Meet Your Neighbor: Dejeuné Harris

APRIL 2026
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APRIL 2026




Potomac Cleared,



From April 11 to Dec. 6, explore the powerful ties between language and landscape in works by Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation/Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians). A photographer, filmmaker, and poet, Hopinka creates multimedia art to reflect on personal memories and shared Native histories. The exhibition, West Building Ground Floor, Gallery 21, takes its title from Kicking the Clouds (2021), a 15-minute film inspired by a rare audio recording of the artist’s grandmother. Photographs etched with Hopinka’s own poems are also featured alongside a calligram, words arranged to form a symbolic image. Together, these works show how Hopinka layers language—visual, written, and spoken—to present a nuanced understanding of place and the contemporary Indigenous experience. nga.gov.
In honor of Asian American Heritage Month, Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company (DTSBDC) returns to Woolly Mammoth with their signature grace in storytelling. Exploring the inner emotional terrain of humanity, the world-renowned Company presents beloved pieces from their 33-year history repertoire with a special emphasis on the Asian American experience. The Company will perform the world premiere of “Drawing in Space,” a dance homage to Ruth Asawa. Woolly Mammoth, 641 D St. NW, from April 24 to May 3. Tickets are $55. woollymammoth.net.
Natasha Ames and Tomas Fischer. Photo: Matailong Du
text. National Gallery of Art.


The Smithsonian Craft Show is the country’s premier showcase for the finest in hand-crafted, American artisanal works. Each year, a new trio of experts is selected by the Show chairs to review hundreds of applications and select the year’s featured exhibitors representing all facets of contemporary craft and design, including basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, and wood. The 2026 show is on April 23 to 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and April 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Admission is $25; $20 for groups of ten or more and students. A multiday ticket is $40. smithsoniancraftshow.org.







On Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., celebrate the transformational power of clay and the evolution of the museum’s iconic outdoor sculpture installation, Always Becoming, by Nora Naranjo-Morse (Santa Clara Pueblo). Join the museum for a weekend of stories, artist demonstrations, hands-on activities, performances and more centered on the relationship between art and the earth. The National Museum of the American Indian is at Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW. americanindian.si.edu.

Jordan Klepper began his career as a member of The Second City and Upright Citizens Brigade. From 2014 to 2017, he was a correspondent on The Daily Show. He started his own satirical program, The Opposition with Jordan Klepper, which was canceled in 2018. He then starred in the 2019 docuseries Klepper, before returning to The Daily Show later that year as a contributor, and eventually a rotating host. He often appears on a segment entitled “Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse.” Jordan Klepper is at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW, on Friday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $53. warnertheatredc.com.

DC’s Emancipation Day Celebration is on April 19. The free day-long celebration at Franklin Park, between 13th and 14th and I and K Streets NW in Downtown DC, features a parade, festival, and concert. The day begins with the Emancipation Day Parade, stepping off at 14th Street NW at 1:30 p.m. and ending at Franklin Park. A free concert at Franklin Park follows from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. The program at Franklin Park features live music, local artists, and a strong Go-Go presence in honor of the genre’s 50th anniversary, including performances by Backyard Band and Back Alley, along with major national recording artists. Emancipation Day commemorates the signing of the DC Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln, which ended slavery in the District of Columbia, freeing more than 3,100 enslaved people and making DC the first place in the nation where emancipation became law, nearly nine months before the Emancipation Proclamation. It is this landmark legislation, and the courage and perseverance of those who fought to make it a reality, that DC honors every April 16. emancipation.dc.gov.


On Sunday, April 19, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., join Miracle Theatre, 535 Eighth St. SE, as they celebrate National Library Week and Indie Filmmaking. UNBANNED is a three-part public experience: a live forum, an expert panel, and a screening of the 3x award-winning documentary Banned Together, focusing on book bans and curriculum censorship in American public schools. The public forum and expert panel is moderated by Katea Stitt, Program Director at WPFW 89.3 FM. Featured panelists are Banned Together filmmakers/producers, representatives from National Education Association Read Across America, and PEN America, along with local partners including Mid-Atlantic Arts, WPFW 89.3 FM, We Act Radio, and Cozy Black Girl Book Club. The conversation will explore how book bans affect students, teachers, and communities, and what it means in this moment. Admission is $9.85 or pay-what-you can. themiracletheatre.com.

Each month, join the National Museum of Natural History for the new series, Behind the Science, where NMNH researchers share insights into their latest discoveries and explore the fascinating questions driving their work—from the origins of life to the future of our planet. Come learn what’s happening behind the scenes and how science shapes our understanding of the natural world. Programs take place in Q?rius, the Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center. Topics and speakers are announced on a rolling basis but save the dates now. They are: April 14, May 11, June 9, July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 15, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8. Lectures are from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. Free but registration is required. naturalhistory.si.edu.


“Aguardiente: Magic Transcends Borders” at GALA
In this exciting new musical two immigrant writers from Colombia and Puerto Rico, who are living in New York City, journey back to their childhoods to reconnect with the rich Caribbean culture. The play draws inspiration from traditional Caribbean rhythms, cumbia, bomba, currulao and the magical realism of Gabriel García Marquez. “Aguardiente: Magic Transcends Borders” is at GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW, from April 30 to May 24. Tickets are $26 to $62. galatheatre.org.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has announced a landmark event in honor of our nation’s 250th anniversary: DAR Celebrates America 250! A Salute to Women Veterans, featuring legendary artist Patti LaBelle. The concert takes place on April 18, at 7 p.m. at DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW. As part of DAR’s ongoing commitment to patriotism and service, this special evening honors America’s military women by paying tribute to their courage, sacrifice, and contributions to the nation’s defense over the last 250 years. Proceeds from the concert support DAR’s grant program for organizations serving homeless and indigent women veterans. Tickets start at $115. dar.org/ events/constitution-hall.


This spring, east-of-the-river communities become a vibrant outdoor gallery as the Capital Hill Boys Club Arts Foundation presents the Anacostia Murals Festival, May 1 to 18, bringing together more than 100 artists to create over 100 murals in just 18 days. The festival will activate walls and public spaces throughout Anacostia, Pennsylvania Avenue East, Minnesota Avenue, and Deanwood, turning the neighborhood into America’s newest open-air art museum with murals that celebrate the history, culture, and community identity of neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River. The opening ceremony is on May 1, at 1 p.m., at 1603 Marion Barry Ave. SE. dhbcart.org.

On Sunday, May 10, 3 p.m., in partnership with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Capital Classical Concerts and conductor Piotr Gajewski present the world premiere of Henry Dehlinger’s Beyond Earth: A Celestial Odyssey, a celebration of space exploration and a meditation on the human spirit that drives it. This cinematic-symphonic work traces humanity’s journey beyond our home planet, from the daring first steps on the Moon to the edges of our interplanetary aspirations. The program also includes selections from Dehlinger’s celebrated 2023 collaboration with NASA—Cosmic Cycles: A Space Symphony. Tickets are $10 to $90. Strathmore is at 5301 Tuckerman Ln., No. Bethesda, MD. strathmore.org.




On Monday, April 13, 7:30 p.m., experience a bold new fusion of percussion and violin as Kristin Lee and Sandbox Percussion perform the DMV premiere of a new work by Vivian Fung, co-commissioned by Constellations at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville, MD. The collaboration highlights innovative sound textures and dynamic interplay between violin and percussion. Expect bold instrumentation, theatrical spatial design, and sonic exploration that pushes the boundaries of chamber music. General admission is $25; $10 for students with ID. constellationsmusic.org/event-details/sandbox-kristin-lee.

“Hexagov 2026: Lollapalosers” at the Atlas
Washington’s Only Original Political Satirical Musical Comedy Revue returns for its 70th year with more original songs and skits with its usual serving of political zing. They spare no side but aim at both with wit and originality. Join them for a night (or afternoon) guffawing at political slime.
“Hexagov 2026: Lollapalosers” is at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, from April 17 to 26. Tickets are $44.75. atlasarts.org.
On Saturday, April 25, 7 to 10 p.m. (rain or shine), at Nat’s Park, sip and swirl over 100 wines, bubblies and cocktails from around the globe, feast on local food truck flavors, and dance the night away overlooking the iconic Nationals Park field. General admission is $75; early admission, $90; and VIP admission, $110. All guests must be at least 21 to attend. mlb. com/nationals/tickets/events/uncorked.

