The DC Lineup for this weekend: mostly virtual options amid cancellations

With the threat of the novel coronavirus, most events have been canceled across the District. But there are still activities happening in the city over the next few days — and ways to stay safe doing them, including options for remote access. The DC government gives residents advice for handling this situation day-to-day, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide specific tips for those planning large events, including useful tips for community members to prevent spreading the virus.

Helping those in need tops our list, and we’ll keep looking out for more ways to do so in the weeks to come. We’ve also highlighted some events and services that can be accessed remotely, like free delivery, a Wikipedia edit-a-thon, and a long-running film festival that’s streaming its curated selections online this year. Other options include celebrations of Persian New Year and gardening season. Please check organizers’ event listings for the most up-to-date information, as details may change.

It will be cloudy throughout the weekend. Temperatures should range from 35 to 72 degrees, according to the forecast.

1. Community Service: So Others Might Eat (SOME) is requesting donations to support community members who become ill. Over-the-counter medications like Tylenol, Advil, cough drops and cough syrup are listed, along with household items like tissues, gloves, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer and hand soap. Food is also being collected, such as canned meals (like chili and ravioli), oatmeal, cereal, granola bars, bread and cold cuts. Donations can be dropped off at 71 O St. NW on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Funds may also be donated online. SOME is postponing face-to-face volunteer opportunities, but will be seeking help with “behind-the-scenes” operations beginning March 17.

2. Literature: The DC Public LIbrary will close its facilities from Monday through the end of March, though its digital offerings will remain available. That makes this weekend the last chance to check out any materials before the closure. Standard hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

3. Arts: The third annual Norooz Market DC, a celebration of the Persian New Year, is being held virtually this year. As an alternative to the event’s usual location at the Arts Walk at Monroe Street Market in Brookland, organizers have moved the marketplace online due to growing community health concerns. The digital market will be on until March 20, and 10% of the proceeds will benefit Children of Persia, an organization that is providing emergency relief to Iran as it combats the coronavirus.

4. History: To celebrate Women’s History Month, the National Museum of Women in the Arts is hosting its seventh annual Art + Feminism edit-a-thon on Saturday. Editors will update Wikipedia pages to include more women as part of a worldwide strategy to strive for gender equity in the online encyclopedia. This year’s mission is to highlight female Latin American artists. The in-person event has been canceled to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (the museum is closed to the public from March 14 to 31), but remote participation is an option: Edit Wikipedia pages from home and use the hashtags #ArtAndFeminism and #NowEditingAF to connect with the community.

5. Food & Drink: Order in from a local restaurant (or buy a gift card to use later) to help businesses stay afloat during this public health crisis. DC Central Kitchen provides a list of its partner restaurants as a resource, mentioning that these restaurants are a key part of the organization’s work to fight hunger and provide culinary training opportunities in the District.

6. Arts: Friday afternoon, catch DC Public Schools’ annual Everyday DC exhibition ― which features photography by more than 150 middle school students from 14 local schools — at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery, 702 8th St. NW. The project is a partnership with the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting that is partly funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. It captures the District through the eyes of youth to combat stereotypes. The installation opened Wednesday and was originally scheduled to run through March 20, but the gallery will close Saturday through the end of April as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus. The gallery is open Friday until 4 p.m.; entry is free.

7. Film: Although the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital has been canceled this year due to the coronavirus, the organizers are offering the option to watch their curated films online. The current digital selection dates back to 1990 and includes one film, Uniontown, from this year. More of the 2020 films will be included in a “virtual festival” that will start next week. No registration is needed to participate digitally, but some third-party services that host the videos (like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu) require an account or payment. Films streamed on other platforms like Vimeo and YouTube are free.

The streaming option is a way for anyone who’s opting to stay in this weekend to connect with a long-standing tradition in the city. The Environmental Film Festival began in 1993 and has since cemented its place in the local arts and advocacy scenes, having won the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Creative Industries in 2017. A smaller version of the fest is planned for the fall, with additional screenings later in the year. Those interested in supporting the festival may submit donations online.

8. Nature: Olde City Garden’s Garden Center will reopen this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flowers and plants will be on display at 1325 Rhode Island Ave. NE in Brookland. Olde City first opened in Shaw in by revamping the shuttered Shaw Junior High School. The center provides landscaping and design services, and hosts workshops and parties at its event space to expose the community to green space.

9. Literature: Since many people are opting to stay home, Politics and Prose announced it is offering free shipping within the United States until at least the end of March. Orders may be placed online or over the phone at 202-364-1919. … Kramerbooks also highlights its delivery service through Postmates, which includes a fee of $2.99 with an estimated wait of 25 to 40 minutes to receive your package within DC.

10. Food & Drink: The steakhouse Medium Rare announced in a tweet that it will deliver meals to people over 70 who are quarantined or self-separating in the Washington area.