Each week, we list some ways to get engaged in the city β whether thatβs protesting, organizing with your neighbors, or testifying before your councilmembers. This isn't an exhaustive list; share your events and trainings with us at 51st.news/submit-events.
For more ways to get connected, check out our resources roundup; and for more to do around the city, don't miss our Weekend Events post.
ONGOING
Street Sense Media pre-winter donation drive Our friends at D.C.'s street newspaper are collecting items to prepare their vendors and clients for the cold season. They're looking for clothing items like T-shirts, hoodies, and jackets; personal care items including soap, shampoo, and toothpaste; and other essentials including hand warmers, blankets, towels, umbrellas, laundry detergent, and gift cards. You can mail donations to 1317 G St. NW, or drop items off there yourself.
Free DC zine-folding session β° 6 - 8 p.m. π Snappy's Small Bar (3917 Georgia Ave. NW) Are you all amped up after last week's blue wave? Keep the political momentum going by mingling and crafting with Free DC folks. RSVP here.
RFK for All Assembly β° 6:30 - 8 p.m. π St. Coletta of Greater Washington (1901 Independence Ave. SE) Catch up on the recent developments in the Commanders stadium development β including changes to affordable housing, transit, and climate promises β with RFK for All, a coalition aiming to hold spaces in the process for community input. You can RSVP here.
The Historic Elms of Mount Pleasant β° 6 - 7:30 p.m. π Mount Pleasant Library (3160 16th St. NW) Capital Nature, the Mount Pleasant Village, and the Mount Pleasant Library are teaming up for a tour of the neighborhood's stately American elms. Led by Stella Tarnay, the co-founder of Capital Nature, the tour and presentation will cover the history of the tree β including how residents of the neighborhood stepped up to protect theirs when disease threatened to wipe them out. The event is free to attend; RSVP here.
Life After Layoffs: Stories of Resilience β° 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. π Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St. NW) In partnership with the D.C. Public Library, The Upskilling Labs and wellfed will be celebrating the stories of workers laid off, displaced, and disrupted by the federal workforce cuts under Trump 2.0 β something we've covered ourselves. Featuring portraits by the photographer Allen Dinkoff, the evening will be part exhibit, part screening, and part conversation. RSVP here.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Free DC Chocolate City happy hour and orientation β° 3 - 7 p.m. happy hour, 4 - 6 p.m. orientation π Miss Toya's Southern Kitchen (3216 Pennsylvania Ave. SE) Black community members are invited to mingle and tap into Free DC with a happy hour and orientation. After some socializing, organizers will introduce the campaign's strategy and structure β including how everyone can play a part in protecting D.C.'s autonomy.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Harriet's Wildest Dreams general information session β° 7 - 8:30 p.m. π Virtual Harriet's Wildest Dreams, a local Black-led abolitionist group dedicated to mass organizing and community care, is hosting an open meeting for anyone looking to build a better D.C. and reimagine safe communities. The meeting will walk through the group's work and feature a mini political education session. RSVP here.
What Comes Next mass call β° 8 - 9:30 p.m. π Zoom Moving forward from last week's national election wins, Free DC organizers will be hosting a large virtual meeting focused on their next moves. They'll work through the priorities they're focused on in the upcoming months, how to hold new elected officials accountable, and how to ensure that the momentum keeps pushing forward. RSVP here.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14
D.C. Zinefest workshops β° 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 - 3:30 p.m. π MLK Library (901 G St. NW) It's everyone's favorite artsy D.C. day! Flex your creative muscles with a session on community health, making art during the rise of fascism, and more. No RSVP is required for the sessions, but make sure you get there with enough time to secure a spot. You can see the full lineup of workshops and class descriptions here.
Dives against Deportation β° Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. π The Dew Drop Inn (2801 8th St. NE) What better way to spend a Saturday night than a hang at your favorite watering hole with live music? The Dew Drop Inn is welcoming three local bands for a benefit show raising funds for the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights. Tickets are $20 at the door.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Volunteer tree care and planting β° 9 - 11 a.m. π 1008 45th Pl. NE Help keep D.C. green! Green Compass' volunteer tree tenders are popping up in Deanwood to help with planting, pruning, mulching, and monitoring tree health. No green thumbs required! Training will be provided on-site. Bring a water bottle and closed-toed shoes. RSVP here.
Colleen is a 51st co-founder and a former DCist reporter. Her work has appeared in NPR, Street Sense Media, and The Washington Post. She currently lives in New York, where she's pursuing an MFA.
Make a voting plan, advocate for the arts, testify at the Wilson Building, and more opportunities to plug into local volunteering and political organizing.
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