Mid City DC Magazine – September 2024 by Capital Community News

Photo

Victoria Pickering, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets.

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Spirit & Strength: Modern Art from Haiti at the NGA

Art flourished in Haiti—the world’s first Black republic—in the mid-1900s. Painters like Hector Hyppolite, Rigaud Benoît, and Philomé Obin were known around the world for their images of Haitian daily life, religious traditions, and history. Their works influenced generations of African American artists. Several, including Lois Mailou Jones and Eldzier Cortor, traveled to and worked in Haiti. From Sept. 29 to March 9, 2025, Spirit & Strength is a chance to see 21 works by Haitian artists recently given to the National Gallery. Get an introduction to Haitian modern art and experience the remarkable creations of some of the most prominent artists in Haiti’s history alongside works by artists building upon their legacy today. nga.gov.

H Street Festival

Held on Sept. 21, noon to 7 p.m., the H Street Festival is located between Third and 15th streets NE. One of DC’s most anticipated and highly attended festivals, it has 15 staging areas that are diversely themed and programmed to target different segments of audiences. The staging areas feature music, dance, youth-based performances, interactive children’s programs, fashion, heritage arts, poetry and many more. The festival started as a 500-participant block party more than 19 years ago; it has now grown into a 150,000 participant event. hstreetfestival.org.

Mister Lincoln at Ford’s

In this witty and revelatory one-man show starring Scott Bakula as President Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln shares stories of himself during some of our country’s most important historical events. From his own perspective, first as a prairie lawyer and anti-slavery advocate in Illinois, to later in Washington as president of the United States, when he signs the Emancipation Proclamation and becomes the liberator, this insightful play leans on Lincoln’s own brilliant language to reveal surprising aspects of the life of one of our nation’s greatest presidents. Mister Lincoln is at Ford’s Theatre, 514 10th St. NW, from Sept. 20 to Oct. 13. fords.org.

Wilson Bigaud, Adam and Eve, 1953, oil on board, 25 x 30 1/2 in. National Gallery of Art, Promised Gift of Beverly and John Fox Sullivan. Photo: Luke Christopher

Scott Bakula

at (202) 545-0515 or by email at enrollment@bridgespcs.org

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival (Every Jam Saves the Bay)

DC Art All Night

(Free overnight arts festival)

DC Art All Night happens from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. the following morning on two nights—September 27 and 28. The festival takes place in all eight wards with different activations on each night, bringing visual and performing arts, including painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, fashion, music, literary arts, dance, theater, film, and poetry, to indoor and outdoor public and private spaces, including local businesses and restaurants. Read more on how to join the fun at dcartallnight.org.

The Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival at Sandy Point State Park on Sept. 21 and 22 (rain or shine), 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., is a conservation and community-focused musical event that blends the finest progressive bluegrass, jamgrass and Americana music with a gorgeous beachfront venue, and a mission to protect the Chesapeake Bay and raise mental health awareness. You’ll enjoy 14 of the best local and nationally touring bands on two alternating stages and an interactive workshop pavilion. Baygrass features locally sourced food, including fresh oysters, microbrews, craft cocktails and wines, beach yoga, music and educational workshops, beach and yard games, kids’ activities, local craft vendors, an exceptional VIP experience and much more. General admission tickets for ages thirteen and over are $225. baygrassfestival.com.

The National and The War On Drugs

Formed in 1999, The National have established themselves as mainstays of arenas and festivals with sold-out performances and headlining slots around the world. The band has scored five top 10 albums on The Billboard 200, multiple Grammy nominations with 2017’s Sleep Well Beastearning the award for Best Alternative Album. The War on Drugs have steadily emerged as one of this century’s great rock and roll synthesists, removing the gaps between the underground and the mainstream. Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD, on Monday, Sept. 16, 6:45 p.m. (gates at 5:15 p.m.). Tickets are $40.50 to $120.50. merriweathermusic.com.

The War On Drugs in concert.

An Evening with PJ Harvey at The Anthem

Faithless at Washington Stage Guild

From Sept. 26 to Oct. 20, family differences become amplified when faith is the main point of conversation and contention in Jon Klein’s latest comic drama. Aging atheist Gus and his two adult stepchildren–a minister suffering from a crisis of faith, and his hardened, non-believer sister who’s had a glimpse of the afterlife following a head injury–come together when Gus’ teenage, adopted daughter stuns them with her decision to become a nun. Faithless is at WSG’s performance venue, 900 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Tickets start at $50. There is a 10% senior discount. stageguild.org.

From the outset of her career, the work of PJ Harvey has commanded attention. A multi-instrumentalist, she is primarily a vocalist, guitarist and pianist. In 1991, Harvey formed the eponymous bass/drums/ guitar trio in Dorset, England and in March 1992 released Dry which was hailed globally as an astonishing debut album, particularly in the United States, where Rolling Stone magazine named Harvey “Best Songwriter” and “Best New Female Singer” of 1992. An Evening with PJ Harvey is at the Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW, on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 8 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.). Tickets are $55 to $95. theanthemdc.com.

Aerialists performed during Events DC's activation during Art All Night Shaw 2023. Photo: Victoria Pickering, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets.

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Maryland Seafood Festival

The Maryland Seafood Festival returns to Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis, on Sept. 14 and 15, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (rain or shine). The Festival hosts loads of seafood vendors, live music, local shopping and vendor options, a fantastic beverage selection with lots of local craft beer and kids activities. (There will also be plenty of hot dogs and chicken tenders for the kids.) Back this year is the Naptown Seafood Sampler which includes eight samples from area restaurants plus a drink for $25. General admission is $15 ($20 day-of) and free for kids 12 and under. Visit their website for parking information at abceventsinc.com/maryland-seafood-festival/.

Oktoberfest Weekend at the Wharf

It’s that time of the year—put on your dirndl or lederhosen, grab your Dachshund and head to The Wharf for their free Oktoberfest festivities on Friday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 5. Here’s the schedule: Friday, 4 to 9 p.m., a free polka dance class and polka dancing to a live band; Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m., cheer on the dogs competing in the annual Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash to bene t Rural Dog Rescue. Starting Monday Sept. 30, visit participating Wharf restaurants and try your hand at Wharfwide stein hoisting contest. Winners from each restaurant will be invited to take their place in the Saturday, Oct. 5 championship contest on District Pier. wharfdc.com.

National Gallery Nights

The NGA’s popular National Gallery Nights after-hours program returns to the East Building this fall on the second Thursday of September, October and November (Sept. 12, Oct. 10, and Nov. 14) from 6 to 9 p.m. The season kicks off with “A Night in Paris,” offering the only opportunity to enjoy the exhibition Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment after hours. In October they celebrate Día de los Muertos, and their November program will be a love letter to the city the NGA calls home. Light fare, gelato, and beverages—including beer, wine, and specialty cocktails—will be sold throughout the East Building. Their September and October programs will also feature activities on the Fourth Street Plaza, open to all without registration. A lottery takes place the week before each event: it opens on Monday at 10 a.m. and closes on Thursday at noon. Additional passes are available at the East Building entrance— rst come, rst served—starting at 5:30 p.m. nga.gov.

Zen and the Open Road at American History

Marking the 50th anniversary of Robert M. Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values, this special display features his 1966 Honda Super Hawk motorcycle. With the motorcycle as the centerpiece, visitors also can view Pirsig’s leather riding jacket and motorcycle helmet, the bike’s keys, and the worn motorcycle maintenance manual that accompanied the ride. Pirsig’s typewriter, on which he wrote the book, as well as a typed manuscript and a signed rst edition of the book is also on display. Pirsig endured rejection by 121 publishers but persevered, eventually selling the book to the publisher William Morrow and Company. With the publication’s royalties, Pirsig purchased a 32-foot sailboat that inspired his next novel, Lila: An Inquiry into Morals. Zen and the Open Road is in the American on the Move exhibition. americanhistory.si.edu.

Robert M Pirsig’s 1966 Honda Super Hawk motorcycle. Photo: Jaclyn Nash, Courtesy of the National Museum of American History.

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

St. Vincent at the Anthem

Annie Clark made her recorded debut as St. Vincent in 2007 with Marry Me, quickly becoming regarded as one of the most innovative and fascinating presences in modern music. In 2017, her fifth album MASSEDUCTION would break St. Vincent into the US and UK top 10s and win two more. 2021’s Daddy’s Home found St. Vincent channeling the hungover glamor and gritty sepia-toned soundtrack of 1970s downtown NYC to an ecstatic reception, ultimately winning her a second-Best Alter native Album GRAMMY. Annie Clark (St. Vincent) will be at the Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW, on Friday, Sept. 13, 8 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.).

