5 things you need to know this weekend
1. The White House Correspondents' dinner is a go!
President Obama will do Saturday what he and every president since JFK has done: make fun of himself at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. The event began in 1921, but the jokefest didn't start until John F. Kennedy teased Republicans in 1962. The annual gala will have a slew of politicians and tons of journalists, and each news organization jockeys to bring the buzziest celebrity guest. A famous comedian will make a bunch of political and news-industry jokes (this year it's Cecily Strong of Saturday Night Live). As a finale, the president will self-deprecate and jab at well-knowns in the room. Watch a highlight reel from years' past:
2. Protesters plan to 'shut down' Baltimore
Demonstrators have vowed that Saturday will bring their biggest protest yet over the death of Freddie Gray, with thousands of people expected to march through city streets. "Things will change on Saturday, and the struggle will be amplified," said Malik Shabazz of Black Lawyers for Justice. Protests have happened every day since Gray died of a mysterious injury he suffered while in police custody. But the promise for this large demonstration comes after Baltimore Police Department officials acknowledged that Gray should have received medical attention at the spot where he was arrested. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake asked the public to remain calm during weekend protests.
3. Oprah Winfrey auctions household items
In the market for size-10 yellow patent-leather designer shoes? What if they are Oprah Winfrey's? The megastar is auctioning items from her Chicago apartment Saturday to benefit her Leadership Academy Foundation. The low total estimate for the sale is about $800,000.
4. JazzFest brings The Who back to U.S.
It's the first weekend of JazzFest (New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival), the longstanding festival that is a cultural mecca for food, crafts and genre-spanning performances. The Who will make their first U.S. festival appearance in over 40 years on Saturday. Other big names at the event (which runs through May 3) include Elton John, Keith Urban, Jimmy Buffett, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. Not your style? Find your favorite artist's summer lineup with our summer music festival guide.
5. Horse racing says farewell to one of the best
Here's a name to drop at all your Derby-related events: Tony McCoy. After nearly 4,350 winners, more than 1,000 falls, 20 straight jockey titles and countless broken bones, McCoy will end his record-shattering career at London's Sandown on Saturday. McCoy has been a champion jockey in Britain every season since 1996 — his first year as a professional. He has won every big British race at least once and rewritten virtually every record in the book. Yes, this chap is a based in England, not the States, but he's legit.
Bonus: Is your favorite show on the bubble between renewal and cancellation? This weekend is your last chance to save it. Vote here!
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