FRIDAY, JAN. 26
BLACK FARMERS CONFERENCE: This Friday, the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers Conference kicks off at Howard University’s Department of Nutritional Sciences. The two-day event uplifts Black farmers with panels, keynote speakers, and visits to Black-led farms like The Farm at Kelly Miller and Soilful City. (Howard University; Friday and Saturday; $30+)
SEVEN BLACK MINUTES: You might want to brush up on your Black history and culture knowledge before heading to the Seven Black Minutes comedy show. In addition to featuring seven Black comedians who will each deliver seven minutes of stand-up, the show invites audience members to participate in a Black Culture Game Show and a Best Dressed Contest, with the contest winner taking home $100. (Busboys and Poets Anacostia; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; $10+)
A FIRST LOOK: Peek behind the Ford’s Theatre curtain this weekend at The Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commissions: A First Look. This free two-day festival invites audiences to preview three plays currently in development, all penned by BIPOC playwrights. (Ford’s Theatre; Friday 7:30 p.m.; Saturday 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; FREE)
TRIBUTE TO PRINCE: Party like it’s 1999 this Friday at the Hamilton, where the All-Star Purple Party Prince Cover Band will be taking the stage to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Purple Rain, Prince’s unforgettable 1984 album. (The Hamilton; 8 p.m.; $20)
MORE: Ann Barbieri Painting Demonstration (McLean Community Center; 11 a.m.; FREE), Art Bites Gallery Talk (Smithsonian American Art Museum; 12:15 p.m.; FREE), The Villainy You Teach (Capital Jewish Museum; 2:30 p.m.-5 p.m.; FREE), Rare Belgian Bottle Pours (The Sovereign; 5 p.m.; FREE), The Celebrated Princeton Katzenjammers in Concert (Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital; 7 p.m.; FREE+), Disco Biblioteca: Music Books & Listening Party (People’s Book; 7 p.m.; FREE), Nite Hawks: A Comedy Variety Show Hosted by Max Wolfson (The Pocket; 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m.; $10+), Lauren Calve (Pie Shop; 7:30 p.m.; $15)
SATURDAY, JAN. 27
ICE FEST: Bundle up for Ice Fest 2024, which takes over the Village at Leesburg this Saturday. This family-friendly event features four hours of ice skating, curling, and face painting. Plus, visitors will get to see ice artists duke it out in a live ice carving competition. (Village at Leesburg; 12 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE)
SPIES AND U.S. IMPERIALISM: You’ll see Rosslyn a little differently after this Saturday’s Spies and US Imperialism Walking Tour, which explores how imperialism and spycraft have shaped the region’s landscape and architecture. Professors and tour guides Andrew Friedman and Dan Greene will cover everything from Watergate to the infrastructure of the internet. (Rosslyn; 1 p.m.-3 p.m.; FREE)
THE GOOD LIAR: Want to have your mind blown by D.C.’s most famous mentalist? Then you can check out The Good Liar with Brian Curry at Hotel Washington this weekend. Curry mixes magic with mentalism to perform tricks and other stunts that leave audiences stumped — or at least curious. (Hotel Washington, 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., $50)
BACK TO THE FUTURE IN CONCERT: Gear up for a joy ride in the DeLorean this Saturday at the Strathmore’s Music Center, where Back to the Future will take the big screen as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra brings Alan Silvestri’s score to life. (Music Center at Strathmore; 7:30 p.m.; $18+)
COMMON: Common is coming to town, but not for a concert. The prolific rapper, actor, activist and now author will be at Sixth & I this Saturday to present his new book, And Then We Rise: A Guide to Loving and Taking Care of Self. He’ll be in conversation with writer Clint Smith. (Sixth & I and virtual; 7:30 p.m.; $12+)
MORE: Museums and Cultural Heritage Protection: A Case Study of Repatriations to Yemen (National Museum of Asian Art; 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; FREE), Showing Up With Intention (Compass Coffee; 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; FREE), Explore Walking Meditation (Bon Air Park Rose Garden; 10:30 p.m.; $15+), Hill Family Biking: Ride to Ice Skating (Maury Elementary Parking Lot; 11 a.m.; FREE), Hamid Rahmanian’s Song of the North (George Mason University; 4 p.m.; $29+), Dorothea Lange: Under the Trees and The Closer for Me (National Gallery of Art; 3:30 p.m.; FREE), A Hometown Show with Bumper Jacksons (Joe’s Movement Emporium; 7 p.m.-9 p.m.; $20), Broke Royals: EP Release Show (Songbyrd Music House; 7 p.m.; $16.74), Sketch Night (DC Improv; 7 p.m.; $20), Carnival Celebration: Music from New Orleans to Rio to the Islands (George Mason University; 8 p.m.; $29+), Grace Potter (The Anthem; 8 p.m.; $50+)
SUNDAY, JAN. 28
MINI ART MARKET: Brentwood is getting a new artisan market. This Sunday, the Mini Art Market at miXt Food Hall kicks off, featuring locally-made goods like steel earrings, handmade ceramics, guided journals, surrealist paintings and more. There will also be tarot readings, and plenty to eat. (miXt Food Hall; 12 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE)
A DAY OF ACTION: Get ready for an afternoon of artivism at the National Portrait Gallery’s A Day of Action, held in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Geared toward teens and young adults but open to all, this event features local social justice organizations and community groups for an afternoon of musical performances, art and letter writing workshops, gallery tours and more. (National Portrait Gallery; 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: “A Brush With Printmaking” Opening Reception (Stanford Gallery; 12 p.m.-3 p.m,; FREE), Mozart and Mark (National Gallery of Art; 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; FREE), The Persian Version screening (National Museum of Asian Art; 2 p.m.-3:50 p.m.; FREE), The Circle (Synergy & Serenity; 4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $15), Surya Botofasina / The First Meeting of Sound (Rhizome DC; 7 p.m.; $10+), Vegan Mindfulness (Virtual; 7 p.m.; FREE)