District Fray Magazine | August // September 2022

D .C . S K AT E C U LT U R E | A DA P T I V E S P O R T S | 3 0 WA S H I N G T O N I A N S T O K N O W | C O W O R K I N G R E D E F I N E D

A LIFESTYLE + ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE

AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022

more delight

more wonder

Discover beautiful new guest rooms, be a swashbuckling pirate, or take the princess pledge during your summer getaway to Gaylord National.

GaylordNational.com

more thrills

LIVE MUSIC S E R I E S

5:30-8P.M. AUGUST 4 • 11 • 18 • 25 SEPTEMBER 1

www.theborotysons.com @theborotysons

#theborotysons

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RADAR

4 District Denizens 6 Calendar

EAT

14 Causa/Bar Amazonia 18 Food for Thought

DRINK

20 D.C. Wine Bars 22 Inside DC Brau

LIFE

46 Unique Places to Cowork 48 Joie de Vivre 70 In Other Words

PLAY

52 The Culture of Skating 56 Rebels of Society 58 Reaching New Heights 62 Beginner’s Guide 67 Keeping Pace

ROBERT KINSLER

Publisher robert@unitedfray.com

MONICA ALFORD

Editor-in-Chief + Director of Media monica@unitedfray.com

BRANDON WETHERBEE

Managing Editor brandon@unitedfray.com

NICOLE SCHALLER

Assistant Editor nicole@unitedfray.com

JAMIE MCCRARY

FUN

Senior Editor jamie@unitedfray.com

69 Crossword

Editorial Consultant michael@unitedfray.com

68 Photo Hunt

24 21 D.C. Innovators

MICHAEL CLEMENTS JULIA GOLDBERG

42 Planned Parenthood Leaders

Editorial Designer julia@unitedfray.com

45 Cue the Lights Alex Appah. Photo by Scott Suchman.

CLAIRE SMALLEY

Production Designer claire@unitedfray.com

TOM ROTH

Key Account Manager tomroth@unitedfray.com

MARTIN ESPINOZA

Senior Director of Events martin@unitedfray.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Aviva Bechky, Jennifer Chase, Caroline Cliona Boyle, Colleen Kennedy, Chad Kinsman, Priya Konings, Joe Marshall, Nevin Martell, Myles Mellor, Abi Newhouse, Kristen Schott, Bailey Vogt, Andrew J. Williams III CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS + PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jennifer Chase, Scott Suchman, Andrew J. Williams III CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Aviva Bechky, Abi Newhouse COVER PHOTOGRAPHER

Scott Suchman ON THE COVER

Alex Appah

COVER LOCATION

Scottish Rite House of the Temple

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR HUSTLE. August is a weird month — especially in D.C. There’s a stillness to our city, unlike its usual bustling nature. And yet, there’s still so much happening behind the scenes within our community. This month, we’re highlighting some of the ways our city embodies hustle year-round, whether through active life, entrepreneurship or creative pursuits. First and foremost, we are taking a deep dive into the culture of all things skate in the District: roller skating, roller derby, skateboarding and more. Cover subject Alex Appah, a huge advocate for D.C.’s roller skating community, spoke with Colleen Kennedy about why skating brings her so much joy. Abi Newhouse reached out to other skating communities, interviewing locals about how they found their respective sport, what makes it unique, and how folks can learn more and join. Aviva Bechky covered adaptive climbing in the DMV, including interviews with organizations featuring ample opportunities for locals with physical disabilities. They also rounded up an assortment of other D.C. area organizations and groups across everything from rowing to cycling with an adaptive focus. Our interest in unique forms of local active life continued with Andrew J. Williams III’s interview with Shaughn Cooper about martial arts and Chad Kinsman’s conversation with Jake Godin about long-distance motorcycling. But wait, there’s more.

Our very own Brandon Wetherbee rounded up 21 locals with innovative professional hustles. From prolific artist Holly Bass and 730DC publisher Hayden Higgins to composer Nikhil Rao and Mess Hall founder Al Goldberg, our picks run the gamut from artistic to entrepreneurial to altruistic — with many embodying all three. Assistant editor Nicole Schaller sat down with Service Bar’s beverage director, Christine Kim, to chat about her journey in the drink industry and how she’s helped put D.C.’s cocktail scene on the map. We also caught up with the team behind the brand-new Peruvian concept Causa/ Bar Amazonia, chatted with the folks at DC Brau, listed some of our favorite wine bars, drooled over the latest flavors from Ice Cream Shoppe-Up, picked unorthodox spots to open your laptop and cowork, gave tips on beating the summer heat on your running routes, and much more. August marks the debut of a new column with local food and travel photographer

Jennifer Chase, “Joie de Vivre,” where Chase will pick one aspect of health, wellness, beauty or other elements of selfcare and explore it from behind the camera lens. For her first installment, she explored the world of Reiki with Dr. Darrien Jamar, both by having a session with them to experience Reiki first-hand and by picking their brain on the topic. She then shot her model using glow-in-the-dark body paint to illustrate the transfer of energy during reiki in a vibrant, colorful way.

The result is, simply put, stunning. As we gear up for a fall full of very strong themes — performing arts, fashion and design, and local music among them — we hope you enjoy our hodgepodge issue that pulls together so many different parts of what makes D.C. tick, even during the dog days of summer.

MONICA ALFORD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Andrew J. Williams III, Alex Appah + Monica Alford at the August cover shoot. Photo by Julia Goldberg.

DISTRICT FRAY |

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RADAR

Service Bar’s

CHRISTINE KIM

Puts D.C.’s Cocktail Scene on the Map WORDS + PHOTO BY NICOLE SCHALLER

DISTRICT DENIZENS | RADAR Christine Kim drinks Capri Sun at the bar midday. With stools stacked away, Service Bar’s Beverage Director — and newly minted partner — stands in the center of the bar with her laptop, combing through Excel spreadsheets, emails and Slack messages.

To her left, fellow Service Bar partner Chad Spangler joins the makeshift standing desk setup silently working on his laptop. To her right, a photo shoot takes place. Surrounded by staged lights with early aughts alt rock blasting, a bartender garnishes the citrus-forward Semester Abroad cocktail with a delicate lemon peel, while a photographer snaps away. Kim frequently pauses from her laptop to direct the shoot.

Despite being closed until 5 p.m., Service Bar’s front door swings open every few minutes. Staff trickle in to get their photo taken for the bar’s social media and website updates.

Distributors drop off boxes of liquor. Kim promptly greets each new face, often with hugs and jokes, followed by ushering them out of the camera shot. There is a sense of ease amidst the bustle. What most would constitute as chaos, Kim takes with stride — and even joy.

“It was my fallback until it wasn’t,” Kim explains about working 15 years in the hospitality industry.

Throughout high school and college, the Silver Spring native was on a more conventional career track and worked as a server and bartender part-time, until she had an epiphany.

“I was always happy working in the dining environment,” Kim says. “I get satisfaction out of making people happy. That helps me feel better about myself and what I am contributing.

So I quit school, quit my boyfriend, and got lucky bartending at a place where I met people who I still work with now.”

Kim didn’t initially receive approval from her family about her career pivot, but she was determined nonetheless.

“I didn’t care if they cared or not. I was very stubborn and my family always knew I was going to do whatever I wanted. I told them, ‘Either support me or don’t.’”

With conviction and full dedication to her profession, Kim quickly accrued connections in D.C.’s restaurant industry and found her place in the bar scene. In 2012, she met her future business partners, Spangler and Glendon Hartley when helping reopen Farmers Fishers Bakers. In 2016, when Service Bar opened its doors, Kim was vital in creating a cocktail menu to match the intimate low-key environment the bar is now known for.

“We wanted to create a space that [inspired] people, whether traveling or local, to come back. We wanted to be the place you want to go after work.”

With dark woods, $1 bills serving as wallpaper behind the bar, fried chicken and a cozy private cove known as the Snug Room with its own door, Service Bar is full of quirky charm fit for any neighborhood pub. And yet, the refined cocktails and warm hospitality Service Bar provides (hence the name), elevate the experience without being pretentious. The Baked Apple + Pear Gin & Tonic embodies this balance: a classic drink elevated by infusing comforting flavors.

“I start with the ingredient I want to highlight,” Kim explains. “I like looking at the general [cocktail] menu and seeing what could fill the gaps. I often start with classics and then do riffs or variations and see where we go from there.”

In early July, Kim, who is Korean American, was working on creating a seasonal cocktail menu focused on Asian-inspired ingredients, which is a first for her.

“I never get to work with Asian ingredients, generally,”

she says. “I just don’t even think about it because it’s what I use for food, not drink application. One of my drinks right now is focused on honeydew in terms of a very specific melon bar popsicle product. We will see if it works.”

Kim judges the success of each cocktail concoction on community input.

“The one thing [that confirms] a cocktail is great is if someone orders it again. Then you’ve won. You’ve accomplished the goal.”

The focus on patrons’ experience is the key to Service Bar’s success and accolades. They survived Covid-19 quarantine measures with to-go cocktail packages, and almost doubled their staff when they expanded to offer outdoor seating.

This past June, Service Bar was ranked as one of the North America’s 50 Best Bars, leading to widespread recognition for both the bar and Kim’s cocktails.

“We knew [the bar’s award] was happening, but we didn’t know where we [ranked],” Kim says. “Our whole staff was in New York watching in a hotel room, streaming on my laptop.

We planned dinner around being announced in the 40s. And then it just kind of kept counting down from the 40s, 30s, 20s, and we were like, ‘Why did they not announce us yet?’

Then, they finally got to us at number 18 and waterworks were everywhere.”

Kim immediately saw an uptick in the volume of people eager to visit the bar after the announcement, noting, “We had people take the bus down from New York because they had a day off and just wanted to check us out.”

As the only bar in D.C. to be awarded on the list, Kim now wants to use the recognition as a way to shine a light on the entire city’s beverage scene that fostered her talents.

“I think people sleep on D.C. a lot, and there are so many good places here,” Kim says, who noted Black Whiskey, Chaplin’s and Zeppelin as personal favorite spots. “We are working on something to help promote our friends and places we enjoy going to.”

Pre-pandemic, Service Bar hosted events and pop-ups once a month that featured up-and-coming local businesses. They are currently in the process of restarting the pop-up series, including one that would coordinate with bars all over the country, helping bring even more national attention to the District’s hospitality industry.

Back in early June, before the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, Kim took part in the Bartenders Against Bans fundraiser at Michele’s, where 100% of the proceeds went to Planned Parenthood. She along with six other local mixologists, who are all women, quickly came together after Justice Samuel Alito’s opinion draft undercutting Roe v. Wade was leaked.

“It took like two emails,” Kim recalls. “Judy [Elahi, bar director at Michele’s] set it up and had everything organized.

She did a great job putting everything together. We really just had to tell her what drinks we wanted to make and what prep we needed, and that was it. Everything else was taken care of.”

The success of the event, which raised approximately $6,000 for the cause, further drives home why Kim believes in the District’s bar scene and its potential.

“I love how tight the D.C. community is. I want other people to recognize what an awesome city we are.”

Service Bar: 926 U St. NW, DC; servicebardc.com // @servicebardc DISTRICT FRAY |

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Get out and about at events across the nation’s capital as we head into the final stretch of summer.

Enjoy the weather, see the city’s most exciting shows, make new friends at an exercise class and rock out to your favorite bands. Whether you want high-octane adventure or the quiet pleasure of picking up a new skill, D.C. has what you’re seeking. Summer fun is beckoning. All you need to do is dive in. COMPILED BY AVIVA BECHKY

ONGOING 305 OUTSIDE!

305 is an addictively fun dance cardio class that works your body head to toe! Drop it low, tone it up and shake it out on The Rooftop at Union Market Sunday mornings to a killer DJ mix.

Free. 9:30 a.m. + 10:30 a.m. The Rooftop at Union Market: 1309 5th St. NE, DC; unionmarketdc.com // @unionmarketdc

DANCE FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASE AT THE KENNEDY CENTER Launched as a partnership between Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group, this program 6

| AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022

offers internationally acclaimed dance classes for people with Parkinson’s Disease in more than 250 communities and 24 countries. In D.C., the classes take place weekly on Wednesdays. Free. 2:30 p.m. The Kennedy Center: 2700 F St. NW, DC; kennedy-center.org // @kennedycenter

DC FRAY + AS YOU ARE FREE BINGO SERIES Get out of the house and jump back into fun with DC Fray and As You Are for our FREE, in-person, LGBTQ+ Happy Hour Bingo night running every other Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.! Fray provides the game night host, bingo materials including daubers, and awesome prizes. Free. 7 p.m.

As You Are: 500 8th St. SE, DC; asyouaredc.com // @asyouaredc NOTE: All descriptions courtesy of event hosts and edited for clarity.

CALENDAR | RADAR GEORGETOWN WATERFRONT YOGA Bring your yoga mat and lots of smiles! Meet yoga practitioner and Reset Yoga Collective founder Kyra Yogini at the Georgetown Waterfront on Sundays for an energetic yoga session designed to get you breathing, moving and creating summer joy, love, peace and freedom within yourself. And here’s a bonus: vegan snacks and beverages are served after practice. $10. 10 a.m. Georgetown Waterfront Park: 3303 Water St. NW; @resetyogacollective

ITALIAN DATE NIGHT: HAND-ROLLED GNOCCHI COOKING CLASS In this hands-on cooking class offered every other Saturday, you’ll learn to make soft and pillow-y gnocchi — tiny delicious dumplings made with potatoes or ricotta. You’ll also make scrumptious butter garlic sauce to pair with freshly made gnocchi and top with fresh garnish such as green peas, basil, and parmesan cheese. $69. 5 p.m. Chef Abrar’s Place: 8010 Gramercy Blvd. Derwood, MD; cocusocial.com // @cocusocial

LOU STOVALL AT THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION “Lou Stovall: The Museum Workshop” reexamines the history and legacy of the Dupont Center, an artist’s museum founded in late 1960s D.C. This exhibition presents work produced by artists at the Center and collected by Stovall between 1969 and 1973, as well as Stovall’s early community posters from 1967 and 1968, which document D.C. in a time of protest and upheaval. The presentation brings together a variety of art from the workshop, including sculpture, photography and paintings. $0-$16. 11 a.m. The Phillips Collection: 1600 21st St. NW, DC; phillipscollection.org // @phillipscollection

SUMMERFEST: PING PONG SERIES AT TYSONS CORNER CENTER Tysons Corner Center and DC Fray invite you and your doubles partner to test your ping pong reflexes at this year’s Summer Fest. Bring your poise, concentration, hand-eye coordination, lucky paddles, and favorite cheerleaders as your team progresses through the brackets in hopes of taking home the ultimate first place prize. On August 9 and 30, turn out to test your skills. Free. 6 p.m. Tysons Corner Center: 1961 Chain Bridge Rd. Tysons, VA; tysonscornercenter.com // @shoptysons

“SYRIAN MIGRATION” AT THE KENNEDY CENTER Explore the displacement of peoples forced to migrate from their home countries due to war, violence, persecution, politics and other related factors. This exhibit displays artworks by Social Practice Resident Helen Zughaib. Open until August 15. Free. 10 a.m. REACH Welcome Pavilion at The Kennedy Center: 2700 F St. NW, DC; kennedy-center.org // @kennedycenter

TUNES IN THE TRIANGLE OF MILIAN PARK Every Wednesday from June 1 to August 24, head down to Milian Park to enjoy live music with friends and neighbors.

This year’s lineup was specially curated to celebrate diverse BIPOC artists from the local D.C. music community.

Free. 5 p.m. Milian Park: 499 Massachusetts Ave. NW, DC; mountvernontriangle.org // @mvtcid

8.2

HAMILTON AT THE KENNEDY CENTER

Hamilton is the story of America then, told by America now.

Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre — a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education. Its run at The Kennedy Center starts August 2. $59-$399. Various times. The Kennedy Center: 2700 F St. NW, DC; kennedy-center.org // @kennedycenter

8.3

SCREENING OF “LONE WOLF AND CUB: SWORD OF VENGEANCE”

The inaugural film in the “Lone Wolf and Cub” series thrust Itto Ogami into the ranks of the all-time great samurai movie icons. In this installment, the Shadow Yagyu clan plots to solidify its power by taking Ogami’s coveted position of shogun’s executioner for its own. The legendary assassin escapes with his infant son, Daigoro, and swears vengeance.

Free. 2 p.m. Meyer Auditorium at the Freer Gallery of Art: 1050 Independence Ave. SW, DC; asia.si.edu // @natasianart

8.5 + 8.6

JOHN MULANEY: FROM SCRATCH AT MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION

John Mulaney is a two-time Emmy and WGA awardwinning writer, actor and comedian. Solidifying himself as a fan favorite, John Mulaney has been invited to host Saturday Night Live five times. $45+. 8 p.m. Merriweather Post Pavilion: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Columbia, MD; merriweathermusic.com // @merriweatherpp

8.5-8.7

OUTWRITE LGBTQ+ LITERARY FESTIVAL

D.C.’s annual LGBTQ+ Literary Festival is coming back to the city. The virtual festival will host 70 LGBTQ+ authors, and will partner with Loyalty Bookstores to sell OutWrite 2022 authors’ books. Featuring a stage play, a film screening, poetry and writing workshops, a picture book reading and more, OutWrite’s got something for all you queer book nerds. Free.

Various times. Virtual event. thedccenter.org // @outwritedc

8.5

TODD BARRY AT UNION STAGE

From music to films to television to podcasts, he’s been everywhere. He’s also put his comedy down in writing, in his 2017 book “Thank You for Coming to Hattiesburg: One Comedian’s Tour of Not-Quite-the-Biggest Cities in the World.” $30. 8 p.m. Union Stage: 740 Water St. SW, DC; unionstage.com // @unionstage

“Mexican Geniuses: A Frida and Diego Immersive Experience.” Photo courtesy of Fever Events.

DISTRICT FRAY |

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RADAR | CALENDAR

8.6

THE ESCAPE ARTIST AT SONGBYRD

Formed in 2006, The Escape Artist is a five-piece post-rock/ dreamgaze band from Washington, D.C. with heavy use of effects reminiscent of bands like Slowdive, Explosions in the Sky and HUM. Ari Voxx & The Sad Lads and Kinda Evil will perform as well. $19.20. 7 p.m. Songbyrd Music House: 540 Penn St. NE, DC; songbyrddc.com // @songbyrddc

8.7

SUMMER SPIRIT FESTIVAL

Get ready for a day of festivities with Erykah Badu, Anthony Hamilton, Method Man and Redman, Marsha Ambrosius, Junkyard Band and J. Brown. DJed by Dirty Rico and hosted

by Jas Funk, with Park & BZB’s Summer Spirit Festival Marketplace. $74.75+. 3 p.m. Merriweather Post Pavilion: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Columbia, MD; merriweathermusic.com // @merriweatherpp

8.8

LADY GAGA AT NATIONALS PARK

Gaga released “Chromatica” in 2020 and its remix “Dawn of Chromatica” last year. If you’ve been replaying the soundtracks for the past two years, then this event is the one for you. Rain or shine, Lady Gaga will grace Nationals Park

8

| AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022

with her presence for one night only — be sure to be there! $72+. 7:30 p.m. Nationals Park: 1500 S Capitol St. SE, DC; mlb.com/nationals/ballpark/events // @nationalspark

ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER AT BLACK CAT On “Sideways to New Italy,” Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever have turned their gaze inward, to their individual pasts and the places that inform them. In searching for something to hold onto in the turbulence, the guitar-pop five-piece has channeled their own sense of dislocation into an album that serves as a totem of home. $20. 7 p.m. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; blackcatdc.com // @blackcatdc

8.9

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS AT SONGBYRD

Minneapolis punk band Off with Their Heads began as a hardtouring entity with a revolving-door membership centered around the songs of guitarist and vocalist Ryan Young. Seth Anderson opens. $19.20. 7 p.m. Songbyrd Music House: 540 Penn St. NE, DC; songbyrddc.com // @songbyrddc

8.10

COVEY + SINCERE ENGINEER AT SONGBYRD

Tom Freeman — the Brooklyn-based British artist and musician known as Covey — has had a weird year. Enter Covey’s new full-length record, “Class Of Cardinal Sin.” Sincere Engineer will join Freeman with a blend of fiery punk-

CALENDAR | RADAR pop, emo and folk music. $17.92. 7 p.m. Songbyrd Music House: 540 Penn St. NE, DC; songbyrddc.com // @songbyrddc

WASHINGTON SPIRIT VS. PORTLAND THORNS Come out to cheer for Washington Spirit in their match against the Portland Thorns. The 2021 National Women’s Soccer League champions, Washington Spirit is a powerhouse. $25-$40. 7:30 p.m. Segra Field: 42095 Loudoun United Dr. Leesburg, VA; washingtonspirit.com // @washingtonspirit

8.11

“ENCANTO”: THE SING ALONG FILM CONCERT Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award-winning film comes to life in a one-of-a-kind concert event, featuring the entire feature-length film and an on-stage band celebrating all the record-breaking hit songs from the beloved soundtrack. $47+. 7:30 p.m. Filene Center at Wolf Trap: 1551 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; wolftrap.org // @wolf _trap

8.12

HIATUS KAIYOTE AT THE FILLMORE

With the remix of their album “Mood Variant” out earlier this year, Hiatus Kaiyote is sure to have some fun tunes. $40. 8 p.m. The Fillmore Silver Spring: 8656 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; @fillmoresilverspring

MISSIO: #GIMMEAKISS TOUR AT UNION STAGE Texas electronic alternative duo MISSIO, Matthew Brue and David Butler perform some of their latest songs in their #gimmeakiss tour. $30-$50. 9 p.m. Union Stage: 740 Water St. SW, DC; unionstage.com // @unionstage

8.13

NMAAHC HIP-HOP BLOCK PARTY

The day-long event will feature performances by local and national talent, presentations and activities to explore hip-hop music and culture’s origins, elements and influences. Free. 11 a.m. African American History and Culture Museum: 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, DC; nmaahc.si.edu // @nmaahc

SORRY PAPI TOUR: THE ALL GIRL REGGAETON The world’s first all-women reggaeton party, designed to create a safe and empowering space. 21+. $40. 9 p.m.

