Pierce is well-known for his roles in shows like “The Wire,” “Suits” and “Jack Ryan.” Now, he takes on one of William Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedies 鈥� which, in this production, adheres to the original text but is set in the present day.

Ben Turner, the actor who plays Iago in the play, told 海角精品黑料 that the production is “quite pared back” and “simple in many ways” in terms of stage production value.

“‘Othello’ is essentially about a Black man living in a white sort of world, climbing the ranks as a general,” said Turner. “The themes are just so strong and so special, and even though (William Shakespeare) was writing it 500, 600 years ago, it’s still so relevant today,” said Turner.

Directed by Simon Godwin, through June 28.

Check back every Thursday for a roundup of Things to do in the DC area.

Here’s what else is happening in the D.C. area:

DC

Spirit of Independence Festival
To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, the National Archives is hosting the . This event unfolds Thursday through Saturday and includes an intimate reception and performance by Garth Brooks, historical reenactments, live performances by military bands, a curated culinary event led by award-winning chefs and a “yappy hour.” You can find out more about the event and area road closures in 海角精品黑料’s guide.

Hot Mess
At Penn Social, is hosting a storytelling show this Thursday featuring “true stories about chaos, confusion and the moments when everything goes off the rails.” General admission tickets cost roughly $39.

National Gallery of Art Block Party
Enjoy artmaking, food, music, curator talks, video screenings and family-friendly activities across the s East Building, West Building and 4th Street Plaza. The event is this Saturday and is free to attend.

Foggy Bottom Book Crawl
For a storytime stroll, head to D.C.’s this Saturday for a “book crawl” event across a variety of retail shops. Attendees will hear from three to four writers at each location and then walk to a new location for another reading. The suggested donation price for attending is $10.

D.C. Print Fair
The Eastern Market鈥檚 North Hall is hosting a variety of printmakers from around the DMV area as part of the . The event is Saturday and Sunday and is free to attend.

Kenilworth Park Cleanup
Come together to support the local community and environment this Saturday at Kenilworth Park to . All supplies are provided at the location, though attendees are advised to wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing.

Maryland

“Carla Hall 鈥� Please Underestimate Me”
She’s a chef, best-selling author and beloved TV personality. Now, . At the Olney Theatre Center, Hall is part of a one-woman show called “Please Underestimate Me,” where she reveals how she learned to embrace her own authenticity. Hall has judged Food Network鈥檚 “Summer, Holiday & Halloween Baking Championships,” hosted HBO Max鈥檚 “Chasing Flavor” and was a host on all eight seasons of ABC鈥檚 “The Chew.” She’s also competed on Bravo鈥檚 “Top Chef” and “Top Chef: All Stars.” “Please Underestimate Me” runs through July 12; tickets start at $52. Find more information about Hall’s show in 海角精品黑料’s interview with her.

National Harbor Veterans Makers Market
Browse handcrafted goods, unique gifts, patriotic d茅cor, artwork, jewelry and more on the National Harbor waterfront. The is this Saturday in Oxon Hill.

Strawberry Festival
For more family-friendly activities, head to Sandy Spring for live entertainment from two stages, hands-on cultural heritage activities, craft vendors and an animal petting zoo. As part of the at the Sandy Spring Museum, expect a strawberry spirit costume contest, strawberry-themed drinks and a strawberry shortcake-eating contest. Tickets start at $8 for kids and $12 for adults.

Virginia

Pride at Mosaic
For the fifth year, the Mosaic District in Fairfax city is hosting a . The event on Saturday features drag queen Tara Hoot for her story time show, plus live music from the band Hall Pass. For more Pride Month celebrations to consider, check out 海角精品黑料’s guide here.

DMV Asian Night Market
Enjoy a variety of Asian street foods at the this Saturday in Manassas Park. The event is free to attend. For more food-focused events to consider in the month of June, check out 海角精品黑料’s guide here.

Occoquan RiverFest
On Saturday and Sunday, the family-friendly is the ideal destination for shopping with hundreds of artisans, watching live musical performances and dining with a beer garden included. In downtown Occoquan, this festival also features boat and kayak tours, plus a mini construction zone for kids. As part of the festivities on Sunday, there’s a on the Occoquan River.

Have an event you鈥檇 like featured in 海角精品黑料’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!

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Listed in chronological order, here are a few can鈥檛-miss events celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in the District.

On Sunday, June 7, the Historic Congressional Cemetery is hosting a . The tour costs roughly $11 to attend and is hosted rain or shine. For another walking tour, consider the later in the month.

The annual is hosted Saturday, June 13, with a bustling array of activities and entertainment planned. The all-ages event is hosted by The Washington Blade in partnership with The Wharf. The event is free to attend, but there are available.

This year’s features Bob The Drag Queen, who is performing a special DJ set. This event is on Friday, June 19 at Echostage and is for those ages 18 and over. Ticket prices start at $39.

The official main event of Capital Pride Alliance this year is Also at Echostage for those ages 18 and up, this event features live DJs and a performance by drag superstar Alaska, the “RuPaul鈥檚 Drag Race All Stars” season 2 winner. Tickets for the event on Saturday, June 20, start at approximately $65 per person.

celebrates women across all identities, cultures and communities. This event is hosted at Decades D.C. Saturday, June 20, solely for those ages 21 and over. Tickets are $35 for general admission at the door; preorders start at $20.

Other can’t-miss events that are coming up in June include the annual on Saturday, June 20. This beloved tradition stretches across several Northwest D.C. neighborhoods, including Shaw, Logan Circle, Downtown and Penn Quarter. While the event is free to attend, spectators can enjoy a front-row seat on the grandstand bleachers at Franklin Park with single tickets that start at $40.

That same day, on June 20, is also the in D.C.’s Dupont Circle neighborhood. This annual party honors D.C.鈥檚 鈥淕ayborhood鈥� with local food, an adult beverage garden and various Pride Month activities, including drag performances and live DJ鈥檚.

For a family-friendly celebration, head to Stead Park on June 20 for the . Here, children can enjoy games, crafts, glitter tattoos, story time and an inflatable obstacle course.

On June 21, celebrate all day long at the . This free event features hundreds of vibrant exhibitors, skilled artisans, delicious food and beverage gardens. Expect multiple stages along Pennsylvania Avenue NW with a variety of multicultural and multilingual performances.

The is also hosted on Sunday, June 21 at 3rd Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. This year’s concert features artists like Maren Morris, Leikeli47 and Lisa Lisa, among others. Entry is free, but registration is required for a wristband. Guests also have the option to pay for tickets to get access to the pit upfront at the Capitol Stage or VIP treatment with a private bar and a view of backstage.

For more events to consider, be sure to check out the For those who want to experience a little bit of everything, the Capital Pride Alliance sells .

