NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND... Dupont,
That Is
Haute & Cool: Holiday Shine
Cecchis Buy City Tavern
‘Shining Through’: Annemarie Ryan
Georgetowners of the Year
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NEWS · 6 - 9
ANC Report
Artist Annmarie Ryan and GUH
Cecchi Group Buys City Tavern
Community Calendar
EDITORIAL & OPINION · 10
Working Miracles
50 Years of Home Rule
THE VILLAGE · 11
Georgetowners of the Year
BUSINESS · 12
Ins and Outs
GMS Vignettes
COVER · 14 - 15
Notes
Cocktail
FASHION · 19
Haute & Cool
ARTS · 20 - 21
Legends
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DC JAZZ FESTIVAL FOUNDER CHARLIE FISHMAN, 1942-2024
BY RICHARD SELDEN
The DC Jazz Festival announced the Nov. 12 death of Charles Fishman, the annual festival’s founder and longtime executive producer, at the age of 82.
GOVINDA GALLERY, 1310 KITCHEN & BAR HOST ‘TANGLED UP IN VIEWS’
BY DAISY BATEMAN
As anticipation for Bob Dylan’s biopic “A Complete Unknown” reaches a fever pitch, Govinda Gallery in Georgetown launched the “Govinda Gallery Live” series which features intimate storytelling and photography events.
MAYOR BOWSER DECLARES, ‘GEORGETOWN IS HOT!’
BY CHRISTINE AXSMITH
Mayor Muriel Bowser declared “Georgetown is hot!” at an event that celebrated the first 10-year lease for a Shop Made in DC store, a retail initiative with a mission to grow the D.C. maker community.
FALL 2024 GALA GUIDE: DECEMBER BY KATE OCZYPOK
The last of the fall galas to wrap up the season.
ALL THAT JAZZ, GEORGETOWN: DECEMBER BY MARK
EDELMAN
December keeps the music warm and inviting in clubs and concert venues in and around Washington, D.C. Check out these night spots as we swing our way into the holiday season.
GALA RAISES FUNDS FOR MEDSTAR G.U. HOSPITAL PEDIATRIC PROGRAMS, DEPT. OF PEDIATRICS
BY THE GEORGETOWNER
“Designed for Children—An Evening at The Renwick,” raised awareness and funding for the research efforts of the Department of Pediatrics at Georgetown University as well as pediatric programs at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
December ANC Meeting: Crime, Leaves, Streateries, Holiday Events
BY PEGGY SANDS
A cover-all-the-bases agenda took the Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission meeting on Dec. 2 past 10 p.m. again, despite Chair Gwen Lohse’s best intentions.
First up was the crime report by the Metropolitan Police Department, who highlighted the Dec. 2 burglaries in Georgetown (and farther up Wisconsin Avenue), where windows were broken and registers ripped out at Greco and Tasty Corner. Over the past month, there were six thefts from cars, 30 thefts and two burglaries. Per MPD, the store alarms need to connect to 911.
On Nov. 28, there was a knife fight between two homeless individuals on Avon Lane; no serious injuries were reported. On Dec. 1, an Amazon contract delivery truck was hijacked on the 2300 block of Tunlaw Road NW, but later found with items in the vehicle. MPD announced extra patrols for the Georgetown commercial area during the holidays and recommended Amazon lockers to combat porch pirates.
A big topic was leaf pickup, a fall task of the District Department of Public Works. In late
November and December, every neighborhood in the city gets a full vacuum and rake-out of leaves by teams of up to a dozen city employees.
It used to be (20 years ago) that little brochures with tiny maps indicating the blocks and days of pickup would be placed on every doorstep. Often a reminder doorknob hanger with a handwritten date of pickup would be left a day or so before. Residents could either rake all their leaves into the curbside tree boxes or put them in big brown bags with twigs and the like.
Pickup schedules — including last-minute changes, tracking and QR codes with the latest information — are now accessed digitally on various devices. No commissioner seemed exactly sure if leaves would be picked up only if loose, or only if contained in a brown paper bag with nothing else or maybe even in a number of black bags alongside the garbage, perhaps with a call made to 311. The commissioners covered all the options at various times during the meeting, leaving some thinking we should just go back to the doorknob method.
The other breaking news item, which will continue into the new year, is the finalizing of
the guidelines for permanent streateries, the expanded outdoor dining spaces fashioned out of the sidewalk and parking areas in front of many eateries. The guidelines are the approved standards to make the streateries, which became popular during the pandemic, safer and more convenient for customers, while allowing access to the utilities under the sidewalks and former parking spots.
But the guidelines also touch on the aesthetics of the streatery barriers. It seems that the ugly concrete “Jersey” barriers are definitely out. So are the standard planking and steps. The new look will probably have diners on the sidewalk portion nearest the buildings, with pedestrians maneuvering the brick sidewalk area closer to the traffic.
The bottom line for most commissioners was administrative. Streatery transactions must be transparent with regard to exactly how much money is appropriated, from where and to whom. Later in the meeting, a related discussion concerned new curbing — larger, flatter, more visible — for M Street corners. A model might be constructed to give a sense of what corner streateries will look like.
A detailed presentation on the latest in trash control and rat tracking in Georgetown was also on the agenda.
The meeting covered various announcements of Christmas events — old, new and renewed. Back on the calendar is the Grace Street bonfire and Christmas caroling; taking a pause is the Georgetown BID’s “Glow” installations. Art with lights will be replaced this year by music, as in Georgetown Jingle. Small-business organization Georgetown Main Street is making its Christmas tree lighting at Book Hill Plaza an annual event.
This year, Georgetown Main Street introduced its first Georgetown tree ornament, depicting the historic Georgetown Theater marquee on Wisconsin Avenue. Mayor Muriel Bowser also celebrated Georgetown’s small businesses, cementing her remarks by buying several Christmas presents at Shop Made in DC and Arcay Chocolates on the morning of Dec. 2. Finally, the ANC gave a fond goodbye to its two extraordinarily engaged Georgetown University commissioners — Joe Massaua and John DiPierri — and briefly welcomed the two new student commissioners set to arrive next month.
Artful Rx: Annemarie Ryan’s ‘Shining Through’ at MedStar GUH
BY ROBERT DEVANEY
Artist Annemarie Ryan has donated 16 paintings of the series entitled “Shining Through” to the Verstandig Pavillon at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. A Dec. 5 reception for the exhibition brought together family, friends and colleagues of the Georgetown abstract expressionist artist.
David H. Song, M.D., chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs for MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, welcomed the crowd to the new Verstandig Pavillon, calling it a “palace of healing” with its 31 operating rooms, and said he delighted at Ryan’s paintings.
Christopher G. Kalhorn, M.D., neurosurgeon at Georgetown, told the art lovers, “I have had the pleasure of knowing the Ryan family for many years now and I would first like to thank them for their years of friendship and true philanthropic spirit. When Annemarie
first told me about her collection and she discussed sharing her work with our patients and community, I was immediately impressed by the sense of light and the healing uplifting quality of her work.”
“Please raise your glass with me as I would like to propose a toast to Annemarie and her wonderful gift of art, the Ryan family, the health of our patients and the future success of Medstar Health.”
The artist responded: “It is no exaggeration to say that Tom and I have earned frequent flyer miles here at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital.
“… I also want to thank all of you who have been so supportive of me in my journey as an artist over these past few years. … And, of course, my dear husband Tom has been by my side every step of the way and often reminds me how taxing it is to be my muse!”
Dayna Kuhar, assistant vice president of philanthropy at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, and artist Annemarie Ryan. Photo by Bill Starrels.