The Fillmore Silver Spring: 8656 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; @fillmoresilverspring

8.13 + 8.14

SAUSAGEFEST AT WUNDER GARTEN

D.C.’s German-themed beer garden continues its annual summer festival. SausageFest will spotlight the DMV’s local breweries including Right Proper, Devils Backbone, Hellbender and more! Free. 12 p.m. Wunder Garten: 1101 First St. NE, DC; wundergartendc.com // @wundergartendc

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RADAR | CALENDAR

8.14

8.15

Esther Povitsky — known to many as Little Esther — has had the comedy industry buzzing. She’s jump to the next level as a series regular on “Crazy Ex Girlfriend” and “Dollface,” and she continues to flourish as an actress, podcaster and stand-up. $35-$60. 7 p.m. The DC Improv Comedy Club: 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; dcimprov.com // @dcimprov

Whether you’re a stationery nerd, DIY bride-to-be or just crafty, in this workshop you’ll learn an introduction to modern calligraphy with a pointed dip pen and ink. The workshop will cover all the basics and get you ready to add those special lettered details to your mail. $75. 6:30 p.m. La Cosecha: 1280 4th St. NE, DC; lacosechadc.com // @lacosechadc

“HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE” IN CONCERT

8.16

ESTHER POVITSKY AT DC IMPROV

This concert presents the first movie of the unforgettable series while a live orchestra performs John Williams’ enchanting score. $40-$60. 8 p.m. Merriweather Post Pavilion: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Columbia, MD; merriweathermusic.com // @merriweatherpp

PRETTY BOI DRAG PRESENTS #YOURBOISAREBACK In 2016, Pretty Boi Drag, an award-winning DC-based drag king production, first hit the stage to a sold out crowd. They ground to a halt during the pandemic. But now, your Bois are back and staging their biggest show yet. $25-$40. 4 p.m. Union Stage: 740 Water St. SW, DC; unionstage.com // @unionstage

10 | AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022

LEARN MODERN CALLIGRAPHY AT LA COSECHA

ROGER WATERS AT CAPITAL ONE ARENA

It’s faced postponement after postponement — but at long last, Roger Waters is bringing the This is Not a Drill tour to D.C. $35+. 8 p.m. Capital One Arena: 601 F St. NW, DC; capitalonearena.com // @capitalonearena

PREHISTORIC SEA CREATURES AT THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Part of the series Play Date at NMNH, this event is all about prehistoric creatures of the Cretaceous ocean! Families can learn about and make close observations of select pieces from the museum’s specimen collection, measure themselves in relation to a mosasaur (a very large marine reptile!), and create your own Cretaceous ocean mural. Free. 10:30 a.m. National Museum of Natural History: 1000 Madison Dr. NW, DC; naturalhistory.si.edu // @smithsoniannmnh

CALENDAR | RADAR

8.17

GOO GOO DOLLS AT WOLF TRAP

Goo Goo Dolls returns to Wolf Trap with smash hits like “Iris,” “Slide” and “Black Balloon.” Alt-rockers Blue October open the show. $47+. 7:30 p.m. Filene Center at Wolf Trap: 1551 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; wolftrap.org // @wolf _trap

8.18

BRANDI CARLILE: BEYOND THESE SILENT DAYS

Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile released her seventh album “In These Silent Days” last fall, blending classic rock, glam pop, roots music and vintage Seattle grunge/punk for a sound unique to Carlile. $39.50-$149.50. 6:30 p.m. Merriweather Post Pavilion: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy. Columbia, MD; merriweathermusic.com // @merriweatherpp

8.19

COMEDY BANG! BANG! LIVE! AT WARNER THEATRE

Scott Aukerman’s “Comedy Bang! Bang!” returns to the road, bringing the decade-long comedy podcast live to a stage near you. Along for the ride is “Bang! Bang!” mainstay Paul F. Tompkins, who’ll be joined by a rotating cast of special guests and a cavalcade of characters! $39+. 7 p.m. Warner Theatre: 513 13th St. NW, DC; warnertheatredc.com // @warnertheatre

“MEXICAN GENIUSES: A FRIDA AND DIEGO IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE” OPENS Dedicated to the legacy of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, the exhibit will showcase the passion, beauty and emotional relationship that left a profound impact on the art world and beyond. With over 300 projections of bold and vibrant colors, this highly innovative digital experience immerses Washingtonians in the work of two of the most prolific artists of the 20th Century. $19.90-$54.50. Various times. 1235 W St. NE, DC; feverup.com // @fever_us

NOCHE DE VERANO SIN TI AT DC9 A party for fans of Bad Bunny. ¡Vamos a bailar! 21+. $10-$20.

11 p.m. DC9 Nightclub: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; dc9.club // @dc9club

8.20 + 8.21

STEVE MARTIN + MARTIN SHORT AT WOLF TRAP

Two comedic masters driven to make each other laugh as much as the audience. From the small screen — most recently in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” — to the stage, the famous friends’ comedy truly soars when they lovingly and relentlessly roast each other. $49+. 8 p.m. Filene Center at Wolf Trap: 1551 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; wolftrap.org // @wolf _trap

8.21

BLONDIE AT THE ANTHEM

Blondie will be joined by The Damned for a loud, fun night out at The Anthem. $75-$100. 8 p.m. The Anthem: 901 Wharf St. SW, DC; theanthemdc.com // @theanthemdc

INDIAN COOKING CLASS AT HERITAGE INDIA The chef at Heritage India, one of the most celebrated Indian restaurants in town, will demonstrate how easy it is to prepare a delicious Indian meal. Tickets include take-home recipes, a cooking demonstration and lunch with dessert. $59. 11:30 a.m.

Heritage India: 3238 Wisconsin Ave. NW, DC; heritageindiaindc.com // @HeritageIndia3 on Twitter

8.22

COLD READING WORKSHOP

In this in-person workshop, you’ll be given “sides” (short scenes from a play) to prepare as if you’re actually auditioning.

Working in pairs, you’ll practice finding the important facts, making choices based on what the playwright has written and your own instincts and quickly adapting to direction. $30. 7:30 p.m. The Little Theatre of Alexandria: 600 Wolfe St. Alexandria, VA; thelittletheatre.com // @littletheatrealex

8.23

BAD BUNNY AT NATIONALS PARK

After releasing “Un Verano Sin Ti” this year, Bad Bunny will stop by the capital city for his World’s Hottest Tour. Joined by Swedish DJ Alesso, he’ll be turning up the heat in Nationals Park. $180+. 7 p.m. Nationals Park: 1500 S Capitol St. SE, DC; mlb.com/nationals // @nationalspark

DURAN DURAN + NILE RODGERS & CHIC British music icons Duran Duran has sold more than 100 million records, has 18 American hit singles and 21 UK Top 20 tunes. This year, the band will bring their long-awaited “FUTURE PAST” Tour to the DMV. $57.50-$227.50. 7 p.m.

Merriweather Post Pavilion: 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy.

Columbia, MD; merriweathermusic.com // @merriweatherpp

8.24

THE DECEMBERISTS AT WOLF TRAP

Portland, Oregon-based eccentric indie-folk band The Decemberists make their Wolf Trap debut. Folk and blues artist Jake Xerxes Fussell opens the evening. $50+. 8 p.m.

Filene Center at Wolf Trap: 1551 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; wolftrap.org // @wolf _trap

PEACHES AT 9:30 CLUB Peaches released “The Teaches of Peaches” back in 2000.

Combining electronic music, hip-hop and punk rock, she’s tackled issues from the patriarchy to gender politics to ageism. $40. 7 p.m. 9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; 930.com // @930club

8.25

LA LUZ AT BLACK CAT

On their self-titled fourth album, La Luz launch themselves into a new realm of emotional intimacy for a collection of songs steeped in the mysteries of the natural world and the magic of human chemistry. Psychedelic girl group Ghost Funk Orchestra will also perform. $15-$18. 8 p.m. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; blackcatdc.com // @blackcatdc DISTRICT FRAY | 11

RADAR | CALENDAR

8.26-8.27

SCREENING OF “THE LOST RECORD” WITH Q&A FEATURING IAN SVENONIUS + ALEXANDRA CABRAL

A collaboration between writer, critic and musician Ian Svenonius and artist and photographer Alexandra Cabral, “The Lost Record” is an avant-garde musical about art, fetish, fame, money, music and records. Set in a dystopian alternate reality, it’s a love story of sorts between a young would-be artist (Pauline Jorry) and an ostensibly worthless vinyl record (voiced by Svenonius). $8-$13. 7 p.m. AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center: 8633 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; afisilver.afi.com // @afisilvertheatre

8.26-8.28

THE STRONG FRIEND MEET-UP

This expo was created to promote the idea that mental health and holistic wellness are a necessity. SFM expands the idea that strong friends need outlets and tools for themselves. $0-$40. Various times. Walter E. Washington Convention Center: 801 Mount Vernon Pl. NW, DC

8.27

2022 AROUND THE WORLD CULTURAL FOOD FESTIVAL Participating restaurants showcase and teach about their cultures through food, so enjoy some delicious dishes while watching a folk show. Once you’re full, go stroll through the booths presented by artisans and crafters. Free. 11 a.m. Oronoco Bay Park: 100 Madison St. Alexandria, VA; aroundtheworldfestival.com // @around_the_world_ food_ festival

8.29

LORDE AT THE ANTHEM

Seize your opportunity to join Lorde on the Solar Power Tour.

We know you’ve been waiting — especially if you had your eye on the postponed April show. $125-$250. 7:30 p.m.

The Anthem: 901 Wharf St. SW, DC; theanthemdc.com // @theanthemdc

8.30

POST SEX NACHOS AT SONGBYRD

From the depths of the Midwest rises a soulful and passionate quintet, ready to bend genres and produce tunes that’ll make you jump, shake and move: Post Sex Nachos. They’re joined by indie pop band Similar Kind. $15.36. 7 p.m. Songbyrd Music House: 540 Penn St. NE, DC; songbyrddc.com // @songbyrddc

8.31

BORIS AT 9:30 CLUB

Boris are celebrating their 30-year career as one of experimental music’s most forward-thinking, heavy and innovative bands. “Heavy Rocks” (2022), channels the classic proto-metal sounds of the 70’s into something all new.

12 | AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022

CALENDAR | RADAR They’re joined by NOTHING, whose new full-length explores isolation, extinction and human behavior. $25. 7 p.m.

9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; 930.com // @930club

9.1 + 9.2

BRUNO MARS AT MGM NATIONAL HARBOR

Bruno Mars returns to The Theater for two consecutive nights, bringing with him his smooth lyrics, classic dance moves and charming personality. $345+. 8 p.m. The Theater at MGM National Harbor: 101 MGM National Ave. Oxon Hill, MD; mgmnationalharbor.mgmresorts.com // @mgmnationalharbor

9.3

RIGHT ROUND AT BLACK CAT

For two decades, DJ lil’e has kept dancefloors packed spinning her Right Round 80s alternative Dance Party. If you want to move your feet to an 80s dance party that’s different than the usual neon fare, this is for you! $15. Doors at 9 p.m. Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW, DC; blackcatdc.com // @blackcatdc

9.5

NIKA KING AT THE COMEDY LOFT

The breakout star from HBO’s “Euphoria,” Nika King makes her Comedy Loft debut. $30-$40. 7:30 p.m. The Comedy Loft of DC: 1523 22nd St. NW, DC; dccomedyloft.com // @dccomedyloft

9.7

MICHAEL RAY AT THE BULLPEN

Ray just released his EP “Higher Education” in 2021, so if you’re interested in listening to any of the songs live, turn out and enjoy a night outside. 21+. $20-$30. 6:30 p.m. The Bullpen: 1201 Half St. SE, DC; thebullpendc.com // @thebullpendc

9.8

SPIRITUALIZED AT 9:30 CLUB

ROXY MUSIC 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR AT CAPITAL ONE ARENA Turn out this fall to listen as Roxy Music reunites for the first time since 2011. St. Vincent opens. $49+. 8 p.m.

Capital One Arena: 601 F St. NW, DC; capitalonearena.com // @capitalonearena

SHE & HIM + NEKO CASE AT WOLF TRAP She & Him are known for their sound that’s “playful, soft, sunnily melancholy and spring-like” (NPR), so it only makes sense that they would find inspiration in the music of Brian Wilson. Check out sunny originals and Wilson covers in the duo’s return to Wolf Trap. Meanwhile, Neko Case has famously collaborated with The New Pornographers and case/ lang/veirs in addition to releasing critically acclaimed solo albums. $32+. 8 p.m. Filene Center at Wolf Trap: 1551 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; wolftrap.org // @wolf _trap

SNAIL MAIL AT FILLMORE SILVER SPRING Snail Mail — the indie rock project created by Lindsey Jordan — is a DMV native hailing from Ellicott City. Her latest album, “Valentine,” dives into love and heartbreak. Momma and Hotline TNT open. $25. 8 p.m. The Fillmore Silver Spring: 8656 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; @fillmoresilverspring

9.10

GRACE IVES AT DC9

Ives’ penchant for poetic musings on details and references has always been part of her enchantment, but on “Janky Star” she settles into an image that’s her own. 18+. $15. 10:15 p.m.

DC9 Nightclub: 1940 9th St. NW, DC; dc9.club // @dc9club

“GREASE” SING-A-LONG AT AFI SILVER THEATRE AND CULTURAL CENTER Your chills will be multiplyin’. The high school romance of good girl Sandy and bad boy Danny returns in an interactive sing-along edition, with animated subtitles. $8-$13. 6:30 p.m.

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center: 8633 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; afisilver.afi.com // @afisilvertheatre

The English space rock band formed back in the ‘90s. Their membership may have changed a bit since then — though singer and guitarist Jason Pierce is still going strong — but their sound is just as exciting as ever. Join them live for an evening of funky rock music. $38.00. Doors at 7 p.m.

9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW, DC; 930.com // @930club

9.9

ARTE AGAVE TEQUILA AND MEZCAL FESTIVAL DC

A unique celebración of fine agave spirits, arts and entertainment. The festival offers fun drinks — over 100 varieties of agave spirits, mezcal cocktails, a spicy margarita — in addition to tasty Latin fare by local culinary leaders.

There will also be a photo booth, baile folklórico, an art installation and the chance to win a bottle of your favorite tequila or mezcal. $75-$90. 6 p.m. The Schuyler: 1001 14th St. NW, DC; theschuylerdc.com // @theschuylerdc

DISTRICT FRAY | 13

EAT

INTO THE JUNGLE Causa/Bar Amazonia brings the flavors of Peru to D.C. WORDS + PHOTOS BY ANDREW J. WILLIAMS III

EAT Chef Carlos Delgado and Service Bar owners Glendon Hartley and Chad Spangler have anchored an oasis in Shaw’s Blagden Alley. Causa/Bar Amazonia is a culinary destination rooted in Peru’s proud gastronomic history and culture, serving up dishes rich in flavor, color, global influences and complexity, paired with top-notch mixology.

“It’s one of the first — if not the first — Amazonian experiences in America,” Spangler says.

The concept features a 120-seat, two-floor, two-menu restaurant. On the ground level is the yet-to-open Causa, a 20-set space meant to replicate the look and feel of a restaurant in Lima (most notably by the bare concrete and Japanese minimalism). Causa will offer patrons a high-end tasting menu experience and a “front row” to its open kitchen design.

When fully operational, Causa will implement a family-style fish market menu, offering a choice of the day’s available fresh fish and seafood and the method of preparation.

On the second floor is the vibrant Bar Amazonia, serving up Amazonian dishes or “jungle foods” complemented by an airy bar area with sun-soaked views of its 50-seat outdoor patio.

Spangler depicts Causa/Bar Amazonia as an uncommonly transportive experience, inviting guests to taste, smell and even hear Peru and the Amazon, an area that he considers the world’s “gastronomic destination.”

“It’s the entire mindset, whether you’re eating downstairs, in the bathroom or on the patio,” Delgado says, who considers this his “holy grail” Peruvian restaurant. “It transports you somewhere else for those two hours you’re here.”

The interior design intentionally drives the transportive nature of Causa/Bar Amazonia. As you transition from the first to second level, your senses are flooded with jungle sounds and a shift in the music’s rhythm and volume.

Environmental elements of wood, plants and other greenery, earth tones, flourishes of color and the uniquely designed patio also shape the experience.

“It’s very rare to find a full rooftop space on the same grade as the interior,” Spangler notes. “Designing this restaurant and making these two spaces feel connected [was important] so you feel like you’re one with the environment, which is what being in the Amazon is so much about.”

Artist and muralist Lauren Bessette was pulled in at early stages of development to add her creative flair to the upstairs backdrop. Bessette is responsible for the wall art inside of Bar Amazonia’s main space, including the towering green leaves that greet patrons as they ascend the staircase.

“I’ve been working on this piece for quite some time,” Bessette says. “I’ve seen it go from an empty room to what it is now. It’s been really special to be a little sliver of that process.”

coast, the Andes and the Amazon. Their cuisine infuses ingredients foreign to even natives of Lima, including plantains, açaí berries, sacha culantro, tamarind and mocambo, a rare jungle superfruit Delgado uses in desserts and cocktails.

Peruvian food is a true anthropological journey influenced by its complicated history, a country conquered by the Spanish and home to African slaves, whose cooking techniques blended with the Peruvians’. After the country’s last independence movement (overthrowing the Spanish), Peru created incentives for work visas, accelerating the arrival of Chinese, Japanese and Italian immigrants — hence the frequent use of olive oil, tangy sauces and parmesan.

Part of the fun for Delgado is locating hard-to-find ingredients: the ones that leave a lasting impression. Unique meats and vegetables from around the world shape the menu, such as alligator from Florida or hearts of palm from Hawaii.

The building’s design, menu and philosophy of authenticity converge for a genuine Peruvian culinary experience.

“Authenticity is paying respect to what something should taste like,” Delgado shares. “There should be no boundaries or structure as to how you showcase that.”

Among the many enchanting dishes is the choice of ceviche offerings, either classic or Amazonian, which Spangler describes as “truly the best [ceviche] you’ll find anywhere.”

TIGER’S MILK Delgado is a native of Callao, the northernmost province in Lima. He came of age cooking with his grandmother and cultivating his talents at restaurants in Peru before coming to D.C. and opening Ocopa (whose namesake is a well-known Peruvian sauce). Later, Delgado studied under celebrity chef and humanitarian José Andrés.

