Things I'm Talking About

• The La Boum brunch is back, which felt like some sort of trend cycle indicator, but then I realized it still has been happening every year, it's just that my friends grew out of it 😆
• DC Office of Planning released some new storymaps of the history different DC neighborhoods.
• AccuWeather is predicting a lower number of wildfires but expecting them to be more intense as droughts continue through much of the US.
• Speaking of droughts, a mix of low tide, sediment, and ongoing drought meant the Kingman Lake in DC on the Anacostia was almost dry last week.
• Blocks of concrete fell from the 7th Street SW bridge over 395 (the one you take when going from L'Enfant station to the Wharf), shutting down a lane.
• There are a few people who I think are really impressive and respect from afar because I just think they are so much cooler than me. One is master falconer Rodney Stotts, who I first saw years ago at the Kenilworth Lotus Festival. He'll be giving a raptor presentation on Saturday. Great for kids and adults.
• ​Petworth Porchfest is on Saturday. If you go, my favorites from recent years are Safety Bear, Griefcat, and Love Trip. This year they're spreading port-a-potties throughout the neighborhood too so you don't have to go down to Upshur for the bathroom.
• I'm introducing curated lists of things to do and recommendations. First up: Columbia Heights Taco Crawl. Reply and let me know any other lists you'd like to see!
• We have a pair of tickets to the The Knocks x Dragonette x Aquaria show at the 9:30 Club on Friday, May 29th to give away to a random member! To enter, reply to this email with "TICKETS" before 11:59 PM ET on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

Valerie

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

Last week, we asked: Do you want to see weekly bar events like trivia and open mic nights in the events list? You responded:

• Yes (71.1%)
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• No (13.2%)

Curate your space. Chat with a designer. Score up to 75% off!

On Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31 from 10 AM-4 PM, interior design studio Lisa & Leroy is opening their Hyattsville warehouse for their once-a-year sale.

Instead of mass-produced furniture, you'll find a curated, personal edit of distinctive furniture, statement lighting, vintage decor, and layered textiles typically reserved for luxury residential projects.

Members of their design team will be on-site to help you look through the collection, so bring your room photos and measurements if you want personalized advice on styling your space.

It's FREE to attend, and everything from their new arrivals to scratch-and-dent specials is marked down up to 75% off.

👉 Get the details here »​

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: Mallard

"i’m scared to put my favs bc i want to keep my friday night 7pm res but… mallard and indigo are my top restaurants in the last 5 years. not THE most inventive in the city but quality food every.single.time." emilie

Location: 1337 14th Street 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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• ​Ways to disconnect in DC​
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• 🌲 Grab a free native tree at Casey Trees' final spring giveaway where you can pick from serviceberry, hackberry, river birch, and more. Trees are first-come, first-served, so show up early and bring a vehicle ready to transport your new green addition home. Wednesday 5/27. Free.
• 🧠 Learn everything about growing amazing tomatoes from Washington Gardener Magazine's Kathy Jentz, plus get hands-on planting practice and take home seedlings. Wednesday 5/27. Free.
• 🍲 Eat a mystery 3-course meal while completely blindfolded at Ambar Clarendon and see how much your taste buds can actually tell you. You'll pick from meat, seafood, or veggie menus, but the rest is a delicious surprise. Wednesday 5/27. $72. *
• 🎈 Bring your lunch to Franklin Park for the DowntownDC Summer Kick-Off where DJ Harry Hotter is spinning, there's free treats from The Peach & Cobbler Factory and Tipsy Scoop DC, plus lawn games and a 360° video booth. You'll also get four chances to win prizes throughout the event. Wednesday 5/27. Free.
• 📖 Making Vinyl brings together the entire record industry for workshops, networking, and exclusive tours of Furnace Record Pressing to see how vinyl gets made. Perfect if you're in the music biz or just love records and want to peek behind the curtain. Wednesday 5/27. $227.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Dive into 1970s dystopian lit at this bimonthly book club exploring how America's post-Watergate malaise created some incredible cultural moments. They're reading everything from Philip K. Dick to Joan Didion while hanging out at Raven Grill. Wednesday 5/27. Free.