“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” at
Tortured by his bland and conservative life, Dr. Henry Jekyll concocts a mixture that can transform his physical being, unleash his suppressed yearnings for depravity and evil, and return to his old self whenever he wishes. But when an unknown protégée is named as the beneficiary of his will, inheriting his entire estate in case of his “death or disappearance,” his oldest friend suspects nefarious intentions and determines to uncover the identity of one Mr. Edward Hyde. DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW, through April 26. Tickets are $39.19. dcartscenter.org.





by Elizabeth O’Gorek

Bob Vernon* has been fishing the Potomac River for more than 60 years. His father brought him out as a child; later, he brought his own kids. Now retired, he still sets up along the Tidal Basin, toting a lunch, hoping to pull a bass from the water as they chase the shad. (He asked us not to use his real name, as he does not have a current fishing license. DOEE does not require residents older than 65 to purchase one.)
He’s not especially alarmed by the recent sewage spill. “In the seventies,” he said, “the river was full of worse things than s***.”
Vernon doesn’t eat what he catches—“I’m not goin’ in there, and they’re not goin’ in me,” he said—but he keeps fishing. For him, the river’s long arc matters. He remembers when his dad ate what he caught, and when
the Potomac stunk—when President Lyndon Johnson called it a “national disgrace.” It is cleaner now, he said, despite the spill.
That long view helps explain the mood on the river this spring. People are wary, but not panicked.
After weeks of warnings, DC Health lifted its recreational advisory on March 2, saying testing showed bacteria levels had returned to safe ranges for boating, kayaking, fishing and other uses. DOEE has said DC’s drinking water was never affected, and DC Water restored full flow to the Potomac Interceptor by midMarch. Maryland and Virginia followed by lifting advisories downstream.
So, is the Potomac safe for summer? Based on current data, DOEE says largely yes for activities like rowing, paddling, boating and fishing. But “safe” comes with caveats.
Swimming has been illegal in DC since 1971. Agencies continue to monitor water quality and shoreline contamination near the collapse site. Federal oversight remains high, with EPA taking daily samples near the break.
Even now, confidence in the river depends as much on perception as on science. For Captain Tim Blanchard, who runs a fishing and river tour business on the Potomac (fishthepotomac.com), the biggest damage wasn’t in the water, but in the media.
“The headlines have stuck around a lot longer than the sewage did,” he said.
Blanchard said business slowed sharply after the spill—not because conditions remained dangerous, but because customers stayed away.
“It’s because of the coverage of the spill. It’s because of the stigma,” he said.

“The spill is a warning, ... When critical infrastructure maintenance is delayed, when investments lag, the consequences are devastating.”
That perception has been slow to lift, even as conditions improved. Spring is typically peak season for fishing guides, coinciding with the annual shad run, which draws anglers to the river. This year, Blanchard said, the return has been gradual.
He is careful not to minimize ecological damage, particularly near the spill site. But for his customers, his message is simple: “The water [is] safe. It’s safe to fish. We’re still running our programs.” All but the final week of their kid’s summer camp have sold out, he said.
The divide—between localized ecological harm and broader river recovery—sits at the center of the region’s response.
The spill itself was massive. When the Potomac Interceptor, a 72-inch sewer line carrying tens of millions of gallons of wastewater daily, collapsed in January, an estimated 200+ million gallons of untreated sewage entered the river—one of the largest sewage releases in U.S. history.
And yet, in one crucial respect, the region got lucky. The rupture occurred downstream of the Washington Aqueduct’s primary intake at Great Falls, which supplies drinking water to the District. DOEE emphasized that “DC drinking water has not been impacted,” because contamination moved away from, not toward, the intake. The Army Corps of Engineers kept the Little Falls intake offline as a precaution.
The contamination quickly drew federal attention. The White House directed EPA to coordinate
the response, and the agency later took over daily monitoring near the site. What might otherwise have been a regional infrastructure failure became a matter of national concern because the Potomac is the capital’s only drinking water source.
Timing also worked in the region’s favor. Potomac Conservancy President Hedrick Belin warned early on that if the spill had occurred later in the year, during peak recreation season, “E. coli contamination could have effectively shut down large stretches of the river.” Instead, the spill hit in January, when use is low.
Still, environmental groups caution against declaring victory in testimony before the DC Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment.
“Monitoring must continue through seasonal change to ensure the river is genuinely safe, not merely assumed to be,” Chris Weiss, Director of the DC Environmental Network, told Council.
DOEE Director Richard Jackson said that while testing showed E. coli levels below recreational thresholds by early February, the agency would continue monitoring long-term impacts to “fish, wildlife, and the river.”
Conservation groups have called for multi-year ecological monitoring of bacteria, plant and animal life, warning that “the true ecological impacts of a spill of

this magnitude will only become clear” over time. Nutrients released into the river could later lead to algal blooms and dead zones.
The Potomac Conservancy has also framed the incident as a failure of infrastructure and accountability— not just an environmental event. “Containment is not accountability,” Belin told Council. “The ecological harm is significant, but so is the damage to the public trust.”
In blog posts and public statements, the group emphasized that aging systems, limited redundancy and unclear oversight create ongoing risk in a region that depends heavily on a single river for drinking water.
Others have been more blunt. Potomac Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks described the spill as a “gut punch,” and a public health and environmental emergency, noting extreme bacterial levels near the site and warning that the river supports not just recreation but livelihoods and subsistence fishing.
Unlike Vernon, a recreational fisherman, Naujoks said those who earn their living from the water fear for their livelihoods.
“I’ve talked to watermen who are terrified,” he said. “We pull about three million tons of blue cats out of the river every year… They’re terrified that nobody is going to take their fish.”
The fallout is now moving into court. A class-action lawsuit filed in March alleges DC Water failed to maintain and monitor the interceptor adequately, seeking damages for contamination and economic losses to vessel, business and landowners along the shoreline.
The District was lucky that the sewage flowed away from its drinking water intake. Lucky that protective measures at the Aqueduct worked. Lucky that the spill came in winter, not spring. Lucky that testing showed relatively quick improvement.
But “lucky” is not the same as “secure,” river advocates warn.
“The spill is a warning,” Belin said March 2 at the council hearing. “When critical infrastructure maintenance is delayed, when investments lag, the consequences are devastating.”
The spill released an enormous volume of untreated sewage into a defining regional waterway and underscored a deeper reality: the capital of the United States relies on a single river system and aging infrastructure that, when it fails, raises not just environmental concerns, but questions about resilience and preparedness.
Summer may well be safe. But recovering the Potomac River—and more importantly, the public’s trust—may take much longer.
For more information on DOEE’s testing data, visit doee.dc.gov. For DC Health’s advisories, visit doh.dc.gov. For DC Water’s progress on the Potomac Interceptor repair, visit dcwater.com. u

by Catherine Plume
Frustrated by the cost of your recent electric and gas bills? Wondering how to cut costs besides turning down your heat or turning off your AC? The good news is that DC still offers a variety of cost-cutting energy programs—for both homeowners and renters.
But, first, why are our energy bills so high? Certainly, the war in the Middle East is causing oil prices to rise, and that increase trickles down to all energy production. But in DC, energy increases started long before March 2026. A January 7, 2026 Axios article (https://www. axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/07/why-dcutility-bills-are-rising-again-this-winter) notes that from 2020 to 2025, DC electricity prices increased 93 percent, a larger increase than anywhere else in the United States and points to a perfect storm of causes for these spikes: rate hike approvals from DC’s Public Service Commission; the prevalence of huge data centers that are driving up utility costs across the region, DC’s small geographic area that limits its ability to expand and diversify energy production, and the extended cold weather in January and February.
Gas bills meanwhile, have increased approximately 6 percent annually since 2014, even though the typical DC residential gas customer uses 30 percent less
gas today than in 2014. These rate increases were determined by DC’s Public Service Commission (PSC) which reports to the mayor while the DC Council, through its Committee on Business and Economic Development, sets the Commission’s statutory framework and holds annual performance and oversight hearings. From 2017 through early January 2026, Councilmember At-Large Kenyan McDuffie led the District’s PSC oversight. With CM McDuffie’s recent resignation from the Council in January, Ward 6 CM Charles Allen now heads this committee.
So, what can you—as a homeowner, renter, or apartment dweller—do to reduce your energy costs?