“I wanted to bring something totally different to showcase and teach people about Peru,” Delgado says of the menu. “[Peruvian food] is more than just fast-casual rotisserie chicken.”

Causa’s food focuses on Peru’s three distinct regions: the LEFT PAGE. Ensalada de Chonta. THIS PAGE. Pisco Punch Amazonia.

DISTRICT FRAY | 15

EAT

TOP PICKS DISHES La Anticucheria (skewer of beef heart selection): Grilled over Japanese charcoal and marinated with ají panca Ensalada de Chonta: Hearts of palm, avocado, tomato, passionfruit Madurito: Plantain, cecina, cheese, peanuts

COCKTAILS The Ocopa Cocktail: La diablada acholado, huacatay, elderflower, hierba luisa Otorongo Ciego: Park cognac, Ardbeg scotch, banana combier, crème de cacao, lime, turmeric, spices, chuncho bitters Pisco Punch Amazonia: Causa acholado #1, ají panca, camu camu, naranjilla, lemon, palo santo

Peruvian’s classic take on the raw fish plate is rooted in Japanese cuisine, subtly dressed in leche de tigre (“tiger’s milk”) to surface the natural flavors of the fish. Among other components, the Amazonian style integrates aji charapita, one of the world’s most expensive peppers, procured from the Peruvian Amazon.

Another unique feature of the Bar Amazonia experience is the use of a Josper oven, a Spanish-made utility that burns charcoal and wood, “enveloping” its dishes in a beautiful smoky flavor.

DRINKS OF THE SHAMAN The wood-burning oven is also used to roast watermelons for the pisco sour de Amazonia, a cocktail finished with a palo santo smoke, a wood similar to sage and cedar.

The drink encapsulates how seamlessly the food and cocktails blend to breathe life into the experience. The palo santo notes draw from the shamanistic rituals of the Amazonian, where it’s often used as a spiritual cleanser.

One of the sour’s base components is a hausa acholado, a pisco mixture made from a fusion of different grapes. This particular pisco includes four grapes, blended in-house to achieve the desired flavor profile.

16 | AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022

The tamaria tonica continues the expedition through Peru’s past. In the 1400s the Spanish arrived, discovering Peruvians making a tea with quinine from the bark of cinchona trees — a staple of present-day commercial tonics. The Spanish eventually took this custom back to Europe. Tamaria is another Amazonia fruit that translates to “almost tomato.”

Tamaria resembles a Roma tomato, with a vegetal seeded center and a fruitier exterior that tastes of mango or strawberry. For the tamaria tonica, the tamaria is mixed with a clarified orange juice, hierba luisa (a dried lemongrass tea) and a water mixture that’s force carbonated and poured on top.

Finally, it’s garnished with a flower and wheel made of ash and huacatay, a strong aromatic herb.

A dream eatery for foodies, cocktail aficionados and anyone curious about Peruvian and Amazonian cuisine, Causa/Bar Amazonia offers a place to savor the aromas, flavors and culinary methods that animate and preserve its cultural identity.

Causa/Bar Amazonia: 920 Blagden Alley NW, DC; causadc.com // @causadc_

Cebiche Amazonia.

Scoop Dreams

EAT | FOOD FOR THOUGHT

La Collina’s pastry chef, Rochelle Cooper, is churning out sweet bliss with her initiative Ice Cream Shoppe-Up.

WORDS BY NEVIN MARTELL | PHOTO BY SCOTT SUCHMAN The table is covered in ice cream. There are open containers, clear bowls cupping fresh scoops inspired by s’mores and lemon meringue pie, a scattering of spoons, a few requisite napkins. If you asked me when I was a child what heaven looked like, this would be it.

I’m getting a taste of the latest flavors from Ice Cream Shoppe-Up, a sweet initiative from pastry chef Rochelle Cooper. A RAMMY nominee for Pastry Chef of the Year, she oversees the Capitol Hill triptych from restaurateur Hollis Wells Silverman: fresh-faced New American restaurant The Duck & The Peach, swanky gin bar The Wells and coolly casual Italian eatery La Collina, where these ice creams are available for takeout and delivery.

Earlier in her career, Cooper spent nearly two years on ThinkFoodGroup’s research and development team focusing on creating pastries for concepts across their portfolio. That position was a sort of homecoming; she previously worked as a cook at Minibar.

Cooper’s Ice Cream Shoppe-Up is a textbook pandemic pivot. As Omicron surged at the beginning of the year, The Duck & The Peach powered down, becoming a to-go operation with reduced hours. They ordered a bunch of soup containers, anticipating everyone would want to order oodles of chicken noodle for some much-needed comfort. Unfortunately, the cardboard containers didn’t hold hot liquid well, so they were at risk of being a wasted purchase. That didn’t sit well with Cooper.

As she wondered how she could use them, she started an inventory of everything else on hand. The walk-in was full of milk, intended for the morning café now on hold. And there were all sorts of sweet leftovers from Christmas and New Year’s Eve desserts: lemon curd, graham cracker crumbs, crunchy cookie bits, mint puree, chocolate pudding.

Containers plus milk plus mix-ins clearly equaled ice cream, so she began churning out batches. In some ways, it was a completely new adventure. Though she made ice cream many times before, it was always as a complement to a starring dessert or part of a selection of simple scoops.

She did have strong feelings about the perfect pint.

“I’m a Ben & Jerry’s girl,” she says. “Give me all the junk food in one pint. I feel strongly there should be a lot of toppings in it. You shouldn’t have to dig for them; they’re everywhere.”

Some of her first flavors included Seriously Dough, dotted with bits of cookie dough and cookie chunks; Gimme S’more, graham cracker ice cream laced with fudge swirls and marshmallow ribbons; and Lemon Meringue Pie, featuring lemon ice cream with pockets of graham cracker crumbles and marshmallow-y meringue. She packed them into the repurposed soup containers and dubbed them “pints plus,” since they held 26 ounces, nearly double the 14 ounces in the average pint of Häagen-Dazs.

18 | AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022

Though she and the staff loved what she was making, Cooper wasn’t sure how well ice cream would sell in the middle of winter.

“All I could think was, ‘I hope people buy it,’” she says.

Her stress and self-doubt were unnecessary. A week or two after debuting the Ice Cream Shoppe-Up, her oversized pints often accounted for half their takeout business.

Everyone got hooked. Customers began messaging Cooper on Instagram, pleading for her to save them the last container of a beloved flavor. Friends started coming by the restaurant, at first to support her new venture, but then just to get their fix. Even staff members started buying her out of some flavors before they got listed online.

“It was really heartwarming,” says Cooper. “Especially at a time when things felt really helpless.”

As her fanbase expanded, Cooper dived deeper into perfecting her plus-sized pints.

“A lot of the ice cream recipes in the beginning weren’t recipes, they were just me winging it, savory chef style,” she admits. “But I’m kind of nerdy, so I got into the science of it all.”

She created a soy- and gelatin-free ice cream base and stabilizer made with milk, potato starch, sugar and another sweetener, guar gum, xanthan gum and carrageenan, a seaweed extract. She is also working on recipes with cow milk alternatives, including goat milk. Everything is hot processed, so all the milk in her ice creams has been cooked, since coldprocessed ice creams can be challenging for some peoples’ stomachs.

“It’s all about doing little things to be more mindful, while still creating a lovely texture and not weighing you down so much,” she says. “Most people are happy to down a pint, but that can be a lot for your body to take.”

Now her recipe arsenal includes more than 30 flavors, such as Caramel Coconut “Mousse” Tracks (if you haven’t figured this out already, Cooper is a big fan of puns), Apple of My Pie, horchata, strawberry rhubarb and cinnamon roll.

There are usually half a dozen ever-rotating options available, though that number swells during weeks when Cooper is particularly inspired. Talks are happening about spinning off the sweet startup and turning it into a standalone shop.

“But for now, we’re just watching the baby grow,” Cooper says.

Visit Ice Cream Shoppe-Up inside La Collina, or order online at lacollinadc.com.

Ice Cream Shoppe-Up at La Collina: 747 C St. SE, DC; lacollinadc.com // @lacollina_dc

DRINK

From the Vine 9 MUST-VIS IT W I N E BARS I N D.C .

WORDS BY PRIYA KONINGS

DRINK The best thing about wine is its versatility. Rosé for the summer and deep, dark reds for the winter. Wine pairs well with food from all over the globe, and is as enjoyable to consume alone, with a partner or with family and friends. It is as fun to drink indoors as well as out, with elevated fine dining fare or just with crunchy potato chips. No matter how you enjoy your wine, there are a plenty of wine-focused venues in D.C. to meet your needs. Here is a list of the best wine bars for every experience.

Jug & Table is unique in that it offers eight wines on tap, all of which can be purchased in a 64-ounce jug. On Wednesdays, Jug & Table offers half-off jugs and select reserve bottles of wine. Celebrate Wine Wednesday to the max with a group of friends and a couple of wine jugs without spending a crazy amount.

APÉRO: BEST FOR BUBBLES

LA JAMBE: BEST FOR A GRILLED CHEESE + WINE PAIRING

Apéro serves a host of champagnes, cava, crémant and even a nonalcoholic sparkling wine by the glass and bottle. Pair your glass of bubbles with one of the many elegantly casual indulgences on the snack menu including black truffle gougeres, roasted Greek olives, house pickles served in a jar or potato chips with French onion dip.

2622 P St. NW, DC; aperodc.com // @aperodc

BOTTLES WINE GARDEN: BEST FOR A FEMALELED WINE LIST Owned by Angie Duran and sommelier Erika Parjus, the wine list at Bottles Wine Garden highlights wines from female producers and owners that focus on low-intervention winemaking. Featuring shareable small plates to accompany these carefully curated wines, these selections are best enjoyed on Bottles’ gorgeous green outdoor patio.

2500 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; bottleswinegarden.com // @bottleswinegarden

CORK WINE BAR: BEST FOR DINNER WITH WINE Cork is one of the oldest wine bars in the city, and for good reason. With at least 50 wines available by the glass and nearly 250 by the bottle, there is something for even the pickiest wine drinkers. The venue has a great menu of small plates for sharing, including avocado toast with pistachio oil, crunchy skinny fries tossed in garlic and herbs, pesto pasta, a luscious burrata and apple salad and a gorgeous cheese plate. All the items are designed to work well with wine and change slightly depending on the seasons. Be sure to make a reservation if you plan to have dinner, as the venue books up quickly.

1805 14th St. NW, DC; corkdc.com // @corkdc

FLIGHT WINE BAR: BEST FOR — YOU GUESSED IT — A WINE FLIGHT Wine flights typically consist of three to four small pours of different wines served together according to a unifying factor.

The wines might be from the same country, feature the same grape or offer a progression in flavor and texture. Many wine bars offer flights — popular among wine aficionados — but few offer as many options as Flight Wine Bar, where you can choose from a whopping 22 different combinations. There’s a rosé flight, a sauvignon blanc flight, a natural wine flight and a coastal red wines flight. The options are diverse and interesting, and come with whimsical names like “sibling rivalry – South versus North Italy wines” and “I like oak and I cannot lie.” Head to Flight to sample wines from another country without having to get on an airplane.

JUG & TABLE: BEST FOR WINE WEDNESDAYS

2446 18th St. NW, DC; jugandtable.com // @jugandtabledc

Both locations of La Jambe offer a great cheese board featuring chef-selected cheeses, breads and condiments, but the Union Market location also offers gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.

The alpine grilled cheese is particularly dreamy with raclette, nutty gruyere cheese, chunky tomato jam and spicy arugula.

A glass of their Pouilly Fume sauvignon blanc makes for the perfect pairing.

1309 5th St. NE, DC; lajambedc.com/unionmarket // @lajambedc

LULU’S WINEGARDEN: BEST FOR DRINKING OUTDOORS There’s no better way to enjoy good weather than at an outdoor venue, meeting up with friends over a few bottles of rosé. Look no further than Lulu’s Winegarden, complete with picnic tables, heat lamps for cool evenings, awnings for sunny afternoons, plenty of rosé and a tasty snack menu to complement your wine. Insider tip: Visit during their “golden hour”: Tuesday-Thursday from 5-6 p.m., Friday from 4-6 p.m. and Sunday from 3-10 p.m. for wine and food discounts.

1940 11th St. NW, DC; luluswinegarden.com // @luluswinedc

MAXWELL PARK: BEST FOR THEMATIC WINE LISTS Maxwell Park, located in both Shaw and Navy Yard, offers an extraordinary wine experience in D.C. thanks to their everevolving wine list. Sommelier and owner Brent Kroll devises a different theme every month for the wine bar menu and changes up the wine offerings according to that theme. This summer themes include “kiss from a rosé,” which includes still and sparkling rosés and orange wines, and island wines, where the wine list features a bevy of wines hailing from different islands around the world. It’s a fun and exciting way to approach wine and gives patrons an excuse to visit every month to sample something new.

1336 9th St. NW, DC; 1346 4th St. SE, DC; maxwelldcwine.com // @maxwellpark_shaw @maxwellpark_navyyard

ST. VINCENT WINE: BEST FOR WINES BY THE BOTTLE St. Vincent has a massive wine bottle list, with sections that go way beyond traditional categories of white, rosé and red wines.

Their menu offers a collection of wines best for brunch, called “breakfast wines,” as well as collections for sparkling wines, natural wines, chilled red wines and for magnums. Oenophiles will love the variety available for in-house consumption or to-go.

3212 Georgia Ave. NW, DC; stvincentwine.com // @stvincentwine

777 6th St. NW, DC; flightdc.com // @flightwinebardc Flight Owner + Sommelier Kabir Amir pouring at the bar. Photo by Scott Suchman.

DISTRICT FRAY | 21

Photo by Kayleigh Tanthorey.

DRINK

DC BRAU TALKS DISTRIC T BRE WE RIES

WORDS BY ABI NEWHOUSE

There’s a certain nostalgia for the days of small breweries, where the same group of people would gather around a wooden table, order a pint and debrief about the latest in the neighborhood. For a while, D.C. didn’t have a space like this, despite the picture we paint of early politicians commiserating and debating in a candlelit brewery. Our claim to fame was the Christian Heurich Brewing Company — the only brewery in the District to survive Prohibition — which closed its doors in 1956. After that, our shelves were full of beer made elsewhere.

Enter: DC Brau. Founders Brandon Skall, Jeff Hancock and Mari Rodela saw an empty slot on grocery store shelves they figured belonged to D.C.-made beer. With backgrounds in brewing and wine distribution, the founders shared a vision for their local brewery centered around building that long-lost spirit of neighborhood community.

Their Northeast location provides a space for people to gather and drink. It also serves as DC Brau’s headquarters for brewing, canning and distributing their innovative and awardwinning beers and seltzers.

“Our first year we did about 1600 barrels of beer,” Skall says. “And at our peak before the pandemic, we did 16,000.

It was a rapid scaling while being a part of a beer scene that’s developing and growing here in Washington.”

Their beers pay tribute to different aspects of D.C., with names like Joint Resolution and The Corruption as a nod to the downtown, political side of the city. There’s also the Langston Lager, ¡Wild Funk! and one-off specialty beers intended to reflect the rest of the District’s unique and diverse citizens.

“We want our branding to reflect the ‘two D.C.s’ idea,” Skall says. “We wanted to get the message out that D.C. is more than the capital of the country. There is a great culture in D.C., and it’s always been here.”

Skall says there aren’t many goods actually manufactured within the District. D.C.’s lack of breweries is just one example.

“But now, we’ve got one of the highest amounts of breweries per capita,” Skall says. “There’s a great booming beer culture here.”

The beer scene grew after DC Brau opened, with Chocolate City (now closed), 3 Stars (closed after a 10-year run) and Atlas following close behind. Skall says there was a lot of interest in supporting locally-made beer — kind of a “If you build it, they will come” type response, with many residents proud of their hometown doing the work to represent itself. Now, you’ll see DC Brau on tap in many restaurants across the District.

On Sundays this summer, residents can also find DC Brau hosting a concert series called Dock Days of Summer. After the success of last year’s series under the same name, Dock Days is excited to be back, providing beers and house-made slushies, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic, with a new band headlining each week.

“We’ve always been aligned with music,” Skall says. “Our five-year anniversary was a big heavy metal fest, so we thought, ‘Hey, let’s do a very diverse musical spread.’”

In August, they’ll host a go-go band, a Grateful Dead cover band, a reggae band and others. The series will continue throughout October to make the most of local talent and prolong outdoor gatherings for residents.

DC Brau also focuses on supporting local nonprofits to strengthen the District in other ways, including working with libraries, voting organizations, LGBTQ+ groups, arts groups and cemeteries.

“It would be disingenuous to have D.C. in our name and not do what we can to make the city the best it can be,” Skall says.

“I’ve always felt D.C. people are proud of their culture and history. They get D.C. tattoos, they’ve got the flag everywhere and it’s also pretty punk rock we’ve got these ‘taxation without representation’ license plates. Giving folks something that’s from D.C. that they can be proud of and take ownership of is huge.”

Though it may look different than the low-lit breweries of decades past, DC Brau is here to bring neighborhoods together, celebrate all things D.C. and raise a glass to what’s to come.

DC Brau: 3178-B Bladensburg Rd. NE, DC; dcbrau.com // @dcbrau DISTRICT FRAY | 23

LIFE 21 Local Innovators To Watch WORDS BY BRANDON WETHERBEE

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Satarra Leona. Photo by Ellen Huber.

LIFE This began as a roundup featuring local entrepreneurs.

In order to be an entrepreneur, one has to take financial risks — and while money definitely influences the following people’s career choices, it’s not the only motivating factor. Then it was a hustler roundup.

Occasionally there’s a negative association with “hustler,” though, and we’re not highlighting any of the following 20 folks for negative reasons. Or maybe it’s an artist roundup? Some of these people are definitely artists, but some are not and that’s perfectly fine.

So, it’s a bit of everything. Here’s our entrepreneur/ hustler/artist roundup of 20 people in the DMV doing good. Whether an entrepreneur, artist, helper or an entrepreneur-ing artist who helps, the following are worth your time.

Satarra Leona Leona is the curator and owner of Arts in Color. Visit their location at 1843 14th St. in Northwest or visit their website to shop their inventory and peruse the artists she represents both domestically and internationally.

D.C.’s Art Scene I’ve lived in the DMV a majority of my life, but I also lived in Tokyo, Japan and in Honolulu, and also visited different countries. I’ve seen how big the art scene is, and how it can really become something huge. My dad would always take me to different art galleries and museums, and when I was a teenager I got jobs and internships at different galleries here in D.C. I noticed the galleries didn’t offer a lot of opportunities for local artists, especially exhibition space. I’ve always had a goal and aspiration give back to local artists. I want to give artists opportunities. In February 2021, I opened up Arts in Color, which features local and international artists. We also offer exhibition space for artists in general, including visual artists, photographers and designers.

Age in Art This past semester, I was blessed to teach a curation course at Howard University. I’m 23 now, but was only 22 when I was teaching. I was a little nervous because most people involved in the art world, especially gallery owners, are aged 35+. Some people don’t take me seriously because I’m so young, but I know who I am.

I’m very confident and don’t really focus on anything else. I want to encourage people to do anything they want and be anything they want. I went to school for business and always knew I wanted to be a business owner. Being young and black, there are a lot of things stacked against me, but I want to show I can overcome [any odds] and be successful. @artsincolorllc // artsincolorcuratorial.com

NOTE: Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

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Masako Morishita Masako Morishita is executive chef at Maxwell Park. She was recently named one of StarChefs’ 2022 Rising Stars Award winners.

But I Was a Cheerleader I moved to Washington, D.C. in 2013. I didn’t think I was going to cook for my career back then; I came to D.C. because I was a cheerleader for the former Washington Redskins. I was on a team for five years, and understood I couldn’t dance forever. [I asked myself,] “What else do I feel passionate about?”

My family has actually run a little bar and restaurant in Japan for 100 years now. My mom and my grandma are both chefs; I grew up in the restaurant industry. I learned a lot of basics from my mother, and my grandma’s cooking. So, I started bringing some of the food I usually cook at home to team potlucks and everybody was like, “What is this?” The potlucks got me thinking this might be next for me, and I started doing pop-ups and events throughout the city.

