Mid City DC Magazine – May 2024

Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert at the National Cathedral

On Sunday, May 19, 4 p.m., chorus meets big band: journey through jazz, blues, and choral music in Ellington’s Sacred Concert with the Cathedral Choral Society, Heritage Signature Chorale, and Pershing’s Own US Army Blues. Washington National Cathedral throws open its doors to welcome one and all to a free celebration of DC’s own Duke Ellington. The Cathedral Choral Society and the Heritage Signature Chorale are joined by Pershing’s Own US Army Blues for a journey through Ellington’s Sacred Concert, a work he considered to be his most important. This is a free concert but register in advance. PS – There are also always last-minute seats available. cathedralchoralsociety.org.

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Bourbon and Bluegrass at President Lincoln’s Cottage

On Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, 1 to 5 p.m., both days, President Lincoln’s Cottage, 140 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW, hosts its biggest annual fundraiser: Bourbon & Bluegrass. On Saturday, award-winning singer-songwriter Letitia VanSant opens the festival with her dulcet calls for social justice. VanSant’s performance will be followed by Hubby Jenkins, the Grammy-nominated multi-instrument sensation who has been a member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops and Rhiannon Giddens Band. The final act of the day will be Adeem the Artist, a fan-favorite last year, who will be back with their catchy, Appalachian-style tunes and lyrics that probe issues of faith, gender, identity, and self-acceptance. On Sunday, Afro-futurist performer Jake Blount will return to his native DC along with Mexican-inspired Charlottesville band David Wax Museum. The festival will conclude with a performance by Senora May, the experimental songstress who hails from Kentucky, just like Old Abe. One-day admission with drinks, $70; two-day, $115. lincolncottage.org.

Narrative Art of the Plains at the American Indian Museum

From June 1, 2024 to Jan. 20, 2026, Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains celebrates the full expression of narrative art among Native nations of the Great Plains. The exhibition juxtaposes historical hides, muslins, and ledger books with more than 50 contemporary works commissioned by the museum. Illustrating everything from war deeds and ceremonial events to family life, Native identity, and pop culture, the artworks are as diverse as the individuals who created them. During the 19th century elaborate scenes were painted on large canvas tipi liners, some documenting more than 100 years of history. When ledger books became available, artists filled their pages with narrative drawings. Native artists began reviving “ledger art” in the 1970s, creating a vibrant form that takes on contemporary topics, uses a variety of media, and is widely collected. americanindian.si.edu.

Martin E. Red Bear (Oglala/Sicangu/Lakota, b. 1947). Red Bear’s Winter Count, 2004. Canvas acrylic paint. 116.5 x 116 cm.

Jazz in the (Sculpture) Garden at the NGA

The National Gallery of Art’s beloved Jazz in the Garden concert series returns for the season on Friday, May 31, 6 to 8:30 p.m., with Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas. The series continues all Fridays, except July 5, through Aug. 9. To give everyone an equal chance of attending, they’ll once again offer registration through a lottery system the week before each concert. Free registration is required. nga.gov/calendar/concerts.

CiNoMatic Outdoor Movies at Alethia Tanner Park

On Wednesdays at sunset, May 8 to June 5, bring your own chair and blanket and get there early to grab your spot on the lawn. Enjoy dinner from a local DC food truck, sit back, and enjoy the show. Here’s the lineup: May 8, National Treasure; May 15, The Lost City; May 22, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou; May 29, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull; June 5, The Goonies. Alethia Tanner Park is at 227 Harry Thomas Way NE. nomabid.org/ annual-events/cinematic.

Art Enables Group Exhibition at Union Station

Art Enables has partnered with Amtrak through its Art at Amtrak public art program at Union Station for an exhibition that offers travelers a window into an exciting part of the DC’s rich arts community. Now on view through September, “Forward: A Group Exhibition” showcases the remarkable talent of the resident artists at Art Enables, Washington, DC’s only studio and gallery dedicated to helping artists in the disability community advance their craft, raise their profile, and earn income from their art. Curated by Art Enables’ Marissa Long, this exhibition features 30 pieces from 22 Art Enables resident artists and reflects the vibrant spirit of their community while inviting the public to explore, connect, and be inspired. If you would like to view the exhibition in person, you can do so by entering the hallways of Amtrak Gates G & L. You can also view the exhibition at art-enables.org/art-enables-at-union-station.

Amos Lee at the Warner

Amos Lee is an American singer-songwriter whose musical style encompasses folk, rock, and soul. He has recorded five albums on Blue Note Records and his music has appeared on the soundtracks of numerous TV shows and movies. Lee’s folksy, bluesy sound has been compared to that of John Prine and Norah Jones. His music recalls the low-volume, early-’70s acoustic soul of stars like Bill Withers and Minnie Ripperton. Amos Lee is at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW, on Friday, May 17, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $53. warnertheatredc.com.

Bonnie Raitt: Just Like That

Bonnie Raitt is an American blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter since 1971, when she released her self-titled debut album. Following this, she released a series of critically acclaimed roots-influenced albums that incorporated elements of blues, rock, folk, and country. In 1989, after several years of limited commercial success, she had a major hit with her tenth studio album, Nick of Time, which included the song of the same name. The album reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart, and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. It has since been selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry. Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW, on Friday, May 31, 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 1, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $86.50. warnertheatredc.com.

Photo: Sam Kittner

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

DC Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon boating is based on the 2300-year-old legend of Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan was a Chinese poet and statesman, who in the ultimate form of protest, committed suicide in the Mei Lo River around 278 B.C. Local sherman who witnessed the act quickly paddled their boats to the river and thrashed the water in order to scare the sh away from eating his body. is act of thrashing the water has now evolved into the sport of dragon boating which honors Qu Yuan’s sacri ce. On Saturday, May 18, (rain date, June 15), at ompson’s Boat Center, 2900 Virginia Ave. NW, the Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival continues this tradition through cultural and athletic demonstrations. e festival aspect of the event includes eye dotting ceremonies, lion dances, and other cultural demonstrations. Schedule of races and other activities will be online about one week before the event. dcdragonboatfestival.com.

perform at Music on the Hill, 801 D St. NE, on Friday, May 31, 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.).

Music on the Hill’s Singer-Songwriter Series

Last year, as Music on the Hill prepared to celebrate its 10-year anniversary, plans for how the store might continue its success and grow its mission to provide quality musical instruments and instruction on Capitol Hill. To expand their o erings to the public, a new intimate, in-store performance series was created to focus both on local singer-songwriters and small music ensembles as well as visiting acts. Shows are typically once monthly, on a Friday or Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.). $15 suggested donation—Venmo or cash at the door. Music on the Hill is at 801 D St. NE; use the side door on D Street. musiconthehilldc.com.

Tacos & Tequila at Nat’s Park

On Saturday, May 18, 4 to 7 p.m. (rain or shine), embark on an unforgettable culinary journey at Nationals Park with Tacos & Tequila as they showcase a diverse array of avors, featuring renowned brands such as Casamigos, Casa Azul, Cincoro Tequila, Mijenta Tequila, Ana Maria, Tequila Rosa, Banhez Mezcal Astesnal, and many more. Savor tequila or cocktail tastings, delight in delectable taco samples from Pink Taco, Mission, El Teco, Surfside Tacos, and El Bebe, and witness erce competition as vendors compete for the title of Ultimate Taco and Tequila Champion. Dance to live music and immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere bursting with avor and excitement. General admission tickets are $75; no tasting ticket is $20. mlb.com/nationals/tickets/events/tacos-and-tequila.

Drunk Shakespeare at Sage Theater

e stage is set in a hidden venue. Five professional actors meet as members of e Drunk Shakespeare Society. One of them has ve shots of whiskey and then attempts to perform a major role in a Shakespearean play. Hilarity and mayhem ensue while the four sober actors try and keep the script on track. Every show is di erent depending on who is drinking... and what they’re drinking! Craft cocktails are available for purchase throughout the show. Tickets are $49, up. Drunk Shakespeare is the Sage eatre, 1100 13th St. NW. drunkshakespeare.com.

