Mid City DC Magazine – March 2023

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

NATIONAL GALLERY NIGHTS RETURN FOR THE SEASON

On second Thursdays, March 9, April 13, and May 11, 6 to 9 p.m., the NGA East Building comes to life in this popular, free, after-hours program. Join them for themed evenings with music, live performances, artmaking, pop-up talks, and more. Light fare, gelato, and beverages, including beer, wine, and specialty cocktails are available for purchase throughout the East Building and in the Terrace Café and Espresso & Gelato Bar. Registration is required and opens one week in advance at noon. A limited number of passes are online at 10 a.m. the morning of each event, and a few passes will be available at the door—first-come, first-served—starting at 5:30 p.m. nga.gov/calendar/ community-events/nights.

DISCOVER THE WORLD OF ORCHIDS AT THE BOTANIC GARDEN

The 27th annual joint orchid exhibit between the United States Botanic Garden and Smithsonian Gardens is “Discover the World of Orchids” which is on display in the USBG Conservatory through April 30.

The exhibit shares stories of the diversity of orchids and how technology advances their conservation. One of the largest plant families in the world, orchid shapes, sizes, colors, and scents vary greatly.

Throughout the Conservatory, thousands of orchid blooms showcase the USBG and Smithsonian Gardens’ extensive orchid collections. The gift shop features offerings such as live plants and other botanical gift items. The Botanic Garden Conservatory is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. usbg.gov.

BALLET FLAMENCO SARA BARAS: ALMA AT THE KC

Sara Baras sits among the most renowned figures of the art of flamenco. The internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and superstar of the flamenco world returns to the Kennedy Center on Wednesday, March 29 and Thursday, March 30, 8 p.m., both days. In Alma, flamenco embraces the bolero, and the bolero is embraced by flamenco. Baras pays respect to flamenco’s techniques while fusing it with her own modern touch, brilliant footwork, and captivating stage presence. With lavish costumes and live music performed onstage featuring flamenco rhythms, Alma promises to be an exhilarating evening with the “Flamenco queen” herself. $25 to $89. kennedy-center.org.

STORY DISTRICT’S “SHE COMES FIRST”

On Tuesday, March 14, 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.), Story District presents She Comes First, an annual Women’s History Month special that showcases true stories told live by DC’s inspiring female-identifying groundbreakers. $20. She Comes First is at Miracle Theatre, 535 Eighth St. SE. Neighborhood parking is tricky. There is a metered public parking lot on Eighth Street, SE between I Street and Virginia Avenue under the highway. themiracletheatre.com.

ENJOY AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH THE TEMPTATIONS

AVANT BARD’S “JULIUS CAESAR”

Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, is one of the most recognized and universally loved productions. Returning from an untimely cancellation in spring 2020 (Season 30), this interpretation of Julius Caesar, directed by Kathleen Akerley, modernizes the story’s politics without targeting Caesar, but by removing Caesar entirely from the stage. The characters in this version of Julius Caesar, much like the citizens of America, are grappling with themselves as much or more than they’re grappling with any particular leader. This production uses mixed media, including film and audio elements, to create a visual masterpiece. $40. “Julius Caesar” is on stage at Avant Bard Theatre, Gunston Arts Center, Theatre Two, 2700 S. Lang Street, Arlington, VA, March 9 to April 1. avantbard.org.

“ONE WORLD CONNECTED” AT AIR AND SPACE

One World Connected tells the story of how taking to the skies and stars fostered two momentous changes in everyday life: the ease in making connections across vast distances and a new perspective of Earth as humanity’s home. Featuring an array of satellites and other tools that have increased human connection, the exhibition asks visitors to consider how global interconnection touches their lives and to imagine how advances in technology might impact our near future. One World Connected is at the National Mall’s Air and Space Museum on the newly renovated second floor. airandspace.si.edu.

BLACK GIRLS ROCK (BGR!FEST) AT THE KC

BGR!FEST is an extraordinary and immersive multi-day live experience, to celebrate and recognize the exceptional cultural contributions of Black women artists, thought leaders, and creatives. Now in its fourth year, this festival spans four days during International Women’s Day weekend, March 9 to 12, across the Kennedy Center cam- pus. BGR!FEST is on the Millennium Stage, 6 p.m. on March 9 and 11; in Studio K on March 9, 10 and 11; in the Concert Hall on March 11. For the complete schedule with details, visit kennedy-center.org/whats-on/festivals-series/black-girls-rock-fest/.

This black tie affair, which benefits the Friends of Carter Barron, takes place on April 10 at 7 p.m. at the Howard Theater, 620 T St. NW. For more information and tickets, visit www.thehowardtheatre.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Story District

SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP TODAY

Are you an aspiring or existing business in the District?

The Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) is here for you!

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

Wednesday, March 1, 2023 10:00 am

Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/58977

WEBINAR: DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, SECURITIES AND BANKING COFFEE AND CAPITAL

Thursday, March 2, 2023 10:00 am

Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/59413

DLCP AT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARY – LEARN THE PROCESS OF STARTING A BUSINESS

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 6:00 pm

Southwest Library 902 Wesley Pl SW, Washington DC 20024 Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/60823

WEBINAR: INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING

Thursday, March 15, 2023 2:00 pm Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/60449

WEBINAR: MARSHALL HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION (MHCDO): STEPS TO OBTAINING A BUSINESS LICENSE

Wednesday, March 15, 2023 6:00 pm Register: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/59409

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

Monday – Friday

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

SBRC ONE-ON-ONE CALL SESSION: “TALK BUSINESS AFTER HOURS”

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

LLAMADA TELEFONICA: 1:1 PASOS PARA OBTENER UNA LICENCIA COMERCIAL CON LA SRA. HERRERA

Miercoles con cita de 12:00 pm a 1:00 pm Registro: dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events

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

CHEROKEE DAYS FESTIVAL AT THE AMERICAN INDIAN MUSEUM

On Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (each day), the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes—Cherokee Nation, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian—showcase the shared history and cultural lifeways of the Cherokee people through storytelling, traditional flute music, wea-ponry, woodcarving, beadwork, traditional games, basket weaving, pot-tery demonstrations, and music and dance performances. This is a museum-wide festival. americanindian.si.edu.

DC BEER FESTIVAL

The DC Beer Festival returns to Nationals Park on Saturday, April 8, noon to 8 p.m., bringing together dozens of craft breweries that will feature spring seasonal beers, plus food trucks, dueling pianos, cover bands, DJs, and more throughout the park. General admission is $50 and VIP Admission is $90 with a choice of two sessions: noon to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8pm. Admission includes unlimited tastings, with food sold separately. VIP Admission will allow attendees to access the warning track and dugouts and receive commemorative tasting glasses and DC Beer Fest hats. beerfests.com/events/dc-beer-festival.

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS AT CAPITOL ONE ARENA

Founded in 1926 by Abe Saperstein, the Harlem Globetrotters played their first-ever road game on Jan. 7, 1927, in Hinckley, Illinois. The Globetrotters have since become the world’s home team, synonymous with family entertainment and great basketball skills. On Saturday, March 18, your favorite Globetrotter stars are bringing out their amazing basketball skill, outrageous athleticism and a non-stop LOL good time. Join the Globetrotters as they go head-to-head against the Washington Generals who will stop at nothing to try and defeat the world’s winningest team. The Harlem Globetrotters., on their 2023 World Tour, are at the Capitol One Arena, 601 F St. NW, on Saturday, March 18 at 1 p.m.; doors at noon. $25 to $180 (VIP BENCH, $435). capitalonearena.viewlift.com.

FOLGER CONSORT’S “SHAKESPEARE IN SONG AND STEP”

As part of the Folger’s First Folio celebration (the 400th anniversary), the Folger Consort returns to its home repertoire of music from Shakespeare’s time with the uniquely English broken consort, an “orchestra” of three plucked stringed instruments, flute, fiddle, and bass viol. Folger Consort’s co-Artistic Directors have often noted the similarities between this engaging style, featuring some fancy pickin’, to the music of the Appalachian descendants of British settlers—bluegrass. In this program, they explore that connection as well as songs from Shakespeare and the shared stories of ballads from both traditions. $20 to $45. The Folger Consort performs “Shakespeare in Song and Step” on Friday, March 17, 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 18, 4 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 19, at 2:30 p.m., at St. Mark’s, 301 A St. SE. folger.edu.

Photo: Courtesy of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.

Photo: Brittany Diliberto

SOUNDS OF THE DMV: HIP HOP SHOWCASE AT THE KC

On Saturday, March 25, at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., in the Kennedy Center’s Studio K, experience the dynamism and diversity of the DMV hip hop scene. Tickets are $25 at kennedycenter. org/whats-on/explore-bygenre/hip-hop.

MURDER CAPITAL AT DC9

The Murder Capital’s first album “When I Have Fears” had all its songs written and recorded within the first nine months of the band knowing each other. Next the band had to learn to navigate their personal relationships through the relationships they harnessed with these new songs. Without knowing what these songs would sound like, the band knew what they wanted them to feel like—and worked backwards from there. And that’s exactly how The Murder Capital ended up with an album that is both totally pure and yet completely confident in its direction. The Murder Capital is at the DC9 Nightclub, 1940 Ninth St. NW, on Friday, March 24, 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.). $18 to $20. dc9.club.

