Mid City DC Magazine – April 2024

SPRING FLINGS WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860-1960

To inaugurate its 50th-anniversary season, the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden presents “Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960,” a major survey of artwork made during a transformative period characterized by new currents in science and philosophy, and ever-increasing mechanization. “Revolutions” captures shifting cultural landscapes through the largely chronological presentation of 270 artworks in the museum’s permanent collection by 126 artists—including Francis Bacon, Jean Dubuffet, Lee Krasner, Wifredo Lam, Jacob Lawrence, Georgia O’Keeffe and Jackson Pollock—made during 100 turbulent and energetic years. “Revolutions” is at the Hirshhorn, Independence Avenue and Seventh Street SW, through April 20, 2025. hirshhorn.si.edu.

Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival

The Sakura Matsuri—Japanese Street Festival features over 24 hours of Japanese cultural performances on four stages (including J-Pop, traditional Japanese music, and martial arts) and a diverse range of cultural exhibitors, artisan and commercial vendors of traditional and contemporary Japanese goods, and Japanese and other food and beverages. The festival also spotlights travel and tourism opportunities and innovative Japanese technologies. Saturday, April 13, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 14, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, between third and seventh. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

HAIR at Signature

From April 16 to July 7, Hair, the sensational, groundbreaking rock musical bursts with the jubilant spirit, raging rebellion and psychedelic color of the 1960s. A tribe of longhaired bohemian hippies on the cusp of adulthood champion freedom, paci sm, and joy, but confront a world thrown into chaos when one of their own receives a draft notice for the Vietnam War. With chart-topping hits such as “Aquarius,” “Let the Sunshine In,” and “Good Morning, Starshine,” HAIR’s vibrant, groovy celebration of peace, love and life changed Broadway forever and still resonates today. Tickets are $40 to $123. Signature Theatre is at 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. sigtheatre.org.

Grandma Moses, The Old Oaken Bucket, 1945. Oil on berboard. 14 ⅛ × 21 ⅛ in. (35.6 × 53.4 cm). Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Schneider, New York, 1974. Courtesy of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Photo: Alex Jamison

Running of the Chihuahuas at The Wharf

The Running of the Chihuahuas returns to the Wharf’s District Pier on Saturday, May 4, 2 to 5 p.m. This fun- lled event features the iconic Chihuahua races, a Paci co Beer Garden, Surfside taco stand, a DJ, pet photo booth and a giant in atable Chihuahua for photo opportunities. Races start at 2:15 p.m. and continue throughout the event. Here’s the remaining schedule: 2:45 p.m., adoptable pet parade; 3:30 p.m., all-breeds costume contest; 4:14 p.m., chihuahuas races semi- nals, 4:30 p.m. nal chihuahua race. Racer check-in is from 1 to 1:45 p.m. on the Transit Pier. wharfdc.com.

The Decemberists at The Anthem

For over 20 years, The Decemberists have been one of the most original, daring, and thrilling American rock bands. Their distinctive brand of hyper-literate folk-rock set them apart from the start with the release of their debut EP 5 Songs in 2001. Since then, the band has released nine full-length albums that are unbound by genre and highly ambitious, ranging from Americana-leaning storytelling epics to elements of 70's prog and hard rock.

Now the enduring indie band is back with their rst new music in six years, "Burial Ground." The Decemberists are at The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW, on Friday, May 10, 8 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.). Tickets are $51 to $76. theanthemdc.com.

The Adams Morgan Art Walk

Together, in partnership with the Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District, the DC Arts Center presents the 2024 AdMo Art Walk—a free, new way to experience art. Every year, local businesses in Adams Morgan partner with local artists in DC, who are invited to display their work all month long in the business’ storefront. The result is a neighborhood-wide public art exhibition where Adams Morgan becomes your own personal art gallery. This year’s art walk is from April 11 to 30. dcartscenter.org/artwalk.

Hester Street at Theater J

The world premiere of Hester Street, the theatrical adaptation of the beloved 1975 lm by Joan Micklin Silver, marks the largest production Theater J’s stage has seen in years. Hester Street depicts the uplifting journey of Gitl, a young Jewish immigrant from Eastern Europe, who arrives with her son to meet her husband Jake in the tumult of the late-19th century Lower East Side. Separated from his wife and the provincial limitations of his upbringing, Jake has fully embraced his new American life—one that has little in common with Gitl’s old-time ways. Faced with the disintegration of her marriage in a world she can barely comprehend, Gitl must nd her voice, protect her son, and rede ne her identity. Hester Street is at Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW, through April 21. Tickets are $69.99 to $90.99. edcjcc.org/theater-j.

Hester Street players enjoying a lighter moment in rehearsal.

Photo: Courtesy of the Adams Morgan BID and DC Arts Center

Photo: Courtesy of The Wharf

Handi-hour at the Renwick

On Thursday, April 25, 5:30 to 8 p.m., enjoy a night of DIY crafting, drinks, and fun at DC’s original craft happy hour. Learn how to make felt and yarn pom poms to fashion your own strand of garland. Enjoy light food, and beverages provided by ANXO cider. Light snacks, crafting materials, two drinks, and after-hours access to the Renwick Gallery are included in the ticket. Attendees must be 21+ to attend and show a valid ID at the door. Tickets are $25 and will be available beginning April 11. The Renwick is at 17th and Pennsylvania NW. americanart.si.edu.

Metamorphoses at the Folger

Ovid’s classic tales come to astonishing life in Mary Zimmerman’s adaptation where gods and mortals experience love, loss, and transformation. Juxtaposing the mythic and the modern, the stories of Aphrodite, Midas, Orpheus, Cupid, and others are told in a whimsical and poignant fashion, reminding us of the joys, follies, and heartbreaks of being human. Tickets start at $20. Paywhat-you-will on May 7, 7:30 p.m. Sales begin 5 p.m. day-of at the door and are available on a rst come, rst served basis. Metamorphoses is at the Folger, 201 East Capitol St., from May 7 to June 16. folger.edu.

The recurring theme, as with nearly all of Ovid’s work, is love –be it personal love or love personi ed in the gure of Amor.

National Cannabis Festival at RFK

The National Cannabis Festival returns to the RFK Stadium Grounds on Friday, April 19, 4 to 11 p.m. and Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., for two days of celebration featuring concert performances, Exhibitor Fair, Grower’s World, education programs, Munchies Zone, sponsor lounges and more. See their concert page at nationalcannabisfestival.com/concert. Must be 21+ to attend with a government-issued ID. General admission tickets (on sale now) are Friday, $55; Saturday, $75; $120 for both days. nationalcannabisfestival.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Alive Coverage

Rachel Barton Pine at the KC

Violinist Rachel Barton Pine inspires audiences worldwide with artistic excellence, boundless energy, unforgettable interpretations, and passion for philanthropy. Through her Rachel Barton Pine Foundation, she has championed, commissioned, and created educational materials to support the performance and study of music by Black composers, creating The String Student’s Library of Music by Black Composers. Accompanied by Matthew Hagle on piano.

Kennedy Center Terrace Theater on Friday, April 19, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 to $75. Kennedy-center.org.

Rachel Barton Pine in concert.

National Arboretum Azalea Peak. Peak bloom can vary by two weeks or more, depending on the weather, but usually takes place around the end of April. e earliest peak date reported in the last decade was April 15; the latest was May 4. usna.usda.gov.

Farmers’ Market SW Opens for Season. Saturdays, April 6 through Nov. 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. e market, at Fourth and M streets SW, o ers baked goods, co ee, jams/jellies, prepared foods, pastureraised meats & eggs, and locally grown fresh produce. diversemarkets.net.

Fort Stanton Park Monthly Volunteer Days. On the rst Saturday of every month, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., help remove trash and invasive plants from Fort Stanton Park. Volunteers meet in front of the Ft. Stanton Recreation Center, 1812 Erie St. SE. Register at ward8woods.org/fort-stanton-park.

Shepherd Parkway Monthly Volunteer Days. On the second Saturday of every month, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., help remove trash and invasive plants from Fort Shepherd Parkway. Volunteers meet at 555 Newcomb St. SE. Register at ward8woods.org/ shepherd-parkway.

Live at the Library--Sakura: Icon of Spring. April 18, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more than a hundred years, cherry blossoms have signaled the arrival of spring in Washington, DC. ey have become symbols of peace and friendship between the United

CALENDAR Earth day 2024

States and Japan. is display, “Sakura: Icon of Spring”, features the Library of Congress’s extensive Sakura collections and a new book on the subject. loc.gov/live.

Earth Day Family Festival. April 20, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., join the National Portrait Gallery and the American Art Museum in the Kogod Courtyard to learn how art and science can help protect the earth. americanart.si.edu.

