Washington, D.C
The Weekend Scene: Shakespeare's birthday, roller derby and more to do around DC
Hello to everyone, but especially the mama mallard who built a nest outside the Planet Word Museum. The Duck Cam might be our favorite thing on the internet this week.
If you’re trying to stay on top of any kids on spring break, here are some great ways to keep kids busy for free and cheap.
Happy Passover and Easter to all who are celebrating. You’ll find egg hunts at Water Park, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Fan Fest and Tudor Place.
For Earth Day, catch “The Wild Robot” in The Yards Park, unplug at the Anacostia Community Museum or celebrate with Nature Forward’s Lake Buddies program for kids.
Heads up! Head to the bottom of this article to find a quick list of all this week’s events in chronological order.
- Weekend weather: How does 80 degrees sound? Make outdoor plans because Friday through Sunday look warm and dry. Here’s the forecast.
Weekend highlights
Free pick
The Occoquan PEEPS Show
Through Sat., historic Occoquan
🔗 Details
As if you needed a reason to stroll the dynamic small businesses along the water in Occoquan, the annual Easter tradition brings a friendly competition of creativity. Shop, stroll and vote for your favorite scene centered around PEEPS candy.
The PEEPS Show returns to Occoquan
Free pick
Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration
Sat., 11 a.m., Folger Shakespeare Library
🔗 Details
What’s in a birthday? If you’re Shakespeare, it’s free cupcakes, a puppet show version of “Twelfth Night,” dancing and a sword-fighting demonstration.
The Folger Shakespeare Library is going big for The Bard with this free party for all ages. Doors open at 11 a.m. so your group can explore the exhibition halls, theatre and Reading Room, plus see printing press demos. At 1 p.m., head outside for lawn games and other “ruff-making” until it’s time to sing “Happy Birthday” at 2:45 p.m. (that’s when the cupcakes come out).
Folger suggests a $15 donation to keep the celebration going.
Grown Shakespeare fans may also be interested in a lecture that evening from the library’s director.
The NOVA Roller Derby league holds its spring exhibition Saturday. News4’s Tommy McFly spoke to the league president and breaks down what to expect and how to enjoy the whole event.
NOVA Roller Derby Spring Fling
Sat., The Michael & Son Sportsplex in Sterling, $0-$15
🔗 Details
Get ready to rock, roll and maybe crash at an exhibition for the roller derby curious and those who want to watch this unique sport.
The “tiny-but-terrifying Rookie Showcase” begins at 12:30 p.m. before an exhibition game at 1 p.m. You’re guaranteed high-speed action either way. Tickets are free for kids 11 and under, $5 for teens and $15 for adults.
“We actually have the perfect thing planned if this is your first-ever time going to roller derby because we’re going to a full three-jam demo, explaining how points are scored, how the game is played and what kind of penalties you’re likely to see,” she said. “Get there as early as you can!”
Free pick
DPR Spring Break
Though Sat., various locations
🔗 Details
The D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation has a packed schedule of free events for spring break week, ranging from a karaoke night to an all-day skate party to Easter egg hunts.
People kayak on the Potomac River near the Georgetown neighborhood and Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington, DC, September 3, 2018, during the Labor Day holiday, the traditional end of the summer vacation season. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Float your boat
Fletcher’s Boathouse in Upper Northwest plus the Key Bridge Boathouse and Thompson Boat Center in Georgetown are open for the season, with double kayak rentals starting at $23-$32. The Wharf Boathouse is currently open on weekends.
NOVA Parks offers Northern Virginia residents kayak rentals starting at $18 for one hour. Find more information here.
Golf with Us: Golf under $5 for kids
🔗 Details
Kids can get out onto the green for $5 or less if they sign up for Bank of America’s Golf with Us program with Youth on Course. Find information on signing up here.
With a one-year, free membership, kids can visit thousands of courses across the country, including the Rock Creek Park Golf Course, Paint Branch Golf Complex and the Burke Lake Golf Center.
Sign-ups will close once there are 75,000 memberships or on May 24.
Concerts this weekend
MIKE, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Black Cat, $27 (advance)/$32 (day of)
Incredibly prolific rapper/producer with a straightforward, narrative style that’s unique for its subtlety. Details.
Everyone Asked About You, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, The Atlantis, $22
Quintessential Midwest emo. This band had a short run in the late ‘90s but has returned with its heartstringy indie rock in recent years. Favorite upcoming young indie rock trio of D.C. alt rock progeny Birthday Girl DC open. Details.
Night Train 357, 6 p.m. Friday, Byrdland, free with RSVP
In-store performance of positivity preaching D.C. emcee’s “Affirmations” album. The event features special guests and a discussion of the album. Details.
Yesness, 8 p.m. Saturday, Pie Shop, $20
A couple of post-rock originators — Damon Che of Don Caballero and Kristian Dunn of El Ten Eleven — teamed for an album of instrumental math rock with a groove that creeps under the skin. Details.