Up Close with Paul Cezanne at the Phillips is exhibition unveils two recently conserved works by French Post-Impressionist Paul Cezanne, Mont Sainte-Victoire (1886-87) and Self-Portrait (1878-80), major paintings that are part of e Phillips Collection’s holdings by the revered artist. ese paintings, together with ve other works in the museum’s Cezanne “unit,” will be exhibited together for the rst time in decades. e conservation of Mont Sainte-Victoire and SelfPortrait reveals details previously obscured by aged, discolored varnishes while also providing insight into the artist’s process. is special installation is on display through July 14. e Phillips Collection is at 1600 21st St. NW. phillipscollection.org.

Featured artists and old-time musicians Rachel Eddy of Arlington, VA and Sophie Wellington of Boston, MA

Conservation of Mont-Sainte Victoire by Paul Cezanne.

Photo: Brendan Canty

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Sunny War at the Hill Center

Los Angeles-based street singer, guitarist, and roots music revolutionary Sunny War has always been an outsider, always felt the drive to define her place in the world through music and songwriting. Her restless spirit, a byproduct of growing up semi-nomadic with a single mother, led her to Venice Beach, California, where she’s been grinding the pavement for some years now, making a name for her prodigious guitar work and incisive songwriting, which touches on everything from police violence to alcoholism to love found and lost. On Sunday, June 2, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Hill Center, 931 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, welcomes Sunny War as part of their free, outdoor American Roots Music Series. hillcenterdc.org.

DanceAfrica DC Festival at Dance Place

On Saturday, June 2, all day, get ready to sway your hips and move your feet at the 37th annual DanceAfrica DC festival. Dive into a festival bursting with the invigorating energy of dance, the rhythm of music, and the richness of tradition. Immerse yourself in the spirit of the African Diaspora through master classes and an epic outdoor festival at the 8th Street Arts Park. Picture this: live performances, an African market buzzing with excitement, and captivating oral histories. This year’s festival will have master classes and performances in the Cafritz Foundation Theater at Dance Place, 3552 Eighth St. NE, the Edgewood Arts Center, and the 8th Street Arts Park. danceplace.org/ dadc2024.

The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence by Step Afrika

Using its hallmark style of percussive dance-theater, Step Afrika!’s The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence tells the story of one of the largest movements of people in United States history, when millions of African American migrants moved from the rural South to the industrial North in the 1900s to escape Jim Crow, racial oppression, and lynchings. Inspired by Jacob Lawrence’s iconic 60-panel “The Migration Series” (1940-41), this signature work from the award-winning dance company uses the images, color palette, and motifs in the painting series to tell this astonishing story through pulsating rhythms and visually stunning movement. $56 to $95. The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence is at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW, from June 6 to July 14. arenastage.org.

National Memorial Day Choral Festival at the KC

Designed to honor our nation’s veterans and fallen heroes through musical tribute, this grand concert on Sunday, May 26, 2 p.m., features 200 singers representing choirs from throughout the United States as they join with the United States Air Force Band to foster greater attention toward and observe the true meaning of Memorial Day as a National Holiday. The entirely American program will include traditional patriotic favorites including America the Beautiful, Who Are the Brave?, Danny Boy, Salute to the Armed Forces, and more. Tickets are required for this free concert. kennedy-center.org.

Step Afrika!’s company performs The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence. Photo: Jati Lindsay

Fiesta Asia Street Fair

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Fiesta Asia Street Fair 2024 is Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, between ird and Sixth. is annual event is known for its incredible multi-stage performance line-ups, food, unique arts and culture experiences and more. ere are many ways to join them in celebrating Asian Heritage.

ey’re ready to welcome everyone back to the most prominent street in the nation’s capital to enjoy and celebrate Asian culture. estaasia.org.

Mosaic’s Mexodus at the Atlas History meets hip-hop in this groundbreaking theatrical experience that explores the often-untold stories of enslaved people in the United States who sought freedom in Mexico, rather than looking north. Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson use live-looping to create a musical in real-time, telling a unique story of the Underground Railroad that led south, highlighting the power of Black and Brown unity. $42 to $70. Mexodus is at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, from May 16 to June 9. atlasarts.org.

Killer Mike & The Mighty Midnight Revival

A never-before-seen concert experience! Killer Mike is more than a rapper–he’s a cultural icon. From his groundbreaking collaborations with Run the Jewels to his solo endeavors, Killer Mike’s music resonates with authenticity, raw energy, and a fearless commitment to speaking truth to power. On Tuesday, May 21, at 8 p.m., hear tracks from his newest, threetime Grammy-winning album Michael, and more, accompanied by the epic sounds of the Mighty Midnight Revival and the National Symphony Orchestra live in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. $49 to $169. kennedycenter.org.

Patti LaBelle & Gladys Knight at Wolf Trap

On Saturday, June 8, 8 p.m. (gates at 6:30 p.m.), “Godmother of Soul” Patti LaBelle and “Empress of Soul” Gladys Knight hold court at Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA, with a pairing of showstopping performances. Brimming with captivating voices and soulful melodies, don’t miss a night of timeless hits including “Lady Marmalade,” “You Are My Friend,” “I Heard It rough the Grapevine,” and “Every Beat of My Heart.” Tickets start at $49. wolftrap.org.

Dupont Kalorama Walk Weekend

e annual Dupont Kalorama Walk Weekend encourages everyone to get out and walk. Start at any museum and choose your stops along the way. e museums are all free admission and within easy walking distance of the Dupont Circle Metro Station. Visit Anderson House, Dumbarton House, Dupont Underground, National Museum of American Jewish Military History, O Museum in the Mansion, e Phillips Collection and e President Woodrow Wilson House. Alternatively, there are several buses that run near their sites as well as the capital bike share. is year the Walk Weekend is on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., (rain or shine), each day. Find a map and details at dupontkaloramamc.com/walk-weekend.

Gladys Knight, Courtesy of Wolf Trap

Visitors at Anderson House

FLAT ROOF SPECIALISTS

UP FOR YOUR FREE

Are you an aspiring or existing business in the District? The Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) is here for you!

WEBINAR: LEARN HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (CBE)

Wednesday, May 1, 2024 • 10:00 am Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/63699

1ST SESSION GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE BOOTCAMP - MHCDO

Thursday, May 2, 2024 • 10:00 am Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/65296

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 • 10:00 am Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/63761

DLCP AT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARYLEARN THE PROCESS OF STARTING A BUSINESS

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 • 6:00 pm Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/63815

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 • 5:00 pm Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/63831

2ND SESSION GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE BOOTCAMP - MHCDO

Thursday, May 16, 2024 • 10:00 am Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/65297

MEET ONE-ON-ONE WITH A LAWYER FOR FREE! SHORT-TERM RENTAL (AIRBNB) ORDINANCE WEBINAR

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 • 10:00 am Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/63759

SBRC ONE-ON-ONE CALL SESSION: STEPS TO OBTAINING A BUSINESS LICENSE

Monday – Friday by appointment between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events

Wednesdays by appointment between 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events

SBRC ONE-ON-ONE CALL SESSION: “TALK BUSINESS AFTER HOURS” BUSINESS DIAGNOSTIC CHECK - IN PERSON WEDNESDAY’S SHORT-TERM RENTAL (AIRBNB) ORDINANCE WEBINAR

Wednesdays by appointment between 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events

Small Business Resource Center (202) 442-4538 | dlcp@dc.gov

The Matchbox Magic Flute at STC

In her acclaimed signature style, Mary Zimmerman conceives a new theatrical adaptation of Mozart’s beloved opera. Playful and imaginative, it’s big music in a small space. This “matchbox” presentation of The Matchbox Magic Flute features a cast of 10 and an orchestra of five—following the fantastic adventures of Prince Tamino and Princess Pamina. With dragons, a man who is a bird, trials by fire and water, and underground corridors, Day and Night do battle. The Matchbox Magic Flute is at the Shakespeare Theatre Company Klein Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW, from May 21 to June 16. shakespearetheatre.org.

St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral Spring Festival

Saint Sophia’s spring festival brings the best of Greek food, drink, and culture to the DC area. An annual tradition, this year’s festival will be held on May 17 to 19, on the St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral grounds at 2815 36th St. and Massachusetts Ave. NW. Every evening under the stars, enjoy live Greek music played by local musicians. Spirited festival goers are welcome to join in and dance... OPA! There will be a marketplace showcasing vendors with wares including fine and costume jewelry, pottery and home goods, clothing, music, Byzantine icons, and a traditional Greek grocer. There will also be a variety of children’s games and activities. Festival hours are noon to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday. saintsophiadc.com.

