Things I'm Talking About

• We will be hosting another Petworth Pretty Kitties Cat Crawl on October 3! After that, it will be a yearly event each fall. The route is likely to change, so if you are in Petworth, fill out the interest form to be considered for the route! Or, let me know if you're interested in volunteering.
• There will be a pet costume contest for Columbia Heights Day on May 16. You can sign up your pet here.
• The endangered jade vine is in bloom at the US Botanic Garden Tropics house right now if you want to get a chance to see this rare beauty.
• As if the Potomac hasn't dealt with enough, 20,000 gallons of jet fuel spilled at Joint Base Andrews.
• Malcom X/Meridian Hill Park fountains are on! The last time I saw them on was summer 2015, so a full decade.
• The final piece of the Purple Line has been installed. It's expected to open in winter 2027.
• There's a big snack food recall due to salmonella, including some potato chips and (important to my diet) Ghirardelli Chocolate Powders.
• It's Police Week in DC.

Valerie

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

Last week, we asked: What's the perfect temperature for being outside in DC? You responded:

• 70 (39.6%)
• 75 (39.6%)
• 65% below (12.1%)
• 80 (6.6%)
• 85+ (2.2%)

The Designer Warehouse Sale People Wait All Year For

Looking for pieces that make your home feel designed instead of decorated?

The Annual Lisa & Leroy Warehouse Sale on May 30 & 31 is packed with expressive furniture, vintage decor, statement lighting, layered textiles, and designer finds for up to 75% off.

Think bold interiors, curated details, and luxurious pieces that you won’t find in big box stores.

✨ Designer furniture + decor
✨ Vintage finds & one-of-a-kind pieces
✨ Lighting, textiles, art & more
✨ On-site design guidance

👉 Get the details »​

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: Et Voila

"Et Viola. The hanger steak with green peppercorn sauce is superb" Anna

Location: 5120 MacArthur Boulevard, NW
​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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• 🤝 Learn how to turn your neighborhood into a tree paradise with Casey Trees, DC's top tree nonprofit who'll share secrets about free trees, rain gardens, and volunteer opportunities. Plus they're giving away tree identification books! Wednesday 5/13. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Petals & Potions: A Witchy Spring Soiree brings together florals, fragrance, and tarot readings at Hummingbird Bar's candlelit patio. You'll get a welcome bubbly, create your own floral bundle, swap seeds with other plant lovers, and enjoy complimentary appetizers with dinner. Wednesday 5/13. Free.
• 📖 Manuscript artist Debra Band will share the story behind her five biblical illuminated manuscripts that the Library of Congress just acquired, exploring how she blends American and Jewish values in her art. You'll get to see how ancient texts come alive through her distinctly American lens. Wednesday 5/13. Free.
• 🎭 Pack a blanket and get ready for Jurassic Park under the stars at this outdoor movie series in NoMa. Show up early for lawn games and food trucks before the dinosaurs take over at sunset. Wednesday 5/13. Free.
• 🧑‍🍳 Ever wanted to roll your own sushi like a pro? This hands-on sushi class at Lost Boy Cider teaches you everything from prepping rice to selecting fish, plus you'll make three different rolls with salmon, tuna, and all the fixings. Wednesday 5/13. $69.*
• 🎭 Tour Hillwood's mansion and gardens, then catch a classic film after dinner at their café. You can explore the estate, grab a bite, and watch Sunset Boulevard under the stars. Wednesday 5/13. $22.