Tickets are $55 to $95. theanthemdc.com.

The 22+ Weddings of Hugo at GALA

Why in the world does Hugo, a quiet postal clerk, keep getting married? Based on a true story, The 22+ Weddings of Hugo by Gustavo Ott is a raucous tale of “a beautiful crime” that delves into several hidden themes of our day, from empathy and immigration, to love in times of hatred, and the universal need to find refuge in a place, person, or a feeling. This play won the 2018 Marius Gottin Award for non-Francophone plays from the Écriture Théâtrale Contemporaine Caraïbe. Tickets are $22 to $50. The 22+ Weddings of Hugo is at GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW. galatheatre.org.

HFStival at Nat’s Park

The HFStival was an annual festival organized by alternative rock station WHFS that ran from 1990 to 2006 and again in 2010 and 2011. On Saturday, Sept. 21 (rain or shine), 10 a.m. to midnight, HFStival is at Nat’s Park featuring The Postal Service, Death Cab For Cutie, Incubus, Bush, Liv Phair, Jimmy Eat World, Girl Talk, Violent Femmes, Tonic, Filter and Lit. Tickets start at $99. impconcerts.com/event/ hfstival.

Caesar & The Mannequin at the Atlas

Inspired by the Man Ray painting “Shakespearean Equation: Julius Caesar,” in the Phillips collection, Composer Andrew E. Simpson and Librettist Susan Galbraith have concocted a Dadaist fantastical story of a Caesar, a character who is determined to cling to power at whatever cost and sings, “You can’t stick me in a closet; I will not stay there.” This full live-plusmixed-media work is expanded from a prescient 2020 opera film produced in response to COVID. In 2024 as we careen toward the November election the story is even more dangerously relevant today than it was four years ago. The Man Ray Project: Caesar & The Mannequin is at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, from Sept. 12 to 22. Tickets are $45.25, including service fees. atlasarts.org.

Mosaic’s Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill

On Sept. 5 to Oct. 6, at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, journey back to 1959 for an unforgettable rendezvous with Lady Day herself—the incomparable Billie Holiday performed by DC legend Roz White, in the role she was born to play. Featuring classics such as “God Bless the Child” and “Strange Fruit,” this acclaimed play with music transports you to a small bar in Philadelphia for one of the icon’s final concerts, transforming the theater into an immersive nightclub complete with a live band and cocktails. Building on the success of Mosaic’s past productions Twisted Melodies and The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, this fresh production of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill explores the triumphs and traumas of Holiday’s life and career while celebrating the resilience of Black women throughout history. Tickets are $42 to $80. mosaictheater.org.

Death Cab For Cutie

Roz White as Billie Holiday. Photo: Chris Banks

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

IN Series: The Cradle Will Rock

This famous and infamous 1936 American musical masterpiece became a thundering piece of American history when governments and unions alike tried to ban its first performance. Artists defied those orders to bring this searing work to life, celebrating the labor movement from the seats of a packed theater while the work’s composer and librettist Marc Blitzstein sat alone at the piano onstage. Originally directed by Orson Welles, this imaginative new version honors the story of this rarely heard classic’s origin while it teams with energy, humor, melody and thirst for justice. The Cradle Will Rock is at the Goldman Theater, DCJCC, 1529 16th St. NW, on Saturdays, Oct. 5 and 12, 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, Oct. 6 and 13, 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 to $72. inseries.org.

Because They’re Funny Comedy Festival is at the Anthem

Because They’re Funny (BTF), is a comedy festival from the producers of the American Black Film Festival showcasing BIPOC comedic talent and propelling a new generation of diverse comedians to stardom. Created for anyone who likes to laugh, BTF’s lineup includes headline shows, the “Breakout Comedian of the Year Competition,” panels, comedy classes, networking events, and the “BTF Cares” Charity Fundraiser. At the Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW, Sept. 28 and 29, 7 p.m., both nights. Tickets are $39.50 to 99.50. theanthemdc.com.

Snallygaster Beastly

Beer Jamboree

Named for the fearsome and toothy mythical beast said to terrorize the DC region at the turn of the century, Snallygaster returns to DC on Saturday, Oct. 12 (rain or shine). Festival goers can expect a mind-boggling selection of no fewer than 450 highly sought-after draft beers, casks, gravity kegs and bottle pours from over 175 of the finest American and international producers set against a backdrop of local food trucks and two stages of live music. $75 for a 2 p.m. entry; $150 for an entry at noon. They have a family-friendly section where kids can do fun activities such as getting their face painted and pumpkin decorating. Children under 12 do not have to pay. Kids over 12 can gain entry for $10. snallygasterdc.com.

JaJa’s African Hair Braiding at Arena

From Sept. 6 to Oct. 13, at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW, step into the vibrant world of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, a riotously funny yet deeply resonant play by Jocelyn Bioh. Set in the pulsating heart of Harlem, this comedic gem unravels the complexities of cultural identity, assimilation, and the pursuit of the American Dream within the African immigrant community. Follow the uproarious escapades of Maria, Bea, Miriam, Aminata, Ndidi, Jaja, and others as they navigate life and laughter in Jaja’s bustling hair braiding salon. With humor as rich as its characters, this Tony Award-winning production weaves hilarious moments with profound insights, celebrating the indomitable spirit and interconnectedness that define us all. Tickets are $45 to $95. (Visit arenastage.org/tickets/savings-programs for discounts.) arenastage.org.

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WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

American Aquarium at Union Stage

American Aquarium is an American alternative country band from Raleigh, North Carolina. They have released seven albums, including their most critically acclaimed album to date, 2012’s Burn. Flicker. Die. The band released their sixth original album, Wolves, in February 2015 when the band’s fans helped raise $24,000 through a Kickstarter project to help fund the album’s production. Union Stage, 740 Water St. SW, on Friday Sept. 13, 7 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.). General admission is $25, dayof, $30.) unionstage.com.

Adeem the Artist at DC9 Nightclub

Adeem has built a following by blending Appalachian musical in uences and poetic air with a healthy dose of comedic instinct. His twang-studded gospel represents a worldview too often excluded from modern country music, one that converts shame into celebration. It turns out, people like the sound of embracing the parts of ourselves we’re told to bury—so much so that when Adeem turned to fans to support the follow-up album to Cast-Iron Pansexual, thousands obliged. Dubbing it a “redneck fundraiser,” Adeem raised the money to release White Trash Revelry by asking for one dollar at a time on Facebook. Adeem the Artist is at DC9 Nightclub, 1940 Ninth St. NW, on Thursday, Sept. 26, 8 p.m. (doors at 7:30 p.m.). Tickets are $20. dc9.club.

Feb. 25, 2015.

The Atlantic Festival at the Wharf

Folger Consort’s A Tale of Two Cities: The Music of Florence and Venice

Both Florence and Venice were European power centers in the 16th and 17th centuries. Both also had exciting musical cultures. The Consort offers pieces by important composers who worked in each city: Claudio Monteverdi and his colleagues who created at San Marco in Venice, Florentine composer Francesca Caccini, and the infamous Florentine philosopher and diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli, who was also an accomplished poet and musician. A Tale of Two Cities: The Music of Florence and Venice is at the Folger, 201 East Capitol St. SE, on Friday, Sept.13, 8 p.m.; Saturday. Sept. 14, 4 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 15, 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 to $45. folger.edu.

On Sept. 19 and 20, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., both days, Atlantic writers and moderators will be joined by elected of cials, bestselling authors, notable actors, climate scientists, health-care professionals, tech giants, and CEOs to tackle today’s big questions and meet the moment head-on. The $225 Festival Pass (virtual pass is free) gets you two full days of one-on-one interviews, in-depth panel discussions, intimate book talks, exclusive screenings, happy hours, and more. Festival stages are within walking distance of one another, and the daily schedule provides opportunities to connect with fellow attendees over morning coffee, lunches, and happy hours. theatlantic. com/live/atlantic-festival-2024.