PACIFIC OVERTURES AT SIGNATURE

Pacific Overtures is a stunning exploration of tradition and transformation based on historical events. In 1853, after 200 years of stability, Japan faces an American expedition determined to open the “floating kingdom” to trade. The isolationist island’s reckoning with the unwelcome western influence is brilliantly illuminated through a kaleidoscope of stories about sailors, samurai, “someone in a tree” and two friends who choose radically different paths. This innovative epic of East meets West is one of Sondheim’s most ambitious and rarely produced musicals. Pacific Overtures is at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, from March 7 to April 9. sigtheatre.org.

THE KENNEDY CENTER’S “RIVERRUN”

Spanning World Water Day (March 22) to Earth Day (April 22), hundreds of extraordinary talents from around the world—musicians, actors, dancers, authors, filmmakers, chefs, and visual artists—will converge in Washington, DC, for RiverRun. RiverRun includes world-class performances from artists inspired by our world’s waterways; immersive exhibitions and interactive workshops; and films, writers, and climate experts on rivers and oceans. RiverRun will carve an artistic path through the stages, grand halls, and terraces of the Kennedy Center as well as the studios and green spaces of the REACH—which links the Center to its own river, the Potomac. On Wednesday, April 5, 7:30 p.m., there will be a free, multi-media concert with music and video images from NASA and National Geographic that will dramatize the story of rivers and climate change over the last 20 years on Planet Earth. kennedy-center.org/ whats-on/festivals-series/riverrun.

1972 The “Blue Marble” (Apollo 17). On April 5 at the Terrace Theater, there is a multimedia concert with music and video images from NASA and National Geographic will dramatize the story of rivers and climate change over the last 20 years on Planet Earth. Photo: NASA

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

WE WHO BELIEVE IN FREEDOM: BLACK FEMINIST DC

We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC is an unprecedented exhibition tracing Black feminism in Washington, DC from the turn of the 20th century through the civil rights and Black Power movements to today. The exhibit examines the voices and stories of more than a dozen trailblazing women, from the early Black feminism of the “Jane Crow” era to the future of Black feminism. Standing at the intersection of race, class, and gender, Black feminists fought for a definition of freedom and liberation that extended beyond their individual circumstances—work that remains unfinished today. We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC opens at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on March 31 as part of a partnership between the National Women’s History Museum and DC Public Library. womenshistory.org/black-feminist-dc.

WASHINGTON WOMEN IN JAZZ FESTIVAL

Many women are active professionals in the Washington, DC jazz scene, but few are represented as performers on regional jazz festivals. Created by Amy K. Bormet in 2011, the Washington Women in Jazz Festival creates equitable performance opportunities for women while up-lifting the image of the jazz community and drawing in dynamic new audiences. The 13th annual Washington Women in Jazz Festival is from March 6 to 27 at some of the area’s best music venues: Blues Alley in Georgetown (March 6, 13, 20 and 27); Westminster Church SW (March 10); the Atlas Performing Arts Center on Capitol Hill (March 17); My Dead Aunt’s Books in Hyattsville (March 21); Mr. Henry’s on Capitol Hill (March 24); and Goethe Instiut, downtown (March 26). washingtonwomeninjazz.com.

STEP INTO A TROPICAL FOREST: BARRO COLORADO ISLAND 100 YEARS OF DISCOVERIES AND WONDER

Through 2023, celebrate the 100th Birthday of Barro Colorado Island Research Station by immersing yourself in a Panamanian jungle at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (second floor). From monkeys to microbes, research on the “most studied piece of tropical real estate in the world” gave rise to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, which now hosts 1200 scientists from 50 countries at 12 tropical research facilities, trains young biologists, and contributes new knowledge vital to the future of tropical forests and reefs. naturalhistory.si.edu.

THE MILLENNIUM STAGE

Since 1999, the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage has offered free, live (and livestreamed) performances in the Grand Foyer at 6 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays. From American traditional and contemporary performances…to international styles, artists, and global traditions…bluegrass, gospel, hip hop, comedy, opera, dance, spoken word, movement, classical performance and children’s theater have all been featured on their stage. Book tickets in advance online or inperson at the box office the day of each performance. Standing room is also available behind the seated area. kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage.

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Derek Gripper is a composer, arranger, and virtuoso guitarist. He is known for evoking the West African kora on solo guitar, creating an unprecedented meeting point between the written tradition of Western classical music and the oral tradition of the West African griots. He performs on the Millennium Stage on Saturday, March 25, 6 p.m.

Photo: W. H. Spradley, May 12, 1968. Jack Rottier photograph collection, Collection #C0003, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University.

Photo: Simon Attwell

Howler monkey eating flowers, Barro Colorado Island, Panama

Photo: Aleta Elsayed

SHOUT, SISTER, SHOUT! AT FORD’S

Inspired by Gayle F. Wald’s book “Shout, Sister, Shout! The Untold Story of Rockand-Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe”, this musical tells the story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe-one of America’s most influential rock-and-roll, R&B and gospel crossover singers and guitarists. Ambitious, courageous and uncompromisingly public, Tharpe became a pioneer of the women’s movement for racial and sexual equality and is a musical legend who redefined the national and international music scene in the 1930s and ’40s and beyond. $33 to $90. SHOUT SISTER SHOUT! is at Ford’s Theatre, 514 Tenth St. NW, from March 15 to May 13. fords.org.

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND AT THE BARNS AT WOLF TRAP

Pioneering jamgrass ensemble Yonder Mountain String Band has been redefining bluegrass music by pushing the envelope into realms of rock ’n’ roll and improvisation for nearly 25 years. The band’s Barns debut showcases how Yonder Mountain String Band has cemented their reputation as one of the most innovative groups on the live music scene. Yonder Mountain String Band is at the Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA, on Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18, 8 p.m. (both nights). Tickets start at $47. wolftrap.org.

WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA’S “BLUE”

In Harlem, a couple celebrates the birth of their firstborn—a boy, Black and beautiful. As the mother worries for her son’s future in today’s America, the father wrestles with his role as a police officer, a “Black man in blue.” When the unimaginable happens years later and a white officer kills the son, their deepest fears come true. Tony Award–winning composer Jeanine Tesori and NAACP Theatre Award–winning librettist Tazewell Thompson’s new opera is inspired by contemporary events and Black literature, including TaNehisi Coates’s “Between the World and Me” and James Baldwin’s “The Fire Next Time.” Tesori’s signature genre blending style captures the grief of a community, the bonds of a family, and the vulnerabilities of protecting a child. By giving voice to the joy and pain of families that are often unheard, “Blue” places timely issues at the forefront of modern opera. $35 to $179. “Blue” is at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater for six performances from March 11 to 25. kennedycenter.org.

TO THE WILD SKY: RACHMANINOFF, TENNYSON AND POE

“Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky.” On Sunday, March 19, 4 p.m., poetry and music together paint vivid landscapes, evoking unearthly vignettes from the minds of Edgar Allan Poe and Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra joins Cathedral Choral Society at Washington National Cathedral for this stunning marriage of music and words. The repertoire is Sergei Rachmaninoff– Isle of the Dead, Op. 29, based on Arnold Böcklin’s painting, Isle of the Dead; Augusta Read Thomas–Ring Out, Wild Bells, text by Alfred, Lord Tennyson; and Sergei Rachmaninoff–The Bells, Op. 35, text by Edgar Allen Poe. Tickets start at $25 with discounts available for educators, healthcare workers, veterans, active military and a pay-what-you wish livestream. cathedral.org.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra joins Cathedral Choral Society at Washington National Cathedral for this stunning marriage of music and words.

Carrie Compere as Rosetta Tharpe. Photo: Bronwen Houck

Yonder Mountain String Band

L-R, Kenneth Kelloog (front, left) as the father, Briana Hunter (front, right) as the mother, Gordon Hawkins (back, center) as the reverend.

Photo: Karli Cadel

Spring Dining

by Sarah Payne

a restaurant in Shaw, the opening of Ghostburger introduced him to many of his neighbors.

“It’s really fun,” Phillips said. “The brand is fun, the food’s fantastic and people really connect with it. I also think that it connects to the neighborhood better. After opening Ghostburger, I’ve met a lot more of my neighbors I just hadn’t met before. Shaw is a very, very diverse part of DC, which I just think is cool,” Phillips said. “You’ve just got this really good mix of people. I think Shaw just has this good culinary community.”

But recently, a VIP phone order for pickup came from a destination outside the neighborhood: the White House. President Joe Biden personally called in an order for lunch for Vice President Kamala Harris and himself.

In addition to a number of burger varieties and other sandwiches on the menu, like La Hamburguesas, The Frenchie, Shroomsteak and Sausage and

Visit Ghostburger for Philly-Inspired Burgers and More

Authentic Philadelphia cheesesteaks, burgers, sandwiches and salads await at Shaw’s Ghostburger (1250 9th St NW). Originally created as a pop-up restaurant “ghost kitchen” during the pandemic, owner Josh Phillips said the restaurant is rooted in Philadelphia’s food culture, with a Mexican flare.

Ghostburger replaced Espita, the Mexican restaurant owned by Phillips and his wife, Kelly. The couple still owns two other Mexican restaurants in the La Cocheza Latin food hall in the Union Market District: Taqueria Las Gemelas and Destino (1280 4th St NE).

