The District is closing out April with a week that blends culture, community, and a few standout moments across the city.
Here’s what’s happening across the DMV:
Monday MOOD: The Prelude (4/27) + “Where the Light Falls” Immersive 4D Experience (4/28)
Start the week with an intimate R&B night featuring a live listening session for Phil Adé’s latest EP “Always Love” (7p - 12a, free). Then on Tuesday, step inside the Dome at Hi-Lawn for “Where the Light Falls,” a 4D immersive audiovisual experience by Pierre Edwards and DJ Money blending music, poetry voiced by singer Alex Vaughn, and surreal visuals into a reflective journey through sound and light (6p - 11p, $23).
School Daze Screening w/ Spike Lee (Friday, 5/1)
Lee brings his iconic film “School Daze” to the Lincoln Theatre for a special screening that revisits HBCU culture, activism, and the lasting impact of Black cinema (8p, $33)
Love Don’t Cost a Thing: R&B Experience hosted by Leon Thomas (Saturday, 5/2)
This curated night of music hosted by Grammy Award-winning artist Leon Thomas will takeover Karma from 10p - 3a ($48+)
Sable Bourbon Bottle Signing & Meet and Greet (Sunday, 5/3)
Meet the creators behind Sable Bourbon, including Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, and Malcolm D. Lee, at Costco this Sunday for signed bottles of their bourbon and photo ops (1p - 4p, free)
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ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
Through 5/3
Transportation Week at the National Museum of American History
Will have tours, hands-on activities, and talks exploring the past, present, and future of transportation (free)
4/30 + 5/1 (THURSDAY + FRIDAY)
Black Light: A Howard Short Film Showcase
Miracle Theatre | 6p - 10p, $36+
5/1 - 5/3 (FRIDAY - SUNDAY)
Bruno Mars x Hello Kitty Pop-Up
Gallery Space (737 7th Street NW) | Open 10a - 6p
Will have exclusive merch, themed treats, and kawaii-meets-luxury vibes for Mars’ The Romantic Tour
Grand Opening Weekend of WE MAKE DC
1140 Connecticut Ave NW | 5p Fri / 11a Sat + Sun, free
A new retail and cultural activation debuts with a weekend spotlighting DC’s makers, artists, and creative community
May the 4th (Force) Be With You: 8th Street SE Star Wars Weekend
Barracks Row | multiple event times, various price points
Will have various Star Wars-themed events, from family-friendly outings to 21+ parties and bar popups
TUESDAY
Metro Message Live: Bus Town Hall
WMATA Corporate Office | 5:30p - 7p, free
Discussion of the bus system with metro leadership
WEDNESDAY
Movies in Milian outdoor screening of “Soul”
Milian Park | 7:30p - 10p, free
THURSDAY
EAT.DRINK.SHAW.
Howard Theatre | 7p - 9:30p, $55+
Will have unlimited bites from 20+ neighborhood eateries & bars
Crabs & Crushes
Cowbell Seafood & Oyster | seating at 5:30p + 7:45p, $165+
Blue crabs and orange crushes are the main menu items at this feast
Portrait Gallery Reading Rhythms
National Portrait Gallery | 5:15p, free
Reading meetup with 1-on-1 and group discussions, as well as silent reading periods
Bubbles & Buckets Chandon Wine Dinner
Dovetail | 5p - 9p, $109
4-course wine pairing dinner
Cocktails & Conversations: Future of Food Waste
US Botanic Garden | 6:30p - 8:30p, free (currently waitlist only)
After-hours panel with local experts exploring composting, sustainable practices, and the future of food waste.