• 🎭 Get ready to cringe in the best way possible at Freaks & Geeks with Story District & Mortified DC, where brave adults share their real teen diaries, bad poems, and embarrassing artifacts live on stage. It's hilariously awkward and painfully relatable for anyone who survived the chaos of adolescence. Thursday 5/14. $28.
• 📖 Hear powerful stories from LGBTQ+ elders about love, chosen family, and caring for each other during times when the world didn't recognize their relationships. This intergenerational storytelling evening covers everything from partnerships before marriage equality to friendship as survival. Thursday 5/14. $25.
• 🛍️ Tiger Fork and Hi-Lawn are turning the rooftop into a Hong Kong-style night market with street food from local chefs, pop-up shops, and lion dancing. You'll get to eat your way through two floors while browsing handmade jewelry and ceramics. Thursday 5/14. $8.
• 🤓 Think you can take on a chess master? Test your skills against Women's FIDE Master Devina D. in a simultaneous exhibition where she'll play up to 20 people at once. Whether you're a chess newbie or tournament regular, you'll get to see what it's like to face off against elite-level player. Thursday 5/14. $25.
• 🎭 Three Palestinian grandmothers share their stories in this moving documentary screening, followed by a discussion with the director and producer. You'll hear personal testimony about family, memory, and resilience across generations, plus there's a light reception with drinks and sweets. Thursday 5/14. $9.
• 📖 Folger Salon with Nakeisha Daniel and JaMeeka Holloway, and Lorenzo Gatta explores fascinating connections between Gullah-Geechee and Shakespearean English, plus Iroquois architecture research. You'll hear from current Folger fellows sharing their latest discoveries, then stick around for casual conversation. Thursday 5/14. Free.

• 🍲 Sample wines from 20+ Virginia wineries on Mount Vernon's historic grounds while enjoying live music and touring the newly restored Mansion after hours. You can even meet George Washington himself and snag a commemorative wine glass. This usually sells out! Friday 5/15-5/17. $51+.
• 🤸 Bike to Work Day has over 100 pit stops across DC, MD, and VA with free food, drinks, and t-shirts for the first 18,000 people who show up. Perfect excuse to dust off that bike and maybe discover a new route to work! Friday 5/15. Free.
• 🕺 Satin Jackets brings nu-disco and Balearic house vibes to Flash Nightclub for a night of polished electronic beats that'll get you moving. German producer Tim Bernhardt blends disco with deep house perfectly. Friday 5/15. $28.
• 🍾 Get ready for Heated Twilight at 930 Club, where hockey rivalry meets vampire fantasy with fan video edits, a costume contest, and drag performances. Think sports bar meets gothic club night with all the camp you could want. Friday 5/15. $32+.*
• 🕺 Picture this: salsa lessons followed by dancing under the stars to a live Latin band on a gorgeous Embassy Row rooftop with the DC skyline as your backdrop. Whether you're a total beginner or already know your moves, this Havana-themed night has mojitos and good energy for everyone. Friday 5/15. $29+.
• 🍽️ The 118 Foundation's Comeback Celebration brings together food, open bar, and live music from LUSH (a four-time Best of D.C. cover band) to support young adults making their comeback from cancer. You'll get to bid on auction items while supporting an amazing cause that helps people ages 18-39 rebuild their lives after cancer. Friday 5/15. $50.
• 🎭 Turn James Joyce's famously unread 800-page Ulysses into a fun 45-minute show that's perfect for kids and adults who've been intimidated by the book. Think pop-up worlds, music, and witty storytelling help make sense. Friday 5/15-5/16. $18+.