Earth Day—Youth In Action: Indigenous Ecosystems. April 20, 2 to 3 p.m. How do Native youth activists envision a sustainable future? How are Native communities uniquely a ected by climate change? Join Seneca Johnson (Mvskoke) and Sgaahl Siid Xyáahl Jaad (Marina Anderson [Haida/Tlingit]) in a conversation moderated by Jade Begay (Tesuque Pueblo/ Diné) as they discuss their work to create a more equitable and sustainable future. American Indian Museum, Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW. americanindian.si.edu.

Potomac River Cleanup at Gravelly Point Park. April 20, 8 to 11 a.m. Sign up for one of 50 spots available, which will allow you to make a di erence for your hometown river. Gravelly Point Park is o George Washington Parkway, Arlington. potomac. org/events.

Arboretum Garden Fair and Plant Sale. April 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrate spring with the Arboretum’s fantastic array of plants, expert gardening advice, dozens of local vendors, and outdoor activities in the New York Avenue parking lot. e annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale is FONA’s largest seasonal festival and is an important fundraiser for them. fona.org.

NoMa Farmers Market Opens for Season (in new location). ursdays, May through October, from 4 to 8 p.m. is season the market is moving to ird Street, South of New York Ave., across from the Union Market District. diversemarkets.net.

across the

Anacostia River Festival. May 4, 1 to 5 p.m. e 11th Street Bridge Park and the National Park Service present the tenth annual Anacostia River Festival. is free, family-friendly event features live entertainment, arts, crafts, games and art exhibitions. e DC Department of Energy and Environment is hosting free shing workshops. All gear, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle, will be provided by and sta will be on hand to instruct and help anglers new and old. bbardc.org/arf.

Half Street Central Farm Market Opens for Season. Saturdays, May 4 through Dec. 21, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. e market features table seating, music, kids’ activities, chef demos, and more. 1250 Half St. SE. centralfarmmarkets.com/half-street.

Waste Less–Recycle More. To learn more about ways you can reduce household waste, sign up for periodic updates at zerowaste.dc.gov.

DC Food Waste Drop-O Sites. District residents can drop-o food waste to be composted at designated farmers markets and community sites. e drop-o locations are open on the weekends in all eight wards. Food Waste Drop-O sites may be closed if the hosting farmers market is closed. Check their website for speci cs dates at zerowaste.dc.gov/foodwastedropo .

DC Urban Farm Tax Abatement Program. DC o ers up to a 90% property tax abatement for individuals whose property is being actively used as an urban farm, pursuant to DC O cial Code §47868 “Reduced tax liability for certain urban farms”, for a maximum annual abatement of $20,000. doee. dc.gov/node/1592086. ◆

We’re back from sunny, if sometimes chilly, Florida. Yes, we miss the glorious sunsets, amazing wildlife and opping fresh shrimp and grouper plucked from the Gulf of Mexico. But Washington has greeted us with early-blooming cherry blossoms, a new Nationals baseball season and exciting new restaurants. e Union Market district has spawned at least two.

Palette 22 is a feast for the eyes ‒ and the palate. e new restaurant is ensconced in a two-level, former poultry factory at 400 Morse St. NE. Chicken images festoon the ladies room walls. At the month-old spino of the Shirlington Village (Arlington) original, guests sip zany cocktails while watching local artists working and displaying their wares. e art is for sale.

Insatiable

by Celeste McCall

‒ all di erent ‒ on our table, our helpful server took our drink orders. She also inquired about any food allergies. I opted for a spicy Bloody Mary made with New Amsterdam vodka, Marzano tomatoes and Worcestershire, poured into a sesame-seed-studded glass. Other drinks included sangria, mojitos, beet chaat (beet juice, mezcal), beer, lots of wine choices and spirit-free cocktails.

Brunch? Where to start?

Paris in NoMa

Indulging his love for beets, husband Peter skipped the chickpea hummus and ordered beet borani, Persian-inspired pureed beets drizzled with pomegranate molasses and sprinkled with goat cheese. We spread the colorful mixture on thin, toasted naan. Another plant-based option is the attractively presented roasted cabbage with chile sauce and parmesan.

Our group of four visited on a sunny, early spring Sunday. We were seated in a sun-drenched room decorated with super-sized, cheery paintings. Colorful menus re ected the artistic theme.

After placing a stack of brightly patterned plates

Among entrees: a moist and avorful lamb and beef brisket kofta ‒ sort of like a sausage ‒ came with cucumber salad, cheese and sumac. Delicious. I had considered the charred octopus (or prawns) but settled for the duck con t Benedict with hoisin, pickled carrots, spiced peanuts and hollandaise. Our everhelpful server o ered to replace the overcooked egg. No problem, I ate it anyway but appreciated our server’s concern. A Vietnamese creation was the bahn mi Benedict, made with char siu pork, pickled veggies, jalapeno and hollandaise. Peter found the pork a tad fatty.

Lunch for two came to $68. Service was exemplary. Palette 22 is part of the Alexandria Restaurant Group (ARP). For hours and more information, visit www.palette22.com.

Not far away, Pastis, a charming New York City transplant, arrived late last year at 1323 Fourth St. NE, in the Union Market neighborhood. e Gallic newcomer is part of the acclaimed Starr Restaurant group, which operates 30 restaurants nationwide including nearby St. Anselm and Logan Circle’s Le Diplomate. In fact, Pastis (named for an anise- avored French aperitif) somewhat resembles Le Diplomate, with its Parisian buzz, ambience and decor. Outside, a bright red, train-like structure accommodates additional patrons. e Pastis menu is traditional, with a few international twists: French onion soup, escargot, cioppino, moules frites (mussels with fries), branzino and, of all things, spaghetti Bolognese. Saturday and Sunday brunch brings French toast, eggs Norwegian, quiche Lorraine, ratatouille omelets. Like its Big Apple counterpart, our local Pastis pours an amazing array of cocktails, aperitifs, wines, cognacs and whiskeys. Watch for a complete writeup soon. For Pastis hours and more information, visit www.pastisdc.com.

Palette 22, the Union Market district’s newest hot spot, is a feast for the eyes and the palate.

At Palette 22, dishes and the menus are beautifully orchestrated.

Pastis, another Union Market district newcomer, provides a local taste of Paris.

MVT Goes Whole Hog

Meanwhile, hog carcasses are arriving at 2Fifty Texas BBQ, 414 K St. NW, in Mount Vernon Triangle. However, the newcomer o ers more than pork. Besides myriad porcine parts, you’ll nd American wagyu brisket, tender beef ribs, turkey, lamb and sausages made in-house. But 2Fifty serves lots of pork. e meat is ultra fresh, as entire pigs are delivered there daily.

To accompany all that barbecue: mac-and-cheese, cornbread, plantains, kidney beans. Among lighter options are sandwiches, nachos and salads. First come, rst served, so it’s best to arrive early. ( ere’s another 2Fifty BBQ in Riverdale, Maryland.)

e MVT 2Fifty is closed Tuesday. For hours and more information, visit www.2 ftybbq.com.

From BBQ to Baan

We’d planned to check out MVT’s 2Fifty BBQ, but since it was closed on Tuesday we decided to revisit a nearby Asian favorite, Baan Siam, 425 I St. NW. e place was busy, and most tables were occupied. Although we lacked reservations, we were seated right away. Besides the usual pad ai and drunken noodles, the menu o ers less familiar dishes reminiscent of items we encountered in ailand.

of lightly fried watercress tasted like tempura.

Lunch for two with my glass of pinot grigio came to $59, before tip. Service was excellent. For hours and more information, visit www.BaanSiamDC.com.

From Naan to Tacos

Here’s a switch: Glassy, the former Indian restaurant at 1625 First St. NW, has morphed into a Latin-in uenced Mood Swings Food Hall. e monthly rotating menu o ers myriad tacos ( sh, chicken, shrimp, even eggplant), quesadillas with assorted embellishments and sides: chips and salsa (red or green), guacamole, black beans. e bar pours margaritas, other cocktails, beer and wine. For hours and more information, visit www. moodswingsfoodhall.com.

Plant Life on V

In Shaw, Mita has arrived at 804 V St. NW.

WEBINAR: LEARN

For an appetizer, Peter chose succulent pork skewers served with a avorful peanut sauce and pickled cucumbers. Other starter options include green mango salad and fried calamari.