Howard Mehring | Gene Davis | Paul Reed | Juan Downey
Helene McKinsey Herzbrun | Eduardo MacEntyre | Jack Tworkov
December 13
Old Master Paintings | Meissen
Andreae Leaving Georgetown Ministry Center for Food Bank
BY KATE OCZYPOK
Guy Pène du Bois | Murano | Herend
Sèvres | James Abbott McNeil Whistler
Rodolfo Morales | Silver | Fine Jewelry American Coins | Oskar Rabin
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Executive Director Kelly Andreae will leave Georgetown Ministry Center to become the Capital Area Food Bank’s senior director for the Northern Virginia region, responsible for expanding regional partnerships. The food bank recently opened its Bedford Falls Foundation Northern Virginia Distribution Center, capable of providing food for over 13 million meals annually, in Lorton.
“The community of Georgetown is a special place,” Andreae said. “My work at GMC has shown me the best of humanity.”
The death of a homeless man named Freddie during the winter of 1984 prompted the Georgetown Clergy Association and Georgetown University to found the
Georgetown Ministry Center in 1987. Shortly after it began, the center organized a governing board, incorporated, began raising funds and hired its first social worker to help homeless men, women and children in Georgetown. Today, GMC is a drop-in center and winter shelter, also offering street outreach.
“Community members that see beyond the stereotypes and invest in the dignity, humanity and basic human rights of our homeless neighbors give me hope,” said Andreae, who joined GMC in 2020. “My favorite moments are when guests come in to show us their keys when they have moved off the streets.”
During Andreae’s time at GMC, over 250 individuals moved into permanent housing. For Georgetowners looking to help, especially during the holiday season, Andreae suggested donating coats, boots, sleeping bags and hand warmers.
“We also need volunteer help in the dropin center, particularly when Georgetown University students are on break,” she said. Andreae’s advice for her yet-to-be-named successor is to get to know your neighbors and build community. “Building relationships with our guests is the best part of the job and it helps you to be a better advocate to know the people we are serving personally,” she said. “That means spending a lot of time in the drop-in center and doing street outreach.” To sign up to volunteer, visit georgetownministrycenter.org.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
CYRUS CHESTNUT PLAYS ‘A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS’ Friday, Dec. 13
Dumbarton Concerts presents Baltimoreborn jazz piano star Cyrus Chestnut playing Vince Guaraldi’s beloved score to “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with his trio at 7:30 p.m. Dumbarton United Methodist Church, 3133 Dumbarton St. NW. Visit dumbartonconcerts. org for tickets.
HELICON: WINTER SOLSTICE FOLK AND BLUEGRASS
Saturday, Dec. 14
The following night at 7:30 p.m., Dumbarton Concerts presents a program of folk music and bluegrass by Helicon, led by fiddler and dulcimer player Ken Kolodner, with guests Rachel Eddy, Charm City Junction with Elke Baker and Jonathon Srour. Dumbarton United Methodist Church, 3133 Dumbarton St. NW. Visit dumbartonconcerts.org for tickets.
GEORGETOWN COOKIE TOUR, PART 2
Saturday, Dec. 14
For the second Saturday in a row, Georgetown Main Street invites area residents to stop by businesses participating in the annual Georgetown Cookie Tour from 1 to 5 p.m. to collect a holiday cookie and browse for gifts. Tickets are $40 via Eventbrite; a limited number of same-day tickets will be available for $50.
MONTHLY MEETING OF ANC 2E
Monday, Jan. 6
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E, representing Georgetown, Burleith and Hillandale, will hold its January meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Georgetown Visitation School, 1524 35th St. NW, and via Zoom. The agenda will be available seven days prior.
Visit anc.dc.gov.
Kelly Andreae.
Courtesy Georgetown Ministry Center.
Cecchi Group Buys City Tavern for $8.5 Million
BY ROBERT DEVANEY
On Nov. 15, the board of governors of the City Tavern Association, the governing overseers of the City Tavern Club and the property at 3206 M St. NW, settled on the sale of the historic property to 3206 M St, LLC, a newly formed affiliate of developer John Cecchi.
“Total consideration for the transaction came to $8.5 million,” the association said in a statement. “Mr. Cecchi intends to use the property as an event space and is currently accepting requests for use of the space.”
Laura Lieberman, president of the board of governors, stated: “As custodians of the City Tavern Club, we are pleased to pass this historic property to a new steward committed to preserving its character and community. John and his team are dedicated to continuing to use the property at 3206 M as an event space for rent, thus continuing the rich history of the building as a gathering place directly in the heart of Georgetown. This sale is the conclusion of a long and arduous process of closing out 62 years as a private dining club. We are thrilled to be passing on this legacy to someone with a shared respect for history
and recognition that the building at 3206 M Street is a true gem of Americana — the last remaining Federal Era tavern in the city of Washington, D.C.”
Cecchi, head of 3206 M St, LLC, said, “I look forward to a new chapter for the City Tavern and am committed to preserving this historic site.”
Kristin Cecchi later added on social media: “John and I are thrilled to announce that we are the new stewards and owners of the historic City Tavern.
“When the City Tavern Club closed this fall and we found out the building was for sale, we were excited about the opportunity to ‘save’ this historic landmark (in which John spent countless memorable nights in his younger years). Allowing such a Georgetown treasure to become yet another bank or retail store was unthinkable. This venture is truly a dream come true: preserving history, giving it new life and reopening the City Tavern for a new generation.
“We are officially accepting event bookings through 2025.”
NEW OWNER WILL USE PROPERTY AS EVENT VENUE
Developer John Cecchi of Cecchi Group, pictured with his wife Kristin, bought City Tavern for $8.5 million. Courtesy City Tavern
Working Miracles
Let’s face it — it’s been a long year.
There has been ongoing unrest overseas. Domestically, we dealt with an aging president, high inflation and a hotly contested presidential election (which included two assassination attempts).
Now we’re in the middle of the holiday season, bombarded with commercials advertising this trendy vehicle and that trendy tech item. Remembering the wise old saying that it’s far better to give than to receive, it’s easy to be swept up in a “buy, buy” mentality. Sure, purchasing a new car for your spouse or significant other or a new phone for your teenager are deeds of thoughtful generosity, but what we have in mind is a few holiday miracles.
— local, national or international. Chances are, their leaders are waiting for their own holiday miracles. In addition to providing vital support for their programs, your donation may help cover essential operating costs.
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.
If it’s not possible to donate money — or even if it is — email or call to ask how you can donate your time. Helping out in a local soup kitchen, or wrapping holiday gifts for those less fortunate, are just two of the ways to bring about someone’s holiday miracle.
’Tis the season for giving, yes, but keeping that miracle-working spirit alive into 2025 would be even better. In the words of former miser Ebenezer Scrooge, at the end of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol”: “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”
50 Years of Home Rule
BY JACK EVANS
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the District of Columbia’s Home Rule Act — a milestone for the residents of Washington, D.C., who fought for the right to self-governance after decades of disenfranchisement.
Consider our many local community organizations and your favorite nonprofits
A Season of Change
Musing upon the changes before us in the new year, we can hear Ecclesiastes (or is it the Byrds?) in the distance, reminding us: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.”
We have entered a season of change, which can translate into modification, adaptation, correction, repeal, break with the past, conversion. And it seems that change happens faster each year.
Here in Georgetown, a search has begun for Georgetown University’s 49th president, as John DeGioia retires, having served for 23 years. He leaves big shoes to fill.
On the commercial side, we have the Georgetown Business Improvement District interviewing for a successor to Joe Sternlieb, who leaves the BID well positioned to continue its work for the landlords and community in general. “Georgetown is hot,” says Mayor Muriel Bowser — and most agree.
