Happy Halloweekend! The month closes out with a taste of music, culture and District history, from Washington Ballet’s Go-Go 50 to a party cruise and African American quilt documentation.
Plus, love is in the air! Get a whiff of the vibes with R&B icon Charlie Wilson and join a communal discussion on “Black Love in All Its Forms.”
Your weekend starts here –– with the Washington Informer Calendar.
Thursday, Oct. 29
Defining Love Community Salon: Black Love in All Its Forms
6:30 p.m. | Free
Busboys and Poets- Anacostia, 2004 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue SE, Washington, D.C., 20020
What does Black love look like beyond romance?
Join D.C. filmmaker Zoë Poindexter for “Black Love in All Its Forms,” a free community gathering featuring a proof-of-concept screening of her documentary “Defining Love: Voices of Black D.C.,” inspired by Black Love Day, which was founded in the District in 1993.
The evening brings together Black Love Day founder and author Mama Ayo Handy-Kendi and D.C.-based romance novelist and cultural anthropologist Nikki Payne for readings and a conversation exploring how Black love shapes relationships, identities, and communities.
8 p.m. | $28+
The Music Center, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852
Afro-Cuban All Stars is a multigenerational orchestra devoted to promoting the full range of Cuban music, bringing together musicians across styles and eras.
Led by bandleader Juan de Marcos González—also a central figure in the Buena Vista Social Club project—the ensemble reflects a long-standing, tradition-rooted approach while embracing contemporary Cuban sounds. Their program moves across son, bolero, and rhythm-driven dance styles, drawing on the musical traditions of Cuba’s mid-20th-century golden age.
More than a fixed ensemble, Afro-Cuban All Stars operates as a shifting orchestra, adapting its sound to reflect different periods and styles, grounded in González’s concept of building on musical roots while creating space for the future.
Friday, Oct. 30
Hidden in Plain Sight: The Story of Odessa Madre
6 p.m. | $23.18
Busboys and Poets- 14th & V, 2021 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20009
“Hidden in Plain Sight: The Story of Odessa Madre” invites audiences to explore the stories they tell, the histories they risk losing, and the power of being remembered.
Presented by ARound Robin Production Company and Democracy Does, this special evening brings together film, history, journalism, and community dialogue to shine a light on the story of Odessa Madre and its place in Washington, D.C.’s history.
The evening will feature a screening of the 22-minute documentary “Odessa’s Reign,” followed by a community conversation with local historians, journalists, and cultural preservationists. Guests will have an opportunity to engage in an audience Q&A.
8 p.m. | $113.90+
The Theater at MGM National Harbor, 101 MGM National Avenue, Forest Heights, MD 20745
The rescheduled Mother’s Day extravaganza is finally here, and tickets are still available to purchase!
Treat a special lady to an unforgettable evening with R&B icon Charlie Wilson, live on stage. Known for his smooth vocals, timeless hits, and electrifying performances, “Uncle Charlie” will bring the house down with favorites like “Outstanding,” “There Goes My Baby,” and “You Are.”
Whether swaying in the seat, dancing to the beat or singing along to every lyric, this is the perfect evening of love, music, and celebration. Join Wilson in honoring mothers with soulful melodies and good vibes.
Saturday, Oct. 31
2 p.m. | $186.03
Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20004
Fifty years of movement. One unforgettable night.
Celebrate the opening of The Washington Ballet’s 50th season with a powerhouse program at the Warner Theatre.
Choreographer Chanel DaSilva and D.C.’s own Black Alley unite in “An Artist’s Prayer” for an electrifying collaboration that bridges the dynamic language of classical ballet with the enduring legacy of Go-Go. Then find your center with Edwaard Liang’s “The Art of War,” and feel the soul of the blues with Trey McIntyre’s “Blue Until June.”
Rooted in the culture and sound of the city, this new work honors the District’s rich artistic heritage in an immersive performance that can only be seen with The Washington Ballet.
9 p.m.| $61.31
Spirit of Washington DC by Hornblower, 580 Water Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
From the creators of Pier Pressure, prepare for the ultimate Halloween party cruise aboard the Spirit of DC, which will transform into a haunting Titanic packed with 400+ ghosts “raised from the dead.”
Featuring two of D.C.’s hottest DJs live on two decks, rock the boat with club mixes and spooky vibes never before seen.
Sunday, Nov. 1
African American Quilt Documentation Day in DC
10 a.m. | Free registration required
National Museum of Women in the Arts – Great Hall, 1250 New York Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20005
The African American Quilt Documentation Study Group (AAQDSG) will host a free quilt documentation event in Washington, D.C., inviting the African American community to bring family quilts to be documented, preserved and honored as part of the diaspora’s shared history.
The process reaches beyond individual families; documented quilts become part of the historical record that scholars, museums, and researchers rely on to understand African American creativity, survival, faith, and community. Without this work, those stories remain untold, and the historical record remains misrepresented and incomplete.
Black Washingtonians are encouraged to bring their family quilts, in whatever condition (the older, the better), to the Nov. 1 event to have them photographed, documented, and to share the stories behind them.
