If you’d like to live it up Halloween style this weekend, check out Claudia’s post of all things (at least, a great many things) Halloweeny on the Hill. But if you’re like me and the sight of too many random strangers in Bernie Madoff masks is a little scary, try some of these other fun weekend activities.
And, to add an extra bonus, I’ll start with a Thursday night event:
The Institute for Public Service & Policy Development is hosting a free, public lecture and networking reception on Thursday night. The networking starts at 6:30 pm at the Hall of the States building at 444 North Capitol St., N.W. and the lecture, “The Imperiled Promise of Healthcare Reform,” begins at 7:30 pm. The lecturer, Dr. Clarke Cochran, is vice president of mission integration for Covenant Health System in Texas, and he will be the 15th Annual Kuyper Lecturer through the Center for Public Justice.
The rest of my suggested activities are after the jump.
Friday:
If you’re willing to walk down the National Mall a little ways, this Friday is one of four Hirshhorn After Hours evenings of the year. For $18, you can join the crowd that will jam to Fatback from 8 pm to midnight. Fatback has grown from a small house party in Columbia Heights to one of the hottest dance parties in DC. The DJ collective of Philippe Chetrit, Danny Harris, KC Higgins, Michael T. Miller, Sean Peoples, Pete Welsch and Patrick White play an eclectic mix of funk, soul, boogaloo and whatever other funky rhythms they can get their hands on. One can expect a house party feel with hundreds of folks shaking it until the lights come on. People who attend Hirshhorn After Hours events are prepared to get down, so be prepared to work up a sweat.
Or, if you’d rather see some local community theater, the St. Mark’s Players open The Importance of Being Earnest on Friday night. The show runs for three weekends at 301 A Street, S.E. with evening performances beginning at 8 pm and Sunday matinees at 4 pm. You can get discount tickets for the show at Gold Star Events.
Saturday:
On Saturday MOVED TO SUNDAY DUE TO THREAT OF RAIN, you can support a great cause and fulfill your sugar cravings when you visit the “Sweets for the Sweet” bakery stand in front of Tortilla Café at 210 Seventh Street, S.E. on Sunday, Oct. 25. Snickers, Lollipop, and Oreo cupcakes will make their much-anticipated return! Also, new cupcakes will make a special Halloween appearance – Ghoul Mocha, Itsy Bitsy Spiderweb, Vegan Chocolate and more! For those who prefer breakfast treats early in the morning, we will also have Pumpkin Nut and Cherry Almond muffies. The muffies will be sold starting at 9 am. The rest of the treats will be sold from 11 am until the Hill’s Halloweeny tooth is satisfied. The “Sweets for the Sweet” funds go towards various events designed for young, urban children of deaf parents who reside on the Hill. Support a great cause with your sweet tooth!
If you’d like to have more fun for a good cause, visit the Maury Elementary Fall Festival between 11 am and 3 pm. Come to the campus at 1250 Constitution Ave., N.E. for a recipe cook-off and sampling, cake walk, face painting, crafts, mask-making, hot cider, and merchants’ square. Activities and food items will cost 1 or more tickets at 50 cents each. Your participation supports programs paid for by the PTA, such as classroom teachers’ aides, teacher mini-grants, school-wide performances, and family nights. To enter the cook-off or to rent a merchant space, please complete the registration form at mauryelementary.com. First place wins $150 cash! For questions, call Heather Schoell at (202) 547-1819.
Top your Saturday off with a visit to the DC Armory for Howard University’s Homecoming Step Show. The Washington Post says this event is always a highlight of homecoming weekend. This year’s theme is “Rhythmos: Stepping through Time.” Tickets cost $30 and the show is from 7 – 10 pm.
Sunday:
If you just aren’t ready to let this great weekend end, stop by the Rock and Roll Hotel at 1353 H Street, N.E. on Sunday evening for a concert by Califone, a Chicago band that draws on old-time American sounds, mixing blues and Appalachian strains with electronics. The concert begins at 8:30 pm.
