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. Thousands of kids in the DMV are on spring break right now, so you might feel for the duck camped out at a museum with her little ones. We’ll dive into our favorite ways to keep kids busy for free and cheap. Happy Passover and Easter to all who are celebrating. If you want to squeeze in something for Earth Day, scan our list of this week’s events.
Who knew? 🎣 Haz Life Fishing tell us D.C.’s fishing SCENE is exploding. We catch up with our fishfluencer Scene Setter at the bottom of this email. Don’t miss it! Have a great weekend,
Tommy and Sophia |
P.S. Please take our survey to let us know how The Weekend Scene is doing. 🙏 |
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Free and cheap things to do for spring break 😎
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It’s officially spring break for thousands of kids in D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia, and you don’t need to go on vacation or spend a lot to have a memorable time.
Below, we have four free and cheap activities for the whole family. Check out the full list here. |
Get your party hat on for Shakespeare's Birthday Celebration |
Free pick
Shakespeare's Birthday Celebration
Sat., 11 a.m., Folger Shakespeare Library, free 🔗 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. Free pick D.C.’s All Day Skate Party and more 🛼
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.
D.C. residents can also sign up for a lottery for a free field trip to see “Annie” at the National Theatre and get brunch at the Hamilton Hotel! Move quickly: The lottery closes at 9 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday). |
The Key Bridge Boathouse and Thompson Boat Center in Georgetown are open for the season. |
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. |
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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!” League president “Tri-SARA-Tops” tells us their league has been growing since COVID, and players of all skill levels are welcome.
And yes, everyone has punny and kind of destructive nicknames. Dolly Sparton was our favorite that she dropped in our interview above. ☝️ |
If you need an extra reason to check out the cute town of Occoquan, these PEEPS dioramas are it (Credit: PEEP Week). |
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. |
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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. |
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🔮 The Future Scene:
Summer Concerts |
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The DMV fishing scene is ‘exploding,’ with help from an influencer who was ‘hooked from the beginning’ |
Haz Life Fishing and Ernie The Hog Snatcher |
What's the story behind those glowing fishing rods at Hains Point and massive fish coming out of D.C.'s waters? 🎣
Haz Life Fishing and Ernie The Hog Snatcher are setting the fishing SCENE in the DMV, reeling in huge fish and millions of views from their local fishing adventures.
Want to dip your toe in? Haz Life offers tours with Triple City Anglers. Another way to get started is by looking into Friday Night Fishing with Anacostia Riverkeeper; the free event series is set to start back up in June.
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How would you describe the fishing SCENE around the D.C. area?
The fishing scene in the DMV has exploded over the last three years. The banks are lined with anglers fishing and enjoying D.C. in a different light. I have seen more diversity on the bank, and it's really inspiring to see people enjoying the outdoors and fishing in this technology era we are in. What got you into fishing, and how has your love of it grown?
My sergeant. In my former career, Sgt. Campbell gave me some fishing rods one day at work, which ignited a flame in me.
The moment I got the rods, I wanted to learn everything about fishing. So, I ran to YouTube to find out how to tie knots, what bait to use, etc. I was hooked from the beginning, and it consumed my life and content. I wanted to get better and share my passion for fishing with the world. When you're not on the water, what do you do for fun?
I dream about the next time I'm getting back out on the water (lol). I spend time with my family. We love the outdoors, taking hikes, visiting parks and traveling. What's your favorite fish recipe right now? Anything fried. I love to use Zatarain's Fish Fri and anything my wife makes. She is Caribbean and is always frying or grilling snapper. |
D.C.'s Greatest Hits: Fishing Edition |
Haz Life's favorite spot is a classic and easy to access. |
Haz Life’s favorite spot is surprisingly easy to access! East Potomac Park, or Hains Point, is his favorite, where he hosts all his meet-and-greets and pop-ups.
“Great place for families, friends and cookouts,” he said.
The East Potomac Gold Links course is worth checking out. Hains Point is also home to the oldest continuously operating miniature golf course in the country. It got a $1 million renovation last year.
Biking and picnicking are great options there, too! |
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| 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. |
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