Mid City DC Magazine – April 2026

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON Spring Special

Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation/Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians). Free me from this body, my voice can carry only so far. Free me from this body, as I lay on the grass it feels heavy and I can’t move. Free me from this body, the color burns brown with dark limbs so tired and missing the weightless breadth of above., 2020 inkjet print with hand-etched text. National Gallery of Art.

Smithsonian Craft Show

Sky Hopinka: Kicking the Clouds at the NGA

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.

An Asian American Dance Journey at Woolly Mammoth

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.

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.

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON Spring Special

Living Earth Festival at the National Museum of the American Indian

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: Suffering Fools at the Warner

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

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.

UNBANNED Film and Discussion at Miracle Theatre

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.

Theater Night A Curated Preview of Theater in the DMV

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 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. “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 Federal enforcement of non-segregated public buses? Lewis was there. The March on Washington in 1963? Lewis was the youngest of the socalled “Big Six” that organized the march and he locked step with the Reverend Dr Martin Luther-King Jr and Bayard Rustin. The Selma to Mont -

gomery marches in 1965? Yes, Lewis was there.

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.”

Special Mention

“Much Ado About Nothing” Faction of Fools

Showing April 9 – May 2

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 cliffs (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.

Upcoming Attraction

“A Streetcar Named Desire” The Streetcar Project Showing April 20 – May 4 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 fleeing 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 reflects 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 ill-fated love interest Mitch

all appearing in both feature and madefor-TV films, 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 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 finding 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 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 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 fleshed 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.” u

Spotlight: Dragon Hero

by Andrew Lightman

Dragon Hero’s motto. Each of their gourmet sandwiches is named for a hero who defeated a dragon. “Dragons are real. Man!” said proprietor Chef Adam Walker Campbell.

Take the “Siegfried,” the shop’s bestseller, an overstu ed sandwich of crispy chicken schnitzel, fennel, and apple slaw. Dine on the King Arthur, a combination of roast beef, turkey, cheddar bacon, and lettuce. Both the slow-roasted beef and smoked turkey are prepared in-house. All come either as regular sandwiches measuring 17 to 18 inches or as 27 to 29-inch heroes. Order the larger size, better for midnight snacking.

en, there is the meatball sub, known as “ e Mario.” Yes, boys and girls, Super Mario does feature dragons such as the thousand-year-old Hooktail. It all starts with the mouthwatering meatballs made of pork, lamb and

beef. ey are dressed with a marinara sauce, Grana Padano and provolone. e sauce reminds me of my youth.

Dragon Hero has not ignored those eschewing meat. e oyster po-boy is made from specialty mushrooms, pickles, red onion and dressed with remoulade. Here, the mushrooms are rst prepared as a “conserva.” is is a traditional Spanish technique of poaching them in oil, vinegar, and aromatics until tender. ey are later submerged in oil in the refrigerator for several weeks to several months. e result would satisfy the pickiest NOLA native. Alternatively, there is the Hummus Sub and the Roasted Veggie Sub, both vegan options. e sides at Dragon Hero can also be assembled into a meal. e crispy red potatoes, dressed with garlic mayo, were declared by my partner, a spud connoisseur, to be the best in the city. e establish-

ment makes a very respectable green salad. e cucumber and chickpea salad is my personal favorite, containing a perfect combination of herbs, acid and crunch.

“Every great story – like every great sandwich – is about passion, creativity, and a touch of magic,” Campbell said.

The Man Behind The Sandwich Campbell grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Moving to Roanoke in high school, he worked at the Brambleton Deli and BBQ, a local watering hole, learning the ins and outs of his future craft. At 21, he worked at the famous Berkley Hotel and Balliceaux in Richmond, becoming its sous chef.

Next, Campbell joined the Rappahannock Oyster Company as a line cook. He rose through the ranks to Executive Chef. In Richmond, Campbell developed a reputation for bold, innovative dishes, showcasing his creativity. Despite his success preparing haute cuisine, he missed the life of his old neighborhood joint. Together with William Brancati, a childhood friend, he created Dragon Hero to combine “his love of BBQ, epic storytelling and mystical adventures, Campbell explained.

“Anything I cook, it is because I want to eat it,” Campbell proclaimed. at is certainly true of his signature meatball sub.

Visit www.dragonherodc.com for more information. ◆

Spotlight: MK Lounge & MK Lounge on U

by Andrew Lightman

DC is experiencing a n de siècle moment. ere is a sure re antidote to this malaise. To paraphrase His Purple Badness, it’s time to party like it’s 2026!

