Jan
25
Sat
Winter Blast: A Family Day of Native Games @ Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
Jan 25 @ 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Winter Blast: A Family Day of Native Games

Saturday, Jan. 25, 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

 

This free family-friendly event celebrates Indigenous games from the Arctic to Argentina. Visitors can meet Talibah Begay (Navajo) as she shares a traditional Navajo shoe guessing game. Leihua Stewart (Native Hawaiian) teaches traditional Hawaiian games. Participants can learn to play Bolivian games with Julia Garcia (Aymara). The day features hands-on activities and “make-and-takes.”

Feb
8
Sat
16th Annual Alexandria Warehouse Sale @ The Westin Alexandria
Feb 8 @ 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

The 16th Annual Alexandria Warehouse Sale returns to on Saturday, February 8, in the heart of Old Town. Deemed in the region the longest-running boutique driven warehouse sale, the popular mid-winter event will take place at the Westin Hotel located in the Carlyle District of Old Town Alexandria. The fun, yet casual, free to enter event will include a variety of new boutiques and retailers not only located in Alexandria, but throughout the Metro region.

2020 Participating Boutiques include (as of January 8):

Clothing

CCH Collection

Dresscode Style

J McLaughlin

Mission Edit

Pacers

Periwinkle

Sara Campbell

Scout & Molly’s Boutique (Annapolis, Bethesda, One Loudon, Reston locations)

The Hive

TSalt

Vintage Mirage

WRABYN Boutique

Jewelry/Accessories/Beauty

Cara Hosiery

Eye2Eye

Mystique Jewelers

Nourish & Refine

Queen Bee Designs

She’s Unique

The Way U Shop

Wear Ever Jewelry

Home

Patina Polished Living

Kids

Monday’s Child

Shoes

Bishop Boutique

Eight Royale

Sassanova

The Shoe Hive

The event will also have a variety of promotional activities such as:

  • In-line Giveaways & Prizes from participating boutiques;
  • Mind the Mat – complimentary pilates classes between 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.;
  • AR Workshop Alexandria – Get Crafty! AR Workshop is popping by again with another crafty DIY Make & Take Station! Stop by between 8:00 am-10:00 am and make a mini wood sign you will get to take home.  If you missed out last year, they’ll be raffling off another Chunky Knit Blanket Workshop (valued at $85)!  Purchase a $5 raffle ticket for a chance to win a seat in an upcoming class!  Raffle Winner will be announced at 10:00. Seats are first-come, first-served and while supplies last.
  • Penny Post will be on hand to entertain the crowds with button making and pencil embossing.  You can also write a letter to a friend and tell them what great deals you found at this year’s warehouse sale!
  • Salon DeZen – Complimentary glitter and mini braid bar from 8:00 a.m – 11:00 a.m.

Deal seekers will find the very best from Alexandria’s and the region’s finest retailers and indie brands with various brands of clothing, shoes, jewelry, home furnishings and more up to 80 percent off retail prices. Experienced sale shoppers line up early in the morning hours to get first grabs at top label merchandise, and throughout the day the sale has a steady pace of shoppers. Folks that decide to wait until the last few hours of the sale can score even more markdown deals with merchants looking to move seasonal merchandise.

The event is also giving away early entry into the Warehouse Sale to four lucky shoppers.  The pass will be good for yourself and a guest to enjoy the sale a full hour before the doors open to the public. Contest ends midnight on Thursday, February 6. Lucky winners will be notified on February 7th.  Visit www.AlexandriaWarehouseSale.com or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ALXWarehouseSale/ for details.

Shoppers can enjoy ample street parking and $5 garage parking at select garages surrounding the Westin Alexandria (visit website for location details). The Westin will also offer a shuttle the King Street Metro starting at 7 a.m.

Feb
15
Sat
Multimedia play: Hear Me Say My Name @ National Museum of the American Indian
Feb 15 @ 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Multimedia play: Hear Me Say My Name
Saturdays: Feb. 15, 22, and 29, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Rasmuson Theater

“I am not your mascot, and I don’t live in a tipi. See me for who I am, hear me say my name.” How do stereotypes of American Indians, prejudice, and identity shape the discussion of what it means to be a young person in our country today? This original multimedia play, created in collaboration with Smithsonian Associates Discovery Theater, tackles America’s assumptions about American Indians and starts a conversation with audiences reclaiming rich history, challenges, hopes, and dreams. After the play, the audience is invited to explore the museum’s Americans exhibition to learn more.

This program is generously supported by the Rasmuson Foundation. Free; first-come, first-served seating. No registration is required.

