East of the River Magazine – July 2026

neighborhood

7D Report: Traffic Concerns about Benning Road

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens’ Lotus and Lily Festival

On Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE, experience water lily species in full bloom, take guided tours of the park and enjoy live music, cultural performances, kids’ activities, craft workshops and food from local vendors. The Visitor Center is an ideal place to begin your visit. Restrooms are located here as well as orientation brochures. A small room of exhibit panels surveys the history of the gardens and its key plants. Free admission. www.nps.gov/keaq

“Beneath

the Surface: Mining and American Photography” at the NGA

Photographs have documented how we extract natural resources and the impact on people and our planet. Through Aug. 23, “Beneath the Surface” at the National Gallery of Art (West Bldg., second floor) explores how photographers in the United States have depicted resource extraction for 185 years. www.nga.gov

THE PLAYGROUND at the National Building Museum

THE PLAYGROUND provides a nontraditional environment centered on the mental and physical benefits of play. Designed for all ages, the installation supports motion, exploration and togetherness in an immersive environment. Opening on July 3 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW, THE PLAYGROUND transforms the historic Great Hall into a sculptural landscape that reimagines the familiar experience of parks and playgrounds with a delightful twist. Visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy a variety of interactive experiences throughout the space. Museum admission is $10 for adults; $7 for youth, students with ID and seniors. www.nbm.org

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Library of Congress Summer Movies on the Lawn

Movie screenings are on Thursdays, July 9 through Aug. 6 (rain date, Aug. 13), on the southeast lawn of the Thomas Jefferson Building. Each event includes a 7 p.m. preshow performance followed by the movie at sundown. Here’s the lineup: July 9, “Clueless”; July 15, “Rocky”; July 23, “Back to the Future”; July 30, “A League of Their Own”; and Aug. 6, “Apollo 13.” Visitors are encouraged to arrive early with blankets, lawn chairs and snacks to grab a good spot before the film begins. No tickets required. www.loc.gov

STC Academy Summer Repertory’s “Macbeth” and “Twelfth Night”

The Shakespeare Theatre Company Academy is a master of fine arts program that trains actors to work with classical language and embody mythic storytelling. After completing a one-year program of coursework, the Class of 2026 performs two plays in repertory as the culmination of its training. “Macbeth” and “Twelfth Night” are performed in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW. Dates for “Twelfth Night” are July 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25. Dates for “Macbeth” are July 16, 18, 19, 22, 24, and 25. Tickets are $25 or see both shows for $40. www.shakespearetheatre.org

“Making a Statement” at the American Indian Museum

On view through spring 2027, “Making a Statement” is part of the American Indian Museum’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It highlights Indigenous heritage and honors active-duty and retired Native American servicewomen. This special installation features an early 20th-century Lakota beaded dress and a contemporary color guard dress worn by members of the Native American Women Warriors (NAWW). The NAWW color guard dress recognizes the military service of Native women in the US Armed Forces. The dresses were made 100 years apart by Native dressmakers who drew inspiration from their personal experiences. www.americanindian.si.edu

Otakon at the Washington Convention Center

Founded in 1994, Otakon is an annual convention held to celebrate Asian pop culture (anime, manga, music, movies, video games) and its fandom. This year’s Otakon is at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Pl. NW, from July 31 to Aug. 2. Enjoy an art show, car show, cosplay coordination, artists alley, dealers room, tabletop gaming and more. See a full schedule at www.conventions.leapevent.tech/ schedules/frontend/Otakon_2026. Registration fees are: for the weekend, $100 (discounts for one day only); youth membership, 9-12, $55; eight and under, free. www.otakon.com

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Lockheed TR-1/U-2C aircraft.

Eyes in the Sky: From Spy Planes and Space to Everyday Technology

In partnership with the CIA, on Thursday, July 16, from 7 to 8 p.m., this program looks at CIA stories found in the National Air and Space Museum collection, including aerial innovations like the U-2 aircraft, the CORONA Satellite Program, the Insectothopter and the lineage of the A-12 Oxcart to the SR-71 Blackbird. Visit the Air and Space Museum to learn how innovations born in secrecy have shaped technology, industry and daily life. Afterhours at 6 p.m., there is access to the museum’s exhibitions, including the five newest galleries, additional Discovery Stations and Ask an Expert stations featuring CIA historians and museum staff. Free; registration required. www.airandspace.si.edu

“District

Vibes/ American Pride: How DC Changed American Culture”

DC Public Library commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary by showcasing the contributions Washingtonians have made to America’s culture and history. DC gave the world the football huddle, Gallaudet University, the modern blood bank (pioneered by DC native Dr. Charles R. Drew) and a public school system that educated icons like John Philip Sousa and Marvin Gaye. “District Vibes/American Pride: How DC Changed American Culture” is in the Great Hall of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Li brary, 901 G St. NW, throughout the summer. www.dclibrary.org

& Contemporary, NYC

“Juan Sanchez: A Survey” at the Phillips Through Sept. 12, 2027, at The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW, this is the first traveling retrospective of Juan Sanchez (b. 1954, New York City), one of the founders of Latinx art in the United States. The exhibition’s 75 works include paintings, works on paper, photography and video that offer a comprehensive look at Sanchez’s powerful and thought-provoking art. www.phillipscollection.org

Prince William County Fair

The Prince William County Fair is at the Prince William County Fairgrounds Expo & Event Center in Manassas from July 31 to Aug. 8. The fair features rides, a petting zoo, farm animals, a dog show, pony rides, camel rides, monster trucks, camp grounds and more. Here’s the evening lineup: July 31, demolition derby; Aug. 1, fireworks; Aug. 2 and 3, rodeo; Aug. 4 and 5, monster trucks; Aug. 6, color works; Aug. 7, tractor pull; Aug. 8, demolition derby. Adult admission is $25; kids, $15; four and under, free. www.princewilliamcountyfairgrounds.com

“American Aspirations” at the Smithsonian Castle

For nearly 250 years, Americans have been inspired by the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence. Through July 26, “American Aspirations” brings together more than 30 of the Smithsonian’s most treasured objects to commemorate this founding document. The Smithsonian Castle is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. www.si.edu/castle

Trade Contractor Outreach

Howard Hospital

Howard Hospital, and the tri-venture partnership of Gilbane Building, Corenic Construction, and WKM Solutions are seeking trade contractors for employment on the Howard Hospital project being constructed at 2041 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20060.

Project description:

A new 400,000 SF, 225-bed state-of-the-art teaching hospital serving as a Level I Trauma Center. This advanced, modern facility will replace the existing hospital, which will remain fully operational throughout construction to support uninterrupted patient care. The project will deliver a comprehensive academic medical center designed to support cutting-edge clinical care, medical education, and research, establishing a new standard for healthcare infrastructure in the region.

