April in the Neighborhood: Forest bathing, stargazing, and a community celebration

The Japanese-style garden at Hillwood.

Some of the cultural and community happenings around the neighborhood in April.

Commune with nature, and lend it a hand

Have you heard of forest bathing? First promoted 40 years ago in Japan, the practice is said to reduce stress and help you recharge. Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens is hosting its first guided forest bathing walks on the 1st and 21st. They’re already sold out, but Hillwood has more on its calendar in May and June.

Van Ness Main Street’s spring planting season is off to a great start. The first event on March 23rd drew so many volunteers, leader Kathy Sykes had to split the group into two shifts. They made quick work of the treeboxes outside Politics and Prose, Buck’s Fishing and Camping, and Comet Ping Pong. More pollinator-friendly spring blooms will be tucked into treebox gardens along Connecticut Avenue from 1 to 3 p.m. on April 1st, 8th and 15th. Email [email protected] to sign up and learn more.

Rock Creek Conservancy’s Extreme Cleanup, previously centered around Earth Day, is a month-long event this year. Register for one of the litter cleanups at several sites in and near Rock Creek Park (including the picnic area across Tilden Street from Peirce Mill). Or, register as an individual, grab a trash bag, and pick up litter whenever and wherever you see the need.

It’s milling and stargazing season in the park

At Peirce Mill, they’ll be putting their noses to the grindstone on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, from now through October. The April milling demonstrations take place on the 8th and 22nd, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. On April 15th, check out “Herring Heroes,” a fun obstacle course activity that teaches kids about the spring herring migration up the creek. And on April 29th, Friends of Peirce Mill and the Rock Creek NPS are inviting volunteers to help with some weeding and yardwork around the mill and in the nearby orchard.

For 75 years, National Capital Astronomers and the National Park Service have jointly hosted monthly “Exploring the Sky” events. Venus and the constellation Orion will be in focus at 9 p.m. on April 15th, when they be set up telescopes near the Rock Creek Nature Center. Arrive an hour early to see a free planetarium show at the Nature Center.

The arts scene

April marks the DC debut of Imagining the Indian, a documentary on American Indian sports mascots co-directed and co-produced by Forest Hills-based filmmaker Aviva Kempner. The Avalon Theatre has several showtimes, starting April 7th. A panel discussion will follow the 1:30 p.m. matinee on April 8th.

On April 19th, the UDC-based Institute of Politics, Policy and History is celebrating poet A.B. Spellman and his contribution to poetry and jazz criticism with a panel of poets, historians and art critics. One of the distinguished panelists will be Spellman himself. The 7 p.m. event will be livestreamed on the IPPH YouTube channel.

Van Ness Main Street celebrates community

Last, but not least, is a celebration of the neighbors and neighborhood institutions that have supported Van Ness and Forest Hills small businesses through some difficult times. The Van Ness Main Street event on Saturday, April 29th at 7 p.m. is also the organization’s first in-person fundraiser in three years. Purchase your tickets to the party at the UDC Theater of the Arts to enjoy music from local performers, food from the Main Street’s restaurants, and drinks from Calvert Woodley. Attendance is free if you sign up to volunteer.

You’ll find more on our community calendar

Did we mention that this is only a sampling of neighborhood events in April? May is shaping up to be a busy and vibrant month, too.