Have a little fun this weekend! Photo by María Helena Carey
One more weekend before Holiday season is officially upon us. Shall we fast? Juice? Meditate? Some sort of pre-party cleansing feels appropriate. But if that’s not your thing, then try this:
Tonight, get an idea behind what makes you red or blue, left or right, elephant or donkey. The Hill Center hosts a lecture by author Avi Tuschman. His book Our Political Nature explores the origins of left-right leanings in cultures around the world. Excellent. Now I can finally understand why the other side of the aisle is just SO WRONG. Kidding! The lecture begins at 7 and is free although you will have an opportunity to purchase the book. You can register in advance here. And considering how many wonks are around here, I would advise doing just that.
Friday night at the Corner Store, the Bay area bluegrass duo Melody Walker and Jacob Groopman perform at 8pm. They are the recent winners of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest, and Telluride and Rocky Grass competition wins with their bluegrass project Front Country, and just released their first duo record, “We Made It Home”, produced by Grammy-winning bluegrass legend Laurie Lewis. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. More info can be found here.
Union Pub is hosting a benefit for victims of the recent tornado in Illinois at at 6 p.m. at a fundraiser called “D.C. Cares 4 Illinois.” The Chicago-themed pub will donate 10% of all revenue from Friday’s food and beverage sales back to the Central Illinois Red Cross. More information of the event can be found on its Facebook page.
Saturday is the Fourth Annual Food drive at the H Street FRESHFARM Market at 13th and H Streets NE. They will be collecting money and non-perishables which will to their gleaning partner, First Church, which is working The Director of Community Services at Brookland Manor to identify families in need to receive baskets of fresh foods. The money will be used to purchase directly from the farmers at the market so its a win-win all around. Chef Erik Bruner-Yang from Toki Underground is doing a cooking demo and the popular bakery Frenchie’s is doing Cookie Decorating activity and will be encouraging donations as well.
Sunday: Dance Place, which is currently renovating its Brookland home, will present the City Rhythms festival at the Atlas. Local troupes which focus on rhythmic dance styles are the focus so you will be treated to tap, and hip hop, Americana and the rousing body-percussion of Step Afrika! Saturday night is sold out but tickets to the Sunday show at 4pm are still available. You can purchase here on the Atlas website.
Have a delicious and peaceful holiday!
Jen DeMayo is Director of Community for the Atlas Performing Arts Center