IN Series: Return of Ulysses

2024 is the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and the start of official military action by the United States in Vietnam. The young souls that fought were wounded most acutely in ways that were invisible, and their return home was only the beginning of an epic struggle to live again. Monteverdi’s second opera sets the story of Trojan War hero Ulysses’ traumatic homecoming from the epic The Odyssey. IN Series will bring this rarely heard masterpiece to life with an expansive work that incorporates a new English text crafted from interviews taken with Vietnam veterans, and the Thai contemporary dance company 18 Monkeys, bringing their unique mix of modern and traditional South-East Asian Kohn dance to the production. From May 11 to 26 at Source Theater, 1835 14th St. NW, IN Series’ lauded Monteverdi Trilogy continues. $30 to $65. Tickets are free for Vietnam Veterans. inseries.org.

Jesus Christ Superstar at the National Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, a new mesmerizing production of the iconic musical phenomenon returns to the stage May 17-19. Originally staged by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and helmed by the acclaimed director Timothy Sheader and cuttingedge choreographer Drew McOnie, this production won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival garnering unprecedented reviews and accolades. Appealing to both theater audiences and concert music fans, this production pays tribute to the historic 1971 Billboard Album of the Year while creating a modern, theatrical world that is uniquely fresh and inspiring. Jesus Christ Superstar is at the National Theater, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets start at $59. roadwayatthenational.com.

Photo: Evan Zimmerman for Murphymade

(Front, L-R) Billy Rude and Marlene Fernandez in The Marchbox Flute. Photo: Liz Lauren

Insatiable

by Celeste McCall

Plant Life on P

Planta Cocina, a Latin/ Asian vegan restaurant, has sprouted at 1460 P St. NW. You’ll nd this handsome, trendy newcomer in the thriving Logan Circle neighborhood. Part of the Toronto-based Chase Hospitality Group, this local o shoot is ensconced in a bright, airy space with a 45-seat patio. Peter, our friend Katherine and I ventured to Planta Cocina on a chilly Sunday. Our trio was seated at a roomy, comfy booth.

les involved tortilla chips topped with salsa, plantbased feta and crema, crowned with an easy-over egg. e egg, sourced from a California company, mimicked the texture of the real thing. Part of the concoction arrived stone cold. But Jonah, our pleasant, helpful waiter, replaced it with a complimentary corn wa e, topped with sweetened whipped “cream” and berry compote. Peter, who possesses the family’s sweet tooth, enjoyed the wa e for dessert.

More Logan Lowdown

Planta’s sushi lineup features creative substitutions. Watermelon replaces the usual ahi tuna, eggplant subs for unagi (eel) and heartof-palm supplants crabmeat. Peter just had to try the bright red nigiri watermelon item, which looked better than it tasted.

From downtown to Logan Circle: after 11 years ensconced in the old Gar nckel’s department store space, MXDC Cocina Mexicana & Tequileria has moved. You’ll nd the new digs at 1610 14th St. NW. is place is gorgeous. Colorful murals, other artwork and Mexican motifs grace the rustic walls and cozy alcoves. Created by award-winning chef Todd English, MXDC showcases traditional dishes from various regions throughout Mexico. Emerging from the gleaming, open kitchen are tortilla soup, rock sh ceviche, several kinds of quesadillas and umpteen varieties of tacos. Heading the dinner entree menu are beer-battered mahimahi, carne asada, seven-chili lamb shank, roasted chicken and carne asada (grilled steak).

MXDC’s Logan Circle space retains the popular weekend brunch with crabcake Benedict, huevos rancheros and short rib hash. Sangria, margaritas and other potent potables ow. For MXDC hours and more information, visit www. mxdcrestaurant.com.

Paris in NoMa

Planta’s kitchen dispenses such innovative dishes as “bang bang” broccoli with sweet chilis and peanut sauce, my favorite in the leafy lineup. e crunchy broccoli orets were crisply fried, the sauce imparted just enough zing. Spinach and mushroom tacos seemed a tad mushy, but the accompanying tomatillo salsa rescued them somewhat. Chilaqui-

Planta’s cocktail list includes zany concoctions like the Rosarita (tequila, watermelon, rose hips), a rum-based kombucha mojito, and a Oaxacan old fashioned. ere’s also wine and beer; I sipped a pleasant Sicilian pinot grigio. My fellow diners qua ed mint tea poured from a pretty little teapot. Planta Cocina weekends bring brunch, including “bottomless.” On Wednesdays, wines are half-priced. Our lunch for three, before tip, came to $103. Service, which included moving us from a draft and xing our wobbly table, was excellent.

For Planta hours and more information, visit www.plantarestaurants.com.

We’ve checked out Pastis, the new French restaurant at 1323 Fourth St. NE, in the Union Market District (NoMa). We loved it. It’s no coincidence that Pastis ‒ named for the aniseed- avored aperitif ‒ is reminiscent of Logan Circle’s Le Diplomate. Both French charmers are part of the acclaimed Starr Restaurant Group.

Our group of three was seated at a comfy booth in the rear dining area. Representing myriad regions of France, the carte du vin was absolutely mind boggling. I had not encountered such a lengthy wine list since Peter and I dined at France’s famed Troisgros years ago. However, I settled for a pleasant (if pricy!) $17 glass of rose.

We were tempted to ll up on the marvelous, chewy whole-grain bread. But we managed to save room for our main events. My quiche Lorraine, the

Planta Cocina, Logan Circle’s new vegan Latino/Asian restaurant, sports a spacious, sunny ambience.

Planta Cocina’s chilaquiles is a montage of tortilla chips, salsa, plant-based feta and creme, topped with a vegan egg.

Gallic classic of eggs, Gruyere, bacon and onion, was gossamer-light, supported by a rm, chewy crust. Peter chose sardines en conserve, simply an open can of sardines escorted by a roll and butter. He asked if the sh came from Trader Joe’s. “No, the sardines were shipped directly from France,” our server explained. No wonder they cost $24. But the tasty appetizer was nearly worth the price.

Pastis also o ers a small raw bar and other brunch favorites like eggs Benedict (Parisian ham, hollandaise), and eggs Norwegian, where smoked salmon replaces the usual ham. e dinner menu showcases onion soup, moules frites, branzino and “bar” steak with maitre d’hotel butter (mixed with parsley and lemon juice). A nod to France’s neighbor Italy is the spaghetti Bolognese. Next time.

From the brief dessert menu, we sampled the tarte au citron meringue ‒ essentially a lemon meringue pie topped with a few berries. Among other sweet nales are creme caramel, pro teroles, dark chocolate mousse and sorbet. Our lunch for two came to $72.60 before tip. Service was excellent. For Pastis hours and more information, visit www.pastisdc.com.

And …

Nearby, Sweetgreen has opened its umpteenth local outlet at 1304 Fourth St. NE. is leafy eatery is known for its over owing kale Cae-

sars, Italian chopped salads, crispy rice bowls and miso-glazed salmon. For details, visit www.sweetgreen.com.

Shaw & MVT RAMMY Finalists

Folks in Shaw and the Mount Vernon Triangle are buzzing about the 2024 RAMMY Awards nalists. Among neighborhood contenders are Stellina Pizzeria (up for Casual Restaurant of the Year); Causa/Amazonia (Formal Fine Dining); Carlos Delgado of Causa/Amazonia for Chef of the Year, and Bar Chinois (Best Bar). Sponsored by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), the 42nd Annual RAMMY Awards Gala will be held July 21 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. For tickets, complete list of nalists and more information visit www.ramw.org. ◆

MXDC Mexicana has forsaken its downtown digs and resettled in a handsome Logan Circle space.

At Pastis, the new French charmer in NoMa, classic quiche Lorraine is a favorite brunch dish.

Theater Night

A Curated Review of Theater in the DMV

by Matthew McClure

Where do you come from? What stories does your grandma tell at the weekend family barbeque? Heritage, history, and what we choose to remember or forget about our past can reveal a lot about who we are. The month of May marks Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month and National Preservation Month, so this column examines theater that deconstructs heritage, history, identity, and what we inherit from those that came before us. Read on for our curated selection.

