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For the second weekend in a row, Washington’s embassies open their doors to the public, showcasing their native art and culture and trying to seduce you into planning your next vacation there. This Saturday, it’s the European Union’s turn, so you can admire a Lamborghini and a Vespa at the Italian Embassy while sipping a Lavazza, learn about Sweden’s plans to be carbon-neutral and enjoy views of the Potomac from the House of Sweden’s rooftop, or hear firsthand about polar explorations and mountain climbing from Polish adventurers while sampling sweets and listening to a piano concert at the Embassy of Poland. (A full list of events and activities is available on the E.U.’s website, eeas.europa.eu.)
As with last week’s Around the World Embassy Tour, there will be long lines, and a little bit of planning goes a long way. Here are a few tips from a veteran embassy-goer:
Plan your visit by neighborhood, not country. Embassies are grouped in some obvious clusters, including Kalorama, Columbia Heights, Van Ness and Massachusetts Avenue north of Rock Creek Park. Pick one, and bounce between the embassies there. Upside: If there’s a long line at the Former Spanish Ambassador’s Residence, you can duck over to Poland or Lithuania, while those hanging out near the Italian Embassy can head next door to Denmark for a virtual bike ride through Copenhagen, or to learn about hygge, which might come in handy after all those lines. There’s a similar situation with the embassies near Peirce Mill, where Hungary, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands — which is hosting a Benelux celebration with the embassies of Luxembourg and Belgium — are a few streets from one another.
The best-known countries draw the biggest lines. Every year, France and Germany throw a joint open house at one of their embassies. (This year is France’s turn to host.) Not only will you have to wait to get in, but it’s not within easy walking distance of other embassies. If you have to visit, make it your first stop. Ireland and Italy are also known for their popularity; you could probably visit multiple embassies around Dupont — say, Luxembourg, Estonia, Bulgaria, Romania and Portugal — in the time it would take to get into and through the Irish Ambassador’s Residence, which, to be fair, is a pretty cool building. And while Hungary isn’t as popular of a tourist attraction as Spain, for example, in previous years, it’s been relatively easy to get in for the wine tasting, Rubik’s Cube classes, vizsla dog show and dance performances.
This is not an after-brunch activity. Embassies are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and lines build throughout the day. The early bird gets the best access — and you don’t want to be the one to get to the Embassy of Poland after the pierogies have run out. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.
Books in Bloom Festival at Color Burst Park
Chasten Buttigieg and Nikki Giovanni headline the seventh edition of Columbia’s literary festival. Giovanni, an acclaimed poet and influential member of the Black Arts Movement, most recently wrote a picture book called “A Library” about the magic of public libraries. She’ll read selections of her work and discuss both children’s literature and social issues. Buttigieg, a teacher and the husband of Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, is about to release a young-adult adaptation of his 2020 memoir, “I Have Something to Tell You,” and he’ll discuss his experience of growing up gay in a small Midwestern town. The progressive-leaning festival features a panel discussion on banned books with representatives from public schools, libraries, and Busboys and Poets, plus a poetry showcase and more than a dozen authors who’ve written everything from murder mystery trilogies to a history of misogyny against women in power. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free.
National Museum of Asian Art Centennial Festival
The bad news is that there are no tickets left for the centerpiece of the National Museum of Asian Art’s festival: a concert with Eric Nam and Raveena inside the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building. The good news is that it will be simulcast on large screens outside on Freer Plaza, no tickets required, so you can still hear (and dance to) Nam’s K-pop grooves. The fun begins at noon with a Redeye Market, inspired by Asian night markets, featuring vendors including Moon Rabbit, Lucky Danger, Balangay, and Ekiben. Redeye Market noon to 4:30 p.m.; concert at 6:30 p.m. Free.
Hawaiian Voyaging and Dance at the National Museum of the American Indian
In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the National Museum of the American Indian turns its attention to Native Hawaiian communities. This two-day festival has a joint focus. Visitors can learn about sailing in Hawaii, including trying to tie the knots used to construct a canoe, and also watch traditional and contemporary hula performances and find out how to make a lei. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free.