“A lot of the ingredients on the

menu actually were harvested from Espita,” Phillips said. “A lot of the prep that we used for the old restaurant found its way into Ghostburger’s menu, like the cheese sauce on our cheesesteak; that was originally a cheese sauce that we designed for our nachos.”

The whole Ghostburger team is from Philadelphia, and authenticity, Phillips said, is at the heart of their concept. They import their rolls from a bakery in South Philadelphia and source all of their meat from their favorite butcher in southern New Jersey. One of their chefs worked in Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market.

“All those little touches are authentic,” Phillips said. “I think that’s what separates getting a cheesesteak at Ghostburger versus anywhere else in the District.”

Phillips said despite having run

Ghostburger co-owners Josh and Kelley Phillips.

Photo: Alexander Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets.

Nina May Restaurant’s co-owner and general manager Danilo Simic.

Photo: Alexander Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets.

Peppers, Ghostburger is introducing Build Your Own Burger, with a wide range of ingredients. “I ran the spreadsheet, and there are six billion different possible combinations,” Phillips said.

Ghostburger is open Monday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with happy hour daily, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Their full menu is also available for pickup or delivery. Visit www.ghostburgerdc.com for details.

Enjoy Hyper-Local Cuisine at Nina May

Fresh locally-sourced meats, fish and vegetables highlight the ever-changing menu at Nina May (1337 11th St NW), a New American restaurant in Shaw. Co-owner and Executive Chef Colin McClimans is a native Washingtonian who sources all of the ingredients from local farms within a 150-mile radius of the District. The menu changes, sometimes daily, depending on the availability of ingredients.

Co-owner and General Manager Danilo Simic said that while the restaurant is a popular spot for Shaw locals, it draws customers from Maryland and Virginia, too.

“We just keep doing what we’re best at, and that’s making great food and offering great hospitality,” Simic explained. “We’ve got that neighborhood feel but also, we became a destination restaurant where we get a lot of people coming from Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Arlington to check out the restaurant.”

The restaurant’s name is a combination of McClimans’ and Simic’s daughters’ names.

In addition to a la carte menu options, Nina May features a “Chef’s Choice” menu. This family-style dining experience features six different seasonally inspired dishes to be shared among two or more people.

“Family style is a super, super

Seven restaurants in the Shaw Main Streets service area are participating in the inaugural citywide Tour de Taco . Be sure to visit these locations during the promotion and enjoy old favorites and new taco taste treats.

good way to enjoy the experience because you not only enjoy the food, but you also exchange the energy at the table,” Simic said.

While the fresh, local food is a large part of the Nina May experience, so is their commitment to an unpretentious atmosphere. According to Simic, they have many regulars in the neighborhood, including diners who come in multiple times each week to experience the menu.

“I think people love what we do,” Simic assured. “ ey love the uniqueness of the concept, and also our design and vibe is very homey and welcoming.”

Simic is also an experienced mixologist who created a unique cocktail program, as well as an extensive wine list, for the restaurant.

Nina May is open for Tuesday through ursday 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for dinner and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for brunch. For more information, visit ninamaydc.com.

Visit Chaplin’s for Authentic Ramen and Unique Cocktails

Authentic Japanese cuisine and an extensive drink menu await at Chaplin’s (1501 9th St NW). Chaplin’s chef Myo Htun, a native of Burma, began his culinary career in Japan and continues to create authentic dishes in the heart of Shaw. Co-owners, and brothers, Ari and Micah Wilder worked to create a unique beverage program to compliment Htun’s dishes.

“He learned cooking in Japan for 30 plus years under the master ramen chef that he worked for, who was his mentor, and then was given the blessing to come to the US to start doing his own creations from the authentic training and experience he had in Japan,” Ari Wilder said.

Shaw Main Streets is a designated DC Main Streets program and is funded in part by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, Muriel E. Bowser, Mayor.

The menu features a variety of ramen dishes, mazemen and small bites like gyoza, fried tofu and dumplings. The beverage program, built to complement the savory and spicy dishes created by Htun, features beer, wine, unique cocktails and tea.

Wilder said they have worked to maintain “price sensitivity” since their opening in 2014 as they wanted to create a “local place that people could come to as often as possible.”

Wilder feels their customers have become like family and he emphasized how much they have enjoyed being members of the Shaw community. “We’ve put all of our eggs in Shaw’s basket, so to speak, because of the response from the neighborhood,” Wilder said.

“We’ve had people come in consistently every week since we first opened, and the community has been a huge part of the reason that we’re still here,” Wilder observed. “And a big part of our family, almost kind of raising our kids, because they’ve spent so much time in the restaurants.”

Chaplin’s kitchen is open Monday through Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. The bar is open Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 1:45 a.m., Friday, 4 p.m. to 2:45 a.m., Saturday, 12 p.m. to 2:45 a.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 1:45 a.m. with happy hour specials every weekday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The menu is also available for takeout and delivery.

For more information, visit chaplinsdc.com.

Supra Presents an Authentic Georgian Feast

Experience Georgian food and culture in the heart of Shaw at Supra (1205 11th St. NW).

Jonathan Nelms opened Supra in 2017 after spending many years living and working in the former Soviet Union. Nelms became

familiar with Georgian cuisine and culture throughout his time there. But when his family returned to the United States, they found themselves unable to find the dishes they missed, inspiring him to open a Georgian restaurant.

Nelms said the focus of Supra’s menu is “the classic, best-known Georgian dishes” such as khachapuri, a boat-shaped cheese bread and khinkali soup dumplings. Georgia, Nelms said, has the oldest wine culture in the world. In addition to red, white and rosé wines, they also specialize in an amber wine, which Supra features on their menu.

“A Supra, the name of our restaurant, is a celebratory feast,” Nelms explained. “It’s sort of the centerpiece of Georgian celebrations and hospitality.” Supras, featuring an abundance of food, wine and toasts, are also offered at the restaurant. Occasionally, for a fixed price, guests can enjoy the three-

hour experience, all inclusive of food, wine and desserts.

Introducing Georgian cuisine to the Shaw community, Nelms said, is one of the joys of his work.

“It’s always fun to have people come in and say that they don’t know anything about Georgian food and wine, but are curious to try it and then to hear good things from them,” Nelms stated. “We certainly have regulars from the neighborhood. One gentleman comes in almost every day.”

Supra is open for lunch Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with happy hour, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dinner is served Sunday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Brunch is available Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and takeout is available daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Visit supradc.com for more information.

Ari Wilder is the co-owner of Chaplin’s Restaurant in Shaw. Photo: Alexander Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets.

Jonathan Nelms, owner of Shaw’s Supra Restaurant. Photo: Alexander Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets

Roasted Boon features Artisan Coffee and Wine

The Roasted Boon Company (1018 Rhode Island Ave NW) opened in 2000 and serves a unique combination of coffee, tea, wine and bites. General Manager Smret Tewolde said the Eritrean culture’s emphasis on coffee and family is behind Roasted Boon’s concept.

“The whole Roasted Boon concept comes from our Eritrean culture,” Tewolde stressed, “We’re very big on family, and the reason we have that vibe or family feel is because coffee is a big thing in our culture.” The word boon is Eritrean for both coffee and the ceremonial preparation of the beverage.

The café’s roasts their own coffee beans in house every day, something Tewolde believes Shaw locals have come to love. Iced and frozen coffee drinks, teas and smoothies are also available. The menu also features a variety of pastries and desserts that are sourced from local bakery Fresh Baguette.

“All of our espresso drinks are from our beans that are freshly roasted and freshly made in house.” Tewolde explained. “Locals come in and they know they’re going to get fresh beans when they come in and purchase our coffee.”

In the evenings, the café also offers a wine selection, with features from Italy and France. Six-dollar glasses are served during Roasted Boon’s happy hour, Monday through Friday, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Tewolde is pleased that the establishment, with its indoor seating and sidewalk café, has become part of Shaw’s vibrant and diverse community.

“We’re very dog friendly,” Tewolde observed. “We have a skate park and we have schools right across the street from

us, and right around the corner. So it’s very family oriented.”

Roasted Boon is open Monday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Roasted Boon’s freshly roasted coffee beans and ground coffee in several varieties, roasts and grinds are also available for home brewing. For more information, visit roastedboon.com.

Experience History at The Florida Avenue Grill

Avisit to the Florida Avenue Grill (1100 Florida Ave NW) is like a trip in a time machine, with authentic soul food and a hands-on DC history lesson thrown in, for good measure. Local artist Imar Hutchins has owned and operated the restaurant since 2005, but the establishment has been in the District since 1944. It remains the oldest surviving soul food restaurant in the country.

Hutchins described the restau-

Henok Melke is the owner of the Roasted Boon Company.

Photo: Alexander Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets.

Imar Hutchins owns the historic Florida Avenue Grill. Photo: Alexander Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets.

rant as “a living museum” that provides the opportunity for visitors to experience history rsthand.

e dining room is decorated with historic photographs and customers can sit at booths and an old fashioned lunch counter. Diners can even sit in the booth where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sat while planning the 1963 March on Washington.

“ e grill is a very important piece of DC history, Black history and American history,” Hutchins explained. “And it’s important to celebrate it and hopefully have it around for the next 80 years.”

e menu, Hutchins said, has maintained its soul food roots and original dishes, including all day breakfast, sh and grits, smothered pan fried pork chops and chitterlings, but has added some healthier vegan and vegetarian options. While the grill’s food has stood the test of time, Hutchins believes the culture is what makes the restaurant so special.