In The Spotlight Metamorphoses, Folger Theatre Showing May 7 – June 16 www.folger.edu

It’s hard to believe that anything positive could come from the brutal slaying of Tyre Nichols at the hands of Tennessee police in January of last year. To Director Psalmayene 24, this tragic event was yet another example of the disregard for Black life prevalent in American society, but inherent in this act of violence was the potential for creativity.

Heritage and history are slippery concepts. They are weaponized by politicians but can also be sources of pride. Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses – a modern interpretation of Ovid’s classical poem by the same name – is a lesson in how we are all much more alike than we are different. Themes of struggle, triumph, tragedy, and transformation touch all of us, regardless of our different heritage and histories. We laugh and cry together, Metamorphoses teaches us, and the opportunity for Psalmayene 24 to carry this important message into the world after Nichols’ death through his exegesis of Zimmerman’s work at the Folger Theatre was too irresistible to pass up.

“The police killing of Tyre Nichols was the impetus behind how we decided to interpret this production, working with an all-Black ensemble. It’s how we chose to frame the piece, but I didn’t want grief to overshadow the production. It’s proved a rich starting point in terms of the casting.” Psalm elaborates. “Black culture is being inserted into every element of the design of the play. The costumes are inspired by clothing from the African Diaspora. The music is a survey of Black music; tipping our hats to the origins of Black music. It shows up in

the scenic design and setting of this world.” The all-Black cast of 11 (a first in Folger’s history) was chosen purposely by Psalm to emphasize the inherent value of Black culture and as a celebration of life rather than a meditation on death. “We’re transcending grief. This is a celebration of Black culture and the African Diaspora.”

One of the key themes in Metamorphoses is transformation. It’s sprinkled liberally throughout the 11 vignettes in various forms, both literal and metaphorical. In this election year, there’s never been a more important time to remind ourselves that transformation and change is always possible.

On Right Now

Mexodus, Mosaic Theater Company

Showing May 16 – June 15 www.mosaictheater.org

Did you know that in the mid 19th Century about 10,000 enslaved African Americans chose to head south to Mexico to seek their freedom, instead of north? Men, women and children fled plantations in Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas, braving the arid conditions of the Nueces Strip and risk of capture or attack to seek refuge through Mexico’s anti-slavery laws, passed in 1821. They were helped along the way by sympathetic Mexicans from all walks of life that believed in equality, freedom and protection from unjust persecution.

This month, Mosaic Theater Company has partnered with Baltimore Center Stage to interpret this little-known chapter of American-Mexican history through a live-looped hip-hop musical. Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson’s Mexodus shakes the dust off what we think we know about our history and heritage. “This show is about the untold story of the Underground Railroad that

Metamorphoses: Cast of Folger Theatre’s Metamorphoses. Photo: Peggy Ryan. Amm(i)gone:

went south to Mexico. The overarching theme is Black and Brown solidarity and using this story to talk about all the ways we’re in solidarity with one another.” says Robinson. Historians like Alice Baumgartner, Mekala Audain and Kyle Ainsworth have started excavating the archive of collaboration between Black and Brown people on what’s called the “Southbound Underground Railroad,” and Mexodus is a contemporary, intensely personal and vitally important contribution to this field of study.

Quijada explains that Mexodus’ subject matter is close to his heart both creatively and spiritually.

“I write a lot about the border, about immigration, about my parents crossing the southern border. This is an immigration story I’m familiar with, it’s just a reverse border story.” Both he and Robinson have worked hard to avoid any stereotypical representations of enslaved people, or what Quijada refers to as “trauma porn.” They do this through the collaborative act of contemporary music-making (which underscores the spirit of co-operation that inspired the play) and via a raw, heartfelt exposition by Robinson that sets the scene for the action.

Why don’t we know more about this shared heritage between America and Mexico? Perhaps, as Robinson points out, it’s because those that fled and created new lives were so successful at integration that their narratives are like wellguarded family secrets; retold around the dinner table at special occasions or during celebrations like Día de los Negros, the Mexican version of Juneteenth.

If after watching Mexodus you’d like to learn more about the Southbound Underground Railroad, read Alice Baumgartner’s South to Freedom: Runaway Slaves to Mexico and the Road to the Civil War.

Catch before Closing

Amm(i)gone, Woolly Mammoth Theater Company

Showing April 20 – May 12 www.woollymammoth.net

Director, Playwright and Performer Adil Mansoor’s new play Amm(i)gone – presented in association with Kelly Strayhorn Theater and codirected by Lyam B. Gabel - asks a fundamental

question many of us have grappled with: What happens when who you are is at odds with your family’s heritage and history?

Antigone is a play by the ancient Greek Tragedian Sophocles, written around 441 BCE within a cultural context of ancient Greek heritage and early democracy, so themes of morality, honor, duty, and love abound. Of course, there’s much more under the surface, Mansoor says, who has reimagined this classic work to tell an intimate story about himself and his Pakistani-born mother. “The play is attempting to complicate what it means to come out and what coming out can look like. The ways in which ‘silence’, ‘veil’ and ‘closet’ function. I love Sophocles’ Antigone. I brought it up with my mom and she loved it.”

Through various ephemera connected to a dialogue about Antigone with his mom (old childhood photos, audio recordings, pieces of text), Mansoor lays bare the vulnerability of both mother and eldest child through the tracing of an evolving journey of both growth and acceptance. “The play itself is the project. My mom started wearing a hijab in the late 90s. In photos from my early childhood, she isn’t veiled, so we had to come up with ways of sharing those photos in the play that still respect her faith. It’s become an artistic launching pad for much of the project.” I ask Mansoor whether his mom has watched it. “She hasn’t officially seen the work. The invitation is there though.”

Amm(i)gone has been incarnated in various forms since 2019, when Mansoor first began experimenting with it, but this will be the first largescale production so be sure to catch it before it closes. u

Playwright Adil Mansoor as a child. Photo courtesy Adil Mansoor.

Mexodus: Brian Quijada (L) and Nygel D. Robinson (R) in the Baltimore Center Stage production of Mexodus. Photo: J Fannon Photography.

Sp o tli ght on Shaw

Elevated Food & Fun at Silk Lounge

No matter the day of the week, there is always something new and exciting at Silk Lounge (1503 Ninth St. NW). The sleek, modern restaurant and bar has something for everyone, and the vibrant live music will have you dancing all night long.

Owner Samuel Beraki has been a part of Shaw’s nightlife scene since he bought Queen of Sheba Restaurant in 2017. After closing during the CO-

by Sarah Payne

VID-19 pandemic and a complete renovation, inside and out, he reopened as Silk Lounge. While maintaining some Ethiopian influences from his earlier restaurant, he collaborated with chef Morgan James to craft a menu of American and East African specialties.

Typical bar-fare wings, fries and burgers are accompanied by more elevated dishes like panseared branzino, lambchops, fish tacos and Silk’s specialty, oxtail eggrolls. The menu also features a variety of vegan and vegetarian options.

In addition to fine dining, the space features specialty cocktails and music. Live DJ sets create a fun vibe with different selections of R&B, rock and Afrobeats every night of the week. The atmosphere is different every night, Beraki explained, but the bar tends to attract a “more mature crowd.”

Whether you seek a night on the town or a gourmet meal, the lounge has it all covered. The “cozy and warm” restaurant and bar create an inviting atmosphere for everyone to dine, drink and dance. “Anybody that comes in, I guarantee 100%, they’ll come back,” Beraki assured.

Silk Lounge is open Saturday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Friday from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Visit www.silkloungedc.com for more information.

Great Drinks & Company at The Little Gay Pub

An iconic three-story-high British telephone booth and rainbow floral mural make The Little Gay Pub (1100 P St. NW) hard to miss. The Logan Circle restaurant, which opened in March 2023, instantly became a little community hotspot.

After working in the hospitality industry for more than two decades, co-owners Dito Sevilla, Dusty Martinez and Benjamin Gander wanted to open a space of their own that celebrated the queer community in DC.

Samuel Beraki is the owner of Shaw’s Silk Lounge.

