New year, new opportunities to level up your knowledge! In 2023, many people have the goal to learn new skills, hobbies, and acquire new knowledge. Here are some events and activities in DC that can help jumpstart your resolutions as well as experience the nation’s capital.
Level Up Your Learning in the Nation’s Capital
Update your Book Collection
Attend the Friends of Southeast Library Book Sale on Saturday, January 14th at the Southeast Neighborhood Library. Join the Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) to shop a range of titles with prices starting at $1. Proceeds supplement library programs. If you’re looking to donate, the Friends will accept donations in their blue bin by the D St. entrance of the building. Learn more about the library book sale here.
Improv for All! Workshop at Petworth Library
Washington Improv Theater is dedicated to sharing the ideas and spirit of improv with all of DC. WIT’s free introductory Improv For All workshops are high-fun, low-stress classes designed to show you how improvisers create spontaneous, off-the-cuff theater. Their enthusiastic and friendly instructors work to make sure everyone is able to participate in a playful and trusting atmosphere. Whether you are thinking about signing up for a longer course, interested in exploring the ideas of improv, or just looking for one night of silly, get-out-of-your-head play, our Improv For All workshops are accessible to anyone and everyone. Join the event on January 12th at 6:00 PM at Petworth Library and read more here.
Improv at West End Neighborhood Library
Please enjoy a free and fun improv event on January 22nd from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM led by VSDC member Sol Aziz. This event is intended for anyone with an interest in improv no matter your experience level. The class will begin with a name game and slowly build improv skills up throughout the duration of the class. Improv helps with building confidence, learning how to connect with people better, improving thinking on your feet, and most importantly brings laughter, happiness, and fun to your life. Read more about the event here.
Learn Tai Chi
Join Jerry Simpson on Friday, January 13th from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM in studying the art of Tai Chi. Jerry is a patient instructor who will break down this martial art form into numbers and movements so that it is easy to learn. Tai chi will help with balance, stretching, and focus. Jerry studied with Wu Shen Tao Academy in Takoma Park, Maryland and has been practicing Tai Chi for 30 years and teaching for 20 years. Register and learn more about the event here.
Improve your Drawing Skills
Join Dominique Hughes in ZMAG’s Intermediate Figure Drawing /Acrylic course. Occurring every Monday at 10:30 AM at Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library, this course is designed to not only draw/paint the human figure but also understand the structure that lies below the skin and develop a greater understanding of form, structure, and gesture. Through detailed anatomical drawings and gestural figure drawing we will explore how to render the human figure accurately while using photographic references. Although this is a beginning figure drawing class, it is not a beginning drawing class. Some basic drawing skills are recommended. Read more about this course here.
Take Art and Vision Classes with Nick Cruz Velleman
Join Nick Cruz Vellmen on Tuesdays from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Georgetown Library for classes on art and vision. Through simple activities in drawing and painting, allow your mind a break, explore the wealth of sensation available to our vision, and exercise creativity. Activities include still life, portraiture, masterwork studies, gestural drawing and cover different media such as graphite, ink, pastels, and watercolor. Register and read more about the event here.
Learn about the History of the US in the Nation’s Capital
If you’re in DC, you definitely need to visit the National Mall. This national park features various must-see monuments and memorials like the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial. If you’re looking for a fun and educational way to explore the city’s iconic and historical sites, check out one of our narrated golf cart tours.
These tours are a fun and stress-free way to visit all of the popular sites in DC without needing to create a plan or research on your own. Capitol Express Tours is a local business that will take you to see the iconic monuments and memorials within the city on our narrated tour down Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to the Capitol and through the heart of the National Mall where you can see various monumental landmarks, memorials, and other sites that show the interesting details of the nation’s capital among the beautiful fall foliage. Book your tour now!