Things I'm Talking About

• Whenever I fly into DCA, I can tell when I'm in Northern Virginia because you hit a certain point where it's just data centers as far as the eye can see south of the Potomac. This was my view on Saturday, and they continued on east as far as I could see.
• The Baltimore Orioles have announced their Bravo Night, with Baby Gorgeous and Gizelle Bryant making an appearance. Sadly VIP tickets are already sold out but I want to know why the Nats don't have this?????????
• There was a lot of chirping online about El Rey on U Street closing permanently, but El Rey has denied the rumors and said they are re-opening, though have not given a hint on dates.
• Natalie Nunn (of all people) is coming to the Fillmore* next month. I was surprised to learn that not only does she have a singing career, but she has 740k monthly listeners on Spotify.
• Cat Crawl update: I'm working with the cats to confirm their interest, but all signs are go for May 2! If you are a business not far from Upshur Street or the metro station and want to do a cat-themed special, let me know.

Valerie

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

Last week, I asked: It's April Fools. When's the last time you did an April Fools prank? You responded:

• When I was a kid (55.6%)
• 5+ years ago (29.6%)
• Less than 5 years ago (7.4%)
• Never (7.4%)

Live, high-stakes creative showdown, and you decide the winner

On Saturday, April 11, songSLAM DC brings together 10 composer-performer teams debuting brand-new original songs—each with just 5 minutes to win over the crowd. Then you take over, voting slam-style to decide who walks away with $2,000.

Hosted by acclaimed composer Lori Laitman and presented by Vocal Arts DC + Sparks & Wiry Cries, this is where bold music, storytelling, and audience energy collide. One stage. One night. No repeats.

​👉 Join the first-ever songSLAM DC »​

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: VEGZ

"I have to recommend VEGZ on 18th St NW. The food is SO good. It's entirely vegetarian and many dishes are vegan (hooray!) but that shouldn't dissuade anyone from trying it. The chole puri is life-changing. On our last visit, my partner and I ordered that plus the tadka dal and the baingan bharta, and between each bite we couldn't stop saying how delicious everything was. I hope you try out VEGZ if you haven't already and share with your readers. (As a note, their website is a little confusing - honestly I think the photos are just stock photos that they never swapped out, because that's not their food! But the online menu is accurate and they also have it posted in their window.)" Claire

Location: 2120 18th 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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• ​Cherry blossoms without the crowds​​
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• 🕺 Cardi B is bringing her Little Miss Drama Tour to Capital One Arena for her first arena tour in six years. The Pretty & Petty rapper is always an entertainer. Wednesday 4/8. $99+.*

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Cleveland Park Main Street is throwing a 6th anniversary party with free drinks, snacks from Spices Asian Restaurant, and live bluegrass music. Perfect excuse to meet your neighbors and celebrate the neighborhood! Thursday 4/9. Free.
• 🌸 Sip sake, listen to live jazz, and catch some spoken word poetry at this Japanese-inspired cultural evening in the Bridge District. You'll get curated sake tastings, authentic Japanese specialty items, and smooth jazz vibes all in one spot. Thursday 4/9. Free.
• 🖌️ National Gallery Nights combines gallery wandering with hands-on artmaking workshops, plus they're opening part of the West Building so you can check out some iconic American art pieces. Limited tickets available at the door. Thursday 4/9. Free.
• 📖 Come celebrate the power of storytelling at the HumanitiesDC Community Showcase where you'll meet fellow curious minds and hear about amazing community projects. It's a chance to connect with people doing fascinating work around DC and see how the humanities are making a real impact. Thursday 4/9. Free, $10 suggested donation.

• 🕺 Glen Echo's big anniversary contra dance is back with caller Penelope Weinberger and a massive open band that anyone with an instrument can join. No experience needed, just show up ready to learn some easy steps and enjoy yourself with hundreds of other dancers. Friday 4/10. Free.
• 🤸 Chase cherry blossoms on two wheels with DC Bike Party's biggest ride of the year through blooming neighborhoods. Meet up at Dupont Circle and roll out with hundreds of other cyclists for a fun spring celebration. Friday 4/10. Price not stated.
• 🎈 Montpelier Farms opens their tulip festival with 500,000 blooms across 6 acres, plus farm animals, hayrides, and fresh cider donuts. You can pick your own tulips for $1.50 per stem and make a whole day of it. Friday 4/10-4/12. $20.
• 🍾 Get ready to perreo all night at La Casita: A Bad Bunny Experience with non-stop reggaeton hits and Latino culture celebration. Perfect for anyone who wants to dance until their feet hurt! Friday 4/10. $19+.
• 🌸 Celebrate America's State Flowers at the U.S. Botanic Garden's Blossom Soirée with music, drinks, and way more than just cherry blossoms. You'll get to see the opening of their America250 exhibit while sipping cocktails surrounded by gorgeous blooms. Friday 4/10. $35.
• 🕺 Techno in the Park is back at Wangari Gardens with underground hero AMAL spinning experimental dance music under the spring sky. Dance outside and kick off the season right. Friday 4/10. Free.
• 🕺 Randall Goosby is bringing his world-class violin skills to the intimate Dumbarton Concerts space for an evening of Beethoven, Debussy, and Dvořák. This is your chance to see a soloist who regularly performs with orchestras like Chicago and Philadelphia in a cozy chamber music setting. Friday 4/10. $60.
• 🛍️ Ballston Quarter is hosting a spring pop-up market where you can build your own flower bouquet, browse handmade ceramics, and snap pics with floral installations. Friday 4/10. Free.
• 🌸 Art of Pink combines art browsing, Japanese bites, and a live mural battle at Metropolitan Park. You can check out the BLOOM exhibition while artists face off in a Secret Walls showdown. Friday 4/10. Free.