“ e beautiful thing about the Grill is that you can see everyone, from Congress people to homeless people together eating,” Hutchins observed. “It’s like a slice of the real DC.”

Hutchins emphasized his gratitude for the community’s support, particularly throughout the pandemic.

“A lot of businesses have not survived the pandemic, especially restaurants, and we’ve had to make some adjustments, but we’re still here,” Hutchins said.

e Florida Avenue Grill is currently open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit oridaavenuegrill.com.

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

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At the Movies

Two Diverse Winners: A Touching Irish Lass Seeks a Real Home and The Civil War in the Land of Free Blacks

by Mike Canning

they begin to slowly connect by doing chores around the place.

That is pretty much all there is to the plot of the movie, but one notes the forming of a relationship ever so slowly: through wearing rough boots in the slough, by absorbing recipes, through working the milking machines at night, by giving straight answers to tentative questions. It is a delicate weaving of domestic ties that little Cáit has never experienced.

Clinch is a wonder in the film, a revelation of restraint and sweetness. She is an all-seeing eye whom you see coming out of her delicate shell.

The film was made by Colm Bairéad who also wrote the screenplay from a novella by Claire Keegan called Foster. His direction is enhanced enormously by exquisite, concentrated photography by Kate McCullough and a subtle, suggestive score by Stephen Rennicks.

Sure, and it’s a wonder to behold.

Freedom’s Path

The Quiet Girl

One of Oscar’s newly nominated Best International Feature of 2022, “The Quiet Girl,” made its debut at local theaters this month with, to me, a splendid chance to win the trophy. It has a new wrinkle, too, because—though “Irish”—it is placed in the international category because it is, indeed, in the original Irish tongue, a foreign language to the rest of the English-speaking world. It also showcases one of the best child performances in years (the film, which opened in late February, is now in local cinemas; it is rated “PG-13,” and runs 94 minutes).

That touching and resonant child is Cáit (played by Catherine Clinch), an unassuming, very reticent 9-year-old child in 1981 Ireland. She lives on a shabby farm within a dysfunctional family of six: her dull, repressed Mam (Kate Nic Chonaonaigh) , two unremarkable sisters, a baby, and, her father, the coarse and irresponsible Da (Michael Patric), who gets his smarts from the bottom of a beer bottle.

Cáit is the mute observer of her family dynamic, internalizing the family’s petty missteps and quarrels and being a witness to the loveless marriage of her parents.

That dynamic reaches a breaking point when the wife stumbles into another witless pregnancy, and Da, knowing he cannot care for his growing brood, decides to relieve the family of another mouth to feed by farming out stolid Cáit to a distant country cousin, a move to which she succumbs without question. The new foster family, a childless older couple, lives miles away in another part of rural Ireland.

Cáit’s new home is better kept than her own, with a warmer feel. Most of that warmth comes from the wife, Eibhlin (touchingly played by Carrie Crowley), while the husband Séan (Andrew Bennett), is a prototype taciturn farmer who speaks more easily to his cows than to any humans around. He stands apart from the girl, decent but distant, and, though their interactions are at first halting,

“Freedom’s Path” is a Civil War drama with a distinctive perspective. It focuses principally on a group of free, autonomous Black Americans living in the south on the fringes of the war (This film, now in select AMC and Regal theaters, runs 131 minutes and is not rated).

It opens, however, telling the tale (with nods to Stephen Crane’s “The Red Badge of Courage”) of an unseasoned, White Union soldier, William (Gerran Howell). In his very first foray into battle, he is terrified and decides to flee, covering his cowardice by stabbing himself in the thigh with his bayonet and pretending to be dead among the casualties.

Now roaming out on his own, crushed and limping, he is discovered by a young, charismatic Black man, Kitch (RJ Cyler), who helps him find aid within a community of Black farmers. Rather than capture or kill William, Kitch brings him to a small ranch where his extended family accepts William and cares for his wounds.

(From left) Young Cáit (Catherine Clinch) is dropped off with her foster mother Eibhlim (Carrie Crowley) in “The Quiet Girl,” a new Irish-language picture. Photo courtesy of Breakout Pictures

e two young men, initially suspicious of each other, slowly bond over farm work, chores, shing, chats on a porch, and dips in a lake. Living close to the Union border, Kitch and his family are already active in the Underground Railway, shepherding runaways across the line.

But their almost idyllic life ends when the nearby war impinges directly on their community, and a gang of nasty slave hunters, led by the sadistic Wes (Ewen McGregor), discovers them occupying their refuge.

en the lm turns harsh, even vicious, as the slave hunters capture and torture Kitch while William, who has run away, looks back to see his friend being gruesomely beaten and almost lynched before he decides he must intervene at the cost of his own life.

e lm’s writer and director, Brett Smith, devoted 12 years of his life to making “Freedom’s Path” telling the heretofore untold story of autonomous Black Freedmen living in the deep-South during the Civil War. Smith realized early on, with his script in hand, that he would need

“real money, a lot of money.”

In a searching essay on the production, he wrote “How on earth would I get it without an MBA or robbing a bank? ...I decided I would follow my intuition and use the two key resources at my disposal…an iMac computer and my limitless passion to tell this story.

“ e ultimate trick is to never stop putting one foot in front of the other, lean on those you love, and take a moment every now and then to stop and look out on the beautiful vistas that lay behind you....You will have far more setbacks than you had hoped along your journey, but take it from someone who is 12 years into their climb…every step is worth it.”

A heartfelt dream nally makes it to the screen as a heartfelt story.

Hill resident Mike Canning has written on movies for the Hill Rag since 1993 and is a member of the Washington Area Film Critics Association. He is the author of “Hollywood on the Potomac: How the Movies View Washington, DC.” His reviews and writings on lm can be found online at www.mikes ix.com. ◆

(From left) A Black youth Kitch (R.J. Cyler) saves a White Union soldier in “Freedom’s Path,” a recently-released Civil War drama now in cinemas. Photo courtesy of Freedom’s Path Feature Film, LLC

Shaw Streets

by Pleasant Mann

“Walk with Woodson” Tour Held in Shaw

A group of over 70 people gathered the morning of Saturday, February 18 outside the Mary McCleod Bethune National Historic Site to take the tour entitled “Walk with Woodson.” The tour highlighted landmarks associated with prominent African Americans in Shaw during the years that Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History, lived and worked in the neighborhood. The tour was led by personnel from the National Park Service, as well as a reenactor, Darius Wallace, performing as Dr. Woodson, along with Shaw historian Alexander Padro.

The tour moved from the Bethune Home to Logan Circle, where it pointed out the former home of famous Blacks, including Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr and United House of Prayer for All People founder Charles M. “Sweet Daddy” Grace. Further east on Rhode Island Avenue, was the National Association of Wage Earners Headquarters, an organization established by Nannie Helen Burroughs to improve the conditions of women. At Ninth Street, the tour discussed the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, which played an important role in the cultural life of the time and the Q Street office of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, led by the legendary A. Phillip Randolph.

The tour moved to Woodson Park and its monument to Dr. Woodson, stopping at the Carter G. Woodson National Historic Site. Work is continuing on the Woodson site, which will be completed by the fall of 2023. The site will include the original Woodson home, plus two adjoining row homes to provide space for the National Park Service’s full exhibition outlining Dr. Woodson’s work and the accolades he received during his life, as well office

space for the NPS and the headquarters of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the organization Dr. Woodson formed.

The tour ended up at Shiloh Baptist Church, where the Woodson reenactor gave a 30-minute recitation of Dr. Woodson’s beliefs and life’s work.

New Restaurants Opening in Shaw

March will be a big month for restaurant openings in Shaw. Perhaps the biggest will be the opening of Ambar Shaw, at the southeast corner of Seventh and Q Streets NW on March 6. The newest member of the local string of restaurants offering “Balkan dining without limits,” Ambar Shaw will offer lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. The second floor of the restaurant has a rakia cocktail bar complete with retractable rooftop, while the ground floor includes a takeout window for quick meal pickup.

Petit Cerise, located at the southeast corner of L and Seventh Streets NW, is also opening in

March. Created by Jerimiah Langhorne and Alex Zink, the pair that brought The Dabney, DC’s No. 1 restaurant, to Shaw, Petite Cerise (little cherry in French) will specialize in modern French cuisine. Plans are to have the two-story restaurant offer breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual setting.

And watch for the upcoming expansion of the Shaw outpost of Andy’s Pizza, which is taking over the space at 808 V Street NW formerly occupied by Hazel restaurant. The new location has an expansive interior, extensive bar area and a comfortable patio for diners.

More Housing Coming to Shaw

A number of new housing developments in Shaw have come to light recently, all of them on the Ninth Street corridor. The most prominent, by the Kadida Development Group, will be on the currently vacant lot at 1322 Ninth Street NW. Plans are for an eight-story apartment building, bringing 40 units of housing to the neighborhood. The building joins another Kadida project currently underway on the block at 1318 Ninth Street NW, which will produce nine condo units at the former Mood Lounge.

Up the street, construction is continuing at 1400 Ninth Street NW, where developer United Investments is redeveloping one of the oldest buildings in Shaw (dating back to 1850-1870). When they are finished, a longtime eyesore will be restored, with a multilevel modern addition containing seven units of housing, along with a commercial space on the ground floor.

