April 2 ‘In Paradisum: Duruflé’s Requiem and Poulenc’s Motets’
On Palm Sunday, the works of two great French composers will echo throughout the Washington National Cathedral. The Cathedral Choir and Orchestra and soprano Laura Choi Stuart will perform Francis Poulenc’s “Quatre Motets Pour un Temps de Pénitence” and “Sept Répons des Ténèbres,” as well as Maurice Duruflé’s “Quatre Motets sur des Thèmes Grégoriens” and “Requiem.” The acoustics here might make you feel as though you’ve been whisked to the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. 4 p.m. Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. cathedral.org. $20-$85.
April 2 Bark Park breed parties
Imagine a dog park filled entirely with frolicking pugs — that’s exactly what you’ll see at a “pawty in the park” called Pug Palooza. D.C. pet care company District Dogs operates a private dog park called the Bark Park in Park View, and the first Sunday in April features three 90-minute gatherings dedicated to different breeds: Pug Palooza (11 a.m.), Hound Hootenanny (12:30
p.m.) and Bulldog Bash (2 p.m.). Admission to each event is $15 per dog, but you don’t have to own a pup to get in: human-only entry is
$5. Tickets won’t be sold at the gate, so snag one in advance. 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Bark Park by District Dogs, 3210 Georgia Ave. NW. districtdogs.com. $5-$15.
April 6- 9 Superfine Art Fair
This traveling art fair hops from city to city, drawing in younger collectors on a budget: 90 percent of all the pieces at Superfine Art Fair are priced between $100 and $3,000. The show’s D.C. stop is in the Dock 5 space above Union Market, where 70 artists will exhibit their work. The ticketed event starts at $20, but serious art lovers can pay more to join the VIP preview and get first dibs on all available pieces. VIP preview: April 6 from 6 to 10 p.m. Regular hours: April 7 from 4 to 9 p.m., April 8 from noon to 9 p.m. and April 9 from noon to 8 p.m. Dock 5 at Union Market, 1309 Fifth St. NE. superfine.world. $20$60.
April 15-23 Spring into the Gardens
A couple transformed a sprawling Loudoun County property into an otherworldly garden featuring groves of bamboo, rows of cactuses, a lush lake with 50 islands, and even a castle and a “Hobbit Town” made out of reclaimed materials. The unique landscape, dubbed the National Botanic Garden, isn’t always open to the public. But this April, you’ll be able to walk through the gates for self-guided tours and the chance to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the grounds. Noon to 5 p.m. National Botanic Garden, 26320 Ticonderoga Rd., Chantilly. nationalbotanicgarden.org. $18-$20.
April 28 Samantha Bee
Late-night talk show “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” ended its run in 2022 after seven seasons on TBS, and now the comedian is moving on to the next stage of her career with her first national tour. Bee brings her acerbic takes on news and politics to the Kennedy Center during her “Your Favorite Woman” show, which she jokes will “teach the parts of sex ed that should’ve been taught by your gym teacher.” 8 p.m. Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW. kennedy-center.org. $39-$199.
Comedian and former talk show host Samantha Bee brings her “Your Favorite Woman” tour to the Kennedy Center.