What's happening this weekend

L2 Lounge: HANAMI: The Flower Viewing 

On Thursday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m., join Don Patron + Ladies DC for Hanami: The Flower Viewing, a benefit to aid the Japanese Red Cross Society at L2 Lounge (3315 Cady's Alley NW). This visually pleasing event will showcase the paintings of a variety of talented artists; those of whom recently joined Don at the FDR Memorial Tidal Basin on April 3 for the Cherry Blossom Festival. Tickets are a $20 donation at the door. Proceeds will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society. To enjoy renderings of the legendary cherry blossoms by D.C.'s finest artists while supporting the relief effort of the devastating Japan tsunami, click here to RSVP. 202.965.2001

Cross MacKenzie Gallery: Opening Reception for Sculptor Dave Hicks 

Cross MacKenzie Gallery(1054 31st Street, NW) is pleased to present "Farewell," a new sculpture exhibition by the prolific and powerful ceramic artist David Hicks on Friday, April 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. This is Hick's second one-person show at Cross MacKenzie. The title of the show reflects the artist's recent move from his native California to North Carolina. This show builds on themes of agriculture and gravity that Hicks explored previously, but the compositions have grown denser, more complex and literally and figuratively heavier. The show will continue through the end of May. 202.333.7970

Grace Church: Easter Eggstravaganza 

Sponsored by the National Community Church in Georgetown, celebrate Easter this year with an Easter egg hunt called the Eggstravaganza Saturday, April 16 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Grace Church lawn (1041 Wisconsin Avenue, NW). There will be 2 egg hunts with 2,500 eggs for each; one for pre-k and under, and one for kindergarten to 6th grade. There will be a bike giveaway for a prize, cotton candy and popcorn, face painting, games and a special visit from the Easter Bunny. For more information, call 202.544.0414.

Parish Gallery: Georges M'Bourou "Roots of Hope" Opening Reception

On Friday, April 15 from 6 to 8 p.m., Parish Gallery (1054 31st St NW) will be hosting the opening reception of "Roots of Hope" by Gabonese painter Georges M'Bourou. Known for his unique and instantly recognizable style of oil on canvas, which incorporates vibrant color combinations and explores different textures through paint layering, dripping and scraping, M'Bourou's paintings are essentially a quest into the mystery of light. M'Bourou's work has appeared in many exhibitions internationally and he has received numerous prizes, notably in 2005 when he was selected to represent Africa at the Universal Exhibition in Aichi, Japan. "Roots of Hope" will be showing at Parish Gallery through Tuesday, May 17. 202.944.2310

Morton's The Steakhouse: CPA Appreciation Day Contest

Morton's The Steakhouse (3251 Prospect Street, NW) is now accepting entries for Morton's annual CPA, Certified Public Accountants, Appreciation Day now through Sunday, April 17. One lucky CPA will be selected from entries and he/she will win a "Steak & Seafood" dinner for two valid through April 30. Anyone can submit an entry for their favorite CPA, or themselves in some cases, by calling 202.342.6258 and submitting name, phone number and email address of a qualifying CPA. Winner will be notified  on Monday, April 18 and asked to provide one of the following forms of professional ID: state-issued certificate, business card, or CPA license card. 

Susan Calloway Fine Arts: A Lyrical Palette by Robert Rea 

Now through Saturday, April 16, Susan Calloway Fine Arts (1643 Wisconsin Avenue, NW) is showcasing "A Lyrical Palette" by Robert Rea. Featured in the April/May issue of Veranda magazine, Rea's dynamic abstract paintings are fine art that compliments elegant design. Born and raised in small-town Alabama, Rea processes childhood memories of red clay fields, pine-filled forests and rolling foothills at the edge of the Appalachian Mountains in his paintings. 202.965.4601

Baked & Wired: John Kane Bandcamp

This Friday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m., West Virginian electronic soul band John Kane Bandcamp will be performing at Baked & Wired (1052 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW). If you're looking for a cozy spot to relax after a hard week at work, stop by Baked & Wired for a "TGIF" evening with an electronic soul performance and Baked & Wired's uniquely prepared coffee and baked goods to reinvigorate mind, body and soul. 202.333.2500 

Blues Alley: The Brubeck Institute of Jazz Quintet 

Friday, April 15, Sunday April 17 and Monday, April 18 at 10 p.m. only, The Brubeck Institute of Jazz Quintet is giving a free performance at Blues Alley (1073 Wisconsin Avenue, NW). The Brubeck Institute was established by the University of the Pacific in 2000 to honor its distinguished alumni, Dave and Iola Brubeck. The mission of the Institute is to build on Dave Brubeck's legacy and his lifelong dedication to music, creativity, education and the advancement of important social issues including civil rights, international relations, environmental concerns and social justice through its five programs, including the Brubeck Collection, Festival, Fellowship Program, Summer Jazz Colony and Outreach Program. 202.337.4141