Artomatic at 2100 M St. NW
After a hiatus of seven years, Artomatic — the sporadic, peripatetic art festival, known for taking up residence in whatever empty building it can find and for giving area artists a chance to get their work in front of tens of thousands of eyeballs — opens Friday in a vacant former office building in Foggy Bottom. The free seven-week event will showcase more than 1,000 visual artists in about 300,000 square feet of repurposed office space, including two DJ stages, at least one film screening room, a small theater for plays and readings, and a dance stage/open performance space. The lineup features painting, sculpture, photography, craft, video, prints, cartoons, graffiti, installation and immersive experiences. Beyond art, look for events like Risers Fest, which features up-and-coming musical acts performing Saturday from 2 to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m., and the Makers Marketplace, open Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Through April 28, closed Monday and Tuesday. Free; donations accepted.
International Women’s Day at National Museum of Women in the Arts
Each year, the National Museum of Women in the Arts goes all out to celebrate International Women’s Day, and this year will be the first holiday in its newly renovated building downtown. A full day of festivities begins with gentle yoga at 10:30 a.m. in the Great Hall and ends with another Great Hall vinyasa flow session from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. (Registration is required for each session.) In between, there are “bite-size conversations” about works with NMWA staff, a gallery talk at 2 p.m., and an opportunity to get a permanent tattoo from artist Bibi Abelle inspired by the museum’s collection for an estimated $150. Register in advance to tune in online for an International Women’s Day keynote address from British American art historian Ferren Gipson at 1 p.m. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Museum admission is $13-$16, or free for those under age 21 and visitors with disabilities. Yoga classes, which include museum admission, are $17-$20. Viewing the online keynote is free.
Awesome Con at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center
D.C.’s biggest comic con packs in the guest stars, including Rachael Leigh Cook, Tara Reid and Rosario Dawson of “Josie and the Pussycats”; Hayden Christensen of Star Wars; and Charlie Cox and Alaqua Cox of “Echo.” But there’s much more to this three-day event than paid meet-and-greets: Think cosplay meetups, tabletop gaming lessons and challenges, a book fair with author panels, an interactive family zone, short film festivals, a science fair with talks sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Pride Alley, and after-parties with music and video games. Through Sunday. $55-$80 per day, $120 three-day pass; $20-$25 children ages 3 to 10; $170-$210 premium.
Five Years of Beers at Red Bear Brewing
Congratulations to D.C.’s Red Bear Brewing, which opened its taproom doors in March 2019 and is celebrating its fifth anniversary this weekend with three days of events. Drop in Friday night for $5 glasses of 5 Hop IPA, the birthday beer that, naturally, is brewed with five kinds of hops. Stick around for a “RuPaul’s Drag Race” viewing party with Desiree Dik at 8 p.m., followed by an (unofficial) Awesome Con drag show. Saturday brings DJs Laura Lopez and Matt Matthews spinning records at a Vinyl Party, beginning at 6 p.m. The first 100 people through the doors after 3 p.m. receive a commemorative anniversary glass. Sunday starts with the Time Warp Brunch, where Desiree Dik and Evry Pleasure lead a troupe of drag competition winners performing songs from the 1970s to the 2010s. Doors open at 11 a.m., and there’s a $25 cover, which includes two drinks. After brunch, there’s a Sip & Paint party, where $25 tickets include a beer as well as supplies and instruction. Through Sunday. Most events free.
RuPaul’s ‘The House of Hidden Meanings’ book talk at the Warner Theatre
It’s not RuPaul’s first tell-all book, but it is perhaps the most personal yet. On Tuesday, the drag star released his memoir “The House of Hidden Meanings,” which focuses largely on the first 40 years of his life, growing up Black, poor and queer long before he became the face of “Drag Race.” To promote the release, RuPaul is on tour and stopping to talk about his book, and life, at the Warner Theatre. A copy of the book is included in the ticket price. 8 p.m. $59-$181.
Ariana Grande’s ‘Eternal Sunshine’ listening party at Number Nine
Who among TikTok dwellers hasn’t had Ari’s “Yes, And?” — the earworm clap-back to gossip around her relationships — stuck in their head for the last few weeks? The pop star’s seventh album, which includes the single, drops this weekend, and Number Nine is celebrating with a listening party, plus two-for-one drinks from 11 p.m. to midnight. 10 p.m. Free.
‘Thoughts, Questions and S— to Say’ at Dupont Underground
The subterranean events space is celebrating Women’s History Month with an art show that explores female artists’ narratives across backgrounds. It’s open Fridays through Sundays and the occasional Thursday through early April, and in addition to the exhibit, there are events like a poetry reading on March 14 called “Didn’t She Say! A Poetic Response to the Bulls—!” and a conversation with the artists on March 28. An opening reception kicks off the exhibit Friday at 7 p.m. Through April 5. $8-$10.