On the nonprofit side, Georgetown Ministry Center, which “seeks lasting solutions to
Happy holidays, Georgetown!
homelessness one person at a time,” bids farewell to Kelly Andreae, another executive director who made her organization and the town better.
In the neighborhood itself, we suspect there may be a billionaire or two buying a home near yours soon. This high-end trend can be good and bad — property values rise, while the dumpsters remain the same.
Of course, being in the nation’s capital, we have a front-row seat at the change in political parameters, with the 45th president becoming the 47th president. For many, Mr. Trump is full of sound and fury. Locally, his Republican colleagues on the Hill are seen as a threat to home rule in the District of Columbia. His disruptive Cabinet members seem poised to make their mark. Will they drain the swamp or fill it?
Other changes are afoot, such as climate and AI. Admittedly, there is a lot on our plates.
But — turn, turn, turn — the holidays are a reminder that what’s important is to take things in stride and respond to events and opportunities as they come, each in its own season.
The 1973 Act, signed by President Richard Nixon, granted D.C. residents the ability to elect their own mayor and council, marking a significant step toward local autonomy. For half a century, home rule has allowed the District to build its own identity, set its own policies and tackle challenges in ways that reflect the values and priorities of its residents.
Under the leadership of Mayor Muriel Bowser, D.C. is the most dynamic city in America. Our finances are strong, crime is down and our economy is booming.
But as we celebrate this important anniversary, we must also remain vigilant. The threat of federal interference in D.C.’s self-governance looms large, especially with the reelection of Donald Trump as president.
As a former elected official, I witnessed firsthand how D.C.’s autonomy has been both a source of strength and a target for those who dismiss our democratic rights. Despite being a vibrant, diverse and economically significant city, D.C. remains uniquely vulnerable to federal overreach. Congress retains the power to review and overturn local laws, meddle in the city’s budget and block policies supported by a majority of residents. This imbalance makes D.C. home rule an ongoing experiment in democracy — one that requires constant defense.
Looking ahead to 2025, there is reason to believe the Trump administration could push for even greater federal interference. His political rhetoric often positions D.C. as a symbol of liberal excess, and his disdain for local decision
making is well documented. Recent calls by some Republicans to dismantle home rule altogether, or impose federal mandates on the District, could gain traction in a second Trump term.
To protect D.C.’s autonomy, residents must remain organized, vocal and united. The 50th anniversary of home rule should not only be a time to reflect on past progress, but also an opportunity to recommit to the fight for full representation and self-determination.
Local leaders, civic organizations and everyday residents must continue to push back against efforts to erode home rule. This means building coalitions with national allies who understand that the struggle for D.C. democracy is part of a broader fight for justice.
The city should reach out to President Trump and seek his help in addressing some of the issues the city is struggling with. To start, he should order all federal workers back to the office. Even if only two-thirds returned, that is several hundred thousand workers back downtown.
Second on the list is redeveloping our downtown and repurposing now-empty federal buildings. The president could also be helpful with projects such as RFK Stadium, the FBI Building, Union Station and Pennsylvania Avenue. Remember: Trump is a real estate guy who wrote “The Art of the Deal.”
As we honor the legacy of home rule, let us also prepare for the challenges ahead. The District’s fight for autonomy and equality is far from over, but with persistence and solidarity we can ensure that this milestone is a stepping stone toward our ultimate goals.
Jack Evans is the longest-serving member of the District Council, representing Ward 2 from 1991 to 2020. He has lived in Georgetown since 1993.
Former Council members Vincent Orange, LaRuby May and Jack Evans at the home rule anniversary celebration.
Georgetowners of the Year for 2024
BY THE GEORGETOWNER EDITORIAL BOARD
JACK DEGIOIA OF GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
John Joseph DeGioia — the 48th president of Georgetown University, 2001 to 2024 — is now president emeritus and a member of the faculty. He resigned to focus on his health after suffering a stroke in June.
As the first lay president of the nation’s oldest Catholic institution of higher learning,
DeGioia has stressed Georgetown’s Jesuit traditions, while expanding the university’s presence. Under his tenure, a new science building, the Thompson Intercollegiate Athletic Center, two new dormitories, a campus in Qatar and a maturing downtown D.C. campus with the McCourt School of Public Policy, as well as programs in London and Shanghai, came into being.
It is the charming, personable DeGioia who has learned to work with the historic neighborhood and its residents outside the main gates of the campus at 37th and O Streets NW. The campus plan is a model of mediation between town and gown. His work on reconciliation with the school’s slavery past and its descendants is also to be praised.
DeGioia, who holds a B.A. and a Ph.D. from Georgetown, clearly bleeds Hoya blue — and is beloved by many near and far, who pray for his full recovery.
For such accomplishments — above and beyond — Jack DeGioia of Georgetown University is a Georgetowner of the Year for 2024.
KRISTA AND ALEXA JOHNSON OF ELLA-RUE
For 14 years, Ella-Rue co-owners Krista and Alexa Johnson have operated a fullservice consignment destination “that strives to conserve and pair past designer pieces with current fashion to curate the perfect wardrobe.”
Their lively and lovely boutique — named
The naming of Georgetowners of the Year has been a tradition of The Georgetowner newspaper for decades. Devoted and influential members of the neighborhood have received this distinction, such as Billy Martin, Pamla Moore, Leslie Maysak, Leslie Buhler, Bob Woodward, Nancy Taylor Bubes, the Rev. Rick Curry and Connie Milstein — as well as Peacock Cafe, Cafe Milano, the Four Seasons Hotel, Mt. Zion
OAK HILL CEMETERY
Celebrating its 175th birthday, Oak Hill Cemetery is a historic 22-acre cemetery on R Street and a crown jewel of Georgetown. Founded by William W. Corcoran, Oak Hill is the burial place for many famous Washingtonians, such as Katharine Graham, Ben Bradlee, Herman Hollerith — and Willie Lincoln (formerly interred), inspiration for “Lincoln in the Bardo.”
Historian Paul K. Williams arrived at Oak Hill Cemetery as its 13th Superintendent three years ago and lives in the gatehouse at 30th and R Streets with his husband, two cats and a bell tower. He oversees current site sales, about 100 funerals a year, 10 employees and numerous contractors, who are restoring the historic $5-million Bigelow fence and carrying out major roadwork and historic renovation projects.
The Victorian cemetery and very contemporary Williams — who is president of the Citizens Association of Georgetown — are also involved in the community.
Methodist Church, Dumbarton Methodist Church, Holy Trinity Church, the Friends of Georgetown Waterfront Park and the Friends of Rose Park.
This year’s group — selected by the editorial board — includes a university president, a grocery store owner, a historic cemetery and a dynamic women’s store with dynamic co-owners.
For such accomplishments — above and beyond — Oak Hill Cemetery is a Georgetowner of the Year for 2024.
DANIEL HONG OF SCHEELE’S MARKET
after two rescue dogs — at 3231 P St. NW has become the go-to spot not only to check out fashionable clothes but also to meet some very interesting people. The sisters have sought out emerging, unique ready-to-wear lines to add to Ella-Rue’s assortment. The designers? Chanel, Versace, Jimmy Choo, Stella McCartney … to name a few of more than a hundred.
Always a hit at the French Market and involved in other community events, EllaRue has its own private-label jewelry with merchandise branding coming for jean jackets and pajamas.
Coming from Virginia, the Johnson sisters have quite a following. They have made their little and beautiful slice of Georgetown — their “favorite place” — a welcoming space for visitors and neighbors.