Photo: Alexander M. Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets

Dusty Martinez, Benjamin Gander and Dito Sevilla own The Little Gay Pub in Shaw. Photo: Courtesy The Little Gay Pub

“ e gay space has been so static for so long, and it follows the same pattern, which was more clandestine, closed o to the public and shielded,” Sevilla observed, noting that opening the pub was “an opportunity to really shine some light on our kind of nightlife and day life and the activities that we really enjoy as a community.”

e bar itself is “infused and imbued” with history through artwork and culture. e menu is also designed to be inviting and familiar with a variety of snacks and classic drinks. O erings are highlighted by nostalgic childhood favorites like dinosaur chicken nuggets, ham and cheese sliders and house-made empanadas.

e pub’s drink program works to “reinvent classics that people already know and love,” with a selection of espresso martinis, old fashioneds and more.

e pub’s two bathrooms get a lot of Instagram love as must-do sel e spots. Perfect lighting and decor have made the spaces so popular that the bathrooms have their own Insta account, Royal_Flush_LGP. Many guests make taking a bathroom sel e the rst thing they do upon arrival at e Little Gay Pub.

Sevilla hopes that the neighborhood, and the LGBTQ+ community, will continue to feel seen and celebrated in their “very, very, very welcoming space.”

e Little Gay Pub is open Monday, 5 to 11 p.m., Tuesday, through Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 12 a.m., ursday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday, 4 p.m. to 3 a.m., Saturday, 1 p.m. to 3 a.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. Visit www.thelittlegaypub.com for more information.

Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com. ◆

Shaw Streets

by Pleasant Mann

Kennedy Recreation Center Reopens

On Monday morning, April 15, Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Thennie Freeman, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto and other dignitaries gathered with Shaw residents to celebrate the reopening of the Kennedy Recreation Center, which had been closed for months for renovations. The reopened center has revamped electrical and ventilation systems, an upgraded front desk and kitchen, new flooring in the gymnasium, a set of washers and dryers and a new recording studio.

Director Freeman noted that the recreation center will serve as DPR’s hub for its Roving Leader program. Councilmember Pinto welcomed the reopening of the center and thanked neighborhood leaders, such as the Friends of the Kennedy Playground, who led to its improvement. She also noted that the addition of the recording studio came after a request of the community. After the speeches, the Kennedy Recreation Center was opened to the community to enjoy refreshments and inspect its new features.

Central Shaw Neighborhood Association Meets on Public Safety

The Central Shaw Neighborhood Association

(CSNA) met on the night of April 15 at the Watha T. Daniel Library to discuss the state of public safety in the area. There had been a series of car breakins along Q Street, along with a shooting incident at Seventh and P streets that concerned residents. CSNA invited Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto to discuss these issues.

CSNA president Lesly McNitt started by outlining how the residents had built up the community and how they hoped to maintain it. Then she introduced Councilmember Pinto, who asked the attendees to introduce themselves and outline some of their issues. There were concerns that the neighborhood was starting to see the return of unsavory activities like auto break-ins, public drug use, poorly maintained properties and a proliferation of rats. Pinto said that her top priority was public safety, given her position as chair of the DC Council’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. That priority is followed by the effort to produce more affordable housing. She noted that when she took office, Ward 2 had the largest number of homeless encampments in the city, largely because the ward was considered the safest in the District. Pinto has worked to provide more housing vouchers for people on the streets. Safe and affordable transit is also a priority. Support for women and girls is Pinto’s final major priority.

In terms of public safety, Pinto started by dis-

cussing what was needed from the various agencies in the public safety cluster as well as residents. This led to her Secure DC omnibus law aimed to prevent crime, hold perpetrators accountable and improve coordination among government agencies. In Shaw, she is working on the problem of vacant and blighted properties. The District is also resuming a program to subsidize trash compactors near restaurants to reduce the amount of rubbish attracting rats.

Shaw Spring Clean-Up

Shaw residents assembled in front of the Kennedy Recreation Center on Saturday morning, April 27, to participate in Mayor Bowser’s citywide Annual Spring Clean-Up. The clean-up commemorates Earth Day, and the Kennedy Recreation Center was the headquarters for the event in Ward 2. Shaw Main Streets was the community partner for the event. Volunteers went throughout the neighborhood, picking up trash and delivering it to a waiting Department of Public Works truck.

Shaw Restaurants Dominate RAMMY Nominations

The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington has announced the nominees for its RAM-

Dignitaries cut the ribbon to reopen Kennedy Recreation Center. Photo: Pleasant Mann

MY awards for excellence in the hospitality industry, with Shaw restaurants continuing to crowd the list.

ree Shaw restaurants are nominated for Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Causa/Amazonia, Oyster Oyster and e Dabney. Petite Cerise is nominated for New Restaurant of the Year, while Georgian restaurant Supra is up for the Casual Restaurant of the Year award. Amazonia is among nominees for the Cocktail Program of the Year, Tallboy for the Beer Program of the Year and Lulu’s Winegarden for Wine Program of the Year.

e individuals nominated for RAMMY awards include Ria Montes of Estuary restaurant, at the Conrad Hotel, for Rising Culinary Star of the Year. Kristen Wilson of Causa is a nominee for Employee of the Year, while Janice McLean of Estuary is nominated for Manager of the Year. ere will have to be a battle between Carlos Degado of Causa/Amazonia and Jeremiah Langhorne of e Dabney for the prestigious title of Chef of the Year.

ere are also categories where the public can vote for their favorites. Shaw residents will be able to vote for Lulu’s Winegarden as their Favorite Gathering Place, Andy’s Pizza for Favorite Fast Bites spot and Your

Only Friend as the Hottest Sandwich Spot in town.

e RAMMY winners will be announced at the RAMW Awards Gala at the Washington Convention Center on Sunday, July 21. Tickets are available for sale at www. eRAMMYS.org.

In other award news, the New York Times just put out its list of “ e 25 Best Restaurants in Washington D.C. Right Now.” Shaw standout e Dabney, celebrated plant-based spot Oyster Oyster and the recently opened vegetable-focused Mita made the top 25 list.

Eat.Drink.Shaw.

Scheduled for June 19

Shaw Main Streets will hold its annual food and beverage showcase fundraiser, Eat.Drink.Shaw., on Wednesday evening, June 19, at the Howard eater. Eat.Drink. Shaw showcases the neighborhood’s world-renowned restaurants and bars to show o what they do best. is year, at least 20 Shaw restaurants will o er unlimited food and drink for two and one-half hours. Hundreds of foodies and cocktail lovers will attend the ticketed event. For more information, visit www. eatdrinkshaw.com. ◆

Shaw residents fan out for the Mayor’s Spring Clean-Up. Photo: Pleasant Mann

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 1B held its meeting for April on ursday evening, April 4, 2024. It was held as a hybrid live/virtual meeting at the DC Housing Finance Agency. e commissioners in attendance were Larry Handerhan (1B01, vice chair), Jamie Sycamore (1B03), Santiago Lakatos (1B04, treasurer), Alan Kensek (1B05), Miguel Trindade Deramo (1B06, secretary), Ashleigh Fields (1B07) and Tucker Jones (1B09). Jones chaired the meeting in the absence of Sabel Harris. ere was a quorum to conduct business.

Presentation: Ward 1

Councilmember Nadeau

Before the ANC meeting was called to order, Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau outlined her take on current issues in the District. She started by saying that crime is starting to go down, particularly in the case of violent crime. Chief Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department has encouraged patrol o cers to go into the community, and the US Attorney has started to increase the rate of prosecutions.

e Secure DC omnibus bill passed by the DC Council has provided more tools for the police. Nadeau added a provision to improve witness protection in the District. ere are also pending bills to improve the operations of the O ce of Uni ed Communications and incentives for the recruitment of DC residents to the police force.

According to Nadeau, the DC Council received the mayor’s budget the previous day, released two weeks late. Nadeau is still working through it. She has a responsibility to protect the Department of Public Works from budget cuts given its importance to maintaining the vitality of the city. Nadeau said the budget does continue the District’s composting pilot program, which currently has 9,000 participants. e program should help to reduce the number of rats in the city.

In ANC 1B, there is money in the budget to support Howard University’s redevelopment of Howard Hospital and to revitalize the K.C. Lewis playground. Nadeau is disappointed that the may-

ANC 1B

by Pleasant Mann

or took out money for a pay raise for childcare providers, but the DC Council intends to ght the cut. HIPS is now on the ground doing harm reduction at Seventh and T streets in an e ort to help the substance-addicted population in the neighborhood.

