Things I'm Talking About

• I am very antsy about the lack of flowers this late in the year. Some flowers are popping up, but the flowering trees seem further away than normal. Cherry blossom peak bloom is estimated for March 29-April 1, and Smithsonian Gardens said that their tulip magnolias are still weeks away from blooming.
• There's the joke that DC has 12 seasons. I would argue that we are at Spring of Deception, and that the Fool's Spring was when all the snow melted. High of 83 today, chance of snow tomorrow morning--typical.
  • Winter
  • Fool's Spring
  • Second Winter
  • Spring of Deception (we are here)
  • Third Winter
  • The Pollening
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Hell's Front Porch
  • False Fall
  • Second Summer
  • Actual Fall
• A judge has vacated Pepco's 2024 rate increase, but "there is no immediate impact on rates." A lot of people have been angry over high bills this winter while data centers continue to expand in the region.
• DC Attorney General has joined other states in suing Live Nation for an illegal monopoly. In the announcement, AG Schwalb points out "the District had far higher per capita Ticketmaster ticket sales than any state."
• DC Parks & Rec is asking residents to give them feedback on what they should focus on as part of their 5 year plan.
• Rhode Island Avenue Main Streets has announced that they will be bringing back their PorchFest, where musicians play on neighbors' porches. Date TBD, but they're looking for artists to participate.

Valerie

Give your opinion, and check back next week for the results.

Last week, I asked: What are you planning on doing this weekend to enjoy the warm weather? You responded:

• Go for a long walk or a hike (45.2%)
• Open all the windows (25.8%)
• Hang out at a park or in a yard (16.1%)
• Find a rooftop (12.9%)

Tried & True features your favorite go-to restaurants that have been around for a while and serve you consistently good food.

This Week's Feature: Guapo’s Restaurant

"I don’t care what anyone says, but I love Guapo’s Tex-Mex. And I’m from South Texas! I have ALWAYS loved their flour tortillas and refried beans. 👏👏👏" Leilerz

Locations: 4028 Campbell Avenue in Arlington; 8130 Wisconsin Ave in Bethesda; 13050 Fairlakes Shopping Center in Fairfax; 9811 Washingtonian Blvd in Gaithersburg; 3050 K St. NW in Georgetown, DC; 4515 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Tenleytown, DC; 3052 Gatehouse Plaza in Falls Church; 1042 Elden Street in Herndon; 8498 Centreville Rd in Mannassas; 14418 Gideon Dr. in Woodbridge.
​Website​

😋 What is your favorite tried and true restaurant?

Where do you find yourself going back time and time again? Reply and let me know who should be featured and why, and share the love for a local DC restaurant.

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• 🖌️ Explore the power of words with award-winning poet María Fernanda in this hands-on poetry workshop where you'll trace word origins and create your own poetic lines. Perfect for seasoned writers and total beginners alike. Wednesday 3/11. Free.
• 🎭 Story District students are sharing their personal stories live on stage at Bryant St Market after completing a 6-week storytelling workshop. It's a great chance to hear some amazing tales and support local storytellers honing their craft. Wednesday 3/11. Donation.
• 📖 The Humanities Lab lets you get hands-on with Shakespeare's "As You Like It" through rare collection items, fun activities, and a ticket to see the actual play. Two Wednesday evenings of learning plus theater makes for a pretty sweet deal. Wednesday 3/11. $100 / $85 members.
• 📖 Photographer Redeat Wondemu sits down with curator Wilfried Zeisler and gallerist Adrian Ferguson to talk about how she spent a year capturing Hillwood's gardens through every season using film and vintage printing techniques. You can attend in person or tune in online, plus explore the museum beforehand. Wednesday 3/11. $22.
• 🖌️ Bring whatever project you're working on or grab something new from the free craft table at this monthly craft club meetup. This month's special guests will help you make cards for neighbors affected by ICE. Wednesday 3/11. Free.

• 🤓 Play brand-new board games created by local DC designers at Dacha Beer Garden, including some prototypes that haven't even hit the market yet. You can hop from table to table trying everything from party games to strategy games while chatting with the creators themselves. Thursday 3/12. $15.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Dates & Darts Singles Social combines friendly dart competition with mingling at Flight Club DC. You'll rotate through groups, play signature dart games, and stick around for open mingling afterward. Thursday 3/12. $15+.
• 🖼️ Check out the largest women and non-binary artist show in the DMV with 450 pieces from 183 artists, plus your ticket helps fund micro-grants for emerging entrepreneurs. The party hops between two galleries and includes a welcome drink. Thursday 3/12. $15+.
• 🖼️ Ditch the winter blues at this spring-themed after-hours party at the National Gallery with live music from The String Queens, DIY floral crafts, and photobooths. Online tickets are claimed, but get there at opening for limited non-reserved tickets. Thursday 3/12. Free.
• 🎭 Share your thoughts on community and watch professional actors turn your stories into interactive theater at this Common Ground conversation. It's storytelling meets improv in the coolest way possible. Thursday 3/12. Free.

