02.04 - together for a shared future
what’s going on in d.c.
Yoga is back at the cavernous National Building Museum, with a session on Sunday at 10 AM. Tickets are $20. Or, head to Union Market for a Disco Yoga class, also at 10 AM, also $20.
NoMa’s Wunder Garten hosts a White Party tomorrow night to celebrate the life of Betty White. The dance party begins at 9 PM.
Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever tour makes a stop in D.C. on Wednesday at Capital One Arena; Louis Tomlinson, of One Direction fame, hits The Anthem on Thursday.
let’s talk food and drinks
my weekly best bite: Tirokroketes at 14th St.’s Gypsy Kitchen
Blagden Alley’s Tiger Fork hosts a Lunar New Year celebration starring lion dancers on Saturday night.
It’s the last week for Columbia Room, the acclaimed lounge/bar also in Blagden Alley. Owner Derek Brown is closing the spot to focus on developing no- and low-alcohol drinks; NYC’s Death & Co. cocktail bar will take over the space in the fall.
February’s hottest new restaurants (per Eater) include London Curry House on U Street, Destino in Union Market, and Inca Social in Rosslyn.
looking ahead: Call Your Mother is headed to Logan Circle (across the street from Whole Foods) this spring, marking the seventh location for the popular bagel spot.
what’s on our minds?
Washington City Paper investigated a housing project in Anacostia marred with delays and added costs. L’Enfant Trust, a nonprofit responsible for rehabbing multiple historic, but unlivable, homes battled with the city government over the past years for rights to develop and purchase the land from the city. The city government was hesitant to relinquish the lots and scale the program, setting up a battle with D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson who sees potential in housing more families across the District.
Quick links to other weekly #goodreads:
Javanka in Exile - per Washingtonian, “All but banished from Washington after January 6, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have been hiding out in a little no-frills town in South Florida. Its Trumpy mayor couldn’t be more thrilled, but the former First Kids have had a frostier welcome from another set of locals.”
Fashion is just TikTok now - per Vox, “The video app absolutely dominates style trends and discussion around fashion. What does that mean for the way we dress?”
They Were ‘Calling to Help.’ Then They Stole Thousands - per WIRED, “When my mom fell victim to a phone scam, we learned a painful truth: The explosion of personal finance apps makes it all too easy to target vulnerable people.”
what are we watching/reading?
The Winter Olympics officially begin today, with the opening ceremony underway right now (thanks time zones!). Despite the dark cloud over the games (COVID restrictions/outbreaks; the U.S.’ likely ineffective diplomatic boycott over numerous human rights issues in China; climate change), there are 109 events loaded with tremendously talented athletes. Keep an eye out for Eileen Gu. She’s an American-born and raised top freestyle skier competing for China with the potential to become a breakout star - if she can balance the Chinese and United States markets and fan bases.
Get ahead of this year’s potential breakout indie movies - Vox deems these 18 to be the year’s “best and buzziest” features.