Mid City DC Magazine – March 2025 by Capital Community News

Appioo’s owner, Chef Prince Matey poses in front of the restaurant’s colorful murals.

Photo: Andrew Lightman

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

The National Cherry Blossom Festival

The National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC, and celebrates the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan. Today’s Festival now spans four weeks, March 20 to April 14, and welcomes more than 1.5 million people to enjoy diverse and creative programming promoting arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. Here are some of the highlights: Parade, March 29, 10 a.m. to noon (March 30, rain date); Kite Festival, March 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (March 30, rain date); Petalpalooza at the Waterfront, April 5, 1 to 9 p.m.; Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, 5k and Kids Run, April 5 and 6; Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival, April 12 and 13 ($10 to $25); Peak Bloom Tidal Basin Welcome Area, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

Sakura Matsuri: Japanese Street Festival

Annie at the National

Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now this wellloved musical is set to return in a new production—just as you remember it and just when we need it most. Annie is at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. from April 11 to 20. Tickets start at $59. thenationaldc.com.

The Sakura Matsuri: Japanese Street Festival, on Saturday, April 12, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, April 13, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., is the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States. The festival, on Pennsylvania Avenue NW between Third and Seventh, features Japanese cultural performances on four stages (including J-Pop, traditional Japanese music, and martial arts) and a diverse range of cultural exhibitors, artisan and commercial vendors of traditional and contemporary Japanese goods, and Japanese and other food and beverages. The festival also spotlights travel and tourism opportunities and innovative Japanese technologies. Tickets are $10 to $25. sakuramatsuri.org.

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker at the NGA

Co eepot, Shop of Alexander Petrie, Charleston, South Carolina, 1742-1768, Silver with wooden handle, 3996, Loan courtesy of the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA).

Fighting for Freedom: Black Craftspeople and the Pursuit of Independence

The Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, 1776 D St. NW, presents its new exhibition, Fighting for Freedom: Black Craftspeople and the Pursuit of Independence, in collaboration with the Black Craftspeople Digital Archive from March 29 to Dec. 31, 2025. This exhibition embraces the stories of those who pursued independence by centering on the lives and experiences of Black craftspeople and artisans from the 18th and 19th centuries. Fighting for Freedom features more than 50 objects made by both free and enslaved craftspeople. With artifacts from the 18th, 19th, and 21st centuries, this exhibition tells the stories of countless known and unnamed gures whose skills and commitment created not only objects but independence in many forms. Free admission. Open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. dar.org/museum.

Eureka Day

Eureka Day is a private California elementary school with a Board of Directors that values inclusion above all else—that is until an outbreak of the mumps forces everyone in the community to reconsider the school’s liberal vaccine policy. As cases rise, the board realizes with horror that they’ve got to do what they swore they never would: make a choice that won’t please absolutely everybody. Tickets are $49 to $155. Eureka Day is at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater from March 7 to 22. kennedycenter.org.

For over four decades, Chakaia Booker has cut, coiled, and contorted tires, sculpting the industrial waste into spectacular abstract forms. Booker uses discarded tires both as a commentary on cultural histories and experiences and as a sustainable practice. Salvaging the tires avoids their disposal into land lls, where they trap and emit methane gas that pollutes the environment and contributes to global warming. From April 5 to Aug. 3, see three awe-inspiring sculptures by this American artist who transforms tires to explore environmental concerns in the National Gallery of Art East Building, Tower Level, Gallery 501. nga.gov.

DC Beer Festival at Nat’s Park

On Saturday, April 12 (rain or shine), the DC Beer Fest returns to Nationals Park. Soak in the spring weather while indulging in beer samples from over 80 breweries. Groove to the live music beats and savor the culinary delights offered by a variety of food trucks. General admission is $55. Session one is from noon to 3 p.m.; session two is from 5 to 8 p.m. Upgrade your experience with $90 VIP early access to batting practice in National’s cages. Also included with VIP are limitless beer tastings, exclusive entry to the warning track and dugouts, and a DC Beer Fest T-shirt. All guests must be at least 21 to attend. dcbeerfestival.com.

and

Orchids: Master of Deception at the US Botanic Garden

Orchids captivate and enthrall people around the world. They also captivate and lure pollinators—sometimes through fascinating, beautiful deceit. Through April 27, join the US Botanic Garden as they showcase some of the unique, bizarre, and intriguing orchid adaptations that deceive pollinators looking for food, mates, locations to lay their eggs, and more. Explore thousands of orchids in this 29th annual joint orchid exhibit between the US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW, and Smithsonian Gardens. The Garden is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. usbg.gov.

Joe Carroll, Eboni Flowers, Tony Carlin, Chelsea Yakura Kurtz,

Jennifer Laura Thompsom. Photo: Jeremy Daniel

Chakaia Booker, Acid Rain, 2001 rubber tires and wood overall: 10 x 20 x 3 (120 x 240 x 36 in.)

National Museum of Women in the Arts. Photo: Lee Stalsworth

Theater Night

A curated review of theater in the DMV

by Matthew McClure

It’s a foregone conclusion that William Shakespeare’s work is the be-all and endall. If all the world’s a stage, then you can never have too much of a good thing and the English playwright’s words are a dish fit for the Gods and a tower of strength in a brave new world.

The above sentence is made up almost entirely of phrases coined by Shakespeare which are still in use today. This month’s column is a nod to the enduring legacy of Shakespeare through contemporary works that draw on his oeuvre. We’ve also included another re-imagining of classic material in our Special Mention section.

Catch before Closing Kunene and the King, Shakespeare Theatre Company

Showing thru March 23 www.shakespearetheatre.org

With South Africans seemingly making news headlines for all the wrong reasons recently, what a joy it is to welcome the legendary South African activist, playwright, director and actor Dr. John Kani to American shores for the US debut of his critically acclaimed play Kunene and the King. Sold out to audiences in England (where it first opened in 2019 at The Royal Shakespeare Company) and South Africa, this version of Kani’s play is brought to the Shakespeare Theatre Company stage in association with Octopus Theatricals, with

Ruben Santiago-Hudson in the director’s seat. Written six years ago as a rumination on South Africa’s 25th anniversary of democracy post-Apartheid, Kani’s play is a touchingly funny story of two South Africans from radically different worlds bonding unexpectedly through Shakespeare’s King Lear and the looming specter of death. “I wanted to ask ‘What have we learned, how far have we come in our attempt to create a just, democratic, non-sexist, non-racial society?’ This is my contribution to opening that discussion. Are we better now than we were 30 years ago?” Kani states. Edward Gero plays Jack Morris, an ageing white actor who’s landed the role of a lifetime: Playing King Lear in Shakespeare’s eponymous 17th

Century work. Morris also has terminal liver cancer, which precipitates inviting “sister” Lunga Kunene (Kani) into his house as an in-home caregiver.