The Airborne Toxic Event at 9:30 Club

Known for their dramatic blend of rock and electronic music with orchestral arrangements, The Airborne Toxic Event skyrocketed to popularity with the gold-selling single from the band’s self-titled 2008 debut album, a song which spent eight weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Chart. Since then, The Airborne Toxic Event has played a diverse spectrum of concerts, from performing with the San Francisco Symphony and Colorado Symphony at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, to playing at the Coachella and Lollapalooza music festivals. At the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW, on Monday, Sept. 16, doors at 7 p.m. $45 for general admission. 930.com.

Photo: Peggy Ryan, Courtesy of Folger Shakespeare Library

The Atlantic Festival participant David Axelrod joined Friends of the LBJ Library members to speak about his memoir, “Believer: My Forty Years in Politics,” at the LBJ Presidential Library on

Insatiable

by Celeste McCall

nately, we found some of the beef rather tough.

Peter and I had not explored Ethiopian cuisine for a quite a while, so we decided to try Ambassador Restaurant & Bar, 1907 Ninth St. NW, in Shaw. Wedged in a townhouse next to a beauty parlor, the 12-year-old Ambassador’s interior is dark yet welcoming. Black banquettes border the purplish walls. Four TVs display Olympic Ethiopian runners and other sports action.

We were seated at a table by the window, where we perused the menu. I asked for a drink list--no such thing we learned--even though there’s a full bar. However, our helpful server Blen allowed me behind the well-stocked bar, where I selected Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon. Blen returned with a lled-to-the rim glass for me, priced at a mere $8. e food menu is divided among breakfast dishes, traditional, vegetarian and Mediterranean/ Italian. We were not surprised to see Italian; Ethiopia was invaded and occupied by Mussolini’s Italy from 1935 to 1937. Even today, the capital city Addis Ababa reportedly boasts excellent Italian restaurants. Some Ambassador menu items are hybrid— for example, spaghetti accompanies chicken or beef tibs. Diners may opt for spicy or mild seasoning; we chose the latter. From traditional fare, we went for Ambassador tibs—beef chunks pan fried with tomatoes, onions, jalapeno peppers and “secret sauce.” “Our most popular dish,” we were told. Unfortu-

We also ordered shero tsahli— spicy chickpeas mixed with veggies. e soupy legumes arrived piping hot, bubbling in what resembled a cast iron pot. Blen ladled it out for us. Among other options are sh dulot (tilapia sauteed with onions and green peppers). Most of the Ethiopian selections come with a green salad and the fermented pancake-like bread called injera which diners use to scoop up and eat the food. No forks here. Ambassador is open daily for lunch and dinner. No website, but online orders can be placed using delivery services. e phone number is 202-328-1907.

Return to Rumi’s

What a di erence four years make. When we rst visited Rumi’s Kitchen, 640 L St. NW, named for a 13th century Persian poet the pandemic was still gripping the restaurant community. Back in 2020,

we peeked inside and thought Rumi’s bar and dining room were so crowded we’d have to wait. Moreover, guests did not seem to be socially distancing. en we looked closer and realized that most of those “customers” were lifelike mannequins arranged around tables to prevent “real” patrons from sitting too close together.

Now, Rumi’s handsomely appointed dining room was full of happy patrons. However, our party of three decided to dine al fresco. To begin our repast, Ivy, our pleasant server, presented us with sabzi, a complimentary Persian appetizer plate of radishes, walnuts, feta, walnut halves and lavash, a pita-like bread. e menu is divided among tastes, sides and “feasts” (entrees). We started with mirza ghasemi (garlicky smoked eggplant with tomato) and dolmeh (grape leaves stu ed with rice, minced beef and sweetened slightly with pomegranate syrup). Crumbled Merguez sausage, resting on a swirl of creamy hummus, was enlivened by bright red pomegranate seeds. Among “feasts,” we were tempted by the lamb shank with Persian lime, dill and fava beans, but Peter chose chicken kebabs. e fork-tender citrus and sa ron-brined breast meat was accompanied by a roasted tomato and u y sa ron basmati rice.

Ambassador’s Ethiopian-style chickpeas and veggies arrive piping hot, bubbling in a black pot.

Sa ron Marinated chicken kabob and vegetable kabobs are accompanied by colorful rice dishes. Photo: Rumi’s Kitchen

e accompanying wooden bowl of sumac, a typical Middle Eastern spice, perked up the rice even more. Other options include roasted salmon, duck Fesenjoon (braised duck with walnut stew), and vegetarian dishes including roasted cauli ower and gheimeh, a mélange of beets, split peas and cinnamonscented crispy potatoes.

Rumi’s Kitchen is not cheap; entrees hover in the mid $30s, and our bill for three came to $130. But the total included my glass of Rose de Provence. Moreover, portions are generous, and service was excellent. For hours and more information, visit www.rumiskitchen.com.

He’s Back!

Kwame Onwuachi is at it again. e multi-cultural chef, who has created high-pro le restaurants including Kith/Kin (now defunct) in the District Wharf’s InterContinental Hotel, and New York’s acclaimed Tatiana at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, has returned to Washington. Set to debut September 9 is Dogon, Onwuachi’s Afro-Caribbean restaurant at 1330 Maryland Ave. SW, in the swanky Salamander Washington, DC hotel.

In his latest culinary enterprise, Onwuachi pays homage to self-educated African American scientist and surveyor Benjamin Banneker, along with his own ancestral roots: the Dōgon (African) tribe. e eclectic menu explores Onwuachi’s own Nigerian, Jamaican, Trinidadian, and Creole heritage, plus DC’s melting pot of cultures through a “West African lens.”

Onwuachi is assisted by former Kith/Kin chef Martel Stone and beverage director/mixologist Derek Brown, renowned for the late Columbia Room in Shaw.

So….what can diners expect at Dogon? According to Eater DC, guests might encounter coco bread with sorghum butter, charbroiled oysters, lobster escovitch, grilled wagyu short rib with baby greens. e bar will be pouring jazzy cocktails like the sorrel rickey, with sorrel liqueur and pomegranate juice and “ ower pot” punch (rum, Caribbean-spiced pineapple syrup).

For hours and more information, visit www.salamanderdc.com.

NoMa Newcomers

Meanwhile, things are also happening in NoMa. In Union Market (1309 Fifth St. NE), Old Blue BBQ has arrived, where Sloppy Mama’s used to be. For Old Blue, chef Stephen DiCicco smokes brisket over oak wood- red pits from Mesquite, Texas. Heading the meaty menu: sliced beef brisket, pulled chicken or pork, spareribs, a three-meat sampler, smoked brisket chili. For more information, visit www. oldbluebbq.com.

Also at Union Market, Mastiha Taverna, another newbie, brings Greek avors, like chicken souvlaki, beef keftedes (meatballs), olives, feta, tzatziki, pita wraps and spanakopita (spinach pie), baklava, plus an assortment of frozen foods to take home. For more information, visit www.mastihataverna.com. ◆

In NoMa (Union Market), Old Blue BBQ o ers pulled pork smoked over mesquite wood. Here the popular Lunch Combo. Photo: Courtesy Old Blue BBQ

Sp o tli ght on Shaw

by Sarah Payne

Uproar: Where the Bears Are

Dance, sing and lose yourself in the inclusive space at Uproar Lounge and Restaurant at 639 Florida Ave. NW. e Shaw bar is renowned for its music, hospitality and casual atmosphere, a popular destination for DC’s gay community and its friends.

Owner Tammy Truong immigrated to the United States from Vietnam. Overcoming many obstacles, she rst opened a hair salon in Georgetown. ere, she developed a close friendship with her receptionist, a member of the LGBT community, who was “outcast from his family.” Inspired by

his story, she decided to create an LBGT-friendly bar.

Inclusivity was at the forefront of Truong’s vision. “I saw the su ering he was going through and it broke my heart,” Truong explained. “I don’t want to see anybody go through that.”

Uproar, which opened its doors in 2015 in a space that previously housed I Ching, a Chinese restaurant owned by Truong, quickly became a hit. Truong welcomed everyone to her new tri-level space, which includes an outdoor roof deck.

“It’s a safe space and everybody’s welcome,” Truong assured. “You can come in ip ops, shorts and a t-shirt, and nobody looks you up and down.”

Uproar has won several Best Of LGBTQ D.C. awards from the Washington Blade.

Special events, live music, karaoke and DJ performances highlight the bar’s dynamic schedule. “ ere’s always something going on,” Truong said of the three oors of indoor and outdoor spaces, including a roof deck.