海角精品黑料’s “Things to do in the D.C. area” guide also compiles several events around the region on a weekly basis, published on Thursdays.

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Several restaurants in the District were thrown into the national spotlight after being featured on the North America鈥檚 50 Best Restaurants list.

The list, released Thursday, includes four local restaurants: 听and .

Albi also earned the Highest Climber Award 2026, highlighting its sharp increase in ranking from 34th on the list the previous year to its current sixth place. At this level, Albi was named the Best Restaurant in Northeast USA.

Albi, whose , highlights Palestinian cuisine. The Navy Yard restaurant has earned several accolades since Chef-Owner Michael Rafidi opened it in 2020. A year after opening, Eater included Albi on its list of the . In 2022, Albi earned its first Michelin star, and in 2024, Rafidi earned the .

The debuted in September 2025. The list is a subset of the World鈥檚 50 Best Restaurants list, with the North America list covering the U.S. Canada and the Caribbean. Mexico is not included, as it’s compiled under the Latin America鈥檚 50 Best Restaurants list.

The North American list is compiled by 300 voters, who are deemed culinary experts . These experts can include chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and others in the food and beverage industry.

The No. 1 restaurant in North America ended up being Michelin-starred .

.

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Across the two days, expect to hear from more than 50 DJs, producers and other artists, including Eric Prydz, Zeds Dead, Excision, Porter Robinson and others.

The festival launched in 2022 and now experiences over 40,000 fans in attendance each year.

Currently, Saturday’s general admission tickets are sold out, but , including general admission-plus and VIP tickets, plus two-day passes. are sold separately.

Check back every Thursday for a roundup of Things to do in the DC area.

Here’s what else is happening in the D.C. area:

DC

Jos茅 Andr茅s
Chef, restaurateur and humanitarian Jos茅 Andr茅s is discussing his newest cookbook at the Thursday. Learn more about his book, 鈥淪pain My Way: Eat, Drink, and Cook Like a Spaniard,鈥� in 海角精品黑料’s interview with Andr茅s here. Ticket prices vary.

My Body My Festival
This local music festival celebrates D.C. being a “safe haven for bodily autonomy,” with all proceeds benefiting the D.C. Abortion Fund. includes the following headliners: Bartees Strange, Cherub Tree and Deakin (of Animal Collective). General admission to the event on Thursday costs approximately $45 with VIP packages at nearly $180.

Spring Soir茅e
Enjoy miniature masterpieces of horticultural art at the The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum on Friday. The venue is hosting a that includes a light buffet and drinks. Tickets cost $350 for individuals, with proceeds going toward the U.S. National Arboretum.

Capital Rare Book Fair
From Friday through Sunday, thousands of rare books, maps, prints, documents and ephemera are headed to the University Club on 16th Street. The fourth annual includes a variety of local and national booksellers with items like a first edition of “Winnie the Pooh.” Ticket prices vary.

Rock the Dock
The Wharf’s live music event series, , is back starting this Friday. These free performances on Transit Pier cover a variety of genres, including R&B, rock, go-go and country. This week, the featured band is funk and soul trio, Pink PaLiSh.

Free Washington Ballet Performances
Yes, it’s possible to catch a performance by the Washington Ballet 鈥� at no cost! This Friday and Saturday, to present highlights from the 2025 to 2026 season alongside a preview of works for the upcoming season.

Petworth PorchFest
Head to Petworth on Saturday and Sunday for a massive musical community event known as . Over 150 porches across the neighborhood are set to host local artists and groups who will perform live. .

Maryland

Howard County AAPI Festival
The Chrysalis, a performing arts theater in Columbia, is hosting a this Saturday. The fifth edition of the festival is free and family-friendly, with a variety of cuisines from local restaurants and food trucks, plus live music, dance performances, martial arts demonstrations and more.

We The People
The Bowie Center for the Performing Arts in Prince George’s County is hosting a 听Saturday that commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary. Expect performances, live music, film screenings, panel discussions, activities, games and more. The event is free to attend.

World Heritage Festival
Head to Silver Spring’s Veterans Plaza this Sunday for the . This free event includes global arts and crafts, international flavors, live musical and dance performances as well as a live DJ and dance party.

Virginia

Live Standup Comedy
Enjoy in Arlington at the Crystal City Sports Pub’s third-floor lounge this Friday. Hosting the event is New York City-based comedian Ryan Donahue with singer-songwriter Daphne London and Baltimore-based standup comic Dubray Kinney, Jr. included as well. Tickets cost approximately $18.

Bull Run Wine Festival
Adjacent to Manassas National Battlefield Park, has an artisan market, live musical performances and a wine festival planned with products from various wineries throughout the state of Virginia. Tickets for the event in Centreville cost $48 per person for general admission or $125 for VIP admission. This event is on Saturday and Sunday.

Kids’ Renaissance Festival
Huzzah! Shipgarten in Tysons is bringing a blast from the past with the . Expect knights, princesses, magic and face painting. Also expected is a full outdoor playground and moon bounces. The event is free to attend.

Have an event you鈥檇 like featured in 海角精品黑料’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!

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Introducing the DMV Foodie Guide, 海角精品黑料’s guide for local foodies!

海角精品黑料 has rounded up over 15 events in late May and throughout the month of June that are worth savoring.

One of these events caps off Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a pig roast at Hook Hall.

There are also moments of quirky culinary goodness, as seen with La Boh猫me’s George Lucas-themed pop-up.

For more, including rare wine dinners, barbecue battles and hot sauce tastings, check out the full list below. And be sure to grab a fork and a reservation while you still can as availability is limited.

May the forks be with you
Yes, in Georgetown.

The space above Ap茅ro, the cafe and Champagne bar in the La Boh猫me restaurant, is decked out in decor focused on the films written, directed by or produced by George Lucas. Some of the references on the cocktail and food menu are obvious (as seen with the 鈥淚t鈥檚 a Trap!鈥� and 鈥淛ar Jar Drinks鈥� cocktails), while others can be more obscure (like an amuse-bouche of crispy shiso with a yuzu gelee at the start of the meal 鈥� a reference to 鈥淭he Land Before Time,鈥� executive produced by Lucas and Steven Spielberg). Tongue-in-cheek and ambitious, the pop-up runs through July 4.

Aw, shucks!
The offers unlimited oysters, craft drinks and live music from eight of Chevy Chase, Maryland鈥檚 top restaurants. Each ticket allows for a two-hour session, costing $99. A bottomless alcohol add-on can be applied for an additional $50 per person. The event is at Chevy Chase Lake on May 30.

Feast mode
The 鈥淏oodle Fight,鈥� a treasured Filipino custom, is a feast often including a pig roast and served along a communal table topped with banana leaves. Chef Patrick Tanyag is hosting a to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The event is May 31. Tickets cost $75 per person.

