The DC Lineup for this weekend: a cappella, civil rights history and comic relief

Our Lineup for this weekend, Jan. 15–17, lists plenty of options to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as well as arts programming for respite and reflection during these tense and dangerous times. Most of the events are virtual; a few are in person.

With street closures, access restrictions, Metrorail station closures and deployment of the National Guard in much of the downtown area and around the Capitol, the District is preparing for the potential of a dangerous weekend. Both the federal and local governments have declared a state of emergency in DC following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. The security measures being put in place come in the wake of media reports about an internal FBI bulletin that warned of “a huge uprising” by violent extremists who expressed their intent to travel to DC on Jan. 16. DC residents are advised to stay vigilant this weekend and through the inauguration; details are available at the DC government’s online portal, inauguration.dc.gov. You can also sign up for updates by texting INAUG2021 to 888-777.

The weather over the next few days will range from rainy to sunny. Occasional showers are expected on Friday evening. Saturday should be a mix of clouds and sun, followed by some clouds at night. The weekend will close with a mostly sunny Sunday, with a few clouds in the afternoon and mostly cloudy skies after sunset. Temperatures are forecast to range from 31 to 53 degrees.

1. Music: The a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock, three-time Grammy nominees, is performing two Zoom concerts in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The DC-based ensemble, which is celebrating its 47th year, features Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Aisha Kahlil, Rochelle Rice, Christie Dashiell and Romeir Mendez. The members say that their ensemble is “rooted in African American history and culture,” producing a multifaceted music style that comprises African, blues, gospel and jazz. Some of their songs are available free online. Both of this weekend’s shows are on Sunday: An afternoon performance starts at 3 p.m. followed by an evening performance at 8 p.m. The performances will be broadcast from the Lincoln Theatre with special guests including television host (and Howard University alumna) Kiki Shepard, actor Keith David, Grammy-nominated singer (and DC-native) Mumu Fresh, saxophonist Azar Lawrence and trombonist Wycliffe Gordon. American Sign Language interpreter Barbara Hunt will also take the stage. Tickets cost $15, with an option to watch the performance afterward on demand for an additional $5. Viewers may also opt to buy a ticket bundle for $50; this includes admission to both shows as well as an intimate conversation with Sweet Honey at 7:15 p.m.

2. Community: The second annual MLK Feed the Hood Weekend of Action takes place over the next few days. The schedule includes two socially distanced community cleanups. One is on Saturday from noon–2 p.m. at 3006 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE; the other is on Sunday from 1–3 p.m. at 4300 Wheeler Road SE. Participants will also deliver 200 care packages to the 801 East Men’s Shelter and Harriet Tubman Women’s Shelter. Those interested in joining are invited to register online or to email chair@dcnbuf.org for more information. The program is organized by Advisory Neighborhood Commissions 8C and 8E, the DC branch of the NAACP and the National Black United Front.

3. Spirituality: DC Unity & Justice Fellowship’s annual MLK service, Reflections on the Civil Rights Movement, will take place virtually this year. Ruby Sales, civil rights activist and founder/director of The SpiritHouse Project, and Gregg Ivers, an American University professor who directs the Julian Bond Oral History Project on the civil rights movement, are among the presenters. The free event is on Sunday from 3–4 p.m. It is produced by DC Unity & Justice Fellowship in partnership with First Rock Baptist Church. Registration is open online.

4. Spirituality: Sixth & I is hosting MLK Shabbat Experience: Visions of Freedom and Justice on Friday at 7 p.m. The program includes a virtual trip to Philadelphia to visit historical places that are meaningful to Black and Jewish communities. Choirs from Sixth & I and Turner Memorial AME Church (which worshipped for five decades in the building now home to Sixth & I) will perform “soul-lifting music.” Sixth & I’s Rabbi Shira Stutman and Turner’s Rev. D.K. Kearney will preach. Registration is required to attend the free event; donations are appreciated.

5. Comedy: The DC Improv Comedy Club is inviting “funny people from the DMV” to perform five-minute acts — stand-up, sketch or improv — during its Zoom comedy challenge Make Up Party. The theme is “Nightlife.” Cheers from the online audience will determine the winner. The maximum team size is six; more than a dozen individuals and teams are confirmed so far. Tickets for performers and spectators cost $5 per person. Those interested in performing should email chris@dcimprov.com or fill out this form. The show takes place on Sunday from 8–9:15 p.m. 

6. Theater: The National Theatre Corp. presents free virtual family programs on Saturday mornings on Facebook Live from 9:30–10 a.m. This weekend’s theme, “Book of How,” teaches viewers to be better listeners (which feels timely amid our country’s current discord). Special guests include essential workers. The episode — the first in a three-part series called “Life Now” — is produced by Northwestern University’s Imagine U. It includes music, movement, crafts and storytelling — all designed to get kids and their families to learn and have fun together. Additional episodes take place on Jan. 30 and Feb. 13. The online offerings are in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Saturday Morning Live! At The National series of children’s programming. 

7. Arts: Local artist Buck!, who won the 2020 DC Mayor’s Art Award for Excellence in Visual Art, is displaying his artwork in the solo exhibition In All Things. The opening reception takes place on Friday from 6–10 p.m. at the Petworth art space Art of Noize, 821 Upshur St. NW, Rear #2. Face masks and social distancing are required, with a maximum of 10 people in the gallery at a time. Light refreshments will be served, and the artist will be on site to speak with visitors. A 3D virtual preview (complete with music) is available online.

8. Arts: DC-based artist Chris Combs’ latest Rhizome DC exhibition, Maelstrom: Your data. Our connections, explores personal data, including how it is collected and used to produce targeted marketing ads — and how that same data could become incriminating. More than 40 machines created by the artist spread rumors to other machines using radios and a cascading graph structure. The experience is meant to “replicate the feeling of being at the center of a social media conspiracy theory,” according to the description. The kicker? The data used in the installation comes from the visitors’ devices. A virtual opening takes place on Saturday at 7 p.m. (a link will be posted on the exhibition page). In-person appointments are also available from noon–4 p.m., limited to one person or one pod at a time. Those interested may email info@rhizomedc.org to schedule a visit.

9. Arts: The DC Area Transmasculine Society is hosting a virtual crafting circle for its Transmasc and Nonbinary Art Night. Participants are invited to bring projects they’re working on or start something brand-new. The moderated gathering is on Friday from 7–9 p.m. It is primarily meant for transmasculine and nonbinary people, but friends, spouses and allies are also welcome. Those who would like to join must register and join the society’s channel to receive the link. 

10. Education: The Hidden Meaning of Dreams is a free online conversation that will explore the significance of dreams, including spiritual perspectives from the Bahá’í Faith. “How many times it happens that a question which one cannot solve in the world of wakefulness, is solved in the world of dreams,” the description notes as one Bahá’í teaching. Participants must register online to receive access information for the meeting, which takes place on Friday from 7:30–9:30 p.m. The event, produced by Meaningful Conversations Washington, DC, is free and open to all.