Date:

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Future Procurement Opportunities:

GMP 4- Core and Shell MEPS anticipated August 2026

Wonder Bread Fit-Out anticipated August 2026

Interior Fit-out Bid Packages anticipated January 2027

Scan to Register:

Location:

Interdisciplinary Research Building 2201 Georgia Avenue NW, Room 221F Washington, DC 20001

“Pippin” at Signature

A traveling troupe of performers bring to life the story of Pippin, the restless heir of Charlemagne, on his quest for purpose. Dreaming of greatness, he dives into war, passion and even murder, only to find himself disillusioned at every turn in this provocative coming-of-age parable about what it means to be extraordinary. “Pippin” is at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, Virginia, through July 26. Tickets start at $47. www.sigtheatre.org

Cedric Neal (leading player) and the cast of “Pippin.” Photo: Daniel Rader

“Shakespeare and the American Story” at the Folger

The Folger Shakespeare Library is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by sharing how Shakespeare has always been a part of the American story. The first European colonizers brought Shakespeare’s words and stories with them. The focal point of the exhibition presents three important American “firsts”: The first American edition of Shakespeare’s plays (1795), the first illustrated American edition of Shakespeare’s plays (1844) and the first American edition of Shakespeare’s plays edited by women (1903). “Shakespeare and the American Story” is at the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE, through Aug. 2. www.folger.edu

“Brilliant Beginnings”: Mozart and Beethoven

at

Strathmore Mozart’s Symphony No. 1, written at age eight, sparkles with youthful brilliance, while Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 reveals a composer already pushing boundaries. Finnish pianist Juho Pohjonen joins the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 12 in this SummerFest celebration of genius in its earliest form. “Brilliant Beginnings” is at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, Maryland, on Saturday, July 11, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 12, at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $35. www.strathmore.org

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue at Wolf Trap

Coming off his Grammy-nominated 2025 album “Second Line Sunday,” Trombone Shorty returns with his band Orleans Avenue to bring high-octane New Orleans funk to the Filene Center. The iconic Mavis Staples lays it down with Staple Singers’ classics plus other highlights from her career. Rounding out the lineup is country soul duo the War and Treaty. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue are at the Wolf Trap Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd. Vienna, Virginia, on Saturday, July 18, at 7 p.m. (doors at 5:30 p.m.). Tickets start at $62.50. www.wolftrap.org

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Tennis Center

Co-founded by Arthur Ashe, Donald Dell and John A. Harris, the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, DC, is one of the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournaments and the only combined ATP & WTA 500 tournament in the world. Held annually at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center, 16th and Kennedy streets NW, it is also the longest-running pro tennis event to be held in an equal-access public park. The qualifying weekend is July 25 and 26; main draw is July 27 to Aug. 2. Full ticket packages are from $510; single session tickets are available at www.mubadaladctennis.com.

“Woody Guthrie’s American Song” at The Wharf Waterfront Park

“Woody Guthrie’s American Song” is a musical that weaves Guthrie’s storytelling with scenes drawn directly from his life, wielding music as a loudspeaker for the voice of the working people, speaking up for those swept aside by economic collapse and political indifference. A panoramic tribute to the legacy of activism in the arts, this work celebrates American spirit as the nation marks its 250th Anniversary. “Woody Guthrie’s American Song” is performed at The Wharf Waterfront Park, 515 Water St. SW, from Aug. 6 to 28, at 7:15 p.m. Every ticket is name-your-own-price (minimum ticket price $1). www. theateralliance.com

Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters at the Lincoln

In conjunction with the release of their newest album, The Boxmasters kick off a tour of the United States in June. This marks their 21st release as J.D. Andrew and Bud Thornton showcase their love for the sounds of the 60s and the inspiration of their heroes on an album called “In the Bay.” Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters are at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW, on Thursday, July 23, at 7 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.). Tickets start at $56. www.thelincolndc.com

The Timber Bridges at Songbyrd

The Timber Bridges is an indie folk trio of multi-instrumentalists who write and play bittersweet songs inspired by amazing people, unique places and unusual things. The Timber Bridges is at Songbyrd, 540 Penn St. NE, on Saturday, July 11, at 7 p.m. (door time). Tickets are $17 to $20. www.songbyrddc.com

HEALTH east of the river

HEA LTH

A COLLECTIVE ACT OF LOVE

“Dementia Stories DC: Honoring Memory, Inspiring Change” is sparking much-needed conversations around aging

by Matthew McClure

In 2016, I lost my grandmother to dementia. The matriarch of our family had long been the glue that held us together, and her slow yet painfully steady decline (a combination of age-related health issues and a gradual loss of the memory of how important she was to us) was difficult for us to experience and come to terms with.

The Alzheimer’s Association defines dementia as an inclusive term for any progressive loss of memory, problem solving and basic communication that ultimately negatively impacts daily life.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the more prevalent forms of dementia, and many of its symptoms were present in the last few years of my grandmother’s life. Experiencing dementia through the eyes of someone close to you personalizes a disease that is tragically all too common among older residents.

The statistics related to aging and age-related disease in DC are sobering. According to the GWU Center for Population Health Sciences & Health Equity, 12.7% of DC’s residents are 65 years or older. In Wards 7 and 8, those figures are 8% and 6.6% respectively, of whom 9% are women and 55% are Black. 32% of senior residents live with some form of disability, and that’s in a city that carries the highest proportion of dementia rates nationally, at 16.8%.

The True Impact

Cold, hard figures like these can obscure the true impact of dementia, which is why The Dap Project’s Rhonda Henderson and Catherine Buell, founder of Wellness Real Estate Innovations, launched “Dementia Stories DC: Honoring Memory, Inspiring Change” earlier this year.

“This is a secret disease that nobody wants to talk about. I think that people just don’t know and it’s overwhelming,” says Buell, who connected with Henderson last summer over “Beautiful, also, are the Souls,” The Dap Project’s collaborative oral history and visual storytelling project at the Anacostia Arts Center.

Both women realized that making space for those suffering from dementia and dementiarelated illnesses to tell their stories could raise public awareness of age-related disease and also encourage discussions around policy to support DC’s aging population.

Henderson and Buell – in partnership with the GWU Institute for Brain Health – facilitated arts workshops in spring in Wards 3, 5 and 7 for people experiencing age-related memory loss and for those that care for them. Publicized online and through word of mouth, the workshops invited volunteers to share and have their stories recorded, participate in arts activities and have their portraits taken.

“The workshops were designed to create a space for portraits and storytelling,” explains Henderson. “The central narrative is that you’re not alone on this journey. Storytelling allows individuals to talk about the ways they’re managing their struggles and triumphs and connect with other people and recognize that there are resources that can help them.”

A New Partnership

As an outcome of a workshop in Ward 7, a new partnership was formed between “Dementia Stories DC” and the DC Department of Health. “The department is

interested in the power of storytelling to connect with participants and expose them to information that can be helpful for them, like at their annual Health and Resource Fair in June,” Henderson says.

One of the stories is that of Daryl Ditz. During the time spent alone with his wife Nimmi during the Covid-19 pandemic, he began to realize that something wasn’t quite

Together for Your Health: Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health Makes Significant Strides in Patient Care

When we opened our doors in April 2025, Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health made a commitment to the Wards 7 and 8 communities, becoming the first new full-service hospital in Washington, DC, in more than 25 years.

Meet Kimberlee Daniels, MBA, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer. “I came to Cedar Hill because I wanted to be part of something important, leading a new hospital with one mission: delivering excellent healthcare East of the River,” she says. “And it’s working.”

Bringing Healthcare Home

At Cedar Hill, our patients are our neighbors. We believe our community deserves high-quality, compassionate healthcare services, right in our backyard.

Residents turn to our hospital for a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services, from emergency care and orthopedics to behavioral health, cardiology, urology, surgery, women’s services and more.

The First Local Maternity Services in Nearly A Decade Cedar Hill proudly welcomes the next generation of our neighbors. Expectant parents no longer have to travel to grow their families. We opened access to prenatal care and timely treatment for high-risk pregnancies, as well as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for babies requiring specialized care and a Pediatric Emergency Department.