Kunene and the King, like much of Dr. Kani’s work, is both reflexive and reflective. As a singular contributor to Protest Theater – both through his writing and performances – Kani is no stranger to the racism and brutality of South Africa’s Apartheid regime: Returning home in 1975 after a performance in Athol Fugard’s Sizwe Banzi is Dead, Kani was horrifically attacked by South African police, losing his left eye as a result. Kani’s brother, Welile, died of liver cancer the same year that Kunene and the King was performed in 2019, with Sir Antony Sher – who passed away only three years later from the same disease —playing Jack. These myriad influences find expression in the play, along with a deep and abiding passion for Shakespeare inculcated from an early age through an isiKhosa translation of King Lear that Kani was taught in high school in 1959. “There’s an old man who’s trying to make sense of his existence who, before he walks past the screen of life, asks if he has left any footprint that can help another traveler reach his destination,” says Kani about the protagonist in Shakespeare’s play, who falls victim to the scheming and machinations of his family and his own hubris. “The choice of King Lear is to discuss cultural differences and cultural points of view. Jack

Photo: John Kani and Edward Gero in Kunene in the King at Shakespeare Theatre Company. Photo: Teresa Castracane.

Morris thinks it’s high class and learned for a Black person (Lunga Kunene) to know about Shakespeare, but in return Lunga teaches Jack about humanity.”

Throughout the play, Kunene and Morris challenge each other’s preconceptions by touching on seemingly innocuous idiosyncrasies that will be familiar to South Africans in the audience. Kunene drinks tea from the household’s fine china while serving Morris a beverage in an old enamel mug – a household item stereotypically associated with “the help.” Morris discovers Kunene’s home address in Soweto and visits him unannounced towards the end of the play, a transgressive act in a country still plagued by a legacy of spatial Apartheid that cleaved communities through racialized segregation. “The play wouldn’t work if Jack was an open racist. He has to make a mistake every time he opens his mouth.” Dr. Kani says as he explains how Morris’s latent racism surfaces when he offers Kunene a servant’s room in the back of his property.

Like all great theater, Kani’s play

has found renewed significance within the current global zeitgeist. At the age of 82, Kani is troubled by a world that’s increasingly polarized. He hopes that Kunene and the King will offer a soothing dose of hope, humility and humor at a time when there are many wounds that need salving. “I’m watching what’s going on around the world. There’s a strange thing that’s happening. We have to take responsibility for our actions and our silence. I know that humanity will be the last victor. We’re going to find each other, see each other, understand and talk to each other. It’s the only way to a better community.”

On Right Now

A Room in the Castle, Folger Theatre

Showing March 4 – April 6

www.folger.edu

My love affair with William Shakespeare’s Ophelia began as a young boy, watching a flame-haired Kate Winslet swan around Elsinore Castle in Kenneth Branagh’s epic four-hour film adaptation of Hamlet, a tragic tale of

madness, unrequited love and grasping power. Even then, I knew there had to be more to this character, and it turns out I was right.

There’s no shortage of alternative universes inhabited by Polonius’s daughter and Prince Hamlet’s fleeting love interest. Jürgen Vsych’s Ophelia Learns to Swim, Ed Gass-Donnelly’s Dying Like Ophelia and Claire McCarthy’s Ophelia are all creative tributes to one of only two women (the other is Queen Gertrude) to grace the pages of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Now, thanks to Lauren Gunderson, there’s another.

Gunderson, touted by American Theatre Magazine as the Most Produced Living Playwright, is no stranger to the Bard’s plays. She’s used Shakespeare as source material for her works The Taming and Toil and Trouble and this month she’ll bring Ophelia, Queen Gertrude and Ophelia’s handmaid Anna to the Folger Theatre stage in collaboration with the Cincinnati Theatre Company in A Room in the Castle. The title is a wink to Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own (a meditation on feminine expression, liberty and creativity in a world dominated by patriarchy) which should give you a hint of what’s to come. With director Kaja Dunn at the helm and Sabrina Lynne Sawyer as Ophelia, Oneika Phillips as Queen Gertrude and Burgess Byrd as Anna, the ‘Women of Hamlet’ are given full, unapologetic and vivacious life in Gunderson’s augmentation of this classic story.

If you love music, there’s plenty of soul-rousing melo-

Photo: Sabrina Lynne Sawyer, Burgess Byrd and Oneika Phillips in A Room in the Castle at the Folger. Photo: Mikki Schaffner.

Image: Show art for Poppea by PLUNKERT.

dies on offer, Gunderson says. “Since Ophelia is often singing in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, it felt like a natural extension to make her into a little Taylor Swift in her room trying to come up with a love song.” Ophelia’s inspirational melodies are a rich counterpoint to Hamlet’s madness, explains Gunderson, and Queen Gertrude and Anna are in on the act. “Ophelia is the unsung song. Her song is a confession but then becomes a performance and a generative inspiration to keep going. It felt very resonant with what Shakespeare gave us and who this character is, like a handshake between Shakespeare’s Hamlet and the extension and augmentation that this”. Through toe-tapping lyrics, the audience gets to travel with Ophelia on an alternative journey that doesn’t end in a watery grave as per Shakespeare’s original penning.

With the Folger Shakespeare Library and Theatre mere steps away from a nexus of power now largely dominated by men, there’s a beautiful synchronicity to A Room in the Castle being given space to speak its message to DMV audiences at this moment. Don’t miss it.

Special Mention

Poppea, IN Series

Showing March 14 – March 30 www.inseries.org

Poppea, the last and possibly greatest operatic work by the Italian composer Claudio Monteverdi, comes roaring back to life through a contemporary infusion of Southern Indian Bharatanatyam dance in the last of IN Series’ Monteverdi trilogy. Indian-Canadian choreographer Hari Krishnan, stage and musical director Timothy Nelson and a host of uber talented vocal artists – accompanied by IN Series’ INnovatio Orchestra – will fire up stages at Dupont Underground, St. Mark’s Capitol Hill and Baltimore Theatre Project commencing on the first night of the Hindu Festival of Holi and running till the end of March. u

Sp o tli ght on Shaw

by Andrew Lightman

Fine, Homecooked Ghanaian Cuisine

Appioo is a slang term for the Ghanaian national spirit “akpeteshie.”

It translates as “something hidden.”

White liquid is collected from palm trees, fermented in a large barrel for three days and then distilled. During colonial times, the spirit was banned by Ghana’s British overlords. Hence the name.

Much like the liquor, Appioo African Bar & Grill, 1924 Ninth St. NW, is somewhat hidden. Located in the English basement of a historic row house, patrons descend a staircase to enter a lively dining room and bar. e walls are decorated with colorful murals set o against African art. e vibe is relaxed by design. Owner, Chef Prince Matey wants diners to feel at home, his home.

Working in the neighborhood as a bartender, Matey discovered a hole-in-the-wall Ghanaian spot at the location of his current restaurant. e food was authentic, but oily, he recalled. With the aid of friends, he purchased the place in 2014. He installed a bar and redecorated. However, the real changes were to the cuisine.

Growing up one of eight children in the coastal city of Tema, Matey learned to cook at his mother’s knee. “We cooked at home. Cooking was a part of life,” he recalled. Matey prepares Ghanaian cuisine using his family’s recipes.

Matey grew up in part on a farm. Once a week, the family would dine on chicken. e chickens were impossible to catch, once they were loose in the compound, Matey laughingly remembered. His father was always careful never to let the chosen bird out of the coop.

e magic starts with the preparation of a basic marinade consisting of garlic, ginger and occasionally Scotch Bonnet peppers. It is used to season meats such as goat, beef, ox tails or chicken. ese proteins are added, along with tomatoes and onions, to a pot of water. After being brought to a boil, it is then left to simmer. Once the meat is tender, it is reserved. e vegetables are then removed, pureed and added back to make a stock for Ghana’s famous peanut and pepper soups, both served with a choice of protein.

