You’d think a week after those epic election celebrations things would feel a bit less ominous, but after days of news cycle insanity (looking forward to when THAT eventually ends), not to mention Friday the 13th and the impending MAGA rallies this weekend, it’s all a little much. And with rising COVID rates on top of it all, this seems like a pretty ideal time to stay home. Fortunately we just launched a brand new newsletter focused on falling back in love with the GREAT INDOORS! If you’re not signed up to receive it, fix that here.
For those of you who are reading this going, “BUT WHAT IF I WANT TO GO OUTSIDE, MEGAN?!” then I’m going, “DON’T FREAK OUT! In addition to at-home-friendly programming, I’ll be sure to pepper in some safe and socially distanced IRL options, too!” (And if you do opt to go that route, PLEASE stay safe and vigilant in ALL of the ways.)
Before we get into the details, let’s quickly cover a few things you might’ve missed from the BYT universe the past few days:
- Like I said, we launched our new indoor-centric newsletter this week! Find out more about (and sign up for) The Great Indoors here.
- We also showcased some of our favorite local photographers’ incredible snaps from the downright jubilant celebrations last weekend.
- RAMW’s DC Cocktail Week 2020 kicks off on Monday (11/16) with a virtual twist, and we’re super proud to be co-sponsoring it! Here’s the full, super fun lineup including two BYT-curated panels.
- Looking for pre-cooked Thanksgiving meals to-go? Here’s a round-up of our front-runners in the DMV.
- Black Justice Fellowship nominations are open until the end of the month, so be sure to shout out a DMV Black Leader; they may receive $30K!
- And finally, here are our weekly BYT Picks ft. The Undoing on HBO, Michelle Buteau’s forthcoming book and more.
Friday, November 13th
- DMV Black Restaurant Week is in full swing now through Sunday, November 15th! Be sure to support some excellent restaurants by grabbing take-out/delivery this weekend, yeah?
- Meanwhile, DC-based nonprofit FRESHFARM is set to host their annual Feast fundraising dinner virtually with Marcelle Afram, Executive Chef of Compass Rose and Maydan, who’ll prepare fatayer, or Lebanese hand pies, using a recipe that highlights flavors from the Middle East and showcases local, seasonal farmers market ingredients. Free to participate, but it is a fundraiser, so donations are welcome! You can also purchase a box of ingredients to make your own fatayer at home; those will be delivered on Saturday.
- You can also tune into Nik Sharma’s demonstration on how to make Samosa Pie, a recipe from his second cookbook, The Flavor Equation: The Science of Great Cooking, at 6:30pm ET. Tickets start at $35.
- Just wanna eat virtual dinner w/ one and only José Andrés? WHO WOULDN’T?! He will be sitting down with Busboys and Poets for the latest edition of their virtual dinner series to talk about his culinary innovation and humanitarianism at 6pm ET. (Free to register!)
- In terms of tunes ‘n TV, Adult Swim Festival is happening virtually; catch performances from Robyn, Kaytranada and Mastodon, plus scope exclusive live streams incl. Rick and Morty, The Eric Andre Show, a special edition of Toonami and more.
- And while we’re in festival land, you can take a virtual trip to Reykjavik for Iceland Airwaves, which is all streaming online this year today and tomorrow. A two-day festival pass will run you $50, and you can expect performances from the likes of Ásgeir, Mammùt, Ólafur Arnalds, Daði Freyr, Of Monsters and Men and more.
- I’m personally delighted that Marika Hackman’s Covers album drops today; to celebrate, she’s doing a $15 live-streamed performance via NoonChorus at 9pm ET.
- OSHUN will also be going live at 9pm ET over on LPR TV; tickets are $10 a pop.
- But I’m also SCREAMING that Dolly Parton will be going live on Amazon Music’s Twitch to perform songs from her new holiday album at 1pm ET!!!
- Finally, if you must leave the house, watching Wayne’s World outdoors at Songbyrd isn’t a bad way to go about it. $25 minimum spend per table.
Saturday, November 14th
- Set an alarm for bright ‘n early (5am ET, to be exact), ‘cause Róisín Murphy is set to go live for the first in a series of three virtual broadcasts celebrating her new record.
- Too early? The Beths are streaming live from Auckland Town Hall at a slightly kinder 5pm ET; tickets start at $20 NZD.
- If visual art is more your jam, you can take a virtual Phillips Collection workshop on basic bookmaking techniques to reflect on thoughts of isolation, resilience and the future during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Later, make sure to tune into Lucky Dog Animal Rescue’s first-ever virtual variety show at 7pm ET! You’ll benefit homeless dogs ‘n cats by purchasing curated cheese and wine boxes (for virtual tastings night-of), participating in a silent auction and more.
- For culinary education vibes, tune into Brooklyn Brainery’s $16 virtual crash-course in how to spatchcock a whole chicken! Starts at noon ET.
- Or if you must leave the house, WABA is hosting a Cider Ride today; dust off the ol’ bike and prepare for scenery, hot cider ‘n donuts!
Sunday, November 15th
- In a baking mood? Catch Sixth & I’s crash course in babka-making with Hannah Wolfman-Arent, a baker for Sonny’s Pizza; starts at 4pm ET, and a single class pass is $30, while a bundle of three is discounted at $75.
- If tunes are calling your name, ARTE Festival will go live with performances from London Grammar, Helena Deland, Patrick Watson and more starting at 1pm ET.
- For the art aficionados among you, NMWA is hosting Fresh Talk: Place and Power, a conversation about global food access, gender, class, and labor virtually at 4:30pm ET.
- Or just binge The Crown, which returns for its fourth season on Netflix today.
- If you must leave the house, we’d recommend Rhizome DC’s outdoor benefit art/flea market; proceeds will be donated to DC Books to Prisons, Occupy DC and The Palm Collective, and they are taking donated goods, art, books, zines, clothing, junk, etc. to sell, too. Starts at 11am, runs until 5pm, WEAR A MASK.
- You can also head to Wunder Garten; today’s Fallfest programming features a “Chunky Blankets & Brews” class from noon to 1pm where guests will learn how to make a v. seasonally appropriate chunky blanket. Tickets are $90 per person and include a complimentary drink plus all materials and instruction to make a 40×50 blanket.
