Ordinarily I’d be advising everyone to get in their last party kicks before heading home to potentially uncomfortable family dinner tables for Thanksgiving, but as we all know very well by now, this is an incredibly anomalous year. As such, I’m pretty much gonna tell you to just do whatever you want (provided you wear a mask and practice social distancing should those plans take you beyond your doorstep). There’s lots on deck the next few days (including a virtual Trans Day of Remembrance vigil, DC Cocktail Week, the 2020 Go-Go Music Awards and more), and we’re gonna get into all of that in just a second. But first, here’s some stuff you might’ve missed on BYT this week:
- RAMW’s DC Cocktail Week is officially up and running; you can take advantage of food ‘n drink specials (available in-person or to-go) from 75+ establishments, but we’re especially excited about the virtual component this year! There are panels happening all weekend long – check out the full lineup here.
- NMAI’s Native Cinema Showcase has gone virtual this year, and you can catch films on demand now through next Friday.
- Speaking of museums, Smithsonian announced they’d be temporarily closing the National Zoo and eight other previously reopened institutions starting on Monday, November 23rd. They’re still accepting visitors through the end of the weekend, though, so if you want an in-person visit, get it in quickly and safely.
- Here are a few spots doing interesting outdoor/well-ventilated pivots as we head into winter; from ski chalets to viking huts, you’ve got options.
- Be sure to check out Clementine Thomas’ new cookbook-centric bookstore, Bold Fork Books!
- Here’s our definitive guide to DC’s best naan.
- Looking for a movie that’s like Freaky Friday but with more dismemberment? We’ve got a recommendation!
- And in news that should surprise no one, WE REALLY F*CKING MISS DC THEATRE.
Friday, November 20th
- For starters, make sure to take some time out to observe Transgender Day of Remembrance; DC Center is hosting a virtual vigil at 6:30pm ET via Facebook, and you can stream that for free.
- (Additionally, please consider ways to actively help the trans community. Here is a non-exhaustive guide we put together over the summer which includes organizations to donate to and tips for how to play an active role in the ongoing fight for trans rights.)
- Downtown Holiday Market officially kicks off its sixteenth season today; runs noon to 8pm daily now until December 23rd.
- Plus be sure to post up for tonight’s virtual DC Cocktail Week programming featuring Who Said It Has to Be Liquid!? Boozy Frozen Delights with Dolcezza’s Violeta Edelman and Robb Duncan, presented by Campari at 4pm ET and our very own Brightest Young Things and Bacardi Present “Community + Cocktails” at 5pm ET! The latter will feature Andra Johnson of Serenata, Frank Mills of Roy Boys and Al Thompson of Thip Khao.
- More into cooking? DCPL is hosting a free virtual frybread class at 4pm ET in honor of Native American Heritage Month.
- You can also tune into Catland’s virtual Kitchen Witchcraft 101 class at 7pm ET; tickets are $15.
- Tunes-wise, NMWA will host a virtual live performance from Heidi Martin at noon ET followed by a look into her creative process. (Free!)
- Plus we’ve got Jewel celebrating the 25th ANNIVERSARY (!!!) of Pieces of You with a $25 8pm ET live stream.
- (Or we’ve also got Mac DeMarco going live at 8pm ET for $20 // pick your poison.)
- If dinner and a movie are more up your street, catch an outdoor screening of Superbad at Songbyrd; $25 minimum spend per table, starts at 7pm.
- Or if you’re more interested in staying in to watch something new, Animaniacs hits Hulu today.
Saturday, November 21st
- Getting geared up for Thanksgiving? Tune into a free Brooklyn Brainery online open discussion about how people are doing smaller celebrations this year at 10:30am ET, and/or swing by their $18 virtual pie crust intensive at noon.
- Speaking of pie, Sonny’s is hosting a virtual Pie Extravaganza class at 4pm ET! Tickets start at $15.
- Maybe you’re more of a cookies guy, in which case register for Old Town Alexandria’s second annual Cookie Crawl; tickets are $30, and there are socially distanced slots to participate today and tomorrow.
- If wine is more your vibe, hit up the French-American Chamber of Commerce’s virtual Beaujolais nouveau celebration starting at 7:30pm ET; you can tack on wine, food and swag packages for more, but general admission starts at $15.
- In terms of tunes, 100% scope Christelle Bofale via BABY TV at 8pm ET; tickets start at just $5!
- AND catch The Soul Rebels and Big Freedia going live via nugs.tv at 9pm ET for $15.
- More into 90s dance party vibes? There’s a new round of virtual Peach Pit via DC9 at 9pm ET. Free to stream!
- Or if it’s queer comedy you’re after, be sure to tune into the latest edition of Strand Bookstore’s Queerotica via Zoom at 8pm ET; tickets are $5 a pop.
Sunday, November 22nd
- For starters, hit up bagel university (virtually) with Sonny’s via Sixth & I at 4pm ET! Tickets are $30 a pop.
- Wanna up your photography game? Join the Phillips Collection on Zoom at noon ET for Process & Permission Slips (Part I) to take a step behind the camera with DC-based photographers Birch Thomas and Angela Pan. (Free!)
- You can also pop by NON-PROOF: Alcohol free and low-proof cocktails and conversation as part of DC Cocktail Week at 3pm ET; Julia Bainbridge, Derek Brown and Lauren Paylor will all weigh in on the sober-curious movement with recipes, demos, conversation and more.
- In the realm of movies, you can scope an exclusive free screening of James Erskine’s new Billie Holiday documentary BILLIE via 92Y’s virtual event at 1pm ET.
- More into seasonal vibes? Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square hits Netflix today.
- If tunes are more your jam, then be sure to tune into the 2020 Go-Go Music Awards starting at 7pm ET; they’ll be streaming for free via YouTube and FB.
- Plus it’s the one year anniversary of Shady Pines, America’s favorite 80s virtual tea dance! Stream it for free via DC9 starting at 6pm ET.
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