Big Earth Day Events Blowout

Photo courtesy of
‘Tree in the puddle’
courtesy of ‘fromcaliw/love’

It’s the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and green events are springing up citywide — an amazing number and variety. Highlighted are movies, drinks and more drinks, a special dinner, a “Song of the Earth” concert, an outdoor music festival, cleanups, a fundraiser to snug up homes for low-income residents, a walk for water, and even a seminar on making paper from junk mail.

And that’s just what happens next week. Events between now and the middle of next week appear in Part 1 (just in case you missed it).

Catch a Party and a Flick: No Impact Man
Thursday, April 22
6:30 and 8:15 p.m. (screenings); 6:45 – 10 p.m. (reception)

DC / U St.
AED Globe Theater (Formerly Visions), 1927 Florida Avenue, NW
$16 (film and reception)

Come see No Impact Man and attend the reception before or after your 90-minute screening. The film tells the story of Colin Beavan, a newly self-proclaimed environmentalist who could no long avoid pointing the finger at himself.

He left behind his liberal complacency for a vow to make as little environmental impact as possible for one year. No more automated transportation, electricity, non-local food, or material consumption. See the effect on him and his less-than-earth-friendly family.

Photo courtesy of
‘Eat @ Tallula’
courtesy of ‘oparrish’

Have a Local, Sustainable Dinner at Tallula
Thursday, April 22
7 p.m.

Arlington
Tallula, 2761 Washington Blvd.
$85 including wine pairings

Tallula is holding a special four-course dinner showcasing locally grown produce, humanely raised meats and sustainable seafood. On the menu are locally sourced bison carpaccio, a pork trio, striped bass, Virginia clams, pickled spring vegetables, Virginia wines, and more.

Bev Eggleston, founder of EcoFriendly Foods and leading proponent of ethical farming, will be there to share the benefits of grass-based farming. Drew Koslow, biologist and clean water advocate, will give a brief talk on sustainable fishing practices and the state of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. He is brother of Executive Chef Barry Koslow.

Help Build DC’s Green Economy
Thursday, April 22
7 – 10:30 p.m.

DC / U St.
Local 16, 1602 U St.
$22 donation

Donations from this special event will directly fund weatherizations for four homeowners most in need across the city. Each homeowner will celebrate a 15-30% immediate reduction in energy bills and increased comfort. The projects will eliminate wasted energy for a cleaner environment and — for an added bonus — each new worksite will generate new local green jobs. WeatherizeDC, Earth Day Network, and CarbonfreeDC are joining forces to power this fundraiser.

Photo courtesy of
‘Chilling’
courtesy of ‘Samer Farha’

Raise a Glass at GreenDrinksDC
Thursday, April 22
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Location TBD

Come for Earth Day cheer and hear from Esmeralda Stuk, who co-founded the DC chapter of Sharing Backyards, which links people who have unused yard space with those looking for a place to grow food.

GreenDrinks groups from Pennsylvania to Virginia are all meeting at this time in an attempt to top the GreenDrinks world attendance record, now held by Australia.

Raise a Glass at GreenDrinksArlington
Thursday, April 22
6 – 8:30 p.m.

Arlington
Temple Lounge, 4001 Fairfax Drive

At the first-ever GreenDrinksArlington, Marta Leyseca of EnviroHomeDesign will explain the Passive House concept and how it works for Arlington and beyond. You also can participate in a raffle of green gift baskets.

GreenDrinks groups from Pennsylvania to Virginia are all meeting at this time in an attempt to top the GreenDrinks world attendance record, now held by Australia.

Photo courtesy of
‘Pizza is thataway’
courtesy of ‘wunluv’

Toast the Ocean
Thursday, April 22
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

DC
ARIA Trattoria, Ronald Reagan Bldg., 1300 Pennsylvania Ave.,NW
$10 members/$15 nonmembers

Join the Womens Aquatic Network and friends to raise and glass and celebrate collective blue planet successes. Please RSVP by April 19.

Photo courtesy of
‘Lock house’
courtesy of ‘Alex Barth’

Spend Earth Day at a Lockhouse
Thursday, April 22
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Maryland
Clara Barton Parkway, just east of the Beltway

Take Earth Day off, and devote it to environmental stewardship along the C&O Canal! Join activities to clean up the land and water surrounding the River Center at Lockhouse 8 all day long. Stop by for a few hours with friends, a group of coworkers or your family. Wear clothes that can get dirty; tools and equipment will be provided.