Initially, service was limited to drinks. As Truong connected with her customers, she began serving light bites and snacks. Today, the establishment boasts a full menu, complete with appetizers, salads and sandwiches, in addition to a variety of specialty cocktails and beer.

Uproar is open ursdays, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. and Sundays, 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Visit www.uproarlounge.com to learn more.

Explore Guatemalan Street Food at Maltiox

Take your taste buds on a culinary trip to Central America. Dine on Guatemalan street food at Maltiox, 1620 Seventh St. NW.

Owner and chef Karla Alonzo immigrated from Guatemala two decades ago. Driving for Lyft, Alonzo often stopped for a bite at di erent Guatemalan restaurants. A traumatic experience with a racist passenger prompted her to forsake a career in rideshare. Instead, Alonzo decided to open a restaurant dedicated to serving the cuisine of her homeland.

Alonzo started with Nim Ali, a pop up at Shaw’s beloved Jake’s Tavern in 2020. She moved the concept to Foggy Bottom’s Western Market food hall in 2022. Maltiox, her second venture, is a fast-casual establishment that features some of Alonzo’s favorite dishes. e name means “thank you” in Alonzo’s native K’iche’.

e menu features a variety of Guatemalan street food specialties including shukos (Guatemalan hot dogs), pupusas, chilaquiles and more. ese authentic dishes are crafted using fresh ingredients and specialty spices imported from Guatemala. An example is pepián de gallina, the Guatemalan national dish, hen’s leg in a mole-like sauce, served with rice and tamales. e restaurant only o ers

Tammy Truong owns Uproar, an LGBTQ+ bar in Shaw.

Photo Courtesy Uproar

counter service but has seating on the rst and second oors. It hopes to add a liquor license soon.

“My goal now is to make people feel proud of where they came from,” Alonzo said. “I want people to feel like home, even though we are far away from home.”

“I feel a lot of support from our neighbors and the LGBT community,” Alzono said. “I’ve received a lot

of support from them.”

Maltiox is open Mondays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit restaurantsbynimali.com/ to learn more about Alonzo’s restaurants.

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

Karla Alonzo is the chef/owner of Maltiox, a Guatemalan restaurant in Shaw. Photo: Alexander M. Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets.

Why Is Crime Declining? Improved Police Morale, New Tactics and More Arrests are Key

by Liz O’Gorek

In the cool dawn light of an early Saturday at the end of last summer 2023, I decided to take a walk in my Lincoln Park neighborhood, with only my cell phone in my pocket. As I crossed a wide street, a silver car pulled up to a curb on the other side, emitting a crowd of young men dressed in black.

The news is my job; I instantly knew which MPD press release I was walking into. I swore

under my breath, turned and ran. They caught me in the middle of the street, pulling me to the ground as I looked up at their masked faces blocking out the sky. “What do you want!?!” I screamed.

“Everything,” was all they said. They never suggested that they had a weapon; they did not take my phone, seemingly believing my repeated, loud insistance that I had nothing of value. Instead,

they silently melted away, leaving me in the street.

I know this could have been much, much worse, but still it affected my relationship with my neighborhood. For a while, every time I’d put a hand on the doorknob to go outside, I was seized by fear that it could happen again, to me, or to my kids.

I was not alone.

Beginning in February 2023, the city suffered

MPD officers and ranch staffs at National Night Out on Aug. 6 in Lansburgh Park in southwest DC. MPD Chief Pamela Smith is second from left. First District Commander Colin Hall is standing second from right.

a major crime spike, which crested in the late summer and early fall. Suddenly, it seemed as if everyone knew someone who had been robbed or carjacked. Residents began to fear for their personal safety as criminals appeared to operate with impunity across the city.

Violent crime increased by 39% in 2023 compared to 2022; homicides were up by 34 percent and carjackings nearly doubled —from 485 to 959.

Fast forward to 2024. Overall crime has declined through the year by nearly 19 percent. Violent crime has fallen even further—35 percent. Even this summer, traditionally a time when crime rises with the temperatures, crime has not surged.

The District is even besting the national average. Data from 69 cities presented by the Major Cities Chiefs Association shows a six percent decline in violent crime during the first six months of 2024. Homicides declined 17 percent in these municipalities.

In the District, however, homicide is down by more than 30 percent as of Aug. 19. Carjackings involving a firearm have fallen 55 percent, while all carjackings have dropped by half. The District is well on its way to seeing the lowest crime rates in nearly 20 years. What is responsible for the District’s decrease in crime?

New Leadership

In July 2023, Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) selected Pamela A. Smith as the new chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Smith is the first Black woman ever to the lead the force.

Smith spent the majority of her public safety career with the US Park Police, the agency responsible for policing federal parks, both urban and rural. Starting there in 1998 as a patrol officer in San Francisco, she served in cities across the country including New York and Atlanta, receiving numerous commendations for her proactive efforts with drug enforcement, sobriety checkpoints, and community engagement.

Smith joined the Canine Unit as an expert handler of explosives. She served as an instructor both at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and the Law Enforcement Driver Training Program.

In 2021, Smith was appointed Chief of US Park Police for Washington, DC. She was the first Black woman to serve in that rank in the Park Service’s 230-year history.

In 2022, Smith joined MPD as the Chief Equity Officer. She led the department’s efforts on diversity, equity and inclusion. In April

2023, Smith was promoted to be the Assistant Chief of Police for the Homeland Security Bureau. There, she supervised the Special Operations Division, Joint Strategic & Tactical Analysis Command Center, and the Office of Intelligence.

Now, under Smith’s leadership, officer morale has improved.

Improved Police Morale

First District Commander Colin Hall has been an MPD officer for 26 years. Today’s force is different from years past, he said. Officers’ commitment to community engagement and their embrace of new technologies are directly responsible for the decrease in crime, he said.

The pandemic impacted both the rates and types of crimes, Hall said. It had a negative impact on operations.

“We had officers who were trained virtually. That kind of stuff had a huge impact, and I think we’re coming back full strength. I feel like we have the strong support of the mayor and city council. If we have that and the community, I feel like we’re going to be successful,” he said.

Officers also notice a change in community attitudes compared to the years of the Black Lives Matter protests. “Now we have a very different environment where they want us. And they [officers] feel that. And that just makes them be able to do their jobs better,” Hall said.

New Tactics

As MPD Chief, “visibility” has become Smith’s catch phrase. She ordered patrol officers out of their cars and on to the streets. She increased the force’s commitment to bicycle units. She insisted on restoring MPD’s horse mounted unit by the end of 2024. Officers, under her watch, are committing to weekly neighborhood safety walks.

In June, MPD unveiled a new helicopter. The Airbus H-125

helicopter is fast, agile and possesses a glass cockpit to increase visibility. The department has also created a drone program.

In April 2024, MPD launched the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC). There, investigators collect and analyze incoming calls and data to facilitate quick responses to crimes in progress. The center links MPD to federal police forces. It taps into the CameraConnect DC system, a network of CCTV cameras connected to the police.

The RTCC has significantly cut police response times and allowed officers to cast a wide electronic net to help apprehend fleeing suspects. This has significantly changed police tactics. Here is an example.

On July 1, three men held up a scooter driver at gunpoint on the corner of 11th St. and Independence Ave. SE. The RTCC dispatched a “lookout” containing images of the suspects taken from public cameras. The center then monitored possible escape routes. The three were quickly spotted and arrested on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Ave. SE.

RTCC also provided patrol officers with a video of the suspects tossing the gun involved. Investigating officers then found the same men had attempted to carjack another person on the 900 block of Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Later, a third victim arrived at the scene of the arrest. The three, he reported, had carjacked him in Prince George County and then used his stolen scooter to commit the other robberies. The RTCC images directly contributed to building a stronger case, MPD said.

Commander Hall attributes the significant 2024 crime drop directly to Smith’s leadership. More specifically, her insistence on increased police visibility and the embrace of new technology driven tactics are what are making the difference.

“We’re blending the old and the new,” Hall said, “All that is a credit

to her.”

The combination of the RTCC and boots on the street has led to an increase in arrests, which had fallen during the years of the pandemic.

Increased Arrests

MPD only issues formatted data on arrests in the following year, but Commander Hall gave us some good news. In 2024, MPD reported a 25 percent increase in overall arrests, but did not provide overall data. Due to increased retail antitheft operations, arrests for theft have doubled, going up 104 percent. Arrests in homicide cases have also increased by 18 percent, Hall said.

