Weekend Round Up, May 12 – 15
By • May 12, 2022 0 1469
With the unofficial start of summer nearly upon us, there are so many exciting options this weekend. Enjoy parades, art exhibit openings, book and film festivals and so much more.
Celebrate 50 Years of the Renwick Gallery
Fête the opening of “This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World,” and toast 50 years of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery. A party on Friday evening will include fun food and drinks and the chance to be one of the first to check out over 150 artworks (including 135 new acquisitions on view for the first time!) Featured artists include Preston Singletary, Wanxin Zhang, Bisa Butler and more. Tickets to the Friday night shindig include sweet and savory treats, open bar, valet parking and DJ. Festive attire encouraged. More on the event can be found here.
Broaden your imagination at the Renwick Gallery this weekend. Courtesy Renwick Gallery.
D.C. Fire, EMS Hold Historic Parade, Tribute Saturday
This Saturday along the National Mall, D.C. Fire and EMS are holding a parade to celebrate 150 years of serving Washington, D.C. They’ll be honoring 101 fallen firefighters. Beginning at 11 a.m., the parade will head west along Constitution Ave. from 7th-14th Streets NW. Modern and antique fire equipment will be parading through from 1-3:30 p.m. from 14th St to 12th St. NW on Pennsylvania Ave. More on the parade can be found here.
Take a Little Road Trip to Books in Bloom
The sixth annual Books in Bloom festival will be this Sunday in Columbia, MD. Carl Bernstein, Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter who helped break the Watergate story and author of a new book: Chasing History: A Kid in the Newsroom will be headlining. The lineup includes linguist, podcast and author Amanda Montell (“Cultish”) and others. Books in Bloom was established in 2017 to celebrate Columbia’s 50th anniversary. More on the festival can be found here.
A snapshot from Books in Bloom, 2019. Courtesy Books in Bloom.
The Washington Jewish Film and Music Festival Returns This Weekend
For the first time since 2019, the Washington Jewish Film and Music Festival returns fully in-person. Starting today, the full roster includes 60 films from 15 countries with 10 concerts from musicians from the U.S., Canada and Ethiopia. The opening night film is “ROSE,” by Aurélie Saada and the festival, which runs through May 22, closes with “Greener Pastures.” More information on the festival can be found here.
Take the Family to Lincoln Memorial Centennial Day
Take the whole family to honor the Lincoln Memorial Centennial this Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The National Park Service, Library of Congress, Ford’s Theatre Society, National Archives, Tudor Place and President Lincoln’s Cottage will all be on hand to engage in hands-on activities and connect visitors to the 100-year-old story of the Lincoln Memorial. Kids will be excited to learn they have a chance to earn a Lincoln Memorial Centennial commemorative Junior Ranger badge. More information on the event can be found here.
Inside the Lincoln Memorial. Photo by Angela B. Pan.
See “Voices of Zion: The Black Georgetown Cemeteries Project”
Telling the little-known story of the Black cemeteries of Georgetown and the urgency of saving and restoring them, this immersive production from Alliance for New Music-Theatre in collaboration with Female Union Band Society – Mt. Zion Cemeteries Memorial Park and Dumbarton United Methodist Church will be held on May 13, 14, 20, and 21 at 7:00 p.m. Wear comfortable shoes for the cemetery and be prepared to walk through Georgetown for approximately 15 minutes. More info on the production can be found by calling 202-256-7614 or going here.
Visit Europe—Just Down the Street!
This Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the European Union Open House is back. The EU and its embassies open their doors for a day of food, music, cultural activities and more. The event traditionally falls every year on the first Saturday after Europe Day on May 9. Normally you have to cross the Atlantic to visit the EU, but at the Open House, just walk down the street! No registration, tickets or passport required. More information here.
The EU Open House is back this weekend. Courtesy European Union Delegations.
