13 things to do around D.C. this weekend

We made it! January is nearly over, and it looks like it’ll be warm enough to leave the house without gloves. This weekend, we’ve got a garage sale, Lunar New Year celebrations, and a vaguely-recession-themed dance party to keep you occupied. 

It’s also the first weekend of Black History Month. We’ve got a separate guide for BHM events happening across D.C. in February — you can find that here. 

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30

Black in Blues Book Talk
National Book Award winner Imani Perry will be visiting MLK Jr. Library for a conversation about her book Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People. A meditation on history, art, and color, Perry’s work traces the historical roots of the concept of Blackness and its connection to the color blue. The event will be moderated by the poet Clint Smith. (Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library; 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.; FREE.)

Writerly Happy Hour
Nothing cures writer’s block like a stiff drink! The Innerloop, a local group for writers of all levels, will be hanging out at No Kisses in Park View. Members from the Writer’s Center and PEN/Faulkner will also be in attendance. Mingle away. (No Kisses Bar; 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. FREE.)

Pretty Girls Love RnB
The Adams Morgan social club Shanklin Hall will spend the night celebrating the eras of RnB. You can RSVP here. (Shanklin Hall; 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.; FREE)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival
The National Geographic Society is hosting a two-day festival at the National Theatre, screening several short films focused on outdoor sports, adventure, and the environment. The festival kicks off on Friday with a screening of “For Winter,” a feature film by National Geographic, and will run through Saturday evening. (National Theatre; Friday, 7 p..m.; Saturday, 1 p.m., Saturday 7 p.m.; Various prices.) 

Marley Seday at Homme Gallery
Artist Marley Seday will be holding a free solo art show at the Homme Gallery. Seday will be displaying art across mediums (including music!) and doing some live painting. Art will also be for sale. (Homme DC; 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.; FREE)

Pad Thai cooking class
If you haven’t heard by now, it’s time to delete Doordash! Make your own Pad Thai with La Coescha’s hands-on class. All of the ingredients and equipment you’ll need will be provided, plus you’ll learn how to scour for the right supplies on your own. (Galeria at La Cosecha, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; $65 per person.)

Recession Pop Party
Party like it’s 2008 (I guess?) at the 9:30 Club’s Recession Pop Party. The night will feature nostalgic hits like Dynamite by Taio Cruz, SOS by Rihanna, and Bulletproof by La Roux but also some contemporary hits like HOT TO GO! by Chappell Roan … who was 10 in 2008? Whether or not the music came out during a recession, we suppose the idea is to party like the world is ending. (9:30 Club; 9 p.m.; $18)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Wild Nature Play Club
After January’s cold snap, you (or the kids) might be itching to reconnect with nature. The Anacostia Community Museum will host a child-directed hike through the George Washington Carver Nature Trail for some unstructured playtime. After the short hike, the group will convene for a story and activity. It’s on rain or shine, so make sure to check the forecast and dress accordingly. (Anacostia Community Museum; 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; FREE.)

Lunar New Year Market 
The National Museum of Asian Art will ring in the Year of the Snake with an afternoon of food, arts, and performance. The market will have handmade goods, dozens of food vendors, lion dances, and crafts for the kids. Visitors can also tour the museum or join a docent spotlight talk. (National Museum of Asian Art, Freer Gallery; 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.; FREE.)

Garage Sale at Miss Pixie’s
Tchotchke-heads…we ride at dawn 11 a.m.! Vintage curator Love Story Vintage is doing some early spring cleaning at Miss Pixie’s in Adams Morgan this weekend. Stop by to browse vintage clothing, accessories, and home goods. There are deals to be had, with 50% off racks and accessories under $10. (Miss Pixies; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. FREE)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2

D.C. Chinese Lunar New Year Parade
Top off Lunar New Year festivities with the annual parade in downtown D.C. For over 65 years, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Washington, D.C. (CBBA) has hosted the Lunar New Year Parade through D.C.’s Chinatown, featuring various floats and local performances. Find a good spot along the route, grab lunch at a nearby restaurant, and end the evening with a firecracker show in the middle of H Street. (Starts at 6th and Eye Street NW; 2 p.m. FREE.)

Community Bake Sale at Rhizome
The Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op is hosting a bake sale to raise funds for Food Not Bombs DC and Silver Spring Takoma Park Mutual Aid, two local groups that work to feed their communities. Tickets to enter are $20 and get you as much cake as you’d like. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own treat to the sale but if baking isn’t your thing, you can just come and snack for a good cause. Fresh fruit and refreshments will also be provided. (Rhizome. 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. $20.)

Who in the Hell is Regina Jones?
The National Gallery of Art will be screening the new documentary “Who in the Hell is Regina Jones?” — a film tracing the life and legacy of Regina Jones, the co-founder of SOUL Newspaper. Stick around for a post-screening conversation with the co-directors, Soraya Sélène and Billy Miossi. (National Gallery of Art East Building Auditorium; 2 p.m. – 3: 45 p.m.; FREE.)