MK Lounge, 1930 Ninth St. NW; and its younger sibling, MK Lounge On U, 913 U St. NW, provide the perfect venues to turn o the news and spend an enjoyable evening out with friends.

MK Lounge is an elegantly appointed, two- oor club. An expansive marble-topped bar greets patrons on its rst oor. Upstairs continues the modern vibe. White stone-patterned wallpaper frames a set of glass tables and white leather furniture. e room

is bookended by a second bar and a DJ platform. It is perfect for relaxed group lounging. When a DJ is in the house, it transforms into a dance oor. A number of massive TVs dot the walls, providing sports lovers with their favorite entertainment. MK Lounge on U re nes the earlier concept, adding a very attractive rooftop. Again, elegant wallpaper motifs decorate all three oors, punctuated by elegant round mirrors. ey are all graced with long, white marble-topped bars. e leather booths and chairs are a colorful orange or red, a contrast to the black-and-white walls. e rooftop deck continues the motif, adding large plants to the mix. Conveniently, half of it is enclosed, and the other half is open to the stars. e rst oor, featuring a DJ station, converts into a dance oor. e menus at both establishments are basic and reasonable. Chicken, either oven-baked or fried, is a specialty. ere is a range of bar starters and nger food, as well. Most importantly, both o er an after-midnight menu, making them a good destination for a post-concert snack. e bars o er an extensive selection of reasonable and top-shelf libations. Both establishments feature hookah as well.

e MK Lounges are the brainchild of entrepreneur Derege “DJ” Zewdie.

An Eye For Design

Given their large size, both MK Lounges are good places to throw a party. ere are three options for reserved table service. ese o er di erent combinations of top-shelf liquors, hookah, and snacks to accommodate parties of eight to 10 people.

e Zewdie family is well known in the District. Hailing from Ethiopia, DJ’s late brother Tefera founded Dukem, the U Street corridor’s iconic Ethiopian restaurant. His other siblings are also local restaurateurs. Growing up in Addis Ababa, Derege emigrated rst to Canada, where he learned the ins and outs of professional photo processing. In 2008, DJ moved to DC to work for his brother, later opening his own photographic studio on the

1900 block of Ninth Street NW. ere, he worked mostly shooting weddings and portraits. Working as a photographer developed his eye for color and light, DJ explained, skills evident in the careful interior design of his lounges.

e rise of digital photography put an end to independent photographic studios. Seeing the writing on the wall, Derege returned to the restaurant industry, opening Habesha Market & Carry-Out at 1919 Ninth St. NW. e establishment was the rst fast-casual Ethiopian restaurant in DC. In 2018, DJ added the rst MK Lounge. e U Street location followed in 2025.

“I don’t have to go out. Every day is a wedding here,” Zewdie said of his experience running the two lounges. “Places where everyone knows your name,” he a rmed with a twinkle in his eyes, comparing the two to the bar in the iconic series “Cheers.”

MK Lounge is located at 1930 Ninth St. NW. MK Lounge on U is located at 913 U St. NW. For more information about both establishments, visit www. mkloungedc.com. ◆

EAT.DRINK.SHAW.

Set for April 30

A night of delicious food and drinks at the Howard Theatre awaits guests at EAT.DRINK.SHAW. 2026: SAVOR THE FLAVOR.

Shaw is home to over 100 of DC’s finest restaurants and bars, drawing foodies and cocktail lovers from around the world. EAT.DRINK.SHAW is an in-person food and beverage showcase event, with ticket holders enjoying unlimited food and beverage items from 20 participating restaurants and bars on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.

Shaw Streets

by Pleasant Mann

Ticket holders get to meet the featured chefs, mixologists and brewers. Participating businesses include 801 Restaurant & Bar, All Purpose Shaw, Ambar Shaw, Baan Mae, Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant, Dolci Gelati Cafe, Gogi Yogi, Everyday People DC, Minya’s Pizza, Nina May, Pho Viet, Shaw’s Tavern, Silk Lounge, SOST, Unconventional Diner and Urban Garden Brewing. The estimated value of the food and beverages offered is $300.

Tickets are still available at EATDRINKSHAW.COM. Proceeds support Shaw Main Streets’ economic revitalization and historic preservation activities in central Shaw. Tickets include complimentary valet parking at the Howard Theatre, provided by U Street Parking.