Wok this way
Canton Disco chef Timothy Yu is teaming up with Yume Hospitality Group chef Saran “Peter” Kannasute for a menu collaboration that allows for a 鈥� The one-day-only event on May 31 features a la carte options from Kyojin, Rimtang and Canton Disco restaurants.

Thai one on
The in Manassas, Virginia, spans several dates through October. Two upcoming events are May 31 and June 14. Guests can enjoy authentic Thai street food, cultural demonstrations and traditional music and dance performances. Admission is free.

Six hands, one carrot
The culinary teams behind Elcielo, J么nt and Sushi Nakazawa are joining together to celebrate one humble ingredient: the carrot. On June 3, these restaurants are coming to Elcielo to collaborate on a across several forms and textures. The courses are paired with four 脡ditions of Krug Grande Cuv茅e and Krug Ros茅, guided by Louis Henrion of Maison Krug. Tickets cost $595 per person.

A beer-inspired scavenger hunt
From June 4 through June 7, Neighborhood Restaurant Group is organizing the hosted by ChurchKey and Rustico. Guests can visit up to eight participating restaurants to discover “secret beers,” collect points and win prizes. Those who complete at least four stops can earn a limited-edition Keg Hunt hat. Every finisher is entered into a for special beer and food experiences, exclusive membership clubs and VIP tickets to the Snallygaster festival. .

It’s getting hot in herre
If you鈥檙e a fan of all things hot and spicy, consider going to the on June 5. Several local hot sauce vendors will be at Lost Generation Brewing Company in Northeast D.C. to help attendees discover new favorites. The event also includes a live DJ and beer from Lost Generation Brewing Company. General admission is free, but guests can pay approximately $7 for beer specials and to be eligible for giveaways.

Time for a pig roast
Atlas Brew Works is hosting an at its Bridge District Brewery & Tap Room on June 6. Expect tropical cocktails by Owen Thomson of Archipelago, live music and, of course, a traditional pig roast from Mecho鈥檚 Dominican Kitchen.

Meals with a mission
Food & Friends delivers medically tailored meals and provides medical nutrition therapy to neighbors living with cancer, HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses. On June 8, the organization is hosting the at the Marriott Marquis in D.C. The event brings together more than 30 of the region’s top chefs for an evening of tastings, signature cocktails and a live auction to support the Food & Friends mission. Tickets cost $500 with sponsorships starting at $1,500.

Wine not?
On June 10, for a special dinner featuring a lineup of rare library selections, including wines from the 2012 vintage. Margerum is one of the pioneering figures of Santa Barbara wine. The price, $185 per guest, includes the menu and wine pairings.

Ros茅 all day
For National Ros茅 Day on June 13, enjoy a at The Parks at Walter Reed. The full-day outdoor experience includes live music, food, and ros茅 bars, plus specialty cocktails and other 鈥淚nstagrammable activations.鈥� Tickets cost roughly $45 per person or nearly $80 for two.

Feast from the diaspora
at the Maryland African Restaurant Week Festival. On June 13, this event includes food from across the diaspora, plus a marketplace with local vendors, a live DJ and live performances. The exact location is still TBD. Admission is free.

Barolo and behold
One of the top Barolo producers, Chiara Boschis, is joining The Liberty Tavern for a . The event on June 16 costs $125 per person.

Tuna-tastic!
Celebrate International Sushi Day at Love, Makoto鈥檚 Love on the Run on June 18. This one-night-only evening includes alongside sushi tastings, a Japanese cocktail demonstration, a sake toast and a dessert bar. Cocktails and food will be available for purchase at adjoining Hiya Izakaya, as will additional food and drinks from the fast casual Love on the Run. Tickets cost $102 per person.

Barking up the right tree
Bark Barbecue is teaming up with The Wildset hotel in Saint Michaels, Maryland, for a one-night . On June 20, guests will learn how to build a proper fire, butcher and season the perfect brisket, and more. The $125 admission includes instruction, ingredients, sides, one batched cocktail and non-alcoholic beverages.

Grill seekers
The returns on June 27 and 28 along Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest. At this festival, world-class pitmasters from around the country come together to compete for $50,000 in prizes. The event also features several stages for live music. Tickets start at $21 for a one-day pass, $31 for a weekend pass or $68 for a family four-pack.

Let鈥檚 taco about it
As part of their 鈥淭rompo Takeover鈥� event series, the Popal family restaurant group and Chefs Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss are welcoming several of D.C.鈥檚 top chefs to Pascual to create limited-time tacos. Chef Rob Rubba of Oyster Oyster will be there June 28. within 30 days of the event.

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For chef, restaurateur and humanitarian Jos茅 Andr茅s, his latest cookbook is more than a collection of recipes. It鈥檚 a deeply personal love letter to the people, places and flavors that shaped him.

In Andr茅s offers recipes that are both rooted in tradition and shaped by his own memories of Spain.

“More than any other book, it’s a book written in the markets, written in the restaurants, written in the little fishing villages next to the shepherds. This book has been written in Spanish soil,” Andr茅s told 海角精品黑料.

Andr茅s said he hopes the book speaks to all kinds of home cooks: those from Spain, those who have visited and those who may be discovering Spanish cooking for the first time. Some recipes, he said, are simple enough for almost anyone to try, including gazpacho, which he called a 鈥渘o-brainer.鈥�

“Being an immigrant, I know where I come from, but I know where I belong, and recipes like gazpacho allow me to be building bridges,” he said.

Another recipe that Andr茅s said is worth trying is his gambas al ajillo, which is a Spanish tapas dish composed of shrimp simmering in olive oil, garlic and spices.

“In less than four minutes, you’re going to have a delicious dish that everybody’s going to be able to enjoy and think that you are the greatest of chefs,” he said.

Andr茅s is heading to 听Thursday to speak about the making of “Spain My Way.” Along with discussion about the stories behind the recipes, live music is also expected.

Andr茅s has deep roots in the D.C. restaurant scene, with seven restaurants and concepts in the city and more than 20 across the country. His local restaurants include Jaleo, Zaytinya, Bazaar Meat inside the Waldorf Astoria hotel and the Michelin-starred Minibar.

As for whether he has more local projects in the works, Andr茅s left the door open.

“When we find the right location, why not to have another Jos茅 Andr茅s restaurant in Washington in a year or two? That’s always a possibility,” he said.

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After his mother died in January 2025, Morgan told 海角精品黑料 he was 鈥渒ind of in a rut鈥� and considered leaving the restaurant industry entirely. But the invitation to enter the reality TV cooking competition reinvigorated him.