“ is is home cooked food,” Matey said. is type of preparation keeps the oil to a minimum, explained Matey. He is quite health conscious, spending the last few years eating mostly vegetarian. “ is is the way we ate in my home,” he stated.

In fact, many of the establishment’s signature dishes are vegetarian. All the spinach, beans and plantain preparations are cooked without meat. Vegan fare is also available. Akrakro, a dish of black eyed peas and plantain dumplings, is Matey’s goto recommendation for

those who forego meat.

One of the most interesting o erings on the menu is Egusi. It is made of seeds from a gourd that resembles a watermelon. e tiny pips are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with protein and healthy fats. ey are typically dried and roasted and then ground into a powder. At Appioo, they are served along with the diner’s choice of protein. Egusi has become the most popular dish in the restaurant, Matey said.

No trip to a Ghanaian restaurant would be complete without sampling the establishment’s Fufu. is dish is served throughout West Africa. It can be made from yucca, taro, yam or cassava powder. True to his Ghanaian heritage, Matey prepares his from either yams or cassava. He serves it with his soups, as well as with Egusi.

Unsure what to order? Ask for the Appioo platters. ey come with a choice of proteins and sides.

Appioo African Bar & Grill is located at 1924 Ninth St. NW. Visit www.appiooafricanbargrill. com for more information.

A

Nail Salon That is Pure In Heart

As a young woman, Pure in Heart proprietor Jean Kim always possessed a creative bent, enjoying crafting and painting. She grew up in Seoul, South Korea. In 2001, she and her husband emigrated to the United States, joining 30 members

Appioo’s owner, Chef Prince Matey poses in front of the restaurant’s colorful murals.

Photo: Andrew Lightman

Akrakro, a dish of black eyed peas and plantain dumplings, is a vegetarian’s delight.

Photo: Courtesy Appioo

Pure in Heart’s owner Jean Kim. Photo: Andrew Lightman

A completed manicure shows o the artistic talent of Pure in Heart’s nail technicians. Photo: Courtesy Pure in Heart

of her extended family in Northern Virginia.

Kim and her husband are active members of the Northern Virginia Korean Presbyterian Church. They travel overseas often as missionaries, working to improve the lives of the less fortunate. At the moment, they are planning a trip to Mexico, where they are fostering five children.

After arriving in the States, Kim quickly found employment as a nail technician. The work combined her creative skills and her love of people. However, she did not like the competitive, commission-based atmosphere.

When she opened her first salon in Georgetown, Kim put her faith into practice. She named the establishment after the Bible verse, Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

Embracing this spirit, Kim chose to pay her technicians a salary. This encourages them to “work as a team,” she said. It also takes the pressure off of them to turn over their chairs. “We want to take our time with customers,” she said. The relaxed atmosphere at Pure in Heart is palpable. It has earned the salon a four-star rating on Yelp.

Pure in Heart provides manicures, pedicures, lash extensions and eyebrow threading. As a sanitary measure, they employ only disposable tools. All their polishes and treatments are fully organic, non-toxic and cruelty free. Many of the products are uniquely sourced from Korea.

Services may be ordered al carte, but the salon also offers packages. The most popular, the “Pure Heart,” includes: a hot towel wrap, nail shaping, cuticle care, moisturizing lotion, a choice of polish, exfoliating sugar scrub, ultra-hydrating massage butter and a refreshing four to five-minute massage.

Pure in Heart Nail Salon has two locations: 700 O St. NW and 4826 MacArthur Blvd. NW. Visit www. pureinheart.net. u

Shaw Streets

by Pleasant Mann

Shiloh Baptist Church

Salutes Rev. Wallace

Charles Smith

On the night of Feb. 8, Shiloh Baptist Church held a gala dinner for the Rev. Wallace Charles Smith to celebrate his retirement as pastor.

“A Legacy of Love” recounted Rev. Smith’s 33-year record of pastoral work at the church, as well as his career as a nationally noted theologian. e list of well-wishers sending greetings started with President Joe Biden and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and included DC Attorney General Brian Schwab, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto and Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Alex Padro.

e gala began with a processional for Rev. Smith and wife G. Elaine Smith. After greetings and opening prayers, omas Dixon Tyler, Shiloh’s minister of music, led a string quartet playing Bach’s

“Joy of Man’s Desiring” while he read a poem written for the piece. en pastors from all over the country praised the parsonage and theological leadership of Rev. Smith, a number mentioning his willingness to bring in women as deacons and to ordain women into the Baptist ministry.

A high point was the retirement message by Forrest E. Harris Sr., president of American Baptist College. Harris recounted that the sanctuary at Shiloh su ered a devastating re six months after Rev. Smith arrived, requiring him to uplift the spirits of the congregation while the church rebuilt.

Harris mentioned an essay Rev. Smith wrote for the book “ e Un nished Dream,” where he noted that the enslavers of African Americans had made the fatal mistake of introducing the slaves to Jesus, who proclaimed

a gospel of justice. He characterized Rev. Smith as someone working between the tension of having a vision of a new heaven and earth and the e ort to create one, and ended his speech with a recitation of the lyrics to the song “ e Impossible Dream.”

At the end of the gala, Rev. Smith thanked everyone for a wonderful evening. Looking at the large group that attended the event, he noted that “when I get friends, I try to keep them.”

Black History Month Program on Malcolm X

Shaw Main Streets celebrated African American History Month at Shiloh Baptist Church on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 22, with a program on Malcolm X. e program featured Shaw resident Peter Bailey, who joined Malcom X after he left the Nation of Islam and was a founder of the activist’s Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU).

Bailey began by sharing his rst encounter with Malcolm X. After moving to Harlem, he was walking down Lenox Avenue (now Malcolm X Boulevard), when he saw a group setting up

for a speech by Malcolm X. At the time, Bailey merely considered the activist someone who was militantly against white people. But after listening to him for two and a half hours that day, Bailey became a follower of Malcolm X.

Bailey was particularly impressed by the activist’s emphasis on the psychological impact of racial oppression on Black people. He also agreed with Malcolm X’s analysis that the inclination of Blacks to complain about past slights was an almost deliberate attempt to prevent them from focusing on what they should do to improve their position. Malcolm X had also contacted other civil rights leaders to try to enhance the unity of the Black community.

Bailey noted that when Malcolm X toured Africa after leaving the Nation of Islam, six heads of state personally met with him, including President Nkrumah of Ghana and President Nasser of Egypt. Bailey’s involvement with the OAAU started when he was invited to a meeting to form a new organization, and Malcolm X walked into the room.

Bailey became the editor of the organization’s newsletter, Blacklash.

Bailey was at the Audubon Ball-

The Rev. Wallace Charles Smith says goodbye to Shiloh Baptist Church after 33 years. Photo: Pleasant Mann

Peter Bailey (right) is interviewed about his work with Malcolm X by Alex Padro, executive director of Shaw Main Streets. Photo: Pleasant Mann

room in upper Manhattan when Malcolm X was assassinated. Betty Shabazz, the activist’s widow, selected him to be a pallbearer at Malcolm X’s funeral.

Bailey’s experience with the OAAU newsletter led him to become a journalist, his work appearing in Ebony, Jet and other publications. He has also lectured extensively at universities on his experiences with Malcolm X and wrote a book, “Witnessing Brother Malcolm X: the Master Teacher,” which is returning to print.