I have a unique background: I’m an immigrant woman cooking food that’s authentic. I think that’s rare in the D.C. food scene, and I feel responsible to be successful. A lot of people are hesitant to follow their dreams or calling, because it’s really hard. But if I can be successful, I believe I can encourage people like me to do their thing. Dancing and cooking are completely different, but being a [good team] member and leader are exactly the same. @maxwellpark_shaw; @maxwellpark_navyyard // maxwelldcwine.com

Al Goldberg Goldberg runs Mess Hall, a kitchen space dubbed “food incubator” in Edgewood, where hundreds of D.C. businesses have started.

On Starting a Food Business Food businesses are particularly hard to run. They’re super intensive, margins are thin, it’s hard to find help. You’re normally serving people during times you want to be with friends, family and loved ones. So, if somebody has a great idea and hasn’t fully considered the different variables including startup costs — and the notion it will take months and sometimes years to turn a profit — we let people know and ask them to reflect before they run out and spend their life savings.

Sometimes potential owners say, “That’s exactly what my significant other has been trying to tell me.” Or, “Yeah, I’ve heard that.” And then some people are stalwart: This is something they’ve always wanted to do. It’s something that they’ve given a lot of thought to, something that they’re fully prepared for. Then the conversation kind of takes off from there.

Underfunding is the number one thing that kill businesses and startups. If they don’t have enough money to push in, and they only have enough money to launch and set up a website and buy enough food for the first three weeks, that’s not going to be enough to get them through. They have to be prepared to weather a loss for the first weeks or months — sometimes years — and be able to survive. The other thing is tenacity — just sheer tenacity, organizational skills and a willingness to overcome. Nothing ever goes as smoothly as we want it to go, but if it were easy, everyone would do it.

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TOP. Masako Morishita. Photo by Austin Stonebracker. BOTTOM. Al Goldberg. Photo by Nevin Martell.

LIFE

Why D.C.

Get Involved

I think D.C. is perfect for what we’re doing. I don’t know how many brands we’ve launched, but it’s in the hundreds at this point. We’re keeping the food scene and the District of Columbia interesting, fun, sexy and diverse. We’re creating opportunities for people who don’t necessarily have the ability to overcome the startup barrier. I think this is a great way to see a vibrancy in the streets of D.C. with regard to food and culture. I love the fact that we’re helping connect people with amazing dreams to the general public who want to be their customers and support them.

Every individual can participate in what is happening right now to affect positive change. For those of us who are willing to be vocal and speak out about the issues, that’s great. If you’re not comfortable, that’s also great. There are other ways to get involved. I think the key thing is, whatever amount you are comfortable, it’s important to get out and get involved. At this moment in history, probably more than any other since I’ve been alive, there is a need for people to advocate and push hard for those not able to have a voice.

Do the Evolution You have to be able to evolve and pivot no matter what — especially when there’s wild factors like a pandemic. As soon as Covid-19 hit, we immediately got together with our trusted friends and partners at the Catholic University’s business school, which is right in our backyard. And we had a great relationship with those professors over the last years. We said, “Look, we need your brainpower. Can you come and talk to us?” Charles Darwin says that it’s not the biggest who survives or the fastest who survives — it’s the ones who are adaptable.

So, the species who are most adaptable will thrive. I do think there’s a correlation between those who were willing and able to pivot, pivot, pivot.

First and foremost is voting. Votes are extremely critical — we know this. We are obviously learning at this particular moment in time, especially given who is in power. How they came to be in power was ultimately through voting. There are a lot of abortion funds financially trying to help support those losing access. If you have the means to contribute financially — or in any other way that’s going to help support individuals who don’t otherwise have the resources — I highly suggest it.

If you are comfortable with being vocal and reaching out to legislators, whether it’s through phone calls, signing petitions, testifying — I highly suggest this as well. Raise awareness through whatever your platform might be, whether it’s social media or personal circles. @ppmwdc // plannedparenthood.org

@messhalldc // messhalldc.com

Dr. Serina Floyd Dr. Floyd is vice president of medical affairs and medical director for Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.

The Importance of Planned Parenthood There are not a lot of us willing to do this [type of] work — being vocal, providing the direct care needed to patients, serving as advocates and activists. I do this work because it’s my passion, and because I have two daughters. I want them to be proud of the work I’m doing and the person that I am — and I want them to protect their rights, have bodily autonomy and lead their lives the way that they choose. I think the current generation is much more aware of social justice issues than my generation. They are often more aware of the issues facing individuals who have historically been oppressed and marginalized. If anything, the past weeks have strengthened and galvanized these folks — but I think the energy and momentum was there already. It just helped to make it that much stronger.

Why D.C. I’m here because I feel like this is a pivotal location. This is a center when it comes to policy and the ability to be an activist and an advocate. It’s also the opportunities the D.C. area offers. You can [get involved] in a way you may not be able to be involved in other places. I don’t know if I could live in other states where [abortion] access has been stripped away. I have to live somewhere where I know that my own personal rights will be respected and that my decisions will be respected.

Dr. Serina Floyd. Photo by Jonathan Thorpe.

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Holly Bass One of the most prolific artists in D.C., Holly Bass has been practicing her craft for over 20 years. Her newest work, “American Woman,” was one of 42 selected for exhibition at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s “The Outwin 2022: American Portraiture Today” from a field of over 2700 entries. Her seven-hour performance begins at 11:30 a.m. on September 10, 2022.

On Staying Hopeful The past three years have really tested my optimism, and my belief that things will actually get better. I think the pandemic has made it difficult for me to move through the world with this sort of intentional naivete.

The pandemic has stripped bare the sort of corporate greed and avarice and sense that nobody cares and nothing matters. Your job doesn’t care about you. These brands you’re loyal to don’t care about you. The government doesn’t care about you. But the people who do care — if you are fortunate to be in a family or community that is loving — are friends, family and community. I can keep pushing and fighting the good fight because of that.

I have a history as an educator, and I think it’s really important not to poison the water for young people. That’s another reason why I try to stay optimistic, or at least try to instill in young people the idea that resistance is its own reward. Like we resist negativity, we resist the powers that be. We fight against them, not because we’re going to win but because it makes us better.

On Marathon Performances The first performance idea that was pretty durational was five hours. For two days, my body was wrecked. I was like, “This isn’t sustainable.” So, I started talking to marathoners and researching. The best advice one of them offered is you don’t have to be upright. If I’m running, I have to be on my feet — but I’m dancing. So, there are parts of my durational piece where I’m lying down. I’m being coquettish with the crowd to give my feet a break, but I’m still performing. The week before, I also usually quit alcohol, sugar and salt. I just eat grilled or steamed fish and vegetables.

The night or two before, it’s pasta and carbs — those things make a huge difference. The rest is mental.

On Money + Performance Every elevation in my career was hinged on a deep investment of money and resources. I remember when I made my first successful photographic series, called “NWBA,” which is a play on WNBA. I’ve met these amazing photographers. I bartered with them. I would edit this publication they were working on; they would do my photo shoot for free. I got myself to New York and I literally had $150 in the bank. So, it was scary. It was the thing that sort of established me being in galleries — you have to make a deeper sacrifice. Since then, each time it’s been like, “Now I have $5,000, $8,000, $10,000 to do this project.” That becomes really career changing.

I don’t think you can push up higher, and build your platform and build your artistic vision without money.

I think hustle culture is one of those really deeply capitalistic things.

It sounds cool and appeals to a certain demographic, but I think it ultimately holds us back. I was super into it: gotta hustle, gotta grind. I was wearing myself out and I was spinning my wheels, digging a deeper groove that was making it harder for me to push forward. It’s all a sham, because my best work comes from community, which gets built over time, and deepens and enriches. That’s why I still live in D.C. @hollybrass360 // hollybass.com 28 | AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022

Holly Bass still from “American Woman.” Photo courtesy of subject.

LIFE

Takina Wilson Takina Wilson is the chief operations officer at Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.

Why Planned Parenthood I’ve been a Planned Parenthood patient in my past, so I know how much it’s needed. It’s close to my heart, which helps keep me driven to make sure we can provide those services for other patients. Given where I come from, seeing people in circumstances where they aren’t able to afford healthcare makes it so important. I would never want to do anything else but community health services. I know this is my purpose and is fulfilling. I feel I’m part of something bigger than myself.

With everything happening, I feel a lot of mixed emotions. I can’t believe it; it just can’t be real. [But] we have to start accepting what’s going on, because we’re trying to figure out how to help patients. I feel privileged to be in the District where abortion is still legal. Feeling like I can help people brings me a lot of happiness. I can help my colleagues and my patients. I can continue to fight the fight. It makes me excited and happy to be able to continue to be able to serve the mission.

Protest, Protest, Protest I think everyone should continue to protest. I would love to see more men — heterosexual men, especially — standing up with women about this issue. I feel if that particular group did a lot more protesting along with women, it would make a big difference. It impacts everyone. We’re certainly looking for ways to engage supporters, and people who want to get active in different ways. We want to make sure it’s thoughtful and don’t want to get anyone in trouble. I never thought that this would be possible — who would have thought the Supreme Court would overturn another Supreme Court judgment?

We knew rights are restricted all the time, but there’s been an increase from the time I started 12 years ago — especially for abortion rights. We’ve had a lot more legal and procedural matters put in place that make it very difficult to get an abortion. For instance, you have a 24-hour wait time or mandatory counseling sessions, and there are restrictions on how we can work with our vendors. It’s very stressful because it’s a new fight every year.

I feel like I have to fight, and continue to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. I have an 8-year-old daughter and 21-year-old daughter; I don’t need an abortion. Childbearing isn’t an issue for me, but I worry about all the other young ladies. When I look at my daughters, I feel like we’re going in reverse. @ppmwdc // plannedparenthood.org

Takina Wilson. Photo by Andrew J. Williams III.

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Robin Bell Bell is a ​ n artist and filmmaker whose work has been shown in the Corcoran Gallery of Art and School of Art and Design and was commissioned to do a series of projections on the exterior of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. He made more than 50 projections on the Trump International Hotel during Donald Trump’s presidency.

Why you do what you do. I have a way to tell stories that can help the world be a better place.

How you are helping. My art helps by visualizing the challenges we face — most often shining a light on people who are doing the good work and challenging those who are not.

Who else is helping. There are too many to name, so will focus on two groups that do work feeding people in D.C. DC Central Kitchen is doing great work. They teach folks how to cook and get jobs doing it. We Are Family does great work feeding low-income seniors in Shaw and Columbia Heights.

Where you escape in D.C. Rock Creek Park.

Where you go to escape D.C. There is no escaping D.C. Book/podcast/article/album recommendations. “Strongmen”

by Ruth Ben-Ghiat and “The Twilight World” by Werner Herzog. @bellvisuals // bellvisuals.com

Pia Carusone Co-founder and CEO of Republic Restoratives Distillery | managing director of SKDK Why you do what you do. We don’t believe in doing things the way they’ve always been done. We aren’t fourth generation distillers who inherited a legacy operation. We’re the largest crowdfunded distillery in United States history. From day one, we’ve been unafraid of challenging convention. People know our purchasing decisions speak to our values.

We know business can be done differently, and that’s what we’re trying to do.

How you are helping. Since we opened, we’ve put our money where our mouth is. From Whitman Walker Health to the National Network of Abortion Funds to EMILY’s List, we’re always excited to connect with efforts and organizations that are doing the work.

Who else is helping. I think a lot of DMV businesses have stepped up recently. Gone are the days when it was okay to keep politics out of business. When the fundamental rights, safety and dignity of our neighbors are under attack, you can’t stay quiet. Special shout-outs to our friends at As You Are who opened a queer bar in the days of so many special, historic venues closing.

Where do you escape in D.C. My wife and I love going to the driving range on Haines Point. (We’re not big golfers, it’s more of a vibe thing.)

Magic hour, some wine, excellent monument views, no tourists!

Where you go to escape D.C. We have a house on the Eastern Shore, so we’re spending as much time as possible there with our two kids these days. It’s close enough to get back quickly but far enough away that you really feel “gone.”

Book/podcast/article/album recommendations. I’ve been long obsessed with The National, Taylor Swift, Bon Iver, Big Red Machine or whatever these amazing musicians are up to together. @republicrestoratives // republicrestoratives.com 30 | AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022

TOP. Robin Bell. Photo by Andre Chung. BOTTOM. Republic Restoratives Co-founder Pia Carusone. Photo courtesy of subject.

LIFE

Gerard “Coach G” Burley Inclusive wellness strategist | owner of Coach G Fitness and SWEAT DC Why you do what you do. I believe everyone deserves to feel healthy and confident in their skin. Unless we are more thoughtful as a country about who we have in mind while creating health and wellness programs, only a select few will experience the right (yes, I believe it’s a right) of good health.

How are you helping. I partner with organizations, companies, brands and community leaders to create and implement real game plans to make their groups, staff and customers more inclusive and healthier.

Who else is helping. Anyone who is intentional about incorporating social justice, diversity and inclusion to even the playing field of the health and wellness field. This can be as simple as inviting a neighbor who you normally wouldn’t to go on a walk. Or major health brands committing to developing plans to make their teams more inclusive.

Where you escape in D.C. My bathtub. It’s my sanctuary.

Where you go to escape D.C. I love a beach. Miami, here I come.

Book/podcast/article/album recommendations. Literally anything Brené Brown. Love her “Dare to Lead” podcast. Everyone also needs to read “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.” @sweatdc // sweatdc.com

Gerard Burley. Photo by Hanad Ali.

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Hayden Higgins Publisher of 730DC | communications manager of World Resources Institute, Sustainable Finance Center Why you do what you do. 730DC is a daily email newsletter [founded in 2013] all about what to know and what to do in D.C. that day. Why an email newsletter? It was cheap. And it solved a problem we could see in our peer groups. So many young people were moving to D.C. at that point. Lots of them cared about national or international causes, but few realized they could make a big difference in those issues right here locally. They were injecting Politico into their eyeballs but they didn’t know the history of the neighborhood they lived in or what local legislation was pending. We wanted to do something that would close that gap.

How you are helping. We think about our work as informing, provoking and engaging. Old-school news media stops at the first. Literary and political sites might provoke.

And traditionally, it’s nonprofits, religious organizations or mass movements that engage people. We bundle all these together. We’ll tell you about a story, contextualize it so that you might see it in a new light, then connect you with groups in the community already working on it.

Who else is helping. Definitely our whole team. The production of 730DC is collective, and our team is about a dozen people. DC Abortion Fund and Collective Action for Safe Spaces are major beacons for bodily autonomy, shining ever so more brightly given all the darkness going on. Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America mobilized gamechanging numbers of people to knock on doors, text and phone bank and otherwise volunteer for the victorious Zachary Parker campaign.

They aren’t the only reason he won — don’t get me wrong — but between this and Janeese Lewis George’s victory, the socialists are flexing serious electoral muscle.

Where you escape in D.C. I love watching baseball at the stadium, among people. If the fancy strikes, you can buy a ticket on StubHub twenty minutes before the game, and get there by first pitch, if you’re close enough to a Metro or on a bike. I play Frisbee and pickup basketball, too. The last three things I did before the pandemic closed things down were play a frisbee game, ride the Metro, and see Bacchae at Songbyrd.

Where you go to escape D.C. Shopping and eating in Hyattsville and Eden Center. The American Visionary Art Museum and of course games at Camden Yards in Baltimore. Dinner in Philadelphia — it’s not so very far.

Book/podcast/article/album recommendations. I flew through the Neapolitan Novels early this year.

“Dhalgren” by Samuel R. Delany [and his] book-length essay “Times Square Red, Times Square Blue,” and just about every page of “The Dawn of Everything” [by David Graeber + David Wengrow] had something I wanted to read a whole book about. In the absence of some of the more contagion-inducing activities that I’m still avoiding…I’m really reading too much, because I’m bored.

DCPL knows. @730dc // 730dc.com

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Hayden Higgins. Photo courtesy of subject.

Justin Drummond CEO of SparkC Innovation Why you do what you do. To improve the quality of life for my family, community and create opportunities for the next generation.

How you are helping. I create employment opportunities for my communities, providing next-generation cybersecurity resources for youth, and providing mentorship for others looking to be in the tech industry.

Who else is helping. My business partner Sandra Nnaji of Just1PR consulting is helping push this vision by empowering our community through job creation and future job training for youth.

Where you escape in D.C. I escape the mindset of victimhood. In 2022, resources are readily available to help our communities grow, but often we do not take advantage and keep investing in things that do not bring economic growth for the masses. For example, “SPORTS.” Where you go to escape D.C. I go to Virginia or Maryland.

More space. Less issues. sparkcllc.com

Simon Landau Co-founder and director of media and partnerships of Open Goal Project. The Open Goal Project creates opportunities for young soccer players from low-income families and underserved communities to access high-level soccer.

Why you do what you do. Access and equity in the youth soccer space is incredibly important to me. After seeing the huge gap that existed in our community — and across the country — created by pay-to-play youth soccer, it was clear something needed to be done to give kids who couldn’t afford to play in competitive settings, specifically Black and brown kids, the chances they deserved. I had the opportunity to play competitive soccer throughout my youth, and that gap and inequity is what drives me every day.

How you are helping. We created Open Goal Project, a nonprofit organization and Open Goal Project’s core program, DCFC, a 100% free-to-play travel soccer club that removes the barriers that have previously kept the kids we serve from competing and reaching their potential as student athletes.

Who else is helping. I co-founded the organization with Amir Lowery, our executive director. We have a team of incredible, passionate coaches who have grown up in and served the community for years. It costs a lot of money to achieve what we’re trying to achieve, so we have a number of incredibly supportive organizations and donors who help us execute our mission.

Where you escape in D.C. Pickup soccer games, in a variety of locations. It’s less about the competition and more about the social side for me. Over the years I’ve made so many friends of all ages, races, nationalities, etc. in so many different games.

Those games are the place I go to just turn off a bit, get a good run in and connect with people.

TOP. Justin Drummond. BOTTOM. Simon Landau. Photos courtesy of subjects.

Where you go to escape D.C. A short drive north to Maryland. My parents live there, so anytime we can escape the city and see the family is a great chance to relax.

Book/podcast/article/album recommendations. I’m a big fan of “How I Built This” from NPR. Building Open Goal Project from scratch with Lowery, like building any business, has presented challenges and obstacles along the way. “How I Built This” presents a great chance to hear from incredible business minds and reflect on how to effectively build something. I love hearing stories of entrepreneurial journeys. @opengoalproject // opengoalproject.org

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Jessica Lewis Early childhood educator | kindergarten teacher | founder of Play Play Why you do what you do. My passion for play and playbased learning started in the classroom. Play Play was created for a few reasons — to inform adults about the many social, academic, physical and mental benefits of play and to cater to queer people who experience social anxiety and who find it hard to meet people in the nightlife scene. It was alarming the number of queer people I talked to who experience anxiety, social anxiety, stress and depression. As an early childhood educator, advocate and practitioner of play-based learning, I’ve seen how play is a natural facilitator in building connections, breaking the ice and building intimacy and trust, among a host of other things. I thought it was only right to remind adults of the transformative power of play in their own lives.

How you are helping. With Play Play, I offer adults the space and opportunity to attract authentic connections, heal their inner child and answer an intentional call to more active, nostalgic, flirty, healing and intensely pleasurable play experiences.

Who else is helping. The beauty of leading Play Play is being able to watch the community take pride in it by supporting it in multiple ways. I like to treat it as I do the classroom. I make room for willing participants to lead, share ideas and execute those ideas. I get the best ideas, advice and suggestions from those around me and am more than willing to tap into their strengths. I’ve also seen more people out here leading adults in play like Goombay Adventurers and The Black Girls Playground.

Where you escape in D.C. I love to escape to the Anacostia Park trail on my bike for group and solo rides. On some Mondays, I like to escape into my favorite pastime, dancing, at Wicked Mondaze where I know I’ll see some familiar faces.

Book/podcast/article/album recommendations. I am a huge stan and fan girl of “Stranger Things” and Marvel lately.

Our book club has read some good books in the past couple of years, but my favorites are “The Death of Vivek Oji” by Akwaeke Emezi, “All About Love” by bell hooks, and “The Stars and the Blackness Between Them” by Junauda Petrus.

