With April showers in the rearview, it’s time to spring for May flowers!
From an art exhibition honoring Mental Health Awareness Month to the kickoff of D.C.’s Latin Restaurant Week, check out a handful of the many local events happening this weekend.
Plus, don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar to stay up to date and keep your spirit – and social life – lit.
Thursday, May 1
6 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Free
Labyrinth Games & Puzzles, 645 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, D.C., 20003
Labyrinth Games and Puzzles welcomes anyone and everyone to try a new game or play a modern classic (think Catan, Splendor, Ticket to Ride, etc.). With over 800 games in the library, this event is a great way to learn something new and meet other folks with similar gaming interests.
If attendees need help learning a game, staff will be available to help, as well as a number of regular gamers who are always ready and willing to lend a hand.
10 p.m. – 2 a.m. | Free
Shanklin Hall, 2325 18th Street NW Washington, D.C., 20009
Calling all R&B girlies (and guys) – and this time featuring a live music performance.
Shanklin Hall’s “Pretty Girls Love RnB” series returns, a night dedicated to celebrating different eras of R&B. Attendees may end up texting that ex they haven’t spoken to in months, accepting a drink from the guy across the bar, or crying in the arms of their girlfriends.
Regardless, one thing’s for sure: They’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable night.
Sounds will be provided by King Kumo and Hage.
Friday, May 2
Gallery B Presents Black Art Today’s Turning Tides
Noon – 5 p.m. | Free
Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 20814
Gallery B is excited to announce their May exhibition: “Turning Tides: Action, Resilience, and the Mental Landscapes of Black and Brown Voices.”
Presented by the Black Art Today Foundation, this compelling exhibition aligns with the theme of Mental Health Awareness Month 2025, “Turn Awareness into Action,” and offers a vital platform for Black and brown artists to explore and express their lived experiences surrounding mental well-being.
Forever, Always: The Black Love Exhibit
8 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Free
Wayne A. I. Frederick Undergraduate Library, 500 Howard Place, NW, Washington, D.C., 20059
The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center (MSRC) at Howard University announces the opening of its latest exhibition, “Forever, Always: The Black Love Exhibit.”
This innovative multi-thematic museum display celebrates the diverse expressions and experiences of Black love through a carefully curated collection of archival materials from MSRC’s prestigious collections.
The exhibit features original artwork by Howard University students, a curated Black Love playlist, and an engaging collection of oral histories documenting love stories from the community.
Visitors are invited to participate in an interactive component, making the exhibition a truly immersive experience.
9 p.m. | Free
DMV Area, Washington, D.C.
During Latin Restaurant Week (May 2 – 16), participating restaurants, food trucks and culinary businesses offer mouth-watering specials for guests to enjoy.
From delectable prix fixe menus to super sweet deals, it’s a great opportunity for visitors and locals to try an old favorite or discover a new gem.
Get ready to dig into the diversity of Latin American cuisine in the DMV area bite by bite! “¡Buen Provecho!”
Saturday, May 3
Poetry and Resistance: Exploring the Poetry of Audre Lorde
4 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. | Free
Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20902
Explore the poetry of Audre Lorde within the historical context she wrote.
Lorde was a self-described “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet” and dedicated her life and talent to confronting and addressing injustices of racism, sexism, classism and homophobia as a poet, scholar and civil rights activist.
This event will be followed by prompts of the day, which will be available for attendees who would like to write. There will also be time for sharing poems and exchanging feedback among participants.
Creative Calm: Yoga and Creativity Experience
6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | $55.20
Girls Who Paint Gallery, 10419 Fawcett Street, Kensington, MD, 20895
Embrace the season of renewal this May with a grounded mind and a surge of creative energy.
This immersive 2.5-hour experience offers a harmonious blend of gentle yoga, mindfulness practices, expressive journaling and therapeutic art—all designed to help participants release tension, cultivate inner calm and awaken a creative spirit.
Engage in an invitation to move inward and start the year with clarity, calm and creativity!
Sunday, May 4
Film & Talk: “Earth, I Thank You: The Garden and Legacy of Anne Spencer”
4:30 p.m. | Free
National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20560
Join the Garden Conservancy in its premiere of “Earth, I Thank You: The Garden and Legacy of Anne Spencer.”
The 35-minute film explores the historic sanctuary of Harlem Renaissance poet, civil rights advocate and gardener Anne Spencer, and celebrates the cultural and historical significance of the Anne Spencer House and Garden Museum in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Featuring a screening and panel discussion, this event, located at a historic site, offers a glimpse into the life of one of the most influential figures of the Harlem Renaissance.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Free
People’s Book, 7014-A Westmoreland Avenue, Takoma Park, MD, 20912
People’s Book is hosting their third-ever seasonal craft market, taking place just outside the storefront, rain or shine!
Come check out over a dozen local vendors, ranging from visual art to crafts to food. Conveniently timed a week before Mother’s Day, this is the perfect place to get a last-minute, one-of-a-kind gift.