With more beautiful spring weather forecast for this weekend, make your way up to Takoma Park (just on the other side of the DC border) for the annual Art Hop.  It’s a weekend of public art, classes, demonstrations and more.  See the schedule below for an idea of what’s in store this year.

Takoma Park is taking off these days, especially with the opening of Republic, the new eatery from Black Restaurant Group (think Pearl Dive Oyster Palace and Black Jack).  Eater DC ranks the new restaurant on there Heat Map: Where to Eat Right Now.  There is seating inside and out, as well as half in/half out, as the bar area opens onto the scenic back patio, where the vintage neon sign from the previous tenant, the beloved Video Americain, looks down over the proceedings.

SATURDAY, MAY 3

11 am:  MAD Fitness Class (Gazebo patio)

12 – 3 pm:  JoJo Fekwa – celebrated DC painter (Takoma Metro underpass)

2:30 – 3:30 pm:  Knock on Wood Dance Studio tap-dancing performance (Gazebo Patio)

3 – 5 pm:  Elevate Arts aerial arts demo and free play (Dance Exchange)

3 pm:  Holistic Health, Hips and Happiness – Artist Talk/ Video Premiere with Artist Judybeth Greene at MamaSita Studio (6906 4th St, NW)

3:30 – 4:30 pm: Roda Movements dance demo (Gazebo Patio)

7:30 pm:  Dance Afire Fire Show Spectacular (Gazebo Patio)

All day:  Altar Arts by Anike  Body/Face painter (Gazebo)

All day: CREATE Arts Center children’s craft table (in front of ArtSpring Community Art Store)

SUNDAY, MAY 4

11 – 11:30 am Lab DC Breakin’ School performance (Gazebo Patio)

12 – 1 pm:  Willow Street Yoga  free community yoga class  – bring your mats! (6930 Carroll Ave, front patio)

1 pm ROADDOG blues band at Salon Jam

1 pm: Silver Stars Gymnastics demo (Gazebo Patio)

1 – 5 pm: Art of Woodcarving talks by Jim Calder at Historic Takoma (must have ticket for Takoma Park House and Garden Tour; visitwww.historictakoma.org for more info)

2-3 pm: Chantal Ross and Luz Rodriguez of the DC Style Salsa Academy: Zumba and Salsa demos– be ready to dance! (Gazebo Patio)