Check out a handful of the many events happening in the DMV this weekend. To keep up with all the fun, don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar.
This weekend’s list of events speaks to impact through the lens of art, innovation, and education.
Beginning with Thursday’s REACH to FOREST festival, as well as The Informer’s commitment to expanding Black minds in the Smart Marketing Workshop and Prince George County’s Spelling Bee, the weekend of events kicks off with insightful explorations.
Women’s History Month brings inspirational exhibitions and performances that celebrate female artistry as a whole – whether it be recognizing the historic contributions of women locally, or showcasing their capabilities through dance, music, and art.
If you’re looking for something thought-provoking and game-changing, you can end your week with a riveting performance of Men on Boats.
Keep your outlook vibrant and remember, there’s always something happening in the DMV to keep your spirit — and social life — lit. To keep up with all the fun, check out the Washington Informer Calendar.
Thursday, Feb. 29
Smart Marketing Workshop for Local Businesses
10 a.m. – noon | SOLD OUT
Carlyle Room, 1350 I St NW, Washington, D.C., 20005
BloomLab and The Washington Informer collaborate at the Carlyle Room on Thursday, Feb. 29, at 10 a.m. for an inspiring morning of talks and networking over coffee. This two-hour session is completely free and packed with valuable insights to boost your digital marketing skills. Learn how to make your brand shine in the online world and discover strategies to increase your earnings. We’ll also discuss the advantages of partnering with us, especially in reaching the African American community.
Times and prices vary depending on event selection
Kennedy Center, 2700 F St NW, Washington, D.C., 20566
The two-week REACH to FOREST festival will include thought-provoking events by prominent American and international artists, renowned authors, thinkers, conservationists, filmmakers, musicians, tree hunters, and scientists. With a mission of rekindling the relationships between artists and scientists—as well as between humans, forests, trees, and wildlife—REACH to FOREST explores the symbiotic relationship between nature and the human world with two weeks of free programs, films, art installations, conversations, and more.
The festival runs until March 3.
Friday, March 1
Let’s Talk with Gwen Carr, Activist, Mother of Eric Garner **Sponsored
Noon – 1 p.m. | Free
Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of The Washington Informer, will host a virtual discussion with Gwen Carr, an activist known for her work following the death of her son, Eric Garner, at the hands of police. The conversation will air on March 1 during “Let’s Talk” streamed live on YouTube and Facebook at noon.
The Washington Informer Charities Prince George’s County Spelling Bee **Sponsored
7 p.m. | Free
The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, 8270 Alumni Drive, Suite 3800, College Park, MD, 20742
The 2024 Prince George’s County Spelling Bee, hosted by The Washington Informer Charities, will showcase the county’s top spellers as they vie for a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The competition, aimed at enhancing literacy, encourages students to improve their spelling, broaden their vocabulary, grasp new concepts, and refine their English usage for lifelong benefits. The victor will go on to compete in Bee Week 2024, slated for May 26-31 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.
Celebrating Women and Their Art
6 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Free
The Goldman Gallery at the Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Rd. Rockville, MD, 20852
The Goldman Gallery at the Bender Jewish Community Center in Rockville, Maryland is honoring Women’s History Month by showcasing the work of 12 local women artists who work in diverse media. Juried by professional artist and instructor Carol Lee Thompson, the Montgomery Art Association’s exhibit, “Celebrating Women and their Art,” will be on view until March 16, 2024.
Saturday, March 2
11 a.m. | Free (some with registration)
National Gallery of Art, 6th and Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C., 20565
Each month, the National Gallery of Art hosts a fun and relaxed interactive event that features art-making, films, talks, tours, and a variety of special pop-up activities. Newly launched as of February 2023, this celebration promises an immersive, multigenerational experience for a wide range of audiences.
In honor of Women’s History, portrait photography, paintings, and documentaries are amongst the list of this month’s festivities that recognize the artistry of women creatives.
All activities are free, and most are first come, first served.
8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | $25 – $30
Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Road, Cheverly, MD, 20784
A leading voice of the harp, Brandee Younger made history at the 2022 Grammy Awards as the first Black female solo artist nominated in the Best Instrumental Composition category for her song “Beautiful Is Black” which also received a 2022 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Jazz Album: Instrumental.
Over her career, Younger has performed and recorded across countless genres with artists including John Legend, The Roots, Lauryn Hill, Common, Pharoah Sanders, Ravi Coltrane, Ron Carter and Charlie Haden. Her most recent album honors trailblazer Dorothy Ashby.
Sunday, March 3
The Sensational Sea Mink-ettes
7 p.m. | $34 – $82 (discounts available)
Woolly Mammoth, 641 D St. NW, Washington, D.C., 20004
On its closing night, join the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and indulge in Vivian J.O. Barnes’ funny and surprising world premiere play, “The Sensational Sea Mink-ettes,” which follows an HBCU dance team on the cusp of their homecoming performance. The pressure is on–the student body, the administration, the alumni, their families, everyone is expecting perfection. As the big day creeps closer, the women must contend with flaring tempers, bodies pushed to their limits, and what it means to be a team.
2 p.m. | $10 – $25
The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, 8270 Alumni Drive, Suite 3800, College Park, MD, 20742
“Men on Boats,” co-directed by KenYatta Rogers and Elena Velasco, challenges traditional historical narratives by reimagining John Wesley Powell’s expedition in the American West in 1869.
A cast of non-male actors portrays the all-male crew, who navigates the treacherous waters of the Colorado River during their exploration. With humor and banter, the play examines gender, identity, and the fraught relationship between humans and the natural world.
