THIS EDITION IS PRESENTED BY |
|
|
And if you’re a Terps rival … know that the Nationals are facing their top adversary, too. Opening Week pits the Nats against the Phillies tomorrow and for two weekend games. We may not be sharing our weekend plans in a Signal group chat, but we DO have an Instagram Broadcast channel. You’re invited. We mean it. ❤️
Have a great weekend, Tommy and Sophia |
|
|
🌸 Peak bloom at the Tidal Basin 🌸 |
The Tidal Basin, near D.C.'s National Mall, is where you'll find D.C.'s iconic Yoshino cherry trees, plus comfort stations, daily live performances and other fun activities like pedal boat rentals.
When you're there, stroll the Tidal Basin Loop Trail, a 2.1-mile easy walk, or go for the 4.1-mile Hains Point Loop (bikes welcome). Before you visit, here’s the advice we share with all bloom-fanatics-to-be: 👨👩👧👦 Expect crowds: Beat the crowds (somewhat) by going very early in the morning, after sunset or even on a rainy day.
🚗 Don't drive: Trust us. You have many options: Metro, buses, bike rentals, walking … Our transportation guide has VERY detailed advice (including on what to do if you do, indeed, need to drive).
🌳 Be kind to the trees: Be gentle. Resist the urge to climb the trees or shake branches. Avoid walking near the roots, too!
🥖 Make a day of it: The Tidal Basin is tucked away from restaurants and other attractions like museums. We like to bring a picnic (DIY or pick one up from a restaurant like Le Diplomat) or pre-plan an extra stop. The Wharf is just over a half-mile away.
|
Free pick Pink in the Park: Pink Beats
Thursdays through April 10, 5-8 p.m., Water Park in National Landing 🔗 Details Drop by Water Park in National Landing this week to hear Flowers for the Dead and other local acts and enjoy strolling magician David Meneses.
Make it a full happy hour with food and drinks from kiosks, lawn games and fun décor.
|
Free pick Blossom Kite Festival 🪁 Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Washington Monument 🔗 Details
The fan-favorite festival is coming back to fill the skies around the Washington Monument with colorful, soaring kites! Get ready to enjoy youth and adult kite-making competitions, special demonstrators and performances bound to take your breath away. To participate in the kite-making competition, sign up ahead of time online or same-day in the registration tent.
Visitors are also welcome to come by and fly their own kite for fun – or simply take in the views.
Before or after the kite festival, stop by the Sylvan Theater to catch a day of drumming performances in the Sakura Taiko Fes celebrating Japanese culture. |
Free pick Bloomaroo at The Wharf
Sat., 4-8 p.m., Southwest D.C. 🔗 Details The Wharf's celebration will be pretty in pink featuring live music on five stages, kids' activities and a fireworks finale about 8:30 p.m. |
Free pick Sakura Sunday
Sun., noon to 5 p.m., National Harbor
🔗 Details
National Harbor’s signature cherry blossom event puts Japanese culture front and center with drumming and sword demonstrations, plus live music. Don’t forget to swing by the Capital Canopy for a vendor with Japanese-influenced food, clothing and gift vendors!
| |
|
Celebrate Spring at the Home of the Cherry Blossoms® with Bloomaroo®, The Wharf’s free spring festival featuring live music, family-friendly activities, cherry blossom-inspired cocktails, and a fireworks finale on Saturday, March 29 from 4pm-8pm. Learn more about Bloomaroo here.
|
|
|
🌸 Blooms across the DMV 🌸 |
Every D.C.-area resident should see the Tidal Basin cherry blossoms at least once, but you have many other places to explore blooms. |
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (Shutterstock) |
National Arboretum (Shutterstock) |
The District In Southeast D.C., Oxon Run Park boasts more than 200 cherry trees.
In Northeast, the National Arboretum put together a self-guided tour covering a variety of cherry tree species, including ones that bloom a little later in the season. |
🌸 Sip this cherry blossom afternoon tea at CUT by Wolfgang Puck 🌸 |
CUT by Wolfgang Puck’s executive chef Andrew Ho and Executive Pastry Chef Ligia Barros show off their cherry blossom afternoon tea. Ho says his first trip to Hong Kong with his mom inspired him to make a menu that’s sophisticated and whimsical. |
🎢 World's biggest launched-wing coaster takes flight at Kings Dominion |
The world’s tallest and longest launched wing roller coaster accelerates from zero to 65 mph in four seconds and flips riders upside down three times.
Tommy was one of the first people to catch a ride, and then he tried out the very cool job of coaster operator at Virginia’s Kings Dominion.
Rapterra takes off for the general public when the park opens on Saturday. Kings Dominion is open daily through April 6 for spring break. |
🎪 Ringling Bros. Circus, reimagined
🔗 Details
For even more clowning around, “the greatest show on earth” is coming to Fairfax, Virginia. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey has reimagined their circus without animals.
Look for huge stunts and humans doing all sorts of dazzling feats in this fully immersive experience.
It’s at EagleBank Arena from March 28 to April 6 before moving up to Baltimore from April 11-13. |
|
|
Beth Gibbons (Getty Images) |
Ida and Tsunami, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Black Cat, $30 (advance)/$35 (day of)
A couple of bands from post-rock’s 1990s heyday share a bill this week. Ida played slowcore-leaning indie folk rock — hushed and introspective. Arlington’s Tsunami embraced the DIY ethic championed by D.C.’s alt rock scene for decades. Starting things off is Mark Robinson, frontman for D.C. indie rock heroes Unrest. Details.
Northeast Groovers, 9 p.m. Friday, Howard Theatre, $40
Classic D.C. go-go band celebrates its 40th anniversary. Details.
Deep Dive Live, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, The Atlantis, $10
Deep Dive Live showcases some of the best musical artists in the D.C. area. Maryland’s guitar-godly, post-hardcore band Spring Silver headlines. Breezy Supreme and Massie share the bill. Details. Beth Gibbons, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, The Anthem, $55-$75
More than 30 years after making waves with iconic electronic band Portishead, the singer released her critically acclaimed first solo album last year, and it’s nothing like the trip-hop-leaning alternative rock of her past. “Lives Outgrown” leans toward folk music, alternating between arrangements orchestral and sparse. Details.
|
|
|
Comedy to politics: Al Franken returns to DC in Netflix's 'The Residence'
|
A local realtor is creating a roar on social media with a whisper.
Lisa DuBois has gone viral for her whispering hide-and-seek listing videos. News4’s Erika Gonzalez spoke to the magic pair that makes this happen.
She even showed us how it's done in the News4 studio! |
|
|
| About Tommy and Sophia
Tommy McFLY (@TommyMcFLY) brings you the best things to do around Washington as a News4 correspondent. A millennial Gemini husband and dog dad originally from Scranton, Tommy celebrates the things that bring our town together.
Sophia Barnes (@barnessophiag) started writing for NBC Washington and The Scene in 2016, covering everything from museum openings to protests to quirky animal stories. She’s an American University alum who loves good food and live music — say hi if you see her around the DMV. |
|
|
|