Halau Nohona Hawai’i Ho’ike at Northwood High School
The nonprofit Hawaiian cultural organization Halau Nohona Hawai’i hosts an afternoon of “Lei Punahele,” or “Our favorite things,” at Northwood High School in Silver Spring. It begins with vendors and Hawaiian food, followed by a concert with ukulele, guitar and ipu drums, and hula performances. 1 to 4 p.m. $10-$20 in advance; $20-$25 at the door.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Concert and Reception at Harmony Hall Arts Center
Japanese koto musicians and Polynesian and classical Indian dancers are among the performers featured at this annual event, sponsored by the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation. It’s not just watching: There are Bollywood dance and Japanese calligraphy workshops, and Chickboy D.C. provides free Filipino food. 1 to 3 p.m. Free.
Maryland Craft Beer Festival
An annual celebration of beers from across the Free State, the Maryland Craft Beer Festival brings 66 breweries and cideries to Carroll Creek Park in the heart of Frederick. Each brewery brings a selection of products — some have two or three on tap, and others have up to eight to sample. (You can get an idea of the breadth from the updated list on the festival’s website.) This is an ideal way to get to know smaller, far-flung breweries that don’t distribute in the D.C. area: Instead of driving to a town near the Pennsylvania border or making a detour across the Eastern Shore to track down beers you’ve heard about online, you can sample them all in one place. Beyond beer and cider, the day includes two stages of live music, plus food trucks and vendors. 1:30 to 5 p.m. $45; $15 designated drivers.
It’s been more than a quarter-century since Chisel — the mod power-pop trio fronted by Ted Leo — broke up, not long after releasing its second album, “Set You Free.” Leo, drummer John Dugan and bass player Chris Norborg reunited earlier this year for a concert in California and now are coming back to D.C., which served as the group’s home base in the ’90s. With time, Leo told The Post’s Chris Kelly, Chisel’s songs, influenced by the Jam and the Buzzcocks, have become more focused: “There was a franticness to the playing that I think never served the songs as well in the live context as I always used to hope we could present them,” Leo says. “We’re trying to serve the song a little better.” 8 p.m. $25.
Eurovision Watch Party at DC9
The world’s biggest singing competition takes over Liverpool on Saturday, but you’ll be able to catch all the costumes, kitsch and over-the-top staging at watch parties in D.C., too. Wunder Garten is showing the finals as well as semifinals (see Thursday’s listing), but if you want to hear the music on a club-quality audio system, head to DC9 for its viewing party. (And if you’re wondering why anyone cares about Eurovision, check out our “guide for perplexed Americans.”) 3 p.m. Free.
D.C. Defenders XFL Championship Viewing Party at the Brighton
The Washington Commanders probably aren’t going back to the playoffs anytime soon, let alone the Super Bowl, so if you want to watch a local men’s football team in a title game, here’s your opportunity. Those who aren’t traveling to Texas to watch the Defenders take on the Arlington Renegades can head to the Wharf, where the Brighton is hosting the official viewing party, with WPGC’s DJ Flexx and chances to play Defenders trivia to win autographed prizes, or take photos of the XFL’s North Division trophy. 8 p.m. Free; registration required.
Georgetown is particularly lovely in the spring, especially if you get the chance to venture into manicured backyard gardens. The self-guided 93rd annual Georgetown Garden Tour takes place throughout the east and west sides of this historic neighborhood, and you set the pace and order of each stop. This is a rain-or-shine event, and proceeds go to beautifying Georgetown’s public green spaces. Tickets can be purchased in person at Christ Church, 3116 O St. NW. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $45.
Vintage market at Tysons Biergarten
Kids and dogs are welcome at this two-day indoor market, which includes 25 vendors selling vintage clothes, handmade products and art. Grab a locally made craft beer and some bar food to eat while you shop. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free.
Del Ray Artisans Spring Art Market in Colasanto Park
Held the day before Mother’s Day, this market by the nonprofit Del Ray Artisans might have the perfect gifts for procrastinators. Shop ceramics, fiber, jewelry, photography and more from over two dozen featured artists in Alexandria. The outdoor event is held rain or shine. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.
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