While federal incentives for solar have been eliminated, installing solar panels on your home makes more sense in DC than in any other state or municipality in the US. DC still offers a wide variety of solar programs—for homeowners and renters. DC’s Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE) is your first stop for solar options (https:// doee.dc.gov/service/solardistrict) while Solar United Neighbors (https://solarunitedneighbors.org/locations/ dc/) also has some excellent guidance on solar energy for homeowners and renters including information on how to identify a reputable solar installation company.
DOEE has teamed up with EnergySage (https://www.energysage.com/landing/homesolar/p/dc_doee/?utm_ medium=Partner&utm_ source=The_District_Department_of_Energy_and_ Environment) to help District
residents and businesses make the switch to solar energy by installing solar panels on their property or subscribing to a local community solar farm. The amount of solar energy you’ll be able to produce through a rooftop solar array will depend on how much sun reaches your roof and the weather. During some months, your array may produce more energy than you use and produce Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs). These SRECs can be sold and help offset the cost of your solar installation.
When installing a solar array on your home, one of the first questions you’ll be asked is whether you want to own your panels or lease them. Leasing panels means that you’ll pay significantly less installation costs as the installer (or some other party) will receive money from the sale of the SRECs produced through your system. Revolution Solar has been installing solar arrays on DC homes and businesses since 2017. Matthew Young, CEO of Revolution notes, “The average DC home will carry a 10 KW system that will cost approximately $30,000. If you opt to purchase your system versus leasing it, income from your SREC production coupled with your reduction in electricity costs from your solar energy production means that you can break even on your solar investment in six years.” But, regardless of whether you own or lease your solar array, you’ll see a significant re-
duction in your electric bill with the solar energy your system produces. In the case of this writer, during 2025, for four months, with our solar array alone (not counting SRECs we earned) we paid only $7.65 per month for our electricity bill (the Pepco delivery fee) while our bill for four other months was less than $20 per month. Those bills made our January 2026 bill, when our panels were covered in snow and not producing energy, a bit easier to swallow.
If you’re a renter, don’t have a solar-compatible roof, or you prefer not to install equipment on your property,
ty throughout the grid. Pepco will apply bill credits to your monthly bill, reducing your charges. Community Solar subscribers see their electric bills reduced by 5-20 percent. DC o ers other solar programs as well. Some residents qualify for DOEE’s Solar for All program that provides free energy to low- to moderate- income households. Participants must meet below average income criteria and can participate in Solar for All through single family solar or community solar programs.

you can still power your home with solar by subscribing to a community solar project or solar farm (see https://www. energysage.com/community-solar/).
Thanks to virtual net metering (VNM), purchasing community solar is seamless and you’ll pay for it through your Pepco bill. The energy for your home will still ow through your existing Pepco system, and Pepco will distribute the amount of energy credits you purchase from the farm in the form of electrici-




If you’re looking beyond solar to reduce your energy costs, the DC Sustainable Energy Utility https:// www.dcseu.com/residential-rebates/electrify) o ers a wide array of rebates for the purchase or installation of more energy e cient appliances, electric panels, heat pumps and more for DC residents and businesses. For more than 15 years, the DCSEU has helped District residents’ lower energy costs. Ben Burdick, the DCSEU Managing Director notes, “We’ve helped DC residents save some $2.2 billion in lifetime cost savings, including more than $120 million through residential rebates for energy e cient lighting and appliances and home electri cation upgrades. Older household equipment—refrigerators, clogged dryers, and boilers can become major energy drains, driving up utility bills. We o er a range of programs designed to o set the cost of replacing these appliances with more e cient electric models, many of which are available regardless of household income.”
So let some solar sunshine in and think about upgrading some of those older appliances. It may make your next utility bill just a little easier to weather.
Catherine Plume is a lifelong environmentalist, a writer and dog lover. Follow her on Instagram @DC_Recycler ◆












by Sarah Payne
Representatives from the District Office of Planning (OP) briefed commissioners on the District’s vision for the new RFK campus through discussion of the RFK Redevelopment Master Plan. The District’s Master Plans guide the transformation of large sites into mixed-use areas by shaping design, space and connectivity through community input and collaboration with agency partners.
Community Planner and Deputy Project Manager for the RFK Master Plan Diamond Thompson-Smith said the OP is currently developing plan guidelines for RFK and anticipates releasing a draft for public comment this summer. The agency plans to host community engagement events, including inperson open houses and virtual opportunities, to ensure they are “hearing from an array of perspectives and getting as much community input as possible,” Thompson-Smith said.
The scope of the Master Plan drew questions from commissioners. Chair Brian Alcorn raised concern about the roads, businesses and residential areas surrounding the project given that “the nature of the neighborhood is going to change drastically in such a short period of time” as a result of the project. He questioned if the plan will extend outside the development’s 180 acre plot to consider the transportation inequities and connectivity in nearby communities.
“We as a commission are trying to learn a little bit more about the process, but also want to calibrate where our advocacy should be, particularly as it relates to pulling all of the different disparate pieces together that are intended to support the stadium,” Alcorn said.
While the plan primarily focuses on the site itself, the agency plans to “look at census tracts around the study area to understand the demographic makeup of residents, understand neighborhood conditions and the needs and priorities from a data and a research perspective and supplement [the findings] with [feedback] directly from residents and communities to our engagement,” according to Associate Director of Neighborhood Planning Heba ElGawish.
Access to East Capitol Street SE, which currently allows drivers to go around the stadium site to access other roads and nearby residential neighborhoods, was of particular concern for community member Francis Campbell. “No one has been able to address how we are going to access our homes,” Campbell said. “You have not talked about how we are going to access what we presently access by being able to come around the stadium on East Capitol Street.”
The large size and scope of the site will create several new parcels and blocks, according to ElGawish. She said the “Master Plan” will examine the streets to “improve, increase and enhance connections” both within the site and in the adjacent neighborhoods.
Alcorn emphasized the importance of focused engagement from the many “probably well-intentioned, but seemingly not well coordinated stakeholders” involved with the project to collaborate on solutions to these issues. The commission voted to send a letter to the OP, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the Washington Commanders the DC Council Committee on Transportation and Environment and the National Capital Planning Commission urging inter-agency coordination and calibration on transportation planning and to request public meeting for community members to engage directly with project stakeholders and share feedback about the RFK redevelopment.
The commission voted to:
• request that the Department of Public Works (DPW) post “No Parking Anytime” signs in the east-west alley behind The Bell Apartments along the 1700 block of East Capitol Street SE;
• send a letter to the Mayor’s Office of Special Events of the District Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) expressing support for the 45th Capitol Classic race on May 17;
• request DDOT’s engagement and action to re-grade a portion of the alley system in Square 1069 (bounded by A Street, 15th Street, Constitution Avenue and 16th Street NE) to remediate water drainage issues;
• request that DDOT install an automated traffic signal at the intersection of 16th Street NE and East Capitol Street NE.
Commissioners Joshua Taborn (7D01, vice chair), Artilie Wright (7D03), Katie Murphy (7D04), Ebony Payne (7D05), Dominic Pacheco (7D06, secretary), Brett Astmann (7D07, treasurer), Brian Alcorn (7D08, chair), Ashley Schapitl (7D09) and Dev Myers (7D10) were in attendance at the ANC 7D commission meeting on Tuesday, March 10. 7D02 remains vacant.
ANC 7D will meet next on April 14, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. You can learn more about the commission and register to attend at www.7d0761.wixsite.com/anc7d-1.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com. u
by Elizabeth O’Gorek
US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro told Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6/8F that District law prevents her office from prosecuting most juveniles involved in disruptive “teen takeover” incidents, a growing concern in Navy Yard. Under current statutes, responsibility for juvenile cases largely falls to the DC Attorney General. Pirro said her office can only charge youth as adults in limited, serious cases such as homicide or armed offenses.
“I want them,” Pirro said of the teens involved in behavior that disrupts businesses and public safety. She called for changes that would allow her office to prosecute younger offenders more broadly, rejecting the District’s emphasis on rehabilitation in family court.
Pirro also credited a federal law enforcement surge launched in August 2025 with reducing crime, citing declines in homicides and other offenses. She said federal authorities have made thousands of arrests and removed large numbers of illegal firearms, though some figures were not independently verified.
Her remarks drew pushback from commissioners, who questioned both her data and her role in local enforcement. Concerns were raised about data transparency, civil liberties and the presence of federal officers in the city.
The exchange underscored a broader policy moment for the District. The emergency youth curfew is set to expire on April 14. At publication time, the DC Council appears unlikely to extend it.
Speaking after Pirro’s remarks, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officials described their efforts to monitor social media, coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions and then deploy officers to anticipated gatherings. Commissioners responded with visible frustration. The gatherings have persisted for more than a year, and they are questioning whether current strategies are effective, they said.
There was no vote on the matter.