Alcoholic Beverage Regulation (ABR) Committee

Florida Liquors, 2222 14th St. NW, has requested a new license. e committee supported the request. e commission voted 6 in favor, 0 opposed and 1 abstention to support the license application.

Capital Care, 1115 U St. NW, requested a cannabis license renewal. e commission supported the renewal by a vote of 6-0-1.

V Street Lounge, 2100 14th St. NW, has requested a tavern license for an establishment under new ownership. It was asked whether the owners had requested an entertainment endorsement. e committee chair said that they had and were also requesting permission to add four gambling kiosks to the business. e commission decided to support the license in a 4-0-3 vote.

G & G Fine Spirits, 1939 12th St. NW, has asked for renewal of its retail liquor store license. Renewal was supported by a vote of 6-0-1.

Eatopia Eatery, 1301 U St. NW, has requested a new restaurant license. e ANC approved supporting the license in a 6-0-1 vote.

Firehouse DC, 903 U St. NW, has requested approval of a settlement agreement seeking a medical marijuana license. e committee chair noted that some neighbors wanted the agreement to stipulate 24-hour security for the shop, but the applicant’s lawyers said that such a provision would not be legally enforceable. Neighbors also wanted to ensure that there would be no smoking outdoors near the shop. e committee chair said that she supported the settlement agreement. It was approved in a 6-0-1 vote.

Economic Development Committee

e committee received a proposal to establish a dog park on a city-owned parcel at 625 T St. NW, a triangular lot across from the Howard eater. e

Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) has given a developer the right to program and maintain the space. e committee would like to hear from this developer, who has been invited to the next committee meeting.

A spokesman for the group that would like to put a dog park on the space joined the ANC meeting. He argued that a dog park would create a family-friendly environment. A number of business owners and residents, including the Westminster Neighborhood Association, support the installation of a dog park. e committee supported a resolution supporting a dog park on the space, but the commission took no action.

A member of the DMPED sta gave an update on the status of the Reeves Center redevelopment. He said that it was unlikely the demolition and redevelopment of the site could begin before September 2026. e current tenants have leases through 2024. A DC Council resolution to dispose of the site will probably take until late 2024. en there may have to be changes in zoning, since different portions of site are zoned di erently.

Transportation Committee

Representatives of Last Energy, a climate tech company of about 50 people located in the recently renovated Grimke Building, announced that they were seeking permits to activate a vacant lot at 10th and V streets. e company is working to develop micro-modular nuclear powerplants to provide energy as an alternative to fossil fuel sources. e lot would have a non-working display prototype to help explain the technology.

ANC 1B02 Vacancy

ANC 1B has a vacant seat, ANC 1B02. Since the Board of Elections declared the seat vacant, only one person has petitioned as a candidate. Once the candidate petitions have withstood a challenge period, the law allows a single candidate to ll the vacant position on the ANC.

ANC 1B holds its next meeting on ursday, June 6. Visit www.anc1b.org for more information.◆

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2G held its monthly meeting for April on ursday evening, April 11, 2024. e meeting was held as a virtual conference. Commission Chair Rachelle Nigro (2G06) called the meeting to order. Commissioners Anthony “Tony” Brown (2G01, treasurer), Alexander M. “Alex” Padro (2G02), Steven McCarty (2G04, vice chair) and Sheena Berry (2G05) were in attendance. e commission had a quorum to conduct business.

Third Police District Report

Lieutenant Alan Herring of the ird Police District reported that the homicide at Seventh and P streets that occurred on March 17 remains open. e police are on the lookout for a gray Kia. A carjacking at Seventh and M resulted in three juveniles being arrested. Gunshots were reported March 30. ere was a homicide on the 2100 block of Ninth Street. e case remains open, but there is a search for four suspects.

Berry asked about a robbery on the 400 block of P Street. Nigro said that the incident happened that morning. Herring found a report of a robbery on the 100 block of N Street that morning. e victim was approached by three suspects who took a coat, shoes and jewelry.

Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Licensing Committee (ABCL)

Angel’s Share Wines and Liquors, 1748 Seventh St. NW, asked for support of its retail liquor store license renewal. Padro said that the investigative history showed no negative items. Brown said the establishment had been a good neighbor. A motion to support renewal passed 5-0-0.

Gilford Liquors, 446 Rhode Island Ave. NW, has requested a Class A retail store license renewal. With no negative items on the record, the committee supported renewal. A motion to support renewal passed unanimously.

Flirt Cocktail Bar and Social Club, 1015½

ANC 2G

by Pleasant Mann

Seventh St., has requested a new tavern license by a previous establishment owner opening with a new name and new concept. It will be a cocktail lounge catering to the 35 and over crowd. Besides the new tavern license, there was a request for a stipulated license and an entertainment endorsement. ere was also a new draft settlement agreement between the establishment and the ANC. Padro mentioned that the committee stressed the importance of having a strong security plan in the agreement. e committee recommended that the ANC support the license request and approve the settlement agreement. A motion to support the tavern license with a stipulated license and entertainment endorsement passed by a vote of 5-0-0. e settlement agreement with Flirt Cocktail Bar and Social Club passed unanimously.

Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

Two representatives of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) came to present a notice of intent (NOI) to make changes to the intersection of New Jersey Avenue and Morgan Street to improve safety there. Last year, a cyclist in the bike lane was killed when a car made a high-speed left turn from New Jersey Avenue onto Morgan. In order to prevent this from happening again, DDOT proposes to harden the center line of New Jersey with bollards, replace exiposts on the bike lane and reinforce no-parking areas.

Nigro objected to the plan. She said that the bollards would block northbound access to a driveway to a currently active neighborhood church. She added that the ANC commissioners on the east side of New Jersey Avenue also rejected the plan. She asked the opinion of personnel at the re station on New Jersey, and they complained that the bollards would complicate their operations. e DDOT sta ers responded that the DC Fire Chief did not have an objection to the plan.

Joyce Robinson-Paul, an ANC commissioner from the neighboring commission in Ward 5, joined the meeting to say that a conference at

Mount Lebanon Baptist Church had proposed an alternative proposal to deal with the problem. e alternative would call for “Local Tra c Only” on Morgan Street, a limited number of bollards to protect the bike lane and a “No Left Turn” sign on Morgan to achieve the same safety goals with less disruption.

Nigro made a motion to reject DDOT’s NOI but support the recommendations presented by Robinson-Paul. e motion passed unanimously. A resident presented a resolution to establish full-time residential parking on both sides of Rhode Island Avenue in Shaw. e assumption was that residential parking would help to calm tra c along the thoroughfare. He said he had canvassed businesses and residents in the neighborhood, and everyone supported more residential parking. Padro suggested that the resolution stipulate that the north side of the avenue be designated for residents-only parking, while the south allow two-hour parking without a permit. e resolution, to be sent to DDOT, called for residential parking along Rhode Island from Logan Circle to New Jersey Avenue. e resolution passed unanimously.

501 New York Ave. Jail

Nigro gave an update on her e ort to halt moving the District’s cellblock to 501 New York Ave. during the renovation of the Daly Building, the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police. e DC Government’s response to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) was released the night before. She had not read it yet. e ANC’s attorney will respond soon. A BZA decision on Nigro’s e ort to withdraw building permits for the jail project is expected by May 1.

Nigro asked the commission to approve a payment of $804 to the law rm supporting her appeal e ort. A motion to approve the payment passed unanimously.

