Happy Monday, DC!
Cherry blossom events begin to bloom around town this week. Immerse yourself in springtime cheer at the National Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony or take the kiddos to Pink in the Pool. Plus, local vocalist Ari Lennox has a concert at Throw Social.
Best Things to Do This Week and Weekend
March 16–22
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- National Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival’s opening ceremony is packed with Japanese cultural performances such as sword dances by Futago Onikenbai and music by pop singer Ayaka Hirahara (Sat, free with $5 ticket fee, Downtown).
- Pink in the Park. National Landing’s Pink in the Park jamboree is back this week. The Arlington event spans a few weeks and features pink-themed art activations, live music, family fun, vendors, and more. Families are invited to splash party Pink in the Pool this Saturday—registration required— at Long Bridge Aquatics Center. Kids can eat Japanese snacks, taste tea, and make origami. In the coming weeks, Pink Beats—an outdoor music festival featuring electronic DJs and dance performances—will take over Water Park on select days throughout March and April. On April 10, Art of Pink is hosting a nighttime art gathering and food market at Met Park (Sat through April 10, free, Arlington).
- DC Environmental Film Festival. The DC Environmental Film Festival returns to town for a multi-day roundup of movie screenings and film talks across the region centered around the theme “Against the Current.” Moviegoers can watch shorts, documentaries, and full-length productions about climate change, environmental justice, wildlife, outdoor adventure, and public health at local museums, embassies, theaters, and community centers (Thurs through March 28, free+, various locations).
- “Miró and the United States” exhibit. The Phillips Collection’s latest exhibition explores the artwork and collaborations of Catalan artist Joan Miró. Miró’s vibrant connections with 20th-century American artists such as Alexander Calder, Louise Bourgeois, and Jackson Pollock trace modern art across Spain and America (Sun through July 5, $20, Dupont Circle).
- Ari Lennox. DC’s own R&B star Ari Lennox has a homecoming performance at tropical-themed entertainment venue Throw Social DC this weekend. The rescheduled event celebrates Lennox’s release of her new album Vacancy, a sensual record featuring nods to the District (Fri, $50+, Ivy City).
Want More Things to Do?
Arts and culture:
- Sneakerheads and beer fans can attend the Ale Max release party at Bluejacket which includes a community run, brews, and live DJs (Wed, free, Navy Yard).
- Bestselling historian Erik Larson discusses his latest book The Demon of Unrest at Sixth & I (Thurs, $15, Downtown).
- View high-tech spring flowers curated by Artechouse Studio at Hi-Lawn’s 50-foot dome (Thurs through April 26, $12+, Union Market).
- Activist and author Ibram X. Kendi unpacks his latest book Chain of Ideas at Lincoln Theatre (Thurs, $32+, U Street Corridor).
- The “Art in Bloom DC” exhibit presents artistic floral arrangements and designs at the historic Anderson House mansion (Thurs-Sun, $22+, Dupont Circle).
- Explore modern Polish filmmaking through shorts and feature films at the third annual Polish Film Festival (Thurs-Sun, $22 for single tickets, $150 for festival pass, Bethesda).
- Pick up your next read at this community book swap (Sun, free, MLK Library).
Community:
- Race paddle boats in honor of Stumpy—DC’s beloved tiny cherry blossom tree (Thurs, free for spectators, $100 per team, Tidal Basin).
- Cruise along the Potomac River in a water taxi to see budding cherry blossoms (opens Fri, $25+, Alexandria, Wharf).
- Race past the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and more landmarks to help raise funds for St. Jude’s (Sat, $109+, National Mall).
Theater and shows:
- Shakespeare Theatre Company welcomes the US premiere of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaptation of Hamnet (Tues through April 12, $43+, Downtown).
- All ages can relive the magic of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast live on stage (Wed through April 5, $54+, National Theatre).
- The story and music of queen of rock n’ roll Tina Turner comes to life in this musical at Capital One Hall (Fri-Sun, $77+, Tysons).
Music and concerts:
- Listen to Irish tunes from The Baltic Celtics for Saint Patrick’s Day at Wunder Garten (Tues, free, NoMa).
- FKA Twigs performs high-energy pop tunes from her latest project Eusexia Afterglow (Wed, $73+, Anthem).
- Black Cat spins Prince’s greatest hits to help raise support for immigrant families (Fri, $24, Shaw).
Bites and beverages:
- Sip Irish-inspired libations for St. Paddy’s Day at Astro Beer Hall (Mon-Tues, free, Arlington).
- See live drag performances and listen to music from the Irish Troubadours at Shaw Tavern’s St Patrick’s Day drag brunch (Tues, prices vary, Shaw).
Plan ahead:
- Megastar Lady Gaga brings her star power to DC (March 23-24, $393+, Capital One Arena).
Sports:
- Hockey fans can cheer on the Caps and check out the new cherry blossom-themed jerseys designed by local artist Taylor Kampa Olson (Wed, $79+, Capital One Arena).
Things to do with kids:
- Young children can participate in gentle, multi-sensory storytelling at Imagination Stage’s brand new production Good Morning, Good Night (Sat through April 19, $25, Bethesda).
If you enjoyed these events, please don’t forget to share this post with a friend on social media, and sign up for our newsletter for more things to do.
Briana A. Thomas is a local journalist, historian, and tour guide who specializes in the research of D.C. history and culture. She is the author of the Black history book, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a story that was first published in Washingtonian in 2016.