鈥淚 also knew that my mother, if she were with me, would want me to go on the show,鈥� Morgan said. 鈥淪o I took the leap, and I’m happy I did.鈥�

Running from March through May 2026, 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Culinary Cup鈥� featured 16 chefs from around the U.S. who competed to win a $1 million cash prize, the largest in history for a culinary show, according to a CBS news release.

Padma Lakshmi, former host of Bravo鈥檚 鈥淭op Chef,鈥� created 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Culinary Cup鈥� and served as a co-judge alongside chefs and restaurant owners Michael Cimarusti and Wylie Dufresne.

Morgan, the executive chef of the Persian and Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant became a finalist.

Despite not winning 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Culinary Cup,鈥� Morgan told 海角精品黑料 that being on the show was a 鈥渨onderful experience.鈥�

But the journey to the finale wasn鈥檛 easy for Morgan. He said his progress was 鈥渧ery up and down,鈥� noting that he had 鈥渉igh anxiety,鈥� especially in the beginning.

Some days required up to 14 hours of filming. Though Morgan said long hours are 鈥渘ot unfamiliar to us as chefs,鈥� it was often unclear to the competitors whether certain days of filming would be dedicated to interviews, cooking or eliminations.

鈥淚 went home to my wife crying because I was like, 鈥業 don’t think I should have done this.鈥� And I didn’t perform incredibly well in the beginning,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think I would get in my own head about the people I was up against, the caliber of the judges, and ‘Oh, am I doing enough?’鈥�

At one point in the show, the competitors were tasked with voting for who was most or least likely to win 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Culinary Cup,鈥� with Morgan being voted least likely.

For the D.C.-area chef, the vote “lit a fire” inside of him.

“I started to realize that I was overthinking things in the first half of the season,” Morgan said. “That was my Achilles’ heel.鈥�

By the end of the show, Morgan said he left with more confidence in himself.

鈥淚 think most of us carry a little bit of impostor syndrome, and I’ve definitely had that throughout my career, regardless of how well I’ve done or any rewards or accolades I’ve received, just because you don’t know how you stack up against other people,鈥� Morgan said. 鈥淪o being able to do as well as I did in a setting like that gives you a ton of confidence.鈥�

In the end, representing the D.C. region was a point of pride for Morgan.

鈥淲e have an insanely talented restaurant scene in D.C. and the DMV, and to be able to go on the show and perform well, and bring home the silver is pretty awesome,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 don’t think people realize how high of a caliber of chefs we have here. So I was honored to hold it down for us.鈥�

On whether or not Morgan plans to enter additional cooking competitions, he said his focus for now is on making Joon 鈥渢he best restaurant I possibly can 鈥� but we鈥檒l see.鈥�

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First, some of the large-scale events occurring include the on Monday. Along Constitution Avenue in D.C., attendees can see this parade live in person or online via livestream.

The is hosted Sunday evening, starting at 8 p.m. This year’s performers include the National Symphony Orchestra and celebrities, such as Joe Mantegna, Noah Wyle and Andy Grammer, among others.

On Thursday, At this event, approximately 250,000 small American flags are placed at grave sites for service members at the cemetery and the in Washington. The flags remain in place over Memorial Day weekend.

At the鈥疶omb of the Unknown Soldier, the鈥疭entinels, who are members of the Old Guard,鈥痯lace flags to honor the Unknowns, or unidentified service members who died in battle.

The Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery is also expected to host a that is free and open to the public. This program includes a parade of colors by veterans鈥� organizations and remarks from dignitaries.

Thousands of motorcyclists plan to ride through the D.C. area as part of . This annual motorcycle demonstration is hosted on Saturday through Monday, beginning at the Pentagon parking lots and then riding through the National Mall area of D.C. The purpose of this event is to bring awareness to and demand accountability for prisoners of war and those missing in action.

For more events across the D.C. region, consider the following concerts, festivals and ceremonies:

• ‘s Memorial Day activities (May 22-25 in Fort Belvoir, Virginia)
• (May 23 in Bowie, Maryland)
• 听(May 23 at the American Indian Museum in D.C.)
• (May 24 in Falls Church, Virginia)
• (May 25 in Rockville, Maryland)
• (May 25 in Annapolis, Maryland)
• at Alexandria National Cemetery (May 25 in Alexandria, Virginia)
• (May 25 in La Plata, Maryland)

Check back every Thursday for a roundup of Things to do in the DC area.

Here’s what else is happening in the D.C. area:

DC

Jazz in the Garden

is back 鈥� and this year, the theme is 鈥淎merican Sounds,鈥� a nod to the nation鈥檚 250th anniversary. Starting this Friday, the series features Appalachian, Creole jazz, Hill Country blues and more, on Fridays, from May 22 through Aug. 14, except June 5 and July 3. To attend, guests must enter a lottery, which takes place the week before each event.

DC Black Pride

This year, is hosted from Friday through Monday, with a variety of events to bring together community, culture and celebration in one place. Expect rooftop happy hours, workshops, comedy shows, film screenings, block parties and more.

Paws and Pour

The District Candle Lab is hosting a with coffee, crepes, and on-site collar engraving. The event this Sunday is hosted in Northeast D.C. with free general admission.

Maryland

Del Fest

In Cumberland, this is running from Thursday through Sunday. Del Fest is hosted at Allegany County Fairgrounds with ticket prices that vary.

Asia on the Creek

Head to the Carroll Creek Outdoor Amphitheater this Saturday for . The Frederick event is free to attend, offering lively cultural performances, delicious Asian cuisine and exciting, family-friendly activities.

Maryland Plant Festival

If foliage is your vibe, don’t miss the third annual on Saturday through Monday. The event features a variety of plant vendors, a makers’ market, food, live music and a book signing by plant and interior stylist Hilton Carter for his newest book, “Unfurled: Designing a Living Home.” The event is free to attend.

Hometown Holidays

In Rockville Town Center, expect a lineup of live performances across multiple musical genres this Saturday and Sunday as part of the event. Families can also enjoy kids鈥� activities, including yard games, crafts and kid-friendly performances.

Virginia

Strawberry Jubilee Fest

This Saturday and Sunday mark the launch of the annual in Loudoun County. This event celebrates all things strawberry with live music, farm contests, wagon rides and games included. Tickets do not automatically include strawberries from the farm market. Can’t make it this weekend? The event continues the following weekend on May 30 and 31.

ViVa! Vienna!

For more than four decades, has been hosted in the Town of Vienna as a family-friendly event with amusement rides, food, crafts, vendors and entertainment perfect for all ages. Proceeds from the event support more than 70 local organizations. The event is Saturday through Monday.

Blast Off!

, the longest standing professional music organization in the U.S., is performing at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap in Vienna this Sunday. The free event includes songs from popular musicals and marching standards from the Armed Forces鈥� distinguished songbook, as well as a fireworks display as the finale.

