Here's the best and brightest for your weekend in and around D.C.: a "Black Panther" themed African art tour, ARTECHOUSE's new Cherry Blossom exhibit, endless St. Patrick's Day beer, whisky and dancing opportunities, a Howard alum brings his musical to life and more.
Cherry Blossom Festival Begins, Frozen-Style
It’s way too cold to celebrate the official beginning of the National Cherry Blossom Festival outdoors, but you can get the whole experience with minimal exposure to the elements.
ARTECHOUSE’s “Cherry Blossom Dream”
Friday, Saturday and Sunday near L’Enfant Plaza
The immersive art gallery just opened its cherry blossom exhibit, giving a digital view of the blooms. Preview it for yourself here:
Interactive Cherry Blossom Art Exhibit Now Open in DC
Sakura Orihon: Diary of a Cherry Blossom Journey
Friday, Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at the National Arboretum
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Follow landscape architect Ron Henderson’s journey following the cherry blossom trail from southern to northern Japan. His sketches exhibit not only looks at the trees themselves, but how they’re cared for. This exhibit — and all the others! — is free.
The Watergate Hotel’s Cherry Blossom Domes
Saturday and Sunday in Foggy Bottom
Enjoy afternoon tea in one of the Cherry Blossom Domes (previous known as the Igloos). Rentals for two to eight people start at $100. They’re also offering a flower crown making class (times vary).
Cherry Blossom Festival 2018: Your Essential Guide to Blooms, Parades and More
Bring the Craic on Saint Patrick’s Day
National Shamrock Fest
Saturday (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.) at RFK Stadium
Sum 41, Shaggy and Less Than Jake headline this one day festival of beer, music and of course, Irishness.
Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday (11:30 a.m.) in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
Looking for some chill, Irish-themed fun? Alexandria’s St. Patrick’s Day parade kicks off at 1:30 p.m. from King Street and St. Asaph Street. The fun continues afterwards with a car show. Go early for the Fun Dog Show.
St. Patrick's Day Irish Stroll Bar Crawl
Saturday (1 p.m.) in Dupont Circle, Northwest Washington D.C.
A bar crawl entry ticket will get you cover-free entry to 10 participating bars, including Decades, Dirty Bar, Living Room and Barcode. Drink specials include $3 beers, $4 specialty beers and $5 mixed drinks. Tickets cost $20, but combo tickets to the Friday night party and Saturday bar crawl cost $15.
The Shamrock Crawl
Saturday (2 p.m.) Dupont Circle, Northwest Washington D.C.
Participants have access to more than 16 bars, including Public Bar, Eden, Kabin and Heist. Anyone with a ticket gets a refillable shamrock mug, party favors, $2 beers, $4 shamrock shots and $5 Irish Car Bombs. $35 in advance; $40 day of.
Sights & Sounds: Ireland Today
Friday (7 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.) and Sunday (4 p.m.) in Dupont Circle
Dupont Underground is hosting artist Solas Nua to discuss her project exploring video art in Ireland. Friday, Nua will discuss her work ($10). On Saturday, you can stop in and enjoy the exhibit. From 10 a.m. to noon, the exhibit is free and offers activities geared towards kids. After noon, it costs $15. On Sunday, you can catch short films at the Irish Short Film festival ($8).
We have a roundup of the best brunch specials and drink deals right here.
Rage… against injustice, with music or by smashing a printer
Breathe: The Musical
Friday, Saturday and Sunday (8 p.m.) at THEARC (1901 Mississippi Avenue SE, Washington, D.C.)
Howard University alum Cleavon Meabon IV wrote and directed this play, which follows a family of sharecroppers in the early 20th century as they struggle under Jim Crow injustice, KKK attacks and police brutality.
Rage Room of Maryland
Friday (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and Saturday (1 p.m. to 8 p.m.) in Glen Burnie, Maryland
Grab your friends and vent some frustrations! Full-service packages start at $25. You can BYOB (bring your own breakables) starting at $10.