• 🍾 Part 2 of the viral look-alike contest is happening at Wunder Garten and this time they're looking for Kip and Scott doppelgangers after Ilya and Shane broke the internet. You'll get DJ sets, the contest at 4 PM, plus Thirst & Paint to round out the night. Saturday 5/16. Free.
• 🎈 The Anacostia River Festival is celebrating DC's amazing women with free family fun at Anacostia Park. You'll find community activities, culture, and good times while honoring the founding mothers who helped shape our city. Saturday 5/16. Free.
• 🌐 Fiesta Asia Street Fair brings over 1,000 performers, food vendors, and artisans to Pennsylvania Avenue for 8 straight hours of Pan-Asian culture. You can catch dragon adoptions, cooking competitions, cosplay contests, and karaoke duels alongside incredible food and live performances. Saturday 5/16. Free.
• 🖼️ The Washington DC Pancakes & Booze Art Show combines 750+ pieces of local art with all-you-can-eat pancakes and drinks at Penn Social. It's like a gallery opening but way more fun, with live DJs and body painting happening until midnight. Saturday 5/16. $17.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Bring your favorite European dish to this pan-European potluck picnic by the Alexandria waterfront where you can meet fellow European expats and food lovers. Pack a blanket since picnic tables are limited, but plates and cutlery are covered! Saturday 5/16. Free.
• 🏰 Watch blacksmiths, carpenters, and other craftspeople show off the historic trades that kept Peirce Mill running in the 1800s. You can try hands-on activities like rope making and pottery, plus grab some locally milled goodies from the pop-up shops. Saturday 5/16. Free.
• 🕺 Jazz at The Kreeger brings you the Flavio Silva/Bruce Williams 4tet in an intimate museum setting where you can explore the galleries before the 3pm show. Your ticket gets you both the concert and access to wander through the art collections and sculpture garden. Saturday 5/16. $35.
• 🤸 Yoga in the Sculpture Garden combines your morning stretch with beautiful outdoor art at the Kreeger Museum. It's an all-levels class, so bring your mat and get ready to zen out among the sculptures. Saturday 5/16. $25.
• 🧠 Learn how to make your garden both gorgeous and productive at this hands-on workshop focusing on pollinator-friendly plants and vertical growing tricks. You'll get practical tips for creating a space that feeds both you and the bees. Saturday 5/16. Free.
• 🤸 Lace up for the Hero Dog Memorial 5K at Congressional Cemetery, where you'll run through historic grounds while honoring our four-legged heroes. Early bird pricing ends March 30th, so don't wait if you want that guaranteed t-shirt! Saturday 5/16. $30+.

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 If you've lost a furry friend, this Pet Loss Cafe at Congressional Cemetery creates a safe space to share memories and connect with others who understand. You can bring photos or mementos if you want, and there will be therapy professionals and K9 Corps members there for support. Sunday 5/17. Free.
• 🌲 Ever wonder how birds navigate thousands of miles without GPS? This beginner-friendly migration workshop at the National Arboretum breaks down the science behind one of nature's coolest mysteries. You'll learn about magnetic fields, star navigation, and how to help migrating birds in your own backyard. Sunday 5/17. Free.
• 🌐 Asian Festival on Main in Fairfax is Virginia's largest Asian festival with hundreds of vendors celebrating all Asian cultures and over 20,000 people having a great time. Try new foods, find unique crafts, and experience the diversity of Asian communities. Sunday 5/17. Price not stated.
• 🖌️ Create your own aromatic herb bundle after getting inspired by abstract art in the galleries. You'll work with fresh eucalyptus, sage, rosemary, and lavender to make something beautiful for your home. Sunday 5/17. $75.
• 🛍️ Browse unique finds from Asian American and Pacific Islander artists and vintage sellers at this free market at Maketto. Perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon discovering one-of-a-kind pieces while celebrating AAPI History Month. Sunday 5/17. Free.
• 🍱 Spring Veg-Fest brings together plant-based vendors like Loma Linda and local favorite Irresistibly Vegan for samples, giveaways, and wellness classes. Perfect way to discover new veggie favorites and maybe pick up some healthy living tips. Sunday 5/17. Free.
• 🖌️ Bring clothes you're tired of to this upcycling party where you can add prints, make patches, or dye them into something fresh. Plus there's an art supply swap so you can trade materials you don't use for ones you will. Sunday 5/17. Free.
• 📖 The R&B Club is celebrating Janet Jackson's legacy with a musical discussion that's part book club, part dance party. Perfect timing since it's right after her 60th birthday and Control's 40th anniversary. Sunday 5/17. $15.
• 🧠 Build a birdhouse for native species and learn which birds to attract, where to place it, and how your backyard can help with bird conservation. All materials included, no woodworking skills needed! Sunday 5/17. $5 or free.
• 🎈 Spring Street Fair in College Park brings food, activities, and family fun to Davis Hall for an afternoon that's perfect for everyone. Free parking. Sunday 5/17. Free.

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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.