ANC 2G holds its next meeting on ursday, June 13. Visit www.anc2g.org for more information. ◆

BULLETIN BOARD

The Capital Pride Parade is on Saturday, June 8, from 3 to 7:30 p.m. The new parade route starts at 1844 14th St. NE and ends at 919 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. The parade family area, which features fun and children’s activities, is at Stead Park from noon to 5 p.m. www.capitalpride.org

Early June Pride Month Activities and Events

At the Pride LGBTQ+ Tour of Congressional Cemetery on Saturday, June 1, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (rain or shine), nd out who is buried there, including many of the founders of the modern gay rights movement, and learn about DC’s role in the history of the LGBTQ rights movement. Also on June 1, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., enjoy Pride Family Day at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. ursday, June 6, at 6:45 p.m., is Pride Night Out at Nats Park, where the Nats play the Atlanta Braves. e Capital Pride O cial Opening Party RIOT is on Friday, June 7, from 8 to 11 p.m., at EchoStage, 2135 Queens Chapel Rd. NE. Pride on the Pier (at e Wharf) is on June 8, from 2 to 10 p.m., with reworks at 9 p.m. e Capital Pride Festival and Concert is Sunday, June 9, noon to 10 p.m., at ird Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Enjoy a full day of entertainment, food, drink and advocacy with over 300 exhibitors. www.capitalpride.org

Nearby DPR Spray Parks

DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) spray parks have standard operating hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Each spray park is o ine for a few hours each week for maintenance. Ward 1 spray parks are: 14th and Girard streets NW; 14th Street and Park Road NW; Harrison Recreation Center, 1330 V St. NW; Park at LeDroit, 319 Oakdale Pl. NW; and Westminster Playground, 911 Westminster St. NW. Ward 2 spray parks are: Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 Seventh St. NW; and Stead Park Recreation Center, 1625 P St. NW. www.dpr. dc.gov/sprayparks

Adult Table Games at Shaw Library

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (check listings because they occasionally don’t feature this activity), 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., bring friends or make new friends. Bring a game or join in. Shaw Library is at 1630 Seventh St. NW. www.dclibrary.org

Celebrating

the Past, Shaping the Future: 70th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education

On Friday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the National Museum of African American History and Culture commemorates and explores the leg-

acy of the historic US Supreme Court decision to end the segregation of America’s schools and educational institutions. In collaboration with the NAACP, through multiple panel discussions throughout the day, the program features Cheryl Brown Henderson, daughter of Oliver L. Brown in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas; John Stokes of Prince Edward County, Virginia, where schools remained closed for ve years rather than comply with the 1954 ruling; and the surviving members of the Little Rock Nine. Admission to this special program is free but requires registration at www.nmaahc.si.edu.

DCHFA,

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in the city. is program o ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in city. is program o ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust

homebuyer or a D.C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia Visit www.DCHFA.org

DC Open Doors

homebuyer or a D.C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in the city. is program o ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust homebuyer or a D.C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia

HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst -time home buyer program.

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in the city. This program offers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on first trust mortgages.You are not required to be a first-time homebuyer or a D.C. resident to qualify for DCOD. You must, however, be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia.

HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst -time home buyer program

HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst -time home buyer program

years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to

DC4ME

years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to

DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees.

DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.

years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to

DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.

COVID-19

DC4ME is offered to current fulltime District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower’s employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.

COVID-19

DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.

DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.

COVID-19

DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.

DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.

Celebrating the Past, Shaping the Future: 70th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education

On Friday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the National Museum of African American History and Culture commemorates and explores the legacy of the historic US Supreme Court decision to end the segregation of America’s schools and educational institutions. In collaboration with the NAACP, through multiple panel discussions throughout the day, the program features Cheryl Brown Henderson, daughter of Oliver L. Brown in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas; John Stokes of Prince Edward County, Virginia, where schools remained closed for five years rather than comply with the 1954 ruling; and the surviving members of the Little Rock Nine. Admission to this special program is free but requires registration at www.nmaahc.si.edu.

Fantasy Book Night at the LOC

On Thursday, May 16, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., the Great Hall of the Library of Congress offers a night of events with fantasy writers, wondrous characters and happy-hour food and drinks. Gaze at treasures from the collections, embark on a quest throughout the building, create D&D characters and more. Here’s the lineup: 6 p.m., “Stories Seen and Unseen: Seanan McGuire and Travis Baldree” in the Coolidge Auditorium; 7 p.m., “The Familiar, the Loving, and the Dark: Roshani Chokshi and Lauren Blackwood” in room LJ-119; 7:15 p.m., “Secret Societies and Forbidden Knowledge: Olivie Blake” in the Coolidge Auditorium. To attend any of the three author panels, select the option from the pop-up after you make your reservation on the ticketing link, www.loc.gov/live.

Shakespeare Theatre Company

Screenings of “Macbeth”: The Film Shakespeare Theatre Company has announced screening dates for the film version of its landmark production of “Macbeth,” starring Ralph Fiennes

and Indira Varma. The cinematic version of the production, directed by STC artistic director Simon Godwin, was filmed live in London at Dock X. The event production completed its theatrical run with Shakespeare Theatre Company. The public screenings are scheduled for Friday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 18, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, May 19, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 and are on sale at www.ShakespeareTheatre.org.

Guided Meditation Courtesy of the National Gallery of Art

Find warmth in a river of light. Spend a few moments with the lush, tropical landscape of Frederic Edwin Church’s “El Rio de Luz.” This threeminute, guided meditation will help you burn off stress and start your day right. www.youtube.com/ watch?v=rZWG7eVFVGM&t=4s. Find NGA’s other meditations at YouTube, “National Gallery of Art Meditations.”

Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC

On Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m., JoAnn Hill discusses her newest book, “The Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, DC.” Inviting you to embark upon a mouthwatering exploration of eats and eateries and the people who create them, Hill is in conversation with Hollis Wells Silverman and Micheline Mendelsohn Luhn via Zoom and in-person at East City Bookshop, 645 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. www.eastcitybookshop.com

Hero Dogs 5k9 at Congressional Cemetery

The Hero Dogs 5k9 is on Saturday, May 18, at 8 a.m. Registration is $40 with an add-on registration for pups of $10, which includes a camo Hero Dogs bandana. Only Hero Dogs are permitted in the event (service dogs, therapy dogs, skilled home companions and service dogs in training). Other dogs may register to receive the bandana giveaway but will not be allowed at Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE. www.congressionalcemetery.org

NoMa Farmers Market Moves to Third Street e NoMa Farmers Market has expanded and relocated to ird Street NE between N and M streets. e market is open every ursday from 4 to 8 p.m., from May to October. is new location allows the market to provide an even broader vendor and farmer selection and to o er visitors more farm-fresh produce, top-quality meats and prepared foods, while giving opportunity to even more local small businesses and makers. www.nomabid.org/farmersmarket

Photo: Courtesy NoMa BID

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania

Through March 17, 2025, at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW, “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania” presents both realized and unrealized projects Wright designed for the region from the 1930s through the 1950s. Realistic animated films explore five unrealized projects for Southwestern Pennsylvania. A viewing theater envelops visitors to show an expanded film of three unrealized Pittsburgh designs. Viewers will take a journey into Wright’s creative mind, exploring architecture from an artistic perspective, with emphasis on his intended materials, textures, light and shadow. www.nbm.org

Bike to Work Day

Bike to Work Day is on Friday, May 17. Join Bike to Work Metro DC at more than 100 pit stops in DC, Maryland and Virginia for this free event. The first 16,000 who register and attend at a pit stop receive a free T-shirt. There are giveaways, food and beverages at participating locations, while supplies last. Register at www.biketoworkmetrodc.org.

“What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” (Save the Date)

On July 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., join the National Park Service at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, 1411 W. St. SE, for the

annual performance of Frederick Douglass’s classic speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” In addition to a dramatic portrayal of Douglass there will be music and house tours. www. nps.gov/frdo

Mosaic Announces 2024-25 Season

Mosaic Theater Company celebrates its 10th anniversary with a season featuring iconic artists and new plays. At the core of the 2024-25 season are four mainstage productions, including a world premiere created in collaboration with Georgetown University’s Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics, and the Mosaic debut of awardwinning writer Erika Dickerson-Despenza. The

season also features the development of new work from Trish Vradenburg-Commissioned artist and DC superstar Paige Hernandez. Here’s the lineup: “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” by Lanie Robertson, Sept. 5 to Oct. 6; “The Art of Care” by Derek Goldman, Oct. 31 to Nov. 24; “cullad wattah” by Erika Dickerson-Despenza, April 3 to 27; “Andy Warhol in Iran” by Brent Askari, May 29 to June 29. www.mosaictheater.org

Folger’s 2024-25 Theatre Season Announced The Folger Shakespeare Library’s 2024-25 season theme is Whose Democracy? The season opens on Oct. 1 to Nov. 10 with Shakespeare’s “Romeo and

For Civic Center at Point Park for the Allegheny Conference, 1947, digital illustration, 2021. This image was prepared with material made available by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Courtesy of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. All rights reserved.

