From celebrating independent bookstores to indulging in chocolate and grooving to live music, there's something for everyone.
Bookworms Rejoice! Independent Bookstore Day Festivities
This Saturday marks the 11th annual Independent Bookstore Day, and bookstores across the DC region are pulling out all the stops. Here's a taste of what you can expect:
- D.C. Bookstore Crawl: Participate by visiting five or more indie bookstores and be entered to win a prize! Visit all 19 participating stores and you could be the lucky winner of a grand prize raffle.
- Special Deals and Activities: Many bookstores are offering discounts, raffles, author signings, and family-friendly activities. Highlights include:
- East City Bookshop: Flash sales, raffles for books and audiobooks.
- Politics and Prose: Libro.fm Golden Ticket giveaway.
- Solid State Books: Bingo, book-related prize wheels, "blind date with a book" deals.
- Kramers: Golden ticket hunt for discounts, "blind date with a book" promotion.
- Sankofa Video, Books and Café: Spring cleaning sale, flower pot painting activity.
- MahoganyBooks: Live DJ, book giveaways, discounted cafe drinks.
- Many More: Bridge Street Books (storewide discount), Bold Fork Books (foodie nail art, temporary tattoos, discounts), Little District Books (raffles, prize wheel, tote bags), The Potter's House (free coffee, gifts with purchase).
Beyond the Bookshelves: Other Must-See Events
The DC area is brimming with exciting events beyond the bookstore crawl. Here are a few to consider:
- Halfway to Halloween Party (Friday, April 26): Get a head start on the spooky season with a costume contest, dancing, and more at City-State Brewery.
- Georgetown French Market (April 26-28): Shop local boutiques, cafes, and galleries, and enjoy live music and family-friendly activities.
- Black Women in Food Summit (April 26-27): Network, learn, and explore opportunities in the food industry at Eaton DC.
- D.C. Chocolate Festival (Saturday, April 27): La Maison Française hosts a day-long celebration of all things chocolate.
- Petworth PorchFest (Saturday, April 27): Enjoy free live music from over 200 bands on neighborhood porches.
- Project Glow (April 27-28): Dance the weekend away to a lineup of top EDM artists at RFK Festival Grounds.
- Spring Arts and Crafts Market (Sunday, April 28): Support local artists by shopping for unique artwork and crafts in Mount Pleasant.
- Smithsonian Craft Show (May 1-5): Immerse yourself in a world of beautiful craftsmanship at the National Building Museum.
Events in Maryland and Virginia
The fun doesn't stop at the DC border! Here are some exciting happenings in Maryland and Virginia:
- Maryland: Amplify open mic night (nature theme), The Chuck Brown Band concert, Annapolis Book Festival, Cultural Arts Festival.
- Virginia: ALX Jazz Fest Pop-Up, BJ the Chicago Kid concert, The Quintessential Loop Ride (casual bike ride).
Let the Weekend Begin!
With so much to see and do, this weekend promises to be a blast. Get out there, explore, and support your local community!