Alex Isley, Giveon, and my fave rapper Big Sean are all heavy on my playlist as I await the much-anticipated drop of the Queen herself, Beyonce. @playplaydc // playplaydc.com

Chloe Louvouezo Author | creative producer | storyteller | co-founder of Open Door Concept Why you do what you do. On a personal level, I believe storytelling is a gateway for self-examination, connection and creativity. Within community and larger contexts, it has the incredible power to build bridges, ground and inform advocacy, and change perceptions and cultural norms by revealing fuller pictures of how and why we move the way we do. I love to support stories that help discover those revelations, and encourage the practice of storytelling as a tool for individual and collective healing.

How you are helping. I believe there is dignity in every person’s story and to the degree I can, I celebrate and create space for them to be heard and seen. I do this by inviting community into the creating studio space I co-own, Open Door Concept. My book “Life, I Swear: Intimate Stories From Black Women on Identity, Healing and Self-Trust,” carries over into my work as a facilitator for workshops, podcasts and women’s circles.

Who else is helping. The writers, poets, artists, advocates, activists and healers who remind us of the necessity of community and who create avenues to explore the many ways we can approach personal healing and freedom.

Where you escape in D.C. I love to escape at the National Arboretum and to the water basin alongside the FDR Memorial. Two hidden gems where I can breathe easier surrounded by nature.

Where you go to escape D.C. Domestically, I like to escape to California, where the outdoors feels more vast and open.

But I will always defer to escapism on the continent of Africa, where I feel most at home.

Book/podcast/article/album recommendations. My favorite podcast is my own creation: the “Life, I Swear” podcast, where I curate stories from Black women about the nuances of identity, healing, creative wellness. After five seasons, it’s been a respite for me to indulge in conversations that provoke our sense of self in the most loving way. The New York Times podcast “Modern Love” and “This is Love” are also always on rotation — human stories about connection and existential questions. And, I’m currently reading “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett which I cannot put down. @opendoorconcept // opendoorconcept.com

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Jessica Lewis. Photo by Angelique Ferris.

LIFE

Chloe Louvouezo. Photo courtesy of subject.

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LIFE

Stephanie Murdock Founder and president of the Skatepark of Baltimore | legislative liaison for the Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development Why you do what you do. I advocate for public concrete skate parks in my free time because I believe that skateboarding can change the trajectory of a young person’s life.

How you are helping. Our decade old nonprofit organization, the Skatepark of Baltimore Inc. is dedicated to building public concrete skateparks in the city of Baltimore. We were integral to the process of bringing a skatepark to the community of Hampden and most recently at Rash Field, located at the Inner Harbor.

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Who else is helping. We have hundreds of dedicated supporters, including skateboarders, parents of skateboarders, people “who used to skate,” members of the business and philanthropic communities, and most importantly, a solid partnership with the Baltimore City Recreation and Parks.

Where you escape in D.C. Green Skate Lab or the newly renovated skatepark in Shaw Where you go to escape D.C. The Appalachian Trail Book/podcast/article/album recommendations.

“In The Patch With Cabbage,” a podcast all about Maryland’s skateboarding history, where I get to hear the voices of some of my good friends. It really helped carry me through the pandemic when I couldn’t skate with them. @bmoreskatepark on Twitter // skateparkofbaltimore.org

Stephanie Murdock. Photo by Zolidelphia.

Jasmine Smith Marketing executive and co-founder of Open Door Concept Why you do what you do.

I’ve been given gifts and superpowers that come with agency, power and influence.

I acknowledge and have accepted the responsibility they carry and enjoy doing the work that thrusts my clients, community, and Black women forward. It’s the impact for me.

How you are helping.

Connecting Black women and other humans to ideas and more meaningful ways of doing things comes naturally to me and I do this in several capacities. For the last two years, my company has been focused on producing innovative strategies, experiences and projects that prioritize cultural perspectives. My podcast “Built To Quit,” is a resource for Black entrepreneurs navigating all things business.

I’ve been committed to ensuring Black-owned, Asianowned, LGBTQ+ owned and other underrepresented business owners in the wedding industry get access to educational resources, mentorship and financial support. I’m most proud of my most recent business venture, Open Door Concept, a physical space in Northeast D.C., for people to connect and create using their own ingenuity and superpowers.

Who else is helping.

I’ve recently started following the work being done by Dine Diaspora. What they are building and doing for Black women in the food and beverage industry is dope. They are trailblazers. Loupe and Grain is also doing good work. They are creating an incredible talent pipeline of BIPOC, women and LGBTQ+ creatives.

Where you go to escape D.C. When I don’t want to travel too far, I’ll take the drive to Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Virginia. It’s luxurious but not stuffy and Black-owned. If I’m looking to disconnect and fly, I’m going to Bermuda. I fell in love with Bermudian culture and food earlier this year, and I see myself escaping at least once a year.

I’m heading back around the holidays.

Where you escape in D.C. My home or a cute coffee shop.

I really love my apartment. It’s peaceful, full of plants and I have lots of natural light which keeps my spirit high. Baker’s Daughter at Eaton Hotel has become one of my favorite coffee shops. I love the vibe and it’s a good place to people watch.

Book/podcast/article/album recommendations. I enjoy podcasts and music and listen to “How I Built This,” “Get Sh!t Done” and “Imposters” weekly. I just re-started the “1619” podcast by Nikole Hannah-Jones. I start and end my day with music and currently have the new Drake and Tems on repeat. @opendoorconcept // opendoorconcept.com

Jasmine Smith. Photo courtesy of subject.

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LIFE

Anna + Justin Marino Owners of Mason & Greens, a retailer of sustainable dry goods in Old Town Alexandria that’s coming to D.C. Why you do what you do. We help people help the planet.

It is sometimes hard to find products that are good for you and the Earth. Often you have to read labels and sift through misleading claims that may be rooted in greenwashing. We opened a store where people can find products that will not expose them to toxins, where every product we sell meets our ridiculously high bar, where people do not have to spend money on their trash and where you can buy as little or as much of what you need.

How you are helping. There is a whole world of products that do better by the planet that you may not know they exist yet. We don’t do plastic. We don’t do palm oil. We don’t do harmful chemicals. We don’t do animal products. Our job is to show them to you. No judgment on where you are on your sustainable journey. We’re just here to help.

Who else is helping. There are so many people hard at work fighting for a more sustainable future. Leah and Michael [Moon] of DC Vegan are doing some amazing things over on P Street. They focus on clean and absolutely amazing vegan food and cocktails. It’s a blueprint for the future of the food industry. We recently worked with the Smithsonian on their “Sustainable Living” exhibit at the Folklife Festival. There were so many amazing people who donated their time and efforts to make it a success. And then there are people who make so little trash it baffles those who pick up the trash, but also there is the person who chooses not to take a plastic bag or straw. Everyone can help.

Where you escape in D.C. As vegans and zero wasters, a trip to Busboys & Poets followed by poking around Miss Pixies for fun things to give a second or third life to is an excellent escape. We are also big DC United fans, so trips to Audi Field are also on the books. Finally, to be with nature, the U.S. National Arboretum and Botanic Gardens are always on our short list.

Where you go to escape D.C. One of our favorite farmers, Eric [Schlener] at Root & Marrow, is a little ways out west, but he always welcomes us with some of the most unique and amazing produce. Last time we stopped by to visit, we were eating the most remarkable cucumbers right off the vine.

Book/podcast/article/album recommendations. Camille Dungy’s “Black Nature” is an excellent read and “In Defense of Plants” is an awesome podcast. @masonandgreens // masonandgreens.com

Nikhil Rao Composer and sound designer at House of Joy | vocalist, guitarist and synthesist with Bottled Up | lessons manager at 7DrumCity Why you do what you do. I enjoy building new foundations for myself every day, musically and artistically. Inspiration comes so fast that I never really think to stop. I just find the next big project. I like to make music that I want to listen to, and my brain is always swimming in rhythms and hooks to work off of, so there’s an endless supply of ideas. Whether it’s my own music or collaborating with others in film, multimedia exhibits or video games, I aim to engage people spiritually to cut through the fog and feel something real.

How you are helping. I enjoy helping the community with my job at 7DrumCity and with House of Joy, my new D.C. record label and post-production studio distributed

by Redeye Worldwide. I work with filmmakers on film and advertisements doing audio post-mixing, sound design and original music. We are also releasing our first record on House of Joy this year, with a new band called Tunnel (featuring Fugazi’s Brendan Canty on the drums). At 7DrumCity, I help by hiring local musicians to become teachers. I also set up a program with the DC Department of Human Services where at-risk youth can take music lessons for free as an alternative to probation, community service and other types of issues.

I never had a program like this when I was younger, and it would’ve helped me a lot growing up. I’m happy to help create a positive experience for struggling kids and try to channel their energy into something productive.

Who else is helping. I have a lot of respect and appreciation for Lindsay Smeyers at Black Cat, David Combs at Comet Ping Pong, Jon Weiss at Union Stage, Alli Vega at DC9, Kassie & Josh at Rhizome, and all the other people that have been working their butts off to book concerts at DC venues. It is not an easy job, especially during Covid. With all my heart, thank you.

Where you escape in D.C. My room. I feel most calm either playing the piano, or sequencing drum machines/synthesizers.

Book/podcast/article/album recommendations.

“Pripyat” by Marina Herlop and “Greatest Treasure” by Fuga Ronto. “Pripyat” released on a Berlin label called PAN Records, anything they release is always great and pushes boundaries.

Fuga Ronto is a band from Switzerland that plays a mix of fusion and ambient pop music, very groovy and yummy. For podcasts, I recommend Pearie Sol’s “Wiggly World,” where he discusses D.C. music and interviews wonderful musicians. @house.of.joyyy // houseofjoyproduction.com

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Anna + Justin Marino. Photo courtesy of subjects.

LIFE

Nikhil Rao. Photo by Richard Francisco Howard.

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LIFE

Haywood Turnipseed Jr. Lead telecommunications specialist at the National Gallery of Art | stand-up comedian | voiceover artist Why you do what you do. In my current position, I get to work with executive officers, department heads contractors, and the work force within the departments and visitors. My team maintains all The National Gallery’s telecommunications services; we evaluate the needs of users and provide the best solutions based on the current telecommunications’ standards. This includes wired, wireless, and radio networks. The backdrop of the National Gallery of Art makes for some unique pairings. In addition to being a telecom specialist, I’m a stand-up comic and I have been able to use those skills as well as my skills as a voiceover artist.

I’ve portrayed Santa Claus and hosted art and comedy’ forums with members of the education department for staff members and their families as well as the public; I’ve even recorded 40 | AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022

the most recent announcements for the Jazz in The Garden concert series. I’m fortunate that my various worlds all have converged in this one space; it’s really invigorating.

How you are helping. In addition to my duties as a telecom specialist, I work as an Equal Employment Opportunity counselor and am the current vice president for my local union, AFGE Local 1831. This has allowed me to share more than just my expertise as a technician but also my thoughts about the workspace with policy makers and the labor force, hopefully working towards a better working environment for many, and in time, all of us. As a comedian, my style is often called political because I talk about the topics that are essentially taboo: race, religion and politics. It’s fun to talk about our individual differences and connect them to our collective humanity. I aim to leave audiences happy and with a little something to think about afterwards, whether they agree with me or not. Part of our job as comedians is to stir the pot, but to do so with levity, grace and empathy.

Haywood Turnipseed Jr. Photo by Nick Karlin.

LIFE Who else is helping. My management team, work team members, union board members, EEO team members and co-workers who are actively seeking real change and hoping to improve overall work conditions within the organization.

All the additional duties are volunteer positions, so the people who take part are truly being the change that they would like to see.

Where you escape in D.C. I really enjoy exploring D.C. parks and trails. I’ve been walking for exercise lately and D.C. has many trails to explore and escape the noise of the city; it’s really calming. I mostly walk the Oxon Run Trail in Oxon Run Park near my house, but I also walk the Anacostia Trail over near RFK Stadium onto Kingman Island.

Where you go to escape D.C. Most recently Atlanta.

Recently we did a stay in southeast Atlanta in an area known as Peoplestown. It’s an area that is also going through gentrification and imminent domain issues not unlike Southeast D.C. That was kinda surreal. I did come across a walking path called the BeltLine. It was serene and felt like home.

Who else is helping. Sole Wash became my vessel cultivating a culture of givers, creators and philanthropists. From the pro Sole Wash team, to our clients, to the individuals in our communities, all are a part of this movement.

Where you escape in D.C. I enjoy riding my vintage cruiser bike around the National Mall at night. I also love sitting on my rooftop that faces the Potomac River, [taking in the] beautiful relaxing view.

Where you go to escape D.C. My first home, Puerto Rico, is where I can truly escape. Something about the air, food, childhood memories, family and its beaches allows me to exhale and be present with myself and reset. @solewash.co // solewash.co

Book/podcast/article/album recommendations. Book: “The 1619 Project” by Nikole Hannah-Jones. Album/Music/ Streams: D-Nice Club Quarantine playlist on TIDAL is a good listen; “The Harder They Fall” is a great soundtrack. My phone says that I’ve been listening to The Weeknd, Bob Marley & and the Wailers, Justin Bieber, Prince, Tems, Nas, Wizkid, Wu-Tang, Black Thought and the “Encanto” soundtrack. Point being, my kids have added to my algorithms, but we don’t talk about that. @woodyseed

Nichole Verdejo Owner and operator of Sole Wash “Sneaker Laundry” Why you do what you do. In 2021, I established Sole Wash, a sneaker laundry in D.C. It’s the first sneaker laundry in D.C. and the only women-owned brick-and-mortar in the nation.

I have been surprised and honored by how many people have been inspired by that fact alone. Growing up I was influenced by ’90s hip-hop, the evolution of Afro-Latin break-dancing, but most importantly, the rise of the sneaker culture.

Through my love for sneakers, I created my own vessel for giving. Approximately, 20 billion pairs of shoes are produced annually, and unfortunately, roughly 300 million pairs are thrown away each year. I didn’t start a business, I ignited a movement, a culture.

How you are helping. I have developed a creative space that exercises alternative ways to dispose of unwanted sneakers to include major donation efforts, repurposing them, donating them to those in need and trading within multiple D.C. communities. I’ve hosted multiple workshops to educate different communities on proper sneaker and foot care. Sole Wash is a vehicle for me to exercise giving especially to the Black and brown communities I live and work in. As the biggest sneaker consumers, proper sneaker and foot care elevates the value of their purchases and their health. I have activated mentorship and internship programs and partnered with athletic organizations for a broader reach.

Nichole Verdejo at the Sole Wash grand opening on May 15, 2021. Photo by A Marie Photography.

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“If you can’t control what happens to your body, you can’t control your destiny.”

Dr. Laura Meyers, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington.

LIFE On June 24, the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, survived pregnancy complications, others haven’t been so eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion after fortunate. Observing a time where access to abortion services almost 50 years. were illegal, Meyers understands what it means to be able to For months prior, pro-choice Americans prepared for the control one’s body — and one’s future. worst. In 2022 alone, nine states passed laws restricting “If you can’t control what happens to your body, you can’t abortion services. One-by-one, these decisions culminated to control your destiny,” she says.

Politico’s bombshell leak of the Supreme Court’s intention to From Meyers’ perspective, PPMW’s activism plan is rule against Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, multilayered. a move that would overturn the abortion rights for 36 million “It’s about helping people who understand the issues further Americans of reproductive age. galvanize people to action,” she says.

We know what happened next.

The first step is providing care and resources to out-of-state “It’s really important for anyone reading anything, patients most affected by the ruling. PPMW is welcoming anywhere, to understand the enormity of this,” says Dr. patients from across the country with open arms, having Laura Meyers, CEO of Planned Parenthood already received an influx of out-of-state calls of Metropolitan Washington (PPMW). inquiring about abortion services at “[Dobbs is a decision that] poses grave PPMW’s Washington and Maryland risk for other freedoms we now hold locations. In tandem, Axios dear.” reported the D.C. Council is Meyers has served as a CEO reviewing policy that will for Planned Parenthood for strengthen protections more than 17 years and has for those traveling led Planned Parenthood out-of-state to seek of Metropolitan abortion services in Washington as Washington.

CEO since 2008.

Meyers also Throughout her underscores the decorated career, importance of she has worked fundraising. with sexual health “[It’s critical to] clinics, adolescent ensure we have the pregnancy financial resources prevention to provide care organizations and without cost to empowerment patients.”

WORDS BY CAROLINE CLIONA BOYLE support groups, all Funding will also PHOTO BY JONATHAN THORPE with one goal: to help. support PPMW’s “If we’re thinking efforts to resolve about this from an public health inequities Planned Parenthood CEO Dr. Laura Meyers discusses ideological perspective,” for reproductive rights the impact of Dobbs v. Jackson, and how the organization she explains, “this latest within the DMV. In both is living its pro-choice values through activism. decision runs contrary to the Washington, D.C. and Virginia, fundamental American values of Medicaid users currently cannot freedom, self-determination [and] use their health insurance to obtain liberty.” an abortion. In contrast, Maryland Extensive polling reveals more than 60% of recently enacted a law that expands who can Americans believe abortion services should be legal, provide abortion services and funding for training. according to the Pew Research Center.

“Politicians should not be involved in the provision of “This decision is so out of sync with where Americans are,” healthcare,” Meyers said. “[Those] decisions should be made Meyers says. “People need to make their voices heard, whether by medical professionals in consultation with a patient. It’s that’s in the streets, through their dollars or through the [about] what’s best for that individual.” voting box.”

Currently, PPMW is working with local elected Like many pro-choice advocates, Meyers’ fight to retain representatives and Mayor Muriel Bowser to strengthen access to abortion services across the country is personal. The reproductive protections within D.C. eldest of six children, Meyers witnessed her mother undergo “Abortion is healthcare. [It] should not be stigmatized [and] two turbulent pregnancies that resulted in long periods of should not be siloed out of health insurance,” Meyers says. “I hospitalization. At age 9 and then again at 12, Meyers became think those of us who believe in fundamental American values aware her mother wasn’t supposed to have more children of liberty, self-determination and freedom absolutely have to because of potential health complications. channel that rage into action.”

This was the ‘60s — an era of sexual friction where conversations about reproductive health and sexuality were Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington growing, but still incredibly taboo. While Meyers’ mother 1225 4th St. NE, DC; plannedparenthood.org // @ppmwdc

MAKING YOUR VOICE

HEARD

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E U G A E L A OF From live sketch comedy and improv-based shows to standup and filmed shorts, the Midnight Gardeners League is a D.C. comedy collective that translates their skillset into a plethora of comedic languages. They’ve mastered the art of not taking themselves too seriously while producing a consistent body of work, garnering some serious laughs.

Formed in the confines of a cramped Northwest apartment jokingly referred to as the “Weed Dungeon,” the Midnight Gardeners League began as a place where founders Pete Musto, Kevin Tit, Yoki Danoff, Andrew Hall and Max Wolfson came together to explore their creativity beyond the limitations of stand-up comedy.

“There’s a lot of ‘rules’ and constraints in stand-up,” says Tit, who, along with the rest of the Gardeners, regularly performs at venues across the DMV — including their own weekly open mic, “Laugh Party” at City-State Brewing Co. “We like to give ourselves the freedom to include a little bit of stand-up in our shows, but also play videos we created or a call-and-response game that forces us to improv with the crowd and not limit ourselves strictly to one form of comedy.”

Their unorthodox creative process — which resembles a college party pre-game more than an NBC writers’ room — might make parents wag their fingers, but it’s proven to be successful. They’ve produced more than 80 filmed sketches, a podcast and countless improv-based shows at DC Improv and other venues. They are currently touring in cities and comedy festivals all across the East Coast.

“We’re not [particular] about the things we create,” Musto says. “Our work doesn’t have to be perfect because we give ourselves permission to create what we want, so we don’t have to wait around for someone to tell us we’re good enough.”

The rebel, DIY mentality the Gardeners are known for was greatly influenced by Hall and Tit’s shared background in punk rock. Both are musicians and band members who spent time producing their own house shows, where the goal wasn’t to become mainstream but to simply perform their art with freedom and sincerity to a small and loyal fan base.

“Success for us doesn’t look like a sold-out show at The Kennedy Center,” Hall says, while Musto quickly adds that they wouldn’t turn down the gig.

“Showing up and doing the work for the work’s sake alone, not for accolades or approval, is enough for me,” Musto says.