Carjackings are down by half; 320 compared to 636 at the same point last year; police have made 92 arrests, accounting for nearly a third of cases.

From the high of nearly 1,000 carjackings in 2023, reports are significantly declining, said Commander Hall. As important are the arrests. The DC Council’s controversial Secure DC legislation, Hall pointed out, increased the court’s ability to detain suspects pretrial. As a result, suspects are prevented from immediately reoffending after arrest.

federal prosecution.

“We need to arrest them (offenders), we need to keep them —and then we’re pushing the US Attorney to sustain it,” Hall said, praising the legislation.

Councilmember Brooke Pinto (Ward 2-D), who chairs the DC Council on Public Safety and the Judiciary and helped push the Secure DC Bill, did not respond to requests for comment.

To aid in closing cases, the United States Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia (USAO) has formed “investigative teams” made up of federal and MPD law enforcement officers. These teams build federal cases against people driving gun violence. USAO also reviews every firearms arrest to evaluate whether it can be

The certainty of rapid punishment, rather than its severity, is directly linked to the reduction of crime rates, according to political scientists at the University of Utah. USAO still declines to charge the majority of MPD arrests.

Prosecutors Charge More Cases

Do prosecution rates have an effect? It’s hard to tell.

In 2017, the US Attorney declined to pursue 33 percent of all the cases that crossed his desk. By 2022, the city did the opposite —it only prosecuted 33 percent, declining just over 66 percent of cases it received. The next year, 2023, crime rose 25 percent.

There is not a direct link between crime rates and prosecution rates when you map them

together. But it is difficult to ignore the District experience over the past three years. When prosecution rates were higher in 2021, crime rates appeared to decrease; as prosecutions fell the next year, crime rates went up.

As crime rose in 2023, USA DC Attorney Matthew Graves increased prosecution rates to 44 percent, bumping it up to 55 percent in the last few months of the calendar year.

Reported crime is now down 18 percent as of Aug. 26. 2024 is not yet over, but Graves is already celebrating the decrease.

“If you got to a 36 percent reduction in homicides year over year at the end of the year, you would be hard pressed to find another jurisdiction that had that much of a drop at any point in time,” Graves said at a March press conference, quoting the decline in homicide for the year to date. “Anything close to that would be historical.”

“The steep drop in violent crime we have seen in the first half of 2024 is good news, but our office remains firmly focused on doing everything we can to continue this trend,” Graves said.

Public Perceptions of Safety

Public perceptions of safety tends to trail rather than lead reality. While statistics show crime in the District in decline, many citizens do not feel safe. The good news has clearly not reached the general populace. Asked about crime by this reporter, most were not aware of the new data showing its decline.

A man who has worked in the Capitol Hill neighborhood for several decades, but lives in Virginia, is an excellent example of the perceptual disconnect. He has heard about the declining crime stats. Yet, the news has not impacted his sense of personal security. Even though it is more expensive for him to live in Virginia, the safety

MPD 1D Commander Colin Hall at the 1D NNO celebration.

Photo: E. O’Gorek/CCN

and security it provides is worth the cost. “I love DC, but I live in Virginia for safety,” he said. “It’s just not safe,” he said of the District.

His sentiment is shared in Ward 7.

“If you’re looking at TV, the newspaper and the social media that say it’s heading down, I think, if anything, it’s stable, and in some cases, it’s on the rise,” resident Francis Campbell said of the Justice Department’s crime data.

The reported decrease could be the result of a variety of factors including underreporting and the community’s increased awareness about crime and its consequences, Campbell noted.

The decline in crime appears uniform across the District — violent crime is down by 35 percent in Ward 8 and 36 percent in Ward 7. Homicide has decreased 18 percent. Robberies have fallen by almost half. But those two wards still account for a disproportionate share — 40 percent of violent crime and 55 percent, or more than half of homicides.

Returning to the Scene

I made a vow to myself that I would not let my attack mar my sense of the neighborhood. I continue to go out alone in the mornings and evenings, perhaps with an increased sense of wariness but without tremendous fear.

But I am privileged to live in an area that is disproportionately benefiting from the trend. Violent crime is down by 52 percent in my Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC), and there have been no homicides in 2024.

It is clear the overall public’s sense of safety is chasing the actual decline in crime. Yet, perceptions guide public policy. It remains to be seen whether 2024 will be a turning point or a blip. u

Shaw Streets

by Pleasant Mann

National Night Out Back in Shaw

e ird Police District held its annual National Night Out celebration on the evening of August 6 at Shaw’s Kennedy Recreation Center. Part of the annual national celebration of America’s Night Out Against Crime, the local event intends to strengthen the ties between the police and public safety agencies and the community. ere were two moon bounces, one huge one with an attached slide, along with gokarts along a track for the kids. e DC police were joined by the FBI and Secret Service along with other District agencies, explaining their function and how they can help residents. Free refreshments, backpack and other giveaways were available.

Shaw Asks DPR to Do Better at the Kennedy Recreation Center

On Monday evening, August 5, members of the Shaw community assembled with Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto and representatives of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to discuss the operation of the Kennedy Recreation Center. e councilmember wanted to give residents an opportunity to tell DPR managers what they wanted to see at Kennedy now that its physical refresh had been recently completed. Some in the community had questioned if the center was meeting its potential, noting that it was being managed by a team of “roving leaders” with citywide responsibilities rather than a permanent dedicated sta and director, and that its programming for the public seemed inferior to that found at other DPR facilities.

When some residents complained that they were not informed of the programs, particularly senior programs, being o ered at Kennedy, the managers suggested that seniors and other households register online with DPR to get regular notices. An ANC Commissioner asked if the building was being fully utilized. In response, a DPR manager rattled o a list of current activities, including multiple youth camps, a bingo night, basketball and cheerleading teams and a program where Banneker High School students come in to get community service credits.

A resident started to praise the sta of the recreation center and said that most of the community regarded it as a safe space in the midst of the turmoil people are going through in the neighborhood and the nation. Another ANC commissioner complained that once the DPR sta has developed its schedule, it is unavailable to Shaw residents. One attendee wanted the faith community to become more involved at Kennedy. e issue of crime in Shaw came up, and how the recreation center might help.

Councilmember Pinto asked DPR to explain the role of the Roving Leaders in the community. She also invited the violence interrupters at the meeting to describe the work they do in the neighborhood. One mentioned that he needed help getting jobs for the at-risk youth he works with. An attendee related that the Sasha Bruce Youth Network helped take him o the street corner and got him a well-paying job as a union carpenter.

Councilmember Pinto closed by asking for people to o er a one-word suggestion for what was needed to improve the work of the Kennedy Recreation Center. Someone mentioned pickleball. A DPR manager said that he would like to hear specifically from the community what they wanted at the center. A resident suggested that DPR hold a longer charrette, either at night or on a Saturday, to work in depth with the community to come up with stronger programs at Kennedy.

Shaw Art All Night Returns September 28

e 12th annual Art All Night Shaw festival will be held on Saturday evening, September 28, presented by Shaw Main Streets. Expect to see the traditional mixture of visual art exhibitions and live performances this year. e Welcome Center and Shaw Art Market will be located outdoors on the 700 and 800 blocks of K Street NW, on the south side of Mount Vernon Square, where Events DC will host a large activation around the Carnegie Library. Indoor and outdoor loca-

The Shaw community meets to improve the operations of the Kennedy Recreation Center. Photo: Pleasant Mann

Painting at Shaw’s National Night Out at the Kennedy Recreation Center.

Photo: Alexander Padro. Courtesy of Shaw Main Streets

tions will host activations, including businesses. Special activities for children and families will be hosted at Art All Night Shaw Kids Zones. Most venues will be open from 7:00 p.m. to midnight, but others will be open until 3:00 a.m. For more information, visit www. artallnightdcshaw.com.

Open Streets on Seventh Street October 5

On Saturday, October 5, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will hold another Open Streets event from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Seventh Street NW between Rhode Island Avenue NW and E Street NW. The event was last held on Seventh Street in June 2022. This time, one mile of Seventh Street will be closed to vehicles so people can safely walk, run, bike, and play. The event will also include hourly classes and demonstrations, such as yoga and dancing. Some local businesses will also be activating the spaces in front of their storefronts along the route. Open Streets is free and suitable for all ages and abilities.