At-Large Councilmember Doni Crawford (I) appeared to solicit community input ahead of the FY26 budget process, describing a projected $1.1 billion gap across FY26 and FY27 and a roughly 70day timeline for council action.
Crawford also addressed uncertainty around the District’s tax “decoupling” legislation, noting the Chief Financial Officer has held approximately $250 million in reserve pending legal clarity.
That uncertainty, combined with reduced federal funding, is expected to shape difficult budget decisions.
Continuing their focus on youth and public safety, commissioners emphasized the need for preventative investments, particularly in expanded out-ofschool-time programming, youth mental health services and long-term, permanent funding to replace pandemic-era supports, particularly in youth programming.
Crawford pointed to the community schools model as one approach that integrates academic instruction with social services such as food access, counseling and housing support.
At the same time, commissioners raised concerns about enforcement resources, including MPD staffing levels and prior grant-funded security programs that supplemented police presence in busy corridors.
In a separate motion, ANC 6/8F voted unanimously to extend a formal request to MPD for an emergency four-day extended juvenile curfew zone in Navy Yard from March 27 to 30. They also voted unanimously to ask them to extend the curfew through April 15, or at a minimum to include coverage of April Fool’s Day, which commissioners identified as a highrisk date.
Commissioners said they do not consider the curfew a permanent solution but said it remains the only available shortterm tool. “I am begging for some type of solution before it gets out of hand,” Commissioner Bryant added, “and someone ends up dead.”
District staff also presented updates on the Traffic Operations Parking Plan (TOPP), which is the traffic and parking plan for events at Nationals Park, Audi Field, Capitol One Arena. District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Communications Manager Kelly JeongOlson presented on the plan and the 2026 website (topp.dc.gov), a centralized online portal for feedback on game-day and event traffic impacts.
Key changes for 2026 include an expanded resident access placard zone, updated and clarified MPD and Traffic Control Officer (TCO) Maps. The primary focus, Jeong-Olson said, is improving the efficiency and enforcement of TOPP rather than redesigning the plan. Enforcement remains a problem, she said, and encouraged ANC and DC Council support a budget for more DPW staff, which she identified as the greatest limitation.
The ANC unanimously voted to send a resolution to DDOT requesting a monthly TOPP check-in from April through October with DDOT, the ANC and other stakeholders.
Commissioners voted to:
• approve a letter of support to the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) for a stipulated license for DC Tackle Shop (301 Water St. SE, rear) in pursuit of a Settlement Agreement (SA) for the full license.
• approve a letter of support to ABCA for a stipulated license and streetery endorsement for Tap 99 (1250 Half St. SE) to avoid a gap in the ability to operate the outdoor space due to the city’s re-application requirement.
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6/8F met in person and online for the March business meeting on March 24. On the dais were Commissioners Nic Wilson (6/8F01), Vice Chair Markita Bryant (6/8F02), Chair Brian Strege (6/8F03), Secretary Edward Daniels (6/8F04) and Dan Reynolds (6/8F05).
The next business meeting of ANC 6/8F takes place over Zoom and in person at DDOT Headquarters (250 M St. SE) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 28. Residents can find details on how to join and learn more about the commission at anc8f.org. u
Representing
Capitol Hill/Hill East, Eastland Gardens, Kenilworth, Kingman Park, Mayfair, Parkside, River Terrace and Rosedale neighborhoods and
Virtual Login: https://dc-gov.zoom.us/j/82241
895770?pwd=30xgxP1oqOWhDHUuXw1vbrC1 rYieSe.1 and enter password: anc7d

Brian Alcorn, Chairperson 7D08 – Capitol Hill 7d08@anc.dc.gov
Josh Taborn, Vice Chair 7D01 – Eastland 7d01@anc.dc.gov Gardens/Kenilworth
Brett Astmann, Treasurer 7D07 – Rosedale 7d07@anc.dc.gov
Dom Pacheco, Secretary 7D06 – Rosedale 7d06@anc.dc.gov
Artilie Wright 7D03 – Parkside 7d03@anc.dc.gov
Katie Murphy 7D04 – River Terrace 7d04@anc.dc.gov
Ebony Payne 7D05 – Kingman Park 7d05@anc.dc.gov
Ashley Schapitl 7D09 – Hill East 7d09@anc.dc.gov
Vacant SMD 7D02 – Mayfair 7d02@anc.dc.gov
Dev Myers 7D10 – Hill East 7d10@anc.dc.gov



On Saturday, May 16, 2 to 6 p.m., the 11th Street Bridge Park and National Park Service present the 12th annual Anacostia River Festival, a free, family-friendly event at Anacostia Park. Activities include mindfulness and movement, art projects, shing workshops, nature exploration, pickleball, STEAM labs, games and more. Performances feature The Washington Ballet, Union Temple Church Choir and Chief Rocka. Water activity waivers are required and available at the River Activities tent. All activities are free. buildingbridgesdc.org/arf.
Ribbon Cut on Anacostia Recreation Center at Ketcham
On Feb. 28, Mayor Bowser joined District leaders and community members to open the new Anacostia Recreation Center at Ketcham, 1929 15th St. SE. The 15,000-squarefoot facility is a major investment in youth, families and community wellness in Ward 8. It features a gymnasium, tness room, kitchen, multipurpose rooms and lounge. Exterior improvements will include covered seating, an entry plaza, playgrounds, lighting, a grass eld and walking/running path. dpr.dc.gov.
On Saturday, May 9, 7 to 11 p.m., the Mother’s Day Celebration returns as part of a city-to-city concert series. The DC stop at CareFirst Arena, 1100 Oak Dr. SE, features Eddie Levert, Jokia, The Group Fire, Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Kim Burrell, Maurette Brown Clark and John P. Kee. Tickets start at $79. care rstarena.com.
On March 24, HRA opened its Community Veterinary Clinic at the Frederick Douglass Patterson Pet Resource Center, 2301 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. The clinic expands access to a ordable veterinary care and resources for pet owners in Wards 7 and 8—areas long lacking such ser-
vices. It lls a critical gap for Southeast DC families and their animals. humanerescuealliance.zendesk.com.
Launched Building Intergenerational Wealth East of the River
Seed to Storefront, launched by WACIF, the DC Bar Pro Bono Center and Building Bridges Across the River, aims to strengthen small businesses east of the Anacostia River and build intergenerational wealth. The 12-month pilot o ers entrepreneurs free technical assistance, legal support, access to capital and reduced rent opportunities. Backed by a $500,000 Wells Fargo Foundation grant, the program helps remove barriers and support long-term business growth. Contact Scott Kratz at skratz@thearcdc.org.
On April 9, construction began on The Waymark, 4435 Benning Rd. NE, a 109-unit a ordable housing community in Ward 7. The development includes studio to three-bedroom units for residents earning 30% to 80% of area median income, with 22 units designated for Permanent Supportive Housing. Amenities include a courtyard, tness center, bike parking, business center and playground, with access to nearby retail, schools and transit.
On Sunday, April 19, 1 to 4 p.m., join a free hands-on certi cation course at Francis A. Gregory Library, 3660 Alabama Ave. SE. Participants will learn CPR, rst aid and AED use. The class takes place in the Large

Meeting Room (2nd oor). Registration is required; no walk-ins. Register at nzinga.coursestorm.com.
On Tuesdays, 6 to 7:30 p.m., join a conversational Spanish class at Francis A. Gregory Library. This interactive program welcomes all levels and focuses on real-life speaking practice to build con dence and vocabulary in a supportive setting. dclibrary.org.
On Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., attend a community townhall at Shaw Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW, to learn about ranked choice voting (RCV). Sessions at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. include presentations, Q&A and handson practice. Beginning with the June 2026 elections, RCV will apply to eligible contests with three or more candidates. Voters may rank up to ve candidates. Learn more at dcboe.org/RCV.
On Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday at the Folger, 201 E. Capitol St. SE. Enjoy family-friendly activities including stage combat


On Friday, May 15, join Bike to Work at more than 100 pit stops across DC, MD and VA. The first 18,000 participants receive a free T-shirt. Enjoy giveaways, food and drinks while supplies last. Most pit stops are in the morning, with some in the afternoon. Free registration: biketoworkmetrodc.org/ register.

