 Jump start 2022 with a month full of terrific things to do in DC!
From live theatre to art museums and films to food, and everything in between, January is packed with an awesome mix of popular and under-the-radar activities for you to discover new interests, local businesses and different parts of the city. There's the bi-annual Restaurant Week, the return of Winter Lanterns at the REACH, the dramatic reimagining of MLK's assassination, one-night only chef's dinner at the LINE and many more not-to-be-missed events. Check out our guide to the biggest events coming to DC this January, below.
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We Take a Look at Smithsonian Arts & Industries' Past As New Exhibit Focuses on the FUTURES11/22/2021 The Past Meets the Future at Second Oldest Smithsonian Museum  Before there was a Smithsonian African American History Museum, an Air and Space Museum, or even a National Zoo, the Arts and Industries Building was the place to be. It was built to be America's national museum for which it's earned the nickname the "Mother of Museums."
The museum is reopening after almost 20 years with FUTURES, a one-of-a-kind, forward-facing exhibit that asks us to imagine what the future could look like. But as AIB looks ahead, we want to take a look back at how the museum got its start.  The Smithsonian Arts & Industries building - the lovely red-brick building next the Smithsonian Castle - has stood empty and quietly anonymous since 2004, but this weekend, the doors will be thrown open and everyone is invited! It will temporarily reopen—in honor of the Smithsonian’s 175th anniversary—with “FUTURES, " an ambitious forward-focused exhibit with an epic opening weekend celebration from November 19 - 20.
AIB has championed innovation since it first opened in 1881. Known as the Palace of Invention, it showcased Edison's electric light bulb before Congress or the White House; displayed a pair of space rockets outside its entrance during construction of the National Air and Space Museum and displayed a moon rock months after the lunar landing. The past meets "what's next?" as Its newest exhibit asks us to imagine what the future could look like. It doesn't prescribe answers (that would be impossible after all); instead the exhibit is about igniting our collective curiosity to dream bigger. “What we’re trying to do in this exhibition is come not from a place of authority, but of curiosity,” says AIB director Rachel Goslin. “Our goal isn’t to educate you about something—it’s to help you ask informed questions and explore many different possible answers.” There's a lot of tech, so interactivity is a big focus, but so too are the concepts of inclusivity and accessibility and how they'll influence how we'll live, work and play. As FUTURES shows, the future is for everyone, not just the one-percenters. Here's a sneek peek at some of the 150 objects in the FUTURES exhibit.  Doesn't it feel like the leaves are just starting to turn and we're already rushing head-first into the holiday season?!
This month kicks off an open-air night market, a three-day art festival, a theatre performance on bikes, the premiere of the Britney Spears musical and numerous events to enjoy the great outdoors before the chill drives us indoors. Also on tap, DMV Black Restaurant Week, a live magazine show, tweed bike ride, and the appearance of holiday markets and decor all across the city. Read on for all the events (30+) you need to add to your November calendar! Part one of two  Question: What do Frank Sinatra, Bonnie Raitt, Jay-Z, and Liza Minelli all have in common?
No, it's not that they're incredibly talented, though that's a fact. Answer: Each one of them has a bronze star on the Warner Theatre's Walk of Fame which commemorates people who have performed there. The Warner Walk lets you do some stargazing and take a bit of a nostalgia trip all at the same time. Warner is one of the oldest theaters in DC but even native Washingtonians are surprised to learn about this hidden gem and bit of local pop culture. Even lesser known is that this is actually just one of two Walks of Fame in the city, but that's another story .for another blog post!  Pow! Wow! DC Ahhh, September (shout out to Earth, Wind & Fire), that magical month when you can still sip rose on a sun drenched patio yet still sense the shift to the first leaves starting to change color. It’s time to soak up the last days of summer and make the most of these final days.
We've pulled together lots of fun local activities and events to help you discover new and different things to do and see a different side of DC. Don't waste the sun--let’s do this!  There's more to art museums than just the Smithsonian in DC.
Feast your eyes and spirit at the Kreeger Museum, an oasis of vibrant 19th and 20th century paintings, sculpture and African and Asian art. The private collection of noted art enthusiast and philanthropist David Kreeger and his wife Carmen is housed in their stunning former residence, which is a work of art in itself, designed by renowned architect Phillip Johnson, with its Byzantine domes, travertine limestone clad walls, and interior courtyard filled with towering tropical plants. Tucked away in Foxhall, the Kreeger isn't well known even to self-professed D.C. art lovers. You have to make an effort to visit the Kreeger because it’s not easily accessible. But visitors will find the secrets of its exuberant treasure trove of art work by the likes of Monet, Picasso, Renoir, Cezanne, Chagall, Miro, and Stella, and others, well-worth the journey.  How is it August already?! But no need to panic, there's still plenty of summer left and tons of amazing things to do as DC's reopening continues.
This month brings opera in the outfield, the return of a beloved indie music festival, a candlelight garden concert, yoga at an international embassy and a pop-up, interactive fashion fantasy. And that's just a sampler of what's ahead!  Spring has finally sprung in DC, bringing with it the promise of mild temperatures and easing COVID restrictions as more places start to reopen, hurray! We're totally ignoring the reappearance of the cicadas because, ick.
Whether you prefer hanging out indoors or outside, we've curated more than 20 activities to fill up your calendar this month. We've got aqua picnics, outdoor movies, art walks, experimental theatre, sneaker-filled and immersive, gallery-wide art installations, plus the latest reopened (and soon to be!) attractions. It's going to be a busy month; let's go! If you're interested in more local adventures, make sure to check out our DMV-focused content or contact us to custom-design your DC experience.  DC's cherry blossom season is the perfect time to celebrate the pink-and-white blooms and learn about Japan and Japanese culture. Feeling inspired to plan your own Japan-inspired adventure? From cooking classes, sake, art and performances, bonsai and more, you can still get up close and personal with Japan even if you're not able to hop on a plane and travel there.
Check out our recommendations for ways to elevate this spring's cherry blossom viewing and experience Japanese culture right here in DC! |
AboutLook up, down, and all around. Adventures can be found everywhere -- if you're curious enough to look. k for it Categories
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