DDOT is also offering their second Bike Giveaway for Open Streets, where District residents can apply to receive a free bicycle. There will be 51 bikes (22 adult, 29 children’s) given away. To be eligible for the raffle, you must be a District resident and available to pick up the bicycle at Open Streets on Saturday, October 5th between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. To apply for the raffle, you must complete the online form on the DDOT Open Streets website. The winners will be notified via email on Friday, October 4th.

See https://openstreets.dc.gov/ pages/7th-street-nw-fall-2024 for more information. Details on bus and vehicle detours during Open Streets will be available a month before the event. A detailed list of activities will be published two weeks before Open Streets. u

TRADITIONAL KOREAN STYLE AGES 4 AND UP CLASSES STARTING MONTHLY

Got Lead Water Pipes?

by Catherine Plume

How to nd out, why they need to be replaced, and how to do it.

Lead is bad for humans—especially pregnant women, pets, and wildlife—and can severely a ect the mental and physical development of children younger than six.

Lead poisoning occurs when lead builds up in the body, often over months or years. At very high levels, lead poisoning can be fatal. Many District residents unwittingly ingest lead through drinking and cooking water that comes through lead water pipes that are found in the District. According to DC Water, an extensive review in May 2023 found that there are some 42,000 lead service lines across DC. e accompanying diagram shows the immensity of the problem with red indicating “Veri ed Lead,” orange indicating “Suspected Lead,” yellow indicating “No Information,” green “Suspected Non-Lead” and blue being “Veri ed Non-Lead.” e District is a mishmash of red, orange, and yellow.

According to Sherri Lewis, a DC Water representative, “ e highest concentration of lead service lines and replacements is in Wards 4 and 5, with DC Water prioritizing replacements in areas with a high number of lead service lines, historically underserved communities, and those with vulnerable populations.”

How Do You Know If You Have Lead Pipes In Your Home?

A rst stop in determining if you have lead pipes in your home is the DC Water Service Line Map at https://geo.dcwater.com/Lead/. Enter your address to see if there are lead service lines on your property, on District (public) property, both, or neither, when and how this information was gathered, or if there’s no available information. Homes constructed after 1986 and larger multi-

family homes are less likely to have any lead water pipes. A District law also requires landlords to disclose to tenants whether a given property contains any known lead pipes and the results of any lead testing. It requires the same of homeowners with respect to potential home buyers before any sales occur.

If the map indicates that you do have lead water pipes, DC Water o ers several options to replace these pipes.

Lead Free DC

Lead Free DC was initiated in 2019 with a goal of replacing all District lead water service pipes by 2030. Since the program’s initiation, DC Water has discovered that there are many more lead water pipes across the District than initially documented, so that timeline will likely be extended.

of income. You can check out the Lead Free DC Construction Dashboard to see if there are any planned projects in your neighborhood and when they are tentatively scheduled.

DC Water Initiated Lead Replacements

Under this program, DC Water replaces lead service pipes in conjunction with other construction and capital improvement projects across the District. During these projects, replacement on private property is free for all residents—regardless

Customer Initiated Lead Replacements

DC Water also o ers two additional, customer-initiated programs to replace lead service lines—private-side only replacements and voluntary full replacements.

• Private side Only Lead Replacements

DC Lead Service Line Map: Lead water pipes can be found all across the District. Source: DC Water

For residents with a lead pipe on private property, and a non-lead pipe in public space, the Lead Pipe Replacement Assistance Program (LPRAP) provides a free or discounted replacement. e program, in partnership with the District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), provides ALL eligible homeowners enrolled in the program with a 100% discount on their private service line replacement.

• Voluntary Full Lead Replacements

If both the public and private portions of the service line are lead and the neighborhood is not currently scheduled for a replacement as part of a capital improvement project, DC Water customers can enroll in the Voluntary Replacement Program. Under this program, customers who are willing to voluntarily pay for their private side replacement can skip ahead of the program’s replacement schedule. Similar to replacement during DC Water initiated construction projects, DC Water will pay for all work in public space and coordinate work so both the public and private pipes are replaced at the same time. e property owner pays for work on private property. Per DC Water, the cost to voluntarily replace a lead pipe through the Voluntary Full Pipe Replacement Program

Lead service lines can be located on public space, private property, or both. Source: DC Water

DC Water is replacing lead service lines across the District. Contact DC Water to get your lead pipes replaced as soon as possible.

Credit: C. Plume

varies based on how far the property line is from the house and currently averages between $2,500-$3,500.

In 2020, I looked at DC Water’s lead map and found that the status of the pipes on my Capitol Hill home was listed as unknown on both the public and private side. I worked with DC Water and found an approved contractor who brought a crew to examine my pipes.

ey rst dug a hole on the public side in front of my house and found it was lead. I nervously watched as they dug a hole on my property (the private side) and was relieved when they found a copper pipe. I celebrated by buying doughnuts and co ee for the crew and watched as they replaced the public space pipe.

Lewis, the DC Water spokesperson notes, “ rough the LeadFree DC Program, DC Water has replaced more than 6,300 lead service lines in the District and is committed to removing all lead pipes. We continue to secure funding for this program and to educate District residents about the program and the health and safety risks of leaving lead pipes in the ground. When replacing service lines, we will restore a property to its original state or better, including landscaping, drywall, bricks, concrete and pavement.”

Do you have lead pipes leading to your house? Do your neighbors? Help spread the word about DC Water’s Lead-Free DC initiative— and maybe buy some doughnuts for those contractors who come out and do the hard excavation work.

Catherine Plume is a lifelong environmentalist, a writer, and a member of the Sierra Club DC Chapter ExCom. Perspectives expressed are her own and do not necessarily represent the positions of that organization. ◆

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Call for Entries: An Artistic Self-Portrait

In 2026, the United States will come together to mark a momentous occasion: the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Through Dec. 31, 2025, as part of the Kennedy Center’s 2026 Promise of US programming, the public is invited to submit an artistic self-portrait to be part of a virtual wall of faces expressing the myriad diversity of America’s peoples and the promise of America’s future. This ever-expanding mosaic will be featured on the Center’s website and social channels. Read more and submit a portrait at kennedy-center.org/whats-on/festivals-series/promise-of-us/join-us/portraits.

DC Cosplay Photoshoot at Dupont Underground

DC Cosplay Photo Shoots has announced an upcoming shoot at the Dupont Underground, on Sunday, Sept. 22, 1 to 4 p.m. This is your chance to showcase your amazing costumes and photography skills in a truly unique and historic setting. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this event is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow creatives, learn new techniques, and have some fun. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, DC Cosplay Photo Shoots is committed to providing educational and collaborative opportunities for the cosplay community in the Washington, DC area. Tickets are $25. dupontunderground.org.

Cultural Resistance: Argentine Rock with Low Expectations

Low Expectations is a rock band whose members are experienced

non-professional musicians. The band is dedicated to preserving the fire and tradition of the prominent figures of the rock en español movement and sharing it with audiences in the Washington DC area. Low Expectations perform at the Dupont Underground on Saturday, Sept. 21, 7 to 10: 30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and benefit Dupont Underground. dupontunderground.org.

Mahjong Meet Up at Shaw Library

On Tuesdays, 12:45 to 3 p.m., come to Shaw Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW, to show off your Pongs and Chows! dclibrary.org.

Upcoming Volunteer Needs at Stead Park

Friends of Stead Park are looking for volunteers for their Little Goblins Parade on Sunday, Oct. 27, 1 to 2 p.m. Steads Park is at 1625 P St. NW. Contact fospdcevents@gmail.com. friendsofsteadpark.org/ get-involved.

Hunger Action at DC Central Kitchen

On Sunday, Sept. 15, 8:45 a.m. to noon, join EDLAVICH DC Jewish Community Center for a morning of volunteering with their close partner organization, DC Central Kitchen. Volunteers will work in their professional kitchen to chop vegetables, sort fresh produce, mix sal-

Go-Kart-Fun at Union Market

In partnership with Events DC, Union Market District is creating a unique go-kart racing experience, powered by the world’s premier go-kart racing operator, K1 Speed. From Sept. 19 to 22, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the parking lot at the Market will be transformed into an outdoor racetrack. The weekend will be packed with go-karting excitement for all ages (minimum required height of 58”), from seasoned racers to complete beginners. Each 15-minute race will accommodate six drivers, making every race a thrilling and enjoyable shared experience. But it’s not just about the speed; groove to live music, enjoy awesome entertainment and dig into a variety of delicious food and beverage from Union Market District’s favorite restaurants and bars. unionmarketdc.com/event/gokarts-at-union-market.

