MONDAY, MARCH 21
HAPPY HOUR, FILM, DISCUSSION: Watch The Babushkas of Chernobyl as part of the Environmental Film Festival at the Carnegie Institute of Science, and then join in on a discussion with co-Director and co-producer Holly Morris. The documentary tells the story of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster—still the most destructive nuclear power plant incident of all time, leading to a death toll of nearly 4,000 due to radioactive fallout—and the group of women who have created an unlikely home at the explosion site. As a pre-film mood-lightener, be sure to meet up with Bridge To Ukraine at Stoney’s for a happy hour. $10, 5:15 PM.
READING AND DISCUSSION: Authors Mitchell Jackson and Leslie Jamison come together for a discussion about the art of the memoir, the essay, non-fiction, and so much more at Folger Shakespeare Library for PEN/Faulkner Reading Series‘ “I Feel Your Pain.” Jackson’s visit to DC follows the release of his critically-acclaimed work The Residue Years—based on his own upbringing in a Portland, Oregon neighborhood “harrowed by the crack cocaine epidemic”—while Jamison’s essay collection The Empathy Exams is a memoir about the way we share feelings with one another. $15, 7:30 PM.
TUESDAY, MARCH 22
EAT AND DRINK: If you like friendly competition and beer but aren’t interested in March Madness, you should check out Beer Madness. Along with getting to see The Washington Post’s new digs, you’ll get to sample the four beers selected from the Beer Madness’s final eight. And don’t worry about drinking on an empty stomach: Whole Foods Market’s chef Benjamin Nola (formerly of Rose’s Luxury) will be serving up appetizers to snack on and pair with your beer. $22, 6 PM
PAINT: St. Paddy’s day has come and gone, but there’s still time to appreciate Ireland’s stunning scenery. Whether you’re an expert or a total beginner, come to Art Jamz in Brookland and try your hand at painting an Irish landscape. All you need to do is bring your desire to paint and have fun, and Art Jamz will provide the rest: $4 beers for sale along with supplies, instructors, and cool jams to listen to while you exercise your creativity. $32 for an 8 x 10 canvas, $35 for a 12 x 16 canvas, 7 PM.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23
EAT: On Wednesday India observes Holi, the colorful Hindu spring festival that’s also known as the festival of colors. Cleveland Park restaurant Indique is offering the chance to experience the culinary side of the holiday with a traditional Thali meal. Thali is a traditional Indian platter eaten on Holi that’s comprised of small dishes with a variety of flavor and textures. Indique will be serving up tasty options for both vegetarians ($22) and non-vegetarians ($24). 5:30 PM.
MUSIC: Hip Hop artist Pusha T first gained mainstream attention when he signed onto Kanye West’s GOOD Music label in 2010 (he’s now its president), but he’s actually been churning out excellent hip-hop music since the early 2000s, first as a part of duo Clipse and then as a solo artist. Catch what promises to be an energetic and fun performance at at 9:30 Club. 7 PM, $35-$99.
