THURSDAY, APRIL 7
EAT AND DRINK: For most of us, the extent of what we know about Chianti wines or the Chianti region of Italy comes from that terrifying scene in Silence of the Lambs. That’s where Catch 15 Italian Kitchen + Oyster Bar comes in. On Thursday, they’re hosting a Gabbiano Wine Dinner, where guests can learn all about the region’s history and drink wine from winery proprietor Federico Cerelli. $65, 6:30 PM.
MUSIC: Singer, actress, and civil rights activist Mavis Staples will perform her genre-bending blend of R&B, gospel, folk, and pop at The Hamilton on Thursday night. Staples has been wowing audiences with her powerful pipes and equally powerful songwriting for more than 50 years—no wonder Bob Dylan once asked for her hand in marriage. $39.75-$82.50, 7:30 PM.
FRIDAY, APRIL 8
BIKES: It certainly hasn’t felt like it lately, but spring technically arrived two weeks ago. Get out of the cold weather doldrums by working up a sweat at Bike Party’s annual Cherry Blossom Chase. Meet in Dupont Circle where the ride kicks off, and finish at at local ice creamery Milk Cult’s warehouse for music, dancing, and cheap beer. Free to attend, 7:30 PM.
THEATER: Bread & Puppet Theater will be bringing their giant puppets to St. Stephens Church on Friday with their latest production: “The Public Access Center for the Obvious Presents: The Situation.” Billed as a “musical and dark clown show,” viewers can expect a madcap experience featuring “cardboard horses, an anti-extinction angel, proletariat broom dancers, a 100 watt lightbulb, a ship of fools, and a swinging brass band.” This is probably something you shouldn’t miss. 10-$15 suggested Donation, 8 PM.
SATURDAY, APRIL 9
FESTIVAL: The DC Chocolate Festival, the first artisanal chocolate festival in the area, is the opportunity for chocoholics to not only eat their favorite sweet, but learn about it too. Partake in workshops, lectures, and tastings all day with artisanal chocolate makers from DC and across the world. $32.64, 10 AM.
PAGEANT: What do Jason Segel, Seth Rogen, and Jon Hamm have in common (besides working with Judd Apatow)? They all have dad bods: male figures that strike a nice balance between svelte and beer belly-ish. On Saturday, at Acre 121, you can attend a dad bod pageant, which means getting to watch “softly round” contestants get judged on formal wear, swimwear, talent, and more. Proceeds go towards the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. $10, 7 PM.
SUNDAY, APRIL 10
MUSIC: The fourth annual hardcore punk festival Damaged City Fest will take place this weekend at venues all over DC, and will feature acts like Sheer Mag and Zero Boys. Things culminate on Sunday, though, with a festival-ending blowout at the Black Cat backstage, headlined by Japanese punk group Systematic Death and local group The Goons. $15, 7:30 PM.
DISCUSSION: One of the most awe-inducing installations at the Renwick Gallery’s “Wonder” exhibit is “In the Midnight Garden,” also known as that bright pink room full of bugs. On Sunday, installation creator Jennifer Angus joins Seán Brady, the chair of the Entomology Department at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, in a discussion about her work and why insects are more important than most people even know. Free, 2 PM.
