Health Secretary RFK Jr. made a splash (pun intended) this week when it was reported that he swam in Rock Creek in DC.

In DC, people are not allowed to swim in the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers outside of special swim events. Federal regulations prohibit swimming, wading, and bathing in Rock Creek.

The reason: sewage. Because of the combined rainwater and sewage system in much of DC, parts of Rock Creek receive overflow of that sewage water when the system is overwhelmed. Potomac Conservancy put together a nice & quick explainer on why swimming is a bad idea, and they have a more detailed report on the health of the Potomac.

The waterways are getting cleaner, but there's still a way to go. You may remember the Anacostia swim events that had to be postponed in 2023 & 2024 due to high levels of e. coli.

You can still swim in DC, but you'll want to do so at one of the many public indoor & outdoor pools.

Valerie

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

Last week, I asked: What's the appropriate response to someone standing on the left of the metro escalator? You said:

• Say "excuse me" (80.6%)
• Any of these are fine (15.7%)
• Nothing, wait it out (1.9%)
• Yell out "stand on the right!" (1.9%)

One Magical Night. One Powerful Mission.

Imagine this: golden-hour sunshine, a table set beneath the sky, and plates full of seasonally-inspired dishes made with love--right in the heart of an urban farm that’s changing lives.

On Thursday, May 22nd, Common Good City Farm is hosting an unforgettable spring evening celebrating community, sustainability, and food justice.

✨ Expect garden-fresh fare from the amazing Chef Kay of Shaleafa’s Kitchen​
🌿 Savor everything from artisanal cheeses to sweet, seasonal bites
🎶 Enjoy the open-air experience, meaningful connections, and purpose-fueled fun

​👉 Reserve your seat now​

Did you go to one of these? Reply and let me know how it was!

Know of something cool happening? Submit an event for consideration!

• 🖼️ See Matthew Brady's photos of five influential Civil War-era couples before they're gone. Now through Sunday 5/18. Free.
• 🕺 Paradise Blue play features a 1949 jazz club where musicians, lovers, and dreams collide in Paradise Blue, with live music and cocktails 45 minutes before showtime. Until Sunday 6/22. $125.
• 🍲 Sweet corn gelato is here only until today! Scoop it at Dolcezza or try the Hotteok Sundae at Anju. Wednesday 5/14. Price not indicated.
• 📖 Have you ever been to an ice cream social? Meet founder Pooja and taste sweet flavors from the book Malai Ice Cream Party! Wednesday 5/14. $39+
• 🎭 Watch the matinee screening of Leave the World Behind before the book discussion on May 22. Wednesday 5/14. Free.
• 📖 DC author Cheryl Head sits down with journalist Kojo Nnamdi to talk about her novel Time’s Undoing, focusing on the history and justice of Black Lives Matter. Wednesday 5/14. Free.
• 🏰 This interactive exhibit on the National Mall lets you see the big equipment and machines that help maintain it today. Wednesday 5/14. Free.

• 🤝 It’s ditch the cars and bike to work day! Stop by Franklin Park for a free morning coffee, treats, and live music. Thursday 5/15. Free.
• 🖼️ Get inside DC’s private art collections during Transformer’s 18th annual Collector’s View. Thursday 5/15 to Saturday 5/31. $75.
• 🎭 Love heist plans? Film classics about con men and thieves will be featured in a film series tomorrow Thursday, 5/15. Free.
• 📖 Listen as DC historian John DeFerrari traces the history and demise of DC’s once-booming streetcar system in 1962. Thursday 5/15. Free.
• 🤝 For a decade, Purple Patch has kept the string lights glowing over Mount Pleasant. Join this community bash to thank them. Thursday 5/15. $25 includes cocktail & appetizer.

• 🧠 Thai Astrology connects how your home’s layout and birth weekday influence your life, relationships, and finances. Join this interactive feng shui workshop! Friday 5/16. Free.
• 🕺 My Body, My Festival supports DC Abortion Fund with two nights of ten acts, and 100% of proceeds going to reproductive access. Friday 5/16 to Saturday 5/17. $25+
• 🕺 LA and NYC’s hit variety show Asian AF will be live at the Kennedy Center. Secure your tickets for Friday 5/16 and Saturday 5/17! $41.
• 🎭 If you like listening to comedy, you can suggest topics so comedians can deliver impromptu sets at Room 808, headlined by DMV's rising star Justo. BYOB. Friday 5/16. $24.