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





DC Open Doors
homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia.
DC Open Doors
DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust
homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia
DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in the city. This program offers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on first trust mortgages.You are not required to be a first-time homebuyer or a D.C. resident to qualify for DCOD. You must, however, be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia.
DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia
HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.
HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.
HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.
years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to
years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to
years or older who have fallen behind on insurance and tax payments as a result of their reverse mortgage. Quali ed District homeowners can receive up to
DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is offered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District governmentbased instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower’s employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.
DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.
DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.
COVID-19
COVID-19
DC4ME provides mortgage assistance with optional down payment assistance to D.C. government employees. DC4ME is o ered to current full-time District government employees, including employees of District government-based instrumentalities, independent agencies, D.C. Public Charter Schools, and organizations, provided the applicant/borrower's employer falls under the oversight of the Council of the District of Columbia.
DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.
COVID-19
DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.
The DC4ME VA Loan Product is a VA mortgage product offered by the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA). In addition to the traditional VA benefits, like no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance, this product includes 3% assistance, funded by DCHFA, that can be used toward eligible closing costs or prepaid items. This makes the DC4ME VA Loan Product one of the most affordable and accessible loan options for qualified military-connected borrowers.
DC MAP COVID-19 provides nancial assistance to those a ected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quali ed borrowers can receive a loan of up to $5,000 per month to put toward their mortgage for up to six months.

Changing Hands is a list of residential sales in Capitol Hill and contiguous neighborhoods from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIS, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, Associate Broker at Coldwell Banker Realty on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.
On Saturday, May 9 (rain or shine), 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., New Samaritan Baptist Church and Capital Community News will host a Mother’s Day Diaper Drive at the church (drive-thru or walk-up), 1100 Florida Ave. NE. Donations of diapers, pullups and wipes are requested. It costs about $1,200 to diaper a baby in our region for one year. Diapers are more than a basic need—they keep babies clean, healthy and dry, and allow caregivers to send children to daycare so they can work or attend school. Donations benefit the Greater DC Diaper Bank, which serves more than 40,000 vulnerable families annually through 80+ social service partners. greaterdcdiaperbank.org.
demos, ruff-making, face painting, a sonnet contest and printing press demonstrations. Visitors can explore galleries and the Reading Room. The day concludes with cupcakes and a group singalong. folger.edu.
The Potomac Water Taxi has resumed service between The Wharf and Old Town Alexandria. Departures from Transit Pier, 950 Wharf St. SW, begin at 11:45 a.m., with boats running every 30 to 60 minutes. Tickets and schedules
Madison Scott, 2025

The Mystics
Home to the Mystics since 2019, CareFirst Arena, 1100 Oak Dr. SE, offers an intimate 4,200-seat venue and strong home-court advantage, helping secure the team’s 2019 WNBA Championship. The arena is now cashless; all purchases require electronic payment. May/June schedule: May 10 vs. NY Liberty; May 29 vs. LA Sparks; June 2 vs. Chicago Sky; June 8 vs. Indiana Fever; June 12 vs. Toronto; June 24 vs. Minnesota Lynx; June 28 vs. Portland. Tickets start at $74. carefirstarena.com.
are available at cityexperiences. com/washington-dc or onsite.
On Sunday, April 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 600 Howard Rd. SE, join Art to Go-Go for Blossom Block Sound Sessions: “Bloom, Balance & Breathe”—a morning dedicated to health, wellness, and community. Flow through a rejuvenating yoga session led by Charnal Chaney of BOLD Yoga. Then unwind with a hands-on Tea Blending Workshop by The Sweet Life of Tea. bit.ly/blossomblock-april12.
Community Forklift’s First Fridays, 5 to 8 p.m., return with themed evenings celebrating reuse and local partnerships. Each event includes live music, food trucks, drinks and warehouse discounts. Themes include: June 6, River Salvage & Cycle (cycling and sustainable transportation); Sept. 4, Old Homes (historic preservation and salvage); and Oct. 2, Horkus Forkus!, a Halloween-themed night of reuse. Community Forklift is at 4671 Tanglewood Dr., Edmonston, MD. communityforklift.org.
AARP DC, in partnership with Vision Zero, invites you to Golden Gears: E-Bike and Scooter Rides, a fun and beginner-friendly way to explore DC’s trails on two wheels. These rides are designed especially for adults 50+ and are open to riders of all experience levels. Thanks to their collaborators Lime and Capital Bikeshare, participants will have free access to shared e-bikes and scooters while enjoying a guided, relaxed ride along some of DC’s most scenic trails. Upcoming rides are: Friday, April 17, 10 a.m., the Metropolitan Branch Trail and Alethia Tanner Park in NE (tinyurl.com/April 17) and Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. Anacostia Trail and Anacostia Park (tinyurl.com/May 16VZride). Advance registration is required and space is limited. For any questions related to registration, email Renee Moore, Special Assistant at the Mayor’s Vision Zero Office at renee.moore@dc.gov.
FurnishHopeDC helps residents of Wards 7 and 8 furnish their homes, supporting families in breaking cycles of poverty. The nonprofit provides beds, furniture and essential household items, including delivery—critical for those without transportation. Learn more at furnishhopedc.org.
Do you have a notice for the Bulletin Board? Send event notices, volunteer opportunities and community news to bulletinboard@hillrag.com. u

by Matthew McClure
Emancipation Day falls on April 16, and perhaps more than ever before we’re collectively contemplating what freedom really means. This month’s column looks to theater that wrestles with liberation, whether it’s Tennessee Williams’s Blanche Dubois struggling to free herself from debilitating guilt, a young Civil Rights activist dedicating his life to the fight for freedom or simply freeing oneself from reality for a few blissful minutes amidst the affluence of a Sicilian luxury resort.
In the Spotlight
“Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest”
Mosaic Theater Company
Showing March 26 – May 4 www.mosaictheater.org
From one of DC’s hottest playwrights and Mosaic Theater Company’s artist in residence comes a new work uncannily appropriate for our current moment. Psalmayene 24’s “Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest” is a musical play set to a hip-hop soundtrack about the early life of John Lewis, and it turns out that the late Civil Rights icon, congressman and activist still has something important to tell us more than five years after his death. Originally commissioned by Matt Torney of Atlanta’s Theatrical Outfit, the musical is directed for Mosaic Theater Company by Reginald Douglas with a soundtrack by Grammy-nominated Kokayi. It stars Michael Bahsil-Cook as John Lewis, Christian Emmanuel as Emmett Till, Jordan Essex as Bayard Rustin, Vaughn Midder as Medgar Evers and Nia Savoy-Dock as Diane Nash.


eral enforcement of non-segregated public buses? Lewis was there. The March on Washington in 1963? Lewis was the youngest of the so-called “Big Six” that organized the march and he locked step with the Reverend Dr Martin Luther-King Jr and Bayard Rustin. The Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965? Yes, Lewis was there.
“As I did the research, I found out that this was the period in John’s life where he became the myth that we know now,” Psalm says, explaining why he decided to focus on Lewis’s formative years from age 18 to 28. “These were the events that chiseled him into the monument that we revere today.” Hailing from a family of Alabama sharecroppers, Lewis is a towering figure in the Civil Rights movement. Name an event that changed the course of the movement, and the chances are that Lewis was present. The freedom rides down to the South to challenge Fed-
Lewis’s emphasis on peaceful protest and using the body as a tool for social change has become a guiding light for subsequent movements. Psalm’s musical draws an intriguing parallel between the youthful energy of young Civil Rights activists and the upbeat tones and rhythms of early 1970s Hip-hop. “We didn’t quite know if it would be a musical or a play with music,” says Psalm. “But we made the decision that music would feature prominently in the piece because music was woven into the fabric of the struggle.” Hip-hop, as Psalm reminds us, “…had the seeds of resistance, revolt and social change. Hip-hop came from rebelling against social conditions.”
“Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest” asks us to consider what it means to put your principles ahead of yourself. “John Lewis was always willing to do what needed to be done. It’s that willingness to do whatever it takes and divorce that from ego, that’s what it means to be a prodigy.”
“Much Ado About Nothing” Faction of Fools
Showing April 9 – May 2 www.factionoffools.org
Your favorite faction of fools at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop presents a delightful amalgamation of classical
Renaissance artforms for their 17th “Getaway” season this spring. Director Natalie Cutcher’s “Much Ado About Nothing” blends William Shakespeare’s late 16th century text with liberal helpings of the Fools’ signature Commedia dell’arte, presenting us with a much-needed vacation from our daily travails.
Taking place amidst the opulence of a luxury hotel perched on the Sicilian cli s (references here to The White Lotus season two are welcomed), Danny Cackley, Francesca Chilcote, Lorenzo Miguel, Mary Myers, Matthew Pauli and Jasmine Proctor assume the roles of Don Pedro, Leonato, Claudio, Benedick and his amore Beatrice, the roguish Don John, Hero and assorted other characters that populate one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. Double entendres, scandal, deceit, unrequited love and a disastrous wedding all combine with a lavish set by Johnny Weissgerber and resort wear by Cidney Forkpah for what co-artistic director Kathryn Zoerb calls “a really lovely night at the theater.”
And don’t worry. Unlike White Lotus season two, there’s a happy ending.
“A Streetcar Named Desire” The Streetcar Project Showing April 20 – May 4 www.thestreetcarproject.com
In 1947, a play by Tennessee Williams opened on Broadway that debuted two virtually unknown actors at the time. Marlon Brando and Jessica Tandy were Stanley Kowalski and Blanche Dubois in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” a steamy tale of a fallen southern belle eeing a sordid past, her browbeaten sister and a truculent, poker playing travelling salesman all crammed into a tiny apartment near New Orleans’s “Desire” streetcar line.
Williams’s play – which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1948 – is peppered with the characters we’ve come to love from a playwright whose work re ects his own colorful life. It’s also been widely performed and adapted over its almost 80-year history, with Blanche, her sister Stella, Stanley and Blanche’s illfated love interest Mitch all appearing in
(Continued on page 29)