Shaw Restaurants and Bars Get Award Nominations

The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington has released its list of nominees for this year’s RAMMY awards. As in most years, a large number Shaw establishments are nominated. Lulu’s Wine Bar is nominated for Wine Program of the Year. MITA’s Jose Martinez is up for Employee of the Year. Shaw fine dining establishments MITA and Causa got nominations for Service Program of the Year. Two Shaw bars, Amazonia and Your Only Friend, are up for the Cocktail Program of the Year award. The Dabney’s Chef Jeremiah Langhorne can win the award for Chef of the Year. Andy’s Pizza is up

for the Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year RAMMY, while Taqueria Xochi could become the Casual Restaurant of the Year. Garden Hospitality byDavid Deshaies and Eric Eden of Unconventional Diner is also nominated for Restaurateur of the Year.

There are four RAMMY categories where the winner is chosen in a public survey. Shaw residents can vote for Service Bar to be Best Bar of the Year. Unconventional Diner is in competition for the Best Brunch of the Year. Fans of Ninth Street lounge SOST can vote to get them the RAMMY for Favorite Gathering Place of the Year. Your Only Friend will be seeking support to get the award for Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year.

The RAMMY awards will be announced on Monday, June 29 at the Arena Stage Theater.

Shaw also had a hospitality professional make the finalist list of nominees for the culinary world’s prestigious James Beard Awards. Brent Kroll, of Maxwell Park, is nominated for the national Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service award. Kroll also owns Shaw’s Pop Fizz Bar. The winners of the James Beard Award will be announced on June 15 at a ceremony in Chicago.

Shaw Main Streets Annual Meeting

Shaw Main Streets held its Annual Meeting the evening of March 25 to review its accomplishments over the year and to elect Board of Directors

members. Executive Director Alexander Padro opened the meeting, with Board Chair Gretchen Wharton offering greeting to the attendees. Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder, chair of the DC Council Subcommittee on Local Business Development, as well as Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau and Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto gave their takes on what the District must do to support local business generation. Rosemary SuggsEvans, Director of the Department of Small and Local Business Development, stressed how important the DC Main Streets program was to the prosperity of the District and that Shaw Main Streets was an exemplary model of the program.

Padro then went over the organization’s accomplishments over the past year. He started by revealing the recent announcement that Shaw Main Streets had been the second most visited Main Street district in the nation (Oakland East Bay is the first). SMS has been a fully accredited Main Street by the National Main Street Center since 2003. It has been able to support neighborhood businesses’ applications for grants from the District’s Great Streets and Robust Retail programs, in addition to an SMS effort to provide funds to install video surveillance cameras in Shaw. Shaw Main Streets has kept up its series of an-

nual events including EAT.DRINK. SHAW., Shaw Open House and Small Business Saturday. e biggest SMS event of the year, Art All Night Shaw, drew 30,000 attendees last year. Board Chair Wharton got a Mayor’s Art Award for her work on Art All Night.

e next year will also see dynamic improvements in the neighborhood. Urban Garden Brewing will take over Right Proper Brewing Company’s space on T Street. A new restaurant, name to be announced, will open on Seventh Street where e Passenger was. ere are a number of development projects planned for the neighborhood, including renewal of the old Bond Bread and the adjoining bus barn buildings on Georgia Avenue, with the project including a hotel. And Blagden Alley will nally get two trash compactors, one for recycling, one for trash, to deal with the refuse generated by the businesses in the area.

en, the winners of the Best New Shaw Business of 2025, determined by an online survey, was announced. Café Joy won rst place, with the hot neighborhood spot Eebee’s Corner Bar taking First Runner Up and Melange Foods coming in as Second Runner Up. Emily Brown of Eebee’s along with Bahaa Hajjar and Sergey Nikolaev, the owners of Café Joy, expressed their appreciation for the Shaw community’s support.

e last task was the election of new o cers to the Shaw Main Streets Board of Directors. e slate of Antwain Coward (District Cryo), Graham King (Urban Athletic Club), Cheryl Lofton (Cheryl A. Lofton and Associates), Meredith Pitts (Mid City Development) and Yared Tesfaye (1942 DC/U Street Holdings) was elected unanimously by the attendees to the annual meeting.

Padro closed by announcing that one of the attendees to the annual meeting would be selected at random to enjoy a free meal for two at Shaw’s Nina May restaurant. ◆

ANC 2G Transportation Improvements Considered

by Pleasant Mann

The Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2G (ANC 2G) considered four neighborhood transportation improvements recommended by its Transportation Committee. e committee asked the commission to forward their suggestions to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Department of Parks and Recreation for action.