Finally, at 1507 Ninth Street NW, Monarch Urban is planning to replace the former Shiloh Baptist Church Curtie May Turner Building with

Reenactor Darius Wallace addresses crowd in front of Carter G. Woodson National Historic Site during “Walking with Woodson” history tour. Photo: Alexander Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets.

condominiums. The new structure will have a total of 40 units, with 18 percent of them being affordable.

Seylou Holding Baker Meetup and the Return of Pizza Night

Shaw’s Seylou Bakery and Mill is forming a DMV outpost of the Common Grain Alliance by holding a Baker Meetup on March 20. The topic will be “Baking with Whole Grains.” The first meeting of the group is already full, but there will be at least three more sessions this year,

where bakers from around the DC area can exchange tips and tricks, share bread and chat about baking. Check out commongrainalliance.org for more information and to sign up for future CGA Baker Meetups.

Seylou has also announced the return of their Pizza Nights! Now every Wednesday night, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Seylou will offer pizzas with a sourdough crust made from locally sourced veggies and dairy products, as well as meat from Halal sources. Pizzas can be ordered online at Seylou.com or by calling 202-842-1122. u

Rendering of apartment project at 1322 Ninth Street. Graphic courtesy of Kadida Development Partners.

Letha Blount (1930-2023)

by Pleasant Mann

Citizen Nutrition Program in her apartment building in Shaw, and served as volunteer program coordinator for 14 years. She prepared and served breakfast at Foster House for members of nearby New Bethel Baptist Church every Sunday for decades.

an activity room at the church. From that point, the pageant gained a formal board of directors, more seniors entered the pageant, their talent became more polished and the audience grew.

Letha Mae Blount, a pillar of the Shaw community, died on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, at the age of 92 after a brief illness. She was known as a tireless volunteer for neighborhood causes and for her creation and development of the American Classic Woman of the Year Pageant for seniors.

Early Life

Letha Mae Jones was born in Pikeville, North Carolina, in 1930, the youngest of nine children. She graduated from Pikeville Training School before moving to DC in 1952. In Washington, she lived in Shaw on Westminster Street and worked as a ticket seller at the Dunbar movie theater on Seventh Street. In 1953, she completed training to become a licensed practical nurse, working at hospitals in the metropolitan area. Among her patients was a declining George Preston Marshall, the notorious owner of Washington’s professional football team. She married the late William H. Blount Sr. A member of Shaw’s New Bethel Baptist Church for 51 years, Deaconess Blount served as an usher, nurse committee chairperson and board member.

An Active Senior

Blount retired in 1995 from the Washington Hospital Center after over four decades of nursing. She then helped to establish the Foster House Senior

She also sponsored Thanksgiving Day dinners at Foster House that were open to all, attracting as many as 200 guests. The Sunday breakfasts and Thanksgiving dinners were a regular appointment for her longtime pastor, Rev. Walter Fauntroy, who was also the first District of Columbia delegate to Congress. Blount was the president of the Foster House Tenant Association for 15 years.

Pageant Queen

Perhaps Blount’s greatest accomplishment was achieved late in life: establishing the Washington DC Chapter of the American Classic Woman of the Year Pageant. The story starts when she decided to enter the Ms. Senior DC Pageant. Blount won the designation for Ms. Ward 2 but was dissatisfied with the organization.

Nap Turner of WPFW Radio and Cassandra Hardison invited her to represent the District in the American Classic Woman of the Year Pageant in Delaware. She became the pageant’s first DC queen and, after participating in the group’s national pageant in 2000, was asked by the executive director of the national American Classic Woman of the Year Pageant to establish a branch in Washington.

DC’s first American Classic Woman of the Year Pageant was held in 2002 at Israel Baptist Church in Northeast. Blount recruited six senior women to demonstrate their talents in front of a small audience in

With consistent support from people and groups like Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, Shaw Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Alexander Padro, the Douglas Development Corporation, Bernard and Laverne Miller of Miller Copying Service and Shaw Main Streets, the pageant moved to the Shaw Junior High School Auditorium and eventually the Lincoln Theater on U Street.

American Classic Woman at the Lincoln Theater

The pageants at the Lincoln Theater became eagerly awaited events. Hundreds of fans and supporters would fill the seats to cheer for their favorite contestants. A set of well-rehearsed contestants would go through a program of fashion, talent performances and a question-and-answer session, while being judged by a panel of prominent community members.

The pageant also showcased other senior talent. Performers such as Lou Rawls tribute artist David “DC Lou” Bratton, the Iverson Mall Walkers/Line

Mayor Muriel Bowser with her mother and Letha Blount at the American Classic Woman of the Year Pageant. Photo: Pleasant Mann

Letha Blount, founder/director of the American Classic Woman of the Year Pageant.

Photo: Pleasant Mann

Dancers and Ray Apollo Allen, formerly of the Orioles doo-wop group, got opportunities to reveal their still formidable talents as entertainers. A dance performance by Henry Louis Green and Valerie Joy, two performers in their 90s, was a highlight of one pageant.

e pageant provided an opportunity for hundreds of senior women to hone and present their talents. It was recognized by President Obama and by the District’s mayors, councilmembers and residents. Mayor Muriel Bowser appeared on stage at one of the pageants, where her mother, Joan Bowser, was crowned as an honorary queen.

Other notable honorary queens included First Mother of DC Virginia Hayes Williams and Virginia Ali, co-founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl. In later years, the pageants were televised on the District’s cable channel, evidence of their importance to DC culture. e last pageant was held in July 2019, the arrival of COVID-19 putting an end to this e ort of two decades.

Other Work and Honors

Blount was the site manager for the Israel Baptist Church Senior Center and Asbury Dwellings for many years. She also co-founded the Shaw Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons, was a founding board member of Shaw Main Streets, a member of the

board of the Friends of Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library and a member of the Prince Hall Chapter No. 5, Order of the Eastern Star, among other civic organizations.

She received several ceremonial resolutions from the DC Council and awards from the DC Commission for the Women’s Hall of Fame and the Volunteer Activists of the Washington Metropolitan Area.

A Democrat, she was active politically, working on the electoral campaigns of Councilmember Evans and Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Padro, among others.

Blount was pre-deceased by husband William Blount Sr., son William H. Blount Jr. and daughter Annaleesa Blount. She is survived by six grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-great grandchildren. ◆

Pageant master of ceremonies Alexander Padro and Letha Blount congratulate Doris Browne on becoming pageant queen.

Photo: Pleasant Mann

Letha Blount with Rev. Walter Fauntroy and family at the Foster House Thanksgiving Day dinner. Photo: Alexander M. Padro

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 1B held its meeting for February on ursday evening, Feb. 2. e commissioners are Sabel Harris (1B08, chair), Larry Handerhan (1B01, vice chair), Sean Holihan (1B02), Jamie Sycamore (1B03), Santiago Lakatos (1B04, treasurer), Alan Kensek (1B05), Ashleigh Fields (1B07) and Tucker Jones (1B09, secretary). e 1B06 seat is currently vacant. ere was a quorum to conduct business.

Discussion Period

A representative of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) presented on the Tra c Safety Input (TSI) program, version 2.0. DDOT uses TSI to identify improvements needed for roads and other transportation infrastructure. In the past, TSI received individual inputs from District residents, on a rst come, rst served basis, which led to duplicate requests. ere was also an equity issue, with some wards submitting considerably more requests than others.

With TSI 2.0, a list of program objectives will prioritize inputs. DDOT will select 200 inputs for each ward out of the requests it receives. Each ward will be guaranteed a minimum of 10 locations that will be addressed. en DDOT will determine the top 120 projects that have to be worked on from all the District’s eight wards.

Economic Development Committee

e redevelopment of the Frank Reeves Center was the subject of

ANC 1B

by Pleasant Mann

two developer presentations. Proposals had been submitted earlier, but the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) issued a new request for proposals (RFP) in December 2022.

Handerhan noted that the new RFP was so detailed that both of the new proposals were very close in what they were o ering. He also noted that it is a “by right” zoning project, so it has no package of community bene ts.

e rst proposal was from Reeves CMC Partners, which includes MRP Realty, CSG Urban Partners and Capri Investment Group. eir project would total 536,000 square feet, with 100,000 square feet being o ce space. Tenants would include the headquarters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and a Dave Chappelle Comedy Club. ere would be 322 units of housing and a residential hotel as part of the project. Plans call for a Frederick Douglass Plaza and a Marion Barry Amphitheater. e garage would have 366 parking spaces. e project would also bring back the Farmer’s Market previously operating on the Reeves site’s plaza.

Legacy Community Partners, which includes Dantes Partners, the Menkiti Group and EB5 Capital, would have a building with 100,00 square feet of o ce space, including space for the NAACP and DC agencies. e 299 housing units would provide senior housing and include multifamily units. Plans include a Marion Barry Square, an outpost of the DC Central Kitchen and the return of the Farmer’s Market. e Moxy Hotel would have a ag there with 150-180 beds. e garage would have 147 parking spaces.

A resident asked CMC if by reducing the parking the number of housing units could be increased. Answer: unlikely since all parking is underground.

Someone suggested changing the name of the comedy club since the District’s LGBT center had been moved out of the Reeves Center and owing to past statements made by Chappelle regarding the LGBTQ community.