For such accomplishments — above and beyond — Krista and Alexa Johnson of Ella-Rue are Georgetowners of the Year for 2024.
Operating a 128-year-old neighborhood market is no simple matter. Scheele’s Market has been a staple at 1331 29th St. NW for generations. Indeed, several years ago, neighbors contributed to a special fund to ensure that the building remains a market through an agreement with the property owner.
South Korea-born Daniel Hong of Fairfax, Virginia, took over the unique grocery store with its loyal customer base from Donguk Kim five years ago.
“I love my customers and our neighborhood,” the smiling Daniel says. He graciously looks after his customers, especially the older ones. His grill master B.B. whips up an excellent steak ’n’ cheese. The small space is packed with necessary groceries, which he is always happy to add to upon customer request. His college-age son helps from time to time. Daniel’s optimism
and strong work ethic are an abiding asset to Georgetown.
For such accomplishments — above and beyond — Daniel Hong of Scheele’s is a Georgetowner of the Year for 2024.
Jack DeGioia, president emeritus of Georgetown University. Courtesy GU.
Oak Hill Cemetery Superintendent Paul K. Williams at the monument for Bishop William Pinkney. Courtesy Oak Hill.
Daniel Hong of Scheele’s Market. Georgetowner photo.
Ella-Rue at 3231 P St. NW, decorated for Christmas. Inserts: Alexa Johnson and Krista Johnson. Georgetowner photos.
INS & OUTS
BY ROBERT DEVANEY
IN: TESLA ELECTRIFIES M ST.
The nation’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer just opened a 4,500-square-foot showroom at 3307 M St. NW, having relocated from CityCenterDC. Curiously enough, Tesla moved to the same M Street block that boasted a car dealership for decades. (The more things change … except those cars had internal combustion engines.) With a shiny new showroom, the company has already sold a few vehicles in Georgetown.
IN: CALL YOUR MOTHER AT 35TH & O
Mazel tov to Call Your Mother, whose future is finally secure after more than three hearings punted a final decision until last month. On Nov. 13, the Board of Zoning Adjustment voted 4-1 to grant the deli and bagel shop at 3428 O St. NW the zoning approvals and special exception to continue operating.
Call Your Mother’s owner and CEO Andrew Dana commented: “We think they made the right decision. We’re stoked, and we’re stoked to be there for the next 10 years and continue to be great neighbors.
IN: HUNTER & HUNTRESS
Hunter & Huntress, “a boutique retail gallery and design experience,” has arrived at 1665 Wisconsin Ave. NW, formerly the Bean Counter coffee and sandwich shop.
IN: GENERATION TUX
Last week, Generation Tux opened at 1517 Wisconsin Ave. NW. The online rental brand has moved to brick-and-mortar reality, carrying tuxedos, suits, shirts, ties, shoes and accessories.
IN: TILLEY’S PET SUPPLIES
Arf, arf to Tilley’s Pet Supplies, owned by Drew and Megan Robitaille, which opened a second location in Georgetown at 3216 O St. NW on Nov. 26. Named after one of the Robitailles’ five dogs, Tilley’s Pet Supplies offers more than 20 different brands of dog and cat food. “On top of our high-quality dry food and canned options,” say the Robitailles, “our freezers are loaded with some of the best fresh and gently cooked options available.”
IN: MALBON GOLF
Fore! Malbon golf apparel opened on Nov. 9 in the former Hobo Bags shop at 1265 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Founded in 2017 by golf enthusiasts Stephen and Erica Malbon, the store carries jackets, sweatshirts, polos, hats, shorts and shoes, along with bags and gloves. Malbon’s other locations include Soho in New York, Melrose in L.A., Carmel-by-the-Sea and Miami.
DUE IN JANUARY: HAKAN ILHAN’S ALARA
Look for a January debut, in time for the 60th presidential inauguration, of Alara, a Turkish restaurant by Hakan Ilhan. Meaning “beautiful water fairy” in Turkish, Alara, in the long-shuttered Paolo’s Ristorante space, will feature seasonal menus and wines with a focus on the four Mediterranean coastal nations of Turkey, Greece, Lebanon and Israel. The prime space at 1303 Wisconsin Ave. NW is next to the newly opened Dig eatery, in the smaller corner portion of the old Paolo’s, which closed in August of 2018 after a 30-year run. Among Ilhan’s extensive portfolio is Brasserie Liberté, one block away on Prospect Street — along with Al Dente on New Mexico Avenue and Il Piatto at Black Lives Matter Plaza.
COMING: GOOGLE STORE ON M
A brick-and-mortar Google Store, selling Google hardware such as the Pixel smartphone, is planned for 3235 M St. NW in the former Aerie. There are five U.S. locations so far.
COMING: LOBBY BAR ON 33RD
A tavern — the Lobby Bar, formerly called Creme — is slated for 1660 33rd St. NW, near where 33rd enters Wisconsin Avenue.
COMING: SAINTS VALLEY
Popping up soon at 1361 Wisconsin Ave. NW is Saints Valley: “Where women empowerment meets Fair trade! Discover avant-garde jewelry designs, cloud-soft pashminas, handmade silk/ wool artsy pillowcases, original wall hangings and unique clothing!”
MOVED (TEMPORARILY): LULULEMON
The Lululemon store at 3265 M St. NW is being renovated. Meanwhile, the business has moved two blocks east to 3077 M, the closed Showfields (and, before that, Brooks Brothers) space.
OUT: WAWA FLYING THE COOP
Wawa, the Pennsylvania-based convenience store empire, will close its location at 1222 Wisconsin Ave. NW on Dec. 17. The Georgetown Wawa opened on Dec. 20, 2018, to great fanfare, with speeches from corporate execs and local politicians — and free coffee and cupcakes.
OUT: CITY SLIDERS
Fusion-cuisine establishment City Sliders — with more than 25 all-natural slider options — has slid out. The eatery, at 1529 Wisconsin Ave. NW, was also known for its Christmas décor.
OUT: ALKOVA
Alkova, which offered yoga in a calm, co-working setting since 2023, has left its position at 1510 Wisconsin Ave. NW.
OUT: SMOKE ISLAND
Cannabis and vape shop Smoke Island, next to the Georgetown Inn at 1326 Wisconsin Ave. NW, has gone up in you-know-what.
One of Tesla’s cybertrucks at the new Georgetown showroom. Photo by Bill Starrels.
GMS Vignettes: A Trio of Historic Georgetown Businesses
BY DAVID EDWARDS
Three historic Georgetown businesses — W.T. Weaver & Sons, established in 1889; Martin’s Tavern, established in 1933; and Just Paper & Tea, established in 1989 — have each endured by balancing a commitment to their founding principles and relationships within the community with a willingness to adapt and change with the times.
The oldest of the trio, hardware store W.T. Weaver & Sons, which specializes in decorative fixtures for baths and kitchens, has supplied Dulles Airport and Ford’s Theatre with custommade hardware. Brothers Bryce and Mike Weaver are fourth-generation family owners.
Martin’s Tavern, run by William Martin Jr., is in its third generation of family ownership. Its historic interior includes a booth where JFK regularly ate Sunday breakfast (#1) and another in which he proposed to Jackie (#3).
Though not as old as the others, Just Paper & Tea — owned and operated by Carolyn and Nick Wasylczuk since its founding — evokes the same feeling of rootedness. Especially well known for wedding invitations, the store offers custom stationary, paper products and a wide selection of teas.
The aura of longevity that the three exude is matched by their adaptability.