Have an event you鈥檇 like featured in 海角精品黑料’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!

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Ham El-Waylly said he was taught to 鈥渜uestion everything” in his first fine dining job, at wd~50, the former New York City restaurant owned by chef Wylie Dufresne.

With this kind of thinking, El-Waylly said it helped “activate that part of my brain where 鈥� everything doesn’t need to be just black and white. There’s a lot of fun in the grays, and that’s kind of where I like to live. And there’s a lot of gray in this cookbook.”

For his first cookbook, the New York City-based recipe developer and video content creator shares recipes for cooks of all levels, especially those in search of humor and personal touches.

Often, in the headnotes, or introductory blurbs before each recipe, El-Waylly shares touching or humorous anecdotes about his family and how they inspired his love for cooking.

In an interview with 海角精品黑料, he shared more of his thoughts on the making of his cookbook, and also food trends for 2026.

What led to the making of “Hello, Home Cooking”

Growing up in Doha, Qatar, to a Bolivian mom and Egyptian dad, El-Waylly enjoyed a wide variety of international dishes growing up 鈥� cheese empanadas, stuffed cabbage rolls and churrasco 鈥� and those flavors can be found in unexpected ways in his cookbook.

Think a cinnamon-sugar-covered toasted and chopped pita for a crunchy cereal, a Frito chocolate ganache tart and a variety of ways to perfect the cooking of the humble egg, sous vide included. There is also a multitude of vegetable-focused recipes with one chapter housing over 20 recipes, along with “The Produce Chart,” that comes with even more “strong opinions on vegetables” and how to prepare them.

One opinion in particular is to “reveal don’t conceal.” In other words, let the quality of the products shine rather than getting too fussy and overthinking the process.

“There’s a lot of borrowing from different cuisines and cultures and ingredients and putting them together,” El-Waylly told 海角精品黑料. “And a lot of that comes from how I was just being in an environment of just incredibly creative and talented people that really inspires you and gets this part of your brain really, really active that I’m really happy got turned on and has yet to turn off.”

It’s a lighthearted cookbook with humor injected on every few pages. El-Waylly describes cake doughnuts as 鈥渁 blemish on civilization鈥� and even recommends readers who try the pomegranate molasses and tahini toast recipe to apply it on 鈥渢hat weird rash on your foot.” He also shares the struggles he had growing up, yearning for years to play the “Final Fantasy 7” video game which he didn’t have easy access to in Doha and also learning to perfect the “Jazzy-Will handshake” from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

“(I) think things are more memorable if they make you feel a certain way, if they make you laugh, if they make you chuckle, you’re more likely to remember those lessons,” said El-Waylly.

In the book, he also makes sure to mention his wife and collaborator, , who is a bestselling cookbook author of “.鈥� With Sohla, Ham cooked alongside her on the .

“I think she is by far the most talented person in this space. She has so much culinary prowess and experience. She is so knowledgeable. She’s like a walking encyclopedia (for) food,” said El-Waylly.

On the importance of making mistakes

In his book, El-Waylly wrote, 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to make mistakes.鈥� With this, he told 海角精品黑料, “I make mistakes all the time and that’s something I really want people to feel comfortable doing.”

For his cookbook, El-Waylly said he wanted to help home cooks feel less intimidated in the kitchen because not every meal needs to be a Michelin-star meal.

“There are times where, even I’m cooking at home, and it’s like, you know what? This just needs to be nutritious. This needs to be easy. This needs to take 20 minutes because I got dogs barking, I got a baby crying, and food needs to get on the table. And there’s nothing wrong with just having a tasty, nutritious meal on the table,” he said.

The biggest food trend to anticipate for 2026

It’s true that when restaurants start pinching pennies, the first staff members that tend to get cut are . But El-Waylly sees this trend shifting. According to him, he sees a “really big renaissance” in bakeries.

鈥淟uckily, now I’m seeing pastry chefs just really finding a way to pivot and doing it on their own, and opening these amazing, amazing bakeries, cafes (and) dessert shops,” said El-Waylly.

On what’s next

“I was just a 19-year-old kid who moved here for the first time. I knew I just wanted to cook,” said El-Waylly. “I never, never, never thought that , have a cookbook that I’d be promoting (and) be married to the greatest person on earth who also shares the same passions that I do.”

Despite having so much on his plate, including a new toddler, El-Waylly isn’t ruling out another potential cookbook.

For now, “Hello, Home Cooking: Do-Able Dishes for Every Day,” which launched in March of 2026, can be found on Amazon and other bookstores.

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This event, hosted by The Hill is Home, starts at 9 a.m. and runs through 1 p.m., though some yard sales may end early.

Find a map of the participating locations by visiting the.

Check back every Thursday for a roundup of Things to do in the DC area.

Here’s what else is happening in the D.C. area:

DC

Spring Night Market

This Thursday, Hi-Lawn in Northeast D.C. is transforming into a , courtesy of Tiger Fork. The ticketed event, which costs approximately $8 per person, will have street food-inspired fare and unique sweets from restaurants, such as Chiko, China Chilcano, Chai Pani, CHIBOO and Love, Makoto, among others.

Guests can also expect lion and dragon dancing, a pop-up market and family-friendly interactive activities.

Bike to Work Day

Get your helmet ready because this Friday is . The annual event is free, with riders of all skill levels welcome. , offering free T-shirts to those who register and attend.

Fiesta Asia

The longest-running and largest, free Pan-Asian festival returns Saturday. The annual celebration features live performances, a variety of cuisine, kid-friendly activities, karaoke, cosplay challenges and cooking contests.

Capital Harvest on the Plaza Market

On Wednesday, the returns for its 18th season outside the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. This year’s market runs from May 20 through Oct. 28, with more than 25 vendors featured and artists also featured on the first and third Wednesdays each month, thanks to market partner Capital Arts Collective.

Maryland

Gaithersburg Book Festival

On Saturday, this book festival comes to Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg, with tons of exhibitors, including authors, literary arts and merchants, literary organizations and publishers. Guests can also enjoy workshops on topics, such as comic character creation and fantasy world-building. The is Saturday and is free.

Paws in the Park

The Montgomery County Agricultural Center in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is hosting this Saturday. Guests and their furry companions can enjoy live entertainment, vendors, music, plus games for dogs, as well as agility competitions and other contests. Tickets cost $20 for online registration and $25 for in-person registration. It’s free for children 12 and under.

Trolley Trail Day

Save the date for the fifth annual . This year, it’s June 13 with a full day of activities to celebrate the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail and its connection to the regional trail network in the D.C. area. Expect fun runs, bike rides, trail skates, mural tours and live music.

Virginia

Spring Wine Festival

Mount Vernon is and an after-hours tour of George Washington’s mansion. The event is Friday through Sunday. Ticket prices vary.