Seaton Elementary Science Fair

Seaton Elementary School held its annual science fair on Friday morning, Jan. 31. It was the second science fair held since the pandemic. A total of 91 students participated, along with over a dozen parent volunteers who coordinated the students, set up materials and cleaned up after the event.

e science exhibits were judged by an impressive group from the DC scienti c community representing the EPA, GWU School of Medicine, Howard University Biology Department, NASA, NOAA, NREL, Smithsonian Natural History Museum and Google, in addition to DC Public Schools, social science researchers, engineers and Seaton’s advisory neighborhood commissioner.

e winners this year were: Benjamin Hale (pre-K), Maya Albert (kindergarten), Aria McNitt ( rst grade, group 1), Winter Ashe ( rst grade, group 2), Jane Friedman (second grade), Emerson Adams (third/fourth grade),

Pariya Danesh and Hana Andarge ( fth grade, group 1), Halonah Holley, Allison Briceno Neri and Alaya Purnell ( fth grade, group 2). e science fair was planned by rst-grade teachers Julia Rodman and Meg Talewsky, as well as Seaton parents Vanessa HarbinSacks and Brian Albert. It was funded by the Seaton Parent/Teacher Organization, led by PTO president Zandria Haines.

Shaw Main Streets Holds Annual Meeting

Shaw Main Streets, the neighborhood small business support and historic preservation nonpro t, will hold its annual meeting on ursday night, March 25, at 7 p.m. e annual meeting provides an opportunity for the organization to present its past year’s work to the community and outline plans for the next year. Members of the Shaw Main Streets board will be elected at the meeting. e meeting will be held as a virtual conference. For more information and to get the Zoom link, go to www.shawmainstreets.org.

You can still purchase tickets to the much anticipated Eat.Drink.Shaw. is year’s event, with the theme of Savor the Flavor, at the Howard eatre on April 17 at 7 p.m., offers unlimited food and beverage items from over 20 of Shaw’s famed restaurants and bars. e rst 100 tickets sold are only $25 ($100 is the regular ticket price). For more information, go to www.eatdrinkshaw.com. ◆

• Flat Roof Specialists

• Modified Bitumen

• Skylights

• Shingles

• Slate • Chimney Repairs

• Roof Coatings

• Gutters & Downspouts

• Preventive Maintenance

• Metal Roofs

Seaton Elementary prepares for its annual science fair. Photo: Courtesy of Seaton Elementary Parent/Teacher Organization

Unleashed at the Shaw Dog Park

by Sarah Payne

For Franny, a young husky mix, stepping through the large metal gates of the Shaw Dog Park at 1673 11th St. NW marks the highlight of her day. Cheerful barks echo from dogs already inside as they race across the expansive space catching Frisbees and playing spirited games of keep-away.

For both the dogs and residents of Shaw, it’s hard to imagine life without this special spot. It gives dogs a place to play and serves as an important venue for connection. Over the years it has continued to foster friendships and provide residents with a deeper sense of community.

History of the Park

Since 2008, the Shaw Dog Park has served as a vibrant social hub for residents and their four-legged friends. George Kassouf and a group of dog-loving neighbors set out to create a community space where dogs could safely, and legally, have the freedom to roam off leash.

What started as a Yahoo group of dog owners sharing tips about local open spaces for pups became an effort to build a space for all neighbors to enjoy. It wasn’t easy, Kassouf remembers, noting that even after DC Council regulations allowed for the establishment of these parks, neighbors continued to face significant obstacles.

Initially, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) regulations were “very anti-dog park,”

according Kassouf, who remembers insuperable restrictions prohibiting parks close to schools and rat nuisance areas. “It was just bizarre,” he says. “It was like let’s calculate ways that people might want a dog park, and put something in there to prohibit it. That’s what it felt like.”

The popularity of the Shaw Dog Park is attracting additional canine-friendly amenities.

In 2024, Dog Daze Social Club opened at 1100 Rhode Island Ave. NW, a bones-throw from the park. Offering outdoor space for canine play, as well as food and drink for their humans, Dog Daze has become a pup-ular pre- or post-dog park destination.

When the regulations were “finally fixed,” Kassouf took the lead on writing a proposal for a park in Shaw. Neighbors collected signatures and endorsements, but it wasn’t until former mayor Adrian Fenty hosted a neighborhood walk that the park’s vision came to life. Kassouf recalls pointing out the spot that would later become the Shaw Dog Park and asking the mayor what he thought. “Thanks to Mayor Fenty they started digging, and it became a reality,” Kassouf says.

As of 2025, DPR operates and manages 18 dog parks across the city including the one in Shaw. While the parks vary significantly in size and design, they are all equipped with fencing and sufficient space for dogs to play together off leash.

Under the Animal Control Act, these are the only public spaces within the District where dogs may legally be unleashed.

Better Than a Walk

While it may seem more efficient to take dogs out for a walk or a romp around the backyard, parks can provide many benefits, especially in a city setting. Franny’s owner, Jim Savage, has been bringing her to the park for about six months and emphasizes the importance of socialization made possible by the safe, open spaces. “It’s great to have a space where they can run, play and socialize,” explains Savage, “especially when they’re young and socialization is so important.”

Kassouf likewise comments that when dogs play with each other their behavior may become more friendly and social, less aggressive.

Benefits hold true for owners, too. Parks provide spaces for likeminded neighbors to meet and come together. Kassouf notes that he has developed friendships through the park that have helped him feel more connected to the neighborhood. “I don’t want to call it a club, because that sounds elitist, but it’s a place where people with similar interests can come together and talk about their dogs and what’s going on in the neighborhood,” he adds.

Community Impact

The park’s benefits extend to all corners of the community. When the park was being established, Kassouf recalls the strong support of the community,

Shaw Dog Park hosts many annual events, including a Halloween costume contest. Photo by Pleasant Mann.

even from non-dog owners.

Police o cers endorsed the idea for the park because they saw owners as eyes and ears on the street who might be out at all times of day and night with their dogs, Kassouf recalls. e nearby Garrison Elementary School was also supportive of the park’s creation so dogs would have an alternative to the school’s recreational elds.

While the park is the ultimate pup playground, it also serves as a gathering place for the owners. “It’s really a community building thing,” Kassouf says. “People who normally wouldn’t get to talk to each other have this time together.”

While Savage is newer to the park, his positive sentiment about the shared space echoes Kassouf’s vision for the park. “Some people come and stare at their phones,” he remarks, “but others talk, and I’ve met so many really nice people here.”

e Shaw Dog Park is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visit www. shawdogs.org to learn more about the park and ways to get involved.

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

Did you know?

Franny after a visit to Shaw Dog Park.

Photo: S. Payne/CCN

ANC 2G Trafﬁc Improvements at Fourth and M Streets NW

by Pleasant Mann

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2G held its monthly meeting for February on ursday evening, Feb. 13, 2025. e meeting was held as a virtual conference. Chair Steven McCarty (2G04) called the meeting to order. Commissioners Howard Garrett (2G01, vice chair), Alexander M. “Alex” Padro (2G02), Nicole Shea (2G03, secretary), Sheena Berry (2G05) and Rachelle Nigro (2G06, treasurer) were in attendance. e commission had a quorum to conduct business.