• 🎈 Bourbon & Bluegrass is a celebration at President Lincoln’s Cottage featuring live bluegrass, bourbon tastings, and a laid-back lawn party. Saturday 5/17. $50+
• 🍲 There’s a free coffee and natural wine tasting on seasonal selections at the National Mall on Saturday 5/17. Free for coffee; $10 for natural wine.
• 🎈 Come to Springtime Festival for live music, flower giveaways, craft activities, a farmers market, and to see artists at work. Saturday 5/17. Free.
• 🧠 Bored with your ordinary glasses? Let Rain Young teach you how to paint, embellish, and design it just how you want it. Saturday 5/17. Free.
• 🌸 See historical exhibits, markets, and live performances celebrating the African Diaspora at the Anacostia River Festival. Saturday 5/17. Free.
• 🛍️ Make it a weekend of shopping plants & pottery at this warehouse sale on plants, pottery, and home decor items. Saturday 5/17-Sunday 5/18. Free.
• 🍲 Unlimited tastings of over 90 tequilas and mezcals, and a complimentary taco on Saturday 5/17. $85.
• 📖 Love genealogy? Dive into African American ancestry with experts on uncovering familial histories, census data, and historical records. Saturday 5/17. Free.
• 🎈 Bring your family for fun with train rides, moon bounces, and food trucks this Saturday 5/17. Free.
• 📖 YA author Andrew Joseph White and Ellen Oh talks about transgender and autistic identities in view of horror and monstrosity. Saturday 5/17. Free.
• 🎈It’s the 13th Street Block Party! Enjoy roller rinks, a clothing swap, drag shows, and more this Saturday 5/17. Free.
• 🖌️ Need a group of writers to hang with? Writing Heptagon is hosting a low-key writing session at a local café on Saturday 5/17. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 It’s the duck pond reopening party! Come for the BBQ by King Ribs, duck games, feeding ducks, and community art this Saturday 5/17. Free.
• 🤓 Play mahjong at the museum or just come for a book talk with Nicole Wong and NPR’s Emily Kwong. Saturday 5/17. Free.
• 🏰 Bring your pup or just come to learn George Washington’s love of dogs, their quirky names, and their place at the estate. Plus, visit 5 historic stops along the way. Saturday 5/17. $10 + admission to Mount Vernon.

• 🏰 Come to Brookland and tour beautiful homes and gardens starting at noon. Advance tickets are sold out; a limited number of day-of tickets will be available starting at 7 AM. Sunday 5/18. $35.
• 🍲 Secure your tickets for this walkaround wine tasting + breakfast taco party & taste over 25 spring wines! Ask wine experts, find your new wine favorite, and snag retail discounts. Sunday 5/18. $66+
• 🍽️ Craving TJ's snacks but can't finish a whole package? You’ll love this Trader Joe's-themed potluck picnic. Sunday 5/18. Free.
• 🎈 This is WorldPride day party is complete with activations, roller skaters, breakdancers, markets, live-painting pianos, face painting, and more. Sunday 5/18. Free.
• 🖌️ Work on your sewing skills and learn mending + alterations in this workshop. Sunday 5/18. $6+
• 🏞️ Join this guided bird walk with diverse bird species near Roosevelt Island this Sunday 5/18. Free.

