This week is full of opportunities to invest in self-care, eat good food and discover new art.
From a femme art market celebrating Women’s History Month to an interactive cookbook club, check out a handful of the many events happening to keep your spirit – and social life – lit.
To keep up with all the fun, don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar to stay up-to-date on DMV happenings year round.
Thursday, March 20
March Cookbook Club: BELLY FULL by Lesley Enston
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | $6+
Bold Fork Books, 3064 Mount Pleasant Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20009
Join Bold Fork Books for the March 2025 meeting of the Bold Fork Book Club, where each guest is expected to prepare a dish from the book “Belly Full,” by Lesley Enston.
Then attendees will gather in the shop and share a feast. They will talk through the process of procuring ingredients, challenges and unexpected pleasures of the cooking process and many other things related to “Belly Full.”
In “Belly Full,” food writer Enston, of Trinidadian descent, brings readers into the overlapping histories of the Caribbean islands through their rich cultures and cuisines.
This book is a delectable exploration of Caribbean cuisine through 105 recipes based on 11 staple ingredients, featuring powerful insights into the shared history of the diaspora and gorgeous photography.
Days Running by Shawn Stewart Ruff
7 p.m.- 8 p.m. | Free
Lost City Books, 2467 18th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20009
A book release and signing with the author of “Days Running,” a dynamic portrait of one queer, Black boy’s experience in 1970s Cincinnati.
Shawn Stewart Ruff is the author of three novels, including “Finlater,” the 2008 winner of a Lambda Literary Award for Debut Fiction. He is also the editor of the landmark “Go the Way Your Blood Beats: An Anthology of Lesbian and Gay Fiction by African American Writers (1996).”
Stewart Ruff will be in conversation with author Marcia Chatelain.
Friday, March 21
Benito Gonzalez / Buster Williams / Lenny White
7 p.m. | $35+
Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20007
Venezuelan-born pianist Benito Gonzalez should be no stranger to D.C. crowds, having performed for many years at the now-shuttered Twins Jazz Club and been a favorite at Blues Alley.
Further, Gonzalez spent some formative years in D.C. in the early aughts, shedding away many nights in District jazz clubs. He swings between Latin jazz numbers and more straight-ahead numbers that showcase his love of energetic modern jazz.
In his show on March 21 at Blues Alley, audiences will witness Gonzales lead a truly all-star trio with straight-ahead stalwart bassist Buster Williams and seminal fusion drummer Lenny White.
90’s Theme Hip-Hop and R&B Party
11 p.m. | $20+
The Howard Theatre, 620 T Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20001
Get ready to pull out neon windbreakers, biker shorts, scrunchies, bomber jackets, oversized flannels and acid-washed jeans for a 90’s themed celebration, equipped with music and fun at the Howard Theatre.
Guests will have an opportunity to enjoy a blast from the past at the historic Howard Theatre for a 90’s-themed hip-hop and R&B party for all ages.
Saturday, March 22
11 a.m – 3 p.m. | Free
The Coupe, 3415 11th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20010
DC WitchFest presents the Femme Art Market, an event marking the start of spring highlighting local artists, entrepreneurs and creatives.
One dozen local makers will come together to celebrate the Spring Equinox, Women’s History Month and have fun. The event will feature local arts and crafts, tarot readings, and more, and
attendees can enter a raffle for a chance to win goods from a featured artist.
All proceeds to benefit the DC Abortion fund.
Turning the Page Bookstore Pop-Up at The Parks
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free
The Parks at Walter Reed Marketplace Plaza, 7175 12th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20012
Shop for used books, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl at a Carpe Librum pop-up sale.
The space will be filled with thousands of high-quality used books of all genres, for all ages.
All items are $7 or less and proceeds support Turning the Page, a local nonprofit that engages public school families for student success and has been working with D.C. families since 1998, providing family engagement and literacy development programming. Collecting and selling donated used books is one way Turning the Page raises capital for their programs.
RnB, Soul & Mimosas Vegan Brunch + Wellness Experience
Noon – 4 p.m. | $23.18+
Mixxed Food & Drinks, 2427 18th Street Northwest, Washington, D.C., 20009
Join Mixxed for a relaxing morning where guests can rejuvenate mind, body, and soul with a variety of activities and treatments designed to help you unwind and recharge.
Tickets include a sound bath, afro beat breathwork, a live RnB performance and a welcome drink.
After the wellness experiences attendees will indulge in an electric plant based brunch that will feed their body with only the best ingredients and nutrients.
Enjoy brunch to the soulful sounds of DJ Q and Cool Beach (Sax) who will perform R&B, Soul and Afrobeat vibes, igniting the mind and spirit.
Sunday, March 23
New African Film Festival: MEMORIES OF LOVE RETURNED + Q&A & reception hosted by Emb. of Uganda
3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. | $11+
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD, 20910
On April 24, 2002, filmmaker Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine’s car broke down in the small town of Mbirizi, Uganda. While waiting for the car’s repair, he stumbled upon a photo studio and met photographer Kibaate Aloysius Ssalongo, whose work dated back to the late 1950’s.
This chance encounter turned into a 22-year journey documenting and exploring Ssalongo’s life and photography, as well as the profound impact it had on both Ntare and the lives of the communities he documented.
Executive produced by Steven Soderbergh, this incredible documentary offers a rare and intimate look at the transformative power of photography, as a community uncovers long-lost photos, family secrets and previously unseen relatives, all brought to life through Kibaate’s lens.
Persian Tea Hour: Celebrating Persian New Year
4 p.m.- 6 p.m. | Free
Busboys and Poets- Takoma, 235 Carroll Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20012
Celebrate NoWruz, The Persian New Year, a time of renewal, hope and the arrival of spring.
Rooted in Zoroastrian, an ancient monotheistic religion, NoWruz, meaning “new day,” marks the vernal equinox and symbolizes rebirth, fresh beginnings and spiritual renewal.
Experience the beauty of this ancient tradition, honoring nature, culture and light—a legacy tied to the Persian myth of King Jamshid, who defeated darkness and brought prosperity to his people.
Enjoy Persian tea and cookies to come together to welcome the new year.