Photo courtesy of
‘Musician’s Break’
courtesy of ‘Karon’

Hear the Earth’s Song
Friday, April 23
8 p.m.

North Bethesda
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane
$15-$55

Malcolm Dalglish’s spectacular “Song of the Earth” promises to evoke the bounties of nature, soaring from Celtic melodies to rousing Appalachian fiddle tunes and riveting Balkan harmonies, filling the stage with an exciting array of musicians, dancers and a splendid chorus. Wow. The evening also includes the world premiere of Dalglish’s musical setting of Wendell Berry’s poem “Violets” in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

Rock Out: First Annual Sweetlife Festival
Saturday, April 24
3 p.m. – 9 p.m. (doors open at 2 p.m.)

DC
Behind Sweetgreen’s Dupont Circle store, 20th and Massachusetts Ave.
Free tickets sold out – but watch their site for chances to win!

The first annual Sweetlife outdoor music festival will showcase a diverse blend of acts. Performing live will be Hot Chip (DJ Set), U.S. Royalty, The Love Language, Phil Ade, Will Eastman, and DJ Grant Shapiro — plus a very special surprise performance.

As part of this event, you can donate to Farm To School, which connects schools (K-12) with local farms for healthy school meals, agriculture and educational opportunities, and support of area farmers. Sweetgreen, which has a focus on local sourcing, composting, alternative energy usage and reclaimed materials, is partnering with Rock the Vote on this event.

Photo courtesy of
‘running start’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Clean Up and Celebrate on the Anacostia River
Saturday, April 24
8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Various sites in DC and Maryland

Join one of the 30+ cleanup sites along the shores of the Anacostia River in DC and along several upstream tributaries in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. Afterwards, mosey on down to Anacostia Park in DC for an Earth Day Celebration featuring a free picnic lunch, music, and presentations by community organizations and government officials.

A special shout-out to We Love DC’s recent cleanup partner, Trail Voice, which is sponsoring a site at Fort Dupont Park in Southeast.

Photo courtesy of
‘Books I made’
courtesy of ‘Imagaday’

Make Paper With Junk Mail and Organic Material
Saturday, April 24
10:30 a.m.

North Bethesda
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane
$35/person, plus $20 materials fee

No tree killing here! In honor of Earth Day, learn how to turn junk mail and common plants into unique varieties of paper. Visually see what recycling is all about and take part in the process. Under the guidance of papermaking expert Gretchen Schermerhorn, learn how easy it is to make paper using a very simple process with tools you have at home.

Photo courtesy of
‘The Wild Rumpus Has Started’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

Get a Final Shot at the Environmental Film Festival
Sunday, April 25
Films start noon – 7 p.m.

DC / Dupont Circle
Carnegie Institution for Science, 1530 P St., NW

If you missed some of the most popular films in the 2010 Festival, get a second chance! This free bonus screening day includes the DC premiere of Living Downstream, based on the book of the same name, which highlights the links between cancer and the environment.

Other films include the amusing and insightful Plastic Bag, narrated by Werner Herzog, plus GasLand, Nora!, The Legend of Pale Male, and Sweet Crude. Special guest speakers will be on hand too, including DC’s own restaurateur Nora Pouillon.

Photo courtesy of
‘the latest big crowd at the Capitol’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

Attend a Climate Rally
Sunday, April 25
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

DC / National Mall

Rally to enact comprehensive climate legislation that will create American jobs, cap carbon emissions and secure our nation’s future. The first Earth Day was a success because 20 million Americans demonstrated their outrage for the state of the environment. Together, we can make Earth Day 2010 a pivotal moment in the environmental movement.

Attend this massive rally to demand Congress pass strong legislation. Hear speeches from environmental stewards Reverend Jesse Jackson, film director James Cameron, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, Olympic gold medalist Billy Demong, producer Trudie Styler, author Margaret Atwood, and others. And dance to live music from Sting, John Legend, The Roots, Passion Pit, Bob Weir, Patrick Stump, Mavis Staples, Q-Tip, Booker T and many more!

Walk for Water
Monday, April 26
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

DC
National Mall
$25

Join Aveda in walking four miles around the National Mall to raise support and awareness for clean water initiatives. Your registration fee gets you an Aveda “survival kit,” and Aveda encourages you to raise money individually as well.

An area resident since 1997, Donna C. is a DC outsider. When she’s not running her writing and Web business, she’s running around the city, exploring the great outdoors, or trying to figure out how best to go green. See why she loves DC.

6 thoughts on “Big Earth Day Events Blowout

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