THURSDAY, APRIL 14
FILM FESTIVAL: The 30th annual Filmfest DC kicks off on Thursday night at AMC Mazza Gallerie with the premiere of The Dressmaker, “a scandalous tale of love and vengeance in the mid-1950s” set in Australia starring a fiery Kate Winslet. Mayor Muriel Bowser will also be in attendance to give a speech about the festival’s artistic contributions to the community. Stick around after the film for a reception. $45, 7 PM.
FRIDAY, APRIL 15
READING: Swing by DC9 on Friday for “An Evening of Humorous Readings,” an event, as its name suggests, that features readings from DC’s funniest writers. Who knows: It may inspire you to submit that short story you’ve always been meaning to share with the world to McSweeney’s. $10, 7 PM.
MUSIC: Chairlift is a Brooklyn synth pop duo—comprised of Caroline Polachek and Patrick Wimberly—that have, perhaps, the most important, influential fan in the music industry: Beyoncé. That’s right—Queen Bae herself tapped Polachek and Wimberly to help her write and record the song “No Angel” from her 2013 self-titled album. Follow Beyoncé’s lead and see the band at the Black Cat on Friday. $15, 9 PM.
SATURDAY, APRIL 16
FESTIVAL: Cherry Blossom season is coming to a close, but you can still celebrate the flowers with Saturday’s Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, which will run for 10 blocks along Constitution Avenue. Come for the floats, the giant helium balloons, the high school marching bands, and the slew of live performances that include songs from the cast of Jersey Boys and The Voice contestants Sisaunda Lewis and Meghan Lindsey. $20-$30, 1o AM.
PARTY: DC Brau celebrates its fifth anniversary on Saturday with a blowout event featuring performances from hard rock band The Sword, local punk outfit Loud Boyz, and others. Also come for the wide selection of beers from breweries such as Austin Beerworks, Cigar City Brewing, and Port City Brewing. $45-$200, 1 PM.
SUNDAY, APRIL 17
FOOD: There’s no better way to shake off the end-of-the-weekend doldrums than by shoving chips and guacamole in your face. Head to the Board Room in Dupont on Sunday for DC Guac Off, which will make for a fun afternoon of guac tastings, drink specials, and good conversation. You can submit a guacamole for everyone to taste too, the best of which will receive a $75 gift card to the Board Room. 100 percent of all benefits go towards The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. $10, 2 PM.
MUSIC: The late Billie Holiday was a pioneering jazz vocalist and songwriter, responsible for releasing such timeless tracks as “Strange Fruit,” “My Man” and “Gloomy Sunday.” If you love her music, then stop by Songbyrd Music House on Sunday for a tribute set to Holiday from the singer Ghost. $20, 7:30 PM.