Patients are satisfied with our maternity care. Bertrand Ngampa’s wife, Antonia Williams, gave birth to a healthy baby boy at Cedar Hill in February. “Cedar Hill Regional restored our faith in healthcare and changed my family’s future,” Ngampa says. “They earned our complete trust, respect and loyalty.”

Schedule a maternity tour at cedarhillregional.com/maternity

Outpatient Care

Through specialty and outpatient care here on campus, Cedar Hill opened access to a range of services for the whole family.

Affiliated clinicians offer outpatient primary care and specialty services located at our facility, such as cardiology,

colorectal cancer screening, podiatry, surgery and more. The hospital itself also offers outpatient services, such as imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT, ultrasound), laboratory and physical therapy.

Hitting Our Stride

As our services expand, so do the number of patients seeking our care. We are pleased to see much of that care received by our closest neighbors. In 2025, approximately 92 percent of patients served lived in Wards 7 or 8.

In addition to caring for Wards 7 and 8, our new hospital hired 168 DC residents, and invested more than $850,000 in local small and historically underrepresented businesses.

Cedar Hill Urgent Care in Ward 7 already expanded local access to care and we are far from finished transforming healthcare in the community. Our hospital continues to connect with many established physicians to enhance our services and care for more patients.

Investing in

Our

Community

Community voices matter to Cedar Hill, as residents play a meaningful role in how we shape our growth and priorities.

We participated in many community-focused initiatives over the past year, including community health fairs, hiring events and health education. Making connections with our neighbors helped increase awareness of our healthcare services, and encouraged residents to seek crucial preventive and primary care.

Building a Healthier Future

Cedar Hill is dedicated to helping to ensure our community can access high-quality, patient-centered healthcare when they need it, close to home.

“It is a privilege and a mission to care for our neighbors, when and where they need it. Our hospital is here to listen, serve and help improve health outcomes for patients across our region,” says CEO Daniels.

right. Keys were ending up in the wrong place, for example. Nimmi noticed other uncharacteristic behavior from her husband. Though initially reluctant to share his story, Ditz ultimately realized the value of the project as an important part of raising awareness of early onset Alzheimer’s disease. “Once he accepted the diagnosis and accepted how memory loss was going to change how he interacted with people,” explains Henderson, “he became a very vocal advocate for those who experience memory loss and dementia at an earlier age.”

For Buell, dementia is more than just a word. Her mother Vernice experienced a series of strokes in 2008 that surfaced the rst symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Buell and her family made the di cult decision to move Vernice into supportive care with Carol, a full-time caregiver. “I didn’t know that almost one in ve DC seniors has some sort of brain health issue; memory loss, Alzheimer’s. It sometimes feels like you’re the only one but now it feels like people are talking about it,” says Buell, who hopes that the conversations arising from “Dementia Stories DC” will initiate new developments in housing, health and care facilities for older residents.

In Case You Missed It

On June 23, during Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, as part of “Dementia Stories DC: Honoring Memory, Inspiring Change,” an exhibition of photographs, oral histories and lmed documentation was presented at the DC Department of Health in Anacostia. The exhibition was preceded by an executive roundtable discussion aimed at building policy to retro t DC’s healthcare and housing infrastructure for an increasingly older population.

For more information, to listen to the stories that DC’s older residents and their caregivers have shared and to take part, go to www.dementiastoriesdc.com. ◆

HEA LTH

LET’S TAKE IT OUTSIDE

Anacostia Parkrun is a great way to get outdoors, get fit and make new friends

by Matthew McClure

The hot topic of DC’s teen takeovers was splashed across local papers and trending online even before summer officially started. In a heated election season, we’re hearing from local politicians that there isn’t enough being done to keep the city’s younger residents occupied, but events like the Anacostia parkrun fly in the face of that claim.

Now operating for almost 10 years, the parkrun is the perfect way for both teens and adults at any level of fitness to get healthy and engage positively with their community every Saturday morning in Anacostia Park. Best of all, it’s free.

A Global Phenomenon

The parkrun concept was created by Paul Sinton-Hewitt in London in 2004. A club runner originally hailing from what was then called Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), SintonHewitt had wanted to stay connected to his running community despite suffering an injury that kept him from his usual pace and distance.

Parkruns have become wildly successful, with over 10 million runners now participating weekly in more than 23 countries. The format is the same across the globe. Once you’ve registered (free) you can join up with other parkrunners almost anywhere in the world. Every 3.1mile run is not for profit, takes place weekly on a Saturday morning and is organized by volunteers. It’s a model that encourages participation across all age and fitness groups regardless of social or economic status, from moms with strollers and runners in training to retirees and differently abled individuals.

Anacostia parkrun kicked off in 2017. Darrell Stanaford, then Parkrun USA’s country manager, worked with Henry Wigglesworth, Diarmuid Coughlan, Andres Falconer and city government and community organizations to take Parkrun across the Anacostia River. Stanaford had learned about the model in Moscow and brought the event to DC when he helped launch the city’s first parkrun. There are four other parkruns in DC and Maryland: Fletcher’s Cove, Roosevelt Island, College Park and Kensington.

Graeme McGufficke is the co-event director of Anacostia parkrun. For the last year and a half, McGufficke has witnessed the positive effects that Anacostia parkrun has had on participants from across the city, but especially from Wards 7 and 8. “I came to parkrun through my niece back in Australia where my family lives, and I got

hooked,” says McGufficke, who fell in love with the event not only for its health benefits but also for the atmosphere of community that surrounds it. “The people you bump into from across the country and the world, they’re pretty cool.”

A particularly bad winter two years ago meant that most of DC’s parkruns were shut down except for the Anacostia event. Snowplows cleared the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail between the 11th Street Bridge and the CSX Railroad crossing – the 3.1-mile route that Anacostia’s parkrunners use every Saturday at 9 a.m. – so McGufficke ended up east of the Anacostia River along with hundreds of his fellow runners. “I realized that this was a much smaller parkrun, maybe 20 or 30 people with a much smaller number of volunteers. I thought maybe they needed some help, so I decided I was going to keep going to Anacostia.”

Spreading the Word

McGufficke has spent his time as co-event director spreading the word about Anacostia parkrun. He’s approached Anacostia High School in the hopes of getting kids out into nature and onto the trail as runners or as volunteers for safety checks, barcode scanning, timekeeping, checking pace

or marshaling.

“Kids need volunteer credits to graduate. We’ve said, ‘Hey, come down and get a couple of hours each Saturday.’ We’re small, so we want to attract more people and build up the regular clientele and get more people there regularly who’re able to volunteer.”

Ian Squires and Dennis Jefferson are Anacostia parkrun regulars. Squires ran in the first Anacostia parkrun in November 2017. “It’s a great location for multiple reasons,” says Squires, who notes that there aren’t that many fitness resources in the surrounding neighborhoods, or at least not many that don’t charge a fee. “It’s a great place to have a run. When I started there were fewer than 10 parkruns in the country. Now there’s about a hundred. The best thing about is the opportunity to create a community.”

For Dennis Jefferson, a 73-year-old resident of Hillcrest, his time at the Anacostia parkrun on Saturday mornings is one part of a rigorous fitness routine that he says keeps him young. “I’ve been running since high school and I just haven’t stopped. I do strength training at Planet Fitness at Penn Branch, and I’ll run at least three times a week. I look forward to going to the Anacostia parkrun every week and catching up with people. Instead of running by myself I run with the group.”