When it was founded, W.T. Weaver & Sons was a “pump and harness business,” says Mike, shaped by the canal and harbor that drove the local economy in the 19th century. The store now features high-end bathroom and kitchen fixtures, a far cry from the “nuts and bolts” Bryce says they used to sell, but a fitting evolution as Georgetown grew from shipping hub to luxury shopping district. “What we were selling in 1889 is very different than what we’re selling now.”
The Wasylczuks are no strangers to shifts in their product lines. According to Carolyn,
“when we started, it was Georgetown paint and wallpaper,” alongside faux finishes. During this period, the store provided finishes and paint for the homes of celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Andrew Lloyd Webber. But as large corporations like Home Depot moved in, they undercut mom-and-pop pricing.
Fortuitously, around that time, a nearby paper products shop was closing. Since Carolyn was a former stationary buyer herself, paper products were an easy addition to the store. “Then it just took off,” she says, “and it’s been that way ever since.” Tea was added slightly later.
Even as products change — or, in the case of Martin’s Tavern, booths are refurbished and menus updated — the heart of these businesses stays the same. For Billy Martin, that means “continuity of staff: getting to know who they are, who their families are, being involved in
their life.”
This commitment to a personal connection seems to be the through line uniting a hardware store, a shop for paper and tea products and a restaurant.
The Weavers see it the same way. “You can get a faucet anyplace,” says Mike. But, adds Bryce, “people have figured out that they like to have local sources for things,” where they can receive guidance and advice from experts they know and trust.
This philosophy drives Just Paper & Tea, too. Nick believes that, as a small business, especially one that frequently helps with weddings, “we become part of their lives.” What makes Just Paper & Tea special is the environment the Wasylczuks cultivate, where the customer is put at ease.
Chain and big-box stores can rise and fall, move in and out like the tide, but the businesses that remain, that have lasted and will continue to last, are the local ones that know their customers.
W.T. Weaver & Sons, Martin’s Tavern and Just Paper & Tea are not historic because of when they were founded, but because of their connections to the community and history of Georgetown.
GMS Vignettes is brought to you by Georgetown Main Street and The Georgetowner. To see more GMS Vignettes our Discover Georgetown Map at Georgetowner.com
Helen MacMahon (540) 454-1930
Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905 Paul MacMahon (703) 609-1905
(540) 454-1930
Bryce and Mike Weaver in the boardroom of W.T. Weaver & Sons.
Helen MacMahon
NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND — UNDER
Dupont, That Is
BY RICHARD SELDEN
“We are both architects,” says Lucrecia Laudi, who co-founded Dupont Underground in 2005 with her husband, Julian Hunt. “But we come from different worlds.”
Laudi grew up in the Argentine Pampas. There, she explains, the only thing you see is the horizon. “You sit under the tree, and you dream.”
Upon receiving her architecture diploma in Argentina, she traveled the world. A master’s degree in architecture and city planning from the University of Pennsylvania came later.
Hunt’s first American ancestor, an indentured servant, arrived in New Haven Colony in the 17th century. His architecture alma maters: the University of Virginia and Rice University, with European travel in between.
Having met in Spain, where Hunt was working for Ricardo Bofill’s Taller de Arquitectura, the two found they shared a fascination with reclaiming public space, the focus of both their master’s projects (hers, the Arsenal in Venice; his, an Arabic garden in Valencia).
After years working in Barcelona, during its physical transformation prior to the 1992 Olympic Games, then for large U.S. firms with international clients, in 2005 the couple launched Hunt Laudi Studio in Washington, D.C.
An unexpected opportunity awaited within walking distance.
THAT’S NOT A SHAFT
Just what were those boarded-up structures around Dupont Circle’s perimeter? Some said air shafts for the Red Line. “That’s not a shaft,” Hunt thought to himself, examining one. “I’m an architect. I can tell the difference.”
In fact, they were staircases leading to a subterranean streetcar station, abandoned in 1961. Later uses: a fallout shelter and a food court that failed. “We instantly understood that it was a public space,” says Hunt. One of their inspirations, New York’s High Line, had yet to break ground.
2025 will be the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Arts Coalition for the Dupont Underground. But it took nine years to secure a lease for the space and two more before it opened to the public, on April 30, 2016, with a smash hit.
Constructed by more than 1,400 volunteers, “Re-ball: Raise/Raze,” a competition-winning proposal by design studio Hou de Sousa, repurposed 650,000 translucent plastic balls from “The Beach,” Snarkitecture’s summer installation at the National Building Museum, as a playful interactive environment.
Lucrecia Laudi, co-founder of Dupont Underground, and Ana Harvey, CEO, Dupont Underground. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey.
DID YOU MISS THE CENTENNIAL?
Constructed in the 1870s, Pacific Circle was renamed for Rear Adm. Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) in 1882. Several mansions from those Gilded Age decades survive. The central fountain, commissioned by du Pont family members from Lincoln Memorial designers Henry Bacon and Daniel Chester French, was installed in 1920. Did you miss the centennial of their marble masterpiece, held in May of 2021?
An essential site in District history — notably, but not only, that of the LGBTQ community — the park and its surrounding neighborhood remain one of the city’s liveliest hubs. The year-round Sunday farmers market, established in 1997, is D.C.’s largest. Launched this year on 19th Street NW, adjacent to the Dupont Underground entrance, the DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle (the former Downtown Holiday Market) runs through Monday, Dec. 23.
Several nonprofits are active in the neighborhood. The Dupont Circle Business Improvement District, formed in 2018 and funded by commercial property owners within a 22-block zone, contributes to the area’s cleanliness, safety, outreach to the unhoused and infrastructure, also running events such as the First Friday ArtWalk.
Established in the early 2000s, Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets, like other D.C. Main Streets, is largely funded by the District Department of Small and Local Business Development.
The current members of the DupontKalorama Museums Consortium, which dates to 1983, are Anderson House/Society of the Cincinnati, Dumbarton House, the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, O Museum in the Mansion, the Phillips
Coming in 2025: Argentina, Denmark, Peru and Uruguay.
Collection and the President Woodrow Wilson House. And, of course, Dupont Underground. Save the Date: Next year’s Museum Walk Weekend will take place on June 21 and 22.
ADUAL ROLE: LOCAL AND WORLDWIDE
Dupont Underground has a dual role: local and worldwide. One of the most visible programs over the years was the World Press Photo Exhibition held at the end of 2017 and 2019, displaying the cream of international photojournalism.
Always looking for the local community angle, in October of 2020, Dupont Underground organized an exhibition of photos by participants in Black Lives Matter demonstrations in the District opened; it was extended several times.
On the local side, last March, during Women’s History Month, Dupont Underground hosted its second annual exhibition of art by women. Soon after came an exhibition of artwork by Iranian American gynecologist S. Abbas Shobeiri titled: “Do You See Me? Paintings of Postpartum Trauma and Healing.”
Exhibitions in 2023 included: “The Cost of Living: An Observation of the Resistance, Resilience and Joy of the Black Woman” and “The Ground We Stand On: Past and Present DC LBGTQ Change-makers.”
Next March will see “The District of Columbia and the Democratic Quality of Public Space.” A Black Art Foundation exhibition is to follow in April.
Several D.C.-based performing arts groups
to return in 2025. Classical music presenter Counterpoint will close out its first season at Dupont Underground on May 16.
The next Drag Underground, co-presented monthly with the Washington Blade, will take place on Dec. 13 from 8 to 9:30 p.m.; and a Christmas Milonga — a social gathering celebrating tango and other aspects of Argentine culture — is scheduled for Dec. 17 from 8:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Speaking at The Georgetowner’s April 25 Cultural Leadership Breakfast, CEO Ana Harvey boasted that, despite only being open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, September through December and March through June, Dupont Underground attracts about 25,000 annual visitors.