I was tempted by the basil fried rice with smoked duck, or a boneless chicken thigh nestled in a banana leaf. However, I decided on ai vermicelli with shrimp and chili peanut sauce. e yummy accompanying thatch

Chefs Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora formerly cooked at Michelin-starred El Cielo. Mita started as a pop-up in the La Cosecha marketplace in the Union Market district. In its new digs, Mita serves 14-course, plantfocused dinners tagged at $150 per person. Mainstay creations are arepas lled with smoked potatoes; yuca, corn, mushroom terrine; asado negro with endive and parsley. For hours and more information, visit www.mitadc.com.

New on U ‒ More Pizza … e U Street corridor welcomes 90 Second Pizza at 1408 U St. NW, in the former Jimmy John’s space. For more information, visit www.90secondpizza.com. ◆

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

On 16 April, we commemorate the anniversary of DC’s Compensated Emancipation Act, signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. This piece of legislation would eventually result in the end of chattel slavery, an oppressive and inhuman system that had dominated the landscape of the United States since the 16th Century. This month’s column reviews theater that questions what freedom means: Freedom for one or many, the consequences of freedom of choice, and the effect of freedom on those we love. Read on for our curated selection.

In The Spotlight

Nancy, Mosaic Theater

Showing 28 Mar – 21 Apr mosaictheater.org

Did you know that Nancy Reagan, through the Bolling First Family of Virginia, is related to Pocahontas? Did you know that the Reagan administration catalyzed one of the most fundamental shifts in Native American life by its introduction of casino gambling into American Indian reservations? Nancy is a powerfully topical work by playwright Rhiana Yazzie that dives into the teased hair, legwarmers, neon glamor and shoulder pads of the 1980s—the setting for these significant personal and public historical convergences.

Directed by Ken-Matt Martin at the Mosaic Theater, Nancy examines freedom from differing yet interrelated perspectives: Freedom to use our own voices to narrate the history of our people. Freedom from harm caused by social, economic and environmental injustices, and freedom to live unencumbered by someone else’s perspective on who we are or should be.

Rhiana Yazzie’s career has been focused on centering Native American stories. A member of the Navajo Nation, her establishment of the New Native Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2009 enabled the extensive network of Native playhouses and creatives in the Twin Cities to project their voices even further. Her work within these communities has seen her awarded a St. Paul’s Bush Foundation Fellowship in 2018 and most recently a Steinberg Playwright Award in 2020. “As an audience member, as a Native person, I want

Theater Night

The Hill Rag’s Curated Selection of Theater in the DMV

by Matthew McClure

to have the same opportunity that everyone else has in that they get to explore the various pieces of their emotions and politics.” says Yazzie. “I feel that very often when we approach Native American work or Native Americans in this country, you’re often viewed as this phenomenon that’s been victimized throughout history, or you get placed on a pedestal for the atrocities that have happened to your community. Or you get viewed in ways that are almost otherworldly, like people getting so taken with Shamanism and Native American spirituality. It’s these opposites that seem to be the only places we can live in.”

Nancy tells the seemingly disparate stories of First Lady Nancy Reagan and Esmeralda and Jacqueline, a mother and daughter struggling to make ends meet amidst the paranoia and greed of 1980s America, a period during which a young Yazzie first became aware of the way her world was structured. “I was a small kid in the 1980s. I lived in a reservation border town called Farmington, New Mexico. I clearly recall understanding the difference between my people and non-native people. I remember my mother was so vocal about the Reagans. I remember how fearful life was because of Ronald Reagan and nuclear arms and the Cold War. I spent almost every day of my youth in the 1980s worried about nuclear war happening.”

Rhiana Yazzie. Photo courtesy Mosaic Theater.

Anaseini Katoa as Esmeralda and Lynn Hawley as Nancy Reagan. Art: Chris Banks

The story of Pocahontas, a daughter of a Powhatan chief absorbed into white settler culture, mirrors that of many Native American tribes and their members. Nancy, Yazzie explains, is a meditation on the complexities of colonial power and its insidious ability to infiltrate Native social systems, with the character of Pocahontas standing in for this complex dynamic. “The idea of erasure and assimilation is a big piece of this experience. In any history of the US, there’s always a Native part that’s been left out. I always ask how you maintain your identity as a Native person. Pocahontas was complicit in allowing the English to settle. She plays into imported ideas of womanhood and authority. By a choice of assimilation or being complicit with white supremacy, you’re destroying your community more than the white community can destroy it.”

On Right Now

Macbeth, Shakespeare Theatre Company

Showing 9 Apr – 5 May shakespearetheatre.org

Could there be a more compelling study of the effects and consequence of free will than William Shakespeare’s Macbeth? I chatted to Simon Godwin, the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, about the STC’s production of this classic tale, being staged in an industrial area of NE DC.

Take note: While tickets are already sold out, a limited range of $20 lottery seats will be made available through todaytix.com from April 7, so get online now and register for alerts.

Macbeth is a play that explores the concept of freedom of choice, and the consequences of this freedom. How is this theme interpreted in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of this classic work?

Simon: The play grapples with the riddle of agency versus destiny. How much are we really in control of our lives? In this production the witches, who make a series of powerful predictions at the start of the story, become a more empowered presence than usual: they become agents of change, as if leading Macbeth ever deeper into a spiral of terror and destruction, culminating in his own demise.

What has been a highlight of working with Ralph Fiennes and Indira Varma in the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth respectively?

Simon: Ralph and Indira bring to these roles an extraordinary depth of experience in classical acting. Ralph has

played many of the most iconic roles in Shakespeare and brings an exceptional understanding of his language. Working together with him for the third time has allowed us to build on our past successes to travel ever deeper into the psyche of Macbeth.

Indira combines a forensic understanding of the language and a delicate humanity and lack of judgment towards Lady Macbeth. Indira invites us to see Lady Macbeth as a complex, at times sympathetic, character who aspires to go beyond her situation, with disastrous and tragic consequences.

What does it mean to produce a play like Macbeth in Washington DC during a US presidential election year?

Simon: It’s a fantastic opportunity to share Shakespeare’s’ darkest study of power gone wrong in a city that’s navigating these questions every day. I can’t wait to be in fervent dialogue with audiences in Washington DC about this provocative and exhilarating story. u

Indira Varma and Ralph Fiennes in the Edinburgh production of Macbeth. Photo: Marc Brenner.

Macbeth: Simon Godwin. Photo: KK Ottesen.

Sp o tli ght on Shaw

by Sarah Payne

Sandwiches and Cocktails

Make Shaw Happy

When the COVID pandemic brought the world to a halt, it threw foodies Paul Taylor and Sheera Kurtz together. The two had been laid off from the Columbia Room, Shaw’s award-winning cocktail bar. Having “always loved sandwiches,” they discovered that the nuances of creating new Dagwoods aligned closely with their expertise in cocktails.

At the time, Taylor’s sister was caring for pandemic patients. Working from a ghost kitchen at the Columbia Room, Kurtz and Taylor decided to “do something that honored people who were helping everybody.”

“Sandwiches have always made us happy,” remarked Kurtz, and so was born Your Only Friend. For every sandwich they sold, they donated one to a

local hospital worker or first responder, ultimately donating over 3,000 sandwiches.

“People not only got behind a cause, but also behind the sandwiches themselves,” Kurtz said.

For four years, the two held regional pop-ups. Then, in January 2024, they opened a bricks and mortar Your Only Friend at 1114 Ninth St. NW in Shaw.

Your Only Friends is a whimsical sandwich and cocktail shop. On the more casual sandwich side are a few seats for customers to perch on. The cocktail bar, complete with an elaborate backlit stained-glass ceiling depicting sandwich ingredients, including an instantly-recognizable Duke’s Mayonnaise bottle, provides a more elevated experience.

The menu is inspired by “nostalgia” and the owners’ childhood, as well as international influences. More traditional sammies include a turkey, bacon and Swiss club, mortadella and mozzarella, and elevated versions of fast-food-style battered cod and cheese and chicken nugget sandwiches. The spicy panes con pavo, featuring Salvadoran braised turkey with hot chili oil, and the RPG, with char siu roast pork, Cantonese-style bok choy and hot duck sauce, are two of the more zesty offerings. The menu also includes vegetarian and vegan options.

The shop’s Sunday Sandwich Service gives adventurous palates an opportunity to sample innovative options created on the spot.

“You may not get the thing that you thought you were gonna get when you came in, but it’s going to be equally as delicious as the thing you thought you were gonna get,” Kurtz remarked.

In addition to classics like old

fashioneds, gimlets, sours and martinis, some of the cocktails are alcoholic riffs off favorite soft drinks, like the clarified Orange Julius, Irish cream soda and Dole whip. Spirit-free options include an old fashioned and a rum and clear cola.

The citrusy Atlantic Beach pie is a great finisher, if you have any room left.

