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Community is at the center of many events in the District over the next few days, such as a photography exhibition featuring images of DC, a workshop on home renovation, a concert to benefit people experiencing homelessness, an open mic to support street vendors, and an open house to ask government officials about pending legislation that would make local theaters more accessible. A chance to see the pen used to sign the Civil Rights Act, a talk about local monuments, a global film festival, a scuba diving convention and marimba concerts are also options for this weekend, Feb. 21 to 23.

The weather will be sunny all weekend with temperatures ranging from 24 to 56 degrees, according to the forecast.

1. Music: For 28 years, the local a cappella group The Augmented 8 has organized Sing Out for Shelter, a concert to benefit people in DC who are experiencing homelessness — and over the years the annual events have raised over $300,000. This year’s performance takes place on Saturday from 8 to 10:30 p.m. It features DC groups like The Grace Notes from the Maret School and Venus d Minor, as well as singing troupes from outside of the District such as the Princeton University Katzenjammers. The showcase is at the National United Methodist Church, 3401 Nebraska Ave. NW. Ticket prices range from $35 to $140 for general admission, with a discounted price of $20 for students. Ages 10 and younger may enter for free.

2. Community Development: Many Languages One Voice is an immigrant-led movement to support immigrant communities in the District. On Friday, they are hosting a family-friendly open house and open mic to benefit DC street vendors, who will be on site showcasing their artwork, selling their food and sharing their stories alongside other artists, musicians and poets during the open mic. Attendees can also learn about vending and vending licenses. The event is from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Josephine Butler Parks Center 2437 15th St. NW.

3. Government: DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, Ward 6 Council member Charles Allen and at-large council candidate Christina Henderson are scheduled to attend a DC Council Meet n’ Greet organized by the DC Association for the Deaf on Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. The gathering is especially for deaf and hard-of-hearing members of the DC community to ask questions about pending legislation like the open caption movie bill for the District. As described in a DCist article, the legislation would require theaters to provide on-screen captions for a certain number of showings of each film (in addition to the individual-use closed captioning devices that theaters commonly offer to comply with federal accessibility laws). Members of the DC Association for the Deaf and the Hearing Loss Association of America DC Chapter will be present during the meeting, which will be at The Apollo WeWork, 810 7th St. NE.

4. Art: This is the first weekend to see the 14th annual Exposed DC Photography Show at Touchstone Gallery, 901 New York Ave. NW. The exhibition opened on Wednesday and will remain on view until March 1. Photographers were asked to submit images of the Washington area beyond politics and tourism. The 43 winning photos are installed at the gallery and featured in a full-color magazine that’s available for purchase. Celebrated metro-area photographers will also select five “Best in Show” winners, each of whom will receive a $100 prize. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends from noon to 5 p.m.; admission is free.

5. Film: The Smithsonian’s Mother Tongue Festival showcases films and filmmakers from around the globe to honor cultural and linguistic diversity. This is the first year that the fest will take place over the span of four days, an increase from its annual one-day format on Feb. 21 (International Mother Language Day) since 2016. The schedule includes feature films, short films and special events like a directors panel and a roundtable discussion about indigenous media, language and translation. Plus, the Québec Government Office in DC is providing free Québec beer during happy hour at 7 p.m. on Saturday (registration is required for a guaranteed spot). All events are free to attend. Venues include the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Georgetown University, and New York University Washington DC.

6. History: During the Profs and Pints talk “Monumental Controversies,” Hood College art and archaeology professor Fred Bohrer will highlight contentious issues with some of the city’s famous sites. Bohrer ― who created an anti-guide to Washington monuments ― relates these locations to topics like race, gender, social class, disability, sexual orientation and cultural identity. Tickets cost $12 in advance or $15 at the door. The discussion takes place on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Bier Baron Tavern, 1523 22nd St. NW. 

7. Lifestyle: “Home Renovation for Womxn” is a workshop that gives attendees advice on making smart decisions about buying property and making home improvements. Though the event describes itself as having “a focus on making residential renovation and rehab more approachable for women,” all genders are welcome to attend. Topics like legal considerations and project management will be covered, along with design tips from national tiny house expert Lee Pera and home renovation coach and certified home inspector Erin Helland. Last year, Pera and Helland brought this presentation to 10 cities and over 500 women, according to the event description. Saturday’s three-hour session starts at 9 a.m. at District Bridges, 3400 11th St. NW. Tickets cost $65. 

8. Recreation: The DC Dive Show highlights local scuba diving. The schedule includes programs like a citizen science workshop, a diver first-aid workshop, a silent auction, a raffle and live music. The events take place on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. Tickets cost $25 for two-day admission, or $15 for Sunday only.

9. Music: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian is celebrating the Guatemalan National Day of Marimba with a program that showcases the local marimba groups Marimba Maya Awal, Marimba Pequeña Internacional, Marimba Linda Xelajú and Marimba Princesa Xinabajul. The free event is co-presented with the Consulate of Guatemala and takes place Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the museum, 4th Street and Independence Avenue SW. According to the museum, the marimba is recognized as part of the cultural heritage of the Americas by the Organization of American States, and serves as a link to Guatemalan culture for Guatemalans living in the United States.

10. History: See the pen that President Lyndon B. Johnson used to sign the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and learn how the National Archives of Black Women’s History preserves the history of the civil rights movement. DC Strings Workshop will play a concert before the event, “The Artifact, Archivist, and Activists,” which takes place on Saturday from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, 1318 Vermont Ave. NW. Reservations are requested; call 426-5961 or email bethuneNHS@nps.gov.

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