Legacy Community Partners was asked if the planned food court would compete with existing businesses in the area.

e question came up whether the developers will adhere to the District law to incorporate bird-proof glass. ey both will.

A representative from DMPED was asked about the timeline for the project. e development award will be announced in mid-March, with negotiations on a contract to follow. Construction is expected to start in the summer of 2025, with completion in 36 to 48 months.

Transportation Committee

e committee had to consider a notice of intent (NOI) from DDOT to create a loading zone on the 900 block of W Street NW. e proposal would change three areas of the block to create a loading zone on W Street, with an area of two-hour parking changed to residential permit parking spaces to restore any on-street parking lost in the neighborhood.

Sycamore noted that a number of nearby residents had submitted written objections to the NOI. ey believed that the project would not alleviate current business loading issues on that section of Florida Avenue and would be too disruptive to

the neighborhood.

Kensek asked if the commissioners could defer consideration of the issue. Lakatos responded that they had to submit a response in February for DDOT to consider their input. He noted that trucks are currently parking in the middle of the street in order to make deliveries. Two residents voiced their opposition to the NOI.

A vote to support the NOI received a vote of four yeas, two nays and two abstentions, which meant that the motion passed.

Alcoholic Beverage Regulation (ABR) Committee

Maydan, 1346 Florida Ave. NW, petitioned the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to terminate the settlement agreement with the commission. Lakatos argued to protest the move. e commissioners voted to protest.

A signed settlement agreement was presented for Pop Fizz Bar, 2106-2108 Vermont Ave. NW. A motion to approve the settlement agreement was passed by the ANC. Commissioner Holihan announced that he had reached a settlement agreement with Nellie’s Sports Bar, 900 U St. NW, that included provisions for security. He asked the commission to approve the agreement at this meeting to avoid starting the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board protest process. e ANC passed a motion to approve the settlement agreement with Nellie’s.

ANC 1B scheduled its next meeting on ursday, March 2, starting at 6:30 p.m. Plans were to hold this meeting as a virtual conference. Visit www. anc1b.org for more information. ◆

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2G held its monthly meeting for February on Tuesday evening, Feb.

9. Due to the restrictions on public meetings caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, the meeting was held as a virtual conference. Commission Chair Alexander M. “Alex” Padro (2G02) called the meeting to order. Commissioners Anthony “Tony” Brown (2G01, treasurer), Alex Lopez (2G03, secretary), Steven McCarty (2G04), Sheena Berry (2G05) and Rachelle P. Nigro (2G06, vice chair) were in attendance. e commission had a quorum to conduct business.

Third Police District Report

Lieutenant Fleming of the ird Police District noted that statistics for crime were down in most categories. Ongoing concerns are thefts of cars left running or being stolen by “Kia Challenge” techniques. e police have started a mountain-bike patrol to stop thefts from autos and porch piracy. Nigro asked when these patrols occur. Fleming replied that they start around 3 p.m. and continue until midnight.

Northeast Boundary Tunnel Report

DC Water came to report on the progress of its Northeast Boundary Tunnel (NEBT) project. e project will end the use of a combined sewage and wastewater system that is unable to deal with stormwater and prone to ooding neighborhoods.

ANC 2G

by Pleasant Mann

e new system will create separate tunnels for sewage and wastewater that will end the problems. e NEBT will be operational by the end of September. After that, the triangle at R Street and Rhode Island Avenue NW, the Anna Cooper/Lillian Gordon Park, will be restored with new plantings and a sculptural tribute to the park’s namesakes.

Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and Culture

McCarty introduced Salah Czapary, director of the Mayor’s O ce of Nightlife and Culture. McCarty had reached out to Czapary to help deal with nightlife issues in Blagden Alley. So far, Czapary noted, they are working on getting a trash compactor for the businesses in Blagden Alley and on the enforcement of parking rules. One resident expressed appreciation that McCarty and Czapary were able to start improving the situation in Blagden Alley after two years of no movement on issues.

Zoning and Development Committee

Monarch Urban developers announced that it is seeking a zoning map amendment for a property at 1507 Ninth St. NW recently acquired from Shiloh Baptist Church. One of the developer’s principals stated that notices were mailed to nearby residents about the intent to le for the map amendment. e principal also said the plans would be led with the

Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) that week. e amendment is needed since the property is splitzoned between single family and multifamily residential. e amendment will create a single zone. e project will be a residential building with about 45 condominium units.

A resident asked how many below-ground levels the building will have. e one below-grade level will be an English basement. In response to a question about parking, the answer was that the developer will provide all the parking required by zoning. If additional spaces are needed, they could possibly be leased from garages nearby, such as at City Market at O.

e building at 1245 Fifth St. NW, on the southeast corner of Fifth and N streets, has two residential units with a corner store on the ground oor. A request for support of plans for renovation and additions is before the HPRB. Nigro said the committee supported the proposed plans with conditions. One resident complained about the bays and windows planned for the project. Nigro said that the most important point is that the building should be redeveloped. Her motion to support the project with requested changes to the modern bays passed unanimously.

Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Committee (ABC)

Play DC, 1541 Seventh St. NW, sought support for renewal of a tavern license. Lopez explained that the

establishment got the license through a transfer and had been operating since last year through a series of one-day liquor licenses. He said that neighbors had complained that they could hear bass music from the club in their homes. One neighbor testied that he could feel the bass in his residence. e owner o ered to make noise mitigation e orts.

Lopez suggested that the commission protest the license renewal while the owner gets an acoustic engineer to work on the noise problem. He would not object to renewal if the noise problem could be solved. A resident said that ve neighbors objected to a license renewal. One, at 640 Q St., abutting the back of Play DC, noted that the club had the highest noise level, although there were other establishments with music on the block.

Padro expressed dismay that the owner had promised to turn o the bass at the ABC Committee meeting the week before, but it apparently has not been done. A resident asked why the hours on the license are so long. e answer is that the original license was for a cafe, not a nightclub.

Lopez made a motion to protest the renewal of the license for Play DC. e motion passed unanimously.

ANC 2G scheduled its next meeting for ursday, March 9, starting at 6:30 p.m. Plans are to hold this meeting as a virtual conference. Visit www. anc2g.org for more information. ◆

BULLETIN BOARD

Shaw Main Streets Annual Meeting

Shaw Main Streets will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, March 2 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. This is the first time this formerly in-person event has been held since 2019, as these meetings were suspended during the public health emergency. The event will feature remarks from city leaders, a recap of the organization’s programs and activities during the past year, and the election of members of the Board of Directors. For more information on this virtual event, visit shawmainstreets.org.

Studio Theatre & Ben’s Chili Bowl Present Psalm’s Salon

On March 13, 7:30 p.m., Studio Theatre at 1501 14th St NW, in partnership with iconic DC mainstay Ben’s Chili Bowl, will be hosting Psalm’s Salon, a place where great food and great conversation naturally come together. Psalm’s Salons at Studio Theatre are a gathering space to highlight the work of Black creatives, signal boost local and Black-owned businesses, kick back to live music, and promote a sense of community. Created in collaboration with Psalmayene 24, the salons feature rotating panelists from the DC theatre community and beyond. This Salon, Psalm’s guests will be several members of the cast and crew of Studio’s upcoming production of Lynn Nottage’s Clyde’s, including actors Dee Dee Batteast and Kashayna Johnson, director Candis C. Jones, and costume designer Danielle Preston. Ben’s Chili Bowl will provide refreshments, vibez mobile bartending will be serving up sandwich-themed drinks, and DJ Eskimo will be providing music. This event is free and does not require registration. Contact the Box Office at boxoffice@studiotheatre.org or call 202332-3300 with questions.

Annual Patricia Sitar Juried Exhibition

The 13th annual Patricia Sitar Juried Exhibition is in the Cafritz Gallery of the Sitar Arts Center, 1700 Kalorama Rd. NW, Suite 101, through April 7. Visit the exhibition Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays by appointment. Most of the work is for sale with price on the label description. sitarartscenter.org.

NoMa Farmers Market at Althea Tanner Park Returns

The NoMa Farmers Market at Althea Tanner Park, 227 Harry Thomas Way NE, returns for the season on Thursday May 4, 3 to7 p.m. Diverse Market Management is seeking farmers, producers, and qualified food vendors only for this new venue. Applications are now being accepted at diversemarkets.net.

Logan Hardware Celebrates Twentieth Anniversary with a Block Party

On March 12, 3 to 6 p.m., Logan Hardware, 1734 14th St. NW, is throwing a block party to celebrate 20 years of doing business in DC’s Logan Circle neighborhood. Shop 20% off the entire store and enjoy gift bags, giveaways, and goodies. Neighboring businesses like Chicken + Whiskey and Aslin Brewery will offer free samples and discounts as the party spills out onto the sidewalk and down the block. acehardwaredc.com.

National Museum of Women in the Arts Announces Reopening Date

The National Museum of Women in Arts, the world’s first major museum solely dedicated to championing women artists, reopens its extensively renovated building on Oct. 21. The transformed museum will feature new exhibition spaces, re-envisioned public programming areas, improved amenities and increased accessibility for visitors at its historic home at 1250 New York Ave. NW. In addition to an expansive reinstallation of the collection, NMWA will present an inaugural exhibition, The Sky’s the Limit, featuring powerful monumental sculpture and immersive installations by a dozen contemporary women artists, in an innovative presentation not possible prior to the renovation. nmwa.org.

