From capturing the heart of historically Black institutions to discussions surrounding spiritual healing and health equity, this weekend encompasses the breadth of community that thrives in the DMV – plus some opportunities to laugh.
Explore a handful of the many events, and don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar to keep your outlook vibrant and social life lit.
Thursday, Jan. 22
“At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs”
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free (passes can be reserved)
National Museum of African American History and Culture at Concourse Level (C), Bank of America Special Exhibitions Gallery, 1400 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20560
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) has launched a powerful new exhibition celebrating the legacy of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
“At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs” spotlights groundbreaking collections from five HBCU museums and archives – Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University (FAMU), Jackson State University, Texas Southern University and Tuskegee University.
Bringing lesser-known stories to the National Mall in Northwest, D.C., this traveling exhibit blends artistry, ingenuity and resistance across more than 100 objects from the collections of the five universities, including artifacts, artwork, historical documents and multimedia.
Historic materials include first editions of acclaimed writer Margaret Walker’s 1966 novel “Jubilee” and poetry collection “For My People” (1942), plus examples of Tuskegee Institute pottery and early scientific journals.
As for the archival photographs, HBCU-trained and/or staff photographers–– including Doris Derby, Chester Higgins, Earlie Hudnall Jr. and P.H. Polk–– are spotlighted through a series of work documenting student activism, campus life and African American cultural movements.
Additional highlights feature a selection of artwork collected by historically Black institutions, and one of the few known color videos of George Washington Carver, whose scientific ingenuity at Tuskegee revolutionized agricultural practices, will also be on display.
The exhibition will travel to at least five locations across the country through 2029. It will be on display at NMAAHC until July 19. For more information, visit nmaahc.si.edu/vanguard.
Friday, Jan. 23
OFFLINE: TRACING THE SOURCE
7 p.m. | Free with RSVP
Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, 4318 Gallatin Street Hyattsville, MD 20781
Featuring hand pulled prints, 32 AI generated giclees, ceramics, and textiles, Pyramid’s gallery will be layered with color, texture, and patterns as it showcases work by the multifaceted artist Hadiya Williams.
Curated by Anika Hobbs, “OFFLINE: TRACING THE SOURCE” invites viewers to consider how materiality, memory, and technology together expand the possibilities of modernism itself.
The collective project – officially opening with a two-hour reception on Jan. 23 – joins limited edition screenprints and one letterpress print with Williams’ digitally printed work, hand cut paper images, and ceramics, offering a visual bridge between mid-century modernist language and Afro-diasporic design traditions.
Patterns, textures, and structures drawn from Black cultural archives are reconfigured through digital tools, then re-embodied by hand— asserting the tactile presence of Black creativity in a world increasingly mediated by code.
More than that, Williams’ artwork celebrates what it means to be a Black woman in this world, while exploring modern interpretations of art and design.
For more information and an RSVP link, visit pyramidatlantic.org or call 301-608-9101.
Finesse Mitchell & Tisha Campbell ~ Special Event
7:30 p.m., 10 p.m. | $37.50+
Baltimore Comedy Factory, 5625 O’Donnell Street, Baltimore, MD
Actors and comedians Tisha Campbell and Finesse Mitchell will perform live at the Baltimore Comedy Factory for a special weekend of shows Jan. 23–25.
Campbell, known for her culture shaping roles on “Martin,” “My Wife and Kids,” among many others, is bringing the usual witty jokes and bold humor as she conquers the stand-up world.
Meanwhile, Mitchel— a Saturday Night Live alumnus with credits including Disney Channel’s “A.N.T Farm” and NBC’S “Kenan”— promises a class in comedic timing to add to a growing list of entertainment specials and features.
Get your tickets and bask in an evening filled with joy, levity and nothing but laughs!
Saturday, Jan. 24
The W. Montague Cobb Institute Health Disparities Symposium
7 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Free
Howard University Hospital – W. Lester Henry Towers Auditorium, 2041 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20060
Hosted in partnership with Howard University Hospital, the W. Montague Cobb Institute Health Disparities Symposium is a half-day educational program designed to bring together physicians, residents, medical students, researchers, and healthcare professionals committed to advancing health equity across education, clinical research, and patient care.
Kicking off with an evening opening reception and fireside conversation on Friday, Jan. 23, the symposium will examine systemic inequities in healthcare delivery, access to emerging treatments, the role of technology and artificial intelligence in care, and evolving approaches to medical education.
Through expert-led panel discussions, case studies, and interactive dialogue, participants will gain insights into strategies that support equitable outcomes for underserved and underrepresented populations.
Meet Cute: A Live Blind Date Comedy Show
7 p.m. – 8 p.m. | $17.10+
DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St NW, Washington, D.C., 20009
Find out what happens when a live blind date spins into pure comedy gold.
Meet Cute DC is an award-winning live blind date comedy experience where two real singles meet on stage and D.C.’s funniest comedians transform their conversation into pure hilarity.
Praised by USA Today and BBC News, there’s truly nothing else like it in the city.
Sunday, Jan. 25
Try Hockey for Free Day
Noon – 1 p.m. | Free
The Wharf Ice Rink, 970 Wharf Street SW, Washington, D.C., 20024
The Washington Capitals Youth Hockey Development, or Caps Youth Hockey, is heading to The Wharf Ice Rink for the first-ever outdoor “Try Hockey for Free” event on Sunday, Jan. 25.
All players will be provided a hockey stick to use and must bring their own helmet (bike helmet works well) and warm winter gloves.
The event is open to kids ages 5 to 14 of all skill levels. Must be a D.C. resident or student of District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS).
See you on the ice!
Spiritual Hygiene: The Inside Fix with Iyanla & Special Guest
4 p.m. | $55.80+
The Theater at MGM National Harbor, 101 MGM National Avenue, Forest Heights, MD 20745
“Spiritual Hygiene: The Inside Fix with Iyanla Vanzant” invites audiences into a transformative evening of truth, healing, and self-reflection.
Celebrating her 2025 book “Spiritual Hygiene: A Practical Path for Clean Living, Inner Authority, and Divine Freedom,” the author shares powerful insights on releasing emotional debris, breaking unhealthy patterns, and doing the inner work required to live with clarity and purpose. This special book tour event blends heartfelt conversation, wisdom-filled storytelling, and practical tools for personal growth.
Expect laughter, honesty, and moments of deep connection as the revered life coach guides audiences toward spiritual renewal and emotional freedom.
Source: Washington Informer