R&BUMPPP! Dance Party
Saturday (10:30 p.m.) at The Wharf
Union Stage hosts an R&B night featuring The Good Guys. No covers, just dancing.
The Floozies at 9:30 Club; G-Eazy; Judas Priest; Justin Timberlake
All weekend, various locations
Even if fiddles aren’t your thing, there’s a lot of music to be heard this weekend:
DC's Best Upcoming Concerts: Diana Ross, Beck u0026 More
Celebrate makers and creators
Innovative Lives: How Women Shaped the Alcohol Industry
Friday (6:30 p.m.) at the American History Museum on the National Mall
Enjoy craft beer and custom cocktail tastings while learning about the history of booze from four women whose life work is to brew and distill. Tickets are $40 and include appetizers and drinks.
The “Reel Life” Warriors of Wakanda Tour
Saturday (3 p.m.) and Sunday (3 p.m.) Smithsonian National Museum of African Art on the National Mall
Discover the true inspiration behind the afrofuturist world of Wakanda by exploring historic African art. This awesome, free tour fills up fast, so RSVP soon.
NoVa Maker Faire
Sunday (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) George Mason University campus, Fairfax, Virginia
Whether you’re interesting in older crafts like spinning yarn and woodworking, or are looking ahead to robotics and auto hacking, the Maker Faire promises something for you. This all-ages event costs $15 for an adult, $5 for kids or $36 for a family of five.
<p><strong>Cherry Blossom Festival Begins, Frozen-Style</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s way too cold to celebrate the official beginning of the National Cherry Blossom Festival outdoors, but you can get the whole experience with minimal exposure to the elements.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://artechouse.com/tickets/"><strong>ARTECHOUSE’s “Cherry Blossom Dream”</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friday, Saturday and Sunday near L’Enfant Plaza</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The immersive art gallery just opened its cherry blossom exhibit, giving a digital view of the blooms. Preview it for yourself here:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[[476928683, C]]</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.bonsai-nbf.org/upcoming-exhibits/"><strong>Sakura Orihon: Diary of a Cherry Blossom Journey</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friday, Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at the National Arboretum</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Follow landscape architect Ron Henderson’s journey following the cherry blossom trail from southern to northern Japan. His sketches exhibit not only looks at the trees themselves, but how they’re cared for. This exhibit — and all the others! — is free.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.thewatergatehotel.com/the-next-whisky-bar/dc-cherry-blossom-garden-globes"><strong>The Watergate Hotel’s Cherry Blossom Domes</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday and Sunday in Foggy Bottom</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Enjoy afternoon tea in one of the Cherry Blossom Domes (previous known as the Igloos). Rentals for two to eight people start at $100. They’re also offering a </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/135945050556034/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">flower crown making class</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (times vary).</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[[475049623, C]]</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Bring the Craic on Saint Patrick’s Day</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://shamrockfest.com/lineup"><strong>National Shamrock Fest</strong> </a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.) at RFK Stadium</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sum 41, Shaggy and Less Than Jake headline this one day festival of beer, music and of course, Irishness.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.ballyshaners.org/parade/"><strong>Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday (11:30 a.m.) in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia</span></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Looking for some chill, Irish-themed fun? Alexandria’s St. Patrick’s Day parade kicks off at 1:30 p.m. from King Street and St. Asaph Street. The fun continues afterwards with a car show. Go early for the Fun Dog Show.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://lindypromo.com/washington-dc/barcrawl_dc-st-patricks-day-bar-crawl-in-washington-dc-3-17"><strong>St. Patrick's Day Irish Stroll Bar Crawl</strong> </a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday (1 p.m.) in Dupont Circle, Northwest Washington DC</span></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A </span><a href="http://lindypromo.com/washington-dc/barcrawl_dc-st-patricks-day-bar-crawl-in-washington-dc-3-17"><span style="font-weight: 400;">bar crawl entry ticket</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> will get you cover-free entry to 10 participating bars, including Decades, Dirty Bar, Living Room and Barcode. Drink specials include $3 beers, $4 specialty beers and $5 mixed drinks. Tickets cost $20, but </span><a href="http://lindypromo.com/washington-dc/parties_washington-dc-st-patricks-happy-hour"><span style="font-weight: 400;">combo tickets to the Friday night party and Saturday bar crawl cost $15.</span></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://tickets.theshamrockcrawl.com/event/washington-dc"><strong>The Shamrock Crawl</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday (2 p.m.) Dupont Circle, Northwest Washington D.C.