by Phil Pannell
The recent incidents involving large gatherings of non-resident adolescents in the Navy Yard neighborhood have resulted in several community leaders saying that adults need to come up with more positive activities for youths. It is clear that the activities provided by the schools and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation need to be supplemented.
Recently the Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC) invited teenage members of the Children’s Legacy Theatre (CLT) to experience the musical “Chez Joey” at Arena Stage. CLT is a non-pro t organization dedicated to nurturing the artistic talents of young people living in Washington, D.C.’s Ward 7 and Ward 8. CLT o ers a wide range of departments, including acting, dance, directing, stage management, costume design, prop and set design, sound and lighting, public relations, and marketing, as well as administration and hospitality. For information about CLT, visit childrenslegacytheatre8.org.
ACC challenges other nonprofit organizations to provide different opportunities for our youths. Here are reactions of some of ACC’s young guests to their theatrical experience.


A Great Experience
I just wanted to say thank you so much for having us at Arena Stage. I truly enjoyed my time watching the play it was such a wonderful experience. The performance, atmosphere, and overall production were incredible. I really appreciate all the work that went into making it so special! Thanks again, and I look forward to coming back in the future.
Emmanuel Akinnubi, 16, Ward 8, Homeschool
Black Excellence at Its Finest
This was an amazing experience for me and my rst time at the Arena Stage. “Chez Joey” has inspired me to come out of my comfort zone when it comes to acting. I’ve always been scared to do musicals, but now I really want to try and expand my acting experience. The play showed Black excellence at its nest and how we can make a great production.
Morris Washington, 15, Ward 8, Capitol City High School
An Amazing Performance
Chez Joey was a wonderful show, and I really enjoyed watching it. The acting made me feel fully immersed in the story and kept me engaged the entire time. From the lighting and dancing to the singing, every part came together to create an amazing performance!
Talise Green, 15, Ward 8, Bard Early College High School
Astonishing!
Being able to attend Chez Joe Musical was astonishing. This is experience strengthened my love of theater and encourages me to pursue acting further. The actors and dancers was amazing and super nice.
Arionna Davis, 18, Ward 8, Bard Early College High School
So Exciting to Meet the Cast
I was extremely impressed with the musical numbers and how the cast emotions came out through the music. It was extremely exciting to meet the cast. They were very inspirational in my journey to become an actress. Thank you to Children’s Legacy Theatre and Arena Stage for giving us this opportunity to see Chez Joey.



Jai’Lynn GreenParker, 15, Bard Early College High School
I Am Inspired
I really liked the choreography that was in the play. I loved how the main character Joey Evans moved with the beats. He was so smooth and confident when talking to the women. I really enjoyed the type of music that they used. I am inspired to go for what I want in life even if everyone is making up excuses on why I shouldn’t, and just keep moving forward towards my goal never looking back.



Austin Coleman, 16, Ward 7, Phelps ACE High School
My First In-Person Play
“Chez Joey” was the rst play I’ve ever seen in person. For this to be my rst experience, it was great! I really enjoyed the storyline, the acting as well as the music and dance. In the future, I hope to see more live plays.
Zaria Rush, 15, Ward 8, Bard Early College High School ◆
(Continued from page 27)
both feature and made-for-TV lms, TV series, an opera, several ballets and even a song by Sinéad O Connor. Perhaps it’s no surprise then that actor and director Nick Westrate along with Lucy Owen and Ryan Hill have formed a production company named “The Streetcar Project” inspired by the play, and that their touring production of “A Streetcar Named
play can be performed anywhere. No set and minimal props means that the raw talent of the ensemble of Owen, Brad Koed (Stanley), Mallory Portnoy (Stella) and James Russell (Mitch) truly sparkles, which was Owen’s intention all along. “Things felt so bleak for working class artists, getting to come back to one great play with four great actors has


Desire” has garnered rave reviews for its eight runs across the country over the last three years.
“The Streetcar Project,” explains Lucy Owen (who plays Blanche) was born during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic when Owen and her fellow actors saw their entire industry shut down virtually overnight. “As a way to reconnect with myself creatively, I picked up ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and contemplated my favorite part.” What started as a small gathering of actors and friends nding solace in Tennessee Williams’s work eventually became a fully realized production under the trusted directorship of Westrate, Owen’s creative partner and friend.
This interpretation of Williams’s
been galvanizing for us and I think for people that come to see it.”
Of course it’s wonderfully meta that we get to see the play performed at Dupont Underground, a performance and exhibition space that was once an old streetcar station. It’s also a joy to see a legendary piece of theater being eshed out by actors who’ve spent several years slowly digesting Williams’s words.
“Blanche Dubois is the smartest character that’s ever been written. She’s like a female Hamlet,” Westrate says. “I think that’s why this play is done repeatedly. It deals with the eternal questions of life and death, family and betrayal, love and desire.” ◆






by Matthew McClure




Despite what heavily edited, made-for-TV makeover shows would have you believe, there’s much more to transforming someone’s sense of style and con dence than glitzy, ten-minute fashion montages followed by gushy reveals. Dejeuné Harris, founder of personal styling service “Your Style Is Forever”, knows all about how hard this work really is because she’s been helping women present their best selves for more than ten years.
Harris, a DC native and graduate of Ballou High School, has lived an impressively full life for someone that’s only 35. She studied Fashion Merchandizing at UDC and Johnson & Wales and has worked at Burberry, Nordstrom and Banana Republic. She was personal assistant to style maven Tamara Lee (owner of Hush Boutique), started a fashion blog and bought her rst home in Deanwood at age 25—the rst in her immediate family to not only attend college but also buy a house. The joyful arrival of her son in 2012 precipitated a break from the fashion industry. Harris spent the next ten years working within DC’s social services network, nally leaving in 2023 to pursue fashion full-time and give all her attention to her business.
“I stepped out in faith. I wanted to do something that made me happy and that wasn’t within the constraints of what I should or shouldn’t do,” Harris says, explaining that having to move e ortlessly between the roles of mother, student, business owner and style advisor was the perfect preparation for helping other women do the same and look good while doing it.
“Being young and having a child, I was trying to navigate those things while still showing up and being a mom,” she said. Having spent time in cutthroat corporate environments, Harris knows how much harder it is for Black women to succeed in business because the pressure is so much greater. “I didn’t feel comfortable to speak out or be myself. There are a lot of high stakes decisions to be made and you’re being judged in a di erent way.”
That’s where Your Style Is Forever comes in. For more than a decade, Harris has been working with professional women across the DMV, helping them nurture self-esteem and con dence through considered fashion and styling choices that are often the result of many months of relationship-building and intimate styling consultations. “It’s emotional and personal. It’s therapeutic, says Harris. “I try to be a catalyst for what can happen. What I do is very intimate. We’re working together.”
Your Style Is Forever o ers three distinct services: The style rehab service (this is Harris’s signature service), the style diagnosis service (an on-
line-only service geared towards smaller style evaluations) and the top-to-toe style intensive service, recommended for women who spend most of their day at public-facing events.
Potential clients complete an online application form as the first step on their styling journey. Once this application is reviewed, an initial consultation is scheduled to decide which service is best suited to a client’s needs and a “Style Discovery” is then planned. This is when clients work closely with Harris to understand how style choices communicate identity to the world. A “closet audit” is included as part of determining how these choices are subsequently made. The audit happens either virtually or in person. This uniquely intimate process is how Harris says she ensures that her customers are making the best decisions for themselves. “After that, I do the sourcing, the shopping, we’ll do a fitting and identify if anything needs to be altered and how the items can be incorporated with what you already have.” Harris works within a budget that is set by her clients and follow-up sessions are included as part of the package to ensure integration of new items and looks is seamless.
Harris doesn’t advocate the bulk purchase of new clothing as a method of solving what she calls a style blockage. Often, the answer to the question of how you’d like to present yourself to the world is already in your closet. All you need is a fresh perspective. As a survivor of domestic violence and as a member of the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Survivor Advisory Board, Harris has incorporated some of the psychology and techniques she’s learned from domestic violence training and trauma therapy into her styling advice. Style blockages, she says, are often simply the result of past trauma and take time and commitment to unplug. “We go step by step and take it slow. At the end of the day, the client has the ultimate say or it won’t be sustainable.”
Thinking of scheduling a personal style consultation with Dejeuné Harris? Go to www.yourstyleisforever.com and fill in your application form. u

