It’s a big weekend in the D.C. area with parades for Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras, plus a Puppy Bowl watch party. News4’s Tommy McFly breaks it all down.
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February is doing so much.
This weekend, you can stay busy scarfing slices on National Pizza Day, ringing in the Year of the Dragon, discovering Black heritage, making Super Bowl snacks and planning a cute Valentine’s date. Oh, and Marc Anthony’s in town.
Then, Mardi Gras (or Pączki Day… IYKYK) and Galentine’s Day make for our kind of Super (sweet) Tuesday.
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Love or hate Valentine's Day, don’t forget to share your funny or awkward D.C. dating stories with us!
We’re counting down to National Margarita Day (Feb. 22), Leap Day and the National Park Service’s cherry blossom peak bloom prediction before February quits.
To all those who celebrate any or all of this, have a great weekend.
Lunar New Year Parade
Chinatown comes alive for its annual Lunar Chinese New Year Parade, and the neighborhood will ring in the new year on Sunday.
Expect big crowds for thrilling dragon and lion dances, drumming, performances, kicking off at 2 p.m. Pro tip: Set up near the end of the parade route for a good view of the firecracker finale.
“The dragon’s symbolism is luck,” Penny Lee, a spokesperson for the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association told Tommy. “People born under the Year of the Dragon, are charismatic, they’re intelligent, they’re smart people, and they are usually very lucky and gifted.”
Our Lunar New Year Scene Setter, Jade Womack of ClockoutDC shared more free and family-friendly recommendations for Lunar New Year.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Through Sun., The Kennedy Center, $49-$179
Details
The famed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is performing at The Kennedy Center through Sunday, bringing classic and new works to the stage.
The company features more dancers from the D.C. area than any other place in the country. News4’s Jummy Olabanji spoke to one of the company’s dancers, Michael Jackson, Jr., about giving back to the students at his D.C. alma mater, Duke Ellington School of the Arts.
Frederick Douglass Birthday Commemoration
Sat., 2 p.m., THEARC in Anacostia, free
Details
Abolitionist and author Frederick Douglass was born 206 years ago. To celebrate his birthday and honor the theme of this Black History Month -- African Americans and the arts -- the National Park Service will host an oration contest, panel and performances.
Mardi Gras
D.C.’s biggest Mardi Gras celebration is returning to The Wharf with all the flavors of New Orleans.
A parade packed with some of D.C.’s favorite performers will kick off at 3:30 p.m. and move along the waterfront. Then, head to the piers for performances from The Experience Band & Show, Too Much Talent Band, Crush Funk Brass Band and more.
A fireworks salute after dark, then one last set from the band will close out the evening. Dress in purple, green and gold, grab a hurricane from the District pier bar and let the good times roll.
Put on your purple, green and gold to check out these other New Orleans-style celebrations around the D.C. area:
- Barracks Row’s parade and party (Fri., D.C., free)
- Samedi Gras at Breaux Vineyards (Sat., Purcellville, $20)
- Dauphine’s bottomless party (Sat., D.C., $125+)
- Bourbon to U Street Mardi Gras Bar Crawl (Sat., $10-$20)
- The Potomac River Jazz Club’s concert (Feb. 18, Silver Spring, $20-$25)
Best concerts this weekend
Squid, 7 p.m. Thursday, 9:30 Club, $25
Among the best of England’s once again thriving post-punk crop, the quintet sounds more improvisational, taking its melodies in unexpected directions. Excellent Brooklyn duo Water From Your Eyes opens. Details.
AJ Croce, 8 p.m. Thursday, Warner Theatre, $38 and up
The singer-songwriter plays the hits and requests from the catalog of his father, the great folk singer Jim Croce, 50 years after his death. Tickets.
DJ Shadow, 7 p.m. Sunday, 9:30 Club, $35
There was no mold to be broken when this legendary DJ began his instrumental hip-hop journey in the 1990s. Dipping in multiple genres and dropping infectious, tough beats, he blazed a new trail. Details.
Things to do in D.C.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Through Sun., The Kennedy Center, $49-$179
AREC Fish Art Family Discovery Day
Saturdays Feb. 10 and 16, Aquatic Resources Education Center at 1900 Anacostia Drive, free
The Sensational Sea Mink-ettes
Through March 3, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, $46+
Things to do in Maryland
SPRUNG! Comedy Festival
Through Sun., Silver Spring Black Box Theatre, $25-$30 per show
Cupid’s Chase 5K
Sat., Silver Spring, $45+
Skinnytaste Simple Book Event
Sat., noon, Williams Sonoma Bethesda Row, $35 (includes signed copy of the cookbook)
Candle Making for Couples
Sat., 4 p.m., BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, $95
Things to do in Virginia
Clay Earrings Workshop
Thurs., Made in ALX in Alexandria, $80
Adults-only party at the LEGO Discovery Center
Fri., 6 p.m., Springfield, Virginia, $24.99
Last chance: An Adventure of Being art exhibit
Through Sun., Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington, free
Ribbon Cutting: New African American Heritage Trail signs
Sat., 11 a.m., Founders Park in Alexandria, free
Del Ray Urban Sketchers
Sun., 1-3 p.m., Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mt Vernon Ave., Alexandria, donations welcome
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