1. DDOT should install a “No Left Turn” sign facing north at the entrance to the western segment of Glick Court Alley on Rhode Island Avenue NW.

2. e road marking on S Street NW, from the 400 to the 1000 block, should be redone to address congestion on the street, which requires a tra c stripe dividing the two-way street and markings for parking spaces.

3. Several of the ex posts on the Ninth Street bike lane between N Street and on Allen Lew Way appear to be damaged and should be replaced.

4. e hours of operation of the Shaw Soccer Field next to Banneker High School should be extended. e eld currently closes at 10 p.m., which has proved to be too early for most soccer games.

e commission endorsed the rst three recommendations unanimously. Commissioner Alexander M. “Alex” Padro asked that the fourth proposal be tabled until he could consult residents on Rhode Island Avenue about the change in hours. e commission tabled that matter.

Public Safety

ird Police District Lieutenant Stanley Mark Rawls briefed the commission on public safety. ere was a recent shooting at Seventh and O Streets NW, he said. A person shot himself in the foot. A crime suppression team was noti ed and a business beat team and robbery team will appear

in the area, he reported.

ere was a community walk the day before that brought together new members of the ird District with neighborhood residents, Commissioner Nicole Shea reported.

Over the previous six months, there had been 514 arrests, 118 of them narcotics-related, Rawls said. During this period, 133 rearms were con scated in ANC 2G. ere had been a 31% reduction in robberies year to year. Since the beginning of the year, 26 rearms have been recovered and there have been zero homicides, he said.

Residents around Tenth Street Park reported about 20 police cars in the area the previous Monday night, said Chair Steve M. McCarty. Was there a vehicular chase by the police in the neighborhood that night? he asked. Lieutenant Rawls was not aware of a chase. ere are strict limits on tra c chases in the District, Rawls said. If there were several police cars at the end of a chase, they may have been from other agencies, not the MPD, he added.

The Central Cell Block

Representatives of the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Department of Corrections (DOC) provided a quarterly update on the construction of the temporary Central Cellblock at 501 New York Avenue NW. e interior of the building is largely completed, they stated. e Historic Preservation Review Board has approved a revised fence design, they said. A hearing before the District Department of Transportation’s Public Space Committee to get exterior permits is scheduled in March. Coordination is needed with DC Water and the National Park Service, which has jurisdiction over part of the block. Work on the project is expected to be substantially completed in May 2026, with completion in October 2026, they reported.

Treasurer Rachelle Nigro asked several questions regarding parking, windows, and on-site public notice. Later, Nigro asked the commission to resubmit its objections to the application for public space permits for the new Central Cellblock. e commission agreed unanimously.

ABC Matters

Hyatt House, 899 O Street NW, requested substantial license changes to increase capacity and hours of operation for its rooftop restaurant. Residents of the Perla condominium directly across the street had complained about noise from the restaurant’s outdoor space, under previous and current operators, Commissioner Padro reported. At the recommendation of the commission’s Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Licensing Committee ( e ABC Committee), the commission voted to protest Hyatt House’s request.

Café Joy, 906 P S. NW, requested a new Class C restaurant license with a summer garden. It is a small establishment that opened in October. Commissioner Padro said. Café Joy agreed to a settlement agreement with the standard outdoor hours that other ANC 2G licensees have, he reported. e commission voted unanimously to support stipulated and permanent licenses for the establishment and to approve the settlement agreement.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2G met on March 12. Steven McCarty (2G04, chair), Howard Garrett (2G01, vice chair), Alexander M. “Alex” Padro (2G02), Nicole Shea (2G03, Secretary), Sheena Berry (2G05) and Rachelle Nigro (2G06, Treasurer) were in attendance.

ANC 2G will hold its next meeting on ursday, May 14, 2026. e meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. Plans are to hold this meeting as a virtual conference. Visit www.anc2g.org for more information.◆

BULLETIN BOARD

Change the World: One Diaper at a Time

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. ey’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. Diapers are more than just a basic need, they’re a lifeline. ey keep babies clean, healthy, and dry. ey allow caregivers to send their children to daycare so they can go to work or school. e 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.