• 🎭 A Fine Madness brings theater directly to you with free community events happening across DC venues like Dupont Underground and local galleries. These special gatherings mix performance with conversation and connection, inspired by the idea of creating a modern Golden Record. Thursday 5/28. Free.
• 🍲 José Andrés is bringing his Spain My Way cookbook to life at Lincoln Theatre with stories behind his favorite dishes, recipes, and songs. Think part cooking show, part storytelling, all celebration. Thursday 5/28. $46+. *
• 🐾 Looking to meet someone who actually gets your dog obsession? Bark Mitzvah Singles Social is a playful mixer at Dacha Beer Garden where you'll rotate through small conversation circles with other dog-loving Jewish singles (bring your pup or just yourself). Pups get free cups, there's $2 off Tito's cocktails all night, and the whole thing is designed to feel relaxed and fun instead of awkward. Thursday 5/28. $19.
• 🖌️ Bring your knitting, sketching, scrapbooking, or whatever project you're working on to this social crafting session at the Museum of Contemporary Art Innovation Studio. Coffee and tea are on the house, and you can use your own materials or grab supplies at the studio. Thursday 5/28. Free.
• 📖 Meet the people who make Logan Circle tick at this TEDx meetup featuring local business leaders and a sneak peek at the 2026 speaker lineup. Thursday 5/28. $60+.
• 🏰 Sip wine and watch the sunset at Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House while the changing light shows off all the cool architectural details. You can tour the house, play yard games, and enjoy snacks as the day winds down. Thursday 5/28. $30.

• 🍾 Le Youth is bringing his cinematic melodic house set to A.I. Warehouse for a late-night dance party that promises sweeping synths and full room euphoria. Friday 5/29. $34+.
• 🤝 Catch The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi live at MLK Jr. Memorial Library as he hosts Democratic candidates for D.C. Delegate to Congress. You'll hear directly from the candidates about public safety, statehood, and federal interference, plus you can submit your own questions. Friday 5/29. Free.
• 📖 Get an exclusive sneak peek at We Make History exhibition at the Anacostia Community Museum before it opens to the public, with live jazz by Marcus Mitchell and food from DCity Smokehouse. This 21+ after-hours experience lets you explore how DC changemakers and history keepers shape our communities. Friday 5/29. Free.
• 🍾 If you're looking for a free night out with good music and good people, GROOVE at 18th St Lounge is spinning classic disco house and deep house all night long, plus there's an outdoor patio to catch the weather. Friday 5/29. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Come for the sexy storytelling open mic where real people share real stories from their sex lives, and stay for the judges, prizes, and totally welcoming crowd that makes you feel like you belong. This month's theme is "Sweetest Taboo," so bring your most thrilling tales or just enjoy the show, grab some pub food, and maybe win a spicy prize from the raffle. Friday 5/29. $30.
• 🧠 Ready to stop playing it safe at the mahjong table? Master Hong Kong-style strategy and scoring so you can build hands that actually pay off and read the table like a pro. You'll learn what makes a hand worth real points, how to spot bonus opportunities, and when to hold back instead of just going for the win. Friday 5/29. $53.
• 🖼️ Book lovers, this Capital Rare Book Fair preview night at the historic University Club gives you first dibs on rare finds while sipping wine and nibbling canapes. Your ticket also gets you into the full weekend fair, so you can browse at your own pace. Friday 5/29. $60.
• 🕺 Pack a picnic and claim your spot for Jazz in the Garden's "American Sounds" concert series in the National Gallery's Sculpture Garden. You'll need to enter a lottery the week before to snag passes, but day-of tickets are available starting at 5pm if you don't get picked. Friday 5/29. Free.
• 🕺 Catch the Nationals game then stick around for Taio Cruz performing his hits like "Dynamite" and "Break Your Heart" right on the field at Nationals Park. Your game ticket gets you into the concert, or you can grab special on-field passes to get closer to the action. Friday 5/29. $23+.
• 🖌️ Get your hands dirty at this planter pottery workshop where you'll build and decorate your own unique piece from scratch. Perfect for beginners and pottery pros alike, plus all materials and glazing are included. Friday 5/29. $125.

