Things I'm Talking About

• Maryland has a pending bill to help protect vernal wetlands.
• ICE is cracking down on local restaurant staff, including those with visas.
• The Heated Rivalry dance party at The Anthem on March 6 is having a Shane & Ilya lookalike contest, but you'll need to already have tickets to enter because it's sold out.
• With the layoffs of the Washington Post's local sports coverage, the Baltimore Banner has announced they are going to be covering DC sports. They had announced recently that they will also start covering Prince George's County, so this seems like an expansion of DC-area local coverage.
• US Botanic Garden is hosting a talk about their first-ever corpse flower that will bloom in the winter, for those interested in the science. They haven't announced their normal corpse flower watch so it's unclear when it will actually bloom, but keep an eye out if you want to go see one of these rare flowers.
• With the sewage spill in the Potomac, the Army Corps of Engineers is being pushed to find alternative sources for drinking water in case of future emergencies. Currently, DC depends on the Potomac River, and only has 1 day backup supply.
• DC is gearing up for a fight with the federal government after its tax bill. DC Attorney General says that Congress did not legally repeal a DC bill that decouples parts of the DC tax code from the federal tax code.
• If you like flowers, reminder that Art in Bloom is coming up and frequently sells out.

Valerie

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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: Belga Cafe

"@belgacafe - started the fine dining on Barracks Row & stood the test of time. DC Gem!" Matt

Locations: 514 8th Street SE, Washington, DC
​Website​

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• 🖌️ Learn to master a sewing machine and turn fabric into custom clothes or home décor pieces. All supplies are provided, so just bring your creativity! Wednesday 2/25. Free.
• 🧠 Learn the actual science behind making and keeping friends with psychologist Dr. Marisa Franco, who wrote the bestseller on friendship and connection. You'll get practical tips you can actually use to build better relationships and find your people. Wednesday 2/25. $14 advance, $17 door.
• 📖 Get an insider's look at the "Freedom and Resistance" exhibit inspired by The 1619 Project with a 45-minute guided tour at MLK Library. Come for Black History Month and explore how Black American experiences connect to ideals of freedom. Wednesday 2/25. Free.
• 🎈 Benning Library is giving away free chocolate treats every Wednesday in February to celebrate National Chocolate Month. Just show up and grab some sweet goodness while supplies last! Wednesday 2/25. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Mix and mingle with fellow creatives at this winter networking social inside Steadfast Supply, an award-winning Navy Yard gift shop that champions independent makers. You'll get free snacks while browsing cool local designs and meeting other artists in a relaxed setting. Wednesday 2/25. Free.
• 📜 Learn about the incredible journey of Albert and Mary Newman, who escaped Virginia after the Civil War and built Newmantown at Agricultural History Farm Park. This winter walk tells their story of resilience, family, and community building that shaped local Black history. Wednesday 2/25. Free.

• 📜 Learn about the groundbreaking Black architects who shaped DC's skyline from Benjamin Banneker's surveying work to modern-day designers. The DC Preservation League is sharing fresh research findings that'll change how you see the city's buildings in this webinar. Thursday 2/26. Price not stated.
• 📖 Award-winning interior designer Lorna Gross shares how to create spaces and gatherings that actually mean something in this final lecture of the Great Homes and Gardens series. She'll show stunning design projects and sign copies of her book afterward. Thursday 2/26. $22.
• 🖌️ Learn the Japanese art of Kintsugi while setting intentions for the new year by breaking and repairing ceramics with gold. You'll leave with a beautiful keepsake that celebrates your own resilience and growth. Thursday 2/26. $70.
• 📖 Date Night at The Kreeger Museum lets you explore the collection after hours with interactive tours and drinks. Perfect for couples or friends who want to see art without the daytime crowds. Thursday 2/26. $25.
• 📖 Renowned cartographer Tom Patterson is sharing the wild evolution of map-making from his early pencil sketches to today's AI-powered terrain tools, plus there are hands-on topographic games in the Great Hall. Thursday 2/26. Free.
• 🤓 Celebrate Pokemon's 30th anniversary with trivia, trading, mini-games, and a Pokemon XD tournament at this 21+ party. Bring your cards, pins, and plushies to trade with fellow trainers! Thursday 2/26. Free.

• 🍾 Heated Rivalry: A Jockstar Rave brings party boy anthems and club hits to Black Cat with DJs spinning everything that'll get you moving. Friday 2/27. $19+.
• 🕺 Festival of Music & Love brings together R&B, soul, and Arabic music for a family-friendly celebration that showcases the best DMV artists. You'll hear everything from classic Arabic songs to French chansons adapted into Arabic, plus contemporary sounds. Friday 2/27. Free.
• 🕺 Watch South African performance artist Nelisiwe Xaba perform Plasticization at the African Art Museum, a powerful piece about migration and identity, followed by a panel discussion with the artist and other performance theorists. Friday 2/27. Free.
• 🎭 Join an evening of storytelling featuring five of the DMV's best storytellers sharing true, personal stories to celebrate Black History Month. You'll get complimentary wine, great coffee, and DJ Queen Supreme spinning between stories. Friday 2/27. $23.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Creative Kickback at Kbird DC turns the Studio Theatre's cocktail bar into a creative playground where filmmakers, writers, artists, and everyone in between can work on projects while making new friends. Think hands-on activities, good conversation, and space to create whatever you're working on. Friday 2/27. $10.
• 🎭 Get ready to laugh until your sides hurt at this Stand Up Comedy Showcase at Shaw's Tavern featuring six of DC's funniest comedians who've performed at DC Improv and The Comedy Store. Friday 2/27. $15.
• 🧑‍🍳 Learn to make perfect French macarons from scratch with Chef Dobbie in this hands-on Valentine's workshop. No baking experience needed, and you'll leave knowing how to recreate these delicate treats at home. Friday 2/27. Price varies.*
• 🕺 Earlybirds Club DC is a dance party designed for people who actually have plans the next day - it wraps up by 10pm so you can still be functional in the morning. Perfect for anyone who wants to dance but doesn't want to sacrifice their Saturday productivity. Friday 2/27. $89+.*
• 🖌️ You'll make your own luxurious soap from scratch and design a fresh flower bouquet at this hands-on workshop at La Cosecha. Friday 2/27. $110.