Tax Help at Shaw Library

On Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., through April 15, AARP will help you with your taxes. Meet with a trained volunteer with the AARP

Martina Loncar’s “Hold My Hand”, Mixed media collage, 50x50”, 2022, $1250.

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

DCHFA,

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

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

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors

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

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

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

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

Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP)

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

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

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

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 payment and closing cost assistance up to $202,000 combined. DCHFA serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) first-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 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 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 provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.

COVID-19

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

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

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.

Foundation to help prepare your income tax return. You can make an appointment by calling 202-683-7397 or sending an email to 20051012@aarpfoundation.org. Appointments may not be made in person. dclibrary.org/watha.

The Cost of Living: An Observation of the Resistance, Resilience and Joy of Black Women

Dupont Underground, 19 Dupont Circle NW, presents its first show of the season, “The Cost of Living: An Observation of the Resistance, Resilience, and Joy of the Black Woman.” The exhibit will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through March 26. This exhibition examines the historical struggle disenfranchised Black women in America have faced in making ends meet. Artist and curator Nikki Brooks’ goal is for the audience to acquire a deeper perspective into the lived Black experience through the gaze of Black women; to formulate affirmation and understanding of that perspective, and to carry the mantle of

allyship. General admission tickets are $10; $8 for students, seniors, and active military. dupontunderground.org.

Murals DC Seeks Artists

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, in partnership with the DC Department of Public Works, seeks mural artists, graffiti artists and/or artists/artist teams who work with aerosol to design, create and install exterior public art murals as part of the MuralsDC program. MuralsDC seeks bold, new, and next-level designs from artists across mediums that embrace traditional aerosol graffiti styles in their mural practice. Muralists must demonstrate experience executing large-scale exterior murals. Muralists with experience that showcase content that touches themes of Community Pride, Community Voices, Local History, Environmental Scenes, and colorful design are encouraged. The MuralsDC program was established to beautify neighborhoods and communities in the District of Columbia with artistic works. This initiative also aims to positively demonstrate the culture and

Lower Plaza of Meridian Hill Park Made Wheelchair Accessible

Meridian Hill Park, also known as Malcolm X Park, has reopened after the National Park Service constructed an accessible route through the lower plaza level and restored its distinctive historic landscape and architectural features. The new accessible route, which provides easier entry to people who use wheelchairs, provides access from the corner of 16th St. NW and Florida Ave. NW/W St. NW to the lower plaza of the park and continues to the east with access to the plaza. The NPS planted 26 trees, 488 shrubs and 60 groundcover plants to reflect the park’s historic landscape design. Ten large Columbia plane trees, which are resilient to fungal disease, were planted to provide shade. Visitors can see a distant view of the Washington Monument through a new pleached allée–a frame that allows trees to be trained and trimmed to form an archway. This archway was part of the original landscape design. To aid the growth of the newly planted trees in the lower plaza, a suspended pavement system was installed to support the weight of pavement and create a subsurface space for tree root growth. The NPS also updated storm drains and inlets throughout the lower level of the park. The NPS replaced and repaired damaged historic concrete walls, walkways and stairs to improve safety and preserve historic architectural elements of the park. The NPS is now making plans to repair the cascading fountain.

Boz Scaggs at the National

Tickets for the newly announced tour of Boz Scaggs are now on sale. The one-night-only concert is at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, on Saturday, May 13, at 8 p.m. $60 to $125. “Music has been a constant companion and I’m feeling freer with it than ever,” Scaggs comments. “I feel like I’ve found my voice through all these years, and I’ve gotten closer to where I want to be with my approach.” broadwayatthenational.com/show/boz-scaggs/.

Completed lower plaza of Meridian Hill Park.

Photo: Courtesy of the National Park Service

Boz Scaggs

techniques of gra ti art to the District; promote respect for public and private property; and heighten community pride through public art. dcarts.dc.gov/page/murals-dc.

Abraham Lincoln Institute Symposium Speakers Announced

After virtual symposiums from 2020 to 2022, Ford’s eatre Society and the Abraham Lincoln Institute present the return of the Abraham Lincoln Institute Symposium on Saturday, March 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Ford’s eatre. In the 2023 symposium, noted authors and historians Terry Alford, Fred L. Hord, David J. Kent, Jon Meacham and Diana Schaub will discuss aspects of our 16th president’s history. is free full-day symposium is focused on the life, career and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln.  is event is free and open to the public. Advance registration for tickets is encouraged and available now through March 25. Day-of tickets will be available on March 25 on a rst-come, rst-served basis. Books will be available for purchase at the Ford’s eatre Gift Shop on the day of the symposium. fords.org/event/abraham-lincolninstitute-symposium

Free Steering Wheel Locks

DC residents who own a 20112021 Kia or Hyundai vehicle are eligible to receive a free steering wheel lock from an MPD District station. MPD is partnering with Kia and Hyundai corporations to combat motor vehicle theft after a social media challenge that encourages using a USB cable to steal these types of cars led to a substantial increase in Kia and Hyundai car thefts. Residents who qualify for the steering wheel lock must have a 2011-2021 Hyundai or Kia, a steel key ignition (keyless

Pups in the Park

Pups in the Park is an opportunity to bring your dog to a Nationals game. You and your dog will both get to enjoy the game from seats in a pet-friendly outfield reserved section. Participants must complete the waiver and bring it to the game in order to bring your dog into Nationals Park. The full information regarding Pups in the Park will be emailed to all special ticket event buyers 24 hours prior to the game. Human ticket price is $35; plus $10 per dog. This year’s games are Sunday, April, 16, 1:35 p.m. vs. Cleveland Guardians; Friday, May 19, 7:05 p.m. vs. Detroit Tigers; Wednesday, June 7, 7:05 p.m. vs. Arizona D-backs; Wednesday, Aug. 16, 7:05 p.m. vs. Boston Red Socks; Tuesday, Sept. 5, 7:05 p.m. vs. New York Mets; and Saturday, Sept. 23, 1:05 p.m. vs. Atlanta Braves. All proceeds from the dog ticket sales are donated to the Humane Rescue Alliance. For more information or to purchase a group of 20 or more, contact Trevor Mann at 202-640-7069 or Trevor. Mann@nationals.com.

entry/push-to-start vehicles are not impacted), proof of DC registration and a District ID. Residents can pick up a steering wheel lock by visiting First District--101 M St. SW; Second District--3320 Idaho Ave. NW; Third District--1620 V St. NW; Fourth District--6001 Georgia Ave. NW; Fifth District: 1805 Bladensburg Rd. NE; Sixth District: 5002 Hayes St. NE; or Seventh District--2455 Alabama Ave. SE. Steering wheel locks will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents can check to see if their local District station has any wheel locks remaining by going to mpdc.dc.gov/autotheft.

DC Nightlife’s Cherry Night

On Friday, March 31, 7 to 11 p.m., enjoy Cherry Night, an exclusive, one-nightonly cherry blossom-themed celebration

of DC nightlife through music, fashion, and food. Selected venues throughout the DC area elevate the dinner scene with custom springtime menus, blossom décor, and live entertainment. Sign up for the festival’s emails for the latest updates on participating Cherry Night venues at nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/joinemail-list.

Fundraiser Viewing of “The High Ground” at Arena Stage

A Black man in an army uniform stands his ground atop Tulsa’s Standpipe Hill, bearing witness to the destruction and desecration of Tulsa’s Greenwood District--but other forces, both friendly and hostile, conspire to remove him. A play in conversation with Tulsa,

Arboretum Eagle Update

According to experts at the National Arboretum and DC Department of Energy & Environment, the Arboretum’s nesting pair of bald eagles have built a new nest for the 2023 season. Mr. President and LOTUS built the new nest on Arboretum property in the woods between Fern Valley and the Langston Golf Course. The new nest is much bigger than the previous one, and is located closer to the Anacostia River, the eagles’ main food source. Mr. President and LOTUS performed bonding flights throughout the fall. Based on their current behavior in the nest, it is highly likely they have already laid an egg. While there won’t be a livestream camera in the nest this year to watch the eagles in action, they are often seen flying over the Arboretum. Due to the nest’s isolated location and large size, it is difficult to see the eagles when they are in the nest. All are reminded to mind the trails that are closed off between the Fern Valley parking lots and the Langston Golf Course and give the eagles their space. usna.usda.gov.

Oklahoma’s 1921 race massacre, The High Ground is an unexpected love story that traverses space and time and reminds us of what it takes to re-emerge from the devastation. There is a fundraiser viewing of “The High Ground” on Friday, March 17, 7 p.m. $60 to $100. This event includes a preproduction reception and postproduction discussion with cast. Arena Stage is at 1101 Sixth St. SW. arenastage.org.

Union Station Maker’s Market

As part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Union Station hosts the Union Station in Bloom Makers Market in the Main Hall. The market is from March 24 to 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. nomabid.org.

DC Water Offers

One-time Catch-up Offer

DC Water has created a one-time offer for eligible customers with a past due balance. DC Water will waive some penalties and late fees, and then reduce the balance by ten percent. This incentive, called Customer Catch Up, is available to those who qualify if they pay their reduced balance by May 31. There is no application process and no waiting period. Eligible customers with balances outstanding for 30 days or more as of Dec. 31, 2022, will be contacted directly by DC Water with more information. Penalties and late fees accruing after Dec. 31, 2022, are not eligible. The full Catch-Up balance must be paid by May 31. For faster posting, customers can pay by phone at 202-354-3600 or online at mydcwater.com.