Same Heads, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Black Cat, $15 (advance)/$20 (day of)
D.C. band offers reverb loaded indie rock that often borders on hardcore or the ear-bleeding end of the shoegaze spectrum. Local shoegazers Pinky Lemon open. Details.
Things to do in D.C.
Adams Morgan Art Walk: Through April 27, free
NEXT 2025 Festival student performances: Opens Thurs., George Washington University, free
Spring Sake Festival: Thurs., The Morrow Hotel, $95+
Comedy – We Listen and We Don’t Judge: Thurs., 7:30 p.m., Prima DC, $10
Eat. Drink. Shaw. food festival: Thurs., 7-9:30 p.m., The Howard Theatre, $100
Concert – Lucy Dacus: Fri. and Sat., The Anthem, officially sold out but available for $32+ on third-party sites like StubHub
Earth Day Movie Night: “The Wild Robot”: Fri., 8-10 p.m., The Yards Park, free
Eggstravaganza!: Fri. and Sat., Tudor Place in Northwest, $10-$20
Bloom Ride & Spring Picnic: Sat., begins and ends at Franklin Park, $15-$75
Common Good City Farm’s Spring Kickoff seedling sale and seed + plant swap: Sat., noon to 3 p.m., 300 V St NW, free entry
First Studio: Art, Story, and Workshop for kids 3-5: Sat., The Kreeger Museum, $10
Earth Day Celebration: A Day Unplugged: Sat., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Anacostia Community Museum, free
Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration: Sat., 11 a.m., Folger Shakespeare Library, free ($15 donation suggested)
Uncorked wine festival: Sat., 4-8 p.m., Nationals Park, $75+
Concert – Oh He Dead: Sat., doors at 6 p.m., 9:30 Club, $25
Trap Poetry DMV: Sat., 6:30 p.m., 1360 Okie St NE, $30+
Sucka for Love: R&B Experience: Sat., 8 p.m. to late, ART DC – Arlo Rooftop Bar, free admission before 9:30 p.m. with RSVP or $25
Black A** Comedy: Sat., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Busboys and Poet 14th Street, $25
Bachata Class: Sat., Ruben’s Dupont Circle, $10
DC Improv Stand-Up Showcase: Sat., 6 p.m., Dupont, $22
Coffee Club from Daybeaker morning party: Sun., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Flash DC, $39-$44
Crochet 101 Workshop: Sun., 2-4 p.m., 301 Tingey St SE #120, $35
National Cannabis Festival Movie Night: “Pineapple Express”: Sun., 6 p.m., Alamo Drafthouse Cinema DC Bryant Street, $20
Things to do in Maryland
Bunnyland at Butler’s Orchard: Thurs. to Sat., plus April 21 and 26-27, Germantown, $12-$15 (online)/$15-$18 (at the gate)
Zydeco Dance with Ruben Moreno and the Zydeco Re-Evolution: Fri., Glen Echo Park, $20
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Fan Fest and egg hunt: Sat., gates open at 10 a.m., Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, free
Earth Day activities with Nature Forward: Sat., 10 a.m. to noon, Chevy Chase Lake, free
Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Planting: Sat., 8:30 a.m. to noon, University Hills Park in Hyattsville, free
Things to do in Virginia
The Occoquan PEEPS Show: Tues. to Sat., historic Occoquan, free
Theater – “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”: Through June 22, Signature Theater, $47+ (including fees)
“Nailed It”-Style Cake Decorating Competition & Class for tweens and teens: Thurs., 1-3:30 p.m., Fran’s Cake & Candy Supplies in Fairfax, $120
Line Dancing with W.I.L.D: Thurs., 7-9 p.m., Honor Brewing Company in Sterling, $15
Candlelit Sound Bath: Fri., 7-8 p.m., MIYU Beauty & Wellbeing – Falls Church, $37
Y2K After Dark @ Punch Bowl Social: Fri., 9 p.m. until late, Arlington, free admission
Water Park Easter Egg Hunt: Sat., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., National Landing Water Park in Arlington, free
Nova Roller Derby Home Round Robin: Sat., The Michael & Son Sportsplex in Sterling, $0-$15
Easter at The Perch: Sat., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Capital One Center in Tysons, $20-$40
Easter Bunny Hosts Kids and Family Festival: Sun, Shipgarten in Mclean, $0-$10
Concert – Junkyard Band: Sun., 4-9 p.m., BABYLON in Falls Church, $25
Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.
WASHINGTON – Beginning on Monday, the D.C. Department of Health will be conducting daily tests for E. coli in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers.
It comes more than five weeks after the Potomac interceptor collapse sent millions of gallons of sewage into the river.
The testing will also coincide with an important safety advisory being lifted.
Why it matters:
Director of the D.C. Department of Health, Dr. Ayanna Bennett, says they will begin daily testing for E. coli in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers on Monday, along with help from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Currently, D.C. is only testing weekly.