</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Participants have access to more than 16 bars, including Public Bar, Eden, Kabin and Heist. </span><a href="https://tickets.theshamrockcrawl.com/event/washington-dc"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Anyone with a ticket</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gets a refillable shamrock mug, party favors, $2 beers, $4 shamrock shots and $5 Irish Car Bombs. $35 in advance; $40 day of.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://dupontunderground.ticketfly.com/listing"><strong>Sights & Sounds: Ireland Today</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></a><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friday (7 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.) and Sunday (4 p.m.) in Dupont Circle</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dupont Underground is hosting artist Solas Nua to discuss her project exploring video art in Ireland. </span><strong>Friday</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">, Nua will discuss her work ($10). On </span><strong>Saturday</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">, you can stop in and enjoy the exhibit. From 10 a.m. to noon, the exhibit is free and offers activities geared towards kids. After noon, it costs $15. On </span><strong>Sunday</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">, you can catch short films at the Irish Short Film festival ($8).</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/St-Patricks-Day-Washington-DC-Maryland-Virginia-Bar-Crawl-Parade-Specials-476983663.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">We have a roundup of the best brunch specials and drink deals right here.</span></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Rage… against injustice, with music or by smashing a printer</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.thearcdc.org/events/breathe-musical-0"><strong>Breathe: The Musical</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friday, Saturday and Sunday (8 p.m.) at THEARC (1901 Mississippi Avenue SE, Washington, D.C.)</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Howard University alum Cleavon Meabon IV wrote and directed this play, which follows a family of sharecroppers in the early 20th century as they struggle under Jim Crow injustice, KKK attacks and police brutality. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://rageroommd.com/"><strong>Rage Room of Maryland</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></a><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friday (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and Saturday (1 p.m. to 8 p.m.) in Glen Burnie, Maryland</span></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Grab your friends and vent some frustrations! Full-service packages start at $25. You can BYOB (bring your own breakables) starting at $10.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[[476320713, C]]</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.unionstage.com/event/1648411-r-bumppp-free-dance-party-washington/"><strong>R&BUMPPP! Dance Party</strong></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday (10:30 p.m.) at The Wharf)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Union Stage hosts an R&B night featuring The Good Guys. No covers, just dancing.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.930.com/#upcoming-shows-container"><strong>The Floozies at 9:30 Club</strong></a><strong>; G-Eazy; Judas Priest; Justin Timberlake</strong></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">All weekend, various locations</span></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even if fiddles aren’t your thing, there’s a lot of music to be heard this weekend:</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[[471795804, C]]</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Celebrate makers and creators</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://invention.si.edu/about/events/innovative-lives-how-women-shaped-alcohol-industry"><strong>Innovative Lives: How Women Shaped the Alcohol Industry</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friday (6:30 p.m.)</span></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Enjoy craft beer and custom cocktail tastings while learning about the history of booze from four women whose life work is to brew and distill. Tickets are $40 and include appetizers and drinks.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://africa.si.edu/events/"><strong>The “Real Life” Warriors of Wakanda Tour</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday (3 p.m.) and Sunday (3 p.m.) Smithsonian National Museum of African Art on the National Mall</span></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Discover the true inspiration behind the afrofuturist world of Wakanda by exploring historic African art. This awesome, free tour fills up fast, so RSVP soon.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://nova.makerfaire.com/about/"><strong>NoVa Maker Faire</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sunday (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) George Mason University campus, Fairfax, Virginia</span></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether you’re interesting in older crafts like spinning yarn and woodworking, or are looking ahead to robotics and auto hacking, the Maker Faire promises something for you. This all-ages event costs $15 for an adult, $5 for kids or $36 for a family of five.</span></p>