Last month, the DC Regional Christian Church brought its congregation to the Anacostia parkrun for the monthly step contest. Even though Dorothy Matthews ‒ a congregant in her 70s ‒ finished the run in 2 hours, 7 minutes and 55 seconds, she was accompanied across the finish line by the official tail walker, William Scott, who makes sure that nobody finishes last at any Anacostia parkrun.

Join Up

Participation is easy. Register for free at https://www. parkrun.us/anacostia/, print your unique individual barcode or download it to your phone or fitness device and have it scanned once you’ve finished your run. Results are recorded and uploaded to the parkrun website, and you get a completion token that corresponds to your barcode and race placement. Join fellow runners for a postrun coffee at the Anacostia Busboys and Poets just up the road on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE.

Want to get a feel for Anacostia parkrun before committing? Sign up to volunteer as a safety checker, barcode scanner, timekeeper, pacer or marshal. Parkrun relies on volunteerism, so the more people helping, the better. u

neighborhood news

ANC 7D Report

Traffic Concerns about Benning Road Transfer Station Construction

by Sarah Payne

Members of the Benning Road Transfer Station Modernization Project advisory team briefed commissioners on redevelopment plans for a new facility at 3200 Benning Rd. NE, including demolition, construction and temporary neighborhood road use. The proposal to use Foote Street as a temporary thruway during construction drew significant opposition from commissioners, who cited safety and damage concerns.

Following the “massive fire” in 2021 that “compromised the integrity of the building,” the District plans to build a new transfer station on Benning Road to provide access to “safe, efficient and resident-friendly waste diversion activities,” reported Tanya Majette, management program analyst for the Solid Waste Management Administration, Solid Waste Disposal Division of the Department of Public Works (DPW).

Transfer stations are facilities where waste is stored, sorted and relocated. According to the project’s website, plans for the new facility include a larger tipping floor, residential drop-off area and other amenities. Currently, the District’s sole operational transfer station is located in Fort Totten. “Many challenges” face the city, with only one location, Majette said, noting long travel times for residents and highlighting that the influx of waste to a single station can overwhelm facilities and increase the susceptibility to fires.

Concurrently with the project, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) plans to repair a bridge on Anacostia Avenue. When the bridge is out of service for repairs, the project contractor will not have direct access to the work site. The project team plans to divert construction traffic to Foote Street to ensure access during that time, said Lamarr Mayo, project manager at the Department of General Services (DGS), noting that the closure is planned for fall 2026.

To ensure safety, the project team requested that DDOT designate one side of Foote Street as no parking to “prevent the likelihood that a resident or child steps into the road from between cars,” Mayo said. The parking restrictions, he noted, would only be in effect during work hours. “We’ll ensure our contractor establishes and enforces strict safety measures as they use this alternate route,” he added.

The use of Foote Street, particularly for large trucks, was a significant concern to commissioners given the existing access limitations. “We really have one way in and one way out,” Commissioner Wright said, so residents will need “to navigate 18-wheelers or concrete trucks,” suggesting that “the residential concerns and impact have not been considered.”

Wright questioned if construction teams could access the site through the nearby Pepco facility as an alternative to the residential street. Chair Alcorn echoed her concerns and encouraged the project team to assess alternatives that would be “less impactful to the community.”

“The bridge replacement obviously is something that’s anticipated, but before that bridge is delivered, adding substantial construction truck traffic both in and out of a community that already, effectively, has one way in and out will I think be quite negative,” Alcorn said. Mayo noted that crews only plan to use Foote Street until the bridge reopens. He added that the team “certainly can look into” using Pepco as an alternative access point.

Wright also raised concerns about how large vehicles could impact the foundations of nearby homes. “We’ve already had concerns about that in the past, and so to direct all of that traffic through Foote Street is a bit concerning,” she added.

The project is in the “cleaning and abatement” phase in preparation for demolition, Mayo said, noting that, pending permits, demolition is scheduled to begin in August. New construction is slated to begin in summer 2027 and will take about two years to complete.

The team anticipates that construction activities will produce dust. According to Mayo, the contractor plans to use water misting to control dust and will implement site air-quality monitoring. Proposed construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The commission took no vote on this matter.

Visit www.dgs.dc.gov/page/benning-road-transferstation to learn more about the project.

Other Matters

Representatives from the Kingman Island and Heritage Island Development Project shared a pre-design update. The project will promote and improve access for both the general public and onsite educational programs,

maintain the “wild feeling” of the area and preserve nature. It includes plans for large landscaping initiatives, construction of structural amenities, work with DDOT to improve access utilizing existing facilities and more. The commission voted to:

• send a letter to DDOT and Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder to oppose the removal of a roadway guardrail at the intersection of Kenilworth Avenue and 42nd St. NE;

• support a two-year time extension on the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) application to provide area variance relief to A Street Development LLC to construct six attached, two-story principal dwelling units with cellar and roof deck between D Street, C Street, 15th Street and 16th Street NE;

• send a letter of support as an “affected ANC” under zoning regulations for Blue Skye Construction and Development’s request for modifications to enable an adjustment to the unit mix to enable more family-sized units, the reduction of ground-floor retail use, revisions to parking garage and access arrangements and potential phasing of construction based on market demand and access to financing.

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) attended the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 7D meeting on Tuesday, June 9. SMD 7D02 remains vacant.

ANC 7D will meet next on Tuesday, July 14, at 7 p.m., via Zoom. 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

Open Primaries Will Increase Voter Turnout The Man From Anacostia

Practically everyone is relieved that the acrimonious DC Democratic Primary is over. It was one of the most important elections since the beginning of Home Rule and brought a tsunami of change. We will get a new mayor and delegate to Congress. Three self-proclaimed democratic socialists are on course to take positions in the Wilson Building. Progressive insurgents won 75% of the seats on the DC Democratic State Committee, the governing body of the DC Democratic Party.

And the DC voters survived ranked-choice voting. Most of the voters I spoke with liked the new voting process.

The turnout on June 16 was nearly 32% of all DC registrants, and the Democratic turnout was nearly 40%. Political pundits say the Democratic turnout is typical for a primary election. However, I think our electoral expectations and standards should be higher.

Voting in DC is extremely convenient. All those registered to vote receive ballots by mail and do not have to pay to return them. During the month before Election Day, DC voters can mail their ballots, drop them off at drop boxes or vote early. There were many candidate forums. The campaigns sent out enough oversized cards to wallpaper people’s homes. The television, radio and social media platforms were awash with advertisements. The doors of homes were almost knocked down by zealous cam-

by Philip Pannell

paign workers. Yet, over half of the registered voters opted not to participate.

The east-of-the-river turnout was the lowest. Ward 7 had a turnout of 25% and Ward 8 was 20%. These are ingredients in a recipe for political disempowerment.

It is time for DC’s political activists and community leaders to do some serious thinking and rigorous strategizing about how to increase voter turnout. There has been a major development that will increase turnout in future Democratic primaries. The DC Council voted on June 23 to fund semi-open primaries. So, in the future, registered independents will be able to vote

in the party primary of their choice. Semi-open primaries were the other part of Initiative 83, which also gave us ranked-choice voting. If, in 2025, the DC Council had approved funding for Initiative 83 (which 73% of voters approved), independents would have been able to vote in the June 16 primary.

