Poets, Chile, Howard Films, and Fast Eddie & The Slowpokes — Tonight Through Friday

Weekend Events Calendar: Wednesday, April 29 – Friday, May 1

Spring is awake. So is the DMV.

This week: a quiet happy hour with poets. A cooking class that tastes like Chile. Short films from Howard storytellers. A dance floor that moves from Afrobeat to Amapiano.

By Friday? More.

Community band concert. R&B night. A nanny appreciation paint party. And a band called Fast Eddie & The Slowpokes playing somewhere you probably want to be.

Browse the full list below.

20 events this week on our calendar: Wednesday, Apr 29 - Friday, May 1

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FEATURED EVENTS

Sligo Creek Fest! - Sat May 2 11:00 am

Sligo-Dennis Avenue Park

Sligo Creek Fest returns Saturday, May 2, transforming the Parkway into a vibrant street festival with live music, tree climbing, and local food vendors. From 11 am to 3 pm, explore hands-on activities and performances that celebrate the heart of the community.
 #SligoCreekFest #MontgomeryParks #CulturalDMVNews [more details]

Afternoon Tea Party & Teacup Flower Workshop - Sat May 2 2:00 pm

Park Florist

Buy Tickets - Sip, savor, and get creative! Join us for a charming afternoon tea where you’ll enjoy delightful treats and design your own flower teacup. Guided step by step, you’ll learn to combine seasonal blooms and greenery into a whimsical, miniature arrangement that’s perfect for your home or as a thoughtful gift.  [more details]

Other Events

Busboys and Poets Happy Hour Invite - Wed Apr 29 4:30 pm

Busboys and Poets Takoma Park

Join Busboys and Poets for an Artomatic Happy Hour! Connect with local creators, launch a new monthly artist series, and gain studio curation insights from Artomatic Co-Presidents George Koch and James Albright. [more details]

Women's Wellness Wednesdays - Wed Apr 29 6:00 pm

Temple Mother Earth

Buy Tickets - Reclaim your power and creativity in a gentle midweek space for reflection, ritual, and shared presence.

Join our weekly Wednesday wellness gathering to slow down, listen within, and be held in community. [more details]

April - Wine Down Wednesdays - Wed Apr 29 7:00 pm

Bonne Vie Cafe and Bistro

Reservations -
Escape to Bonne Vie for "Wine Down Wednesdays" featuring live music by Caroline Whichard and $10 wine specials.
Enjoy our signature Prix Fixe menu and soulful favorites from Dean Martin to Olivia Dean.

[more details]

Showcase & Open Mic Hosted by Orville the Poet - Wed Apr 29 7:30 pm

Busboys and Poets - Columbia

Buy Tickets - Join Orville the Poet, creator of Pure Poetry Live, for an Open Mic Night dedicated to musicians, writers, and creatives of all kinds. Whether performing or cheering from the crowd, come connect with the community through a night of raw expression and local art. [more details]

Biodanza Dances of Joy and Relaxation - Wed Apr 29 8:00 pm

1633 P St NW

Buy Tickets - Awaken your body and spirit through Biodanza’s inclusive, guided group dances for all levels.

Leave feeling relaxed and joyfully connected—let’s dance together! [more details]

Thrasher's Rum Guided Distillery Tour & Tasting - Thu Apr 30 4:00 pm

Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company

Buy Tickets - Multiple Dates Available
Go behind the scenes at Thrasher’s Rum for a guided production tour and a full tasting of our lineup.

Discover our craft, get cocktail inspiration, and see live distilling in action at our immersive distillery experience. [more details]

The Flavors of Chile - Cooking Class in Washington, D.C. | Cozymeal - Thu Apr 30 6:00 pm

Cozymeal

Buy Tickets - Multiple Dates Available
Master extraordinary meals with Chef Gustavo in this hands-on, 4-course Chilean cooking class via Cozymeal.

Ditch the repetitive "easy dinner" searches for a fun, engaging masterclass in master techniques. [more details]

Black Light: A Howard Short Film Showcase - Thu Apr 30 6:00 pm

Black Light: A Howard Short Film Showcase

Buy Tickets -
This showcase bridges Howard University’s cinematic legacy by featuring shorts from the Class of 2026, MFA filmmakers, and alumni.