Your Only Friend is open Wednesday and Thursday, 11 to 12 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 to 2 a.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Visit www. youronlyfrienddc.com to learn more.

An Ethiopian Restaurant

Where Everyone Is Family

Pictures and traditional East African art hang on the exposed brick walls of Family Ethiopian Restaurant at 1414 Ninth St. NW, making the cozy space truly feel like home.

For owner Seferash Yegezaw, the restaurant is a second home. She works seven days a week, open to close, even on holidays. “We are never closed,” Yegezaw said. “Especially for the holidays. I don’t

Seferash Yegezaw is the owner of Family Ethiopian Restaurant in Shaw.

Photo: Alexander M. Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets

Paul Taylor and Sheera Kurtz own Shaw’s Your Only Friend. Photo: Alexander M. Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets

want to close for my regular customers who don’t have family. I have to be their family.”

Born and raised in Ethiopia, Yegezaw came to the US when she was 18. Inspired by her heritage and her mother’s recipes, she cooked meals for her large family, which, in hindsight, was like cooking for a restaurant. When she relocated to the District, she wanted to share her love of food with the community, opening the restaurant in 2000. “I want to make sure that everything is perfect,” Yegezaw explained. “The name is Family and I have to prepare food as I would for my family.”

The menu is filled with classic Ethiopian recipes with a variety of vegan and vegetarian options. Most popular, she recounted, are the meat and vegetable platters that allow guests to sample a variety of different preparations and spices. In addition to classic, authentic dishes, the menu also features some fusion offerings, like the popular spring rolls served with a unique sweet and sour sauce that incorporates east African spices.

The restaurant’s spices and gluten-free injera are imported directly from Ethiopia, while the injera and much of the produce is sourced from local DMV businesses and fresh-farm markets.

The name Family, Yegezaw explained, not only honors loyal customers but also her support system. She named the restaurant after her siblings, friends and mentors who have been her family. “It’s not only mine, it’s everybody’s,” Yegezaw said.

Family Ethiopian Restaurant is open Monday through Sunday, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Visit www.familyethiopianrestaurant.com to learn more and place a takeout order.

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

Shaw Streets

by Pleasant Mann

ANC Single-Member District Meeting Focuses on Safety

The monthly Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) meetings that Commissioner Sranda Watkins (ANC 2G03) holds for the residents in her singlemember district are usually reserved affairs. However, the meeting on March 19 turned out to be a sounding board for the entire Shaw community. A shooting on Seventh and P Streets the weekend before, when seven people were wounded, two of them fatally, had gotten the neighborhood concerned again.

Watkins led the meeting, accompanied by ANC 2G’s chair, Rachelle Nigro. Commander James Boteler, of the Third District of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), took questions from the assembled residents. He started by saying that the weekend incident was disappointing in that crime statistics were starting to trend downwards. He noted that despite statistics, the community is not safe if people do not feel safe. Still, he noted that shootings in the Third District were down 47% from the same period in the previous year.

Regarding the incident on Seventh and P streets, Boteler said that it was believed that the attackers and victims knew each other. There was no evidence of any altercation at the Play DC club that would have led to the shooting. A photo of the car believed to have been used in the assault had been released to the public. Boteler also added that the case was now in the hands of the Homicide Division, which is one of the best in the country, with a high case closure rate.

A resident asked if Play DC was required to have a Reimbursable Detail Officer (RDO) from MPD.

Boteler said that the club did meet the requirement, but that officers have to be willing to work these assignments. Getting officers to fill these details with the force’s current limited personnel resources often makes RDOs unavailable. That led Nigro to note that Play DC’s settlement agreement with ANC 2G requires the presence of two RDOs to discourage loitering around the establishment during late hours.

A Shaw resident of 41 years complained that for the last six months there have been car break-ins along Q and Marion streets, without anything being done. Boteler replied that there had been a 34% reduction in thefts from autos. He stated that this reduction just does not happen on its own, it happens when the police make arrests. However, once an arrest is made, the person goes from the control of the police into the criminal justice system.

This led the resident to call for all the public safety agencies to get together. At that point, Watkins noted that a representative from the District’s Office of the Attorney General was present. Despite prodding from Watkins, the representative refused to address the residents. Boteler said that the U Street Task Force was an example of the judicial and public safety agencies working together. He concluded that the DC Council’s passage of the Secure DC omnibus crime law was a step in the right direction.

Shaw Main Streets

Holds Annual Meeting

This year’s Shaw Main Streets Annual Meeting was opened by Board Chair Gretchen Wharton and Executive Director Alexander Padro. Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau and Rosemary Suggs Evans, acting director of the Department of Small and Local Business Development, offered their greetings to the group. Then Padro presented highlights of the organization’s activities for the past year.

Padro started by noting that Shaw Main Streets had maintained its accreditation with the National Main Streets Center. It also presented a session at the National Main Streets Conference in Boston on LGBT small businesses, including an entrepreneur from Shaw. Shaw Main Streets has also kept the community informed about its small businesses through the Business Briefs and Shaw Streets columns in MidCity DC, published by Capital Community News. Shaw Main Streets had continued to offer grants to

neighborhood businesses and helped them apply for District grants, such as the Great Streets grant.

Responding to concerns about daytime illegal activity in the vicinity of Seventh and T streets NW, Shaw Main Streets helped to close a vestibule in a building that encouraged nefarious activity in an alley there. It also worked with the Howard Theater to establish First Friday Shaw Art Walks, once a month, on the 600 block of T Street, to bring a more festive vibe to the area.

Shaw Main Streets concluded its work with DC Water, supporting the businesses around the Northeast Boundary Tunnel construction site at Sixth Street and Rhode Island Avenue. Now that the tunnel is completed, the triangle park formerly on the construction site will be rededicated as Cooper-Gor-

Shaw Main Streets and Howard Theatre established First Friday Art Walks at Seventh and T Streets to enliven the neighborhood.

don Park, named after two Shaw community activists, with a stainless steel sculpture installed.

Shaw Main Streets’ new year will start with the purchase of a Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck for the Shaw Clean Team. Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto secured funding for an environmentally friendly EV truck to replace an 18-year-old pickup that was at the end of its life. Shaw Main Streets will also partner with Mayor Bowser for a neighborhood cleanup on April 27. Eat. Drink. Shaw, the organization’s fundraising gala, will be held on June 4 at the Howard Theater. And a Shaw Open House will showcase neighborhood businesses on June 22. Art All Night Shaw takes place on September 28, and Small Business Saturday returns on November 30. The final task of the night was to elect members of the Shaw Main Streets Board. The slate of officers

Photo: Alexander M. Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets

Third Police District Commander James Boteler and ANC Commissioners Sranda Watkins and Rachelle Nigro address the community and TV cameras about public safety in Shaw.

Photo: Alexander M. Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets

getting new terms included Antwain Coward (District Cryo), Graham King (Urban Athletic Club), Cheryl A. Lofton (Cheryl A. Lofton and Associates), Meredith Pitts (Mid City Development) and Yared Tesfaye (1942 DC/U Street Holdings). e slate was elected unanimously. e meeting ended with the announcement that a ra e would be held for those who attended, with the winner getting dinner for two at the Ambar Shaw restaurant.

Drug Free Zone

Set up in Shaw

e Metropolitan Police Department announced that it was setting up a Drug Free Zone in Shaw. Under the recently passed Secure DC Act, MPD is authorized to establish a drug free zone in a public space, where MPD o cers can require groups of two or more people to disperse if they are congregating for illicit drug activity. A Drug Free Zone can be set up for a maximum of ve days.

e boundaries of the Shaw Drug Free Zone were the 600-700 blocks of Florida Avenue, 600-700 blocks of S Street, 1800 block of Sixth Street and 1800-1900 blocks of Eighth Street. A school, Cleveland Elementary, was in the zone. e zone was in e ect Wednesday morning, April 3, and ended on Monday evening, April 8.

Eat. Drink. Shaw.

Scheduled for June 4 Shaw Main Streets will hold its annual food and beverage showcase fundraiser, Eat. Drink. Shaw, on Tuesday evening, June 4, at the Howard eater. Eat. Drink. Shaw. features the neighborhood’s world-renowned restaurants and bars to show what they do best. is year at least 20 Shaw restaurants will be o ering 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. ◆

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 1B held its meeting for March on ursday evening, March 7, 2024. It was conducted as a virtual meeting. e commissioners in attendance were Sabel Harris (1B08, Chair), 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).