(Continued on page 35)

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in

DCHFA,

DC Open Doors

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

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership i 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 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 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.

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.

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

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

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

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 1B held its meeting for August on August 1, 2024 as a virtual meeting. e commissioners attending the meeting were Sabel Harris (1B08, Chair), Larry Handerhan (1B01, Vice Chair), Frank Chauvin (1B02), Jamie Sycamore (1B03), Santiago Lakatos (1B04, Treasurer), Alan Kensek (1B05), Miguel Trindade Deramo (1B06), Ashleigh Fields (1B07) and Tucker Jones (1B09). ere was a quorum to conduct business.

Transportation Committee

Commissioner Lakatos presented a resolution on the proposed U Street Parking Zone. e zone would establish a performance parking zone along the U Street commercial corridor and devote the funds generated by higher parking charges to a Community Improvement District that would support the area’s infrastructure. He said that there is already a similar setup around Nationals Baseball Park.

DDOT has already issued a Notice of Intent to establish the zone. e zone was authorized in the District budget two years ago. e implementation of the project must be completed by the next scal year.

Commissioner Chauvin complained that DDOT had not done an evaluation of the impact of the zone on residential streets. He suggested an amendment to any motion supporting the zone that would require the initiative to protect residential parking. e amendment was accepted. A motion to support the DDOT NOI on the performance parking zone passed unanimously.

Alcoholic Beverage Regulation (ABR) Committee

Commissioner Fields said that the committee heard from Nightlife Coordinator Salah Czpary and Commissioner Kensek on the e ort to mitigate the noise problem that neighbors of the urst Lounge were complaining about.

Crank Corner, 1915 Seventh Street NW.

ANC 1B

by Pleasant Mann

Request for new medical marijuana license. e ABR committee decided that they would not protest the license application. e establishment said that they were willing to have a settlement agreement with the ANC governing its operation. An agreement has been prepared, but it has not been signed.

e owner explained that he had been operating a business from the corner of Seventh Street and Florida Avenue since 1995. It started as a mobile phone business and later added the sale of GO-GO CDs. As the market for CDs started to diminish, he took advantage of Initiative 71 to o er gifts of marijuana for purchases. Now, he wanted to become a legal distributor of medical marijuana.

Commissioner Sycamore asked how many cannabis dispensaries are in the area. Commissioner Harris noted that regulations speci ed a minimum required distance between businesses to ensure there was not an overconcentration of dispensaries. Commissioner Kensek asked how the business would help address the problems currently on the 1900 block of Seventh Street. e owner replied that he was trying to separate his business from the problems on the street, that most of the illegal activity was at the opposite end of the block and that he would have people buzzed into his business. His business has helped a number of community and youth groups over the years. Commissioner Chauvin said he had a problem with the shop having to be an all-cash business. e owner replied that it will have a security door with a security guard.

Shaw Main Streets Executive Director Alex Padro was invited to comment on the matter. He started by explaining that the Seventh and T Street area has been known as a prominent drug market for decades. From 2010 to 2020, this activity had diminished due to development and enforcement activities. e latest problems started during the pandemic. Currently, there is a task force made up of District agencies and community leaders that meets monthly to address the problems that arise in the area. At their meeting that afternoon, Pa-

dro said it was asked if any members of the group believed that adding a new cannabis license to the block would be a good idea. He said that no one on the task force thought so. A nearby resident also spoke to the commission to oppose a new cannabis license in the area.

ere was a motion to approve the settlement agreement with Crank Corner. Some commissioners objected to the motion, saying that they had not been given an opportunity to read it yet. A motion to table consideration of the settlement agreement passed in a vote of 6 in favor, 0 opposed and 3 abstentions. en a motion was passed, in an 8-1-0 vote, to protest the issuance of a cannabis license until a settlement agreement with the establishment had been approved.

Economic Development Committee

e e ort to establish a use for the vacant lot at 625 T Street NW is moving along. e enterprise that proposed putting a charging station there is no longer in business. e committee understands that the legal occupancy of the lot is unclear. e Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development owns the site, but there is no lease and no entity responsible for activating the site. e committee has heard proposals from Shaw Main Streets and City Walk Markets to activate the site. e committee plans to come up with its own suggestions about what should occupy the lot.

Public Safety and Community Engagement Committee

e committee is talking to the U Street Neighborhood Association about setting up a crime prevention summit.

ANC 1B holds its meetings on the rst ursday of each month starting at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are held by Zoom unless otherwise noted. To register to attend go to https://www.anc1b.org/upcoming-meetings. Visit www.anc1b.org for more information. ◆

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ads, portion meals, and more. is program is open to volunteers aged 12 and older. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone. All volunteers must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. e location address will be provided after registration. edcjcc.org/calendar/hunger-action-at-dc-centralkitchen-september-2024.

Fall Blood Drive at DC Jewish Community Center

On Tuesday, Oct. 15, 4 to 8 p.m., help replenish the blood supply in the DC metro area. It’s safe, easy, con dential and rewarding. e EDCJCC partners with Inova Blood Services for their quarterly blood drives. Edlavitch DCJCC, 1529 16th St. NW. edcjcc.org/calendar/fall-blood-drive-2.

Artists in the Archive at MLK Library (Arts, Humanities, Community)

On ursday. Sept. 12, 6:30 to 8 p.m., come to MLK Library, 901 G St. NW, hear an explanation of how Humanities DC has supported DC artists, scholars, community workers, and organizations with funding in the past and what assistance they o er now. is program will also include a general how-to on using the DC Public Library Archive to explore your own interests. dclibrary.org.

MLK Library Open Mic

On Sunday, Sept. 22, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., come to MLK’s Open Mic, 901 G St. NW, to share your song or poem. Sign up beginning at 3:15 to take the stage and show your talents. ASL interpretation is available upon request. Note that the library only supplies a speaker and microphone. If additional equipment is needed, it must be supplied by the performer. For special requests, including interpretation, email adultservices.

Shaw Main Streets is a designated

MedStar Health Kids Mobile Medical Clinic Debuts New Look

MedStar Health and Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) have announced their collaboration on the Kids Mobile Medical Clinic, which includes a newlydesigned version of the well-known pediatric health center on wheels that now showcases MSE’s sports team logos. Since 1992, the Kids Mobile Medical Clinic—which is run through the Division of Community Pediatrics at MedStar Health—has provided high-quality, convenient, and a ordable primary care to thousands of children and adolescents across DC’s Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8. Children are seen regardless of their insurance status, and families are never billed for care. e clinic provides communities with well child visits, vision and hearing screenings, lab testing, sick visits, immunizations, mental health and social needs screenings, integrated mental health and care coordination teams, and community resource and specialist referrals. e eet will maintain its regular four day per week schedule treating patients on-site outside public housing communities in southeast DC. For appointments and additional information, contact the Kids Mobile Medical Clinic at 202-444-8888.

Hamilton: The Musical Tour at Mount Vernon Daily at 9:30 a.m. through Oct. 31., this 60-minute specialty tour uses lyrics from the hit musical Hamilton to explore George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Although there is no record of Alexander Hamilton ever visiting Mount Vernon, the themes of the musical are re ected in George Washington’s plantation home and his vision of democracy, the “ever favorite object of his heart.” As you “look around, look around” the estate grounds, you’ll discuss the themes of the musical, the reallife events that inspired it, and “who lives, who dies, who tells your story.” $10 in addition to estate admission. mountvernon.org.

dcpl@dc.gov at least one week prior to the event for consideration. For all other questions or concerns, contact them at adultservices.dcpl@dc.gov.

NoMa in Color Mural Festival

National Apple Harvest Festival

e NoMa Business Improvement District has partnered with WMATA Art in Transit & STABLE Arts to present the 2024 NoMa in Color Mural Festival, from Sept. 16 to 23. Prepare to be dazzled by colors and artistic expressions, as talented local artists bring 16 fresh, new murals to life along the Metropolitan Branch Trail. Make plans to stop by throughout the week and watch the artists as they bring new works to life. e NoMa in Color Last Dance of Summer Celebration is on Friday, Sept. 20, 4 to 8 p.m. at Alethia Tanner Park, 227 Harry omas Way NE. Presented by NoMa BID and Wild Side Media, the Last Dance of Summer celebrate art in all forms, including a pop-up beer garden, dance and roller skating performances, live music, local maker’s market, hands-on art stations and mural tours. nomabid.com.