It was sad to see some DC political leaders cling to the closed primaries, which, in my opinion, are forms of political exclusion, electoral segregation and voter suppression. I hope DC voters remember those political activists and leaders who fought against election reform. I am a firm believer that a person’s views on election reform offer insight into their political vision and values.

Amid my disappointment with the voting turnout, there is something I am celebrating. I was elected the Democratic National Committeeman for DC. I will follow in the footsteps of those who held that position: John Hechinger, John Wilson, Jack Evans, Arrington Dixon, Vincent Orange, Kevin Chavous Jr. I pledge to do my best to heighten the profile and raise the decibel level for DC statehood and push the national Democratic Party to make statehood more of a part of our country’s political conversation. Also, I pledge to serve only one term.

I encourage my potential successors to start grooming themselves now.

Long-time Ward 8 community activist Philip Pannell can be found at philippannell@comcast.net. u

neighborhood news

The District Running Collective DISTRICT 19 Is Back District 19, on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 7:30 a.m., is an unsanctioned road and trail run that will weave through all quadrants of the District. Courses will start and end at the same location and there will be course markers along the way. Choose your distance: 19 miles, 19k and 5k.

Established in 2013, District Running Collective is a free, community-based organization that promotes wellness, culture and community. The goal is to provide all levels of runners with the best resources, community and support along their running journey. www.districtrunningcollective.com

“Resistance, Resilience, and Response” at Hon eur Gallery Through Aug. 1, Hon eur Gallery, 1241 Marion Barry Ave. SE, presents “Resistance, Resilience, and Response,” a retrospective exhibition by Washington, DC, artist Rik Freeman. This exhibition brings together selections from three of Freeman’s most signi cant series: “The Chittlin Circuit Review,” which chronicles the history of blues music and the culture that shaped it; “BAHIA!,” which explores the African in uence on the history and culture of Bahia, Brazil; and “Black Beaches during Segregation,” which examines historical African American beach communities along the Atlantic coast. Gallery hours are Wednesday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., and by appointment. www.hon eurgallerydc.com

EleFest at the Zoo

Celebrate elephants, culture and conservation during EleFest, a three-day festival at the National Zoo leading up to World Elephant Day, Wednesday, Aug. 12. The festival runs Friday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 9, and features after-hours experiences, early morning yoga alongside the elephant herd, live performances, family activities and interactive art. EleFest starts on Friday, Aug. 7, with a 21+ Happy Hour from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Elephant Community Center and Elephant Outpost ‒ $25. Practice yoga with elephants inside the Elephant Community Center on Saturday, Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9, from 7 to 7:45 a.m. and 8 to 8:45 a.m., each day. Practice yoga alongside the elephant herd in a peaceful setting before the main festival activities begin ‒ $75. Festival activities on Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., feature elephant-themed activities, cultural experiences and family-friendly entertainment. www.nationazoo.si.edu

Metro-Library Joint Development at St. Elizabeths East

On June 10, Mayor Bowser joined the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, DC Public Library and community members to celebrate the Congress Heights Metro Station redevelopment. The project will deliver a 23,000-square-foot, full-service library, as well as a recon gured bus loop that

DC Open Doors

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

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

DC Open Doors

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

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.

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.

DC4ME

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.

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

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 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.

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 VA Loan Product

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

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

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

COVID-19

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

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 militaryconnected 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.

HomeAdvantage DC

COVID-19

COVID-19

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

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

makes homeownership in Washington, D.C. more accessible by offering eligible buyers below-market mortgage financing with flexible assistance options. The program provides qualified homebuyers with a choice of financing structures, including options with and without down payment assistance, to support the purchase of a home in the District of Columbia. Qualified home buyers may be eligible for financing with or without down payment assistance, depending on their needs.

www.DCHFA.org how to

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY

East of the River is Celebrating 25 Years!

Jazzy Sundays in Anacostia

On Sundays, from July 12 through Aug. 30, at 1234 Marion Barry Ave. SE, the Anacostia BID and DCity Smokehouse present Jazzy Sundays. DCity Smokehouse serves smoky bites and barbecue favorites from its food truck, while the bar keeps the good vibes flowing all afternoon. www.anacostiabid.org

will improve access across the St. Elizabeths East campus and support future development.

WE CARE at Anacostia Library

On Friday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., peer specialists at Anacostia Library, 1800 Marion Barry Ave. SE, and at other locations around the city on different days, provide emotional support, referrals for housing, ID, vital documents, clothing and other resources. Locations with Peer Specialists include Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, West End Library, Woodridge Library, Shaw Library and Mt. Pleasant Library. Visit any branch to pick up a flyer to see when they will be at a branch near you. Walkins accepted. www.dclibrary.org

Ivy City (Pet) Adoption Center Opens

Brandywine Valley SPCA has announced the opening of the new Ivy City Adoption Center, 1516 Okie St. NE. Shelter hours are Tuesday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Monday. Services are dog and cat adoptions, volunteering, fostering, shelter skip days and behavior assist. www.bvspca.org

Discover Summer at the National Building Museum

On Monday, Aug. 10, from 2 to 5 p.m.,

sign up to Discover Summer and make memories at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Use your DC Public Library card to gain free access to the museum’s indoor playground. Designed for all ages, the playground encourages motion, exploration and togetherness in an immersive environment where play becomes a shared social and cultural experience. Registration is mandatory. www.dclibrary.org

Air and Space Opens Five New Galleries

The National Air and Space Museum offers five new galleries for the 50th anniversary of the opening of its building on the National Mall and in time for the nation’s 250th anniversary. The galleries are the Flight and the Arts Center (the museum’s art gallery), “Jay I. Kislak World War II in the Air,” “RTX Living in the Space Age,” “US National Science Foundation Discovering Our Universe” and “TEXTRON How Things Fly.”

The galleries display returning favorites such as the Hubble Space Telescope, Skylab, a North American P-51D Mustang and a Lockheed U-2, as well as artifacts new to the building in Washington. www.airandspace.si.edu

Films at the Stone

Films at the Stone is the first summer film series at a memorial on the National Mall. The films are screened at the Mar-

Representing the Capitol Hill/Hill East, Eastland Gardens, Kenilworth, Kingman Park, Mayfair, Parkside, River Terrace and Rosedale neighborhoods and the RFK Stadium Complex. HOW

TO PARTICIPATE:

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

neighborhood news

Changing Hands

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.

Evening Harvest at Oxon Run

On Fridays at The Well at Oxon Run, 300 Valley Ave. SE, through Sept. 11, join DC Greens for open harvesting hours from 4 to 7 p.m. During Evening Harvest, community members are invited to gather fresh produce directly from the fields. Each person may harvest up to five pounds of produce per visit. As long as produce is available for harvest, all are welcome to pick their own. Space is limited and advanced sign-up is required. This event is open to harvesters of all ages. Attendees who are 17 or younger must be accompanied by an adult 25 or older. Register at www.dcgreens.org.

tin Luther King Jr. Memorial and display the best of human strength, love and courage. Here’s the remaining lineup: Friday, July 17, at 8 p.m., “Wicked: for Good”; Friday, Aug. 21, at 8 p.m., “Michael.” Come early, pack a picnic and bring blankets or low-profile lawn chairs. Films will be screened on the lawn adjacent to the bookstore at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, 1964 Independence Ave. SW. Guests are encouraged to use public transportation. There is limited and handicapped parking on Ohio Drive and in front of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. www.filmsatthestone.org

Applications Open for Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival

The Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival, Friday, Feb. 12, to Sunday, March 7, 2027, showcases multidisciplinary performances that foster community connection, engage artists and audiences and celebrate diverse perspectives that reflect our shared humanity. All perform-

ing companies and artists are welcome to apply. While artists/companies outside of the DC metro area may apply, preference is given to DC metro area artists and DCbased artists in particular. BIPOC artists and BIPOC-led arts organizations are encouraged to apply. Artists/companies are allotted one performance slot and all works must run either 60 or 75 minutes long. The application deadline is Aug. 14, 2026, at 5 p.m. The application form is at www.form.jotform.com/261546073365156.