Alcoholic Beverage Regulation (ABR) Committee

Etopia Eatery, 1301 U Street NW. Request for a stipulated license. e committee was in favor of the request. A motion for the commission to support the application passed six in favor, one against, no abstentions.

e Box, 2015 14th Street NW. Request for a medical marijuana dispensary license. e committee suggested protesting the license. ere has been an issue of people queuing outside the establishment and the fact that it is near the Saint Augustine School. e school does not have standing to protest the license. A motion to protest the marijuana license passed, 6-0-1.

Sean Holihan (1B02) was supposed to represent ANC 1B before the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board, challenging the license of the Shaw Howard Deli after someone was fatally shot outside the establishment. However, he missed the hearing. e board would not grant another opportunity to testify.

Economic Development Committee

e committee has yet to receive an update from the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development on the status of the Reeves Center redevelopment project. Media reports say that there may have to be a map amendment made to let the project go forward.

e committee discussed the proposed bill to

ANC 1B

by Pleasant Mann

establish a social housing agency in the District. It also discussed the plans for a Performance Based Parking district on U Street. e question the district raises is what entity will manage the money generated.

Commissioner Harris noted that there was a sixth hearing scheduled to discuss the map amendment for the 1617 U Street site.

Public Safety and Community Engagement Committee

e committee held a community safety walk with local churches. It also would like the commission to approve an $80 grant for a community yoga event. e grant was approved.

Zoning, Preservation and Development Committee

2012 10th Street NW. Support for a proposal going before the Historic Preservation Review Board. e committee was shown two alternatives by the developer, a three-story and a fourstory plan for a ve-unit renovation. e building currently has three stories but could have a fourth oor added. e committee preferred the threestory plan, objecting to the massing and density of the four- oor proposal.

A motion was made to support the three-story plan as appropriate for the historic character of the neighborhood. An amendment was made that stated the commission did not support the fourstory plan. e motion passed 4-1-1. Another motion was made that supported the project as being compatible with the historic district. at motion passed 4-1-0.

1235 W Street NW. Support for concept approval to add two side bay extensions, replace former front bay projection and rear one-story addition. e project had come before the commission before. However, the Board of Zoning Adjustment had declined the project’s request for zoning relief, so that was no longer an issue. Commissioner Sycamore still had a problem with the

compatibility of the project with the other buildings on the block. Commissioner Jones made a motion to support the project proposal. e motion passed 4-2-0.

216 T Street NW. A two-story building adding a third story as a matter of right. e committee received three options for the project. ey found the rst and second options acceptable. A motion to support the project passed, 4-1-0.

K.C. Lewis Fields

Commissioner Handerhan introduced a resolution that supported an e ort by ANC 1E to improve the K.C. Lewis athletic elds. Even though the site was not technically in the ANC 1B area, he thought it close enough to warrant support to improve it. e motion passed unanimously.

Great Streets Grant

Commissioner Trindade Deramo introduced a resolution to support the application of the Beta Academy, a martial arts studio, to receive a Great Streets grant from the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. ey have been at their present location for 15 years. If they receive the grant, they will make improvements to their studio, including a martial arts exhibit. e resolution passed, 7-0-0.

Commissioner Resignation

Commissioner Sean Holihan (1B02) resigned his position on February 28. Commissioner Harris believed that the Board of Elections had yet to announce the vacancy. When it does, then the process can begin to elect a new commissioner to the position.

ANC 1B will hold its next meeting on ursday, April 4, starting at 6:30 p.m. Plans are to hold this meeting as a hybrid in person and virtual conference. Visit www.anc1b.org for more information. ◆

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2G held its monthly meeting for March on ursday evening, March 14, 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), Sranda Watkins (2G03, Secretary), Steven McCarty (2G04, Vice Chair) and Sheena Berry (2G05) were in attendance.

Third Police District Report

Lieutenant Alan Herring (PSA 308) gave the ird Police District report. ere were no homicides or assaults over the last month. ere were two burglaries, 20 general thefts and nine stolen vehicles in the ANC 2G area. Commissioner Padro asked about a string of auto break-ins on the 700 block of Q Street NW on March 3. Padro also asked about broken windows at the Urban Grape store and Petite Cerise restaurant. Commissioner Watkins asked the Lieutenant if he could come to her single member district meeting the following Tuesday. He said he could.

Events DC

Solana Vander Nat of Events DC reported that there were nine events at the Washington Convention Center being held during the rest of March. She announced that the Convention Center was resuming tours of its art collection on March 28. Vander Nat described it as the largest non-museum publicly accessible art collection in DC, with 137 works from 93 artists.

Commissioner Nigro noted that a resident had asked when all of the red glass kiosks on the Ninth Street side of the convention center would open. Vander Nat replied that Events DC had done all it could do to facilitate the kiosks opening and that the tenants had the burden of getting the proper permits to complete their buildout. Commissioner Padro felt he had to explain that he and Nigro had a

ANC 2G

by Pleasant Mann

video conference with Events DC leadership and that the call appeared to have ended with everything being worked out with the Department of Health. He concluded that the ANC would have to go back to the kiosk tenants to nd out what problems remained that are still keeping them from opening.

Zoning, Planning and Historic Preservation Committee

1322 Ninth Street NW. Request for support of zoning relief. Commissioner McCarty said that the project, which would build on a vacant lot, had overwhelming support from the community. He noted that there had been concerns from an adjacent property owner about light that the developers had since addressed.

e developers are asking for four areas of relief: lot occupancy, the setback requirement for the penthouse, a side yard setback requirement and relief from the minimum parking requirement. e request for relief was needed because the project is between two existing buildings and a historic carriage house is being preserved.

Commissioner Padro said that he could not support the zoning relief if it included a reduction in parking. He stated that the commission had a long-standing policy to not support parking relief. McCarty replied that parking was not a big concern of his constituents. Commissioner Nigro added that the Zoning committee supported all four of the relief items. Commissioner Berry said that other neighbors are a ected by what is done in a single member district.

McCarty made a motion to support the request for zoning relief. e motion failed by a vote of 2 yeas, 3 nays and one abstention.

Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Licensing Committee (ABCL)

1250 Ninth Street NW, All Purpose Pizzeria. e establishment wanted to have the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) ap-

prove the expansion of their license to a currently vacant neighboring retail space. Commissioner McCarty said the only concern he has heard about the expansion is the issue of deliveries. e owners replied that they are committed to only using the loading zone on Ninth Street for deliveries. Commissioner Padro announced that the ABCL Committee supported the move. A vote to approve the restaurant expansion passed unanimously.

1301 Ninth Street NW, e Urban Grape. Commissioner Padro explained that although the Urban Grape had only opened recently, the renewal of its license has already come up. A motion to support the renewal of the license passed unanimously.

501 New York Avenue NW Update

Commissioner Nigro reported that the Board of Zoning Adjustment hearing on ANC 2G’s appeal of the issuance of building permits to create a jail at 501 New York Avenue NW took place the day before. It went on for ve hours. e lawyer that the ANC hired made a good case for the appeal. A decision from the board will take at least a month.

Nigro asked for a resolution to make another request to the O ce of ANCs (OANC) for a grant for legal assistance with the appeal. ANC 2G had received a $5,000 grant from OANC and now she wanted to make another request for $5,000. Commissioner Padro wondered if the fact that the OANC has hired a Land Use Counsel would make them less likely to approve a new grant.

A motion to request another $5,000 grant from OANC for legal expenses passed unanimously.

ANC 2G will hold its next meeting on ursday, April 11. e meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. Plans are to hold this meeting as a virtual conference. Visit www. anc2g.org for more information. ◆

BULLETIN BOARD

Smithsonian Craft Show: Creating Joy

From May 2 to 5, the Smithsonian Craft Show celebrates the work of America’s best craft and design artists. Preview night is Wednesday, May 1, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.; $250 to $500. General admission tickets are $20; ursday to Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. e show features basketry, ceramics, decorative ber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable arts and wood. e Smithsonian Craft Show: Creating Joy is at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Proceeds from the show bene t the programs and museums of the Smithsonian. www.smithsoniancraftshow.org

Guillotine Theatre Presents a Staged Reading of “Willfull”

What if a boundary-busting, cross-plotted band of Shakespeare’s “doomed” women barges into one another’s plays, seeking out their sisters (and brothers) to save them from their own dramatic paths of destruction? How could any self-respecting Bard take it lying down? Guillotine eatre presents a staged reading of Peter Guttmacher’s new play, “Willfull,” at 2 p.m. in Artomatic’s Cabaret eatre, 2100 M St. NW ( fth oor), on Sunday, April 21, at 2 p.m. Free; no reservations needed. www.georgetowntheatre.org

Wednesday Night Bingo at American Ice Company

e Capital City Showcase hosts a night of bingo at American Ice Company, 917 V St. NW, every Wednesday at 7 p.m. e game is free to play, and seating is on a rst-come, rstserved basis. e winner of each round gets a $25 American Ice Company gift certi cate for their next visit. Also available are $5 Narragansetts, $15 Narragansett pitchers and $2 wines. For questions and information, email capitalcityshowcase@gmail.com.

