Events/Things To Do

Get going on your spring cleaning, DC! This Earth Day, VIDA Fitness and DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are inviting Washingtonians to experiment with the new Swedish-inspired, environmentally conscious fitness trend: Plogging – a fitness combination of jogging while picking up litter that offers a variation of body movements by adding bending, squatting and stretching to the main action of running.

On Sunday, April 22 at 10:00 a.m., Washingtonians may gather together to lessen their carbon footprint and engage in the latest fitness craze. Earth Day’s 2.5 mile Plogging will begin at Raymond Recreation Center at 3725 10^th Street, NW and then hit four additional public park and playground locations at: 11^th & Monroe Park, Powell Recreation Center, Girard Street Park and Harrison Playground.  This event is free and open to the public.  The Raymond Recreation Center is accessible by the green and yellow lines at Georgia Avenue-Petworth Metro Station.

Named after the Swedish term ‘plocka upp,’ Americans have begun integrating the trend into their regular workout routine: grabbing an empty trash bag and cleaning up their surroundings during their outdoor runs. The plogging event is the latest opportunity VIDA Fitness is spearheading to encourage locals to get #FitDC and make DC the number one fittest city in the country again.

For three consecutive years, D.C. earned the #1 ranking in the annual American Fitness Index Data Report published by the American College of Sports and Medicine (ACSM), but forfeited the top spot to Minneapolis in 2017. VIDA Fitness and DPR are determined to take back the title in 2018 by engaging Washingtonians with a variety of fitness programs and expos.

Plogging After Party

As Ploggers finish their District tour with full trash bags in hand, the celebration will continue at VIDA Fitness’ U Street location at 1612 U Street, NW, where participants can enjoy complimentary water and taco bowls from neighborhood favorite Takorean.

WHAT:  Inaugural VIDA Fitness/DPR Citywide 2.5 Mile Earth Day Plogging Event

WHEN:  Sunday, April 22 at 10:00 a.m. (Earth Day). 

WHERE: (Locations in chronological order)        

• Start: Raymond Recreation Center (Metro access: Petworth/GA Ave. Green Line)
• 11^th & Monroe Park
• Powell Recreation center
• Girard Street Park
• Harrison Playground
• End/Celebration: VIDA Fitness, U Street

LINKS: RSVP here!

 In its 11^th year, Cultural Tourism DC will produce the hugely popular Around the World Embassy Tour, part of Passport DC, a month-long celebration of worldwide cultures.

Both visitors and local residents can travel the world in one day, visiting more than 40 embassies to learn about culture, food, fashion and more during the Around the World Embassy Tour open houses. In the past, embassies have treated visitors to karate demonstrations, dance performances, sari wrapping lessons, police dog training, henna art and more.

WHEN:            Saturday, May 5

                        All participating embassies will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted

                        Admission is free, but some embassies may ask to see a government-issued ID. There is also a smart phone app and web-based phone app available to help visitors better plan their day. More information:https://www.culturaltourismdc.org/portal/signature-events

WHERE:           Embassies will celebrate their cultures’ food, fashion, arts and artisans, music, and dance by hosting DC residents and visitors inside their embassies. Embassies participating to date include Angola, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Gabon, Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Thailand, and Uganda.

HOW:              “So far, we received commitments from more than 40 embassies to open their gates and doors to participate in this year’s Around the World Embassy Tour,” says Steve Shulman, Executive Director, Cultural Tourism DC. “Now in its 11^th year, we expect nearly 30,000 people to visit embassies during a single day to learn about countries from across the globe. It is a wonderful, uniquely Washington experience for families, individuals and groups.”

Guests are invited to experience the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” tradition in Jardenea Lounge on Saturday, May 5, from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., offering partygoers and racing enthusiasts an authentic Derby Day program including:

• A live screening of the Kentucky Derby race
• Chance to place their bets on this year’s top thoroughbreds at no cover charge
• Classic derby cocktails including:
  • Mint Juleps
  • Bacon Old Fashioned’s with in-house bacon infused whiskey

In celebration of the 144^th Kentucky Derby, relaxed Adams Morgan wine bar Jug & Table will be hosting a happy hour watch party from 5:00pm-7:00pm on May 5, 2018. While donning their most fashionable hats and seersucker suits, guests can enjoy 25% off rosé bottles and Distillery Lane Ciderworks Woodberry cider bottles, as well as $7 Kentucky Punch cocktails. Walk-ins to Jug & Table at 2446 18^th St NW are welcome, although guests inquiring about seating availability can call 202-232-7663.

Jug & Table

2446 18^th Street NW

Washington, DC

www.jugandtable.com

The British Embassy will open its gates to the public for our 11th annual Open House Day on Saturday 12 May. Media are invited to cover the event, which offers visitors a rare look inside the Embassy as well as other unique activities celebrating British culture.

The Open House Day is special this year, as it is exactly one week before the Royal Wedding. During the event, visitors will be able to congratulate Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle on their upcoming wedding by creating a card and placing it in the mailbox to be sent to Kensington Palace.

During Open House Day, visitors will get a rare look inside the embassy and access to the Ambassador’s Residence and Gardens, home to several trees planted by members of the Royal Family. The Residence ballroom will be set up as it would be prepared for a State Dinner with Her Majesty the Queen.

Other highlights of the day include:

• Special appearances by the Superbowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders, Eagles Drumline and Eagles mascot, SWOOP, ahead of their NFL game in London
• A fleet of British luxury vehicles from Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover, Lotus and Rolls-Royce
• British food and drink, including whiskey and wine
• Performances from Shakespearian players and the British International School of Washington
• A tennis serve cage to see how fast you can serve at the Residence tennis court
• Displays of the most iconic British scenery for selfies

On Saturday, May 19^th, from 11:00AM to 12:30PM, devout dumpling lovers and fans of Q by Peter Chang (4500 East West Highway #100, Bethesda, MD 20814; www.QbyPeterChang.com; (240) 800-3722; IG @q_by_peter_chang_) will have the opportunity to learn how to make some of the celebrated Chinese restaurant’s signature dumplings at ‘Pinched’ – a hands-on dumpling making and cooking class led by legendary husband and wife chef duo Peter Chang and Lisa Chang. This class will serve as the first in-house cooking class to take place at Q by Peter Chang, but the team has plans to continue creating and offering additional interactive culinary classes and events in the coming months with the hopes of further educating fans on the beauty, history, and diversity behind authentic Chinese cuisine.

Priced at $40 per person, this hands-on dumpling experience is open to all ages and will begin with a 10-15 minute demonstration by Chefs Peter and Lisa Chang focusing on the techniques behind dough making and wrapping. The class will proceed providing participants with 20-30 minutes for the hands-on portion inviting attendees to make their own dumplings followed by the cooking of their dumplings handled on-site by restaurant staff, and a 30-40 minute seated lunch experience. An assortment of both meat and vegetarian dumpling fillings will be available for all class participants to choose from.

“This is an exciting and engaging way for myself, my wife Chef Lisa Chang, and the team at Q by Peter Chang to interact more with our wonderful customers and community and to help educate them as much as possible on the beauty of authentic Chinese cuisine”, said celebrated Chef and restaurateur Peter Chang. “Following ‘Pinched’, we have plans to offer many more unique and interactive classes and events in the coming months to our devoted friends and fans, especially those that have yet to experience Q by Peter Chang. As our flagship restaurant, we hope to use this space as a way to truly unite Chinese food lovers and educate them on the diversity of our versatile cuisine.:

Reservations are required and can be made by calling (240) 800-3722 or emailing info@qbypeterchang.com.