“We the Woolly: Remixing 250” At Woolly Mammoth’s home, 641 D St. NW, “We the Woolly: Remixing 250” transforms the theatre into a cultural hub where artists, neighbors, families, activists and audiences envision the future of the nation’s capital and the country itself. This series offers live music, dance, spoken word, circus arts, interdisciplinary performance, community conversations and family-friendly programming. Here’s the lineup: July

1, from 6 to 8 p.m., Line Dancing with DMV City Slickerz and District Daiquiri; July 10 to 12, from 7 to 8 p.m., New York Circus Project; July 15, from 6 to 8 p.m., Native American Dance; July 17, from 6 to 8 p.m., Record Fair with HR Records+Jamal Gray of Mezzanine Records; July 19, from 3 to 5 p.m., Spit Dat Presents: American Spitstory; July 22, from 6 to 8 p.m., Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington ‒ Potomac Fever & Pop-Up Market; July 23, from 6 to 8 p.m., Rumpus Room Kids Dance Party; July 25, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Playwriting Workshop, and 5 to 6 p.m., Playwright Slam; July 29, from 6 to 8 p.m., Orquesta Manplesa; and July 31, from 6 to 8 p.m., The Funset at Woolly. All events are free and open to the public. www.woollymammoth.net

Arboretum’s Summer Evening Hours Return

Every weekday through Friday, Aug. 28, the National Arboretum stays open until 8 p.m. The grounds are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The New York Avenue Gate closes at 2 p.m. The R Street Gate closes at 8 p.m. The arboretum closes at 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Last admittance is at 4:30 p.m. The New York Avenue Gate closes at 4:30 p.m. The R Street Gate closes at 5 p.m. The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily. The Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily. Access to restrooms and water after 4:30 p.m. is at Arbor House, the Grove Parking Lot or the Asian Collections Parking Lot. www.usna.usda.gov

Plan a Summer Picnic at the Arboretum

A picnic at the National Arboretum won runner-up for best date activity in the Washington City Paper’s Best of DC competition in 2025. When planning a picnic, make sure you are following the National Arboretum’s guidelines. Picnic only in the National Grove of State Trees picnic area. Barbecues, fires and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Playing ball, flying kites, swimming, wading, fishing, skating and other sports activities are prohibited. Climbing trees is pro-

hibited. Pets must be leashed at all times and controlled so they do not urinate on, defecate in or enter garden beds. Owners must clean up after pets. Visitors are welcome to pack their own picnics to enjoy on the grounds or to visit on a Friday evening and grab dinner from a local food truck during Food Truck Fridays. www.usna.usda.gov

DDOT Expands Smart Traffic Signal Monitoring

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has announced the deployment of the Luminus signal performance platform at more than 1,600 traffic signals across DC. The platform enables DDOT to monitor signal performance, collect operational data and identify locations where signal timing adjustments may improve traffic flow and reliability. For more information, visit www.opendata.dc.gov/datasets/DCGIS::traffic-signal/explore.

When the Mayor Activates the Heat Emergency Plan

A hyperthermia alert is issued and the Heat Emergency Plan is activated whenever the temperature or heat index reaches 95 degrees. In response to potentially dangerous heat, the District government opens cooling centers throughout the city. If you see someone who needs help, call 311. Recreation centers, DC public libraries and senior wellness centers are places to beat the heat and are open to the public. These locations provide a cool place to rest and also water and activities. www.hsema.dc.gov

Do you have a notice for the Bulletin Board?

The East of the River Bulletin Board includes event notices, volunteer opportunities and other community news. Send your notice to bulletinboard@hillrag.com. u

Big Gee Da Poet Clinches Win

At the Fifth Annual Spoken Word to Go-Go Championship

by Matthew McClure

Not even DC’s midsummer humidity could dampen the mood at the fifth annual Spoken Word to Go-Go Championship on Pennsylvania Avenue on Saturday, June 27, organized by the Anacostia BID and Art to Go-Go. The championship melds two of the region’s most renowned art forms, go-go music and spoken word poetry, and has supercharged the careers of some of the city’s most prolific spoken word artists, including 2CHILLPHYL (last year’s winner), Alex AKA Lemonade Dream (2024) and Sir Harvey Fitz (2023).

There are few things as quintessentially DC as go-go music. Drawing on influences as diverse as funk, hip-hop, R&B, soul and jazz, the genre flourished across the DMV in the late 1960s and 1970s, driven by the creative stylings of bands like the Young Senators, Trouble Funk and Rare Essence. Go-go’s association with the city is so strong that it lent its name to DC’s official arts and culture district, Art to Go-Go, Anacostia. Spoken word poetry blends theatrical performativity with tone, rhythm, tenor, alliteration,

slang and call and response to communicate narratives that resonate with the communities the artist is performing to.

As in years past, the championship took place at the Giant National Capital Barbeque Battle on the Pepsi Lays Art to Go-Go Stage. The audience was packed with fans and supporters eagerly waiting to see who would take the coveted Crystal Mic trophy, the $2,500 grand prize and the chance to record a session with The Experience Band & Show. After three rounds of open mic nights hosted by Busboys and Poets in Anacostia, the final came down to Big Gee Da Poet, Tre the Goat and Mone, who worked the crowd with a range of original material that explored the fracturing of the American dream, the vulnerability of Black youth, gun violence, Donald Trump’s nationalism and the innate power of Black femininity.

Each artist excelled at adapting the music to their own unique style. The Experience Band & Show’s Travis “The Trombone King” Gardner had included practice sessions with each of the three finalists in the run-up to the finale to ensure their performances would be seamless. “It’s like a good gumbo,” Gardner said of his tunes for the event. “It’s gotta tickle your palate. Music’s a universal language. This is a great event to show our talent and show how we’re infusing all the genres – poetry, dance – into the base of go-go music.”

Orville the Poet (creator of Pure Poetry Live) hosted the championship and introduced each finalist. “This is my second year as part of the Spoken Word to Go-Go Championship,” he explained. “It’s awesome to see spoken word as the main attraction and not just an appetizer. It’s great to see something organized around spoken word and seasoned by gogo music, which is so representative of the DMV. It’s an awesome marriage. It’s dope to see people I know get up here and be great.”

Despite stellar performances from all three finalists there could only be one winner, and it was the unenviable job of judges Big Tony Fisher (legendary Trouble Funk CEO), Rhonda Henderson (cofounder of The Dap Project), Eric Richardson (supervising producer at Washington Performing Arts), Jean-Keith Fagon (founder of Capital Community News which publishes the East of the River newspaper) and Dawn Fong (program manager for 202 Creates) to decide who that would be.