Located in the heart of Pennsylvania Apple country, just north of Gettysburg, the National Apple Harvest Festival celebrates the fall season with beautiful handmade crafts, delicious food, and jam-packed entertainment. e festival has special attractions ranging from steam engine displays, live music, antique cars, orchard tours, pony rides, tastings and craftsman demonstrations. e National Apple Harvest Festival is on Oct. 5, 6, 12, and 13; open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. $10 admission; free under twelve. e festival is held outdoors annually at the South Mountain Fairgrounds in Biglerville, located nine miles northwest of Gettysburg (use 615 Narrows Road, Biglerville, PA 17307 with your GPS. Narrows Road is also known as PA Route 234). appleharvest.com.

2024 Slice of Life Pie Selling Sign-ups are Open

Food & Friends is the only community-based program that prepares and home delivers nutritious meals and support, free of charge, to individuals living with a serious or chronic illness throughout the Washington, DC region. To sign up to be a Slice of Life Pie seller, click

American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith

What happens when a people decide to govern themselves? America’s national treasures come to life in this compelling exhibition that examines the bold experiment to create a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith at the American History Museum (on View 2 West, Linda and Pete Claussen Hall of Democracy) explores the history of citizen participation, debate, and compromise from the nation’s formation to today. Through objects such as Thomas Jefferson’s portable desk, used to draft the Declaration of Independence and the table on which Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote the Declaration of Sentiments, the exhibition focuses on the changing political ideals and principles of the nation, citizenship in a pluralistic society, and political participation and engagement. americanhistory.si.edu/ explore/exhibitions/american-democracy.

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.

on Seller HQ and Login at the top of page at sliceoflifedc.org/ about-slice-of-life. If you already have an account, reactivate it. If you are a new user, create an account. You can also create or join a team. Recruit your friends, colleagues and family to sign up as sellers as well. Pie sales to the public open on Oct. 1. sliceoflifedc.org.

Car Free Day in DC

Car Free Day is a free event celebrated internationally every Sept. 23, in which commuters are encouraged to get around without driving alone in cars,

and instead, carpool, vanpool, use public transit, telework, bicycle, walk, or scooter. Car Free Day is open to all residents in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. To participate in this fun and environmentally friendly event, fill out the free pledge form and go car free or car-lite (carpool, vanpool) on Monday, Sept. 23. Take the pledge, even if you’re already car free. Those who take the free pledge will receive special promotions and be entered into a free raffle for a chance to win great prizes. carfreemetrodc.org. u

Kids & Family

National Fossil Day at Natural History

On Wednesday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., celebrate National Fossil Day with real dinosaurs and free, kid-friendly activities in the museum’s David H. Koch Hall of Fossils—Deep Time. Scientists and educators from the Smithsonian will be on hand to welcome families and anyone interested in exploring Earth’s deep past. You can touch and hold real fossils, observe experts at work in the FossiLab, get up-close to the Nation’s T. rex and discover new paleo icons. No registration required. naturalhistory.si.edu.

Visit the Democracy Lab at the Capitol

Learn about the work of Congress in this hands-on education gallery. The collaborative activities in the gallery are designed for children between the ages of eight and 14, however visitors of all ages are welcome. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult (parent, guardian, teacher and/or chaperone) always. Sta are available to assist and answer questions, but not to supervise children. They recommend that you allow 15 to 30 minutes for a visit to ensure that everyone has time to engage in all the activity stations. The Democracy Lab is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (hours are subject to change). Groups of 15 or more children must make a reservation in advance of their visit. visitthecapitol.gov.

Photo: Phillip Lee, Smithsonian Institution.

Family Days at the LOC Upcoming Family Days at the Library of Congress omas Je erson Building, 20 First St. SE, in the Great Hall are Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 14, Hispanic Heritage Month; Oct. 19, Halloween; and Nov. 9, Veterans Day. Every Library of Congress visitor, regardless of age, must have a free timedentry ticket to enter the historic omas Jefferson Building. Passes are available 30 days in advance. A limited number of same-day tickets are made available each open day at 9 a.m. at loc.gov/visit.

Art in the A.M. at the Renwick On Tuesday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m., children ages birth to ve and their caregivers are invited to the Renwick Gallery, 1661 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, before hours, to learn, connect, and create in the galleries. Participants will learn about the di erent materials and textures used in ber art by exploring the exhibition Subversive, Skilled, Sublime: Fiber Art by Women. After the tour,

Hill Center Family Day

Family Day at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, is on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2 to 6 p.m. Guests can enjoy horse drawn carriage rides provided by Harmon’s Carriages and kiddie rock music by King Bullfrog. Balloons by Brenda will create memorable works of balloon art and Turley the Magician will impress the crowd. ere will also be face painting as well as arts and crafts activities. e Hill Center is delighted to bring this free, family event to the residents of Capitol Hill and the surrounding community. hillcenterdc.org.

children will practice their weaving skills on a community piece, then begin their own individual projects using yarn, paper, and other materials. Space is limited for this program and registration is required at americanart.si.edu.

Hill Family Biking: Tiny Streets 2 Ride

Saturday, Sept. 28, 4 to 5:30 p.m., is the second edition of the Tiny Streets Ride. Join Hill Family Biking for a four-mile bike ride on some of the most picturesque one-block streets on the Hill followed by free ice cream at e Capital Candy Jar. ey’ll then have a group ride to Late Skate at Anacostia Park Roller Skating Pavillion. ey’ll have volunteers marshaling to ensure everyone stays together. MPD bike team will also be participating in the ride to connect o cers with the community. If your bike needs some TLC, come 15 minutes early to get some help. ey will have bike maintenance tools available, as well as some experi-

The 2024 Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest

Frederick Douglass learned to give speeches from reading e Columbian Orator, a book he bought for 50 cents when he was an enslaved boy in Baltimore. “Every opportunity I got, I read this book,” Douglass wrote in his 1845 autobiography. Students between the ages of six to eighteen can participate in the Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest and learn to be a con dent public speaker. Applications are accepted from Sept. 16 to Nov. 16. e contest dates are Dec. 3 to 7. You can apply on-line or in person at the Frederick Douglass Visitor Center, 1411 W St. SE. Deaf and hard of hearing students are welcome. For contest information and an application go to nps.gov/frdo.

enced amateur bike mechanics on hand. Meet at Maury Elementary parking lot on 12th Pl. NE. Participation is free. hillfamilybiking.org.

Harvest Day at the REACH Plaza

On Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., join local nonpro t FRESHFARM for a fun and tasty journey through the local food system. Dive into hands-on activities to learn how food is grown and made—and discover easy ways to get involved, from cooking to composting. Plus, enjoy music, local vendors, and a day of fun for the whole family. Free, no reservations required. kennedy-center.org.

Portrait Gallery Kids at the NPG

On select Mondays, Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30; Oct. 7, 21 and 28; Nov. 4, 18 and 25, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., children and families are invited to learn, play and create at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and G streets NW, in the Education Center E151. Join educators as everyone explores a new topic and di erent materials. Participants will look at art, enjoy hands-on activities, listen to music and participate in story time. Portrait Gallery Kids is a fun way to engage with art and each other. Free; no registration required. npg.si.edu.

Second Saturdays at the NGA

Beginning Saturday, Oct. 12, at 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. and 11 to 11:45 a.m., this series of free workshops designed for families with young children ve and under explores the power of the arts to promote wellness of the mind and body. Every second Saturday of the month, local arts organizations o er two 45-minute workshops at the National Gallery of Art. is event is free but tickets, available on Sept. 10, are required. nga.gov. ◆

ONE NIGHT ONLY!

Saturday, September 28, 2024 I 7 PM - 3 AM I FREE

Shaw is where Art All Night DC began in 2011, and 2024 continues the tradition of presenting performances and installations outdoors and indoors, in public and private buildings and businesses. Live music, DJs, an outdoor art market, painting and photography exhibitions, live theatre, flower crownmaking, a parade, dance performances, do-it-yourself acrylic and watercolor painting, face painting, fire dance performances, dance parties, performance art, live painting by noted DC artists, wrestling matches, and much more will fill the festival’s eight hours.