• 🌲 Dan “the Bird Man of DC” will guide you through the birdlife along the Potomac River and share his stories with eagles, ospreys, ravens, and songbirds. Monday 5/19. $15.
• 📖 A panel discussion on the future of journalism in DC features insights from media experts and executives, addressing the current state and sustainability of journalism both nationally and in DC. Monday 5/19. Free.
• 📖 Curious about the National Zoo? Learn more about its history on a talk with the Smithsonian’s former Historian. Tuesday 5/20. Free.
• 🖼️ This is an after-hours art party like no other. The NWMA Nights Bash features circus performances, late-night gallery, cocktails, art-making, "uncanny" dress-up, prizes, and spotlight tours. Wednesday 5/21. $25.
• 🖼️ There’s an opening reception to celebrate the works of local artists at the Hill Center Galleries. Wednesday 5/21. Free.
• 🛍️ Find more dog-focused products and cute items for your furry families at the dog social party. Wednesday 5/21. Price not stated.
• 📜 Get a rare look inside two of DC’s most elegant historic mansions from the early 20th century next Thursday 5/22. Free.
• 📖 Listen to this interesting talk on red-light district history and how Murder Bay was known as Hooker’s Division during the Civil War. Thursday 5/22. Free.
• 🎈 As part of WorldPride’s 50th anniversary, Opera on Tap DC is a night of bold, beautiful music celebrating LGBTQ+ composers, librettists, and stories. Thursday 5/22. Free admission!
• 🎭 Kick off the Cinematery series with a screening of "Jaws" & bring a blanket to enjoy this classic thriller! Friday 5/23. $10.
• 🖼️ The Faces of Civil War Nurses traveling photo exhibit debuts this May, showing portraits and personal stories of women who served as nurses during the Civil War. Saturday 5/24. Free.
• 🎈 Spend Memorial Day weekend at Maryland Plant Fest to find rare tropicals, local makers, and a book signing with plant stylist Hilton Carter. Saturday 5/24-Monday 5/26 Free.
• 🎈 Come to #CapHouseFest to salute the legacy of Sam “The Man” Burns with an all-day music fest. Saturday 5/24. Free; $25 suggested donation.

• 🎈 The BLK Queer Film Festival celebrates World Pride with 3 days of films, premieres, and talkbacks centering Black LGBTQ+ stories. Tuesday 5/27. Free.
• 🍲 Curious about garden-to-table flavors? Stop by the Botanic Garden to try seasonal fruits, herbs, and vegetables in an interactive tasting table. Wednesday 5/28. Free.
• 🕺 DC’s Different Drummers is a jazz band headlining a free World Pride concert on Wednesday 5/28. Free.
• 🕺 Asia After Dark is an after-hours salon featuring artists storytelling through performance of dance, theater, and public art. Get tickets now before they run out. Friday 5/30. Free.
• 🎈 With World Pride coming, join the celebration of 2SLGBTQIA+ Indigenous artists performing through music, poetry, film screenings, and talks on gender, indigeneity, and media. Friday 5/30. Free.
• 🎈 Enjoy unlimited craft beer tastings from 15+ DC craft breweries and shop from 30+ artisan ceramicists, jewelers, and woodworkers! It’s one big celebration of DC’s makers and brewers. Saturday 5/31. $45.
• 🎈Glover Park Day is returning for summer to celebrate the neighborhood with food from local restaurants, games, vendors, and more! Saturday 5/31. Free.
• 🎈 Want to celebrate Pride with family? This Pride Family Festival has hands-on crafts, gallery scavenger hunts, story time, and live performances. Saturday 5/31. Free.
• 🏞️ Walk with amazing women for a chill but hot girl hike in Rock Creek Park on Saturday 5/31. Price not indicated.
• 🍽️ Union Market’s signature dinner and celebration of food and fellowship brings chefs, tastemakers, and neighbors for an evening of bold flavors and great conversation. Sunday 6/1. $275.
• 🍲 Sample the best of Del Ray at this annual food fest! Enjoy unlimited bites from Alexandria’s top restaurants + wine tastings if you upgrade for VIP access. Sunday 6/1. $13+
• 🎈 Join or watch the curry cook-off from neighborhood restaurants on Cleveland Park Day! Expect community fun, live performances, and a pet fashion show. Saturday 6/7. Free.
• 🍲 With 200+ food vendors, 30+ live acts, giveaways, and a 21+ beer garden, this summer festival might be the biggest in the DMV! Come hungry and leave happy on Saturday 6/14. Free.

Know of something cool happening? Submit an event for consideration!

* 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.