Things I'm Talking About

• People are excited about the Petworth Pretty Kitties Cat Crawl! I've gotten a ton of sign ups already, and have started putting up new signs for people who are interested in attending around the neighborhood. Grab a spot while you can, because I don't want this to be tooooo big.
  • If you are a business in the area, reach out if you want to do something cat-themed and get added to the map for attendees.
• There are two EDM music events this month that I just realized are separate:
  • GLOW Block Party, which brings Chris Lake and supporting acts to Pennsylvania Avenue this Saturday. Pretty cool idea to have it be more of a block party so you can be in bed early and enjoy the good weather. Seems like there will be more of these planned. This is being done by Club GLOW, and is also a separate event from Project GLOW fest, which is a true festival.
  • Sprung at the warehouses in Brentwood (Bertha etc) and featuring SG Lewis, Aluna, and Neil Frances.One stage will be open air, the others inside, and they say there will be carnival games. It's also this Saturday.
  • I feel like there's another one happening the following weekend but my mind is blank.
• The DC Chocolate Festival is next weekend and I'm really upset I'm going to miss it because there is some matcha chocolate and rice chocolate from last year that I am STILL thinking about.
• Tomorrow the Commission of Fine Arts will consider a proposal to paint the granite exterior of the Eisenhower Executive Office. You have until 4 PM today to act.

Valerie

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

Last week, I asked: How bad are your spring allergies right now? You responded:

• I don't have any (32.4%)
• Okay (26.5%)
• Horrible (22.1%)
• Bad (19.1%)

Making new guy friends is hard. Make it easy next Friday.

If you've been in DC a while and still find it weirdly hard to meet people, you're not alone, and that's exactly what Choros is built for. It's a men's social app that connects small groups of guys around DC for real-world hangouts: trivia, hikes, TopGolf, brewery nights, and more.

Events are intentionally small so you actually meet people. Callum says, "I feel like I actually get to know people instead of just showing up to an event with a mass of strangers."

Their next happy hour is Friday, April 24, 6-9 PM in Rosslyn, VA to grab a drink at a relaxed spot and see what it's about.

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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: Ammathar Thai Cuisine

"Ammathar Thai Cuisine in Logan Circle, formerly Thai Tanic. Same folks, same amazing food. Been going for close to 20 years. Hands down our favorite restaurant!" Jim

Location: 1326 14th St 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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• 🕺 Hayley Williams is finally doing her first solo tour and you can catch the Paramore frontwoman at The Fillmore Silver Spring for an intimate show. She'll be performing songs from her Grammy-nominated album in a much smaller venue than you'd usually see her. Wednesday 4/15. $323+.
• 🤸 Kick off the season with We Ride DC's group bike ride starting at 14th and Jefferson SW. Meet up at 6 PM, roll out at 6:30 PM, and explore the city on two wheels with fellow cyclists. Wednesday 4/15. Free.
• 🍲 Chef Nicolas Isnard from Michelin-starred L'Auberge de la Charme is teaming up with Xiquet's Chef Lledó for a multi-course tasting menu that blends French and Spanish techniques. You'll get to taste how two longtime chef friends create magic together with pristine seafood and heritage meats. Wednesday 4/15. $225.
• 🖼️ NMWA Nights is your monthly chance to explore the National Museum of Women in the Arts after hours with cocktails, live music, gallery tours, and hands-on art activities. Two drink tickets are included, so you can sip while you create or wander the galleries with friends. Wednesday 4/15. $25.
• 🕺 Bob Moses & Cannons are bringing their Afterglow Tour to The Anthem, mixing electronic beats with guitar-driven melodies that work whether you want to dance or just vibe. Wednesday 4/15. $62+.*
• 🤸 Join a weekly meditation circle where you can reset your week with guided and silent practice in a beautiful garden setting. Everyone's welcome, whether you're brand new to meditation or have been practicing for years. Wednesday 4/15. Price not stated.