• 📖 Take a break from rushing around and spend quality time with art at this slow-looking session where you'll examine just five pieces for 10 minutes each, then chat about the experience with other art lovers. It's part of a global movement to help people actually connect with what they're seeing. Saturday 4/11. Free with admission.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Bring your old CDs, records, and DVDs to this physical media swap at Rhizome DC where you can trade for new treasures without spending a dime. It's like a giant friendly exchange where everyone wins and streaming services lose! Saturday 4/11. Free.
• 📜 Honor DC's emancipation history by reading the names of formerly enslaved persons at this meaningful ceremony, then help tidy up the sacred burial grounds afterward. Bring gloves and a thermos of something warm to share! Saturday 4/11. Free.
• 🌲 Skip the parking hassles and hop on FONA's shuttle to explore the Arboretum collections with docents sharing cool facts at each stop just as the azaleas start blooming. Plus food trucks will be parked near the Visitor Center when you get hungry! Saturday 4/11. $5.
• 🐾 Puppy yoga with rescue pups is exactly what it sounds like, and it benefits Fancy Cats & Dogs Rescue too. Bring an old yoga mat because these little ones aren't potty trained yet! Saturday 4/11. $55.
• 🎭 Step into the jury box for The Jury Experience, where you'll hear testimonies and vote on a murder case involving a politician's son and a deadly boat accident. Your decisions actually shape how the story unfolds, and you'll probably end up debating the verdict with everyone afterward. Saturday 4/11. $56+.*
• 🏰 Experience a centuries-old maritime tradition at the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony where sailors, fishermen, and mariners gather for safe journeys and spring's arrival. Stick around after for Navy Bean Soup made by the White House Mess! Saturday 4/11. Free.
• 🌸 The largest Japanese cultural celebration in the US is back with two days of authentic street festival fun, complete with sake tastings and all the Japanese food and culture you can handle. Kids 10 and under get in free! Saturday 4/11-4/12. $20+.
• 🕺 songSLAM DC puts 10 composer/performer teams head-to-head as they premiere brand new art songs and compete for $2000 in cash prizes. You get to vote for your favorites in this poetry slam-style showdown where each team has 5 minutes to wow the crowd with voice and one other instrument. Saturday 4/11. $20.*

• 🖼️ America's State Flowers opens at the U.S. Botanic Garden with gorgeous displays of every state and territory's official flower, from Texas bluebonnets to saguaro cactus blooms. Flower lovers and anyone curious about the natural symbols that represent all corners of America will love this. Sunday 4/12. Free.
• 📖 Scent & Stories: The First Bloom combines Southern Gothic literature with fragrance in an intimate salon setting at Elaine's, featuring author readings, a bloom bar, tarot readings, and candlelit conversations. You'll get a complimentary candle and body oil sample plus access to curated books and fragrances. Sunday 4/12. Free.
• 🌐 Celebrate Lao New Year with street food, live DJ, dancing, and an epic water fight featuring Lao, Thai, and Burmese flavors all in one place. It's a family-friendly community celebration where you can eat, dance, get soaked, and welcome good energy for the new year. Sunday 4/12. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Refresh your wardrobe without spending a dime at this plus size clothing swap where you can trade up to 10 pieces for new-to-you treasures in sizes XL and up. Bring clean, gently-used clothes and leave with a whole new look! Sunday 4/12. Free.
• 🖌️ Learn the zen art of bonsai care and repotting with Dr. Scott Barboza during Cherry Blossom Season at National Harbor. You'll get hands-on practice shaping your own starter tree to take home, plus all the know-how to keep it thriving. Sunday 4/12. $66.
• 🌸 Franklin Park transforms into a music lover's paradise with Jazz & Blossoms 2026, featuring live jazz, hip hop, DJs, plus giant games, origami workshops, and cherry blossom mocktails. It's a full-day celebration where you can picnic on the grass, join a drum circle, or just soak up the spring energy with your crew. Sunday 4/12. Free.
• 🤸 Kick off spring with a free community fitness day at Alethia Tanner Park featuring yoga, barre classes, an all-gender neighborhood walk, and food trucks. Plus you can win prizes from local fitness studios and grab free yoga mats while they last. Sunday 4/12. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Bring your coolest little treasures to this trinket swap where you can trade small items with fellow collectors and discover something awesome. There'll be snacks, prizes, and all leftover donations go to UpCycle and DC Goodwill. Sunday 4/12. $10.
• 🌲 Spring tulip season calls for this 8-mile bike ride to three gorgeous tulip spots along the Mount Vernon Trail, including stops at the Pentagon and Netherlands Carillon. You'll ride at a casual pace with plenty of photo breaks, then end at a tulip festival with carillon concerts. Sunday 4/12. $13.
• 🕺 Harpist Maeve Gilchrist and violinist Layale Chaker blend Celtic and Levantine musical traditions in their new suite "Smoke Veins" at the gorgeous Dumbarton Oaks Music Room. You'll hear centuries of storytelling woven into something completely fresh and beautiful. Sunday 4/12. $55.

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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.