Third Police District

Capt. McHauley Murphy of the ird Police District reported on crime in Police Service Area (PSA) 308. e only violent crime the previous month was a homicide in the 400 block of N Street NW. ere was a confrontation, with both parties having guns. e police have a person of interest as the perpetrator.

ere were six robberies in the PSA last month, a decrease from the same time last year. Most of them targeted high-end jackets. ere were also robberies of delivery drivers. Capital Burger on Seventh Street has been burglarized three times this year. It is assumed that one suspect committed these crimes. e perpetrator mostly grabbed alcohol.

Padro asked about windows being broken at two businesses on the 1400 block of Eighth Street NW. He noted that the perpetrators had done the same in two other neighborhoods on the same night and had been seen by surveillance cameras. Padro also mentioned that some liquor stores in Shaw had complained about daylight robberies where people had taken bottles of alcohol o the shelves. He said that he would give the police a list of stores that have had this problem. Murphy said that MPD had a plan for addressing burglaries but that police had problems contacting business owners at night.

Traffic Improvements at Fourth and M Streets NW

Representatives from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) came to discuss a notice of intent (NOI) issued for improvements to the intersection of Fourth and M streets NW. e intersection, which has four one-way streets going in four di erent directions, has a temporary circular diverter installed that requires drivers to go either north or south on Fourth Street. e NOI would replace the diverter with a permanent one of concrete with planters installed.

e DDOT liaison said that neighbors supported the plan. Nigro said that some were worried about trucks from the nearby re department station being able to get past the diverter. e liaison said that DDOT coordinated with the re and EMS department in drawing up the plan. e commission unanimously approved a motion to support the NOI.

Hotbox, 1703 Sixth Street NW

Shea said that she and the owner of Hotbox had drafted a settlement agreement for the operation of the medical marijuana retail establishment. e owner stated that Hotbox started three years ago and that he feels the community welcomed him.

Padro queried a clause in the agreement about preventing customers from parking illegally. e owner said that he thought the issue would not come up often, since there is adequate parking in the area. Padro also asked about a statement made on the Hotbox website about selling Psilocybin mushrooms, which are illegal in the District. e owner replied that the statement referred to stores outside of DC. A motion was made to support the license, which passed in a vote of 4-0-1.

Hush Boutique, 1422 Ninth St. NW

Padro started the discussion about the application for a license to distribute medical marijuana by not-

ing that the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) appears willing to put a marijuana dispensary on every block of Ninth Street. He reviewed the license application and did not see any problems that required a settlement agreement for the establishment.

e owner introduced his establishment as a family-owned business that has been in operation for almost four years. Support for the license was approved by the commission in a 4-0-1 vote.

ANC Committee Chairs

e commission issued a call for residents interested in chairing one of the ANC committees. Robert Goldberg expressed interest in chairing the Zoning and Development Committee. He was approved as committee chair unanimously.

ere were two candidates for the Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Licensing Committee, Russell Reed and Parker Gri n. Berry suggested tabling the selection of a chair until both candidates could attend the ANC meeting. A motion to table the decision passed.

McCarty said there was a nominee to chair the Transportation and Public Space Committee but he was unsure if the candidate had accepted the nomination. A motion to table consideration of the committee chair passed unanimously.

Garrett said that a resident asked if there was a slot to chair a Public Safety Committee. McCarty said that there had been a Public Safety Committee, but it never functioned. e commission expressed a desire to nd people willing to set up a new committee.

ANC 2G will hold its next meeting on ursday, April 10, at 6:30 p.m. Plans are to hold this meeting as a virtual conference. Visit www.anc2g.org for more information. ◆

BULLETIN BOARD

The District’s Sketch Comedy Festival

DC Sketchfest is DC’s only sketch comedy festival and features 36 comedy troupes from the US and Canada, for four days only from March 26 to 29, at the DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW. A sketch is a short, fully scripted comedy scene, the same thing as on Saturday Night Live. The organizers welcome performers of all types, ranging from veteran sketch troupes to newcomers. General admission tickets are $15. DC Sketchfest is organized by the DC sketch comedy community. www.dcsketchfest.com

Volunteer Opportunity: LCCA’s Annual Online Auction

The Logan Circle Citizens Association is planning its annual online auction, near the beginning of June. Consider volunteering and/or donating an item or service for people to bid on, like dog walking, resume review, cooking or art classes, personal training, garden or home decor consulting or tours of the city. To volunteer or donate, contact the auction committee at auction@logancircle.org.

Paint & Debate: A Social Conversation at Dupont Underground

On Saturday, March 29, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., join Dupont Underground for an evening of creativity and conversation at Paint & Debate, a social event where participants unite, ignite and dive into cultural, social and political topics in an inclusive space. $20.

www.dupontunderground.org

DC Different Drummers Jazz Band Presents “Fruit and Other Sweet Things”

On Sunday, March 16, from 3 to 4 p.m., join the DCDD Jazz Band for the annual spring concert at Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 901 G St. NW. The songs are named after fruits or other sweet things. The spring jazz concert features music by Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Perez Prado and more. www.dclibrary.org

“ARTivism: New Beginnings” Exhibit Reception

On Monday, March 24, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., attend a reception at Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 901 G St. NW, to celebrate the opening of the art exhibit “ARTivism: New Beginnings.” Presented by the local arts organization Love 4 Immigrants, it explores how creative expression can heal pain and traumas, authentically convey cultural heritage and identities and address pressing social and environ-

mental issues. It features photography, painting and mixed media by Ana Yelsi Velasco Sanchez, Rama AlFarkh and Wole Ajagbe. www.dclibrary.org

Improve Your Typing Skills at MLK Library

On Saturday, March 15, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, engage in self-paced practice tutorials and custom lessons to improve typing and keyboarding skills at Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 901 G St. NW. Seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served, walk-in basis. Arrive a half-hour early for a seat at one of the workstations. No entry 20 minutes after class starts. For reasonable accommodation requests, contact the Center for Accessibility at www. DCPLaccess@dc.gov or call 202-727-2142.

Fireworks at Nats Park

Fireworks return to the ballpark with three postgame Friday night fireworks on April 19, May 3

Photo: Mikail Faalasli.

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in

DC Open Doors

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

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

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

DC Open Doors

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

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

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

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

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

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

DC4ME

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

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

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

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

COVID-19

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

COVID-19

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

COVID-19

National Gallery Nights Return

National Gallery Nights, a free, after-hours program, returns to the National Gallery of Art East Building this spring. Visitors are invited to join on the second Thursday of March, April and May (March 13, April 10, and May 6), from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Registration is available through a lottery system, which opens on Monday at 10:00 a.m. and closes on Thursday at noon the week before each event. Lottery entrants will be notified on Friday. Limited walk-up passes, available at the East Building entrance before each event, will be distributed first-come, first-served starting at 5:30 p.m. Light fare, gelato, and beverages, including beer, wine and specialty cocktails, will be available for purchase throughout the East Building, in the Cascade Cafe, Terrace Cafe and Espresso & Gelato Bar. www.nga.gov