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Bring up to 15 accessories you don't wear anymore and trade them for new-to-you treasures at this community accessory swap at MLK Library. Think jewelry, bags, scarves, shoes, and sunglasses getting a second life with someone who'll actually use them. Saturday 5/30. Free.
• 🖌️ Analog Bag Weekend lets you hop between five Old Town Alexandria shops collecting embroidered patches and snagging 30% off craft kits like knitting supplies, watercolor sets, and journaling gear. Perfect for anyone ready to put down their phone and pick up something creative! Saturday 5/30-5/31. $39.
• 🛍️ Score designer decor for up to 75% off at this annual warehouse sale featuring new pieces, vintage finds, and scratch-and-dent specials. Their design team will be there to help you pick pieces that work in your space. Saturday 5/30-5/31. Free. *
• 🌲 Watch renowned falconer Rodney Stotts and his birds of prey take center stage at The Parks for a live raptor presentation celebrating Black Birders Week. Bring a lawn chair, settle in on the Great Lawn, and get inspired by the power of nature connection and bird conservation. Saturday 5/30. Free.
• 🌐 Fil-Am Spring Fest 2026 brings Filipino-American culture to Fair Oaks Mall with traditional performances, authentic food vendors, and family-friendly activities. Think cultural dances, incredible eats, and artisan shopping all in one spot. Saturday 5/30. Price not stated.
• 🕺 Petworth PorchFest 2026 turns the whole neighborhood into a music venue with bands playing on front porches from 2-7pm, plus a main stage at Petworth Park until 8pm. It's like the best block party ever, where you can wander around discovering new music and meeting your neighbors. Saturday 5/30. Free.
• 🏞️ Take a two-hour walking tour through Marvin Gaye Park with DC's urban forester to learn about the trees that keep the city cool, clean the air, and manage stormwater. You'll discover oak, tulip, and elm trees while hearing how community action transformed this space into a place of healing and peace over the past 25 years. Saturday 5/30. Free.
• 🤸 Beyond Yoga is hosting a free mat Pilates class with certified instructor Denita Brown, plus you get 20% off shopping after class. Bring your mat and water for 45 minutes of strength-building fun at Montgomery Mall. Saturday 5/30. Free.
• 🤓 Test your spelling skills (and maybe your sobriety) at this adult spelling bee with author Gabe Henry featuring fun categories like Urban Dictionary and cocktails for purchase. Sign up on the spot and compete for prizes in this open mic-style competition. Saturday 5/30. $20.

• 🕺 Spend your Sunday afternoon at Jazz in the Heights 2026, celebrating 50 years of Go-Go music with performances by Chelsey Green, Debórah Bond, and Akua Allrich in Ward 8. Free parking, great music, and a real community vibe all day long. Sunday 5/31. $8.
• 🌐 Moe Fest brings Go-Go music and community unity to Black Broadway for an afternoon celebrating DC's homegrown sound and culture. It's all about peace, unity, and keeping the Go-Go tradition alive in the heart of the city. Sunday 5/31. Free.
• 🤸 Start your morning with a community run or walk followed by Filipino brunch featuring award-winning chefs and specialty cold brew. Half the proceeds support Blood Cancer United, so you'll fuel your body and help a great cause. Sunday 5/31. $45.
• 📜 Follow John Wilkes Booth's actual escape route from Ford's Theatre through Maryland and Virginia. You'll visit Mary Surratt's house, Dr. Mudd's place where Booth got his leg treated, and the spot where he was finally captured, plus lunch at a crab house near where he crossed the Potomac. Sunday 5/31. $193.
• 🖌️ Harvest your own flowers from the farm and turn them into two gorgeous bouquets you get to take home. You'll learn simple color-pairing tricks and arrangement tips that make everything look naturally beautiful without any fuss. Sunday 5/31. $20.
• 🏞️ Take a break from the chaos and spend an evening wandering through Brookside Gardens with girls who get it. You'll hit everything from the rose garden to the butterfly garden to the Japanese style garden, plus get good conversation and laughs. Sunday 5/31. Free.
• 🌲 Paddle through the Potomac on a guided kayak tour where you might spot turtles, herons, and maybe even a bald eagle while learning about the river's history. It's a chill 1.5-hour adventure that gives you a different view of the city. Sunday 5/31. $36.
• 🧠 Get loose and find your confidence with R&B Yoga: All About Ari, a high-energy flow set to Ari Lennox's best tracks at Eaton Wellness. It's the perfect pre-show reset if you're catching her concert this weekend or just want to tap into your main character energy. Sunday 5/31. $29.

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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.