by Kathleen Donner

On Sunday, May 17, 2:30 p.m., at St. Mark’s, 301 A St. SE, in an original adaptation by musicologist and children’s book author Anna Harwell Celenza, Chiarina presents the story of Antonio Vivaldi, his extraordinary set of concerti The Four Seasons, and the young pupils in early 18th-century Venice who first performed the now-beloved work. Soloist Audrey Wright shines in this program that features the “Spring” concerto and other selections from the Seasons, with narration and visuals. It is best enjoyed by audience members aged five and up. Tickets are $23.18; free for ages eighteen and under. chiarina.org.
This summer, Shout Mouse Press, in partnership with the National Museum of Women in the Arts, will coach girls and gender-expansive young people of color to write and publish a collaborative graphic novel. This book development project is designed for ages 12 to 16, based in Washington, DC and surrounding communities, who are interested in writing about identity, belonging and growing up. Following a three-week in-person workshop this summer, participants will be part of developing the final publication and participate in a paid Author Talks program. The book will be published in Fall 2027, before being distributed to schools, libraries, bookstores, and readers nationwide. Applications are open through April 19. For more information and details on how to apply, visit shoutmousepress.org/nmwa-program-info.
In 1967, the Smithsonian Institution’s Secretary S. Dillon Ripley planned a series of festivities to make the National Mall more welcoming to all who visited Washington, DC and the Institution’s museums. A carousel was installed in front of the Arts & Industries Building to kick off the events. That summer, visitors to the National Mall attended concerts featuring the Institution’s antique instruments and the first Smithsonian Folklife Festival. In the fall, as the weather began to cool and festivities died down, the carousel remained. It was removed in 2023 for refurbishment and for updates to the surrounding infrastructure. A reopening ceremony is on April 23 and thereafter the carousel will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A ride costs $6. smithsonian.com/ carousel.

On Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., build big ideas with LEGO at the American Institute of Architects, 1735 New York Ave. NW. Join artist Richard Paules at AIA’s Global Campus for a fun, family workshop that brings the principles of architecture and engineering to life--one brick at a time. Recommended for age six and older. Group admission for up to five people is $55.20. Ticket sales end on April 16. aia.org.
Explore the outdoors with exciting nature hikes, treasure hunts, field trips, and creative challenges.




Full Day: 8:0 0 AM – 5:00 PM
Half Day: 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Half Day: 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
• Sibling Discount: 15% OFF (after the first child) • DCPS Employee/First Responder/Military Discount: 10% • Limited scholarship spaces are available, subject to eligibility. – Household income limit: $65,000 – Weekly camp rate: $280
























This summer, let your child unleash their imagination, explore new adventures, and create unforgettable memories! At Polite Piggy’s, we believe that fun is not just an activity — it’s an experience, and it starts with you!




Create masterpieces in art, science, theater, dance, and crafts while discovering new talents. Be…The Fun! Embrace your inner adventurer, make new friends, and enjoy endless laughter through games, performances, music, and wacky competitions!








On Saturday, May 9 (rain or shine), 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the New Samaritan Baptist Church and Capital Community News are conducting a Mother’s Day Diaper Drive at the New Samaritan Baptist Church (drive-thru or walk-up), 1100 Florida Ave. NE. They’re asking for donations of diapers, pullups and wipes. It costs $1,200 to diaper a baby in our region for one year, on average. The recipient of the tax-deductible donations of diapers, pullups and wipes, the Greater DC Diaper Bank, delivers diapers to over 40,000 vulnerable families in the metro area per year through a network of 80+ social service partners. greaterdcdiaperbank.org.

vor of language. (La bibliothèque de Shaw invite les enfants de 0 à 5 ans, accompagnés d'un adulte, à entrer dans un monde de divertissement et d’imagination. Rejoignez-nous! Join us!) dclibrary.org.
On Wednesday, April 22, 10:15 to 11 a.m., at Tudor Place, 1644 31st St. NW, early learners aged 18 months to four years old and their caregivers will learn about the Earth through the soil, the owers, plants and animals that inhabit the gardens. This program will be taught through group story time, garden exploration and a hands-on art project. $10 per child; accompanying adult, free. tudorplace.org.
On Mondays, April 6, 13, 20 and 27, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., join President Lincoln’s Cottage, 140 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW, to dance, wiggle, and sing together. Concerts will take place at their bandstand. $8 per ticket (including six months, up). lincolncottage.org.
In celebration of Earth Day, Asian elephant calf Linh Mai makes her public debut on April 22 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Since her birth on Feb. 2, the Elephant Community Center has been closed to provide a quiet space for Linh Mai to bond with her herdmates and the elephant care team. When she makes her public debut, she will also make her rst appearance on the Elephant Cam (nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams/elephants) enabling worldwide fans to stay connected and watch the calf socialize, play and learn. nationalzoo.si.edu.
On the rst Friday of every month, 10:30 to 11 a.m., the Shaw Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW, invites children from zero to ve, accompanied by an adult, to enter into a world of fun and make-believe. Through stories, songs and movement, children will be able to discover the joy of reading and savor the a-
National Children’s Museum announces its new Tinkerer-in-Residence, Chitra Sharma, a London-born printmaker and arts educator who has spent her career exploring the intersection of design, community, and creative joy. Sharma will lead a slate of handson programming for children, families, and educators throughout 2026. The residency program aims to spark inventive thinking and curiosity by connecting young learners with makers and creatives who celebrate innovation, problem-solving, and hands-on exploration. As a culmination of her residency, Sharma will create an inspiring installation showcasing the tinkering process and participate in Tinkerfest, a Museum-wide celebration of making and invention, in fall 2026. nationalchildrensmuseum.org.
On Sunday, April 12, prior to the start of the Cherry Blossom 5k, 9 to 11 a.m., at Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE, there is a children’s race. Participation is free for any child who has a parent, guardian, or friend registered for the 5k. Children may still participate, if no runners are registered, for a $5 fee. Registration for the children’s race is in the chapel the day of the race and a parent or guardian must sign a waiver. congressionalcemetery.org.
Inspire early childhood creativity during Art in the A.M. Children ages up to ve years and their caregivers are invited to the museum before hours to learn, connect, and create in the galleries. On Tuesday, April 14, 9 a.m., during this program, participants will explore the prize-winning artworks in the exhibition State Fairs: Growing American Craft, on view at the Renwick Gallery, Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th St. NW, then craft their own
fair-themed sensory bottles. Free. admission. Registration for this program closes on Monday, April 13 at noon. americanart.si.edu.
On Saturday, April 11, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in the Great Hall of the Thomas Je erson Building, second oor, discover how birds of all kinds show up in Library collections and the Thomas Je erson Building. Create your own bird and learn about ornithology, birdwatching and more from sta specialists and displays. Each Family Day includes a creative activity, connections to Library of Congress collections, a chance to talk to sta experts, and a guide to using Library resources at home. This event is free, but tickets are required for the Je erson Building. Register for free tickets at loc.gov/visit.
On Saturdays, May 9 and 23 at 10 a.m., in the National Theatre’s Helen Hayes Gallery, 123 Andres perform lively concerts in Spanish and English. Andrés

The 2026 Hill Center Family Day is on Sunday, April 26, 2 to 6 p.m. Come enjoy a completely free day of magic, music by King Bullfrog, face painting, balloon animals, alpacas and more. Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Register at hillcenterdc.org.



