The DC Lineup for this weekend: demonstrations, digital concerts and DIY

Wellness, community and history are themes in the DC Lineup for this weekend, June 12 to 14.

The weather will be partly cloudy on both Friday and Sunday but mostly sunny on Saturday. Temperatures over the next few days will range from 59 to 87 degrees, according to the forecast.

1. Community: In solidarity with the recent historic protests against police brutality, the theme for the Pride March presented by No Justice No Pride is “Defund MPD.” This event is diverging from the Capital Pride Alliance’s Pride events and joining with groups such as DC Dyke March, Plantita Power, HIPS, DecrimNOW DC, Showing Up for Racial Justice and Black Lives Matter DC. The group will gather at 2:30 p.m. at Jessup Blair Park, near 7701 Blair Road, Silver Spring. The march starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a ball at a to-be-determined location at 4:30 p.m.  

2. Wellness: Starting this Sunday, the wellness company Evolving Lives Body & Mind will host biweekly donation-based yoga classes to support organizations related to the Black Lives Matter movement. Classes will continue to take place every other week on Sundays through the end of September. The proceeds will go toward social justice organizations such as Black Voters Matter, Campaign Zero, Color of Change, Legal Defense and Education Fund, Movement for Black Lives, NAACP, National Black Justice Coalition and National Urban League. Each 60-minute class takes place outdoors at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Ave. NW. The description notes that “all who support justice and reform for black lives welcome.” The suggested donation per class — or for those who are unable to attend the class but want to support the cause — is $5 to $25.

3. Community: Take a Knee is a silent vigil and protest that invites the public to kneel for 8 minutes and 46 seconds out of respect for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and other black people who have lost their lives to police brutality, poverty, inadequate housing and systemic racism. The demonstration, hosted by 846 Vigils for Black Lives – Washington, DC, began last Sunday and continues daily from 6 to 6:09 p.m. through Saturday, June 20. Participants are invited to gather with appropriate physical distance at Logan Circle as a nod to the location of part of the 1968 uprising following Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination — or to join wherever they are.

4. Nature: Take a breath of fresh air while making art inspired by Rock Creek Park during “Create by the Creek,” a physically distant gathering that starts on Saturday and runs through next Sunday, June 21. Participants are welcome to join virtually or set up a safe spot in the park. All types of creativity are encouraged; drawing, painting, writing, rapping, photography, film and collage are some ideas. Rock Creek Park is open during daylight, so the approximate hours for this event are from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Washington Studio School, National Park Service, Friends of Peirce Mill and Rock Creek Conservancy organized the program.

5. Local Business: In lieu of its classic April Porch Fest, Rhode Island Avenue NE Main Street (RIAMS) is hosting two free digital options this year during Virtual Porch Fest 2020. On Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., the festival will be broadcast on Crowdcast, then will recur on June 20. This weekend’s musical lineup includes Atoms Apart, L.O. (Love Often), Seth & Will Kibel, Flo Anito, Lamonte Bombay, Little Synth Band, Austin Bullock, The Mercy Alliance, The Saints Band, Panda God and Mason McCormick. The program will also showcase dance, poetry and local Rhode Island Avenue businesses. The organizers note that the annual festival is “normally one of the biggest revenue days of the year for our small businesses,” so members of the public are encouraged to support small businesses through RIAMS’ Small Business Relief Fund.

6. Music: The Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District begins its free “Friday Nights From Home” concerts this weekend. In honor of the 10th anniversary of the BID’s usual Yards Park performance series, this year’s virtual program includes a variety of Washington-area musicians who have previously played on the boardwalk stage. This Friday will feature DC-based Americana musicians Justin Trawick and the Common Good. June 19 will showcase the Virginia-based band Pebble to Pearl, which cites Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and Chaka Khan as influences. Alexandria native Jarreau Williams, locally called the “man with the golden pipes,” will perform on June 26. The funk-rock group Aztec Sun, a product of DC’s One World Studios, will close the series on July 3. Produced by DC Fray, all shows are from 7 to 8 p.m. on Facebook. Capitol Riverfront restaurants like Bonchon Navy Yard, Ice Cream Jubilee, Slipstream DC and Wisely Pizza will be offering a 10% discount on food orders from 5 to 8 p.m.

7. Music: Diverse Markets is hosting a Virtual Night Market this Friday in support of Market SW. The digital event will feature local musicians Jazz Trotters at 5 p.m. followed by blues performer Stacy Brooks at 6:15 p.m. Held to support the area’s black-owned businesses, the livestream will also include work by artists and cooking demonstrations. In lieu of Market SW’s typical summer night market series, this weekend’s program will be available on the group’s Facebook page.

8. Community: So Others Might Eat (SOME) is organizing a snack bag collection this Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3513 N St. NW. Additional collections this summer will take place on July 18 and Aug. 22. The public is invited to volunteer to prepare snack bags for those in need, or drop off donations. Since many of its regular activities are paused, this serves as a way for the Georgetown church to stay engaged with the community.

9. Recreation: The They/Them Collective is hosting a Pride for Us virtual celebration this Sunday and Monday. The program includes a keynote speech by artist, activist and community organizer Asteria Summers on Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m. and a panel with trans migrant youth from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. From 5 to 6 p.m., the DIY sewing group Sew Queer will present “A Short History of the Free Mending Booth” to talk about its volunteers’ work hosting beginner-level sewing lessons to help those in the local queer community tailor clothes to suit their gender. 

10. History: “First Ladies 1789-1963: Martha to Jackie” is a free online program that will review the history of U.S. presidents’ wives from Martha Washington to Jacqueline Kennedy, covering both their personal lives and world contributions. A quiz (with the potential to win prizes) frames the discussions. This Saturday’s program is from 8 to 9:30 p.m.; future events will cover first ladies up to Melania Trump. Washington DC History & Culture hosts the series.