At the April breakfast, Harvey told of putting her hands under a spigot and joyfully announcing: “We have water!” That meant that “Bathrooms are coming,” she said.
“ A key goal for the organization is “to create the conditions for the emergence of talent.”
Embassy Row is a nearby source of international programming. Now on view through Jan. 26 is “Mosaico: Italian Code of a Timeless Art,” an immersive multimedia exhibition sponsored by the Embassy of Italy, the Italian Cultural Institute of Washington and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (see separate story in this issue). The show’s seven stations focus on mosaics in Aquileia, Baiae, Pompeii, Ravenna, Rome and, in Sicily, Palermo/ Monreale and Piazza Armerina.
Other joint projects have been undertaken with the Embassies of Spain and Sweden.
have taken advantage of the one-of-a-kind space, which contains a 200-seat theater. A key goal for the organization is “to create the conditions for the emergence of talent.”
The Washington Ballet’s Studio Company returned to Dupont Underground for four “Dance For All” performances last October and will be back for the third time next fall. Other “regulars”: In Series will present “Poppea” in March, Chamber Dance Project will perform in June and Picnic Theatre Company, which presented “Valley of the Dolls … and Beyond!” last month, is also due
Construction is scheduled to begin this year. Future investment in staff, equipment and programming will require Dupont Underground to “strategically expand its board and focus on significant fundraising efforts.”
Dupont Underground is an arts organization transforming 15,000 sqft of open abandoned space under Dupont Circle into a platform for creative exchange and contemporary arts in our vibrant city.
The exhibition, “Mosaico: Italian Code of a Timeless Art,” which runs through Jan. 26 at Dupont Underground. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey.
Named for F. Scott, The Fitzgerald of Palisades Will Open Next Spring
BY PEGGY SANDS
Aluxurious retirement community, The Fitzgerald of Palisades, inspired by the iconic 1920s novel The Great Gatsby, is set to open its doors in May 2025 at 4865 MacArthur Boulevard NW in Washington, D.C. Designed for seniors seeking an elegant and active lifestyle, The Fitzgerald offers a unique blend of upscale living, quality care, and community-focused engagement. Residents can choose from a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom residences, as well as exclusive penthouse residences, each thoughtfully crafted with both style and comfort in mind.
The community’s amenities reflect its commitment to a lifestyle of convenience and sophistication. Five distinct dining venues provide a range of culinary experiences, from casual fare to fine dining, while an elegant bar and private lounges offer spaces for relaxation and socialization. A well-stocked library serves as a hub for intellectual pursuits, while a fitness center, complete with a large indoor pool and spa, promotes wellness and physical activity. Additional features include pet-friendly areas, lush gardens, and retail spaces, such as a beauty salon, to ensure residents have access to everything they need without leaving the property.
The architectural design of The Fitzgerald is equally impressive, drawing inspiration from Washington, D.C.’s celebrated Art Deco landmarks. This aesthetic creates a timeless yet modern atmosphere, perfectly aligning with the community’s luxurious theme. The Fitzgerald also stands out by integrating elements that promote sustainability and convenience, such as transportation services featuring electric cars and a community shuttle, ensuring eco-friendly and accessible mobility for residents. A 24-hour
“Think of a hotel concierge—that’s what you’re getting at a Kisco Signature community,” Smallwood explained. “From assistance with vacation planning to theater reservations, our efforts are designed to ensure a comprehensive and personalized experience for each resident. We know residents’ preferences—whether it’s their morning coffee or a favorite nightcap.”
This dedication to quality extends beyond amenities and services; it’s rooted in Kisco’s mission to provide residents with the freedom to pursue their independence through passion and purpose. By fostering an environment where residents feel valued and supported, The Fitzgerald creates a sense of home that is both luxurious and welcoming.
The community’s connection to its surrounding Palisades neighborhood further enhances its appeal. Smallwood emphasized the importance of integrating the community into the local fabric, encouraging residents to engage with nearby eateries, the outdoor market, and area philanthropies. “We call these ‘communities’ because that’s what we want them to be—for both residents and the neighborhood,” he said.
This local engagement is a defining feature of The Fitzgerald, which aims to balance the exclusivity of high-end living with the inclusivity of a thriving community. Residents are encouraged to explore and contribute to their neighborhood, creating relationships that
extend beyond the walls of the property. With its blend of elegant living, premium care, and community involvement, The Fitzgerald offers a unique and unparalleled experience for seniors. By combining high-end hospitality with local engagement, it creates a vibrant, inclusive, and luxurious environment that residents can truly call home. As it prepares to welcome its first residents in May 2025, The Fitzgerald is poised to set a new standard for retirement living, embodying a community for life where every detail is designed with care and excellence in mind.
concierge service and a state-of-the-art tech center with on-site support further enhance the community’s offerings, ensuring residents can navigate their daily lives with ease and confidence.
In addition to its physical amenities, The Fitzgerald offers an array of cultural and recreational programs designed to enrich residents’ lives. Exclusive partnerships with esteemed institutions such as the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center enable residents to enjoy lectures, recitals, concerts, and other events without leaving their community. These opportunities allow seniors to continue engaging with the arts, culture, and education in a meaningful way, fostering a sense of purpose and connection.
“The amenity space at The Fitzgerald is overbuilt for the number of residences,” said Gene Smallwood, Vice President, Signature Operations for Kisco Senior Living. “Our amenities and programs are designed to run daily, with a staff who serve as more than just helpers—they can become friends to residents.”
The Fitzgerald is part of a growing trend of high-end retirement communities designed to cater to the needs and desires of today’s discerning seniors. Unlike traditional senior living options, these communities emphasize quality care and service without compromising independence or an active lifestyle. A recent Wall Street Journal feature highlighted the rise of such upscale communities, noting their appeal to individuals who want to age gracefully in an environment that prioritizes luxury, connection, and support.
Kisco’s approach to service is influenced by the principles of high-end hospitality, ensuring each resident receives personalized attention.
Gene Smallwood, Vice President, Signature Operations for Kisco Senior Living.
The Fitzgerald of Palisades on MacArthur Boulevard.
Holiday Shine
BY ALLYSON BURKHARDT
Let your light shine bright through the holidays with a wardrobe that reflects merriment and joy. As you prepare for lastminute gift exchanges and end-of-the-year celebrations, why not treat yourself to one of our holiday outfit inspirations?
You can master the festivities with a dazzling dinner look. Try donning glittery fabrics or sparkling accessories to make your holiday gatherings sizzle.
Cozy up to sequined knitwear for easy glamour. A pair of embellished ballerinas are flat-out chic — for day or for night. Nothing tops off an evening look like a Judith Leiber gilded crystal clutch. After all, when else is gold considered a neutral?
Embrace the season’s cheer with flashy finishes that bring a twinkle to the eye as you shimmer into the New Year!
Allyson Burkhardt is the founder of Let’s Get Dressed! Image & Style Services. Visit letsgetdresseddc.com to put your best look forward.
1. OSCAR DE LA RENTA. Sequin Fringe Caftan. $5,995. Farfetch.
2. JUDITH LEIBER Gradient Crystal Clutch. $1,395. Neiman Marcus.
3. JENNIFER BEHR. Crystal Dome Earrings. $398. FWRD. 4. BA&SH. Triangle Knitted Scarf. $185. Lyst.
5. MILLY. Sequined V-Neck Sweater. $395. Nordstrom.
6. L’AGENCE. Culver Jewel Cropped Jacket. $5,000. L’Agence.
7. EMILIA WICKSTEAD. Burgundy Sequins Skirt. $1,555. Tuckernuck.
8. MONCLER. Sequined Puffer. $2,600. Saks Fifth Avenue.
9. L’AGENCE. Sequin Trouser. $450. Revolve. 10. CULT GAIA. Lillia Mini Clutch. $398. Bergdorf Goodman.
11. SELF-PORTRAIT. Rhinestone Midi Dress. $805. Tuckernuck.
12. PIRANESI. 18KT Gold Diamond Flower Pendant Necklace. $3,648 Bloomingdales.
13. JIMMY CHOO. Glitter Ballet Flats. $725. Mytheresa.
Cocktail of the Month
Sparkling Hibiscus
BY JODY KURASH
“Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the lane, snow is glistening.”