• 🌲 Join a relaxed bird walk through Kingman & Heritage Islands where you'll spot feathered friends at an easy pace with fellow nature lovers. Perfect for beginners and bird pros alike, and they'll have extra binoculars if you need them. Saturday 2/28. Donation.
• 🤸 Race the Rails 2026 is DC's Metro-following race where you run 35 miles along the Yellow Line, hitting 10 stations and taking selfies to prove it. You can go solo or split it with up to 5 teammates, and there's a post-race party at Crush Bar to celebrate surviving the adventure. Saturday 2/28. $18+.
• 🖼️ This is your last chance to catch The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art before it closes forever, complete with curator talks and live didgeridoo performances. Saturday 2/28. Free.
• 🖌️ Create your own tarot deck using mixed media in this hands-on workshop at MLK Library's Fabrication Lab. This is the first of five monthly sessions, so you'll need to commit to the full series through May. Saturday 2/28. Free.
• 📖 Explore the National Museum of African American History and Culture through a writer's lens with author Dolen Perkins-Valdez, who'll show you how museum exhibits can spark amazing stories. You'll discover how to turn what you see into writing prompts and maybe find your next creative project. Saturday 2/28. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Share stories about plant wisdom passed down through your family at this intimate storytelling gathering exploring how herbs, gardens, and healing practices connect us across generations. Saturday 2/28. Free.
• 🍲 Get free pastry tastings at De Ma Vie's soft opening and sample signature creations from Italian and French chefs at this new Tysons Corner bakery. Saturday 2/28-3/1. Free.
• 📜 Step into Civil War soldier life with hands-on drills and camp exploration at Rock Creek Park, then hike to Fort DeRussy with reenactors. You'll practice drill movements, check out a reproduction tent, and hear stories about what daily life was really like for soldiers. Saturday 2/28. Free.
• 🕺 The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra is bringing Afro-Cuban jazz to life with classics like "Manteca" and "Mango Mangue" that'll have you moving in your seat. You'll hear how Cuban rhythms transformed American jazz in the most delicious way possible. Saturday 2/28. $30-40.
• 🖌️ Create your own magical mini terrarium with fairy garden decor using live houseplants, tiny mushrooms, and woodland creatures. You'll leave with a whimsical glass bowl garden that looks like something straight out of a storybook. Saturday 2/28. $31+.

• 🖼️ Free Community Day at the National Museum of Women in the Arts kicks off Women's History Month with hands-on art activities, collection tours, and a cool poster wall where you can wheat paste your own message. Perfect way to spend a Sunday exploring art and making your voice heard. Sunday 3/1. Free.
• 🧠 Here’s a chance to learn bonsai hands-on with the Bonsai Apprenticeship 2026 at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum where you’ll care for historic trees and get one-on-one training from experts. Starts Sunday 3/1/26. Free.
• 🖌️ Learn to create gorgeous buttercream flowers using Russian piping tips in this hands-on cake decorating class with Celebrity Pastry Chef Dawn. You'll go home with a beautifully decorated cake and new skills to impress everyone. Sunday 3/1. $146.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Planning your dream wedding just got way more fun at this LGBTQ+ Wedding Expo at the Watergate Hotel where you can meet awesome vendors, sip cocktails, and maybe win some cool prizes. Sunday 3/1. Free.
• 📖 Take a guided tour of the African Art Museum entirely in French as part of the DC Francophonie Cultural Festival, with special focus on artists from French-speaking Africa. Perfect if you want to practice your French while exploring amazing art! Sunday 3/1. Free.
• 🎭 Catch the closing night film "Christy" at the Capital Irish Film Festival about two brothers reconnecting in Cork, plus stick around for the reception at McGinty's Pub afterward. This Berlin Film Festival winner promises to be both heartfelt and fun. Sunday 3/1. $15.
• 🖼️ A self-guided experience opens at the International Spy Museum with four immersive galleries exploring how hiding in plain sight evolved from animal mimicry to digital warfare. You'll see real artifacts and stories connecting nature, military history, fashion, and pop culture in ways that'll surprise you. Sunday 3/1. $15.
• 🖌️ Learn the art of candle making with 51st Wick in this hands-on workshop where you'll blend scents and create your own custom candle to take home. Perfect for beginners or anyone who wants to try something creative and relaxing. Sunday 3/1. $25.

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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.