McLean Day

Since 1915, this annual community festival in McLean has hosted carnival rides, food trucks, a beer and wine garden and much more 鈥� and it’s returning this Friday and Saturday. is a family-friendly celebration with more than 100 exhibitors, plus a petting zoo and a magician.

ALX Craft Beer Fest

Atlas Brew Works is hosting the this Saturday. Expect several local breweries in attendance, such as D.C. Brau, Port City Brewing and Denizens Brewing, among others. Tickets cost approximately $34 and include the first four pours.

Taste of Tysons Corner Center

In Tysons Corner Center, enjoy an array of food and beverage sampling, live cooking demos, giveaways and live music. The event Saturday is free.

Asia in a Bite Food Fest

The has several upcoming dates coming up across the D.C. region. Starting this Saturday and Sunday, the Asian street food festival comes to Ashburn and will make its way to the District again at Tingey Plaza the following weekend on May 23 and 24.

Have an event you鈥檇 like featured in 海角精品黑料’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!

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鈥淓veryone needs and deserves fresh bread, and if I can do it, I will.鈥�

That鈥檚 the mission of , a bakery located in Joseph McPherson鈥檚 home in D.C.鈥檚 Anacostia neighborhood.

With his bakes, McPherson is creating and selling unique twists on fresh, artisan breads to communities across the District, especially food deserts found in Wards 7 and 8.

All of his breads and other bakes are naturally leavened, slow-fermented, sourdough-based and free from preservatives. He uses a mix of spelt, rye and whole wheat, from his focaccias to his soft sandwich loaves to sweets like brownies, blondies, Danishes 鈥� and even his cookies are sourdough-based. But what makes his products especially unique is that he freshly mills the wheat because he said it helps increase the flavor and nutritional value.

鈥淭he small steps do end with a big result, and I do think truly it’s because I mill fresh wheat that gives it more of a flavor,鈥� McPherson said.

Along with freshly-milled wheat enhancing the flavor of McPherson鈥檚 bakes, the baker also often combines familiar flavors in unexpected ways. For example, topping a whole-wheat Danish with a homemade banana pudding or enhancing a babka with flavors of sweet potato.

鈥淲hat I do is I take flavors that people are used to and force them to try something new,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 just want to make things that people really like, push the boundaries a little bit, but be creative.鈥�

Southeast Sourdough began in 2025 and has since expanded to two community supported agriculture, or CSA, programs: the and . His products are also available on his and at Bloomingdale Farmer鈥檚 Market on Sundays.

McPherson has also partnered with Calvin 鈥淛.R.鈥� Hines, Jr. of D.C.-based urban farms by providing naturally-leavened focaccia dough for Hines to create pizzas with. These pizzas, which are topped with golden oyster mushrooms, are available at the .

But it鈥檚 not a rare sight to see McPherson carrying his many breads and other delights door to door to his neighbors in Anacostia.

鈥淥ne family became two became five, and we realized there was a need for fresh bread in the neighborhood,鈥� McPherson said. 鈥淚t kind of became a really great way to be even more of a neighbor.鈥�

McPherson comes from a long line of prestigious restaurant experience, including working at Chez Panisse and Zuni Caf茅 in California as well as Mirabelle and Palena in the District.

When he worked at the now-closed Palena, McPherson credited Chef Frank Ruta鈥檚 attention to detail for teaching him that 鈥渆verything deserves love.鈥�

鈥淭he loaf was always perfectly toasted,鈥� McPherson said about working with Ruta.

About his time at Zuni Caf茅, McPherson said, 鈥淭hey had this fixation on the bread as another extension of their generosity.鈥�

And their focus on the freshest, most seasonal ingredients inspired McPherson as a baker as well.

Another local baker also impacted McPherson. Rick Cook of Manifest Bread in Riverdale Park, Maryland, gifted McPherson a mill with no specific instructions, recipes or special help provided.

鈥淗e really didn’t give me a recipe. He just said, 鈥楾ry it all. Don’t be scared. Ask questions. But run with it,鈥� and that’s kind of what I did, for sure,鈥� McPherson said.

Now that Southeast Sourdough is on the rise 鈥� with a growing clientele and more partnerships in the works 鈥� McPherson hopes to eventually increase the capacity of orders he can take on because, 鈥淚 want people to have great bread all the time.鈥�

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A wave of high-profile restaurant closures in D.C.鈥檚 Downtown, Chinatown, Penn Quarter and other nearby neighborhoods have left many in the industry questioning whether the city can fully recover from reshaped dining habits, office culture and higher labor costs.

Within the last six months, a variety of restaurants in that core have closed: Cranes, Arrels, Michele’s, and Tonari this year, with Tony Cheng’s, Kinship and M茅tier shuttering in late 2025. The reasons behind these notable closures vary, but several restaurateurs who spoke to 海角精品黑料 point to the same pressures in reshaping the city’s dining industry.

Near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, M茅tier, which was once dubbed 鈥渢he best restaurant in Washington鈥� by , closed in December 2025 after 10 years of service. Kinship, located above the space, closed at the same time.

Eric Ziebold, formerly chef-owner of Kinship and M茅tier, told 海角精品黑料 that he closed his restaurants because he 鈥渃ouldn’t find an environment that made sense to resign a lease currently with the state of things.鈥�

鈥淚n the post-pandemic world, people aren’t going downtown as regularly as they used to,鈥� said Ziebold, who attributed this to workers not returning to offices, traffic, crime and parking issues.

Ziebold also said he hesitated to extend his restaurant lease because of Initiative 82, which aims to raise the minimum wage of tipped workers, including restaurant employees, from the current $10 to $17.50 by 2027. The policy has become a flashpoint for restaurateurs, many of whom say rapidly changing labor costs make long-term planning difficult.

Although D.C. voters approved Initiative 82 in 2022, the D.C. Council voted to pause the increase of tipped minimum wage in the city in June 2025. The D.C. Council so minimum wage would increase to 75% of the city’s minimum wage by 2034.

鈥淗ow do you sign an extension when you have no idea of how you’re supposed to pay your employees?鈥� Ziebold said.

‘DC has changed’

For Jeffrey Bank, owner and CEO of The Alicart Restaurant Group, which owns Carmine’s in Penn Quarter, 鈥淒.C. has its challenges and has great opportunities also.鈥�

Carmine’s is known as one of the largest 鈥� 鈥� restaurant in the District with 20,000 square feet of space and 800 seats.

Bank said his restaurant has seen success over the last 16 years, thanks to how the space accommodates dine-in guests, takeout and catering with nine private dining rooms and a banquet hall.

鈥淒.C. has changed,鈥� he told 海角精品黑料. “D.C. has been the one (city) that has had the most changes of lots going on.”