Feb
20
Thu
Mother Tongue Film Festival Opening & Screening @ National Museum of the American Indian
Feb 20 all-day

Mother Tongue Film Festival

Opening and Screening

Thursday, Feb. 20

 

The annual Mother Tongue Film Festival, presented by the Smithsonian’s Recovering Voices program, celebrates the United Nations’ International Mother Language Day by showcasing recently produced feature and short-length films about the cultural richness of Indigenous and endangered languages. Recovering Voices, a collaboration of the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of the American Indian and the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, partners with communities around the world to revitalize and sustain endangered languages and knowledge. Full schedule will be available https://mothertongue.si.edu/

Feb
21
Fri
Inka Road Food Fiesta @ National Museum of the American Indian
Feb 21 @ 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Inka Road Food Fiesta

Friday, Feb. 21, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Potomac Atrium

 

Visitors can explore the foods found in communities that live along the Inka Road of South America. Freddie Bitsoie (Diné), executive chef of the Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe, and other guest chefs will share the stories and food traditions that sustained and continue to support the diverse peoples of the intricate road system. Visitors can enjoy Andean music between tastings and take part in Cultural Interpreters’ tours of the museum’s “The Great Inka Road” exhibition.

 

Presented in collaboration with the Embassy of Peru. The Inka Road Food Fiesta is free, but tickets are required. See the museum’s website for details.

Feb
22
Sat
Multimedia play: Hear Me Say My Name @ National Museum of the American Indian
Feb 22 @ 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Multimedia play: Hear Me Say My Name
Saturdays: Feb. 15, 22, and 29, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Rasmuson Theater

“I am not your mascot, and I don’t live in a tipi. See me for who I am, hear me say my name.” How do stereotypes of American Indians, prejudice, and identity shape the discussion of what it means to be a young person in our country today? This original multimedia play, created in collaboration with Smithsonian Associates Discovery Theater, tackles America’s assumptions about American Indians and starts a conversation with audiences reclaiming rich history, challenges, hopes, and dreams. After the play, the audience is invited to explore the museum’s Americans exhibition to learn more.

This program is generously supported by the Rasmuson Foundation. Free; first-come, first-served seating. No registration is required.

Feb
23
Sun
Guatemalan National Day of Marimba @ National Museum of the American Indian
Feb 23 @ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Guatemalan National Day of Marimba

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2 p.m.

The marimba is recognized by the Organization of American States as part of the Cultural Heritage of the Americas. Celebrate Guatemala’s National Day of Marimba with performances by local marimba groups.

Presented in collaboration with the Consulate of Guatemala.

Feb
29
Sat
Multimedia play: Hear Me Say My Name @ National Museum of the American Indian
Feb 29 @ 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Multimedia play: Hear Me Say My Name
Saturdays: Feb. 15, 22, and 29, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Rasmuson Theater

“I am not your mascot, and I don’t live in a tipi. See me for who I am, hear me say my name.” How do stereotypes of American Indians, prejudice, and identity shape the discussion of what it means to be a young person in our country today? This original multimedia play, created in collaboration with Smithsonian Associates Discovery Theater, tackles America’s assumptions about American Indians and starts a conversation with audiences reclaiming rich history, challenges, hopes, and dreams. After the play, the audience is invited to explore the museum’s Americans exhibition to learn more.

This program is generously supported by the Rasmuson Foundation. Free; first-come, first-served seating. No registration is required.

Mar
14
Sat
POSTPONED Wikipedia Edit-a-thon: Women Artists of Latin America @ National Museum for Women in the Arts
Mar 14 @ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Wikipedia Edit-a-thon: Women Artists of Latin America
Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
NMWA hosts its 7th annual Art+Feminism edit-a-thon, which aims to improve Wikipedia entries related to notable women artists and art world figures. This year’s event will focus on women artists of Latin America. Held in collaboration with Wikipedia Edit-a-thons across the city at the libraries of the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Hirshhorn Museum, NMWA’s edit-a-thon also commemorates the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which granted women the right to vote. This event is part of a global initiative to help improve Wikipedia’s gender imbalance. In 2019, more than 3,800 Art+Feminism participants created or improved 21,000 Wikipedia pages. Free. No reservations required. No experience necessary; bring a laptop, motivation to combat gender bias and a belief in equal access to quality resources. People of all gender identities and expressions are invited.

POSTPONED Dance Performance: The Mush Hole: Truth, Acknowledgement, Resilience @ National Museum of the American Indian
Mar 14 @ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Dance Performance: The Mush Hole: Truth, Acknowledgement, Resilience

Kaha:wi Dance Theatre

Santee Smith, Artistic Director

Saturday, March 14, 2 p.m.

Rasmuson Theater

The Mush Hole is a heartbreaking dance theater piece that moves through Canada’s residential school history with hope and empathy. The performance by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, created, directed, produced by Santee Smith, reflects the realities of the Mohawk Institute Residential School experience and offers a compelling way to open dialogue and to heal. Created in collaboration with Mohawk Institute Residential School survivors and including school documentation in recounting its history, The Mush Hole is about survival and intergenerational resilience.

The Mohawk Institute, also known as the Mush Hole, is Canada’s oldest residential school, after which all other residential schools were modeled. Operating in Brantford, Ontario, from 1828 to 1970, the Mohawk Institute served as a boarding school for First Nations children from Six Nations and other communities in Ontario and Quebec. It was a key tool in the effort to assimilate First Nations children into European Christian society and sever the continuity of First Nations culture from parent to child, leaving a legacy of trauma.