But don’t let their DIY methods and boozy brainstorming sessions fool you. Although perfectionism isn’t the goal, preparation is key for the Gardeners. Many of their sketches

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are centered around characters they create and develop using the same techniques as trained film and theatre actors, building detailed backstories that bring these dynamic characters to life.

Musto, who created the fan-favorite character Captain Billy Saltbeard — a Gorton’s Fisherman-esque character who shamelessly betrays his love for the sea to sell TV seafood dinners — grew up watching his mom perform theatre, prompting him to start his own theatre company while living as an expat in South Korea.

In a filmed mockumentary sketch, Wolfson, who practiced theatre arts in high school and college, takes on the persona of Billy Flowman, the last American water salesman. He blurs the lines between script and improv, walking down the street offering Ziploc bags of homemade water to unsuspecting pedestrians.

“How’d I get started?” Flowman says to an off-camera producer. “Well, it’s a family business. My father died and left me a bunch of ice cubes and, well, I waited.”

There’s a spontaneity in the Gardeners’ shows that sets their work apart. Their creativity is on full display as they utilize their comedic languages to keep audiences entertained and guessing.

In “Wrong Answers Only,” comedians compete in a game show where they answer questions with the most absurdly incorrect answers. In “Pitch A Movie,” comedians come up with movie premises based on their stand-up routines and try to sell the idea.

Their latest show, “Laugh Quest,” is a choose-your-ownadventure comedy show where comedians and the audience have to work together to determine what happens next.

Whether it’s Tit’s love for movies, Wolfson’s affinity for game and talk shows, Hall’s fondness for filmmaking, Yoki’s passion for video editing or Musto’s fetish for wizards, each member’s personality is harmoniously represented in the comedic art they create.

“The thing that makes us work is nobody is the boss,” Musto says. “I could spend my whole life trying to be the next best stand-up comedian, and I probably would fail. But when the five of us come together [and combine] our powers, we can [accomplish] more than any one of us could individually.”

To catch one of the Midnight Gardeners’ shows, visit midnightgardenersleague.com and follow their journey on Instagram @midnightgardeners. You can also explore more of their work on YouTube.

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11 UNIQUE COWORKING SPOTS IN THE DMV

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Coworking at the National Portrait Gallery.

LIFE Over the last two years, the ability to work from home has been a game changer for the average employee. Odds are if you have gone back to the office at all, you’re at least on a hybrid work schedule. The Covid-19 pandemic proved working from home isn’t a pressing issue, and studies show it actually leads to better productivity. Why work in stuffy offices that require you to commute, pack a lunch and save laundry for the weekends? That said, working from home can have its own drawbacks. You can only walk between your desk and bed so many times before you lose your mind. But working from home doesn’t mean you must only work from home. D.C. offers great coffee shops (and other spots) where you can enjoy a change of scenery and get things done.

As You Are DC This recent addition to the Barracks Row strip mixes my two favorite things: coffee shops and being a queerdo. As You Are is a safe space for all that provides delicious coffee and lunch bites. There are plenty of couches and chairs for you to bask in while tackling your tasks. After you’re done with work, maybe return later that night. When the sun goes down, this coffee shop turns into a lounge and dance floor.

500 8th St. SE, DC; asyouaredc.com // @asyouaredc

Baker’s Daughter If you work downtown but need to escape your office for a bit, this is your spot. Located in the Eaton hotel, the K Street location gives Baker’s Daughter central access to the federal business hub of the city. They also have incredible on-thego meals in case you have to rush back to the office for an emergency only you can solve.

1201 K St. NW, DC; bakersdaughterdc.com // @bakersdaughterdc

Bump ‘n Grind What’s better than a coffee shop? A coffee shop with a record store. Silver Spring’s Bump ‘n Grind was inspired by coffee, music and community. BnG provides coffee from around the world for patrons to sample while they browse through records. We promise the coffee will be music to your taste buds.

900 Wayne Ave. Silver Spring, MD; bumpngrind.co // @bumpngrind_coffee_records

Colada Shop If I could use only one word for this spot, it would be “vibes.”

Colada off 14th Street has a unique layout that gives you several cozy enclaves to disappear into and work. This Cuban cafe also offers regionally-inspired delicacies to give your day a little spice.

1405 T St. NW, DC; coladashop.com // @coladashop

D.C. Libraries Finding space isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card. We have to give it up for the O.G. focus space. If you’re looking to leave the house but not spend money, pop over to one of D.C.’s 26 libraries to get some work done in peace and quiet.

Malcolm X // Meridian Hill Park Any place you can fire up a hotspot will do and Malcolm X Park is one of the best. The 12-acre park gives you options. Sit in the sun or in the shade, near people or away from them, and bring a blanket to sit on the grass or on one of many benches.

16th NW + W Streets in NW, DC; nps.gov/places/meridian-hill-park

National Portrait Gallery Courtyard The Smithsonian museums aren’t all reserved for entertaining visiting relatives. Well, 95% of them are. For the remaining 5%, check out the National Portrait Gallery for an office with a view. Its unique courtyard provides great light and relaxing water features to get your creative juices flowing. Its local cafe serves coffee and small snacks for munchin’ while you punch in.

8th + G Streets in NW, DC; npg.si.edu // @smithsoniannpg

Northside Social Coffee & Wine This Arlington gem truly has it all. It’s got a coffee shop, a scratch bakery, delicious food and a wine bar. It’s the level of multitasking you wish you could hit at work. Hang out in their foyer and stick around for their happy hour on weekdays, conveniently starting at 3 p.m.

3211 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA; northsidesocialva.com // @northsidesocial

Sidamo Coffee and Tea Looking for a place to chill outside? Sidamo on H Street has you covered. Its patio has zen written all over it, but this Ethiopian coffee and tea house also has a cozy indoor area.

Either way, you can nibble on breakfast sandwiches and drink house-roasted coffee while getting your to-do list done.

417 H St. NE, DC; sidamocoffeeandtea.com // @sidamodc

Tryst Tryst bills itself as the city’s “community living room,” a well-deserved moniker. This Adams Morgan staple provides tables, loungers and loveseats so guests can find their perfect, maximum comfort working spot. Tryst is great for a longterm hang session, given its diverse options in coffee, bakery items and brunch all day — all served with two animal crackers.

You can even sneak in one of their signature cocktails once 5 o’clock hits.

2459 18th St. NW, DC; trystdc.com // @trystdc

Friends No matter where you choose to work remotely, one major perk of coworking is the friends you make along the way. Organize a work hang with some of your good Judys to help the day go by faster. Meet at any of these shops or even at each other’s houses to get some bonding time in on the clock.

dclibrary.org // @dcpubliclibrary DISTRICT FRAY | 47

LIFE | JOIE DE VIVRE ABOUT THE PHOTO. Many people will feel energy in the form of light and colors during their Reiki sessions. I wanted to illustrate this energy transfer in a colorful way. We asked our model, Imani, to make up her face with paint according to how she was feeling.

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JOIE DE VIVRE | LIFE

G L OW UP

A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE WORLD OF REIKI WORDS + PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CHASE

“Is this just a poor substitute for a massage?” I wondered as I tried Reiki for the first time.

I was staying at an Ayurvedic medicine center in Tamil Nadu, India, and my roommate was in the early stages of Reiki training. Naturally, I was her practice subject. I didn’t understand what Reiki was all about and frankly, she wasn’t very skilled yet. I wrote the whole thing off until years later when at a dinner party, a friend told me she routinely has orgasms during her Reiki sessions.

Sexual energy was definitely not the vibe when I walked into my session with Dr. Darrien Jamar, a Reiki practitioner, chiropractor and life coach who practices at Sense Salon.

Instead, I felt relaxed. Dr. Jamar projects calmness so strongly that I felt my stress dissipate. I was surprised how willing I was to talk about my vulnerabilities openly with a stranger in our pre-Reiki life coaching session.

For the Reiki treatment, I was asked to lie down (fully clothed) on a chiropractic table. I closed my eyes. Music played in the background. Occasionally Dr. Jamar would lightly place their hands on me, but more often I could feel their hands hovering near me. The effect was soothing and helped me clear my thoughts. Responses to Reiki treatment can vary, but for me, Reiki felt like a healing practice for my mind. I’m a kinetic person who struggles with meditation, and Reiki felt like another route to achieving a calm meditative state, if only for a little while.

After our session, Dr. Jamar and I exchanged emails. They emailed information about two tarot cards they pulled for me and answered some of my questions. I’m still thinking about the intention of these cards as they relate to my life, and a couple of insights they had for me.

District Fray: How has doing Reiki changed your life?

Dr. Jamar: Reiki has ushered into my life a more balanced ebb and flow of shedding and becoming, holding and letting go, striving and non-striving, masculinity and femininity.

Reiki has become my internal compass and director towards a place I never knew existed, one that was necessary for a more healed and harmonized version of me. Reiki has facilitated my progression from head to heart, a journey of surrendering for the sake of peace and freedom.

How do you use Reiki for healing and what is happening in the process?

My approach and process are inspired by spending time

with my late 104-year-old, great-grandma Hattie. We’d sit in her twin rocking chairs. She’d listen, ask questions and listen some more. Inevitably, she would leave me with a story that cleared away my initial confusion. Then, she’d say, “You want some cornbread, baby?” Similarly, I sit with my clients. They share. I listen and offer guidance. The cornbread, in this case, is Reiki.

Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that works by bringing balance and restoration to the subtle energies within the body that can become blocked on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. When your energy flow is blocked or trapped, you may experience anxiety, or lack clarity and confidence. Reiki restores your energies within, so you feel connected, clear and grounded.

Who do you think it can help most?

The ready, the humble and those curiously seeking not only answers, but are willing to be entangled in more questions.

Creators and those adamant about reconnecting with their creativity. I often find myself working with people who are consciously and subconsciously looking to give language and voice to what they have been through, going through and are moving towards; developing this language and voice allows them to feel seen, loved, understood, accepted and appreciated.

When is it not helpful?

When there is the element of force. When intentions aren’t genuine. When fear and apprehension sit in the driver’s seat. When you are looking to run away from something instead of asking for the courage to face it. With all forms of healing, a skilled practitioner will be able to facilitate this perspective-taking — making more appropriate recommendations as needed.

Why do you incorporate a life coaching session?

The life coaching component gives me initial access and understanding to where a person is energetically. I find that often, people need a sacred space to feel vulnerable — yet held — while they give life to their experiences. It’s a way of pulse checking. Life coaching is used in conjunction with other techniques, such as guided mediation and tarot or oracle readings. Typically, much is revealed and released before beginning Reiki.

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LIFE What are some specific wellness needs of Washingtonians?

I have witnessed this persistent distortion and fracturing around three main areas: Washingtonians’ relationship with doing and achieving, experiencing emotions as morally correct or incorrect and living in a dissociated state (for many complicated reasons). The Reiki and life coaching session is fertile ground for reframing and gesturing towards a more harmonized relationship between doing and being, recognizing, experiencing and integrating one’s emotions, and mindfulness and mindlessness.

Dr. Jamar practices Reiki and life coaching at Sense Salon for $125 per session.

Sense Salon: 3111 Georgia Ave. NW, DC; sensestudios.co // @sense.dc

50Darrien | AUGUST Dr. Jamar. // SEPTEMBER 2022

PRESENTS

FRIDAYS

A CONCERT

SERIES

Fort Totten

AT

6-8 P.M.

Join us every week for some music, food, games + more. Food trucks will be available. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chair. See you there!

BA ND LINEUP August 5 // DANDY

August 19 // JWX: The Jarreau Williams August 12 // The Junior Experience Bryce Band August 26 // Dave Keller

So

ut

h

D

ak

ot

a

Galloway St. NE

A

ve

Gallatin St. NE

bit.ly/forttotten

Corner of South Dakota Ave. NE and Galloway St. NE

The culture, legacy + joyful power of roller skating in the District

WORDS BY COLLEEN KENNEDY PHOTO BY SCOTT SUCHMAN

PLAY “I never feel cooler than when I’m skating,” states Alex Appah, a health professional and ANC commissioner for Ward 3. She moved to D.C. four years ago (originally from San Francisco with many stops in between), and in September, this month’s District Fray cover star will celebrate her two-year skating anniversary.

When she was 13-years-old, she wrote a tween poem about roller skating but was never a “rink rat.” Instead, she turned to dance and other interests. During the pandemic, she wanted to keep in shape (no Peloton for Appah) and embrace the nostalgic simplicity of old-school skating. Interested in rhythm or style skating — that enthralling combo of dancing on wheels — she began watching Instagram videos and practicing moves in her Cleveland Park apartment’s exercise room. Then she moved onto solo rolls in Rock Creek Park.

In November 2020, Appah saw an Instagram video of skaters in Anacostia Park, grabbed her gear and took an Uber across town. Smitten with the only skating rink in the National Park Service, she returned each weekend, meeting new people and learning new moves.

“I kept showing up and brought more people into the cult of skate.”

As an advocate for D.C.’s roller skating community, Appah celebrates the unbridled joy of skating and uses her social media as a platform to promote this retro art on wheels. For July’s “It’s 1980 Something” skate party at Anacostia Park, she donned a vintage Lakers leotard, sweatbands, leg warmers and spandex in neon colors; rated other skaters’ fashions and demonstrated some new moves.

“I’m very politically active and interested in social justice issues, but that is exhausting,” Appah says.

She recharges for the good fight by rolling.

“It’s one of the purest forms of joy and fun you can participate in, either alone with your headphones or in community, like the ones I have joined.”

On her own, and with M. Antonio Silas of Anacostia Park skate party pop-up TheLinkUpDC, Appah creates tutorials and offers private lessons and occasional classes in style skating. With more than 1,200 followers, her inspirational Instagram Stories document her skating journey, from early falls to progress in quad roller skills over the last two years.

She’s also a champion for making roller skating accessible for residents throughout the District. She promotes local skating organizations, such as TheLinkUpDC and GetYourSk8On Entertainment, which hosts the red carpet affair for skaters — Legends Heels, Hats & Wheels Gala — and the new summer series Let’s Skate DC at The Wharf: a free, family-friendly skating event held on the second Saturdays of June, July and August.

THE CAPITAL OF THE UNITED SKATES OF AMERICA “D.C. has a rich opportunity to create a legacy [for] roller skating,” founder and event producer of GetYourSk8On Entertainment Saletta “Letta” Coleman states. “Roller skates aren’t just something that were discovered in your grandma’s attic. I’m on this mission to create access and preserve legacy for folks who enjoy one of the last great American pastimes.”

Deeply embedded in roller skate culture, Coleman has traveled the U.S. visiting major skating destinations and events. She served as an associate producer for the HBO

documentary “United Skates,” an engrossing Emmynominated film presenting Black rhythm skating culture, documenting all that is lost — community, creativity and history — as rinks across the nation close. Since 2006, she has hosted the annual Soul Roll Invitational down in Tampa, and she’s also been working to make D.C. a national skating destination.

Legends Heels, Hats & Wheels Gala, slated for October 7 to 9 at The Anthem, is the pinnacle of Coleman’s work as a skate ambassador and historian. Designed specifically for the older community of Black skaters — those who protested for their rights to enjoy this pastime and developed their skills during the height of roller disco fever — Coleman anticipated this as a one-time event in 2019, but her devoted skaters demanded encore galas at the DC Armory, The View of DC in Rosslyn and The Fillmore Silver Spring.

For the upcoming Legends Gala, Coleman has gone all out.

During the daytime, The Anthem’s general admission floor will become an all-ages roller rink with the upper galleries hosting the Let’s Skate DC Health & Fitness Expo with related vendors, merchandise, exhibits and speakers focused on health and wellness. Coleman hopes to keep the younger skaters and their families who visited The Wharf this summer engaged by inviting them to The Anthem for daytime skating and wishes the Let’s Skate DC series returns to The Wharf in summer 2023.

On Friday evening, there will be the Pier Pressure Fashion Event, which Coleman promises will be “the Met Gala on roller skates.” R&B legends Tony! Toni! Toné! will perform Saturday evening, and concertgoers are invited to stay afterwards in the upper galleries to watch Legends Gala skaters take over the floor of The Anthem while listening to national R&B DJs spin.

“One night a year, I can give my aunts, uncles and grandparents a magical night right here in D.C.,” Coleman shares of the gala. “My oldest guest, our matriarch Miss Edna, will be 86 this year. She skates better than most 20-year-olds.”

HUSTLE + ROLL Now in its second season, TheLinkUpDC is the District’s hottest summer skating party. Hosted by co-founders Darren W. Jackson II and PJ Camacho, the free event is held at the Anacostia Park Roller Skating Pavilion. DJ Prodigy sets the vibe for the monthly theme and even offers his teenage mentees a chance to spin sets for the skaters, too.

Camacho, a teacher at IDEA Public Charter School and father of two, is always thinking about educational partnerships and youth-focused opportunities.

“What are my students doing in the summer when school’s out?” Camacho says. “We want to create a great experience, make sure it’s inspiring and welcome our youth and community to a safe place.”

TheLinkUpDC is getting a lot of well-deserved positive attention this summer. Comacho estimates more than 500 people show up during each five-hour event, which feature local organizations, vendors, merchandise and even an impromptu barbershop.

As a content creator and grant writer for TheLinkUpDC collective, Silas says the event is also a spectator sport, with people unfolding lawn chairs and lugging ice chests to watch the skating.

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PLAY “At the end of the day, TheLinkUp is about community,” Silas says of the appeal. “It’s like a tribal thing. You hear this music and everybody’s moving. It’s a beautiful art, a form of self-expression. But at the same time, it’s about us coming together and being positive.”

HEAL ON WHEELS The positive therapeutic benefits of roller skating merge the mental, physical and communal.

“During Covid-19, I wanted to do the things I loved as a kid,” Camacho says. “I could feel it was going to become a lifestyle.”

Skating — as an adult — for just over a year, Camacho’s trajectory toward bringing rhythm skating back to the District has moved at lightning speed, from igniting his passion to preplanning the first LinkUp event last July.

Even Coleman, a veteran skater, found her wheels during a time of trauma. A Floridian who settled in Alexandria, she witnessed the tragedy of 9/11 near Pentagon City.

“Skating was introduced to me by a friend, and I had to find a way to heal through music and movement,” Coleman says. “So, my attachment to skating runs deep. I’m in it to give back.”

Silas — who works in Baltimore focusing on food access, financial education and housing stability — states skating is all about self-improvement, which is why he believes the skating community is so inclusive and welcoming. In one of his educational videos on Instagram, he speaks of the mindfulness of practice. Skating is about intentionality; you can just roll and be in the moment or concentrate on a difficult step and challenge yourself to try something new.

Appah’s popular and motivational Instagram videos document her growth and allow her to reflect on her progress.

By publicly documenting her progress, she helps dismantle the unhealthy facade of social media perfection while also building a supportive community. Through Instagram, Appah has connected with other skaters around the country, sharing tips and encouraging each other.

She makes sure to give credit to the influencers who have inspired her own moves.

“Everybody wants to look perfect on social media. If you see the first video, I was not very good. I feel pretty proud of the progress I’ve made, and a lot of people have helped me get there. It wasn’t just me.”

ONE DISTRICT UNDER A GROOVE In Chicago, there is “JB” (James Brown) style fluid, fancy footwork; Detroit has Pepsi lines, with a crew working in tandem like an old doo-wop group; New York, Atlanta, Cleveland, Philly and other cities across the country have their own regional skating styles.

In D.C., there’s snapping, a regional style of rhythm skating as distinctive as go-go, the gin rickey or mambo sauce.

The basic step, which originated in Baltimore, involves a quick 180-degree turn on one foot with the lifted knee kicking out. Performed solo skate style, or with a partner offering stabilization, the snapper can freestyle, extending their pivots, gliding and dropping during their turns.

But unlike some other major U.S. cities, D.C. has a nationally-known style with no dedicated indoor rink.

“Adams Morgan had a rink [National Roller Skating Rink] that’s now a Harris Teeter,” Coleman says. “The District has not had an indoor roller rink since that rink closed more than 54 | AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022

25 years ago. This is our time again. So, what are we going to do with it?”

Outdoor spaces in the city offer some respite – but with limitations. Everyone loves the vibe of Anacostia Park, for instance, but the rink closes during inclement weather. Having only one location also isn’t accessible to everyone in the city.