NGA Announces New Artle Archive as Game Surpasses Six Million Plays

The popular National Gallery of Art daily guessing game, Artle, recently launched Artle Archive, a collection of more than 200 past Artle games. The Archive lets new players discover artists previously highlighted on Artle since its launch, while returning players can test their memories. You can now view the full list of more than 200 games, or filter by difficulty, artist’s nationality, and century. Play through the full catalog of American artists featured on Artle. Using the filter feature, you can also create your own custom Artle collection of multiple puzzles and share the link with others to challenge them to your unique Artle collection. The feature is a useful tool for educators, allowing them to share collections of games with students. Artle shows players four artworks by a single artist, offering them four chances to guess the artist’s name. The game starts with a lesser-known work and progresses to more recognizable works or includes hints. After four guesses, players can share their results and click through to the National Gallery’s website to learn more about the artist. The daily games vary by artists’ recognizability, genres, mediums, and time periods. Find Artle at nga.gov/artlearchive.

Photo: Courtesy of USDA Agricultural Research Service

Easter Sunrise Services

Easter Sunrise Service at the Lincoln Memorial begins at 6:30 a.m. Over 6000 people gather annually at the Lincoln Memorial to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. national.cc/events/details/easter-sunrise-service. Easter Sunrise Service at Arlington Cemetery is on April 9. It begins at 6:15 a.m. with a musical prelude. Enter Arlington National Cemetery via Memorial Avenue and park at the cemetery’s parking garage, where parking is free from 5 to 9 a.m. (fees for parking begin at 9 a.m.). There is no walking to the amphitheater from the parking lot; a free shuttle service will transport all guests from the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center and transport them back. arlingtoncemetery.org.

Two for the Trails Cleanup at Anacostia Park

Join Anacostia Riverkeeper on Saturday, March 25 (rain or shine), 9 a.m. to noon, for a cleanup at Anacostia Park, 1100 Good Hope Rd. SE, and help them stop trash from entering the river. All supplies provided. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing you can get dirty that will protect you from the brush. Register at anacostiariverkeeper.org.

The Anacostia Riverkeeper’s Clean Waterways Earth Day Cleanup is on Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m. to noon, at Kenilworth Park.

Petal Porch Registration Started

Contract Awarded for Lincoln Memorial Visitor Experience Transformation

The National Park Service has awarded a contract to add an immersive museum beneath the Lincoln Memorial and other upgrades to the visitor experience. Construction is expected to begin this month with completion targeted for 2026, in time for the 250th anniversary of American independence. The nearly $69 million project will create 15,000 square feet of exhibit space that tells a more complete story of the Lincoln Memorial and provides a look at the structure’s foundations in a cavernous area known as the undercroft. New museum exhibits and multi-media presentations will highlight the construction history of the memorial and discuss how the Lincoln Memorial has become the nation’s foremost backdrop for civil rights demonstrations. The project also includes new restrooms, a larger bookstore and a refurbished elevator to the chamber level of the memorial.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival invites DC residents to celebrate springtime by decorating their homes. Registration for Petal Porches is through March 20. Registration is free. All registered participants receive a downloadable sign to print and include in your display. Once registered, you will be added to the official Petal Porches Map. Register before March 13 to get a free Petal Porch yard sign. No Porch? Feel free to decorate your yard, sidewalk, window, or something else visible from the street or sidewalk. Petal Porches should be decorated during the dates of the festival: Monday, March 20 through Sunday, April 16. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/ event/petal-porch-registration. u

Sunrise photo at the Lincoln Memorial

Kids & Family

Second Saturday Sungazing

Blossom Kite Festival

On Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., (rain date, March 26), discover the joy of kite- ying on the Washington Monument grounds. e Blossom Kite Festival is a long-standing DC tradition encouraging attendees of all ages to y kites among the cherry blossom trees. e iconic outdoor event is fun, free, and open to the public. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

Sleeping Beauty at Glen Echo

A funny frog storyteller ribbits the tale of o ended fairies, silly royalty, and magic spells. On March 5 to April 9, relive this classic fairy tale in this lovely Legacy rod-puppet show. e show runs ursdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. It is recommended for ages four, up. $15; free for under age two. Sleeping Beauty is at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. Upcoming shows are Jack and the Beanstalk, April 20 to May 21; Guest Artists-Dino Rock, June 1 to July 9; Beauty and the Beast, July 20 to Aug. 20; Magic Mirror, Aug. 31 to Sept. 17. thepuppetco.org.

On the Second Saturday of every month, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., become an astronomer and observe the Sun safely with a ltered telescope. Join museum sta outside the Air and Space Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center entrance to view a variety of features on the Sun. Knowledgeable sta will be there to answer questions and guide observing. If clouds are blocking the view of the sky, nd them inside the Museum’s Space Hangar to see images of the Sun taken by a satellite. Free but parking is $15. airandspace.si.edu.

River Island | Isla de R� os at the KC

Created in collaboration with award-winning author and illustrator Edwin Fontánez, from April 4 to 16, River Island, open at 10 a.m., is an immersive play space for children—featuring books, videos, and activities about nature and the environment—inspired by the culture of the Taínos, the indigenous inhabitants of Puerto Rico. River Island is located at PT109 at THE REACH. Free admission. kennedycenter.org.

At the RiverRun Fun Festival on Saturday, April 8, starting at 11 a.m., families can enjoy playing in the River Island/Isla de Riós room, learning about conservation from the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, and watching artists paint outdoors at this special free event. kennedycenter.org.

Photo: Ron Engle

Illustration by Edwin Fontánez from Once On This Beautiful Is-land © Exit Studio

Kids Run the Bases at Nat’s Park

Kids ages four to twelve can run the bases after every Sunday Washington Nationals day game. is season’s dates are April 2, 16 and 30; May 14 and 21; June 4 and 18; July 9 and 23; Aug. 13; and Sept. 3, 10 and 14. An adult must accompany runners to the eld. Starting at rst base, kids will be directed to run around the bases as the adults continue along the warning track and meet the runners near home plate. Once the baseball game has ended, kids and parents/ guardians can line-up at the end of the seventh inning. Participants must exit the ballpark through the Right Field Gate. e line forms outside of the park

Cherry Blossom Kids Celebration

Join Capitol Hill Arts Workshop on Sunday, March 26 for a celebration of cherry blossoms and Eastern Market’s 150th anniversary with a day of arts activities and performances in Eastern Market’s North Hall. CHAW’s Suzuki studio and dancers from CHAW’s youth arts program will perform, artist Will Fleischell will hold a plein air workshop and a family friendly arts and crafts table with CHAW teaching artists will be open throughout the day. (Times TBD) Visit www. chaw.org for details.

Watch Asian Elephant Nhi Linh Play

On Jan. 16, the National Zoo’s nineyear-old Asian elephant got a kick out of her enrichment toy as she and her mother, Trong Nhi, played in the Elephant Community Center. In the

wild, Asian elephants use their bodies to fell trees and their trunks to move logs. Keepers give the elephants enrichment to encourage these natural behaviors. Toys like this help them keep physically t and mentally sharp; they also encourage them to socialize and play. Watch Asian Elephant Nhi Linh Play at nationalzoo.si.edu/ animals/news/watch-asian-elephantnhi-linh-play.

New School

Capitol Hill Christian Academy (CHCA), is a new classical, K-12, full-time school that plans to launch classes in Fall 2023. CHCA exists to partner with families and churches to provide a Christ-centered education to cultivate a lifelong curiosity, and a love of learning and service, in pursuit of what is true, good, and beautiful. e location in the heart of the Capitol Hill neighborhood, near Eastern Market, will be announced soon.

Photo: Courtesy of the Washington Nationals

Family Happy Hour with King Bullfrog

On Friday, March 17, 5 to 7 p.m., bring the family out to enjoy an evening lled with live music perfect for all ages. is concert is indoors on the second oor of the Hill Center--if the weather is unseasonably warm, they may move the event outdoors. is happy hour is perfect for little ones to run, dance, laugh, and play to the beat of their favorite songs. Featuring Mr. Jeremiah and Mr. Steve—both Capitol Hillbased dads and music teachers— the duo’s roots-and-blues tunes are carefully tailored to get children dancing while delighting grownups. King Bullfrog is the hottest sensation in family music in the DC area. $10 per child two and older; $5 per grownup. Beer, wine and pizza for purchase. Hill Center is at 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Tickets at hillcenterdc.org.

The Atlas Family Fun Day

On Saturday, March 11, 10 a.m. to noon, the Atlas lobby will be lled with music, performances, an instrument petting zoo, a campy and glamorous story time for kids and kids at heart (TARA HOOT Darlings, You’re Gorgeous!) and a creation station o ering crafts and coloring for kids and their grown-up friends. e Atlas Cafe will be open for treats purchase. All activities are familyfriendly, age-appropriate, and free. Atlas Performing Arts Center is at 1333 H St. NE. atlasarts.org. ◆

Main Streets is a designated

Main Streets program and is funded in part by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, Muriel E. Bowser, Mayor.