Drive-In Movies at Union Market

Here’s the Friday night lineup: May 10, “Grease,” 8:45 p.m.; June 14, “Momma Mia,” 9:10 p.m.; July 12, “Ratatouille,” 9:05 p.m.; Sept. 13, “Star Wars: e Force Awakens,” 7:45 p.m.; Oct. 4, “Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” 7:45 p.m. $20 per car. For those on foot, pack your chairs and blankets and set up shop in front of Union Market for great views and picnic-style entertainment at no charge. Union Market is at 1309 Fifth St. NE. www. unionmarketdc.com/events

blue city, so the primary elections often function as the main event.

Juliet,” directed by Raymond O. Caldwell (former artistic director of DC’s eater Alliance). e third year of the Reading Room Festival, featuring new works and conversations inspired by or in response to the plays of Shakespeare, will take place in January 2025. “A Room in the Castle” by Lauren Gunderson, is from March 4 to April 6. e season concludes with Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” from May 13 to June 29. www.folger.edu

Ribbon Cut on MPD’s Real-Time Crime Center

On April 8, Mayor Bowser and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) unveiled the Real-Time Crime Center and launched CameraConnect DC. CameraConnect DC will allow residents and businesses better to share security camera footage with the Real-Time Crime Center to support crime investigations. e Crime Center collects and analyzes data from various sources, such as CCTV cameras and emergency calls, to enhance situational awareness, facilitate decisionmaking and improve the overall e ciency of crime prevention and response e orts. www.mpdc.dc.gov/cameraconnectdc

The Mid-City DC Bulletin Board includes event notices, volunteer opportunities and other community news. Do you have a notice for the Bulletin Board? Send it to bulletinboard@hillrag.com. ◆

As of May 5, 2024, all residents over 18 who have lived in DC for 30 days can register to vote in local elections, provided they are not registered to vote or claim residence in another country It does not matter how they entered the U.S. is year, noncitizen residents can vote for councilmembers (at-large and in ward of residence) but cannot vote in federal elections.

Voters who registered as a Republican, Democrat or DC Statehood Green by May 14 are eligible to vote in their party primaries. Registered independents do not vote in the primary. e DC Board of Elections (DCBOE) started mailing ballots to voters on April 29. Voters can mail them back immediately and track them online (https://votedc. ballottrax.net/voter/), but they must be postmarked by June 4 and received by June 14.

Alternatively, ballot drop boxes are set to open May 10 and will accept ballots until 8:00 p.m. on June 4.

Early voting takes place in person between May 26 and June 2 (except Memorial Day, May 27), from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., at any of 25 vote centers. 75 centers will be open on primary election day (June 4) from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Voters do not have to go to any particular voting center. A full list of early

license or REAL ID), a government check or paycheck, a bank statement, a current utility bill, a lease or any o cial document that includes the voter’s name and current District address. ose who are incarcerated, regardless of the o ense, can vote. If they are under court supervision or residing at a halfway house after release, they can vote. Residents who received a mailed absentee ballot, and were released from incarceration before it arrived, may vote at any voting center during early voting or at any voting center on Election Day. Upon release, they should contact the Board of Elections to make any updates to their mailing address.

DCBOE usually posts results for mail and early in-person voting shortly after polling places close on Election Day, followed by the day-of results. But nothing is o cial until results are certied, tentatively scheduled for July 3.

Limited races: DC Councilmembers for Ward 2, 4, 7 and 8; ward-based committee members of the DC Democratic State Committee.

Citywide races: DC Councilmember At-Large, Delegate to the House of Representatives, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Presidential Preference.

Find out more about the June primaries by visiting www.dcboe.org/ Elections/2024-Elections. ◆

CHANGING HANDS

Changing Hands is a list of most residential sales in the Midcity DC area from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIS, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, manager of the Coldwell Banker office on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.

Girls on the Run and DC Community 5k

The Girls on the Run and DC Community 5k at Anacostia Park on Sunday, May 19, is a non-competitive and inclusive gathering welcoming individuals of all ages and fitness levels. The event kicks off with pre-race festivities at 7 a.m., followed by the 5k starting at 8 a.m. Participants can enjoy a supportive atmosphere and scenic trails while supporting a meaningful cause. Registration is $45, and day-of registration is $50. Registration is now open at gotrdc.org/5k.

DC DPR Outdoor Pools Open for the Season

DC DPR Outdoor Pools open for the season on Memorial Day weekend and will remain open for weekends only until school lets out. At DC’s outdoor pools, safety breaks occur on the 45th minute of every hour for 15 minutes. All children and guardians must exit the pool during safety breaks. This requirement lowers the risk of the spread of germs and recreational water illnesses. Additionally, pool goers can hydrate, use restrooms, reapply sunscreen, and seek shade. During periods of excessive heat and peak utilization, DPR may require all pool patrons to get out of the water, regardless of age. Find a pool and read the pool rules at dpr.dc.gov/page/outdoor-pools.

Capitol Hill Classic Kids’ Fun Run

The National Capital Bank Capitol Hill Classic, on May 19, is an annual 10k, 3k and Fun Race—the only race run exclusively on the roads of Capitol Hill. Funds raised through the event benefit the Capitol Hill Cluster School, a DC public school serving over 1,100 students. This event is now in its 43rd year, and the 10k is the oldest and biggest in Washington, DC. The 10k ($50) starts out in front of Peabody Primary School, just a few blocks from the US Capitol. Runners traverse Capitol Hill, passing Stanton Park, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, Lincoln Park, the RFK stadium campus, and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. The 3k ($40) course also begins at Peabody Primary School. Runners head to East Capitol Street and trek to Lincoln Park and back. The Fun Run ($15) is a single lap around Stanton Park (approximately a third of a mile). capitolhillclassic.com.

DPW’s Annual Truck Touch

On Saturday, June 1, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the DC Department of Public Works holds their annual Truck Touch at RFK Stadium in Lot 8. The event features a variety of free activities for kids and adults. A host of DC government agencies will present and demonstrate nearly 30 vehicles used to clean and repair streets, change traffic lights, collect refuse, clear snow, provide emergency services, administer mobile health care, and more. The Department of Energy and Environment is holding its annual Electric Grand Prix race in that same location, starting at 4 p.m. This race features electric go-carts put together by kids. dpw.dc.gov.

Music Class with Mr. Rob at President Lincoln’s Cottage

The Lincolns, including their young son Tad, spent quality time together at the Cottage. The President Lincoln’s Cottage sta encourage you to come and make memories here as well. Spend some quality time with your little one at the free Music Class with Mr. Rob held at the bandstand. The cottage sta will kick o the morning with a story followed by an interactive concert with Mr. Rob. Music Class with Mr. Rob is on Saturdays, May 8 and June 11, 10 to 11 a.m. and is great for babies and toddlers. Free parking on-site. Families who come to Music Class with Mr. Rob will receive 10% o in the Museum Store located in the Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center. President Lincoln’s Cottage is at 140 Rock Creek Church Rd., NW. lincolncottage.org.

• Tier 1 High School and a 2022 Bold Performance School for the Middle School

• Guaranteed seat for Paul 8th grade families into 9th grade at Paul IHS

Apply today for School Year 2023-2024. Seats are limited. Complete the application online through MySchoolDC.org

#ChoosePaul and we’ll choose you back! Increase your chances of being matched with Paul PCS by making us your #1 selection.

• SAT Prep, Tutoring, Honors AP Classes, Dual Enrollment, and In-House College Assistance

• Over 20 competitive middle school, junior varsity, and varsity athletic teams

• Free daily breakfast and lunch

• Extended day after school programs including tae kwon do, cooking club, dance, and tutoring

• Wraparound services, counseling, and student support resources for families with IEPs

Shaw is home to over 120 of DC’s finest restaurants and bars, drawing foodies and cocktail lovers from around the world. This annual event (formerly a Taste of Shaw) showcases the work of more than 20 outstanding chefs, bakers, mixologists and brewers who call Shaw home. See the updated list of confirmed participating businesses at EatDrinkShaw.com

www.eventbrite.com/e/eatdrinkshaw-2024-a-shawmain-streets-food-beverage-showcase-tickets876723743317?aff=oddtdtcreator

THE HOWARD THEATRE