Last Minute Weekend Ideas in the DC Area 2/10-2/13

I hope your team wins! (Yes sports!)

Hello neighbor,

On our radar this week, we highlight Embassy-sponsored celebrations and events. Here are some announcements and summaries for you:

So what should you do?

For your convenience, this newsletter includes emojis to help you during these unprecedented times:

• The 🛋 indicates that an event is happening in person inside.
• The 🌲 indicates that an event is happening in person outside.
• The 💻 indicates that an event is happening virtually.
• And finally, the 🆓 indicates that an event is free.
• the 💉 indicates an event requires proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test.

Your last minute weekend plans

1. Since the weather will be fine on Saturday. 😎🌞☀️🌤 Head to the early Wharf Winter Games (Sat, 🆓, 🌲, The Quay) to have a chance to play cornhole ice cream and pin-the-tail-on-the-husky. Support local by heading to the Valentine’s Day Sidewalk Market (Sat, 🆓, 🌲, Mount Pleasant), the Buy local for your Valentine’s Market (Sam, 🆓, 🌲, Tysons)or the openings of Little sister (Sam, $, 🛋, Georgetown) and Botanical black box (Sam, $, 🛋, Takoma). Give back by volunteering in a Columbia Heights Cleanup (Sam, 🆓, 🌲, Columbia Heights). Visit the baby porcupine at Smithsonian Zoo (Thursday-Sun, 🆓 but need timed passes, 🌲/🛋, Woodley Park).

2. Since the weather will be terrible on Sunday. 🥶🧊❄️☁️ Stay inside and visit these exhibits before they close at the end of the month: “Aquatint: from its origins to Goyaat the National Gallery of Art (daily, 🆓, 🛋/💉, National Mall) and “Caravans of gold, fragments in time: art, culture and exchanges through medieval Saharan Africa» at the Museum of African Arts (Wed-Sun, 🆓, 🛋, National Mall). Test new heights in a local bouldering room, like Brooklyn Rocks ($29 day pass) Where Movement Climbing ($27 day pass). Free yourself from the streaming algorithm and watch a movie on AFI Silver Theater Where Landmark E Street Theater.

3. Celebrate the performing arts. 🎫 See Iké Udé “Nollywood portraits” (in progress, 🆓, 🛋, National Mall), which sheds light on the rich talent behind Nigeria’s $3 billion film industry. Watch the Gala Hispanic Theater in Columbia Heights which recently debuted”La Casa de La Laguna” (until February 27, $, 🛋/💉, Columbia Heights). There aren’t many tickets left, but you might be able to attend the “Swan Lake” (Thu-Sun, $25+, 🛋/💉, Kennedy Center) Where “50 years of Broadway at the Kennedy Center(Saturday, $59+, 🛋/💉, Kennedy Center). Head to H Street for a 3-course dinner at Sospeso + Prologue theater show combo (Saturday, $75+, 🛋/💉, H St).

4. Comic relief for love in a swamp. 😅😓 For those who need a laugh, consider stopping by a comedy show on awkward sexual experiences (Fri, $20, 🛋/💉, 14th St) or a community open mic (can I call it community healing?) about how “Love Hurts” (Thursday, $15, 🛋/💉, Le Quai). I don’t know what it is, but a “text your ex” wall (Saturday, 🆓, 🛋/💉, West End) looks intriguing. And if you need something very different, switch to a gore Violent-ine Day Massacre drag show (Fri, 🆓, 🛋/💉, NoMA).

5. A hodgepodge of ideas. 💫 Join Blk Fwr Mrkt at Shopkeepers DC for a speed smear workshop (Saturday, $35, 🛋/💉 H Street). Head to Merriweather District for their glow on the ice ice skating event (every Thursday, 50% off tickets, 🌲, Columbia). Maybe you know someone who would benefit from a Taxes for Artists Workshop (Thursday, 🆓, 💻). Run in your underwear as part of the Cupid’s Undie Run (February 12, $35 to register, Penn Quarter) to raise funds to find a cure for neurofibromatosis. For those looking for an Instagram-worthy experience, consider stopping by Cupid’s Haus at the Sun Room (Saturday, $92+, 🛋/💉, Eckington).

What’s on our radar: Cultural events

Here’s a look at some of the Embassy-sponsored celebrations and events that caught our attention:

• • A French astrophysicist leaves Earth and her daughter. 🇬🇧🚀 The French Embassy is organizing a screening of the film “Nearby» as part of a series of films celebrating the French Presidency of the European Union (February 10, $5, 🛋/💉, Glover Park).
  • Poetics of the Hispanic Diaspora. 🇪🇸🖋 The Cultural Office of the Spanish Embassy will host the Spanish comic book author Anapurna about comics and their creative process (Feb 16, 🆓, 🛋/💉, Columbia Heights).
  • Celebrating 70 years of traditional Mexican dance. 🇲🇽💃🏾 the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico by Amalia Hernandez returns to DC at the Lincoln Theater in partnership with the Mexican Cultural Institute (February 25, $30+, 🛋/💉, rue U).
  • Mardi Gras parade 🤝 Fireworks 🤝 Ice sculptures. 👑🧊🎇 Head to Navy Yard and the wharf for a day of celebration. Start at Ice Yards with Ax Throwing and a snowboard stimulator before attending the Mardi Gras parade and fireworks (February 26, $15 for Ice Yards, 🌲, shipyard) and (February 26, 🆓 for Mardi Gras, 🌲, Le Quai).
  • Piano concert for Ukraine. 🇺🇦🎹 The Embassy of Ukraine, in partnership with Ukrainian American activists, will host a benefit concert in commemoration of the heavenly hundred. There will be appetizers and wine as well as a photo exhibit”Maidan in Washington, DC” on display (February 26, $25+, 🛋/💉, Georgetown).
  • The future of indigenous cultures. 🇸🇪🖼 The House of Sweden will host an exhibition entitled “arctic highways“, which features works by Sami and Indigenous artists exploring what it means to be “limitless” (starting March 5).
  • Japanese street festival. 🇯🇵🌸 In its 60th year, the Japan-America Society of Washington DC invites the public to Sakura Matsurithe largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States (April 9-10, $10+, 🌲, Downtown).

jade (@clockoutdc)