“We feel really secure that the initial sewage is not a threat to people, it’s passed through some time ago, but we do want to get more information about what the long term condition of the river is gonna be and how we should look at it going forward.”
Big picture view:
Monday is also an important day because it’s when the District is expected to lift its advisory that recommends against recreational activities on the Potomac — we’re talking boating, fishing, walking pets by the water.
It’s important to note, however, that D.C.’s advisory pertains to its portion of the Potomac, and it has no bearing on advisories issued by officials in Maryland or Virginia.
Still, this is being treated by many as a hopeful sign.
What they’re saying:
But significant concerns absolutely remain for residents.
“I’ve had tons of messages from people saying they’re not going to let their kids row crew, they’re not going to go to sailing schools. We catch three million tons of blue cats out of the Potomac River. That season starts next week, and they’re not gonna be able to bring those blue cats to market,” said Dean Naujoks with the Potomac Riverkeepers.
“You knew years ago that parts of this Potomac Interceptor were corroded and vulnerable, especially where it broke, in Cabin John, our neighborhood,” one resident said, speaking at a public meeting in Bethesda on Thursday.
“I know there are small business owners here. Who’s accounting for all of our losses that we’re getting due to your sewer blowing up?” another resident asked.
Officials with D.C. Water, which is a public utility, have been running daily tests and will continue to do so as well.
Washington, D.C
Pleasant, spring-like weekend for Virginia, Maryland, DC ahead of active start to March
After one of the coldest winters in years, the DMV is ending the month of February, and meteorological winter, with a nice spring preview.
Temperatures will reach the low 60s area-wide Saturday afternoon under mostly sunny skies. A real treat for the final day of February, enjoy!
Sunday will bring a few changes as an active weather pattern begins to bring in March.
A cold front will slowly move through the area and be mostly starved of moisture. There is a chance at a spotty shower or two, but most stay dry under mostly cloudy skies.
Temperatures will drop throughout the day as the front moves through with most afternoon temperatures in the 50s falling to the 30s by nightfall.
European model forecast rainfall totals
This front will stall just to the south and be a focal point for several days of active weather next week around the DMV.
A wintry mix looks likely Monday with temperatures near freezing with little to no wintry precipitation accumulation, but a different story as that will then switch to all rain chances Tuesday through about Friday.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
Stay tuned to the First Alert Weather team as they continue to monitor forecast trends heading into next week.
The expanded funding aims to make college more affordable for thousands of D.C. students, continuing a program that has already helped nearly 40,000 graduates pursue degrees nationwide.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser went back to school on Thursday. She headed to the gym at Coolidge High School in Northwest to make an announcement that could make college more affordable for eligible D.C. high school students.
Standing at the podium in front of a vibrant mural in the gymnasium, Bowser told the students, “A few weeks ago we got some good news from the United States Congress!”
“Even they can get it right sometimes!” she added.
The news from Capitol Hill was that funding for the 25-year-old D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant program, or DCTAG, has been increased, something Bowser said she’s been working toward for 10 years.
Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, the maximum annual award for students who apply and qualify for the grants will go from $10,000 a year to as much as $15,000, and the overall cap increases from $50,000 to $75,000.
“These are real dollars guys, a real $15,000!” Bowser told the students. “This year alone, 4,500 students were approved for DCTAG, and that’s the highest number that we’ve had in the last five years.”
Since DCTAG was established, Bowser said nearly 40,000 D.C. high school students were serviced through the program, attaining degrees at more than 400 colleges across the country.
Among those who benefited from the DCTAG program was Arturo Evans, a local business owner who grew up in Ward 7 and graduated from D.C.’s Cesar Chavez Public Charter School.
Speaking to the Coolidge students, Evans explained that as a high school student, he didn’t know if his dreams would ever come true.
“Do your homework, go to class, be on time, listen to your teachers,” he said. “Do not let your current situation determine who you can be tomorrow.”
Evans said without the grant money available in the DCTAG program his college prospects would have been “very limited.”
“I probably would have stayed local, probably would have had to go to a community college,” he said.
But he told WTOP, since he applied for and received grant money through the program, “TAG was able to pave the way for me to go ahead and achieve my dreams and go to my dream school,” at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
While he was at UNLV, Evans said his mother’s illness meant he had to return to the District to help care for her. But thanks to help from his DCTAG adviser, he was able to complete his degree before becoming the CEO of his own D.C.-based business.
Among the Coolidge students attending the event was senior Victoria Evans (no relation to the speaker Arturo Evans), who also was in the DCTAG program and serves as the Command Sergeant Major of the Coolidge Junior Army ROTC.
Victoria Evans said she hopes to study medicine, and explained, “I found out about DCTAG through my school counselors and my college and career coordinators.”
Asked about the application process, she said, “It’s not hard at all. I would definitely say go and get the money they’re providing.”
D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton pushed to establish the funding when she introduced the D.C. College Access Act, which passed Congress in 1999. It was designed to address the fact that, since D.C. doesn’t have a state university system, D.C. students had limited access to in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.
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