Things to Do

Things to Do in DC This Weekend (February 15-19): A Black Panther Pop-Up Bar, Chinese New Year Events, and Sour Beer Week

The DC Chinese New Year Parade runs through Chinatown on Sunday afternoon. Photograph by Penny Lee.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15

DISCUSSION The US Holocaust Memorial Museum is delving into the work of Americans before and during the Holocaust with the lecture “Saints and Liars: American Relief and Rescue Workers during the Nazi Era.” Dr. Debórah Dwork, the Clark University Rose Professor of Holocaust History who founded the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies on campus, will discuss the Americans how Americans took action and managed to make a difference. Free (registration suggested), 7 PM.

MUSIC The Kennedy Center is presenting a series of Lunar New Year events this weekend. Its cornerstone concert features the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra on Thursday night at the Center’s Concert Hall. In addition to two Stravinsky classics, Fireworks and The Firebird suite, the orchestra will perform Guan Xia‘s One Hundred Birds Flying Towards the Phoenix with a suona (double-reeded Chinese horn) solo by 13th generation player Wenwen Liu. Conductor Tan Dun will also present his Triple Concerto for Piano, Violin, and Violoncello: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, a special version of the Grammy- and Oscar-winning score that he composed. $19-$39, 8 PM.

POP-UP In conjunction with the opening of the new Black Panther film, Red Lounge, a black-owned bar on U Street, will transform into a “Enter Wakanda,” Black Panther-themed pop-up bar with art, interactive set pieces, and special food and drinks on the menu. Through Sunday, but pick up tickets soon, as several of the time slots have already sold out. $5-$15.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16

WINE Sample over 100 wines at La Maison Française at The French Embassy during their “50 Shades of Rosé” events this weekend. There will also be a local artisan market, live music, and a culinary stage with seminars and tasting tips with food available for purchase à la carte. 21+ only, through February 17. $69-$99. Friday: 6 PM. Saturday, 1 PM or 6 PM.

FILM The two-day Black History Film Festival runs on Friday and Saturday at the Lincoln Theatre, featuring a reception on Friday night followed by a screening of Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges & Universities and a Q&A with the filmmakers. Saturday will have two different panels as well as several film screenings, including the Rosa Parks biopic Behind the Movement. Free (advanced RSVP suggested).

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17

FOOD Tiger Fork is celebrating Chinese New Year with a special six-course menu: Each course will represent a specific virtue to bring good luck into the New Year, such as happiness, prosperity, and longevity. On Saturday afternoon, the restaurant will host a special celebration outside in Blagden Alley with performances by Chinese lion and dragon dancers (to signify prosperity, good luck, and good fortune) and Kung Fu demonstrations. Dinner: $65 per person, starting at 12 PM. Outdoor celebration: 2:30 PM.

BOOKS Authors Derek Musgrove and Chris Myers Asch will discuss their book, Chocolate City: A History of Race and Democracy in the Nation’s Capital, at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum. Their work highlights the contentious issues of slavery, segregation, and gentrification in DC and the rich history of local activism in a city where residents lack full political rights. Free (online registration suggested), 1 PM.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18

PARADE Celebrate the Year of the Dog with the DC Chinese New Year’s Parade in Chinatown. The parade route kicks off at 6th & I St NW, loops down 8th Street, and finishes at 6th & H. The parade will include traditional lion and dragon dances, Kung Fu demonstrations, firecrackers, live music, and marching bands. Free, 2 PM.

RECORDS The DC Record Fair has been operating nearly twice per year for nine years. This winter’s edition at Penn Social will feature over 40 vinyl vendors from all over the East Coast, plus food, raffle items, and a DJ lineup. Early Bird: $5, doors at 11; Regular Admission: $2, doors at noon.

YOGA Utopia brings yoga and a dance party to Echostage on Sunday afternoon. Enjoy an all-levels-welcome Vinyasa Yoga session with live music, an open juice bar, and sandwiches from Sweet Leaf Cafe. Then break out your favorite dance moves to music by various DJs including DJ Biks, Jay Sean’s official tour DJ. Some proceeds will be donated to 109 World, an organization that helps raise awareness for social and environmental initiatives. $50 for all events (yoga starts at 1 PM) or $15 for dance party only (2:30 PM).

FOOD American Ice Company is roasting a whole pig to celebrate President’s Day with a tap takeover from Leesburg’s Vanish Farmwoods Brewery and live bluegrass music. The ticket price includes all the food you can eat, from the roasted pig to traditional sides such as mac & cheese, coleslaw, and cornbread. $25, noon to 4 PM.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19

FILM The new documentary Kangaroo: A Love-Hate Story shows the widespread, profit-driven slaughter of this Australian animal: It’s the largest land-based killing of animals anywhere in the world. Bethesda’s Alley Cat Allies is presenting DC’s only area screening of the film at Landmark’s E Street Cinema. After the film, Alley Cat Allies’ president Becky Robinson will join Kangaroo co-directors Mick McIntyre and Kate McIntyre Clere in a Q&A. $15, 7 PM.

BEER Coinciding with President’s Day, The Partisan kicks off Sours Week, featuring 10 tart beers on draft and an additional special pricing on select sour bottles. Beers are available à la carte or in flights and all are offered with suggestions of pairings with Red Apron charcuterie. Two different Hill Farmstead beers will be offered, plus beers from Burley Oak, Grimm, and Upland. Through February 25. Beer prices vary, 5 PM.