Bank said these changes include fewer workers returning to the office (though more jobs are requiring workers to return to the office), perceptions about crime and public safety, and the Capital One Arena renovations.

Data finds some improvement

Data from the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) suggests some indicators are improving.

The 鈥淪tate of Downtown D.C.鈥� 2025 report highlights that office attendance in the area jumped in 2025. From March through December, office attendance was 48%, up 4% from the previous time frame in 2024.

During the fall, when federal job cuts went into effect and the federal government shutdown occurred, office attendance growth slowed, but听鈥渞ates remained above their 2024 average,鈥� according to the report.

The report also noted a 2.5% increase in overall foot traffic in Downtown D.C., when comparing data against 2025 numbers.

What the future could look like

In Chinatown, Moon Rabbit Chef-Owner Kevin Tien said, 鈥淲e, as restaurant owners, haven’t been able to increase the cost of our product or services equally over time. 鈥� I don’t think the public is ready to pay for the true cost of food.鈥�

鈥淎 lot of places, you can’t really charge more than $12 to $15 for dessert because I think the shock value for the guests, they wouldn’t want to order dessert,鈥� Tien said.

For Bank, he鈥檚 hopeful for when the Capital One Arena fully reopens and when for residential or other uses.

鈥淚 think the future is great,鈥� Bank said.

Tien said he is also happy to see retail openings in the neighborhood, like Barnes & Noble on F Street NW and H&M on G Street NW. These types of openings offer new incentives for locals and tourists to visit.

鈥淭here needs to be a reason for people to want to be downtown and walk downtown, other than just coming into the office for work or going to a concert,鈥� Tien said.

For some restaurateurs, D.C. still represents opportunity.

For others like Ziebold, the uncertainty surrounding labor, commuting patterns and the city鈥檚 long-term identity has made investing in another lease feel like too much of a gamble.

Ziebold said he doesn鈥檛 plan on opening another restaurant in D.C. 鈥渦ntil a clear direction鈥� emerges for the city.

鈥淚’m not going to bring any businesses back to Washington until Washington decides what’s going to be the model for a consistent period of time,鈥� Ziebold said. 鈥淐hanging how you’re going to pay your employees every two years doesn’t work. I don’t get to renegotiate my lease every two years.鈥�

Downtown D.C. BID President and CEO Gerren Price told 海角精品黑料 that despite the number of notable restaurant closings within the last half year or so, the rate between restaurant openings and closings has actually been positive.

鈥淲e think that is a sign that maybe things are beginning to stabilize a bit,鈥� Price said.

Even so, this year was 鈥減articularly tough鈥� for restaurants, according to Price, who attributed the struggle in part to rising costs in food and labor.

Research from the reported that food costs are up 34% compared to the pre-pandemic levels.

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Upcoming chefs that Rooster & Owl Chef and Co-Owner Yuan Tang is collaborating with include of Thip Khao, of The Fried Rice Collective and of Foreign National.

鈥淐ommunity has always shaped how we cook and how we gather,鈥� Tang said in a statement. “This series is an opportunity to honor that through collaboration and to highlight the breadth, diversity, and creativity of AAPI cuisine.鈥�

Tickets for each event cost $160 with seatings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Check back every Thursday for a roundup of Things to do in the DC area.

Here’s what else is happening in the D.C. area:

DC

ELEM x XIQUET Collab Dinner
There are still some seats left in Thursday’s between Chef Vish Mayekar of ELEM in Vancouver, Canada, and Chef Danny Lled贸 of Xiquet in D.C. Expect the dinner to “explore a refined exchange between Vancouver鈥檚 Pacific sensibility and Valencia鈥檚 Mediterranean heritage,” according to a posting for the event. The dinner costs $225 per person.

D.C. Arab American Culture Festival
For its fourth year, the is celebrating Arab heritage and music with a variety of artisans selling products from Morocco to Palestine, plus live entertainment. The event is hosted this Saturday at The Dew Drop Inn in Northeast D.C. with general admission tickets that cost $35 per adult and approximately $18 per child.

Georgetown Garden Tour
with afternoon refreshments in Georgetown on Saturday. Tickets are $50 per person.

Spring Makers Market & Street Festival
The spring edition of the is hosted on Saturday. Nearly 40 local makers, artisans, food vendors and arts organizations are coming together at this outdoor market. Families can also expect hands-on art activities for kids and live music from local bands. Admission is free.

鈥淭errors of Irish Fairylore”
Profs & Pints, the lecture series hosted at local bars, is coming to Penn Social to present on . This lecture on Monday is headed by Brittany Warman, former instructor at Ohio State University and co-founder of The Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic. Tickets cost roughly $15.

Maryland

Books in Bloom
For the 10th anniversary of the , expect a vibrant event celebrating the voices of local authors and teens. Expect performances and readings, creator labs, an outdoor bookstore and more. The event on Saturday is free to attend and located in Color Burst Park in Columbia, Maryland’s Merriweather District.

Takoma Flea and Takoma Porch Fest
Find a mix of vendors selling vintage clothing, jewelry, records, furniture and homewares at the . Also on Saturday is with more than 90 musical performances performing on 24 porches throughout the neighborhood.

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
On Saturday and Sunday, head to Woodmont Triangle in Bethesda, Maryland, for the . The free, rain-or-shine festival offers the chance to view and buy works from over 100 artists.

Virginia

Carlos Vives
is heading to Fairfax, Virginia’s EagleBank Arena as part of his Tour Al Sol, celebrating three decades of his trailblazing fusion of Colombian vallenato, cumbia, pop and rock music. The event is this Saturday.

Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market
Returning on Saturday, the is coming back with more than 70 curated vendors in Alexandria, Virginia. Shop vintage, antique, thrifted and upcycled clothing, art and other collectibles. Admission is free.

Del Ray Urban Sketchers
If you’re a fan of , head to Del Ray in Alexandria, Virginia, on Sunday. Del Ray Artisans is hosting a meetup with like-minded artists, starting at St. Elmo鈥檚 Coffee Pub.

“Pippin”
Shirlington, Virginia’s Signature Theatre is bringing to life the story of . Stephen Schwartz鈥檚 musical is adapted by Matthew Gardiner, the artistic director of Signature Theatre who has been described by The Washington Post as “one of the top young musical-theater directors.” The production runs Tuesday through July 26.

Have an event you鈥檇 like featured in 海角精品黑料’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!

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At its heart is the , where more than 65 embassies open their doors to the public, offering a rare chance to step inside diplomatic spaces and experience global cultures.

Two major “information hubs,” at Dupont Circle and the UDC Student Center, are planned to have several live performances, cultural dances and child-friendly activities. This event is free with no registration or tickets required to attend.