So goes the opening to the classic holiday tune “Winter Wonderland.” Across the U.S.A. and Europe, Christmastime and winter go hand in hand. That’s why so many holiday jingles feature frosty weather.
Images of warming up next to the fire with a toasty glass of mulled wine, or opening gifts while sipping on some velvety eggnog, conjure up cheerful and festive thoughts.
But what if the December holidays were to fall in the middle of summer?
In the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed, more than 25 million Australians celebrate the Nativity season on a day that would be equivalent to June 25 in North America.
“It’s interesting how Christmas is always represented as snow and cool temps,” says Australian Ellen Haskett Wilson. “While not super traditional, Christmas in Australia is super fun. We have warm temps, so families are outdoors having fun, eating outside, playing in the pool, having water fights, playing cricket … it’s a different experience.”
In the Land Down Under, the only “white” Christmas you’ll find is the sand on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where Santa can ditch the fur coat and boots for board shorts and flip-flops. Temperatures usually hover above 80 degrees.
“People who live near the coast celebrate on the beach,” says Aussie Kim McKeen. You’ve probably heard the phrase “shrimp on the barbie,” but I bet you didn’t know it’s a common holiday dinner in Oz. “There’s a big seafood market in Sydney and people flood there to buy their Christmas dinner,” says Kim. “People load up their coolers with beer and wine and have barbecues on the beach.”
In summer weather, spreading cheer with rich creamy cocktails and hot toddies can be rather unappealing. An Aussie Xmas calls for more climate-appropriate options.
Rather than heavy liquors like whiskey or cognac, think light and bright, like vodka or gin. Instead of spice-laden wine drinks like wassail, think of sunny concoctions like sangria and sparkling cocktails.
“For the girls, I think gin and Champagne cocktails are a thing. Also, there’s a growing interest in home-infused liquors,” says a former bar and restaurant owner from Australia, now living in Bali. “Usually I did Champagne with hibiscus flowers.”
Hibiscus blooms are edible and add a striking garnish to a cocktail. “You can buy them in a jar from boutique delicatessens,” she says. “When you put the flowers in drinks, they open up.” Hibiscus, which has a cranberry-like sweetness and earthy notes, is also used to make flavored tea and syrups. Champagne cocktails are a sophisticated option for any hemisphere. Their merry essence is an ideal fit with all festive occasions — whether it’s catching up with kin at a family gathering, a convivial work function or a jovial gala with friends.
With its deep scarlet hue, hibiscus adds a jolly visual appeal to a sparkling cocktail. You can buy hibiscus syrup online or easily make it at home. First, make a pot of hibiscus tea, either using dried flowers or prepared teabags. Bring two cups of tea and sugar to a boil on the stove and let steep for 30 minutes. For a more complex flavor, you can add a cinnamon stick, a one-inch piece of peeled ginger or a teaspoon of vanilla.
Mixed with sparkling wine, the crimson syrup will add a tart and tangy richness while imparting a lively color. Garnish with a whole hibiscus flower for an Instagramworthy concoction. Blazing and bubbly, this tipple will make your spirits glow.
P.S. If you want to start the festivities early, remember that Sydney is 16 hours ahead of Washington.
Sparkling Hibiscus
INGREDIENTS
• CHILLED CHAMPAGNE, PROSECCO OR OTHER SPARKLING WINE
• 1 TEASPOON HIBISCUS SYRUP
• HIBISCUS FLOWER
INSTRUCTIONS
Add the flower and the syrup to a champagne flute. Slowly pour your bubbly into the glass. If you don’t have hibiscus flowers, consider garnishing with fresh cranberries or raspberries.
Legends Talk at the Phillips Collection
BY ARI POST
As long as I’ve lived in Washington, I’ve been in love with the Phillips Collection. For as historic, influential and mighty a museum as it is, it’s a funny little place — an architectural assemblage built out from the original mansion of American art collector Duncan Phillips, the interior pieced together with an odd jumble of twisting staircases and the shortest skywalk in history.
Renoir’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party,” the singular masterpiece of the collection and one of the most important paintings in the entire city, lives in a gallery about the size and height of an average midcentury den, the frame of the painting rising almost to the ceiling.
Upon turning certain corners, you will sometimes find yourself in what feels like — and what in fact is — an old, empty mansion filled with art. Then you’ll trip up a few steps and be spit out into another walkway or the lobby or, if you’re lucky, a tiny closet made of beeswax (Wolfgang Laib’s “Wax Room,” which opened in 2013).
The Phillips has more quirk and genuine character than any other museum in the city. It also has a collection that punches well above its weight (outrivaling a few much larger and wealthier museums around town, which I’m sure you would love for me to call out by name).
It is one of a handful of museums in the city that gets me excited when it announces an exhibition of its permanent collection. And right now, for a limited time, the Phillips has put together a seriously good one.
“Breaking It Down: Conversations from the Vault” offers a deep dive into several artists who are cornerstones of the collection, including Georges Braque, Richard Diebenkorn, Arthur Dove, Sam Gilliam, Paul Klee and Georgia O’Keeffe. It also offers a new take on many of them, by juxtaposing them with works by contemporary artists like Sean Scully, Sylvia Snowden, Karel Appel and Joyce Wellman, tracing arcs of artistic influence over three centuries.
A show like this is in keeping with the museum’s founding spirit. Duncan Phillips wrote in 1926: “My idea is not to show all our treasures at once but in ever-varied and purposeful exhibitions, arranging the Collection in units which are frequently changed so that the walls of the various rooms reveal interesting transformations.”
On a level of pure art, it’s lovely to behold. Each gallery is a conversation, featuring small groupings centered around two or three artists, usually from different time periods, that together inform and enhance your
understanding of them all.
For instance, you can engage directly with the influence Paul Cézanne had on the still life paintings of Georges Braque, and in turn see how contemporary artists like Sharon Core call back to them both through delicious and oddly haunting photography.
To see Cézanne’s “Ginger Pot with Pomegranate and Pears” of 1893, Braque’s “Plums, Pears, Nuts and Knife” of 1926 and Core’s “Melon and Peas” of 2009 all in the same gallery is thrilling. These three works trace the history of the still life from Impressionism through today. And yet with the deeply formalist, hyperrealist and frankly Dutch undertones of Core’s photograph, the grouping traces history backwards well beyond Cézanne, which illuminates the world of art from which Impressionism was born.
Each gallery offers up a similar but unique analysis, so all I can really do is encourage you to go see it and make your own connections.
notable highlight is a stunning opening gallery featuring large-scale masterpieces by Sam Gilliam (1933-2022). Gilliam was a D.C.-based artist with deep ties to the Phillips Collection. In 2011, I actually interviewed him for The Georgetowner about an installation he made celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Phillips.
“Leonardo da Vinci wasn’t new,” Gilliam told me during that interview. “It’s the way that, in his context, he used all the information that he had that was very important in that particular moment. No art is really new in that sense.”
That’s exactly right — and exactly why an exhibition like this is such a joy.
