The DC Lineup for Presidents Day weekend: commemorations, games, engineering and orchids
This weekend in DC provides opportunities to honor President Abraham Lincoln, as well as many other prominent U.S. figures such as descendants of trailblazers from the Civil War, a self-made photographer and Frederick Douglass on his bicentennial birthday. The inaugural Wharf Winter Games, engineering day at the National Building Museum, an orchid show at the U.S. Botanic Garden, the world premiere of a play at the Kennedy Center and events showcasing local music and art are also options.
The weather forecast calls for a high of 65 degrees on Friday, then clouds and sun on Saturday (with light snow or rain possible) and late rain showers on Sunday with temperatures into the 40s.
1. History: The DC Black History Celebration Committee hosts a Civil War Descendants’ Meet & Greet on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the African American Civil War Museum, 1925 Vermont Ave. NW. The event pays tribute to the U.S. Colored Troops as well as the importance of staying connected to genealogy and history. Descendants of notable figures such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman and Frank Garrett Hinton, a corporal in the 12th Heavy Artillery Unit of the U.S. Colored Troops, will speak in a panel discussion. The event is free, and registration is available online.
2. Art: This weekend is your last chance to see Gordon Parks: The New Tide, Early Work 1940–1950, an exhibit at the National Gallery of Art that showcases work from the 60-year career of a 1940s self-taught photographer who ended up working for major magazines like Ebony, Vogue, Fortune and Life. The show includes his photographs as well as magazines, books, letters and family photos. The National Gallery of Art is located between 3rd and 9th streets along Constitution Avenue NW. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Sunday 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. The Gordon Parks exhibit is in the Outer Tier on the ground floor of the West Building through Monday. Admission is free.
3. Theater: Three major DC cultural institutions — the Kennedy Center, National Gallery of Art and National Geographic Society — are co-presenting The Human Journey, a collection of performances, exhibitions and discussions centered around the theme of migration, identity, exploration and resilience. The programming runs through July. As part of the schedule, the Kennedy Center is debuting Joah Wilder’s play She a Gem this weekend in its Family Theater. Best-suited for ages 12 and older, it’s the story of three teenagers in Philadelphia who learn about their past through the game double dutch. Catch the world premiere on Friday at 7 p.m. or one of the subsequent shows on Saturday at 4 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 and 4 p.m. The performances will repeat at the same times next weekend. Tickets cost $20.
4. History: This year marks the 200th birthday of the celebrated activist, orator, author and statesman Frederick Douglass. To honor this occasion, the National Park Service hosts the Frederick Douglass Annual Birthday Commemoration on Saturday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the DC Prep Academy, 1409 V St. SE, featuring spirituals, poetry and dramatic readings of Douglass’ speeches. Tours of his home at 1411 W St. SE will be held on the quarter hour between 1 and 4 p.m. All programming is free.
5. Nature: Get the feeling of an early spring with Orchids: Amazing Adaptations in the Kogod Courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery/Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and F streets NW. Opening Saturday, the display is presented by the U.S. Botanic Garden, Smithsonian Gardens, Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Hundreds of orchids will fill the courtyard for the installation, which will include information about how the flowers adapt to different environments around the world. The exhibit continues through April 28. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. This is the first in a two-year series of exhibitions at Smithsonian Gardens called Habitat.
6. History: President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday was earlier this week on Tuesday, Feb. 12. To honor his legacy, take a tour of Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW, where he was assassinated on April 14, 1865. This historic site hosts tours daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The price is $3 per ticket. … On Monday, President Lincoln’s Cottage at 140 Rock Creek Church Road NW will host a children’s workshop. Kids will have a chance to make a stovepipe hat like the ones he used to store scraps of paper with ideas he didn’t want to forget. The 45-minute program will include a group reading of Kobi Yamada’s What Do You Do With a Chance? The fee is $5 per participating child, and reservations are available online for programs at 11:15 a.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
7. Science: The National Building Museum’s Discover Engineering Family Day 2019 is on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It gives visitors a chance to kick off National Engineers Week by learning from professional engineers, including an astronaut, and participating in hands-on activities, like assembling a wind-resistant building and motorized bot. The event is free and does not require registration. The museum is located at 401 F St. NW.
8. Recreation: Help establish a new tradition in the District at the inaugural Wharf Winter Games from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday at The Wharf, 1100 Maine Ave. SW. Curling, cornhold and pin the tail on the Husky are all on the agenda, plus s’mores and other refreshments throughout the day. All ages may come for free. Competitors are welcome along with those who just want to watch the fun.
9. Art: The Lemon Collective, a shared workspace established by DC creatives for DC creatives, is supporting local artists and makers affected by the government shutdown with a Back Pay Art Show & Market on Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at its new location, 810 Upshur St. NW. All of the proceeds from sales will go directly to the artists. Entry is free.
10. Music: Listen as DC-based violinist and composer David Shulman participates in the Hirshhorn Museum’s gallery experience Artsounds: Pulse Tank on Saturday from 2 to 3 p.m. He will bring Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s immersive installation to life with music. Pulse Tank — an interactive technology exhibit that animates the vital signs of visitors using heart rate sensors — is the Mexican-Canadian artist’s debut in DC. The installation will be on view through April 28.
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