The DC Lineup for this weekend: #AloneTogether, Native American recipes and Black Friday alternatives

Since many of us are celebrating the holiday weekend alone or in smaller groups this year, we’ve included plenty of opportunities to stay connected with the DC community — reminding us of the #AloneTogether hashtag that was launched near the start of the pandemic. 

The weather over the next few days, Nov. 27 to 29, should be cloudy throughout Friday and into the day on Saturday, followed by clearer skies Saturday night and into Sunday. Temperatures are predicted to range from 36 to 62 degrees, according to the forecast.

1. Community: Bread for the City is altering its typical Holiday Helpings program, which delivers meals to DC residents who are experiencing food insecurity. This year, $50 gift cards are being distributed to those who have previously relied on Bread for the City, although the request form is closed due to high demand. The money may be used for food or other essential needs. Those who are able to give are asked to donate funds to support this initiative.

2. Theater: Enjoy the virtual cabaret “Make Them See You” while raising funds for technology that will make Anacostia High School’s music therapy program accessible to students at home. This initiative helps youth manage their mental health, which is especially critical amid the stress of the pandemic. Donation levels range from $5 to $50; all offer admission to the livestream performance, which takes place on Saturday at 8 p.m. The show is produced by the participatory theater company St. Mark’s Players. 

3. Nature: Instead of Black Friday, get outside to celebrate “Blue Friday” by cleaning up local waterways or parkland. To limit the spread of COVID-19, the Rock Creek Conservancy encourages participation in individual cleanups of Rock Creek’s 80-square-mile watershed. The organizers describe these experiences as “you, a trash bag, and whatever patch of the watershed means the most to you.” Participants are encouraged to register beforehand and provide feedback to the conservancy via email (volunteer@rockcreekconservancy.org) to help the group celebrate these efforts.

4. Food & Drink: Celebrate Native American Heritage Day on Friday with Indigenous cuisine. Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/San Juan Pueblo/Santee Dakota Indian), a writer and cultural specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, compiled a list in Smithsonian Magazine of recipes by seven Native American chefs. Aye’gaw’pehn’kee’tso’aye (braised buffalo), s’kepukeyi’nini wipeko (pumpkin blue corn bread) and vegan milise ti’me (sweet corn) maple ice cream are some of the highlights.

5. Comedy: The local comedy network Clean Comedy Connection delivers laughter to corporate, nonprofit and community groups who are seeking entertainment for their next gathering. This Saturday, the organization is hosting “LaughItOff Live (Thanksgiving Edition),” a virtual stand-up show featuring Washington-area comics David McOwen, Nikkie Knowles, Haywood Turnipseed Jr., Wendy Lee and PT Bratton. The performances are from 8 to 9 p.m. on Facebook Live. Tickets cost $10. 

6. Arts: The DC Area Transmasculine Society (DCATS) is hosting a Trans Art Sale. Featuring artwork by trans artists, the online sale starts on Black Friday and runs through midnight on Saturday. Participating artists have agreed to sell their pieces to whoever pledges to donate the highest amount to DCATS to raise money for the organization. It is free to attend.

7. Local Businesses: From Brookland to Foggy Bottom, local venues are hosting 2020 holiday markets laid out in accord with public health guidance. (If you’d prefer not to leave home, you can still shop locally — most of the participants have online stores you can visit virtually.) One option is Open Studios at the Brookland Arts Walk, which features local vendors in a socially distanced gathering where face masks are required. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at 716 Monroe St. NE. Activities include DIY jewelry with Kicheko Goods from 10 a.m. to noon, a live DJ at noon, and a DIY terrarium bar at Jungle & Loom from 2 to 4 p.m. Participating studios are Cherry Blossom Creative, Yinibini Baby, Kuzeh Pottery, Handmade Habitat, American Roadtrip Pillows, Caravan Organics, Kicheko Goods, Bicycle Trash, Marcella Kriebel Art, Jungle & Loom, Tim Kime Art/Transformation Junkies, Rebound Designs, Tolbert & Bing Gallery & Studios, Black Lab, AK arts, Studio 20, and Analog. Many will be offering specials throughout the day. … The Holiday Market at Victura Park also starts this weekend. DC-based participants will include artists Beth Hansen, An Made and Lindsey Vance as well as vendors like Kirk Ceramics, Dingus Designs Co., Mann Made Jewelry, Tat Stat Stitches, Made with Koi, Hero Heads, The Other Cat, Som Records, Abbe with Ane, Blue Moon Aquarius and It’s an Orriginal. Victura Park is at The REACH at the Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW. 

8. Seasonal Events: The Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District is setting a festive mood this holiday season with an interactive light display that includes an illuminated plaza full of gift boxes and streetlight decorations. The twinkling installation was created by the local design group Throughline. It will be up through Jan. 4 at BB&T Bank Plaza, 1801 Adams Mill Road NW.

9. Seasonal Events: Christmas tree sales begin at Olde City Garden this weekend. Available trees range from tabletop size to 10 feet tall. The shop is open from noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. It is located at 1325 Rhode Island Ave. NE. Parking is available nearby to make transporting the tree easier.

10. Fitness: This Saturday, District Zouk is offering a donation-based virtual Thanksgiving dance class and social on Facebook Live. The gathering is from 7 to 9:30 p.m. It starts with a 30-minute lesson on the fundamentals of Zouk (a Caribbean style of dance) followed by a half hour focused on old school Zouk. Participants will learn a sequence they can practice on their own afterward. A virtual party with DJ Chuky takes place for the rest of the night.