A riotous explosion of applause greeted the announcement by Anacostia BID’s executive director

Kristina Noell that Big Gee Da Poet had taken the win. “I’m excited but numb at the same time,” he said as he elded photo ops, interviews, handshakes and back slaps from his fans and supporters while clutching his trophy. “I have con dence in my work so this is a validation for me. I write poetry all the time, but I’ve never been accompanied by a band so that was a challenge. I had to switch my delivery

up to match the spoken word format.”

Not one to rest on his laurels, Big Gee said he was headed to perform at the Capital Hill Boys Club Art Gallery and Studio in Anacostia right after his win. If you missed the Spoken Word to Go-Go Championship this year, be sure to follow @arttogogo on Instagram and www. arttogogo.org to keep up to date with plans for next year’s championship. ◆

Theater Night

Comedy and Adventure Await on Stage (and in the Cemetery) This Month

by Matthew McClure

There’s plenty of serious stuff going on in the world right now, which is why this month’s column is taking a much-needed summer vacation and suggesting you do the same by enjoying some mystery, adventure, comedy and intrigue, here on your doorstep. Read on for our curated selection.

Catch before Closing

“The Play That Goes Wrong,” Keegan Theatre June 13-July 12 www.keegantheatre.com

Dupont Circle’s Keegan Theatre again gives us comedic escapism with the staging of “The Play That Goes Wrong.” Similar in slapstick style to Michael Frayn’s classic 1982 British farce “Noises Off” (which Keegan

Theatre produced in July 2024), “The Play That Goes Wrong” features a dilettante theatrical company attempting to stage an Agatha Christie-inspired murder mystery play while contending with collapsing sets, errant props, feuding actors, missed cues and a multitude of other funny mishaps.

Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields (founders of Mischief Theatre), “The Play That Goes Wrong” was first performed in London’s Old Red Lion Theatre in 2012. It won a 2015 Laurence Olivier Award, toured the UK, the US and Australia, ran on Broadway for two years and inspired several BBC TV series and specials.

The plot is relatively simple and truthfully ceases to matter as the play unravels: The curtain rises on the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’s opening night of “The Murder at Haversham Manor,” a classic Hercule Poirot/

Agatha Christie whodunnit, except produced with lot less professionalism. Hilarity ensues over the course of two acts as cheap sets crumble, props are misplaced, lines are forgotten, bad British accents start slipping and stage managers search for a missing dog while tunes from a misplaced Phil Collins CD box set blare unpredictably over the sound system.

It takes a dynamic cast to handle this much sustained and energetic action. Director Michael Innocenti has done a bang-up job of wrangling Darren Badley (Trevor), Rebecca Ballinger (Dennis), Jimmy Bartlebaugh (Max), Jared H. Graham (Jonathan), Leah Packer (Sandra), Matthew Pauli (Chris), Jackson Saunders (Robert) and Martina Schabron (Annie the stage manager). Without exception, everyone excels at making a series of catastrophic mistakes look utterly professional.

Bring your kids to this one. They’ll love it too.

On Right Now

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” Olney Theatre

July 2-Aug. 23 www.olneytheatre.org

If you watched A24’s “How to Make a Killing” (based on the 1949 British film “Kind Hearts and Coronets” and featuring a debonair Glen Powell as Becket Redfellow and a sultry Margaret Qualley as Julia Steinway), you’ll have an idea of the plot of Olney Theatre’s new summer musical that’s closing out the 2025-26 season.

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” centers on the misadventures of Montague Navarro, who realizes after his indigent mother passes away that he’s related to the fabulously wealthy and idiosyncratic D’Ysquith family. As only the eighth in the line of succession, there’s little hope for Monty to lay claim to the family’s wealth, but an encounter with a soused D’Ysquith relative at the top of a bell tower leads our canny protagonist down a path of treachery, polyamory and – you guessed it – murder.

This comedic musical was originally developed around 2006 and debuted on Broadway in 2013. It’s based on Edwardian novelist Roy Horniman’s 1907 book “Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal” and is famously tricky to stage, not least of all because all male members of the D’Ysquith family are played by

a single actor. “’A Gentleman’s Guide’ has been on my radar ever since it won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2014,” explains Olney Theatre’s artistic director Jason Loewith. “I realized it had never been done in the DC area in a resident production because it requires an actor that can play multiple roles and it requires plenty of scenery and plenty of costumes. That’s a hard show to do!”

Ever one for a challenge, and answering the call from patrons for something light, Loewith reread the libretto and settled on Helen Hayes Award-winning Tom Story to play all seven members of the D’Ysquith family alongside Jacob Tischler as social climber extraordinaire Montague Navarro. “He’s a singular performer who’s extremely versatile and can be both a character and a leading man,” Loewith says of Story. “We’re very lucky to have him opposite Jacob as Monty Navarro.”

Directed by Eleanor Holdridge with a book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and musical direction by Christopher Youstra, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” features choreography by Ashleigh King. Sumie Yotsukura and Sadie Koopman are cast as Monty’s competing love interests Sibella and Phoebe. The musical will debut at the Roberts Mainstage, which will feature a new passerelle that extends the action into the audience in the style of old British music halls.

“A Respite for City Folk”

Olney Theatre Center’s 2026-27 season ‒ which kicks off in September with a production of “La Cage aux Folles” – takes place amid a raft of new developments and upgrades to the 88-year-old, 14-acre performing arts campus, all part of the $37 million “Staging the Future” capital campaign.

Officially designated as one of only two state summer theaters of Maryland, the Olney Outdoors series of concerts and plays performed under the open sky has always been intended, as Loewith says, “to be a respite for city folk.” Back in the 1930s, audiences from DC and New

York would make the trip to Sandy Spring Road to watch actresses like Tallulah Bankhead and Olivia de Havilland tread the boards for summer stock performances, and Olney’s kept this tradition alive for over 80 years.

On your visit this month to check out “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” at the Roberts Mainstage, check out the new Bernard Family Theatre (Olney’s original 1938 performance space), which has been reenvisioned as a flexible barn for not only musicals and plays but also conferences, weddings, corporate gatherings or even a bat or bar mitzvah. The sparkling new Jim and Carol Trawick Education Center, the Gana Dunlop Maker’s Center and the renovated 150-seat black box theatre space are also new attractions that’ll draw even more patrons to Olney this summer.

Upcoming Attraction

“National Treasure,”

Historic Congressional Cemetery

Showing July 17

The Historic Congressional Cemetery (laid out in 1807) is beautiful all year round, but it really comes alive in summer through executive director Mark Hudson and program director AJ Orlikoff’s outdoor programming, of which Cinematery is one of our annual favorites. There are few things more quintessentially summer in DC than relaxing among the headstones with a few drinks and a light picnic while enjoying a film. This summer’s Cinematery (themed “Dinosaurs and Declarations”) kicks off with John Turteltaub’s swashbuckling 2004 adventure flick “National Treasure.” Remember, you’ll have to leave Fido at home for this one, and blankets are better than large lawn chairs (which block the view of the screen for others). And don’t lean on the grave markers! Tickets sell fast, so get yours now at www.congressionalcemetery.org. u

kids and family

by Kathleen Donner

Soar Together Family Day at National Air and Space Museum

On Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the National Air and Space Museum on the Mall, enjoy a day of hands-on science, make-and-take art, demonstrations and more. Learn how to fold paper airplanes from the Paper Airplane Guy, John Collin; meet children’s author Jamila Lindo and listen to her book “Hannah’s Dream Tower”; meet experts who worked on transforming the museum and enjoy the play “Professor Wingnut” by Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater. Free, timed-entry-passes required. www.airandspace.si.edu