F1 (Formula One) Arcade Opens at Union Market District

The F1 Arcade, 420 Penn St. NE, is a new simulation racing experience offering the excitement, drama and glamor of Formula 1. It features fullmotion racing simulators, food and a selection of cocktails. Hours are Monday to Wednesday, and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Thursday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Guests should be at least age seven to race; under 21s are welcome until 7 p.m. www.f1arcade.com/us/washington-dc

and Sept. 13, and a special Freedom Fireworks show presented by Budweiser to celebrate the Fourth of July on July 3.

www.mlb.com/nationals

Watch the Blooms Live on #BLOOMCAM

#BloomCam, brought to you by the Trust for the National Mall, in partnership with the National Park Service and Earthcam, is a live, 24/7, real-time view of the cherry trees lining the Tidal Basin. Positioned on the Salamander Washington DC rooftop, #BloomCam offers yearround views of the cherry trees and their seasonal changes. www.nationalcherryblossomfestival. org/bloom-watch

Trinidad (Organic) Farmers Market

Trinidad Farmers Market is open Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. It is located in the southern portion of the Trinidad neighborhood at 1299 Neal St. NE. All foods for sale are organic, although they may not be certified organic in some instances because obtaining a certification is a financial barrier for some small farmers. www.trinidadfarmersmarket.net

Annual DC Central Kitchen Cafe Day

On Thursday, March 13, with support from official partner Monumental Sports & Entertainment, DC Central Kitchen will celebrate

the third annual DC Central Kitchen Cafe Day. This citywide event marks six years of an innovative, job-training cafe model. During the day, all three DC Central Kitchen Cafe locations will offer $1 any-size drip coffee and $2 strawberry lemonade, as well as free samples from DCCK’s kitchen and several partnering social enterprises. Cafe Day locations are Marianne’s by DC Central Kitchen, 901 G St. NW, which opens at 9:30 a.m.; DCCK Cafe at the Klein Center, 2121 First St. NW, which opens at 7:30 p.m.; DCCK Cafe at THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Ave. SE, East Building, which opens at 8 a.m. www.dccentralkitchen.org

DC Reverse Mortgage Insurance and Tax Payment Program

The nonprofit organization Housing Counseling Services accepts applications for REMIT, the DC Housing Finance Agency’s Reverse Mortgage Insurance and Tax Payment Program. DC homeowners who have a reverse mortgage and are at risk of foreclosure may receive up to $40,000 to pay delinquent property taxes, homeowner’s insurance and homeowner association or condo association fees. Income limits apply. To determine qualification call the Foreclosure Prevention Hotline at 202-265-2255.

NPS Seeks Public Comment on

Tidal Basin

the

The Tidal Basin is an engineer-

Visitors dance in the East Building during National Gallery Nights.

“The Dumb Waiter”

at DC Arts Center

In Harold Pinter’s 1960 breakout hit, Gus and Ben, two assassins for hire, await instructions in a windowless basement. The boredom and tension between the two are broken by inexplicable messages arriving from a dumb waiter demanding plates of food, ranging from the ordinary to Chinese and Greek dishes. The mystery sparks the assassins to question their situation, their boss and their lives. “The Dumb Waiter” is at the DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m., through March 23. Tickets at www.theatredujour.org.

ing feat and a key feature of West Potomac Park. The National Park Service is developing a concept plan and environmental assessment for the basin’s long-term management, focusing on transportation, conservation, tree preservation, protection of natural and cultural resources, visitor experience, recreation, infrastructure, security and more. Visit the project website at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/ tidalbasinDCP to learn more and share your ideas through March 19.

FONA’s Annual Native Plant Symposium and Sale

Join the US National Arboretum on Saturday, March 29, for a day of presentations about native plants, pollinators and ecosystems during the 38th Annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium. Learn about soil health management, destructive pests,

Capital Art Book Fair at Eastern Market

The annual Capital Art Book Fair brings together publishers, artists, collectors and art enthusiasts to showcase and celebrate the world of art books. Artists, publishers and independent bookmakers exhibit and sell art-related publications, which can include artist monographs, exhibition catalogs, zines, photography books, graphic novels and other printed materials that double as fine art. The Capital Art Book Fair is at Eastern Market’s North Hall, 225 Seventh St. SE, on April 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. www.artbookfair.eastcityart.com

forest restoration, current research on seed conservation and the best native trees for your garden. The symposium features seven expert speakers and will take place in the arboretum’s Visitor Center Auditorium. Also on Saturday, March 29, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., shop one of the earliest plant sales in the area. The native plant sale includes five vendors from across the mid-Atlantic region. The sale is on Meadow Road, adjacent to the National Herb Garden. Register at www.fona.org.

Power of Giving 2025 Symposium: “Women in Philanthropy”

On March 12, from 1 to 4 p.m., the American History Museum’s Philanthropy Initiative brings historic perspectives to contemporary discussions about the role of women in shaping and reshaping the nation through giving. The “Women in

Philanthropy” program looks at how women have mobilized resources, supported communities and advanced causes. The program will open with a conversation between businesswoman and philanthropist Adrienne Arsht and Smithsonian regent emeritus David M. Rubenstein. Other panels will bring together historians and the museum’s curator of philanthropy. Free. Registration is at bit. ly/4gt9jt1.

Friends of the National Arboretum Flowering 5K

On Sunday, March 23, at 8:30 a.m., enjoy spring at the US National Arboretum during Friends of the National Arboretum’s Flowering 5K. This run or walk takes you past garden collections brightly colored with spring flowers, over tree-lined rolling hills and along streams winding their way to the

Capital Art Book Fair at Eastern Market’s North Hall.

Photo: Genie Hutinet for East City Art

Photo: C. M. Stanley.

The Abraham Lincoln Institute Symposium at Ford’s At Ford’s eatre on Saturday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Abraham Lincoln Institute and Ford’s eatre Society present a free symposium focused on the life and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln. e speakers are Hilary Green, “Unforgettable Sacri ce: How Black Communities Remembered the Civil War”; Jon Grinspan, “Wide Awake: e Forgotten Force that Elected Lincoln and Spurred the Civil War”; Manisha Sinha, “ e Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic, 1860-1920”; Harold Holzer, “Brought Forth on is Continent: Abraham Lincoln and American Immigration”; Michael Vorenberg, “Lincoln’s Peace: e Struggle to End the Civil War”; and Allen Guelzo, “Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, and the American Experiment.” Book signings will take place in the theatre lobby throughout the day. Free general admission tickets are required: www.my.fords.org/11592. fords.org.

A playbill for “Our American Cousin,” the play President Lincoln attended at Ford’s Theatre on the evening he was assassinated. The playbill was reproduced in various versions with added material soon after the assassination.

Anacostia River. All roads are closed to vehicles during the race. Registration is $40 to $55. Kids under 13 are free. T-shirts are available while supplies last. www.fona.org/events_programs

The Carlos Chavez Choir: Call for Male Voices

e Carlos Chavez Choir, turning one year after its debut at the Mexican Cultural Institute, seeks male voices. If interested, contact info.corocarloschavez@ gmail.com.

Annual Diversity Employment Day Career Fair

e DC area’s 25th Annual Diversity Employment Day Career Fair is on Wednesday, April 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Doubletree Hilton, Crystal City, 300 Army Navy Dr., Arlington, Virginia. Register and schedule in-person meetings with recruiters at www.citycareerfair.com/dc or register by email when you send your resume to Fasttrack@ citycareerfair.com.