• 🖌️ You get to create poetry using actual pages from the Library of Congress collections at this black-out poetry craft night in the stunning Great Hall. Just use markers to black out words and reveal hidden poems while live music plays around you. Thursday 4/16. Free.
• 🕺 Funny Farm: Pop-Up Comedy brings half a dozen DMV comics to a beautiful outdoor greenspace where you can BYOB and bring a picnic blanket. It's low-key stand-up in the middle of the city with seating provided or you can sprawl out however feels good. Thursday 4/16. $10.
• 🎭 Filmfest DC turns 40 this year with 11 days of international films spanning comedies, dramas, thrillers, and documentaries from around the globe. It's DC's biggest film festival, so you'll have plenty of movies to choose from whether you're into indie gems or crowd-pleasers. Thursday 4/16-4/26. Price not stated.
• 🕺 Demi Lovato brings her It's Not That Deep Tour to Capital One Arena with special guest ADÉLA for a night of high-energy dance-pop and those powerhouse vocals you know and love. Expect new tracks mixed with all the hits that'll have you singing along. Thursday 4/16. $73+.*
• 🖼️ Check out this Month Offline Exhibition where people who ditched their smartphones for a month show off the art they made during their digital detox. It's a phone-free celebration at Temperance Alley Garden where you can see what happens when creative folks time travel back to the 1990s. Thursday 4/16. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Bring everyone you know to the Day of Play at RFK for field games, food trucks, and music that'll keep all ages entertained during spring break. You'll find plenty of kid friendly activities, but also things just for adults without kids. Thursday 4/16. Free.

• 🕺 Get ready for something wonderfully weird at Cupboards Cabaret, featuring puppets in drag doing song and dance numbers that'll make you question everything in the best way. Stick around after the 90-minute show for a free open mic if you're feeling inspired. Friday 4/17. $17.
• 🕺 Get ready to embrace the chaos at Worst Dance Night in America, where hyperpop, electroclash, and glitch tracks collide at the Dew Drop Inn. Think Charli XCX meets experimental beats that'll make you feel like the main character in your own music video. Friday 4/17. Price not stated.
• 🌲 Spend golden hour at the Tudor Garden with a book, picnic, or friends on the springtime lawn. The garden stays open until 7:30pm, so you can catch that perfect evening light. Friday 4/17. $10 suggested donation.
• 🧠 Learn real surveillance techniques from FBI operative Eric O'Neill as you track a mysterious suspect through Tudor Place and Georgetown's shadowy streets. You'll practice covert photography and observation skills, then debrief over cocktails like actual spies. Friday 4/17. $225.
• 🖌️ Turn your feelings about the world into art at this hands-on workshop where artist Ava Bagley helps you process everything from global headlines to personal stuff through creative expression. No art experience needed, just bring your perspective and leave with something you made. Friday 4/17. $18.
• 🕺 The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra is taking you on a musical road trip across America with everything from New Orleans classics to avant-garde experiments. You'll hear Jelly Roll Morton, Sun Ra, and Leonard Bernstein all in one night at the cozy Warner Bros. Theater. Friday 4/17. $30+
• 🕺 Whether you want to belt out your favorite song or just cheer on brave performers, Open Mic Night at The Theatre Lab welcomes everyone ages 15+ to share their talents or simply enjoy the show with refreshments. Sign up ahead of time if you want to perform! Friday 4/17. Free.

