The DC Lineup for this weekend: public art, pop-ups and post-election plans

This edition of The DC Lineup highlights gatherings designed to process election week and the pandemic, as well as plenty of options that provide a break from current events.

The weather this weekend, Nov. 6 to 8, is predicted to be clear and sunny all three days. Temperatures should range from 44 to 72 degrees, according to the forecast.

1. Arts: Bethesda-based artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg produced “In America How Could This Happen,” a community art installation that includes over 220,000 white flags to honor Americans who have died from the novel coronavirus. Flags are continually added as the death toll rises. Members of the public are invited to add their own flag in person or personalize a flag on behalf of a loved one by filling out an online form. Thanks for a recent extension, the display is up through Nov. 30 on the DC Armory Parade Ground at RFK Memorial Stadium, 2400 East Capitol St. SE. Live webcams document the project. Firstenberg asks that anyone interested in supporting “In America” donate to chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen’s COVID-19 Restaurants for the People program.

2. Community: The U Street Neighborhood Association invites community members to gather for a “Post-Election Listening, Healing and Sharing” event that includes light music, outdoor heaters and discussion circles. Pets and family members are welcome. Hand sanitizer will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets. Social distancing will be enforced on site during the event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the neighborhood’s Alley Park, in the block bounded by 12th, 13th, U and T streets NW.

3. Poetry: The DC-based organization The Inkwell is hosting “This Is America: Poetry and Patriotism,” a writing workshop and open mic designed to help participants process current events in the United States like the pandemic and 2020 election. The program is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The first hour will focus on guided writing exercises about America. Participants will read from their work during the second portion. Participation is limited, so register online to reserve a link for the Zoom event. Tickets cost $5 to $15.

4. Community: St. Ann Catholic Church and Boy Scouts of America Troop 100 are hosting the John S. Mulholland Family Foundation Inc. Contactless Food Drive, which aids more than 800 local families each month. The following items are requested: Cheerios cereal, canned vegetables and fruit, peanut butter and jelly, canned tuna or chicken, canned soups (especially hearty styles), ready-to-go meals like Chef Boyardee, and canned beans. Food packaged in glass containers will not be accepted. Saturday’s drive-by donation gathering will be open from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at 4001 Yuma St. NW. Those who wish to give are asked to place bagged groceries in the trunk, drive up and then pop the trunk so the donations can be retrieved by volunteers, who will be wearing face masks and gloves for safety. Monetary donations are also accepted online. The organizers note that the need for food in the community is especially great as the holiday season approaches.

5. Literature: The bookstore Carpe Librum DC will be in Capitol Riverfront selling gently used books, CDs, DVDs and vinyl records across genres — all for under $6 apiece. The pop-up book sale is on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Canal Park, 200 M St. SE. Face masks and social distancing are required. Patrons are advised to bring payment methods like credit cards or e-pay options since cash will not be accepted. Carpe Librum raises funds for Turning the Page, a nonprofit dedicated to helping public school students succeed.

6. Arts: Hamiltonian Artists presents Welcome Home, an exhibition of sculptures and paintings by DC-based multidisciplinary artist Madeline A. Stratton. The exhibit will be up through Nov. 28 at Studio 1469, 1469 Harvard St. NW, and is viewable by appointment only. A virtual artist talk will take place on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. Stratton — a fellow in the Hamiltonian Artists program, which nurtures local artistic talent — will be in conversation with another Hamiltonian fellow, Amber Eve Anderson. … Local textile designer and artist Martina Sestakova is showcasing her work in a pop-up at Dupont Circle’s Shop Made in DC. Colorful merchandise like scarves and paintings from Sestakova’s brand RADOST will be for sale from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the shop, 1710 Connecticut Ave. NW. Masks are required and hand sanitizer will be provided.

7. Comedy: People of the District is a comedy series at Washington Improv Theater that showcases local residents. First, the cast members interview the guest. Then, they build an improv performance based on the Q&A. The guest for this Friday’s show is Quartz reporter Katherine Ellen Foley, whose work focuses on health and science issues such as COVID-19. The virtual event will be streamed on Facebook Live from 7:30 to 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to make a donation of $25.

8. Music: As part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, Virginia-based jazz and blues singer-songwriter Barbara Martin will perform a 20-minute “mini concert” at 8 p.m. Friday on Facebook Live. Martin dedicates the performance to her brother U.S. Army Cpl. Dennis Martin, who was killed in action during the Vietnam War. A recorded version of the show will be available on the Library of Congress’ website and YouTube page. The 20th anniversary celebration continues through Nov. 14 with various musical programs and conversations.

9. History: Learn about Frederick Douglass’ connections to Capitol Hill from the Civil War to the Gilded Age during a guided tour on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. The walk will begin outside the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress, 101 Independence Ave. SE. It includes stops at landmarks related to Douglass’ time in one of the neighborhoods he lived in during his tenure in DC, during which he built relationships with prominent government officials, generals and suffragists. The tour will be led by John Muller, author of Frederick Douglass in Washington, D.C.: The Lion of Anacostia. Tickets cost $12.50 to $17.50.

10. Music: Samantha Scheff, who joined St. John’s Lafayette Square as assistant organist earlier this year, will perform a free recital on Facebook Live as part of the Music at the Monastery series hosted by the Terra Sancta Organ Festival. Originating from the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America in DC’s Brookland neighborhood, the program includes music by J.S. Bach, César Franck, Max Reger, François-Eustache du Caurroy and Pamela Decker. The concert is from 4 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Fans are encouraged to subscribe to the organ festival’s YouTube channel and follow its Facebook page.