The DC Lineup for this weekend: flowers, folklore and free improv

The first weekend of May is full of typical DC spring traditions like marketplaces, book festivals and music showcases — but this year they are all virtual. Improv programs, a discussion of Slavic folklore, a virtual race, a celebration of International Workers Day and an opportunity to learn how to speak out against stereotypes are other options over the next few days, May 1 to 3.

Friday morning’s clouds cleared out in time for some afternoon sun, and Saturday is expected to be mostly sunny with scattered thunderstorms on Sunday, according to the forecast. Temperatures should range from 49 to 76 degrees.

1. Social Causes: In honor of International Workers Day on Friday, the climate justice organizing space #ShutDownDC is inviting all types of working people in the District to submit stories of their experiences during the COVID-19 crisis and their hopes for the future. The group will deliver those anecdotes to government decision-makers, plus display them online with the hashtag #IAmEssential and on the streets of the District through posters and projections. Essential workers like health care, warehouse, solid waste and grocery store employees as well as students, people working in prisons, and people who have been laid off or are out of work are invited to participate.

2. Social Causes: This Sunday, the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington is hosting “No Hate in the DMV: Breaking Down Harmful Stereotypes.” The free online discussion will address stereotypes of faith communities and give attendees tips on how to speak out. The event is from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Registration is required.

3. Recreation: Join the eighth annual Superhero 5K and Fun Run virtually anytime between Friday and the end of May. The “race” can take place anywhere. Physical distancing is encouraged. Participants may run or walk, and submit their finish time to kiltedtiming@gmail.com. Superhero costumes are typically worn during the in-person race; anyone who wishes to wear one during the virtual race is welcome to share their photos. All who finish will receive a digital bib, certificate of completion and a medal. The fun run is half a mile long and geared toward youth; it is recommended that a parent or guardian supervise. The event commemorates Foster Care Month and supports BEST Kids Mentoring Program, a local nonprofit that serves youth in DC’s foster care system. Registration fees are $25 for a single person, $45 for two people and $80 for four people. The fun run is free.

4. Local History: This is the first full weekend to shop at All Hallows Guild‘s virtual Flower Mart. Vendors include local merchants like The Dough Jar edible cookie dough shop and Is a Candle, which makes artisanal beeswax candles. Flowers, plants and garden accessories are also for sale. The marketplace is part of an annual springtime festival that raises funds to maintain the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral; this marks its 81st year. The online market is open through May 10. Aside from the shopping opportunities, the website offers a few different ways to engage with the festivities, like watching a video of the Washington National Cathedral’s International Floral Display and reading a blog that documents Flower Mart’s history. A downloadable coloring page is based on this year’s market theme “Into the Woods,” which is a nod to the 5-acre Olmsted Woods on the cathedral’s property. The public is encouraged to share their finished artwork on social media and tag @allhallowsguild.

5. Local Businesses: Catch Friday night’s portion of the daylong Instagram livestream festival and fundraiser A Day IN DC, hosted by Brightest Young Things. More than 20 DC-based businesses and creatives are being highlighted from 6:30 a.m. to midnight. The evening schedule includes music, trivia and presentations from Busboys and Poets, U Street Music Hall and Songbyrd. The event is free to attend, but donations are encouraged to support establishments across the city. Watch the livestream on Instagram at @brightestyoungthings. 

6. Literature: Capitol Hill’s 10th annual Literary Hill BookFest will take place online on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free event will include a panel discussion, children’s corner, an author discussion and poetry readings. Many celebrated local writers will participate, including Abby Maslin, E. Ethelbert Miller and Louis Bayard — plus Claudia Kousoulas and Ellen Letourneau, the co-authors of Bread & Beauty: A Year in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve, a collection of stories, essays, recipes and photographs about farmers in Maryland. DC-based literary organizations like the Library of Congress, the Folger Shakespeare Library, bookshops and publishers will also be featured. … This is the first weekend to participate in Split This Rock’s virtual Social Change Book Fair, during which organizations will be highlighted using the hashtag #SplitThisBookFair. A number of local exhibitors will be featured such as the Barrelhouse nonprofit literary organization, Beltway Poetry Quarterly, Busboys and Poets and the OutWrite LGBTQ literary festival.

7. Local Businesses: The 17th annual Georgetown French Market will be held digitally this year starting Friday and continuing through May 8. More than 15 local vendors based in the Book Hill corridor will sell their merchandise online. Special promotions, a story time, music and a French baking demonstration are also part of the festivities. A portion of the proceeds will go to Martha’s Table and Christ Child Opportunity Shop to support their efforts to help families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

8. Comedy: Washington Improv Theater is offering a free hourlong Improv for All workshop this Friday on Zoom from 7 to 8 p.m. No experience is necessary. Registration is required to reserve a spot and receive login details. … The DC Improv Comedy Club takes one of its signature events online on Friday: Comedy Kumite, a one-night stand-up tournament in which eight Washington-area comics compete for the evening’s championship title. Comedians are paired in sets of two, and the audience chooses a winner to advance from each round. Friday’s featured performers are Rob Maher, Haywood Turnipseed Jr., Dylan Vattelana, Wendy Wroblewski, Violet Gray, Rallo Boykins, Kasha Patel and Matty Litwack. Tickets cost $5. The show is from 8 to 9:15 p.m.

9. Education: George Washington University folklorist Phillippa Rappoport is the featured speaker at this Friday’s Profs and Pints online event, “Mermaid Tales.” According to Slavic folklore, May brings “Mermaid Week,” during which mermaids (rusalki) lure young men into the water and take their lives. Rappoport will discuss this legend along with the songs, rituals, parades and other traditions that have stemmed from it. The event takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $12, and ticket holders will have access to a recording online afterward.

10. Music: DC-based Listen Vision Recording Studios is hosting a QuaranTunes Song Contest on Friday from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Those interested in submitting a song may do so at forms@ListenVision.com, along with $10 for each song to $ListenVision on CashApp. Anyone can listen to the songs on Friday and vote online for their favorite at @ListenVision on Instagram. The winner will receive $100.