• 🐾 Spend 24 hours at the Humane Rescue Alliance Shelter Slumber Pawty paired with a shelter dog, complete with field trips around DC, movie night, and sleeping next to your new furry friend. You'll help raise funds while giving pups some extra love and attention they really need. Saturday 4/18-4/19. Donation.
• 🛍️ Pick up fresh plants and herbs at this Annual Plant and Herb Sale at the gorgeous Franciscan Monastery grounds, where you can also check out the tulips in full bloom. It's run by volunteers who grow thousands of pounds of food for local food banks, so you're supporting a great cause while getting your garden ready for spring. Saturday 4/18-4/19. Free.
• 🕺 SG Lewis is bringing his disco-house magic to Zebbie's Garden for a late-night DJ set that'll keep you dancing until 4 AM. This is your chance to catch the dance-floor legend in a rare intimate setting. Saturday 4/18. $25.
• 🖌️ Make your own sugar scrub and take it home for some serious self-care time. You'll whip up something that smells amazing and leaves your skin super smooth. Saturday 4/18. Free.
• 🤓 Cherry Blossom Arcade 2026 brings together 20-30 local game developers showcasing everything from NES-style RPGs to physics-based comedy platformers you can actually play and chat about with their creators. Perfect for gamers, aspiring developers, or anyone curious about the indie scene. Saturday 4/18. Free.
• 🤝 Dozens of local organizations will be at the Volunteer Expo to help you find the perfect way to give back, whether you have an hour a week or a whole weekend to spare. From tutoring kids to helping at the botanical garden, there's something that matches your schedule and interests. Saturday 4/18. Free.
• 🧠 Take a break from screens and learn container gardening at the Anacostia Community Museum with hands-on workshops, story time for kids, and a relaxing sound bath. Perfect for anyone who wants to grow their own herbs and veggies, even if you think you have a black thumb! Saturday 4/18. Free.
• 🧑‍🍳 Learn to make classic French choux pastry from scratch in this hands-on baking class that's perfect for beginners. You'll mix, pipe, bake, and fill those light, airy pastries that make French bakeries so irresistible. Saturday 4/18. $69.*
• 📖 Shakespeare's Birthday Celebration at the Folger brings sword fighting demos, costume try-ons, and birthday cupcakes for everyone. You can watch Morris dancers, try writing with a quill, and see a 17th-century printing press in action. Saturday 4/18. Free.
• 🛍️ Thrift World Expo is back at the Fredericksburg Convention Center with sustainable fashion, vintage finds, vinyl records, art, and live painting. It's like a treasure hunt where everything you find is actually cool and affordable. Saturday 4/18. $7 general admission, $12 earlybird.

• 🌐 DC's 21st Anniversary Emancipation Day celebration is bringing serious star power to Franklin Park with T.I., Grammy-winner Mýa, and DC's own Backyard Band. You'll get a parade, festival, and concert all rolled into one day celebrating freedom. Sunday 4/19. Free.
• 🍲 Maryland Dairy Ice Cream Tasting + Scoop Pop-Up lets you taste four local dairies spun into fresh ice cream using liquid nitrogen and learn about fat content, sourcing, and flavor from a chef. Plus there's a casual scoop shop afterward if you want to hang around. Sunday 4/19. $75.
• 🤓 Channel your inner speed demon at this Mario Kart Tournament where 32 racers battle it out on the big screen for a trophy and single barrel bottle. Winner takes all, but everyone gets to drink and cheer on Nintendo Switch mayhem. Sunday 4/19. $35+.
• 🖌️ Learn the ancient Ukrainian art of Pysanky egg decorating using traditional tools, beeswax, and beautiful dyes to create your own symbolic masterpiece. You'll spend 4 hours with an instructor who's been perfecting this craft for over 30 years. Sunday 4/19. $95.
• 🖌️ Learn classic piping techniques and create your own vintage-style cake with professional decorator Aleatra Dimitrijevski at Union Market. You'll walk away with a gorgeous nostalgic cake and the skills to recreate the magic at home. Sunday 4/19. $132.
• 📖 Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury from Bridgerton!) is giving a personal talk about her journey as a theater maker, actor, and Shakespearean director at the Folger Theatre. She'll share candid stories about building her career and why she keeps doing what she loves. Sunday 4/19. $55.
• 🛍️ Spring plant sales are happening across Montgomery County with native plants, flowers, and garden goodies at spots like Brookside Gardens and Black Hill Discovery Center. Perfect way to green up your space while supporting local nature programs. Sunday 4/19. Prices vary.

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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.