Breaking It Down: Conversations from the Vault
Through Jan. 19
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW phillipscollection.org 202-387-2151
One
“The Big 5,” 2005. Joyce Wellman. Courtesy Phillips Collection.
ARTS
‘Mosaico’ at Dupont Underground
BY LUCY CULLEN
Currently on view at Dupont Underground is “Mosaico: Italian Code of a Timeless Art,” an immersive, high-tech journey across Italy, from the northern city of Ravenna to the ancient sunken city of Baiae.
Developed in partnership with the Embassy of Italy, “Mosaico” uses large-scale projections and an audio guide to bring to life the ornate symbols and imagery of ancient mosaic art and “give the visitor’s eyes a sense of reverential bewilderment.”
Made of small pieces of colored stone and tiles known as tesserae, Italian mosaic art sheds light on ancient communities and cities and their daily lives, traditions and religious beliefs. It is a rich yet underappreciated art form that traces over 2,000 years of Italian history.
The exhibition is split into six sections, highlighting art from different areas of Italy. Beginning in Rome, the projected mosaics are from the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian and the Basilica of Saint Praxedes. These masterpieces provide insight into the significance of Christian mosaic art and the spiritual impact of the stories they convey to viewers.
Every Sunday 8AM to 4PM
Featured in the same section is art from Pompeii, with mosaics from the House of the Faun, a palace dating to the 2nd century B.C. The tesserae illustrate a scene from the Battle of Issus, in which Alexander the Great defeated Darius III of Persia.
Many of the featured mosaics show religious scenes. The floor mosaic of the Patriarchal Basilica of Saint Mary of the Assumption from the city of Aquileia comprises a range of Christian images, such as the Resurrection of Jesus and the biblical story of Jonah. Additionally, the mosaics in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna reflect Paleo Christian and Byzantine art. Their bright colors and golden surfaces indicate the belief in an otherworldly, spiritual dimension.
A floor mosaic from the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, Sicily, depicts Roman customs and traditions. There are scenes portraying hunting, daily aristocratic habits and even female athletes — in a work known as the mosaic of the “Gymnasts.”
The mosaics from the underwater city of Baiae can only be admired by diving underwater; however, when revealed, they reflect the lives of the Roman aristocracy and the ancient streets they filled.
Also displayed is art from the Farnesina Collection, the collection of 20th- and 21st-century Italian art in the headquarters of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Dupont Underground is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets to “Mosaico” can be purchased online or at the door. Admission is free on Fridays, sponsored by the Embassy of Italy,
Mosaico
Through Jan. 26
Dupont Underground 19 Dupont Circle NW dupontunderground.org
1819 35th St NW
Finn: A New Musical
NOW
THRU DEC. 22 | FAMILY THEATER
From the creator of Doc McStuffins and Vampirina, Finn explores the depths of the brilliant and beautiful ocean, with vibrant sea creatures and catchy tunes. Hilarious and heartwarming, this world premiere musical chronicles the coming-of-age journey of a young shark following his dreams.
& Juliet
DEC. 17–JAN. 5 |
OPERA HOUSE
Created by the Emmy ® Award–winning writer from Schitt’s Creek, this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: What would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.
John Oliver
DEC. 27–31 | CONCERT HALL
Celebrate the end of 2024 with John Oliver, who shares his warm, witty jokes in a new standup set. Oliver is an Emmy ® and Writers Guild Award–winning writer and comedian, and is the host and producer of the HBO show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
Ages 5+
Dupont Underground’s newest exhibit “Mosaico.” Photo by Lucy Cullen.
‘Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler’
BY KITTY KELLEY
Curling up with a hefty book of almost 1,000 pages — dense with footnotes, endnotes, acknowledgments, an index and a bibliography — is like cuddling a St. Bernard: a challenging prospect. Yet Mary Gabriel’s behemoth “Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler: Five Painters and the Movement That Changed Modern Art” rewards in almost every chapter.
Gabriel has written a massive homage to the women who barged through “men only” barriers to help establish Abstract Expressionism in America, a midcentury movement once defined solely by male artists like Jackson (“Jack the Dripper”) Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Robert Motherwell and Robert Rauschenberg. Discrimination against women artists was so pervasive at the time that art historians claim
Grace Hartigan exhibited her work under the name George Hartigan until 1953, when she was finally given her first show. A raging feminist and the first female artist to make money, Hartigan denied the charge. “It never entered my head,” she said. Elaine de Kooning also rebuked being characterized as a woman artist, saying: “To be put in any category not defined by one’s work is to be falsified.”
Readers will be grateful that Gabriel defines Abstract Expressionism through the women painters (though they resisted being characterized as such) that represented with their husbands and lovers — “too often fueled by alcohol and dizzying infidelities” — the miraculous movement of 20th-century art in America.
Krasner, who married Pollock in 1945, signed her paintings with initials only, so no one would
identify her work as having been done by a woman. Early in her career, she took lessons from the esteemed painter Hans Hofmann, who stood before her easel one day in wonder. “This is so good you would never know it was done by a woman,” he said. Krasner later focused on helping her husband gain recognition, believing he had “much more to give with his art than I do with mine.”
De Kooning, a painter in her own right, frequently slept with renowned art critics and gallery owners in order to promote her husband’s work. One male artist of the era is quoted as saying, “The fifties was a ‘boys club,’ but some of the women painted almost as well as the boys so we patted them on the ass twice and said keep going.” Elaine de Kooning collected lots of pats.
A bohemian saga, the book divides the first wave of female artists — Krasner and de Kooning, scramblers who lived in the shadows of their famous spouses and only came into their own as painters later on — from the second wave of more successful figures like Hartigan, Mitchell and Frankenthaler.
With the exception of Frankenthaler, all of these women gravitated to the grittiest parts of Greenwich Village around Ninth Street. There, they toiled in cold-water flats without heating or plumbing, surrounded however by great wall space where they could spread their canvases.
Gabriel describes Frankenthaler, the daughter of a New York State Supreme Court judge and a graduate of Bennington College in Vermont, then the most progressive and expensive women’s school in the U.S., as “a woman of enormous self-confidence who never wasted her time with anything but the best.”
The most tempestuous was Mitchell, raised by prosperous parents in Chicago, who arranged for her to go to Paris to meet Alice B. Toklas,
the life partner of Gertrude Stein, and Sylvia Beach, who owned Shakespeare and Company, the French bookstore that published James Joyce and sold copies of Ernest Hemingway’s first book. When Mitchell married Barney Rosset, the union made history; Rosset owned Grove Press, which published Samuel Beckett, Pablo Neruda, Tom Stoppard, Henry Miller and D.H. Lawrence. Mitchell, the author maintains, “was one of the greatest artists the U.S. has ever produced.”
The book sweeps from erudite scholarship to down-and-dirty gossip as it presents the panorama of American art history from the Depression and World War II through McCarthyism and the Red Scare, all of which affected the wide-ranging talent of the “Ninth Street Women.” Like a St. Bernard, that majestic alpine dog, it will save you from avalanches of boredom and ennui and provide a vicarious plunge into the messy lives and mesmerizing genius of American Abstract Expressionism. You’ll emerge gobsmacked and gratified.
Georgetown resident Kitty Kelley has written several number-one New York Times best-sellers, including “The Family: The Real Story Behind the Bush Dynasty.” Her most recent books include “Capturing Camelot: Stanley Tretick’s Iconic Images of the Kennedys” and “Let Freedom Ring: Stanley Tretick’s Iconic Images of the March on Washington.” She serves on the board of BIO (Biographers International Organization) and Washington Independent Review of Books, where this review originally appeared.
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