The curated festival experience fosters a vibrant creative community in D.C. while celebrating the next generation of HUFO storytellers. [more details]

Recalibrate Your Vibes: Soundbath Journey & Expression Session - Thu Apr 30 7:00 pm

Eaton Wellness in Eaton DC (2nd floor)

Buy Tickets - Multiple Dates Available
Reclaim your calm with Artis Marie through trauma-informed meditation, sound healing, and somatic tools.
Shift from overthinking to heart-led dialogue using breathwork, hypnotherapy, and visual journaling.

[more details]

CULTURE ST •Late Happy Hour•Dancehall•Afrobeat •Amapiano•Soca• •HipHop - Thu Apr 30 8:00 pm

Pure Lounge

Buy Tickets - Catch the ultimate Afro street party at Pure Lounge every Thursday with drink specials and global beats.
Vibe to Dancehall, Afrobeats, and Amapiano starting at 8 PM—the perfect night to dance and connect.

[more details]

Handmade Gifts Galore - Fri May 1 8:00 am

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Reserve A Spot. Shop unique, handcrafted treasures at this in-person market from Friday, May 1, through Sunday, May 3.
The event runs 8 AM to 6:30 PM daily, offering a weekend of local creativity and one-of-a-kind gifts. [more details]

PAINT THE TOWN PINK: DMV NANNY EDITION - Fri May 1 6:30 pm

1155 Ripley St

Reserve A Spot. DMV nannies are invited to a relaxing "wine-down" evening featuring light bites, meaningful conversation, and a special raffle.

Unwind and build lasting friendships in a supportive community space designed just for you. [more details]

Fast Eddie & The Slowpokes - Fri May 1 7:00 pm

The Urban Winery

Reserve A Spot. Fast Eddie & The Slowpokes will bring their energetic classic blues, ranging from Chicago to West Coast Swing, to The Urban Winery of Silver Spring on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The band is a seasoned DC-area act, known for high-energy performances and recognized in the blues scene. [more details]

The Sip Social - Fri May 1 7:00 pm

HQ House by The Burns Brothers

Check Availability. Join us at HQ House DC for First Friday, featuring 3708 spirits and house music by DJMADD OD.
Sip, socialize, and dance with a like-minded community for an unforgettable evening of house beats. [more details]

FREE Takoma Park Community Band Concert - Fri May 1 7:30 pm

Takoma Park Community Center

Free. The Takoma Park Community Band presents "Musical Travelogue Across the USA," a free concert featuring iconic American music paired with literary readings.
Doors open at 7 PM with no tickets required; donations are welcome to support the band. [more details]

Velvet Nights-For the true lovers of R&B - Fri May 1 8:00 pm

Citizens and Culture.

Velvet Nights is a regular R&B event series held at Citizens & Culture in Silver Spring, MD, tailored for a "grown-and-sexy" crowd
Dinner Service: An "After 7 R&B Dinner Experience" is often available before the main party, featuring a three-course prix fixe menu starting around 6:30 PM.
Tickets & Cost: General admission is typically around $20, while dinner guests often receive free entry to the after-hours party. Tickets can be found on platforms like Eventbrite and Posh. [more details]

Rare Essence Friday Night in Silver Spring - Fri May 1 10:00 pm

Citizens & Culture

Rare Essence is performing for "Friday Night Lights" this Friday, May 1, 2026, at Citizens & Culture in Silver Spring. This "grown and sexy" indoor rooftop event features Rare Essence ft. Jas Funk and DJ Skip. [more details]

You're in the loop! For more things to do, or to post your own event, visit our Community Calendar.

More News from Takoma Park

• 30 People. 30 Cameras. Zero Selfies. AI meets analog in the DC area. Photo walks are back. Film and digital photographers walk side by side. No algorithm required.
• Free Concerts Are Back at Strathmore: Live from the Lawn Returns This July Theatrical funk. A Barcelona sextet. A Grammy-nominated blues duo. All on a lawn. All free.