First-Time Homebuyer Fair

On Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., visit the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW, for a free, daylong fair to learn about the steps

involved in purchasing a home. www.nbm.org

CityCenterDC Market Opens for Season

CityCenterDC Market, 1098 New York Ave. NW, is open Tuesdays, May 7 to Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located in the Park at CityCenter, this lunchtime market o ers fresh produce and lunch options, all featuring local and seasonal ingredients. www. freshfarm.org/markets/ citycenterdc

Capital Rare Book Fair

From May 3 to 5, the Capital Rare Book Fair brings 35+ antiquarian booksellers from across the country to the University Club, 1135 16th St. NW. Featured speakers over the weekend will include royal expert and biographer Hugo Vickers, best-selling YA author and actress Christy Cashman and University of Pennsylvania Law School professor of constitutional law Kermit Roosevelt III, among others. Friday’s Preview

Wearable art by Starr Hagenbring.

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors

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

DC Open Doors

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.

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

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo 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.

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.

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

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.

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. Homebuyers

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

COVID-19

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo 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

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.

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Penn Quarter Market Opens for Season

Penn Quarter Market, 801 F St. NW (between Seventh and Ninth), is open for the season on Thursdays, 3 to 7 p.m., through Nov. 9. It is located in front of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum. This was the neighborhood of Center Market, where for more than 100 years Washingtonians shopped for their meats, fruits and vegetables. Penn Quarter Market offers conventional and organic fruits and vegetables, grassfed meats, farmstead sheep cheeses, sweet and savory baked goods, cut flowers, prepared foods, local beer and spirits, and more. www.freshfarm.org/markets/penn-quarter

Party tickets are $50 and include admission to the fair for the entire weekend. General admission on Saturday and Sunday is $15, $10 for students, and free for those under 16. Tickets are available at the door and allow multiple entries on different days. www.finefairs.com

(Cheat) Trivia Night at the Keegan

On Wednesday, May 1, from 6 to 8 p.m., join friends and fans of the Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW, for a social evening of trivia for cheaters. Bring a team and compete to be named the brainiest theater lovers in the city, or cheat your way to the top by buying cheats along the way. Complimentary pizza, wings and snacks provided, plus the first drink is included. $35. All proceeds benefit the Keegan Theatre and 2024 programming. www.keegantheatre.com/portfolio/cheat-trivia-night

Free Legal Advice at MLK Library

On the first Monday of every month, 1 to 3 p.m., Neighborhood Legal Services Program

attorneys help with debt collection protection, criminal records sealing, disability and other public benefits, student loans, unemployment and wrongful placement on the child protection registry. No appointment needed. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is at 901 G St. NW. www.dclibrary.org

Web Accessibility Discussion Group

Web accessibility specialist Benjamin Gray hosts a Web Accessibility Discussion Group on the third Thursday night of each month, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., through September, in-person and over Zoom, at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. The goal is to give a general understanding of web accessibility. He will present material starting with WCAG and including topics like PDF accessibility and accessibility testing. For a Zoom link please email DCPLaccess@dc.gov or call 202-727-2142.www. dclibrary.org

SAAM Fellows Lectures

On Wednesday, May 8, Thursday, May 9, and Friday, May 10, from 1 to 5 p.m. (all three days), join the 202324 SAAM Fellows as they present new scholarship on a range of topics and time periods, media and messages. This program highlights a new generation of scholars who are engaging the Smithsonian’s collections and archives in order to tell new stories about American art. The lectures are held in person, and online; registration is required. The Smithsonian American Art Museum is at Eighth and G streets NW. www.americanart.si.edu

Trivia Night: The Great Outdoors

On Tuesday, April 23, 5:00 to 6:45 p.m., celebrate Earth Day at the National Portrait Gallery with a free happy-hour trivia night. Together

with New Columbia Pub Quiz, test your knowledge of climate superheroes and Mother Nature. The game can be played individually or in teams of up to six people. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the evening. The Courtyard Cafe will be open during the event, and snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. The next Trivia Night is Tuesday, May 28, from 5:00 to 6:45 p.m., and has the theme AAHPI Heritage Night. The National Portrait Gallery is at Eighth and G streets NW. www. npg.si.edu

Improv for All at MLK Library

On Saturday, April 27, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., join the DC Public Library in partnership with the Washington Improv Theater (WIT) for a free, introductory workshop designed to share the ideas and spirit of improv.

Lives, Loves, and Loss: Remembering the Families

On Saturday, May 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., explore the lives, loves and losses of the enslaved families at George Washington’s Mount Vernon with a special guided tour (free tour ticket required), family activity and ceremonial remembrance. Bring your own stories of love and loss that connect your family to the past, and learn about the families of Boatswain and Myrtilla, Hercules and Alice and others who suffered the loss of loved ones. Tour included with admission. www.mountvernon.org

Potomac Water Taxi Returns for Season

DC Water Taxi offers transportation to and from The Wharf, Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria and National Harbor. Enjoy scenic views from a sheltered glass enclosure or soak in the spring sun from the roof of the boat while you sail past traffic. Departures begin at the Wharf at 11:45 a.m., every 30 minutes to one hour depending on the day of the week. Purchase a Water Taxi season pass for just $225. One-way and round-trip tickets are also available at $22. www.cityexperiences.com

District Tickets Available for Nats Home Games

Approximately 400 District Tickets are now available for each home game and must be purchased in person at the Nationals Park Center Field Gate box office. (Visit www.nats.com/boxoffice for current box office hours.) The tickets can be purchased prior to game day. Fans are limited to four games and four tickets per game per transaction, and will be asked to show proof of DC residency. Pricing varies by game, starting as low as $5 for Value and Regular games, $9 for Prime games, $15 for Marquee games and $25 for Diamond games. They are non-transferrable and non-resalable. District Tickets replace the previous walk-up program in which approximately 400 discounted tickets were available at the box office only on the day of the game. District Tickets may be purchased on the day of the game if supplies are available. www.nats.com/District

This in-person workshop will last approximately 90 minutes. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is at 901 G St. NW. www.dclibrary.org

Explore DC Public Library Databases

On Thursday, May 2, noon to 1:30 p.m., join DC Library staff for a free presentation and workshop about the library’s information resources. 202-0 Computer Lab, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. www.dclibrary.org

Pups in the Park

On April 23, June 3, Aug. 2 and Sept.

10 and 27, at 6:45 p.m., bring your dog to a game at Nationals Park. Pups in the Park enables you and your dog to enjoy the game with other dogs and dog lovers from seats in a pet-friendly outfield reserved section. All proceeds from dogticket sales are donated to the Humane Rescue Alliance. Human tickets are $35; dog tickets, $10. Please note, dogs are only permitted in sections 136-143. No dogs, excluding verified service animals, are allowed outside of these sections.

Full information regarding Pups in the Park will be emailed to all special-ticketevent buyers 24 hours prior to the game.

www.mlb.com/nationals/tickets/specials/pups-in-the-park

Lighting up the night sky, fireworks return to the ballpark on Friday nights: April 19, May 3 and Sept. 13, and special Freedom Fireworks on July 3.

Photo: Courtesy of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club

WABA’s Bloom Ride & Spring Picnic

On Saturday, May 4, at 9:30 a.m., at Franklin Park, 1332 I St. NW, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association will host a leisurely ride through the region as the owers bloom and the air lls with the scents of spring. A picnic afterwards will o er boxed lunches, chilled drinks and desserts (included with registration). ere are two routes: Petals and Pedals (20 miles) and Blossom Expedition (3 miles). Registration fees support WABA’s work in the DC region and its mission to empower people to ride bikes, build connections and transform places. www.waba.org

Anacostia River Festival

at Anacostia Park

e 11th Street Bridge Park and the National Park Service present the Tenth Annual Anacostia River Festival on Saturday, May 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit www.bbardc.org/ events/2024-05/ for details.

Friends of the SW Library Book Sale

e Friends of the SW Library are holding a book sale on Saturday, April 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m., on the second oor of the Southwest Library, 900 Wesley Pl. SW. Most items are $1 or less with a $5 bag sale on Sunday, 2 to 3 p.m. Proceeds go to library supplies and programs not provided for in the city’s budget. Payment can be made with cash, checks and Venmo. ere is some parking in the rear of the building. Email friendsofswlibrary@gmail. com for more information.