Kids Run the Bases at Nats Park

Kids ages 4-12 are invited to run the bases at Nationals Park after every Sunday afternoon home game, weather permitting. Kids Run the Bases takes place entirely inside of Nationals Park. Participating guests line up at the GEICO Presidents Photo Station behind Section 131. Families with checked strollers at Main Guest Services should not pick up their strollers until after the event. The run begins approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of the game and lasts about an hour. Kids start their run at first base and will be directed around the bases to home plate. Sliding into bases is prohibited. An adult must accompany each participating child to the field. Adults drop children off at first base and meet them near home plate. (Adults may not accompany children as they run.) One adult is permitted onto the field per participating child. Here are the remain-

ing dates this year: July 5, vs. Pirates; July 12, vs. Yankees; July 26, vs. Diamondbacks; Aug. 9, vs. Reds; Aug. 30, vs. Marlins; Sept. 13, vs. Angels; Sept. 27, vs. Mets. www. mlb.com/nationals/fans/ jr-nats/kids-run-the-bases

Children’s Garden at the Botanic Garden

Meet the Wheelwomen at American History

Meet a cyclist pursuing life, liberty and happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women. The half-hour Meet the Wheelwomen is on multiple days and times throughout July at the American History Museum, 1 West. www.americanhistory.si.edu

When children use their imaginations to relate to their surroundings, they also develop a lifelong affection for the natural world. In the Children’s Garden, kids play, discover and awaken their curiosity. Shaded seating is available throughout the garden. The Children’s Garden is open seasonally through October. The US Botanic Garden, at the southwest base of the Capitol grounds, is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.usbg.gov

Little Growers Volunteer Days with the Honeycomb Project

DC Greens’ The Honeycomb Project believes kids are at the forefront of social change, and they’re bringing that mission to The Well all season long. Families volunteer through parent and child groups, with farm tasks that engage even the youngest volunteers. Little Growers Volunteer Days at The Well at Oxon Run, 300 Valley Ave. SE, are on Saturdays, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 12 and Oct. 17, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. All ages are welcome. This activity is best for ages five+. www.dcgreens.org

It’s Go Kart Time!

The Go Kart Track, 4300 Kenilworth Ave., Bladensburg, Maryland, is open Monday to Friday, 3 to 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Drivers must be at least eight years old and 54 inches tall to drive a single kart by themselves, and must be at least 16 years old to drive a double kart with a passenger. Passengers must be at least three years old and 36 inches to ride in a double kart. www.gokarttrack.com

“The Hip Hop Nutcracker” (Save the Date)

“The Hip Hop Nutcracker” returns to the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, on Nov. 17 to 22. Directed and choreographed by Tony- and Olivier Award-nominated Jennifer Weber, this contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and reimagined version of the classic hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music, brought to life by all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist and MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers. www.broadwayatthenational. com/show/the-hip-hop-nutcracker u

The Smithsonian American Art Museum Arcade

On Saturday, July 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., experience the creative world of gaming at the SAAM Arcade. A daylong celebration of video games as an artistic medium is at the American Art Museum at Eighth and G streets NW. The Indie Showcase highlights games by women in the field of video game development. This is a special opportunity to play games and talk with the designers and coders who created them. Triforce Quartet will perform, and console and classic arcade games will be available all day courtesy of MAGFest. The first 90 minutes are designated quiet hours, with reduced noise to ensure that a portion of the program is sensoryfriendly. Headphones will be available to borrow all day. www.americanart.si.edu

Movies, stars and characters

by Myles Mellor

Across:

1. Gemstone 6. Identical sets 11. Sch. in Stillwater

Cyberhandle 16. Northern Cal.city 19. Sharpen

21. Sci-fi film

23. Main character of 21 across

Inflated self-image 26. Shades

Speed

28. Notorious London gangster

29. Cut again

32. Verdon of “Damn Yankees”

34. Salt Lake City-based grp.

35. Miniature

36. Company delegates, for short

38. Stein contents

40. Clothed, as a monk

43. N. American deer

46. Loses ones cool

48. John Hancock, for short

49. 2003 Civil War movie

51. Star in 49 across

55. “Vanilla ___” (2001 Tom Cruise film)

56. Initial stage

57. Sensitive subject, to some

59. To happen again

61. __ Love You..62’ McCartney song

62. Wood incision

64. Lively dance

65. Read

69. Jeans name

73. Nevada’s second-largest county 74. Charge

75. Soldier’s protection

77. Bibliography abbr.

78. Due process

81. Too trustful

82. Cardinals’ team letters

83. Strike caller

86. Off-roader’s purchase, for short

89. Space thriller

92. One of the main characters in

89 across

95. Actress, Lupino

96. Mimicry

97. Pass

98. Aphorism

102. Law and Order network

103. Explosives

104. Graff of “Mr. Belvedere”

105. Admiral’s org.

107. Teenage problem

110. Red-orange dye

114. Prefix with store

115. Pray, in Calais

116. Put up, as a picture

118. “Cant” or “hallow” ending

119. Coen Brothers classic

121. One of the main characters in 119 across

126. Crystal ball user

127. Ones at the helm

128. Bank profit source

129. Prefix with lateral

130. Bygone auto

131. Maine’s state animal

Down:

1. Jerusalem artichoke, e.g.

2. ___ orange

3. River to the Rio Grande

4. Deluge refuge

5. Ugly spot

6. Bel ___ cheese

7. TV alien

8. Thanks for the loan

9. Pit viper

10. Turned sideways

11. Electric resistance measure

12. Bulb setting

13. Locked up

15. Cry from Homer Simpson

16. My goodness!

17. Discarded debris

18. “__ the rampart’s...

20. Safari sighting

22. Yanks

24. Learned and smart, in rebus puzzles

30. Desert-like

31. Clean, as a floor

33. Bedevil

35. Cats

37. Devout

39. Floral necklace

41. Tempe sch.

42. Open, say

43. Loos

44. Excellent

45. Layer

46. E.R. personnel

47. Sat down at Wendy’s

50. Of service

51. Sudden pull

52. Kind of jet

53. Rights org.

54. Wimp

58. Hair substance

60. Stadium cheer

63. Big sheet

65. Japanese honorific

66. Rugged rock

67. Mideast chief

68. It’s super, in the sky

70. Site for crafty entrepreneurs

71. Large vessel

72. Brat-like

76. Restore to life

79. Aragorn’s love in “The Lord of the Rings”

80. Fortune

83. New York city

84. Pikes Peak, for one, abbr.

85. FedEx dely.

86. Nile biter

87. Thanks, for short

88. Contend for superiority

90. Suffix with chlor-

91. Old salt

93. Police alert

94. Remove scars

98. Earnest requests

99. Remorse

100. Wild donkey

101. Glass tube

103. Lean

104. Global finance group

106. Yes or no follower

108. Barbarian

109. Namesakes of Bert Bobbsey’s twin

111. Peachy-keen

112. An emperor and a pianist

113. Wrestling’s ___ the Giant

115. Cribwear

117. High school exam

120. Dwarf in ‘’The Hobbit’’

122. Age abbr.

123. General in gray

124. Masterpiece

125. ___ system (blood classification)