Appetite Builders: The List’s Seasonal Activation Roundup

Spring has sprung! And with it, so many fun & exciting ways to celebrate the season. The best way to soak in the sunshine? All these springtime activations:  

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 

The Drive-In at Union Market: The Drive-In at Union Market is back for the 12th season.  Get ready for a  blend of movies and munchies with concessions. From street food to Michelin-starred fine dining, experience it all at Union Market District. Bring your chairs and blankets for a cozy picnic-style setup in front of The Market. No tickets are needed to watch on Neal Place. More info here. 

AdMo Art Walk: Walk the streets of Adams Morgan and admire an impressive selection of local artwork displayed in storefronts now through April 30. Each Saturday and Sunday throughout the event, The DC Arts Center will offer FREE guided walking tours of the AdMo Art Walk, making brief stops at each location to discuss the artwork, artists, and local businesses. Learn more here. 

New Worlds: Women to Watch 2024: Now open, the exhibition New Worlds highlights the work of 28 visionary artists from around the globe who reimagine past, present and alternate realities at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Works by the 28 artists featured in New Worlds: Women to Watch 2024 explore these ideas from perspectives that shift across geographies, cultural viewpoints, and time. Learn more here. 

Intercessions: This is Where We Meet: Intersections: This is Where We Meet invites viewers into Shawn Yancy's off-camera inner world and introduces them to yet another facet of her identity – Artist. Shawn uses abstract art and color relationships to express her thoughts and feelings about peace, chaos, joy, pleasure, pain, family, community and connection. It runs through May 29. 702 8th Street NW; rsvp here. 

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania at The National Building Museum: The National Building Museum has opened Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania, an exhibition co-organized by The Westmoreland Museum of American Art and Fallingwater, a property entrusted to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania is a journey into the famed architect’s mind, articulating—for the first time—his broader creative vision. Presenting both realized and unrealized projects Wright designed for the region from the 1930s through the 1950s, the exhibition examines how his vision of the future might have impacted urban, suburban, and rural landscapes. Find out more info here. 

WHERE ELSE YOU'LL FIND US:

Islander: A New Musical at Olney Theatre: Islander is coming to Olney theatre this spring. Islander tells the story of a modern myth in Scotland. A town gets an offer from the government to resettle, but something surprising happens that changes the course. It will run through April 28, 2024. Purchase tickets here. 

Little Shop of Horrors at Ford’s Theater: Little Shop Of Horrors is coming to Ford’s Theatre with a great cast and story of the classic tale. The musical classic is to be seen this spring in April. You can purchase tickets here. Now through May 14. 

Star Power: Photographs from Hollywood’s Golden Age at National Portrait Gallery: The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery will present “Star Power: Photographs from Hollywood’s Golden Age by George Hurrell,” an exhibition exploring timeless images of film royalty from the 1930s and 1940s. George Hurrell, the acclaimed Hollywood portrait photographer, captures these stars in their most enchanting light. Among those featured are film icons, ranging from Jean Harlow and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson to Greta Garbo and James Wong Howe. Selected from the National Portrait Gallery’s collection, which includes 70 recently acquired Hurrell portraits, the exhibition is curated by senior curator of photographs Ann Shumard. Find out more information here. 

Renwick Gallery Reopening: The Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery has reopened to the public. It was closed temporarily for a project focused on replacing pipes under this National Historic Landmark building. Experience the special exhibition Sharing Honors and Burdens: Renwick Invitational 2023, explore the dynamic landscape of contemporary craft in SAAM’s collection, and reflect in the quiet space of 1.8 Renwick.

Capital Wheel 10 Year Anniversary : The Capital Wheel at National Harbor has been spinning for 10 years. To celebrate the decade you are invited to enjoy 10 months of special offers, events, packages and, of course, unparalleled views. The events include: 

• April: SpringTEN! A Facebook photo contest for pictures of The Capital Wheel with a $1,000 grand prize winner April 1 – 30
• May: Mom’s a Perfect 10! Mom rides free with a paying adult and enjoys a Mimosa Flight for only $10 Mother’s Day Weekend
• June: You’re a 10 Dad! Dad rides free with a paying adult and enjoys an IPA Flight for only $10 Father’s Day Weekend 

More info here. 

Perch Putt at the Watermark Hotel: Putt into spring with the re-opening of Perch Putt. The 18-hole putt putt golf course located at The Perch – a 2.5 acre sky park has reopened. The Perch offers guests rounds of golf with live entertainment accompanied by a Greyhound and a double decker bus that have been converted into food trucks, including a new addition this year, Bap-Bowl. Rhum Rhoost, a vibrant tiki bar, will also be serving special festive drinks for Easter, including Peeps Hot Chocolate and mimosa buckets.  .perchputt.com

Claude Monet, the Immersive Experience: Immerse yourself in the beauty of Claude Monet's masterpieces like never before. Exhibition Hub's award-winning 4K digital mapping techniques will envelop you in Monet's brilliant and contemplative works. This breathtaking experience goes beyond traditional exhibitions, placing guests in stunning re-creations of Monet's creative atelier and the luscious gardens at Giverny. Find out more info here. 

Whitlow’s on Water: The guys who brought DC’s only pedal party cruise boats, the Potomac Paddle Club, and only floating tiki bar party boats, the Potomac Tiki Club, will be back on the water for  the 2024 season with  a 48-passenger Tiki Boat in collaboration with iconic DC and former Clarendon bar, Whitlow’s. The 50-foot floating bar, Whitlow’s on Water, will sail from Georgetown Harbour and Navy Yard beginning St. Patrick’s Day weekend 2024. Whitlow’s on Water will have an 18-foot U-shaped bar surrounded by stool seating. The vessel will be fully covered allowing cruises in all kinds of weather. It will have two televisions, an on-board bathroom and plush seating couches. Find out more info here.