The DC Lineup for this weekend: science, community support and a puzzle swap

Learning opportunities and programs that benefit local youth abound in our Lineup for the last weekend of January.

The weather for the next few days, Jan. 29‐31, will be cold and mostly cloudy, according to the forecast. Some sunshine is likely on Saturday, followed by a few snow showers that night; a potential winter snowstorm on Sunday is expected to turn into a mix of rain and snow by the evening. Temperatures are predicted to range from 23 to 39 degrees.

1. Community: Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso (FAN) is a DC organization that serves youth impacted by the child welfare system. In sync with its name — which means “safe house, linked hearts” in the Akan culture of West Africa — FAN provides an after-school and summer “home base” that creates a stable, nurturing environment for kids. This Saturday, FAN is hosting a sold-out Grocery Giveaway. To help meet the needs of the community, the group also stocks neighborhood pantries and community fridges around Ward 8. Donations of items like toiletries and nonperishable food can be dropped off in person at the nonprofit, 2815 Stanton Road SE; monetary donations can be sent through Cash App ($FANDCPantry) or via FAN’s website.

2. Education: DC’s outgoing chief medical examiner, Dr. Roger A. Mitchell Jr., is speaking at a free Zoom event, Pathway From High School to Forensic Science Career. Geared toward students in grades 7–12, the talk is part of the Art of STEM workshop series presented by 100 Black Men of Greater Washington, DC. Participants will learn about forensic science topics like fingerprints, physical and trace evidence, crime scene investigations and medical examiner procedures. The talk is on Saturday from noon‐1:30 p.m. Registration is required. 

3. Family: The Federal City and Washington DC Alumnae Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority — which was founded at Howard University — are presenting a webinar on Support for Seniors and Their Caregivers in Washington, DC. Specialists will speak on topics like mental health and self-care, local resources for seniors, nutrition, and estate planning. The event, which is free and open to the public, is on Saturday from 1‐3 p.m.

4. Literature: Kris Zory King, the founder of the local literary organization MoonLit DC, is leading a workshop on Writing at the End of the World from 10‐11:30 a.m. on Sunday. The prompts will focus on developing creativity in the new year. The event is hosted by Alexandria, Virginia’s Old Town Books. A $10 donation is suggested to benefit Book Love, a charitable giving program in Old Town that sends books to kids in need around the region.

5. Music: Opera on Tap is a national nonprofit that organizes opera performances in alternative locations. The premiere of the DC Metro branch’s new virtual show Brand New Day is available on Saturday from 7‐8:30 p.m. on the organization’s YouTube channel. The songs will center on hope, love and expectation. The featured artists are Nathan Beary Blustein (piano), James Brown, David E. Chávez (piano), Melissa Chávez, Helena Crothers, Chichi Enu, Joe Haughton, Rebecca Henry, Elizabeth Mondragon, Maggie Ramsey, Carla Rountree, Nigel Rowe, Rachel Sitomer and Bennett Umhau. While the show is free, donations are welcome to benefit the Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund.

6. History: Shape the documentation of DC public education during an online Wikipedia Edit-a-thon presented by Wikimedia DC and the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives. Participants will improve Wikipedia articles about public education in the District to ensure accuracy and quality. The virtual gathering is on Saturday from 10 a.m.‐1 p.m. and is free to attend. Registration is required.

7. Recreation: The latest DC Puzzle Swap is taking place on the patio of the Pursuit Wine Bar & Kitchen, 1025 H St. NE. The event is produced by Rosedale Library Friends and DC Puzzle Swap, a group that formed in Columbia Heights in 2013 and has provided what The Washington Post calls “semi-mindless distraction” for some during the pandemic. Attendees must wear a mask and are invited (but not required) to bring a puzzle or “puzzle-like items” to exchange. The event, which is open to all ages, runs from 11 a.m.‐1 p.m. on Sunday.

8. Comedy: DC Science Comedy produces events that feature both scientists and comedians. This Saturday, the group is combining right- and left-brained thinking by hosting a Zoom event with PowerPoints on scientific topics. Russell Cohen-Hoffing, co-host of Science! The Show, and Kasha Patel, founder of DC Science Comedy, will sprinkle humor into presentations on topics like data visualization and ocean critters. Then comedians Sarah Stardust from NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, Brittany Carney from Comedy Central and Ricardo Williams from Nerd Nite Orlando will create a stand-up routine based on real science lectures. The show is from 8‐9 p.m. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link and a donation of at least $5 is recommended to pay the performers. Patel’s “Best of Zoom Comedy 2020” video on YouTube gives an idea of what to expect.

9. Music: DC-based poet and singer-songwriter Lotus is starting a free virtual concert series, Little Lit Living Room. The first performance takes place on Saturday from 5‐5:30 p.m. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Produced with Songbyrd Sounds LLC, the series features Lotus’ signature style, which she describes as “storytelling in music.”

10. Health & Spirituality: Grace Covenant Church DC is in the midst of a free, five-week food workshop series, Food For Life. The program focuses on preparing meals mindful of budgets and diets, and includes ample recipe demos. The church’s social responsibility team leads the talks and incorporates a biblical lesson in each workshop, held on Saturdays from noon–1:30 p.m. through Feb. 20. This weekend’s topic is “Meal Prep With Ease.”