• 🤓 Awesome Con takes over the Convention Center for three days of comic book artists, TV stars, cosplay contests, and all the geeky goodness your heart desires. It's like the ultimate fan convention where you can meet your heroes and find people who love the same weird stuff you do. Friday 3/13-3/15. $60+.
• 🎭 1776 brings the founding fathers to life as they debate independence, with John Adams, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson arguing their way through history. It's a funny, smart musical that makes the Second Continental Congress feel surprisingly relatable. Friday 3/13-5/16. $34+.
• 🖌️ Paint your own tote bag while sipping drinks at the cozy Daughters Coffee & Books. You'll get all the supplies to create something totally unique, and it's the perfect excuse to hang out with friends on a Friday night. Friday 3/13. $10.
• 🕺 Catch NYC comedian Nick Hornedo in a secret speakeasy tucked away in the Whole Foods parking garage after your grocery run. Just take the elevator to P2 for comedy, drinks, and a surprisingly cool underground setup. Friday 3/13. $8.
• 🤓 Ever wanted to help make board games better before they hit store shelves? Break My Game is hosting playtesting sessions at Awesome Con where you can try unreleased games and give feedback that actually matters to designers. Friday 3/13-3/15. Free with Awesome Con ticket.
• 🌸 Get dressed up in pink and florals for the Pink Tie Party at Union Station, where you'll sip curated cocktails, bid on luxury auction items, and celebrate all things cherry blossom season. This year's "Art of Fashion" theme means you'll get an inside look at how fashion collections come to life. Friday 3/13. $250.
• 🖌️ Come make artist trading cards with colorful papers and paint markers at this drop-in paper party hosted by artist-in-residence Molly McCracken. Perfect for any skill level, and you can trade your creations or take them home! Friday 3/13. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Kick off mid-March with a big Friday night happy hour at BabyCat Brewery where 90+ friendly professionals in their 20s and 30s gather for craft beer and good conversation. Friday 3/13. Free.

• 🤸 Meditation in the Galleries combines mindfulness with art as you meditate surrounded by Picasso and Miró works, complete with crystal singing bowls. It's a 45-minute guided session that beats your usual meditation app by a mile. Saturday 3/14. $30.
• 🛍️ Art in the Attic brings together DIY artists, handmade goods, and creative weirdos in an upstairs space that's anything but ordinary. Expect bold art, zines, patches, and the kind of underground creativity that keeps Alexandria's art scene alive. Saturday 3/14. Free.
• 🛍️ Hunt for vintage treasures at the Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market with 70+ vendors selling everything from antiques to upcycled home decor. Bring your crew and your dog for the ultimate spring thrifting adventure. Saturday 3/14. Free.
• 🍲 Chocolate tasting meets book club as you sample literary-inspired chocolate bars from Open Book Chocolates while chatting about The Count of Monte Cristo over chai tea. Great timing since the new PBS adaptation drops in March! Saturday 3/14. $27.
• 🍲 Eight top DC chefs are battling it out to see who makes the best meatball at this charity food competition at Osteria Morini. You get to taste all the entries, vote for your favorite, plus unlimited pasta and a drink ticket. Saturday 3/14. $95.
• 🕺 Diana Movius brings contemporary ballet to the Portrait Gallery's Kogod Courtyard, creating original choreography inspired by the museum's permanent collection. Saturday 3/14. Free.
• 🧑‍🍳 Learn to make creamy, dreamy burrata from scratch while sipping wine at this hands-on Italian cooking class. You'll master the art of fresh cheese-making and get to eat your delicious creations paired with perfectly matched wines. Saturday 3/14. $139.
• 🎈 Watch sap turn into liquid gold at this 50+ year Maryland tradition at Cunningham Falls State Park near Frederick featuring live syrup-making demos, hayrides, bluegrass music, and pancake breakfasts. You can even try the pancake race if you're feeling competitive! Saturday 3/14-3/22. $5.
• 🤓 Play games made by local DC developers and chat with the creators about how they built them at this drop-in showcase. Saturday 3/14. Free.
• 🌐 Celebrate Persian New Year at the Nowruz Family Festival with storytelling, crafts, backgammon games, and Persian sweets for sale. The whole family can enjoy calligraphy workshops, scavenger hunts, and curator-led tours at this spring welcome party. Saturday 3/14. Free.

• 🎈 The National Mall is turning into a massive tulip-picking garden with 150,000 flowers where you can grab ten free tulips to take home. It's like having the Netherlands come to DC for one perfect spring day. Tickets sold out, but FYI. Sunday 3/15. Free.
• 🧠 Learn to grow your own mushrooms at home with hands-on instruction and a starter kit to take home. You'll get the basics on substrates and growing conditions, then actually inoculate your own growing medium. Sunday 3/15. $20.
• 🌸 Create your own cherry blossom-inspired candle in this hands-on workshop where you'll blend spring fragrances, pour into a handcrafted concrete vessel, and add delicate pink wax florals. Perfect timing for DC's cherry blossom season! Sunday 3/15. $63.
• 🛍️ Makers Market in DC at Wunder Garten brings together local artists and small businesses selling handmade goods, art, and one-of-a-kind finds you can't get anywhere else. Perfect for discovering unique gifts while sipping drinks in a garden setting with friends. Sunday 3/15. Free.
• 🖌️ Paint a 6-inch flower pot and saucer using stencils, splatter techniques, and whatever creative tools speak to you. Kids are totally welcome, and you can share one pot or each make your own. Sunday 3/15. $36.
• 🤝 Sunshine Fest 2026 brings together journalists, activists, and transparency advocates for two days of sessions on government accountability plus a networking mixer at SPIN. Perfect if you care about keeping government open and want to connect with like-minded folks who believe sunlight is the best disinfectant. Sunday 3/15-3/17. $50.
• 🌐 Celebrate spring's arrival at this Persian New Year market packed with local art, music, food, and hands-on activities for everyone. Sunday 3/15. Free.
• 📜 Explore Tudor Place through the stories of the incredible women who lived and worked there, from Martha Washington's descendants to enslaved women who blazed trails. You'll hear about everyone from longtime owner Britannia Peter Kennon to Blanche Johnson, who worked in the house starting around 1920. Sunday 3/15. $5-$10.

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* Items marked with an asterisks contain affiliate links (for which I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you) or sponsored. Events are featured based on if I find them interesting and think others will too, regardless if they are affiliate or sponsored.