Coleman laments her 12-year-old daughter Alexandra, who serves as “the best production assistant” for the upcoming Legends Gala, isn’t a skater “because we don’t have year-round skating.”

“I would love to see D.C. utilize more park spaces for skaters,” Appah shares. “What’s more family-friendly than roller skating? You can rent skates and have a good time for $10. It doesn’t take that much. You just need to pour concrete.

Just give us a little space and use it for other stuff different times of the year.”

“When you think about the cultural significance roller skating has — especially in the African American community, where you could throw a rock and hit a good skater — and there’s no indoor rink?” Silas states. “That makes no sense.”

All the dedicated rollers are doing their part to keep the culture of skating alive and well. TheLinkUpDC team offers free classes to beginning skaters, and Camacho has introduced skating into his school. Appah has advocated for the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation to consider adding more skating options for future planning. Coleman is searching for partners in the District: warehouses, churches, schools and more to open up their spaces to D.C.’s skating community.

Last November, various D.C. roller skating organizations united and protesters rolled from the White House to the Mayor’s Office demanding an indoor skating rink in the District during the DC Rally to Roll Roller Skate Parade.

“Roller skaters, roller bladers, style or speed, quads or inline, D.C. street skaters, Skate DC, DC RollerGirls team, whoever — we’re all one community,” Coleman shares. “If you put wheels on your feet, you’re a skater, one nation under a groove. And we need space to skate together.”

The Drillz for Skillz Series: Sunday, August 21 at Anacostia Park Roller Skating Pavilion. The series will consist of Session 1: Foundations of Transitions and Skating Backwards and Session 2: The Basics of Spinning. @chocolatecityskate // @silas.on.wheels Legends Gala: October 7-9 at The Anthem and Anacostia Park.

Tickets and pricing vary. getyoursk8on.com // @getyoursk8on Let’s Skate DC at The Wharf: Saturday, August 13 from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday, August 14 from 3-7 p.m. Children’s skate rentals are $10; adults must bring their own skates. @letsskatedc TheLinkUpDC free skate parties: August-October at Anacostia Park. thelinkupdc.com // @thelinkupdc Learn about the Black cultural history of roller skating with the digital repository of National African American Roller Skating Archive at Howard University. ourfamilyskateassociation.org Watch D.C. director Tree Walters’ 2021 indie film “Old School Rollers,” featuring D.C. style skater and educator Kenneth “Rollo” Davis. Check local movie theater listings for future “Old School Rollers” showings. “United Skates” is available to stream on HBO+.

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WORDS BY ABI NEWHOUSE | PHOTO BY SCOTT SUCHMAN Sports programs throughout the U.S. tend to focus on building products out of people. We’ve got expensive competitive travel leagues and exclusive try-outs at middle and high school levels. Kids who can either afford the travel teams or make the school teams are usually the ones who keep playing. We’ve got this competitive spirit, a need to be the best that often favors the privileged — but our current system can leave out players who just want to, well, play.

D.C. groups within the skating community — roller skating, roller derby and skateboarding — are one exception, prioritizing coopetition over competition. They offer the same camaraderie as recreational social leagues found within DC Fray, Stonewall Sports or other leagues in the area.

We caught up with a few skating communities in the District to talk purpose, debunk misconceptions and discuss the need for pure fun.

FLO DMV SKATE COLLECTIVE Hannah Bauer, founder of local skating collective Flo DMV, knows the tension of competition firsthand.

“I was a college athlete. I played volleyball for four years.

I loved that sport, but you get to a certain point [where] that goes away. Ten years later, I’m still dealing with chronic pain.”

Bauer was motivated to start Flo to reclaim their love of sport.

After college, Bauer moved to D.C. to work in public health, and they came across a few skateboarding accounts as they looked through Instagram one day. They’d always wanted to

try a board sport — despite their parents’ warnings it would be too dangerous. Bauer was done with volleyball, and also done protecting themself for the sake of a sports career. They bought a cheap board and began skateboarding.

After connecting with other skaters in D.C., Bauer created Flo DMV in November 2019.

“We wanted there [to be] different opportunities to create space for people to come out and skate with us,” Bauer says.

Flo DMV focuses on giving the LBGTQ+ and BIPOC communities a place to be themselves. Recently, anti-trans legislation has limited trans skateboarders from skating in larger competitions, which Bauer says is ridiculous.

“If there’s any physical activity that’s purely about skill and expression, it’s skateboarding.”

They cite Sky Brown, the 14-year-old (then 13) who won the skateboarding bronze at the last summer Olympics — proof “you can’t equate talent with the physical size of your body.”

Skating is creative and self-expressive, Bauer says.

“Skaters have always been the outcast — the rebels of society. I wouldn’t even call skateboarding a sport, I guess; you can’t really put a lot of rules to it.”

A typical Flo DMV skate session might take place at Malcolm X Park in the empty fountains. Skateboarders gather and experiment, and Bauer teaches beginners basic tricks and drop-ins, all with music playing in the background. They’ve put on events where participants make their own skateboards, and Bauer says that inspires a lot of entrepreneurship and art in the skating community.

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“I love running Flo DMV,” Bauer says. “It gives my life a purpose. Having an avenue to support queer, trans, nonbinary skaters, no matter the level, is why I started it. The point is not being amazing. The point is to enjoy it.”

Flo DMV: @flo.dmv

SPACYCLOUD SKATE GIRLS TRIBE sPACYcLOUd Lounge in Adams Morgan is a vegan restaurant, skate shop, art gallery, coffee shop and community hub owned by Tatiana Kolina. sPACYcLOUd also offers a gathering place for the Skate Girls Tribe — the nonprofit arm of sPACYcLOUd which empowers girls with a communitybased skating group.

“I wanted to have a place for community of different backgrounds. Different cultures, interests, education levels, sexual preferences. That was my vision.”

Kolina was first inspired to found Skate Girls Tribe from the 2011 documentary “Skateistan: Four Wheels and a Board in Kabul,” a film about skate communities in Kabul, Afghanistan.

“There are a lot of local street kids within different ethnicities in Afghanistan, and none of them are talking to each other,” Kolina says. “There are all kinds of divisions — religious, economical, gender — but then these kids see the skateboards left in the empty fountain and they grab them and start to board. Next moment, they were all smiling, connecting and opening up.”

A self-proclaimed street kid growing up in the Soviet Union, Kolina wishes she’d had access to a similar community in Russia. She started bringing her daughter to skateparks to pay it forward and after seeing how most girls were intimidated, she finally decided to start the tribe.

“I think people who are part of this culture have similar life experiences,” Kolina says. “It’s a certain character set. When you’re on the street, you have to find your community to stay alive. You have to be innovative, a risk taker. That unites people.”

The “street kid” aspect of skateboarding can have negative connotations in mainstream culture — skaters are often portrayed as destructive rebels, doing drugs and skipping school — but this stigma doesn’t offer an accurate picture of the culture.

At sPACYcLOUd, the skateboarding community is subverting this negative reputation by generating economic growth and a healthier society.

“I don’t feel I should be picked on compared to other businesses around here,” Kolina says. “I’m trying to do something good for the community. Kids in skateboarding get new opportunities in entrepreneurship. They realize it’s not only about doing tricks — you can write a magazine, become a filmmaker, or start your own clothing brand.”

Rounding out her vision, Kolina is currently finishing a film called “The Skater-Prenuers of the DMV: Women Pioneering the Way” that will be presented at The Kennedy Center in September.

“This community brings so many opportunities to people,” Kolina says. “It empowers and encourages women to try their own things.”

Skate Girls Tribe: skategirlstribe.com // @skategirlstribe sPACYcLOUd Lounge: 2309 18th St. NW, DC; spacycloud.com // @spacycloud

FREE STATE ROLLER DERBY In the cult classic roller derby movie “Whip It,” the main character’s best friend asks, “Where is this even going?”

She responds, “That’s not the point.”

Laura Silverman, AKA “Skaraoke Queen,” joined Free State Roller Derby, a nonprofit which seeks to empower women of all levels to learn and play flat track roller derby, with a similar attitude. She went to one roller derby event and decided right then to give it a go.

56 | AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022 Gin Demonic, H. E. Double Hockey Sticks, TriScaraTops, Too Fast Tofurious + Bad Asset. Photo by Tony Hack Photography.

PLAY But first, she had to get reacclimated to skating, learning from veteran skaters who teach newbie “fresh meat.” Working with a similar system as sororities, Silverman was assigned a “big sibling,” who showed her the ropes.

“I was terrible at it,” Silverman says. “But it was fun.

There is something badass about being a roller derby player.

Helmet, mouth guard, wrist pads, elbow pads — it just feels empowering to get geared up and ready to go on the track.”

Unlike skateboarding, derby does have set rules. Two players, called jammers, work to loop opponent skaters to earn points. Players who aren’t jammers are blockers, trying to stop the opposing jammer from getting through.

Free State plays against different leagues in the area, but also spends a lot of time scrimmaging, practicing together and simply enjoying the game.

“There’s no sense of toxic competition,” Silverman says.

“There’s healthy competition where we’re pushing each other in a good way. It’s an empowering community and sport.”

Free State co-chair Sandi Burtseva AKA “Slaughter Lily” says, “One of our founding principles is to be able to provide a place where people can learn from whatever level they’re at.”

Burtseva says the dichotomy between fun and competitive is a false one; in the right circumstances, a derby team can have both.

“I would like to believe you can build a league through a shared vision — that you can rise in your ranking by working together, training hard, emphasizing athleticism, rolling those things into one project.”

As a coach, Burtseva sees derby from multiple viewpoints.

“There’s a physical component to derby,” she says, “but there’s also a mental component, a problem-solving component. While coaching, I’m thinking what we can do about situations in the game. And then the socio-emotional component, figuring out how we’ll tackle a problem together.”

Free State has taken a pandemic-induced hiatus. The organization is still figuring out how it will change and grow as players become more comfortable in the rink. Until then, practices occur whenever possible, with players getting involved at their own comfort levels.

“The goal is to have a good time,” Burtseva says. “We’re all doing this as an amateur side gig. It’s important to improve and challenge ourselves, but if you’re not out there having a great time with your teammates and boosting each other up, why do it?”

“Whip It” portrayed this carefree, fun-loving, cooperative game as intense and often violent. Silverman and Burtseva debunk this common misconception.

“There’s a perception of disorganized, chaotic gameplay,” Burtseva says. “It’s actually highly rule-based. It’s very specific what you can and can’t do.”

“There’s a misconception that people who play in roller derby are violent and mean,” Silverman says. “If anything, I’ve learned from being in a community-oriented league that we take things seriously, but that doesn’t mean we have to be super serious in the process.”

Free State Roller Derby: freestaterollerderby.com // @freestaterd

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Adaptive climbing in the DMV

REACHING NEW

WORDS BY AVIVA BECHKY

HEIGHTS

58 | AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022

Hannah Zook spent the second weekend of July scaling walls in Switzerland.

An international competitor in top rope climbing and a Virginia native, Zook regularly trains in local gyms.

When she’s practicing, however, it’s not always among other adaptive climbers.

But once a month, the 17-year-old goes out to Sportrock Climbing Centers’ gym in Alexandria to attend a climbing practice for people with physical disabilities. She enjoys the community — and likes to give back by volunteering as well.

“There’s not a lot of adaptive volunteers,” Zook says. “So, I’m hoping my experiences as an adaptive climber can help other adaptive climbers do well.”

At Sportrock, two programs regularly offer free adaptive climbing sessions to people in the DMV: Catalyst Sports and Up ENDing Parkinson’s. Jeff Shor, Sportrock’s director of marketing, says climbing helps athletes overcome fear and push past insecurities.

Especially given how individualized climbing is, Shor argues the sport can and should be accessible for all.

“Climbing is like a kind of a kinetic puzzle you solve with your body,” Shor says. “Your task as a climber is to find the most efficient way for you to get up the wall. And the way everybody does that is different.”

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Catalyst Sports Catalyst Sports runs adaptive sports programs nationwide.

Its local chapter, managed by Greater D.C. Chapter coordinator Andrew Hogan, hosts free climbs for people with disabilities on the last Sunday of each month at Sportrock Alexandria.

“I’ve always been surprised how accessible rock climbing can be as long as you have the right equipment and people to [climb with],” Hogan says.

With two silver medals in national competitions, Zook is one of Catalyst Sports’ most competitive climbers. She competes in women’s RP1 top rope climbing, where the goal is to get as far up a wall as possible within 6 minutes. RP1 is a category for those with a disability that significantly affects their physical and neurological range of power.

For Zook, working with other adaptive climbers — both as an athlete and a volunteer — is Catalyst’s draw.

“I do get support from all the volunteers who are with Catalyst,” Zook says. “[They] tell me any pointers they might have while I’m climbing, and any training tips. It’s definitely nice to climb with people who support [those] with disabilities that climb.”

At 17, Zook falls in the middle of the age range of Catalyst climbers: Some are 4 or 5, others in their 60s. Hogan says people use Catalyst for a variety of reasons, from training for competition to training muscles they don’t always use.

Not all Catalyst climbers utilize adaptive gear, but Sportrock offers equipment like a Wellman chair for climbers who need it. Volunteers are available to brace participants or give directions as they climb.

“Rock climbing routes are designed for able-bodied persons,” Hogan says. “But fortunately, like any type of engineering feat, there’s a lot of skilled guides and equipment you can use to help make the climbing accessible.”

Up ENDing Parkinson’s When Vivek Puri found out he had Parkinson’s disease, he tried a therapy protocol focused on making large movements.

It wasn’t right for him, he says.

Instead, Puri began rock climbing with Molly Donelan, director of Sportrock Alexandria. Donelan was in the process of starting a group for climbers with Parkinson’s after she’d seen the sport help mitigate the effects of the disease with one climber. Puri joined and was hooked.

“It’s a community, so it’s really familiar faces and you feel at ease,” Puri says. “These other people also know what it’s like.

You’re not self-conscious.”

Now, Up ENDing Parkinson’s offers free climb sessions at Sportrock Alexandria twice a week. It’s one of the only groups in the nation to specifically support people with Parkinson’s disease in climbing.

Exercise helps those with Parkinson’s maintain their physical health and cognition. Climbing seems particularly effective, according to Donelan, because of how many skills it engages — strength, flexibility, balance.

“This is a crazy sport because it involves every single muscle in your body,” Donelan says. “There’s nothing that’s not used, down to your little toe.”

Puri says he’s able to build strength and improve control through climbing, though having a degenerative disease Salt Lake City World Cup. Photo by Kevin Lu.

means improvement is complicated: While he’s been tackling more challenging routes over the years, exercise doesn’t entirely halt the progression of the disease.

The benefits of climbing are clearest to him when he steps away from the sport.

“If I don’t climb for about one or two weeks — it used to be about two weeks, now it’s more like one — I see it,” he says. “I feel the difference in my mobility and my focus, and my ability to just exist in the world is diminished.”

Puri has also found community through the group.

When a member had surgery, others came to their house to play games. When Donelan got married, she says several members of the group came to her wedding. The group challenges and cares for each other.

“It’s familiar terrain,” Puri says. “It’s challenging, but in a way that’s not off-putting or scary. It’s just pushing each other to try harder, or giving tips or encouragement or even, the other day, literally a shoulder to cry on.”

Expanding Adaptable Climbing Beyond Catalyst Sports and Up ENDing Parkinson’s, how accessible is climbing for adaptive athletes around D.C.?

“There’s a lot of climbing gyms in the area,” Zook says.

“Plus, Catalyst events add to the accessibility because people who climb in Catalyst events can do it for free and with support from volunteers.”

But expanding adaptive climbing programs isn’t always simple. Shor says it can be hard to find facilities willing to offer space and time. Even when the facilities are available, that doesn’t mean they’ll be ideal for an adaptive program.

For instance, Hogan says Catalyst considered expanding its monthly program to another one of Sportrock’s two locations.

But because the others were harder to travel to, Hogan says Catalyst decided against it.

“How good can an inclusive climbing program be if it’s not accessible by public transportation?” he asks.

Puri raises another infrastructural issue: Some gyms lack easy routes for beginners.

Recently, a climber with Parkinson’s and his coach came down from Ohio to tour Sportrock and speak with Up ENDing Parkinson’s. They’re starting a Cleveland chapter, but Puri says their gym has a limited number of easy routes.

Despite that, the Cleveland gym is actively working to support climbers with Parkinson’s disease. That’s a basic step more gyms should take, Donelan says.

When the first Up ENDing Parkinson’s climber reached out to Donelan, she’d been his second choice. He’d originally contacted a gym closer to where he lived, asking for help exercising to slow the progression of his disease. That gym turned him down.

“The biggest thing is just not saying no,” Donelan says. “It takes a little bit of an investment, but it’s a little for a lot back.”

Catalyst Sports: catalystsports.org // @catalyst_sports Sportrock Climbing Centers: 5308 Eisenhower Ave. Alexandria, VA; 45935 Maries Rd. Sterling, VA; sportrock.com // @sportrock Up ENDing Parkinson’s: upendparkinsons.com // @upendingparkinsons DISTRICT FRAY | 59

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Rowing, Racing + Other Adaptive Programs Looking to get into an adaptive sport? We assembled a list of opportunities in the area and spoke with local athletes about their experiences.

Capital Adaptive Rowing Program In the spring and fall, Shannon Franks sometimes stays out rowing with the Capital Adaptive Rowing Program after the sun sets.

“We put little lights on our boats so we know which direction we’re rowing,” he says. “We’ll row up behind Nats Stadium and it’s beautiful because you can see the reflection of the stadium on the river.”

A subgroup of the Capital Rowing Club, CARP is open to any adult with a disability in the area. Franks and other CARP athletes row in regattas around the country.

Franks has collected memories good and bad: Supporting a teammate at the BAYADA Regatta in Philadelphia.

Capsizing a boat on his birthday.

Traveling to Germany to see his coach’s art show.

Franks says rowing is intense, physically and emotionally.

“I remember one athlete [in particular],” Franks says. “She was new and her first practice, I was there with her. She started crying because she was just so amazed at what she could do. Then I remember another athlete who was crying because she realized how hard it was.”

Capital Rowing Club: 1900 M St. SE; capitalrowing.org // @crcrowdc

MedStar Adaptive Sports & Fitness When Harsh Thakkar first got involved with the Medstar NRH Punishers Wheelchair Basketball team, the team sat in Division III. Since then, the team has moved up to Division I — where it’s currently ranked third.

“The experience has definitely grown in terms of the types of players we’re playing with and playing against,” Thakkar, a Punishers player and the MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital program coordinator, says.

MedStar operates a host of adaptive sports programs in the capital: basketball, tennis, rugby, sled hockey, 60 | AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022

bocce ball, yoga, cycling, fitness and rowing. Some are competitive; others are more casual. Thakkar says MedStar is currently looking for beginners to start a recreational wheelchair basketball team to complement the Punishers.

As both a player and a coordinator, Thakkar says he’s enjoyed seeing other players grow with the team. His favorite part?

“When people are able to reflect on how far they have come as an individual or how far the team has come.”

MedStar NRH Punishers Wheelchair Basketball: medstarhealth.org // @nrhpunishersbball

Veterans’ Programs Many adaptive sports programs cater to veterans in the DMV. The Wounded Warrior Project operates nationally. It conducts outreach to injured veterans, runs sports clinics and trains veterans on adaptive equipment.

This June, WWP’s event Soldier Ride D.C. saw about 30 active-duty members and veterans cycle in the D.C. area and visit the White House.

“It’s about empowering us and honoring us, and what an honor to be at the White House,” veteran and Soldier Ride participant Danielle Green says. “One soldier carrying another. That’s what it’s about.”

Smaller programs likewise provide adaptive sports opportunities to D.C. veterans. Servicemembers Undertaking Disabled Sports (SUDS), which started at Walter ReedArmyMedical Center but has since moved to Texas, takes veterans on trips for activities from diving to mountain biking.

Maryland resident Marco Robledo first went on a SUDS scuba trip in 2009.

“To say it was the opportunity of a lifetime doesn’t really cover it for me,” Robledo says. “I felt like I had to learn how to swim. So, there was a personal development I had to go through before I took the SUDS trip.”

