& Dining

IN-PERSON DC ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS

DCEFF has been the premier showcase of environmental films since 1993. Each March, they bring the world’s largest green film festival to massive in-person audiences. Since 2020, they have focused on extending their reach beyond DC to the entire world with their virtual festivals and ever-growing Watch Now catalog. From March 16 to 26, they are returning to venues across the DC Metro for in-person screenings and events—in addition to continuing to offer virtual programming for international audiences. To celebrate Earth Day, from April 18 to 23, the DCEFF also offers a virtual schedule of encores that were only available on screen in-person. dceff.org.

BEER, BOURBON AND BBQ FESTIVAL

Tickets are on sale now for the 16th annual Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival at the Cow Palace on the Maryland State Fairgrounds on Friday, March 24, 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, March 25, noon to 6 p.m. They’re featuring two great days of beer sippin’, bourbon tastin’, music listenin’, cigar smokin’, and barbecue eatin’ (their words, not ours). Your admission buys you a glass so you can enjoy an all-you-care-to-taste sampling of beer and bourbon. Food options are a la carte. Admission is $39 to $179. The Cow Palace on the Maryland State Fairgrounds is at 2200 York Rd., Lutherville-Timonium, MD. timonium.beerandbourbon.com.

SYNETIC’S “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST”

Take a page from the book of fairy tales this spring with the return of Synetic Theater’s Beauty and the Beast, first premiered in 2014. However, this is no ordinary fairy tale. Synetic’s adaptation of this storybook classic draws on the darkness and sensuality of Villeneuve’s original French novel. Told through Synetic’s unique stage effects, expressionistic design, puppetry and movement, Beauty and the Beast is a sparkling and inspiring Gothic romance full of wonder, mystery and redemption. $35 to $65. PLEASE NOTE: This production of Beauty and the Beast contains fantasy violence and may be scary to younger children. This is not the Disney musical (no talking teacups). Parental guidance is advised. “Beauty and the Beast” is on stage at Synetic Theater, 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington, from March 3 to April 2. Synetictheater.org.

OUR WORK UNFINISHED: HAILSTORK & OBAMA AT NATIONAL CATHEDRAL

American composer Adolphus Hailstork is one of the most important composers working today. In Done Made My Vow he calls upon words from President Barack Obama’s early speeches to share his perspective as an African American with his students. On Sunday, May 14, 4 p.m., at the Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Thurston leads the combined forces of the Cathedral Choral Society and the Heritage Signature Chorale in this and other works by African American composers. $20 to $85. Pay-whatyou-wish livestream is also available. cathedral.org.