Capitol Hill Classic

10k Registration Open

e 43rd annual National Capital Bank Capitol Hill Classic is on May 19. Washington’s largest and oldest 10k brings runners through the roadways of historic Capitol Hill, winding past the US Capitol,

Life on a Sustainable Planet Symposium

On Thursday, April 18, 10:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., in celebration of Earth Day 2024, former fellows of the National Museum of Natural History Dr. Peter Buck Fellowship program will present short talks related to their own science journeys. The symposium will offer an opportunity for the Smithsonian Science community and the public to network and hear from science leaders of the future on how their work is contributing to exploring and understanding our natural world. Free to the public, the symposium will feature expert speakers on topics such as “Assessing Global Change,” “Exploring and Understanding Biodiversity,” “Understanding Earth’s Origin and Evolution” and “Humans in the 21st Century.” www.naturalhistory.si.edu

EU Open House 2024

On Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the European Union and its embassies open their doors to the public for a day of culture, food, music and more. No registration, tickets or passport required. This annual event celebrates Europe Day by opening embassy doors to the public so that Americans can catch a glimpse of the cultures that make up the European Union. www. eeas.europa.eu/delegations/united-states-america/euopen-house-2024_en

Remaining National Gallery Nights

The remaining popular (and free) National Gallery Nights take place on Thursday, April 11, and May 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. The evenings feature music, live performances, artmaking and pop-up talks. Light fare and beverages, including beer, wine and specialty cocktails, are available for purchase throughout the East Building and in the Terrace Cafe and Espresso & Gelato Bar. The April and May programs also feature activities on the Fourth Street Plaza which are open to all without registration. Registration is available through a lottery, the week before each event. Additional passes are available at the East Building entrance, first come, first served, starting at 5:30 p.m. on the afternoon of each event. www.nga. gov/calendar/community-events/nights

Lincoln Park, East Capitol Street, and the Fields at RFK. A 3k and kids’ fun run will follow the 10k. The 10k ($50) starts at 8:30 a.m.; the 3k ($40) immediately following the conclusion of the 10k, and the fun run ($15) immediately following the 3k. Registration is open at www.capitolhillclassic. com/registration.

DGS’s Spring and Summer Readiness Activities

District residents can report certain maintenance needs through DC 311 year-round, such as landscaping, dog park maintenance, playground repairs, indoor pool maintenance and overflowing recycling cans at Department of Parks and

Recreation and DC Public Schools playgrounds. During the spring and summer seasons, residents can also submit requests for mowing services at over 600 District-owned locations, as well as requests for spray park and outdoor pool maintenance. www.dgs.dc.gov

National Gallery Nights in April and May also feature activities on the Fourth Street Plaza which are open to all without registration.

The Great Brookland Yard Sale

The Great Brookland Yard Sale ‒ a day for Brookland residents to host concurrent yard sales ‒ is on Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (rain date, May 18). Sales are all over Brookland, in individual seller’s yards, businesses and churches. Check closer to the date for an interactive map. Printed maps are available for pick up at Atlantic Electric on sale day. www.brooklandcivic.org/gbys

SW Night Market Opens for Season

The SW Night Market, Fourth and M streets SW, opens for the season on May 10, on alternate Fridays, 4 to 10 p.m., through Sept. 27. Exact dates are May 10 and 24, June 7 and 21, July 5 and 19, Aug. 2, 16 and 30, and Sept. 13 and 27. This eclectic night market features a diverse mix of art, crafts, handmade jewelry, accessories, bath/beauty, vintage and antique furniture and home furnishings. On-stage musicians and DJs curate a mix of live music and evening soundtracks. Specialty food businesses, a beer garden, a cigar lounge and food trucks add to the programming mix. www.marketswdc.com

Marine Corps Evening Parades Resume

The 2024 Marine Corps Evening Parades, at Eighth and I streets SE, are every Friday from May 3 to Aug. 23. Gates open at 7 p.m. and close at 8 p.m. The parade begins at 8:45 p.m. and concludes at 10 p.m. Reservations are required. Guests will see performances by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and the esteemed United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon. Following the ceremony, guests will have the opportunity to meet Marines who performed, as well as take photographs with the Marine Barracks mascot, Chesty XVI. www.barracks.marines.mil/Parades/Friday-Evening-Parade-Schedule-Reservation

Free DPR Lifeguard Training

DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation employs the International Lifeguard Training Program (ILTP) to train and certify lifeguards to work both indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities throughout the District. Candidates must be 16 or older and must pass the prerequisite screening on the first day of class, which includes the following: a 100-yard swim (continuous using an approach stroke, freestyle or breaststroke); retrieve a 10-pound dive brick from the deepest part of the train-

ing facility; tread water without the use of hands for one minute; exit the pool unassisted and without the use of steps or a ladder. Additional details and information at www.dpr.dc.gov/lifeguard.

The Mid-City DC Bulletin Board

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. u

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.

Kids & Family

Kids Run the Bases at Nat’s Park

Kids ages four to ¬twelve can run the bases after every Sunday day game throughout the season. This year’s dates are April 7 and 21; May 5 and 26; June 9 and 16; July 7 and 21; Aug. 4 and 11; and Sept. 1 and 15. Kids Run the Bases begins immediately following the game, weather permitting. An adult must accompany runners to the field. Once the game has ended, it takes the grounds crew approximately 20 minutes to prepare the field. Kids and parents/guardians can begin lining up at the end of the seventh inning. Participants must exit the ballpark through the Right Field Gate. The line forms outside of the park on the sidewalk along First St. washington.nationals.mlb.com.

Ride the Antique Carousel at Flower Mart

The National Cathedral’s 85th Flower Mart “In Bloom” is on Friday, May 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to their carousel, Flower Mart has a Children’s Area with an array of games and carnival rides. Tickets for the carousel, rides, and games, can be purchased at the ticket booth in the Children’s Area. All Hallows Guild has hosted Flower Mart since 1939. Flower Mart is the largest annual fundraiser for the Cathedral’s gardens and grounds. It features a white elephant tent, an international floral display, plants and gifts for sale, tower climbs, free live entertainment and food. allhallowsguild.org.

Divinity Roxx at the KC

On Friday, May 3, 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; and Sunday, May 5, 1:30 p.m., celebrate self-love and positivity in Divinity Roxx’s fun and empowering live show. The upbeat and sunny music is filled with powerful messages that encourage young people to become the best versions of themselves. A Grammy-nominated musician, Divinity is praised for her ability to inspire others with her infectious grooves and memorable lyrics. She recently released her first family music album Ready, Set, Go! along with two picture books published by Scholastic, Inc. Tickets are $20. Divinity Roxx is most enjoyed by aged five, up. kennedy-center.org.

Marine Corps Marathon Kids’ Run Registration Opens

Registration has started for the MCM Kids Run which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, in Arlington, VA at the North Pentagon Parking Lot. Children ages five to twelve can participate in the one-mile fun run. Pre- and post-event hospitality, activities, entertainment, games and mascots make this an unforgettable event. The Kids Run offers families eight start time options between 9:20 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. marinemarathon.com.

Divinity Roxx

Photo: Courtesy of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club

All Hallows Guild’s antique carousel dates from around 1890 and is one of only two surviving carousels manufactured by the U.S. Merry-Go-Round Corporation.

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Flying Circus Airshow Kid’s Day

Every Sunday, May through October, gates open at 11 a.m. for the Flying Circus Airshow just off Route 17, at 5114 Ritchie Road (Route 644) in Bealeton, VA. On Kid’s Day, May 19, kids under 18 are free. Vendors and special activities are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pre-show starts at 2 p.m. Airshow is from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Admission prices are $20 for adults; $15 for military; $10 for kids five to twelve; under five, free. flyingcircusairshow.com.

Spring Break Day of Play at RFK

On Tuesday, April 16, noon to 4 p.m., Events DC hosts a free, field-based event to gather adults and youth in DC for a day of fun and friendly competition. It features music, food trucks and activities for all ages. Assemble your squad of friends, teammates, or family--create your team of adults, youth or both to come play. Teams can be co-ed. Registration is required and free at playrfk.splashthat.com. All kids must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18. Day of Play is at the Fields of RFK Campus, 401 Oklahoma Ave. NE. playrfk.splashthat.com.

Gay Men’s Chorus Youth Invasion Concert

On Sunday, April 28 at 4 p.m., at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE, the GenOUT Youth Chorus returns for their annual concert, Youth Invasion. This year, GenOUT will collaborate with the chorus of Jackson-Reed High School under the direction of Ronté Pierce. The concert will include songs such as “The Rainbow Connection,” “Sanctuary,” “The Storm is Passing Over,” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’” among many others. Tickets are free but reservations are required. gmcw.org/youth-invasion.