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On May 2 and 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mount Vernon’s 12-acre field transforms into a battleground as Continentals, Redcoats, and Hessians conduct military drills and 18th-century tactics. Meet the soldiers who are encamped at Mount Vernon, discuss military techniques, and learn about the American Revolution. Join General George Washington and some of his patriot soldiers during twice-daily performances near the encampment. Tour the 18th-century military encampments and see these civilians go about their daily lives supporting the army. Adult admission is $35; kids ages six to eleven, $22; five and under, free. mountvernon.org.

and Christina perform on stages across the US and Latin America and are cohosts of the award-winning PBS podcast “Jamming on the Job”. 123 Andrés has released three bilingual books, published by Scholastic, and their YouTube channel has over four billion views. Pre-registration is now live. Free admission. nationaltheatre.org/saturday-morning-live.
Explore the remarkable story of bison at the Natural History Museum. These iconic animals shaped North American landscapes for more than 100,000 years and anchored Indigenous lifeways for generations. Pushed to the brink of extinction in the 19th century, bison survived thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. Today, they stand strong as an enduring symbol of survival and resilience. Explore a fullsized bull bison specimen, the six-footwide skull of an ancient bison ancestor, an immersive soundscape, multimedia, cutting-edge scientific research, and Native
objects and stories shared in collaboration with community members. naturalhistory.si.edu.
On Sunday, April 19, 4 to 6 p.m., at Hill Center, 901 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Grammy winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer are joined by Chinese hammered dulcimer virtuoso Chao Tian in a highly energetic, participatory concert of family fun. Instruments include the Yangqin (dulcimer), banjo, cello-banjo, acoustic & electric guitars and percussion. Their songs will take you from China, to Appalachia, and from the Caribbean to your own rock and roll Air Guitar contest. There’s songs in different languages and American Sign Language and a Crankie. Most importantly, be prepared to sing along, follow fun hand motions and enjoy music from around the world and right here. $23; children under five, free. hillcenterdc.org.
The annual Anacostia Watershed Society Earth Day Cleanup is on Saturday, April 25. The cleanup is AWS's largest annual volunteer event. All ages are welcome. Anyone under 18 will need an adult parent/guardian to volunteer with them. When selecting a cleanup site during registration, they recommend looking at the physical level of difficulty section and checking out site details to determine if it's a site your children would be comfortable with. Some of their sites are more challenging than others and that will be indicated in the physical level of difficulty and site details section. Registration for all cleanup sites has begun at anacostiaws.org.
On Friday, April 24, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Botanic Garden, celebrate Earth Day with Lilly and explore how plants make their own food using energy from the sun. You'll explore scientific instruments like CO2 sensors and refractometers. These tools will help measure the changes that occur within a plant during the process of photosynthesis. This is a drop-in experience and will be repeated several times over the course of the designated program time. Lilly Andersen is the US Botanic Garden's Family Education Specialist. She works to build connections between people and plants through science education, focusing on the child/family audience. usbg.gov.
On Tuesday through Friday, April 28 to May 1, at 10:15 and 11:30 a.m., the magic of earth science takes center stage in this fun, interactive Discovery Theater, Ripley Center, original as audiences explore the origins of our planet and the systems that shape it, from powerful plate tectonics to the ever-present water cycle, and
even the impact of life itself. They also learn about people’s important roles in protecting earth's ecosystems, as well as folklore about the "big blue marble" we call home. Recommended for ages seven to eleven. All seating is general admission. Adult tickets are $8; kids, $7; and under 2, $3. discoverytheater.org.
On Saturday, May 16, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., at the Folger, 201 E. Capitol St. SE, families will take inspiration from the season to make connections with nature in Shakespeare’s plays and throughout the Folger itself. Then, everyone will head to the Folger’s gardens to compose an “Ode to the Folger Gardens,” using lines from Shakespeare and Rita Dove’s poetry. Attendance is free with a recommended $3 donation. There are two sessions available with these recommended ages: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., ages five to seven; and 1 to 2 p.m., ages eight to eleven. folger.edu.
Mayor Bowser and District education leaders held a pep rally at Coolidge High School in Ward 4 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG), a one-of-a-kind college access program that helps cover the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public colleges and universities attended by District students. The event also marked the first ever increase in the program’s award amounts, which takes effect beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. The increase raises the maximum annual award from $10,000 to $15,000 and increases the lifetime cap from $50,000 to $75,000. Since the first DCTAG awards were made in the 2000–2001 academic year, nearly 40,000 DC residents have received more than $716 million in tuition support to attend 422 colleges and universities across 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands. osse.dc.gov/applysubmit. u











by Myles Mellor
Across:
1. Wild cat
5. Ship section
9. Midweek day
12. GPS, for one
15. Tachometer reading
18. “Help ___ the way!”
19. Chrysler engine
20. Cover
22. Quick __ flash
23. One way to travel
24. Boy band
25. Ship heading, abbr.
26. Fundamental reasons
28. Gin flavorer
29. Not fitting
31. Roosevelt’s coin
32. Oz lion’s demeanor
33. Exploits
34. Orchestra member
38. Alley name
41. Had had a dip
45. Fits in
46. Vain individual
47. Spying
50. “It’s Impossible” singer
51. Blanched
52. More than dislike
53. It could take you out of your way, in a plane
54. Modern way to find one’s way
60. Shoe color
61. “___ moment”
62. Strong joe
63. Indirect way to look
66. Victoria’s Secret item
67. Proportionately
71. Wahine accessory
72. Einstein’s birthplace
73. Delicious dish
74. You should be able to find your way here?
83. Abbr. on a stamp
84. Fortify
85. Formerly, USSR
86. Grating cries
88. Discordant
90. Screen type
91. Targeted
94. Natalie Portman’s role in “Goya’s Ghosts”
95. Spanish speaking district
97. Snowball
98. Ancient Peruvian
101. Etiquette maven Vanderbilt
102. Naval investigation show
103. Kind of card
105. Prefix with plane
107. Exactly alike
112. ___ to go
113. Scenic road, e.g.
115. Fish that got lost
116. Minable material
117. Fish delicacy
118. “Topaz” author
119. Lofty pieces of writing
120. Home of “Weekend Edition”
121. Warbler Yoko
122. Word connector
123. Fractions of mins.
124. Counter call
1. Dock
2. Insurer for military personnel
3. Lion’s share
4. Opposing
5. Calling
6. Calls something different
7. Frittata
8. Like some loads
9. Feeling of love and admiration
10. Ashford of the Track and Field Hall of Fame
11. Painting style
12. “Greatest” boxer
13. Religious

14. Italian tubes
15. Carpentry tool
16. Hey! Over here!
17. Symbol of voracious hunger
21. 66, for one
27. Scandinavian war god
30. Org.
32. Pit
33. Open, in a way
34. Toronto media inits.
35. Thirteen popes
36. Hitchcock’s wife
37. Source
39. Sore spot
40. Goes with Spumanti
42. Exit
43. Land around Lake Victoria
44. Gull cry
46. Lot
48. Bk. before Jeremiah
49. Giant slugger Mel
51. Use a cloth to clean
52. Comic Carvey
55. Airline abbreviation
56. Office PC connection
57. Director Jean-___ Godard
58. They’re expected
59. Introductory words
63. Elvis Costello hit
64. Bill makers
65. First-aid, for one
66. Boring
67. Papal name
68. Hurried
69. Neighbor of Minn.
70. Nutritional fig.
72. Workaholic’s woe
73. Empty

75. Adult female bird
76. M.D.’s specialty
77. West Indian island
78. Singer Turner
79. Real thing
80. NATO member, abbr.
81. Big zero
82. Kind of team
83. Single, prefix
87. ___-Foy, Que.
89. “Beauty ___ the eye …”
90. Having boundaries
91. One who leads a Spartan lifestyle
92. Reserve
93. It holds a yard
96. Reports, in a way
97. Stick out
99. Untrue
100. Sing like Luther
103. Zither’s cousin
104. A hearing of causes
105. Aesthetic wavelength
106. Milan money
107. Markers
108. Get ___ the ground floor
109. Abandon
110. Credit card
111. Unable to find the way
112. Claimed the gold
114. Blinking light, maybe



