FRIDAY
Springtime in Paris
Embassy of France | 6p - 9p, $108+
Wine tasting event
SATURDAY
Electric Vehicle Grand Prix
RFK Stadium | 9a - 4p, free
Student-built electric vehicles hit the track for this annual race, showcasing innovation, engineering, and clean energy in a high-speed competition
The Running of the Chihuahuas
The Wharf | 2p - 5p, free
Family-friendly event with dog races, music, a beer garden, & more
Lucha Libre Cinco De Mayo
Hook Hall | 12p - 3p, $24+
Spades Brunch Experience
THRōW Social | 1p - 8p, $18+
Carousel Day
Glen Echo Park in MD | 11a - 4p, free
Season-opener event for the 105-year-old Dentzel carousel in the park, will have family-friendly activities, live performances, & more
PETWORTH POP UP
400 Kennedy St NW | 1p - 7p, free
Vendor market with open art studios, music, & more
Seat Pleasant Day
Goodwin Park in MD | 9:30a - 4p, free
Family-friendly festival
Kentucky Derby Viewing Party
Jack Rose Dining Saloon | 5p, $60
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PARTIES + MIXERS
TUESDAY
DMV DOES Rep Your Alma Mater Mixer
Crystal City Sports Pub in Arlington, VA | 6:30p - 9:30p, free
WEDNESDAY
Under the Lights: Golf
Langston Golf Course | 7p - 10p, $40+
Afterhours golfing event with music & vendors
THURSDAY
MÉNAGE A TROIS: Jay Z, Mary J. Blige & Musiq Soulchild Album Party
Everyday People | 7p - 10p, free
ACT XXIV - THURSTDAY TAKEOVER
Thurst Lounge | 8p - 1a, free
LGBTQIA+-friendly
FRIDAY
Gogo Fridays with TOB
THRōW Social | 9p - 3a, $30+
2016 Throwback Party hosted by NAV
Bravo Bravo | 10p - 3a, $48+
Big G’s Outta Space Birthday Bash
Echostage | 10p, $75
Moms Feelin’ Themselves (MFT) presents The Mom Dance Party
Union Stage | 7p, $40
ElevateEnt X James Peele Events: DC vs NY
Public Bar Live | 10p - 3a, free
LGBTQIA+-friendly
SATURDAY
Tacos and Tequila Day Party
metrobar | 4p - 12a, free
Sündown: Achromatic & Friends
Tigres de la Noche | 4p - 9p, $35+
Phoneless-party - attendees’ phones will be stored in pouches locked by staff. You can keep your pouch with you during the event & staff will unlock it once you leave.
Tequila Stories Day Party
12 Stories | 3p - 9p, free
Amigo De Mayo
STFU | 9p - 2a, free
FESTIVAL de TEQUILA
BERHTA | 2p, $18+
SUNDAY
The Tequila Social : Casa Del Tequila!
SOST | 4p - 10p, free
Sunday Stories Day Party
12 Stories | 3p - 9p, free before 4:30p with RSVP
GAIA BRUNCH + DAY PARTY
GAIA | 12p - 6p, $13
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CONCERTS + SHOWS
5/2 + 5/3 (Saturday + Sunday)
Bruno Mars: The Romantic Tour
Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD | 7p, $141+
MONDAY
DDG: Blame the Chat Tour
Union Stage | 8p, $43+
TUESDAY
Trevor Jackson
Jammin Java in Vienna, VA | 8p, $27+
THURSDAY
IOTHESINGER
Songbyrd | 7p, $20
FRIDAY
We Them One’s Comedy Tour
with Mike Epps, Chico Bean, DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, & more
CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD | 8p, $118+
KB: The Signal Tour
Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, VA | 7p, $30+
Honey Dijon
BERHTA | 10p, $48
SATURDAY
John Violinist
Howard Theatre | 7p, $68
SUNDAY
PinkPantheress
The Anthem | 8p
Resale tickets available for $123+
Vivid Seats | StubHub | SeatGeek
-Encore show on Monday, 5/4 at 8p (Resale tickets available for $144+: Vivid Seats | SeatGeek | StubHub)
Lucy Bedroque
Songbyrd | 7p, (sold out, waitlist only)
CHE: ENCORE TOUR
Nevermore Hall in Baltimore, MD | 8p, $140
Protoje: Reggae Invasion
The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $46+