Photo by María Helena Carey
We’ve finally hit our stride as far as spring is concerned: the birds are chirping; the days are long and warm; and we have thunderstorm warnings scheduled for the rest of the week. Arbor Day is Friday, so you would do well to plant a tree or at the very least kiss a tree. The weekend is supposed to be mild and sunny, so what shall we all do (besides get to second base with a plant)?
Thursday the 28th, you can tap your inner sultry Latin self and get yourself down to Eastern Market at 7 pm for Tango lessons! Let’s face it: we are not all gifted with green thumbs, so maybe it’s a lot more fun to get up close and personal with a stranger who’s game to learn the intricacies of this South American dance. For more information, go to Tangodc.com. If a mellow evening of music is more your speed, Jenny and Tyler will be at Ebenezers from 7:30 to 10:00 PM. Tickets are $10 and you can get them at their website. Ebenezer’s is located at 201 F St. NE. 202-558-6900.
On Friday the 29th, go hug that tree! Another way to celebrate Arbor Day? Tour the National Garden! Take a stroll and see our native Mid-Atlantic flora while you listen to folklore tales. The tour is free but you must pre-register at nfusbg.org
Saturday the 30th, get yourself to CHAW for ARTdays’ “Drawing with Thread”. You can learn to hand sew images and text, and it’s an activity open to all ages. You must register to participate in this free event by calling 202-547-6839. Capitol Hill Arts Workshop is located at 545 7th street, SE.
Are you a plant nut? The National Arboretum will be holding its Spring Celebration Garden Fair on Saturday, Apr. 30, from 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM. Buy awesome perennials, ooh and aah over new plant introductions, and bring the kiddies along for a fun family time! Free admission. The U.S. National Arboretum is located at 3501 New York Avenue, NE and you can get more information at http://www.usna.usda.gov/
Hungry? Then come celebrate at Barracks Row’s Taste of 8th! For $5 you can taste a little bit of a favorite restaurant or get a sampling of a new place you may have wanted to taste. $20 gets you five samples. There is even an offer from the Washington Nationals to sweeten the deal. More details? Go to http://www.barracksrow.org/tasteof8th. From 1-4 pm, 8th Street, SE.
Still hungry? How about dinner & a movie at Johnny’s Half Shell? They will be showing “A Place in the Sun” on Saturday, April 30th at 7 PM, and if you tell them you’re a local, you get 10% off your bill! (Just make sure you call ahead for reservations– 202-737-0400) Johnny’s is located at 400 North Capitol Street, NW.
If that Saturday did not exhaust you, why not go have a lovely, yummy brunch? Our own Claudia recently had a great brunching experience at The Pug, and she is not known as Brunch Girl for naught! Afterwards, you can stroll down to Eastern Market and then catch the shuttle from Barracks Row to the 1:35 pm Nationals Game! Or if you prefer your games more cerebral, go to Labyrinth, 645 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, and play Founding Fathers with award-winning game designer Jason Matthews. More information at Labyrinth’s web site.
Don’t forget to kiss a tree before the end of the day!