Servicemembers Undertaking Disabled Sports: sudsdiving.org // @suds_inc Wounded Warrior Project: 1120 G St. NW Ste. 700, DC; woundedwarriorproject.org // @wwp

BASKETBALL Maryland Ravens marylandravens.org // @mdravens on Twitter

BOATING Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating crabsailing.org // @crabsailing Sailing4All gosailing4all.org

CYCLING + MARATHONS Paralyzed Veterans of America Racing Team pva.org // @pva1946

GENERAL SPORTS Baltimore Adapted Recreation and Sports barsinfo.org Sportable sportable.org // @sportablerva Wintergreen Adaptive Sports wintergreenadaptivesports.org // @wintergreen_adaptive_sports

GOLF The Salute Military Golf Association smga.org // @smgawarriorgolf

KIDS’ SPORTS Adventure Amputee Camp adventureamputeecamp.org // @adventureamputeecamp Bennett Blazers bennettblazers.org Kids Enjoy Exercise Now keengreaterdc.org // @keengreaterdc

PADDLING Team River Runner teamriverrunner.org // @teamriverrunner

FALL’22

LEARN MORE

COMING SOON...

TAMING

BEGINNER’S GUIDE | PLAY

FISTS + FURY BOXING THREE ROUNDS WITH SHAUGHN COOPER WORDS + PHOTOS BY ANDREW J. WILLIAMS III

Fists. Fury. Force. Popular culture misrepresents martial arts — from Bruce Lee’s iconic films to the Karate Kid’s romanticized saga of love and kung fu; to the groundbreaking, soaring exploits of “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”; to the emergence of Marvel’s first Asian-led superhero movie, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”. If it’s not (mostly) vengeance, violence and velocity, it doesn’t sell.

Yet beyond the glitz of the big screen, in neighborhood dojos and nondescript boxing gyms in gritty corners, children and adults learn combat sports are tools to steel your mind and muscles.

Sure, there’s punching techniques, sweep kicks, power and endurance drills. But, the art of defense is more than methods to inflict hurt (only when necessary). In harmony with the cardio high, those skills are best cultivated alongside lessons of balance, discipline, resilience and restraint.

On a warm, rainy Thursday, I’m invited to Alexandria, Virginia to observe photographer Shaughn Cooper’s boxing class. Blessed with a disarming smile and a keen eye, Cooper spends much of his time traveling the world, documenting Grammy-nominated R&B artist Ari Lennox’s tour stops, stewarding a scholarship program for aspiring young photogs seeking higher education and taking on various projects.

The talented Maryland-born creative, with an impressive resume of clients — including Google, Youtube, Cîroc and Vice — often moves with a quiet confidence. Though on this day, Cooper unfurled another side. His smile fades, replaced by a snarl, and he locks in on delivering punch after venomous punch. Wrapped in a purple and black Black Panther-themed boxing hand wrap, his fists fly through the air. He and his five classmates move on command with precision through their warm-up ritual, before putting on the gloves and maneuvering through an exhaustive itinerary of drills, flashing an imposing display of speed, agility and strength. Jab-cross-jab. Crosslead. Hook-cross-step back-cross. Jab-jab-jab.

Puncturing Negative Energy Cooper was drawn to martial arts at a very young age.

As a kid, he escaped into anime, including indulging in the long-running “Dragon Ball Z” series. The spiky-haired characters mimicked skills Cooper later learned could be acquired in real life, while imparting several admirable teachings: virtues of teamwork, loyalty and trustworthiness.

“Seeing them move how they move, and then finding out as I got older, that you can actually get trained to move like that has always been amazing to me,” Cooper says. “Even now, I’m realizing movement is really good for healing trauma.”

As an adult, he engages in both kickboxing and boxing, disciplines with life-altering fundamentals.

What started as a way to stay in shape and gain confidence — often finding himself in situations with “abusive people” and people he was afraid of, because he couldn’t fight — evolved.

Cooper’s constant pursuit of mastery has transformed martial arts and boxing into weapons for peacefully navigating (and surviving) life’s challenges, as he embraces tenets of Eastern philosophy.

“When I don’t practice martial arts and community building as much, there’s a buildup of really bad emotions that come over me,” Cooper explains, describing the puncturing of negative energy exercise facilitates.

The movement is a form of release, like the steam dissipating from a pressure cooker. It gives him control and clarity.

Through martial arts and boxing, he’s also discovered his tribe: a close-knit, ride-or-die band of brothers and sisters. As I sit watching the boxing cohort gather in their instructor’s garage, strong bond apparent. Sidestep the good-natured teasing. Wipe away the dripping sweat. Strip away the coaching and breaking down of bad habits, and you unearth something enduring — uplifting love.

DISTRICT FRAY | 63

PLAY | BEGINNER’S GUIDE And listening to Cooper tell his story later that day, as I reflected back on the raw aggression I witnessed just hours earlier, I came to better understand his world; the jabs, uppercuts and footwork are rudderless without purpose, a supportive community and the space to develop as a person.

“Once I graduated college, I became really good at photography and realized if I wanted to overcome my mental struggles, I needed anchors in my life that were there for me no matter what — martial arts, my grandmother, goddaughter and family.”

The “Sweet Science” Boxing is a battle of the mind and body. It’s a dance of fisticuffs that dates back to ancient Rome, and first made its formal appearance in Olympic competition in the 23rd Olympiad (688 B.C.).

Most amateur boxing matches are slated for 3 rounds, 3 minutes each. At the professional level, it’s 12 rounds, at 3 minutes each for men; Women’s boxing has 10 rounds at 2 minutes each. Though most boxing bouts rarely go the distance, ending in a knockout, technical knockout, injury or disqualification.

Known as the “sweet science,” boxing requires fighters to use fierce, tactical know-how to best their opponent, while laboring against exhaustion, round after endless round. Conflict is complicated and often comes with consequences. To this end, Cooper uses martial arts to fortify himself.

Among the many lessons he’s learned, responding with the right intent and staying in the moment looms large.

“Martial arts is teaching me how to dance with life and how to submit to it.”

Cooper believes our everyday experiences with other humans are much like the boxing ring; a disorienting anxiety can accompany reacting too rashly, especially the moment a “punch” is thrown, even metaphorical or emotional ones. In his view, better outcomes are achieved through stepping back, evaluating the situation, then responding — he calls it “meditating” on what’s before you.

Mike Tyson once famously said of Evander Holyfield “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” The oft quoted phrase is a 64 | AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022

cautionary tale. The message? Expect the unexpected. Either you adapt or unravel — Cooper harnesses martial arts to evade the latter.

Earth, Wind, Water + Fire As Cooper has matured, he’s increasingly aligned his thinking with the pillars of Eastern philosophy: spirituality, wisdom, benevolence and collectivism. Cooper draws from the principles of mindfulness, feng shui, taoism and the famous Chinese philosopher Confucius to gain an understanding of the world around him.

One such positioning is seeking out how manifestations of the natural world show up in his practice, in the people he meets and in the places they converge.

“I love how martial arts often [employs] fire, wind, earth and wood (breaking boards, bricks and walking on embers are common visuals).”

As someone with a calm demeanor, Cooper channels earth and water and likens aggressive individuals to the ferocity of fire. He explains through martial arts he’s learned to become water to counter other’s fire.

“When I meet people that are very aggressive, I know that whenever I deal with them, I have to approach them from an understanding point of view instead of attacking them or chastising them.”

Disarming others, avoidance and “do no harm” are core tenets of his practice.

The devotion demanded by martial arts bleeds into other areas of his life, such as photography, giving him the poise and posture to stay in the fight, eve — and particularly — on the long, hard days. It’s what’s necessary, if he wants to perpetually hone his craft and grow.

“I learned if I want to become a great photographer, I have to become a great person first,” Cooper says.

Through his new philosophies, he’s become someone capable of resisting and conquering his demons (again and again).

To learn more about Shaughn Cooper, visit shaughncooper.com and follow him on Instagram @shaughncooper.

TIPS FROM THE MASTER Eric Otten is a 25-year martial arts veteran and 15-year Aikidoka (one who practices Aikido), having risen to the level of Aidan: second degree black belt in Aikido. Otten offers several tips for anyone embarking on their martial arts journey: Wear comfortable clothing with long sleeves/pants; depending on the martial art, this will help prevent scratches and rug burns on your body.

Breathe. This helps you relax and is a key component in all martial arts.

Be prepared to be sore. [After your first session], you’ll probably be sore the next day or two from unfamiliar movements. This goes away with repetition.

Don’t get discouraged. Martial arts takes time to learn and apply — remember it’s about building up your skills and confidence and it won’t happen overnight.

Watch the instructor’s feet.

Martial arts are usually whole body movements that work from the floor up.

Drink plenty of water before, after and during.

Don’t go all out with each movement. You need to learn the techniques properly so that you don’t hurt yourself in the process. Speed and force will come over time with practice.

Have fun.

PUT YOUR DUKES UP: FOUR MARTIAL ARTS GYMS TO TRY DC Aikido Martial Arts Academy: 2639 Connecticut Ave. NW C-104, DC; dcaikido.com // @dcaikido Krav Maga Capitol Hill: 315 G St. SE, DC; kmcapitolhill.com // @kmcapitolhill NUBOXX: 701 2nd St. NE, DC; 1449 U St. NW, DC; nuboxxfitness.com // @nuboxx Rumble Boxing Gym: 2001 M St. NW Suite 120, DC; rumbleboxinggym.com // @doyourumble

YOUR SUMMER SUNDAY IS WAITING!

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

2-5 P.M. Join us for an afternoon summer outdoor event with select beer, seltzer, food trucks, yard games, live music + more!

REGISTER AT:

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BIT.LY/DCPOLO2022

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SWEAT

SESH

KEEPING PACE | PLAY

How one runner deals with hot, humid D.C. summers

WORDS BY KRISTEN SCHOTT

Folks, I did it. I finally bought running sunglasses. I know, I know. I should’ve done it years ago. But there’s something about hitting the road with lenses covering my eyes that I find abhorrent. After a come-to-Jesus moment where it was far too bright one summer morning, I finally gave in. The brand? Goodr Glasses of the Gods, which I purchased at Pacers Running in Alexandria.

They’ve become part of my warm-weather uniform, which includes shorts that don’t cause a rash on my inner thighs (Athleta’s Accelerate Shorties in black have been my go-to, though I’m also loving the loose-fitting, yellow-andorange-striped New Balance iterations my friend just gifted me), a sports bra, a visor or hat (my Arizona State University ball cap has amazingly held up), some kind of bright, breezy tank (Nike’s Dri-FIT is a favorite), sunscreen (duh), Body Glide anywhere blisters may pop up (toes, underarms, those inner thighs again) and abundant bug repellent because I turn into a moveable feast this time of year. Then there’s all the sweat I inevitably collect as soon as I step out the door and into the swamp.

It’s in the summertime I regret moving away from temperate Southern California or even the desert of Phoenix; in those areas, the air is dryer and easier to move through. Here, in the capital of humidity, it feels like you’re fighting through a wet wool blanket.

That doesn’t stop me, though, and it shouldn’t stop you. If I have any advice, it’s the following: Put on some form of the outfit I described above, and don’t forget that Body Glide or bug repellent. They’ve saved me from rubbing my feet raw or coming home looking like I got in a fight with (and lost to) a swarm of mosquitoes. Always, always run with water — like with a CamelBak hydration pack — and consider freezing the reservoir the night or day before. It’ll melt while you run and feel absolutely fantastic when pressed against a hot forehead. I also try to research ahead of time where I might find drinking fountains or where I can buy another bottle if needed.

Convenience stores, coffee shops, pharmacies and food trucks on the National Mall have come in handy in other ways, too. Because humidity and high heat tend to make my blood sugar run low (I live with Type 1 diabetes), I must

pack extra supplements (CLIF BLOKS, Honey Stingers, glucose tabs). And when I occasionally have a bad day (read: it’s way too hot) and use all of them, I can quickly find a pick-me-up in the form of apple juice or fruit snacks — not to mention a refreshing blast of air conditioning.

As for when I run in this weather? The early mornings, sometimes right before dawn. It’s far less offensive than an evening slog, when the sun has had all damn day to bake its damn rays into the pavement. In the morning, it’s still fresh out. Dewy, even. (That’s a lie, but work with me here.)

While I rely on the weather app religiously, there’s no real way to tell how the day’s temps are going to hit me until I’m on the go. One of the worst, sweatiest runs in recent times — on my birthday, no less — started out just fine. I was dressed appropriately, had a good attitude and was looking forward to the next hour-anda-half or so. But then the temps began to rise, the humidity began to muck things up and I started to feel every year of my newly minted age. It was terrible, and I ended up walking for a bit uphill before slowly settling back in for the remaining distance, which I reduced from 10 miles to eight to avoid putting myself in danger.

On the other hand, when the following weekend offered near-perfect temps, I tweaked my workout schedule from indoor sessions to outdoor jaunts, logging another 20 miles over three days on new-to-me paths. My legs took me on an uphill stretch of King Street I hadn’t yet explored as well as on the estate- and tree-lined Janneys Lane heading toward Quaker.

I know these temperate days are fleeting in the months to come, but I’ll embrace whatever comes my way. If that means I need to shorten a 5-mile trail run to 3 because of the heat, fine.

If I need to trade an outdoor trek for an indoor strength-training sesh, I can deal. Flexibility is the name of the game this summer. Plus, that bug repellent.

Looking to stock up on your running gear? Check out Pacers Running in Alexandria at runpacers.com, complete with women’s and men’s apparel and gear.

Pacers Running Alexandria: 1301 King St. Alexandria, VA; runpacers.com // @runpacers DISTRICT FRAY | 67

FUN | PHOTO HUNT CAN YOU SPOT THE SEVEN DIFFERENCES? If you read Colleen Kennedy’s interview with roller skater Alex Appah on page 52, you might be ready to head to your local roller rink. Keep that dream alive by playing this month’s photo hunt. Do your best to spot the differences.

NOTE: Check districtfray.com for the answer key.

68 | AUGUST // SEPTEMBER 2022

Alex Appah. Photo by Scott Suchman.

CROSSWORD | FUN

HUSTLE IN D.C. CREATED BY MYLES MELLOR

This month, we’re highlighting hustle in the District. Below, you’ll find a few names of D.C. residents, businesses and nonprofits who are working hard to create something new in their respective fields, mixed in with other crossword chaos. How fast can you hustle to the finish?

NOTE: Check districtfray.com for the answer key.

ACROSS

DOWN

1

Youngest African American to own a suit company, Execz Suit.

Drummond

1

4

Co-founder of Open Door Concept.

Co-founder of Open Door Concept, a rental space centered around community, conversation and creativity; two words

8

Company that cleans, elevates and repairs your sneakers; two words

2

Michael Anthony

3

Actress, Long

11

54 : company pioneering the inclusion of the African American genome in research

5

Maui’s state (abbr.)

12

Whole lot

6

Soccer club providing opportunities for underprivileged kids in D.C.; two words

13

Introduce something new

7

Titanic’s undoing

15

Really excited

9

They may crash and break

16

Street shading tree

10 Web destination

18

Bring to the public notice

11

Louvouezo

20 Femme : reopening their Cleveland Park location, highlighting local artists

on C Street SE

long way (last); two words

14

Grimm character

17

State where Louisa May Alcott wrote “Little Women,” abbr.

26 Skywards

19

Chickpea stew

27 “Nice!”

21

Rideshare that allows drivers to keep 100% of the proceeds

22 Maxwell Park’s Executive Chef, Masako

28 Can opener 29 Put into practice 33 Till bill 34 Buy in a hurry; two words 35 Fresher

23 Noted projectionist and activist.

Bell

24 Curator and creator of Arts in Color. Claire 25 Founder of a company offering organic period pads.

Long 30 Liveliness 31

Compass point, abbr.

32 Morning moisture DISTRICT FRAY | 69

Jake Godin

Talks Long and Winding Roads WO RDS BY C H A D KI NSM A N

Jake Godin in Vietnam. Photo courtesy of subject.

IN OTHER WORDS “Entering Alberta, we rode into what I can only describe as a Canadian hurricane,” Jake Godin recalls.

The 32-year-old, his father and a friend were crossing the 49th parallel on their way from D.C. to the Arctic Circle — a three-week, 10,000-mile journey — entirely on motorcycles.

“Rain was pouring, the wind was blowing sideways, lightning was flashing,” Godin says.

“We were white-knuckling for 60 miles through the storm.”

Long-distance motorcycling is a family affair for the Godins. Since their Arctic trip in 2014, Godin and his dad have completed five more adventures, including a trip up and down the East Coast and a roundtrip to the Grand Canyon. In 2017, he took a spin through Vietnam with his twin brother.

When not on the road, Godin covers national security issues for Newsy, focusing on the Middle East and Africa. A youthful raconteur with an eye for details, he knows a good story is worth the extra miles.

We’ve stopped and zipped up lots of times on the road when we’ve seen rain clouds up ahead. All motorcyclists have to be amateur meteorologists (laughs).

District Fray: How do you plan a longdistance motorcycle trip?

Jake Godin: Generally, we have a destination in mind and then craft the best ways to get there not on the interstate. When you’re riding, you’re not necessarily doing it for speed or just getting to a place. You’re doing it for the feeling of not being boxed in by a car, being able to see the scenery all around you. You can put your foot down and hit pavement. We’re always looking for routes that facilitate that feeling, with nice curved roads, valleys and big hills. It may take an extra 30 minutes to go the same distance as the interstate, but it’s way better.

What do riding and reporting share for you?

I do a lot of reporting on harsh, graphic things, like war. Riding is a very good way to destress and recharge from that. You get a lot of time in your own head. It really helps with processing things. [William Least Heat-Moon] wrote a book called “Blue Highways” about the smaller roads throughout the U.S. which were shown as blue lines on maps. I like seeing unexplored, offthe-beaten trail areas, so exploring those “blue highways” is the best way to the U.S. That’s also the best way to report. I look for things not in the spotlight, talk to people not in the spotlight. I did a lot of reporting on Syria. [Others focused on] ISIS, but I covered the smaller, off-the-beaten path stories about people living under ISIS or in rebelheld areas, people like you and me.

How and what do you pack for a ride?

I always pack tools to fix common problems, like changing a tube inside the tire. Camping gear, though we stay in motels about half the time. A waterproof bag for my clothes, warm and cold weather outfits. I use panniers, soft side bags that can take the shape of whatever you’re putting in them, not like hard cases. I try to even them out with weight, which changes throughout the trip if I pick up a souvenir or find I can leave something I don’t need. I also try to organize the gear so the most necessary stuff is on top, like rain gear.

What’s a typical day on the road like?

We’ll start at 6 or 7 a.m. We typically don’t eat much breakfast. Some coffee. We repack and load up the bikes because we took everything off the night before. We gas up and then we’re on the road. If it’s an “easy” day, we take nice routes and stop if there’s a good view. If it’s a “we need to get there by the end of the day” kind of day, it’s more of a rush. We could go 300 miles or, if it’s on fun, twisty, slower roads, 150 miles. We grab lunch halfway through the day. A lot is dictated by how much you need to stop for gas. At the end of the day, which could be between 4 and 6 p.m. depending on how hard the ride was, we find somewhere to stay. You don’t want to ride at night. I try to have a local beer at the end of the day. And then we plan the next day around what the roads look like ahead of us.

Interested in learning about riding? Godin recommends Ivy City’s DUNN LEWIS, his go-to motorcycle shop in D.C. “Riding takes planning, the right gear, and a little bit of knowledge about your bike. You can get those at DUNN LEWIS.” DUNN LEWIS: 2007 Fenwick St. NE, DC; dunnlewismc.com // @dunnlewismc

Current bike? A black 2014 Kawasaki KLR 650. Favorite song, book and movie about motorcycling? “Highway Halo” by Old Crow Medicine Show, “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,” [by Robert M. Pirsig] and “The Motorcycle Diaries,” which is also a good book.

Go-to food on the road? Beef jerky. Item you won’t ride without? A silver dollar from the 1880s, and a small metal bell my dad gave me. It’s something motorcyclists do [for good luck].

Favorite D.C. motorcycle shop? DUNN LEWIS. Next trip? Québec City. My dad’s side of the family goes all the back to when they emigrated there from France. Dream trip? The PanAmerican Highway. It goes [30,000 miles] from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina.

DISTRICT FRAY | 71

Caitlin O’Keeffe of PLNTR. Photo by Brandon Chen.

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