DC Board of Elections Ranked Choice Voting Townhall

On Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Shaw Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW, join the DC Board of Elections for a community townhall to learn about ranked choice voting and to prepare for the upcoming elections. e townhall will feature a presentation by DCBOE, Q&A, and hands-on practice. Presentation times are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. You can submit questions in advance to rcv@dcboe.org. Reservations are encouraged but not required. Ranked choice voting is a voting method that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. Beginning with the June 2026 elections, RCV will be used in

Bourbon & Bluegrass at President Lincoln’s Cottage

Bourbon & Bluegrass, May 2 and 3, 1 to 5 p.m., the Cottage’s biggest, most rollicking fundraising of the year, is back and better than ever for an extra-special line up in honor of the Nation’s 250th. Lounge on Lincoln’s lawn, sip bourbon, and enjoy live bluegrass music at the 11th annual Bourbon and Bluegrass. Hear Alison Brown on Saturday and Sunday; Jake Blount, Split String Soup and Hubby Jenkins on Saturday; Goldbug Revival on Sunday. Adults with drinks, $56; non-drinking adults, $40; youth six to twenty, $28; ve and under, free. lincolncottage.org/event/ bourbon-bluegrass.

DC for eligible contests with three or more candidates. RCV allows your vote to count towards another candidate if your rst-choice candidate does not receive enough votes and is eliminated from future rounds of tabulation. To learn more, visit dcboe. org/RCV for interactive tools, practice ballots, and additional information. dclibrary.org.

Make It Mt. Pleasant Spring Art Market

e Mt. Pleasant Artists Collective presents its annual Make It! Mt. Pleasant Spring Market on Sunday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Lamont Plaza, 3210 Mount Pleasant St. NW. More than 60

Children’s Business Fair of Washington, DC

e annual Acton Children’s Business Fair of Washington, DC is on Saturday, May 9 (rain date May 16), 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Dupont Circle neighborhood at 1521 20th St. NW. e largest entrepreneurship event for children in North America, this morning-long fair gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses. Children aged six to 14 are invited to create a product or service and sell to customers. Prizes will be given for the best businesses by age and category. Past businesses have included handmade greeting cards, a pet-sitting service for exotic birds, a photobomb booth, and a lemonade stand that donated a percentage of pro ts to protect honeybees. Join the mailing list at dcchildrensbusinessfair.org/email-updates.

artists and artisans will ll Lamont Plaza and line Mt. Pleasant Street, o ering pottery, paintings, home décor, jewelry and other handmade items. A craft table will be set up to make cards for hospitalized children, Bancroft Elementary will present musical performances, and two dozen restaurants will be open with a virtual United Nations of cuisine. mtpleasantartistsdc@gmail.com.

Local and Global Poetry Springs Up on DC’s Downtown Streets

Now through May, haiku can be enjoyed on DC’s downtown streets. e internationally recognized annual Golden Haiku competition invited poets to submit up to two original, self-authored haiku. Submitted haiku have been reviewed by a panel of judges, authors of winning haiku have been awarded monetary prizes and selected haiku are being displayed on signs in tree box gardens throughout the neighborhood. 2026’s theme is “ e Joy of Nature”. goldentriangledc.com/ event/golden-haiku.

Every Week at Studio Theatre

On Wednesdays. 8 to 10 p.m., there is Trivia hosted by Goldilocks Trivia. On Saturdays, 10 p.m. to midnight, there is Karaoke hosted by District DC. Studio eatre is at 1501 14th St. NW. studiotheatre.org.

LCCA’s Annual Online Auction Volunteer Opportunity

e Logan Circle Community Association is planning their sixth annual online auction, which will occur a few months from now. Please consider volunteering with their auction team and/or donating an item for people to bid on. You can even donate a service like dog walking, resume review, cooking or art classes, personal training, garden or home decor consulting, or tours of the city by foot, bike, or car. To

S I G N U P T O D A Y !

Bike to Work Day

On Friday, May 15, join Bike to Work at more than 100 pit stops in DC, MD, and VA for this free event--a fun and healthy way to start your day. The first 18,000 who register and attend at a pit stop receive a free T-shirt. There are also giveaways, food, and beverages at participating locations, while supplies last. Most of the pit stops have morning hours and a few are scheduled for the afternoon. Free registration is now open at biketoworkmetrodc.org/register.

volunteer or donate, reach out to the LCCA auction committee at auction@logancircle.org.

MoMa in Color: Call for Artists

The NoMa in Color Mural Festival returns from Sept. 11 to 18 bringing a fresh wave of vibrant, eye-catching public art to NoMa--and adding to their ever-growing collection of murals. They’re seeking talented, local muralists and artists from across the DMV to paint in this year’s festival. If you’re an established muralist, a large-format painter, or an emerging artist ready to scale up your work, they want to hear from you. Apply at nomabid.org/noma-in-color.

