Center Forum

From Swamp to Scandal: A History of Washington DC

Please join Marc Sandalow for a lively discussion and slide show on Washington, DC history.

When: Monday, April 19, 2010

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Where: Auditorium

White House Garden Tour

This weekend, the White House will open its gardens and grounds to visitors on Saturday, April 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Sunday, April 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The tours are open to the public but a ticket is required for all attendees. The National Park Service will distribute free, timed tickets at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion located at 15th and E Streets on each tour day beginning at 8:00 a.m. Tickets will be distributed one ticket per person on a first-come, first served basis.

In case of inclement weather, the Garden Tours will be cancelled. You can call the 24-hour information line at 202-456-7041 to check on the status of the event.

(article from Daily Candy, today@DailyCandy.com)

At 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 3rd, there will be fireworks at the Gangplank Marina, 600 Water Street SW. The best location to view the fireworks is from the Southwest Waterfront Promenade. Prior to the fireworks show, there is musical entertainment beginnning at 5:00P.M.

Yoga on the Mall

On Saturday, April 3rd, Lululemon Athetica is inviting everyone - new or experienced - to participate in its yoga class at 11:00 a.m on the Mall. The class is a free one-hour/open-level class. If interested, meet at the Washington Monument (Sylvan Theatre lawn located on the northwest corner of 5th and Independence Ave., SW). The closest metro is the Smithsonian. Please be sure and bring your own mat.

Cherry Blossom 2010

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual two-week event starting March 27 - April 11, that celebrates springtime in Washington, DC as well as the 1912 gift of the cherry blossom trees by Japan. Below is a schedule of events:

March 27 - Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony

April 3 - Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks Show

April 10 - Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

There is also paddle boating on the Tidal Basin. Renting a two-person paddle boat is $10 an hour and a four - person boat is $18.00 an hour. The ranger led latern walks around the Tidal Basin start at 8 on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning March 27th. The tours begin in two spots: the Tidal Basin Welcome area (near the paddle boat dock) and the Washington Monument ticket lodge. Be sure an bring a flashlight.

If you want to take a free ranger led bike tour of the cherry blossoms, it is offered Saturdays (beginning on the 27th) and Sundays through the festival. If you don't have your own bike, Bike and Roll offers rentals, as well as two-hour, six-mile Bike the Blossoms tours that begin and end at the kiosk on Pennsylvania Avenue.

For more information, go to the National Cherry Blossom website at: http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cms/index.php?id=390

(taken from dcpages.com & Washington Post Going-out-Gurus)

Martin Luther King Events

Saturday - Monday January 16 - 18
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Weekend Festival
This three-day event celebrates King's life through activities, dramatic readings, a cappella performances and exhibitions, including the Woolworth's lunch counter where the sit-in movement began in 1960.
Where: National Museum of American History - Smithsonian Institution
14th Street and Constitution Avenue
Washington, DC
Information: 202-633-1000
Time: 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Free
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Music Event
MLK Soul Spectacular -Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Eric Roberson performs.
Where: Lincoln Theatre
1215 U St NW
Washington, DC
Information: 202-328-6000
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Chuck Brown performs with a variety of vocal and dance ensembles, including the African Heritage Dancers and Drummers, the Heritage Singing Chorale and the Urban H.I.P.-H.O.P Choir.
Where: Washington National Cathedral
Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues NW
Washington, DC
Information: 202-537-6200
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India.Arie and the Let Freedom Ring Choir - The Grammy-winning R&B vocalist leads a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. in the Concert Hall. Arrive early for free tickets. Beginning at 10 a.m. until noon on Monday, Jan. 18th, tickets will be distributed two per person, on a first-come first-served basis in line in front of the Concert Hall.
Where: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F St NW
Washington, DC
Performance Time: 6 p.m.
Information: 202-467-4600
Free

(From The Wasington Post Going Out Guide)

Lincoln Assassination Talk

On Sunday, Jan. 17th, a National Park Service ranger discusses the shooting of Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes booth. 5 - 6 p.m., Lincoln Memorial, 23rd Street NW and West Potomac Park. The event is free. Contact Joel Yarvis at 202-438-4391 or joel_yarvis@nps.gov.

(Washington Post, January 14, 2010)