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.

Kids Welcome at Anacostia Watershed Society Earth Day Cleanup

Kids, accompanied by an adult, can join in the Anacostia Watershed Society’s Earth Day Cleanup—a DC-area tradition where thousands of volunteers cleanup sites all along the Anacostia River and its tributary streams throughout the watershed in DC, Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. On the Saturday following Earth Day, thousands of volunteers come out to dozens of different sites to pick-up trash, serve their communities, and enjoy the Anacostia River. Registration is now open for the 2024 cleanup which is on Saturday, April 20 10 a.m. to noon. Preregistration is required to volunteer and

to get the coveted t-shirt at anacostiaws.org.

Great Movies in the Great Hall: The Lord of the Rings

Calling all Middle-Earth enthusiasts! Join the National Building Museum for a screening of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in the Museum’s Great Hall on Saturday, April 27, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.). The evening begins with a virtual presentation by Joey Wilson-Brook, a Tolkien researcher, from Edinburgh, Scotland. Wilson-Brook will set the scene for the journey into Middle-Earth, highlighting architectural points from Tolkien’s best-known work and its translation from page to the big screen. Whether you’re an elf, a hobbit, a dwarf, or a wizard, showcase your creativity and come dressed to impress. Please bring your own blankets or lawn chairs for seating in the Great Hall. Picnicking is welcome. Popcorn from District Pop will be available to purchase. Beverages (including beer and wine) will also be available for purchase. $15 for adults; under twelve, free; $5 for students. The National Building Museum is at 401 F St. NW. nbm.org.

Animal Family Days at Mount Vernon

On Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., experience a rare opportunity to see sheep, oxen and horses during Animal Family Days. Learn about Mount Vernon’s animals and the jobs they performed in the 18th century. Hear stories about the enslaved people who cared for the animals, such as Giles, a coachman, Peter Hardiman, a horse groom, and Kitty, a dairymaid. Explore the importance of fish and the Potomac River and the importance of horses in Washington’s life. $28 admission for adults; $15 for ages six to eleven; five and under, free. Mount Vernon is at 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA. mountvernon.org.

For the safety of their heritage breeds, disturbing or feeding animals is not permitted.

Saturday Morning Live! at the National Fun takes center stage at the National Theatre for Saturday Morning Live. Kids are invited to the Helen Hayes Gallery space on select Saturday mornings at 9:30 and 11 a.m. for wow-inspiring children’s entertainment of all sorts, from interactive performances, puppets, dance, and music. On Saturday, April 27, see Off the Page where the magic of books can transport us to new worlds; illustrations and entire adventures can lift right off the page. When an imaginative young child dives into a book, the stories come to life around them. Through dance, music, puppetry, and vibrant imagery, this world premiere production will literally unfold before your eyes! Saturday Morning at the National shows are best enjoyed by ages three to six, but anyone is welcome to join in the fun. Tickets are free, but they request that you register in advance. Walk-up tickets are subject to availability. The National Theatre is at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. nationaltheatre.org/saturday-morning-live.

Blossom Kids Website

Kids can learn all about the cherry blossoms with games, puzzles, art and history at nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/in-the-community/blossomkids.

Hello, Museo

Join educators from the National Postal Museum (Byrne Classroom, 3rd floor), every other Tuesday, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., for a bilingual (English and Spanish) program featuring music, stories, crafts, and gallery exploration. Upcoming dates are April 16 and 30; May 14 and 28; June 11 and 25 and on and on. Designed for children ages two to five and their caregivers but all are welcome. Registration not required. The Smithsonian National Postal Museum is at 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE. postalmuseum.si.edu.

Únase a los educadores del Museo Postal Nacional cada dos martes para un programa bilingüe que presenta música, historias, artesanías y exploración de galerías. Diseñado para niños de 2 a 5 años y sus cuidadores, ¡pero todos son bienvenidos!

The Glen Echo Dentzel Carousel Opens for Season

You’re invited for a ride on one of the greater Washington area’s true treasures. Installed at Glen Echo Park in 1921, the canopy and the carved gures were made by the Dentzel Carousel Company of Germantown, PA. It is a classic example of hand woodcarving popular during the early 1900s. From 1983 through 2003, the entire carousel was fully restored. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. e carousel opens for the season on April 27. During carousel season. tickets are available for purchase in person at the carousel’s ticket booth during regular operating hours. Every person must have their own ticket, including babies and accompanying adults. Children under six must be accompanied by a paying adult to ride. $2 per ride; $5 for an all-day pass. Glen Echo Park is at 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. glenechopark.org/carousel.

Brick Fest Live (inspires, educates and entertains)

At Brick Fest Live you can see the most life-size models made from thousands of bricks built to unlock your imagination and enjoy hands-on activities and attractions assembled for maximum family fun. You can also meet contestants from the LEGO Masters TV; dive-in and get a photo with over 200,000 bricks; build, race and win at a 35 ft track; tag the gra ti wall with your name and special design; and create art mosaic and display it in the gallery. Brick Fest Live is at the Prince George Sports & Learning Complex in Landover MD on Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, April 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets are $19 to $39. Paid admission is required for all attendees ages three and older including all parents and/or guardians. Children two and under are free. brickfestlive.com.

The World & Me: Exploring Earth’s Biodiversity

On Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., join the Natural History Museum for a special e World & Me as they celebrate biodiversity, movement, and the planet we call home with local dancers from company, Company | E, musicians from Sound Impact, science students from Howard University, and educators from the National Museum of Natural History. Watch a performance titled Letters to Earth and explore di erent hands-on activities with museum specimens, microscopes, and more to learn about DNA and some of the tiny and large organisms we share the Earth with. Registration not required. naturalhistory.si.edu.

Earth Day Family Festival

On Saturday, April 20, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., join the National Portrait Gallery and the American Art Museum in the Kogod Courtyard to learn how art and science can help protect the earth. Attendees of all ages can enjoy nature-themed activities and there will be face painting for children 12 and under. A scavenger hunt in the galleries features works from both museums that highlight the Earth’s natural wonders and the various ways artists help care for our planet. Free but registration is encouraged. americanart.si.edu.

Tot Rock: Groovy Nate at Discovery Theater

On Tuesday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 25, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m., get your young ones, ages three to six, ready to dance with Groovy Nate and his interactive mix of comedy, music, and puppets. is performance encourages kids and families to move, sing, and play together creatively with many instruments and musical genres.

Children’s Business Fair at Dupont Circle

On Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (rain date, May 11), come to the largest entrepreneurship event for children in North America. is morninglong fair at 1521 20th St. NW (Dupont Circle), gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses. Children ages six to fourteen are invited to create a product or service and sell to customers at this morning-long market. Judges award prizes to recognize excellent work. Past businesses have included handmade greeting cards, a pet-sitting service for exotic birds, a photobomb booth, and a lemonade stand that donated a percentage of pro ts to protect honeybees. e possibilities are limited only to what children can create. Originally started in Austin, Texas, the Acton Children’s Business Fair has grown to over 455 fairs around the world, serving 23,022 young entrepreneurs in 206 cities and 12 countries. dcchildrensbusinessfair.org.

Groovy Nate is a children’s entertainer who creates fun and educational shows using funky grooves, exotic musical instruments, and comedy. He is a graduate of Howard University where he studied jazz music and guitar. Shows are $8 for adults; $7 for kids; $3 for kids under two. Discovery eater’s Ripley Center is at 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW (on the National Mall). discoverytheater.org.

Taiko Drumming at Natural History

On ursday, May 9, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m., Taiko drum artist Mark Rooney mixes the traditional power of this huge instrument with a modern vibe. His interactive performance rocks the house with massive sound and energy as participants learn some fascinating musical history and Japanese vocabu-

lary—and have a chance to try their hand at playing these big drums. Taiko Drumming is at the Natural History Museum’s Baird Auditorium. Shows are $8 for adults; $7 for kids; $3 for kids under two. discoverytheater.org.

BEST Kids Superhero 5k & Fun Run

BEST Kids Superhero 5k &

Fun Run

is a celebration of the everyday heroes that make a positive impact in the lives of kids in DC’s foster care system. ere are many ways to participate including running/walking the race, becoming a sponsor or volunteering. is family-friendly and strollerfriendly race is on Saturday, May 18, 8 a.m. and begins Bluemont Park, 601 N. Manchester St. Arlington, VA. e 5k registration is $30; youth 5k, $15; kids fun run, free. bestkids.org. ◆