Help Shape DC Public Library’s New Behavior Guidelines

DC Public Library seeks community input as it updates its rules of behavior. DCPL is connecting with customers via a survey, focus groups and pop-up interviews at neighborhood libraries. Feedback from all stakeholders will be reviewed and considered alongside nationwide best practices and targeted community needs. Complete the survey at www. dclibrary.org/help-shape-dc-public-librarys-newbehavior-guidelines.

Art All Night 2025

Dates Announced

Mayor Bowser and the Department of Small and Local Business Development have announced the

dates for Art All Night 2025, a citywide celebration of local artists and businesses. is year’s event, on Saturday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 13, brings art, live performances and community spirit to neighborhoods across all eight wards. Introduced as Art All Night: Nuit Blanche DC by Shaw Main Streets in 2011, this event has grown into a two-day celebration. Last year’s event attracted more than 140,000 visitors, including over 12,000 attendees at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library block party. www.dcartallnight.org

Capital Fringe Festival Ends after 20 Years

Capital Fringe has announced it will no longer produce the annual Fringe Festival, begun 20 years ago. Operating a small to mid-sized arts organization in DC requires constantly overcoming challenges to secure space. A new chapter begins this fall when Capital Fringe launches an annual cash artist award, designed to celebrate and support the creative uniqueness of the DC arts community. Details will be revealed in July. www.capitalfringe.org

Anacostia

River Festival (Save the Date)

e 2025 Anacostia River Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, from 1 to 6 p.m. at Anacostia Park, 1900 Anacostia Dr. SE.

Do You Have a Notice for the Bulletin Board?

e Mid-City DC Bulletin Board o ers event notices, volunteer opportunities and other community news. If you have a notice, send it to bulletinboard@ hillrag.com.

CHANGING HANDS

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

Kids & Family

Bloomaroo at the Wharf

Bloomaroo at The Wharf, on Saturday, March 29, 4 to 9 p.m., is a free family-friendly event. Take the kids by the Kids Craft Zone on Recreation Pier for activities including koi kite decorating, a haiku creation station, balloon artists, face painting and more. Fireworks at 8:30 p.m. wharfdc.com/bloomaroo.

Petalpalooza at Capitol Riverfront

On Saturday, April 5, 1 to 9 p.m., at Capitol Riverfront Navy Yard, celebrate spring at Petalpalooza, for a full day of live music and engaging activities. This day-long all-ages celebration brings art, music, and play to multiple outdoor stages, interactive art installations, a cashless beverage garden, family-friendly hands-on activities, roaming

WILD Nature Play Time with the ACM

Presented as a pilot program by the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, the WILD Nature Play Club meets on the first Saturday of every month, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE, where kids can explore the half-mile loop trail right next to the museum. Kids can enjoy unstructured play time in nature as well as a child-directed hike through the George Washington Carver Nature Trail. At the end of the hike, the participants will gather for a story and nature activity then head back to the museum. Come prepared for the weather—rain or shine—and bring an extra pair of clothes, closed-toe shoes, water, and a snack. Reserve a spot at anacostia.si.edu/events.

This craft was made during the program and used during the interactive story time.

entertainers, and more, all along the banks of the Anacostia River. The evening is capped by the dazzling choreographed Official National Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks show set to music starting at 8:30 p.m. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/event/petalpalooza.

The Cherry Blossom Kids Run

The Cherry Blossom Kids Run is on Saturday,

April 5 at 11 a.m. at Freedom Plaza. It is for children ages four to ten. Packet pick-up for registered participants takes place on Friday, April 4 inside the National Building Museum between 2 and 7:45 p.m., and on Saturday, April 5, between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the registration tent in Freedom Plaza. No times or places will be kept. The $15 fee Includes t-shirt and finisher medal. cherryblossom.org/pre-race/events/kids-run.

NMAAHC’s North Star:

A Digital Journey of African American History

e Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture presents an educational website that will provide a variety of learning activities designed to share African American history using the museum’s collection. e “North Star: A Digital Journey of African American History” website is designed for the discovery and creative use of Smithsonian’s digital collections and tools by educators and students in grades six through twelve. is site gives students and educators access to more than 35 digital education curricula that will share an overview of American history through the African American lens. e North Star digital journey exposes users to themes, people and moments in history, with units such as Slavery in Colonial America, e Civil War, e Black Arts Movement and the Modern Civil Rights Movement. nmaahc.si.edu/learn/digital-learning/ north-star.

Watch the Giant Pandas

On Jan. 24, the National Zoo relaunched the Giant Panda Cam ensuring virtual visitors could join in the celebration and welcome the animal ambassadors to Washington. e Giant Panda Cam is composed of 40 cameras operated from a central system by a corps of specially trained volunteers. e webcams broadcast from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. After 7 p.m., the day’s recording is rebroadcast to ensure virtual visitors around the world can view the animals at their most active. nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams/panda-cam.

Oxon Run Pinknic & Kite Fly

Join the National Cherry Blossom Festival at Oxon Run Park, Valley and Wheeler Rd. SE, in Ward 8 for the annual Oxon Run Pinknic & Kite Fly on Sunday, April 6, noon to 3 p.m. for kite programming, entertainment, and more in coordination

with the Blossom Kite Festival. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

Sensory Playtime at SW Library

On Fridays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., join the SW Library, 900 Wesley Pl. SW, in the Children’s Room for fun sensory play. ey provide the materials. is program is for children six months to ve years old. dclibrary.org.

LOC’s Monthly Family Day Series

Continue in 2025 e Library of Congress has Family Days on select Saturdays throughout 2025. Each Family Day includes a creative activity, connections to Library of Congress collections, a chance to talk to sta experts, and a guide to using Library resources at home. Activities are held on the mezzanine level of the Library’s Je erson Building, 10 First St. SE. ese events are free, but free passes are required for the Je erson Building. Family Days are from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Drop in anytime. Upcoming Family Days are March 15, Women’s History Month; April 5, Japanese Culture Day; and May 17, Musical Families. loc.gov/visit.

Monthly Family Fun Days at the National Cathedral

On March 15, April 12 and May 17, (check back for more dates later in 2025), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., share the wonder of the world’s sixth-largest Cathedral with your kids through special activities tailored just for families. For admission to Family Fun Days, purchase sightseeing tickets at cathedral.org/calendar/family-funday-2. Kid-centered o erings are: Explore favorite Cathedral features together on a themed scavenger hunt; Take a break at the coloring station and pop-up library cart; Stop by the incredible LEGO exhibit to see progress and donate to add bricks to our LEGO Cathedral model. All ages are welcome; activity booths are geared towards kids aged four to twelve. $15. cathedral.org.

DC Prep is a leading public charter school in Washington, DC, serving students from Pre-K3 to 8th grade. We’re proud of our award-winning campuses and our strong roots in the Edgewood, Benning, and Anacostia communities.

Lee Montessori Public Charter School is seeking proposals to procure and install playground equipment at their East End campus, located at 2345 R Street SE.