Arab American Heritage Festival at MLK Library

On Saturday, April 18, noon to 4 p.m., experience a celebration of

National Arab American Heritage Month at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW. Enjoy an afternoon featuring fashion, food, music, visual art, a traditional Arab Souq, and hands on workshops led by local Arab American artists and community members. As part of the celebration, the DC Public Library will also host an educational concert with renowned Arab American musician Muath Edriss and his band, showcasing the rich history and cultural traditions of Arab Americans. dclibrary.org.

The Mid-city DC Bulletin Board includes event notices, volunteer opportunities and other community news. Send your notice to bulletinboard@hillrag.com. u

CHANGING HANDS

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

KIDS & FAMILY

Think Like an Architect: A Family LEGO Design Workshop

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.

Chiarina’s Family Concert: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

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 nowbeloved 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.

Call for Submissions: DMV Girls and GenderExpansive Youth of Color

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 inperson 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.

Tudor Tots: E is for Earth

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 flowers, plants and animals that inhabit the gardens. Taught through group story time, garden exploration and a hands-on art project. $10 per child; accompanying adult, free. tudorplace.org.

National Mall’s Historic Carousel Returns

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.

Heure Du Conte: Bilingual Fun in French and English

On the first Friday of every month, 10:30 to 11 a.m., the Shaw Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW, invites children from zero to five, accompanied by an adult, to enter into a world of fun and make-believe. Through stories, songs and movement, discover the joy of reading and savor the flavor of language. Join us! dclibrary.org.

Art in the A.M. at Renwick Gallery

Children ages up to five 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. Free. Registration closes on Monday, April 13 at noon. americanart.si.edu.

Congressional Cemetery Kid’s Race before 5k

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.

123 Andres at Saturday

LOC Family Day: Birds at the Library?

On Saturday, April 11, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in the

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Love & Diapers: Inaugural Mother’s Day Diaper Drive

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.

Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building, second oor, discover how birds of all kinds show up in Library collections and the Thomas Jefferson Building. Create your own bird and learn about ornithology, birdwatching and more from staff specialists and displays. Each Family Day includes a creative activity, connections to Library of Congress collections, a chance to talk to staff experts, and a guide to using Library resources at home. This event is free, but tickets are required for the Jefferson Building. Register for free tickets at loc.gov/visit.

Inaugural Tinkerer-inResidence at NCM

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 hands-on programming for children, families, and educators throughout 2026. nationalchildrensmuseum.org.

Hill Center Family Day 2026

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.

From China to Appalachia and Around the World

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. 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 ve, free. hillcenterdc.org.

AWS Earth Day Cleanup with Kids

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 difculty 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 dif culty and site details section. Registration for all cleanup sites has begun at anacostiaws.org.

Family Program: Plants Make Their Own Food!

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. 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. ◆

COME JOIN US AT THE HOWARD THEATRE FOR A NIGHT OF DELICIOUS FOOD AND DRINKS AT EAT.DRINK.SHAW. 2026: SAVOR THE FLAVOR. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to tantalize your taste buds and have a great time with friends and family. Get ready to savor the flavor!

Shaw is home to over 100 of DC’s finest restaurants and bars, drawing foodies and cocktail lovers from around the world. Eat.Drink.Shaw. is an in-person food and beverage showcase event at the historic Howard Theatre, with ticket holders enjoying complimentary food and beverage items from 20+ participating restaurants and bars for two-and-onehalf hours on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 7-9:30 PM

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

SAVOR THE FLAVOR

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2026

7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

THE HOWARD THEATER 620 T STREET, NW

Participating businesses include 801 Restaurant & Bar, All Purpose Shaw, Ambar Shaw, Baan Mae, Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant, Dolci Gelati Cafe, Everyday People DC, Gogi Yogi, Minya’s Pizza, Nina May, Pho Viet, Shaw’s Tavern, Silk Lounge, SOST, Unconventional Diner and Urban Garden Brewing.

BUY TICKETS TODAY. Tickets are $100. Proceeds support Shaw Main Streets’ economic revitalization and historic preservation activities in central Shaw. Tickets include complimentary valet parking at the Howard Theatre, provided by U Street Parking.

Shaw Main Streets is a designated DC Main Streets program and is funded in part by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, Muriel E. Bowser, Mayor. ©2026 Shaw Main Streets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.