This year, the Republic of Korea is expected to have activities and dance performances inspired by the “KPop Demon Hunters” film. The Embassy of Thailand will have martial arts demonstrations. There is also a “Caribbean rum battle” expected between Jamaica, Barbados and Haiti, according to Dania Jolley, deputy chief of staff and cultural affairs at Events D.C.

Beyond the event, there are several cultural programs expected, such as the promotion, where participating restaurants are offering special discounts, plus America 250-inspired menu items or other limited-time dishes.

The on May 9 also allows guests to enjoy authentic music, dance, food, film and art of the distinctive nations of the European Union.

For the first time, participants like Cuba, Lebanon, Maldives and Singapore are opening their doors to the public for this year’s Passport D.C.

Check back every Thursday for a roundup of Things to do in the DC area.

Here’s what else is happening in the D.C. area:

DC

Flower Mart
This Friday and Saturday, the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral is once again planning to host the . This family-friendly event features a variety of booths selling herbs, perennials, annuals and other greenery. A book sale is also planned along with festival food and rides as well as games for children.

Dupont Circle ArtWalk
On the first Friday of every month, the Dupont Circle neighborhood’s art galleries, embassies and cultural centers open their doors for a . The event is free and can start at any open location.

Adams Morgan PorchFest
Head outside for , an annual music festival where over 100 bands perform live across more than 25 stages. The event is free and open to the public this Saturday.

The Running of the Chihuahuas
If you want to see pups with a pep in their step, head to The Wharf on Saturday. The annual returns for its 14th year. While only chihuahuas can join the race, all breeds are allowed to participate in the dog costume contest. All race proceeds benefit Rural Dog Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to pulling dogs from high-kill rural shelters.

Sound Scene
The Hirshhorn Museum is hosting an , called Sound Scene, on Saturday and Sunday. Appropriate for all ages, this free event includes several hands-on workshops, live performances and creative works by artists from around the world.

Maryland

“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”
Based on the novel by Mark Haddon, this theatrical adaptation is about a teenage boy with autism, who investigates the murder of his neighbor’s dog. is running the production at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre from May 1 through 10. Tickets cost $24 for adults and $22 for students and seniors.

Rockville Arts Festival
On Saturday and Sunday, the 13th annual is coming to The Square for a weekend celebrating creativity and community. Enjoy the works of over 100 artists and makers alongside live art demonstrations.

Sligo Creek Fest
is an annual street festival that transforms Sligo Creek Open Parkway into a family-friendly celebration with multiple performance stages, kid-friendly activities, food vendors and hands-on activities and demonstrations. This year’s event is on Saturday.

Virginia

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
Head to the in Manassas, Virginia, Saturday for a daylong festival celebrating beer, bourbon and BBQ. The event showcases more than 60 beers and 40 bourbons, plus live music, a “shrine of swine” and a “tasting theatre” spotlighting several distilleries.

Spring Makers Market
Shop and sip the day away at the in Alexandria, Virginia’s Port City Brewing Company on Saturday. More than 25 artists, makers and vendors are expected to attend.

Festival of Colors
For a , go to Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, Virginia, this Sunday. The event features live dance performances, family-friendly activities and, of course, the throwing of vibrantly-colored powder.

Have an event you鈥檇 like featured in 海角精品黑料’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!

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On Saturday, attendees at got an early taste of the city鈥檚 next big cafes, restaurants and bars to find out if the hype is real.

“It’s really a win-win-win in the sense that 鈥� chefs, restaurateurs, bar teams get to put themselves in front of the most engaged guests that the District has to offer,” said Nevin Martell, co-producer of NKOTB. “And the people that come to this event get to eat amazing food, talk to chefs, meet bar teams that they haven’t met before and get a taste of places that they literally can’t taste just yet.”

海角精品黑料 got a look inside at several of the buzzy new restaurants. Here are this year’s nine participants:

• James Beard Award winner (Fiola, Fiola Mare, Del Mar) debuts his to-be-named all-day caf茅 concept
• by Alex McCoy (Lucky Buns, Monstera) and Justin Ahn (Incheon)
• Maurizio鈥檚 by the Cava team and (Melina, Bouboulina Steak)
• by the Clyde’s Restaurant Group and Stephen Lyons (The Inn at Little Washington, Matchbox Food Group)
• by Matt Sperber (Any Day Now, The Salt Line, Husk)
• by Brad Feickert (Soko Butcher, Koma)
• by Rachel Bindel (Tail Up Goat, Lut猫ce, Gravitas)
• Little Birdie by (Matt & Tony’s)
• by Sebastien Salomon (the White House, Embassy of Haiti)

“We want a diverse lineup of chefs, like those that are just starting out to all the way up those who have already won James Beard Awards or have Michelin stars. We want a diversity of cuisine,” Martell said.

海角精品黑料 got to speak with some of this year’s NKOTB participants.

Chef Brad Feickert told 海角精品黑料 that the focus of his new restaurant, Phia, is “Appalachian grassroots cuisine.” The name is inspired by his grandmother, Sophia, who grew up in southern West Virginia. This concept is set for the former home of La Mano Coffee Bar at 304 Carroll Street, NW in D.C.’s Takoma neighborhood. But when it comes to its opening date, Feickert said, “That’s the million-dollar question.” For now, he hopes to open in four months’ time, around August.

For Ebbitt House, the plan is to do a “contemporary kind of twist” on D.C.’s Old Ebbitt Grill, according to Stephen Lyons, vice president of culinary and purchasing for Clyde’s Restaurant Group. This elevated American restaurant will feature a 300-seat dining room, two bars and a 125-seat patio. Ebbitt House is planned to open in August at Reston Station in Reston, Virginia.

Alex McCoy, owner of 础濒蹿颈别鈥檚, is a Northern Thai restaurant that will focus on sourcing local products.

“As opposed to flying in Thai ingredients, we use what we can that’s available within 50 miles of the restaurant,” McCoy told 海角精品黑料.

This includes sea buckthorn instead tamarind or rockfish instead of mackerel, for example. The hope is to open in D.C.’s Georgetown neighborhood by the end of June.

Another new concept planned to open in June is Vesper on Main Street in Old Ellicott City, Maryland. The 50-seat cocktail bar and restaurant will be rooted in French techniques and East Coast flavor.

“This is my vision on a plate. 鈥� We just wanted to create a neighborhood spot that the neighborhood can enjoy,” said Rachel Bindel, chef de cuisine at Vesper.

Of the event, Al Goldberg, event co-producer and Mess Hall founder, said, “It’s such a vibrant landscape here in D.C. and the DMV metro area, and to be able to come in and try these new restaurants 鈥� puts the exclamation mark on New Kitchens on the Block, connecting people with the chefs who want to serve them locally.”

For those who missed this year’s NKOTB, Goldberg said, “We’ll be back.”

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