Proposals are due no later than March 17th at 4:00pm ET. Applications must be submitted electronically to joshua@leemontessori.org and lesley@conroylandscape.com

For a full copy of the RFP, additional information, or questions, please contact:

Joshua McComas

Blossom Kite Festival

On Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., (rain date, March 30), on the Washington Monument Grounds, join in the fun with soaring activities, music, competitions, and performances. Kite enthusiasts, beginners, families and friends are all welcome. Get ready to enjoy kite demonstrations and competitions, arts & crafts, and so much more. To fly a kite in the Adult Kitemakers Competition or Youth Kitemakers Competition, competitors must register either online in advance or at the Registration Tent on the day of the event. Registration for all competitions will remain open until spaces are filled, or the competition begins. Winners of each category will receive a prize. nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/ event/blossom-kite-festival.

Discovery Stations at Air and Space

Discovery Stations encourage informal learning through active looking, discussion, and hands-on activities related to aviation, space exploration, astronomy, and planetary geology. The carts provide interactive fun for all ages. Discovery Stations are available Friday through Tuesday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., subject to staff availability. Here are some of the discovery stations you might encounter during your visit. Spacesuit (EMU)—At their most popular discovery station, visitors learn how the Spacesuit, or Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) keeps astronauts safe as they work in the vacuum of space. Principles of Flight—How do airplanes fly? At this station, visitors learn how the forces of lift, weight, drag, and thrust make human flight possible and see each of these forces in action. Blackholes— Their Black Hole Discovery Station teaches about space, time, and light and how they are affected by black holes. airandspace.si.edu.

Mac Barnett Named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature

The Library of Congress and Every Child a Reader has announced the appointment of Mac Barnett as the 2025-2026 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Barnett is the ninth author to hold this position. Barnett is the author of more than 60 books for children, including “Twenty Questions,” “Sam & Dave Dig a Hole,” and “A Polar Bear in the Snow,” as well as the popular “Mac B., Kid Spy” series of novels, “The First Cat in Space” graphic novels and “The Shapes Trilogy” picture books. The selection, made by the Librarian of Congress, is based on recommendations from a diverse group of children’s literature publishing professionals, as well as an independent committee comprised of educators, librarians, booksellers and children’s literature specialists. loc.gov.

Fantastic Forces at Discovery Theater

On Thursday and Friday, March 20 and 21, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m., in a thrilling interactive show, young

Annie at the National

Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now one of the best-loved musicals of all time returns in a new production—just as you remember it and just when we need it most. This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way. National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, from April 11 to 20. Tickets are $69 to $139. Recommended for ages four and up. Children under the age of four will not be admitted. broadwayatthenational.com.

Ten days, 685,000 miles, Around the Moon for All Humanity.

Photo: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

scientists embark on a STEM adventure where they take on a mission filled with electrifying obstacles. Together they attempt to defy gravity, test the limits of our velocity, and uncover the science-based principles that help us navigate our way through the world. Fantastic Forces is recommended for ages six to eleven. On Wednesday to Friday, April 2 to 4, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. (K to grade two focus) and Tuesday and Wednesday, April 29 and 30, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. (grade three to five focus), the magic of earth science takes center stage in this fun, interactive Discovery Theater original. Explore the origins of our planet, sing about the water cycle, and understand our vital role in protecting the ecosystem. Science and folklore about the “big blue marble” we call home kick off Earth Month, and audiences become Earth Superheroes and take home some great ideas to start right away. Earth Mother and Me has two versions, one targeting the science curriculum focuses of K to Grade 2, and the other for Grades 3 to 5, each reinforcing topics explored in the state standards for DMV schools. $8 for adults; $7 for kids; $3 for kids under two. Tickets on sale now. Discovery Theater’s Ripley Center is at 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW (on the National Mall). discoverytheater.org.

Sesame Street Live!

Say Hello! at the Warner

At Sesame Street Live! Say Hello, sing, dance, and play alongside your favorite furry friends, all while you follow Elmo’s puppy, Tango, in a fun game of hide & seek. So put on your dancing shoes and make your way to where the air is sweet for this all-new celebration on Sesame Street. The show is most enjoyed by ages one to seven but as an action-packed live show, it is enjoyable for the whole family. Tickets are $27 to $124. Sesame Street Live! Say Hello! is at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St., NW, on Saturday, March 29, 2 p.m. warnertheatredc.com.

Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus 2025

From March 28 to April 6, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus returns to the Fairfax Eagle Bank Arena with a reimagined edition of The Greatest Show On Earth. This iconic production, designed to entertain today’s families, brings together 75 performers from 18 different nationalities, showcasing over 50 exhilarating circus acts in a fast-paced, two-hour show. The all-new Ringling will be performing at EagleBank Arena, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax, VA. Tickets start at $18. eaglebankarena.com.

Patriots Path: A Revolutionary War Encampment at Mount Vernon

Starting on March 8 and through the end of the year, experience the American Revolution as you walk through an 18th-century Continental Army encampment featuring soldiers’ tents and an officer’s tent. At this hands-on attraction, you can touch the items inside the tents, wash clothes in the laundry yard, and examine cooking utensils used by camp followers. Interpreters will be on hand seven days a week to share information about life in the encampment and answer questions. All activities are included with Mount Vernon admission. Adult admission for ages twelve and older is $28; $15 for kids six to eleven; and free for five and under. mountvernon.org.

Dragons Love Tacos at Adventure Theatre

You know what Dragons really love? Tacos of course. A boy and his dog are watching a TV show about dragons when they unexpectedly get caught up in the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ of what to serve to dragons to eat. Dragons love tacos, but if they accidentally eat spicy salsa…watch out! General admission is $25. Dragons Love Tacos is at Adventure Theatre, at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD, through March 30. adventuretheatre-mtc.org.

The Magic of Hans Christian Andersen

From March 29 to April 27, Applause Unlim -

ited celebrates one of the 20th century’s greatest storytellers with their award-winning show, “The Magic of Hans Christian Andersen.” Sometimes serious and heartwarming, sometimes downright silly, but always fun, the show features storytelling and song as well as over twenty hand puppets, rod puppets, and marionettes in three of Andersen’s best-loved tales: “The Ugly Duckling,” “Thumbelisa,” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Filled with humor and messages suitable for all ages, this show presents the stories that grandparents will recognize, parents will love to share, and every child will long remember. Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. thepuppetco.org. u

COME JOIN US AT THE HOWARD THEATRE FOR A NIGHT OF DELICIOUS FOOD AND DRINKS AT EAT.DRINK.SHAW. 2025: SAVOR THE FLAVOR. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to tantalize your taste buds and have a great time with friends and family. Get ready to savor the flavor!

Shaw is home to over 100 of DC’s finest restaurants and bars, drawing foodies and cocktail lovers from around the world. Eat.Drink.Shaw. is an in-person food and beverage showcase event at the historic Howard Theatre, with ticket holders enjoying complimentary food and beverage items from 20+ participating restaurants and bars for two-and-onehalf hours on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 7-9:30 PM

Enjoy unlimited food or beverage items from all participating restaurants and bars during the event. Ticket holders get to meet our chefs, mixologists and brewers. The estimated value of the food and beverages offered is $300.

BUY TICKETS TODAY AND SAVE $50.

SAVOR THE FLAVOR

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2025

7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

THE HOWARD THEATER 620 T STREET, NW

Full price tickets are $100. But half price tickets are available for a limited time at $50 each, so ORDER TODAY AND SAVE! Proceeds support Shaw Main Streets’ economic revitalization and historic preservation activities in central Shaw. Tickets include complimentary valet parking at the Howard Theatre, provided by U Street Parking.

Shaw Main Streets is a designated DC Main Streets

funded in part