May in the Neighborhood: Embassy tours, pop-up artisans market, historic trades festival, Hillwood movies

Van Ness Main Street celebrates 10 years. The organization’s May 2 anniversary party is “A Taste of Van Ness Main Street.” Sample some local restaurant specialties while enjoying music performed by Tracey Cutler and the UDC JAZZAlive Trio. The event also honors neighborhood business leaders and volunteers.

Inside the Chinese embassy (3505 International Place)

Local embassies are opening to the public. May 2 is Passport DC’s Around the World Embassy Tour, which includes events at the UDC Student Center as well as nearby embassies. And on May 9, European Union embassies will open their doors.

Would-be House delegates debate in Van Ness. UDC and partners are hosting a forum at 6:30 p.m. on May 4th featuring candidates running for the position held by Eleanor Holmes Norton for decades. WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi is the moderator. The forum will be at the UDC Theater of the Arts and streamed online. Register here to attend either format.

Enjoy a movie at Hillwood Museum. Marjorie Merriweather Post liked to invite guests for movie screenings at her estate. The museum carries on the traditional with occasional movie nights. Dragons are the theme for the kid-friendly Pajama Party Movie night on May 8. The May 13 Dinnertime Classics feature is “Sunset Boulevard.” And the two Dinnertime Documentaries this month are “Keeper of Time” on May 20 and “Secret Mall Apartment” on May 27.

Mother’s Day shopping assistance. Buy last-minute gifts for Mom on May 9 at the VNMS spring pop-up artisans market, featuring wares more than 20 artisans and makers. Plus, Carpe Librum will be selling used books and CDs.

Learn about historic trades at Peirce Mill. Demonstrations at the mill’s first Historic Trades Festival on May 16 will include basket and barrel-making, stone carving and, of course, milling.

Explore the night sky with local astronomers. For 78 years, amateur astronomers have been gathering at the field near the Rock Creek Nature Center, sharing their telescopes and their enthusiasm for all things celestial with all who wish to swing by. This month’s “Exploring the Skies” event is May 16.

Jackson-Reed’s spring musical is “Mamma Mia.” The high school’s talented actors, backed by Jackson-Reed’s equally talented student musicians, are performing a version of the hit Broadway show. Also, the audience is encouraged to dress in ABBA-inspired costumes and sing along to the last three songs. The four evening performances are May 15, 16, 22 and 23, and there’s a matinee on May 23. Purchase tickets here.