Check out a handful of the many events happening in the DMV this weekend, plus to keep up with all the fun, don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar.
Keep your outlook vibrant and remember, there’s always something happening in the DMV to keep your spirit — and social life — lit.
Thursday, Jan. 9
3rd Annual DC Public Schools Dance Festival 2025
4 p.m. | Free with registration
Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St NW, Washington, D.C., 20005
The Atlas Performing Arts Center hosts the DCPS Dance Festival, a dynamic evening showcasing the extraordinary talent and creativity of student dancers from across Washington, D.C.
Set against the intimate backdrop of the Atlas stage, each piece resonates with the festival’s central theme of embracing identity and celebrating individuality, offering a vibrant tapestry of movement that speaks to the resilience, courage, and beauty found in every performer’s story.
Audiences can expect high-energy group performances, evocative solos, and stirring ensemble works that highlight both technical skill and emotional depth, as well as various dance styles–from contemporary and modern to hip-hop, jazz, and cultural traditions.
There is a maximum of two tickets per order.
Culture Series: James Baldwin at 100: Celebrating the Enduring Witness
7 – 8:30 p.m. | Free
Busboys and Poets, 450 K St NW, Washington, D.C., 20001
Join HumanitiesDC and guest curator Tracy Chiles McGhee for an exploration of James Baldwin’s profound legacy in “James Baldwin at 100: Celebrating the Enduring Witness.”
This event marks the centennial of the celebrated writer’s birth and explores what it means to ‘bear witness’ in today’s world and how artists and citizens use their voices to confront injustice and inspire change in the spirit of Baldwin.
The evening will feature a compelling panel discussion alongside artistic expressions including music, readings, and interactive elements.
Friday, Jan. 10
January 2025 in the Galleries with Four Exhibits and Open Studios
5 – 8 p.m. | Free
Drive-in, Drive-thru, 11810 Parklawn Drive, North Bethesda Maryland 20852
Artists & Makers Studios on Parklawn Drive in Rockville is thrilled to host Bud Wilkinson in the Invited Artist Gallery, which runs from Jan. 8 – 29, with the opening reception on Friday, Jan. 10.
“Artist Portraits” is a photographic survey of hundreds of D.C.-area artists, presented in an immersive, celebratory, kaleidoscopic, multiscreen, environment.
Wilkinson began the project casually, taking photos of friends at galleries, until eventually, it snowballed into a project that lasted over ten years, and documented an era of artists and their activity at multiple D.C. venues.
Saturday, Jan. 11
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Day of Service
6 – 8 p.m. | Free
Howard Community College Horowitz Center Smith Theatre, Campus Dr, Columbia, MD 21044
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, the Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE) and the Howard County Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission invites everyone to join a meaningful weekend honoring the life and legacy of civil rights leader the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., at the Howard Community Horowitz Center’s Smith Theatre.
Experience an inspiring evening filled with uplifting speeches, songs, and the honoring of students, organizations and community members who emulate and further Dr. King’s legacy.
Junior Marvin & The Legendary Wailers
8 p.m. | $26.03
The Hamilton, 600 14th St NW, Washington, D.C., 20005
Junior Marvin, born Donald Hanson Marvin Kerr Richards Jr., is a renowned guitarist and vocalist best known for his work with Bob Marley & The Wailers.
In 1977, Marvin joined Bob Marley & The Wailers, debuting with the band on the album “Exodus,” which is considered one of the greatest albums in the history of reggae music. His distinct guitar style – blending rock influences with traditional reggae rhythms – played a significant role in the Wailers’ sound during this period.
Marvin’s tenure with the Wailers lasted until Marley’s death in 1981. During this time, he contributed to several classic albums, including “Kaya,” “Survival,” and “Uprising.”
After Marley’s passing, Marvin continued to work with the Wailers and also pursued solo projects.
Sunday, Jan. 12
2 p.m. | $49.99
Theater J, 1529 16th St NW, Washington, D.C., 20036
Tony Award-winner Ari’el Stachel’s one-man show brings to life a full ensemble of characters from his past to illuminate what it means to pursue – and accept – our complex identity.
From hilarious sweat-gland cures to earnest investigations, “Out of Character” weaves an expansive autobiographical tale of his Yemeni Jewish mixed ethnicity, mental health, and success – all to the tune of relentless humor and extraordinary talent.
As a child, Satchel transfers schools and changes wardrobes and tastes in music to mixed results, naming the pain and confusion of belonging to many ethnic groups all at once. As an adult, he battles chronic anxiety in front of audiences of thousands, managing the panic in order to achieve his dreams.
In a world that defines who we are as checkboxes for Middle Eastern, white, Jewish, and Other, Satchel pursues a life where all his identities can breathe as one.
9:30 p.m. | $55
DC Improv, 1140 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C., 20036
Craig Robinson started out as a Chicago public school teacher. Now he’s teaching the world how to enjoy life. He’s famous for his movie and television roles, including “Killing It,” “Dolemite Is My Name,” “The Office,” “This is the End” and “Hot Tub Time Machine.”
Further, he also puts on an engaging live show, mixing stand-up and music to produce an endless supply of good times.