutes in sports have arrived. This Saturday, horses will take off in the annual Kentucky Derby horse race. Giddy up and over to the Morrow Hotel for a Kentucky Derby Rooftop Party, head to Fig & Olive in for City Center’s Kentucky Derby Day, or to Jack Rose in Adams Morgan for a walk-in friendly rooftop viewing party or reservations-only event in the downstairs saloon. Don’t forget to tend to your sweet tooth: the Kentucky-inspired Derby Day Pop-Up at District Made Spirits has got you covered. Ridiculous hats encouraged. (Various locations; 12 p.m.-7 p.m.; FREE)
TASTE OF TYSONS: Free food from over 40 participating restaurants. Do we need to say anything else? We will, anyways: Taste of Tysons Corner takes place this weekend, bringing Fairfax County an afternoon of food and beverage sampling, cooking demos, chef appearances, a beer garden, live music giveaways, and more. Grab your food passport and take your tastebuds on a journey. (Tysons Corner Center; 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE+)
MORE: Fort Reno Historic Exhibit Tour (Pepco Harrison Street Substation; 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; FREE), Mini-Oasis Restoration (Fort Slocum Park; 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; FREE), Gilded Age Washington walking tour (Dupont Circle; 11 a.m.; $35), 32 Sounds (National Gallery of Art; 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.; FREE), Lars Tunbjörk: A View From the Side (House of Sweden; Saturday and Sunday; 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; FREE), Workout with Ivory IRL (Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library; 12 p.m.; FREE), Be Your Best Fest (Casey Community Center; 1 p.m.-3 p.m.; FREE), Drink the Garden: Mint and Strawberry Edition (W.S. Jenks & Son; 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.; $20), Creativity in Motion: Jane Franklin Dance (Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington; 2 p.m.; FREE), Islamic Geometric Patterns: Art History + Studio Arts Workshop (Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital; 2 p.m.; $65), On Cinco U Drinko bar crawl (U Street NW; 2 p.m.-10 p.m.; $20), Running of the Chihuahuas (District Pier; 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; FREE), Beerfest 2023 (Veterans of Foreign Wars Post; 3 p.m.-7 p.m.; $45+), Folger Consort with Kaleidoscope Vocal Ensemble (St. Mark’s Church; Friday 8 p.m.; Saturday 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday 2:30 p.m.; $16+)
SUNDAY, MAY 7
M3 ROCK FESTIVAL: Styx and KIX are headlining the M3 Rock Festival, which takes over Merriweather Post Pavilion Sunday. Unfortunately, the rest of the bands on the roster don’t also rhyme, but they do rock. Spend your weekend basking in the glamor and decadence of the genre’s golden age with its forefathers, and the rockstars carrying their torch forward. (Merriweather Post Pavilion; Saturday and Sunday; $50+)
OPEN ROAD FILM FEST: While you’re waiting for the next Succession episode to drop, spend your screen time with something a little more local. This weekend, the Open Road Film Festival comes to Honfleur Gallery and streams online, bringing together a selection of short films from directors across the country and based in the D.C. area. Local filmmakers will be competing for a $2,000 prize. (Virtual and Honfleur Gallery; Friday through Sunday; $15)
AI AND IMAGES: Remember that viral photo of Pope Francis in a puffer? Remember how heartbroken you were when you learned that it was generated by AI? AI-generated images and videos are here to stay — and with them, so are a host of ethical dilemmas. Dive into the world of deepfakes with ArtsClub Dupont’s AI and Images panel, moderated by tech reporter Nihal Krishan. (ArtsClub Dupont; 2 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: REWILD West (REWILD’s Warehouse; Saturday and Sunday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; FREE), Makers Market (Westpost at National Landing; 12 p.m. -5 p.m.; FREE), Backyard Vibes (Sandlot Anacostia; 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; $20), Black Art: In the Presence of Light Opening Reception (Gallery B; 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; FREE), Video Game Music in the Park (Eastern Market Metro Park; 2 p.m.; FREE), Free Open Rehearsal with Madeline Maxine Gorman (Atlas Performing Arts Center; 3:30 p.m.; FREE)
