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Mid City DC Magazine – August 2026

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AUGUST 2026

plement p u S n io t a c u d Fall E ) (See Centerfold


AUGUST 2026

NEXT ISSUE: SEPTEMBER 12TH

ON THE COVER: Prim’s Cafe Founder Ashley Blake. Photo: Jeremiah Brown, www.projectjeremiah.com

Supplement Fall Education ) (See Centerfold

04 what’s on washington out and about 10

Theater Night: Revolution, Resistance and Rousing Melodies • Matthew McClure

12

Spotlight: Prim’s • Andrew Lightman

14

Spotlight: Techo Palma • Andrew Lightman

your neighborhood 16

Shaw Is a Great Place to Train Outdoors • Graham King

18

Shaw Streets • Pleasant Mann

20

ANC 2G • Pleasant Mann

22

Bulletin Board • Kathleen Donner

at home 25

Changing Hands • Don Denton

26 classifieds

10 16 18

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A U GU ST 2026 03


WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

“Tomorrow the Sun Will Rise” at The Phillips

From Aug. 1 to Sept. 20, The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW, presents a major exhibition showcasing 48 artists based in the greater DC region. The result of an open call that drew 1,500 applications, the exhibition brings together an intergenerational group of artists who are grappling with the complexities of the contemporary world. The Phillipa is open daily except Mondays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Third Thursdays, the museum has extended hours with free admission from 5 to 8 p.m. Adult admission is $20; seniors, $15; students with ID, $10; military, $12; 18 and under, free. www.phillipscollection.org

Gail Shaw-Clemnons, “Shorthand Revisited 2025.”

Around the World Cultural Food Festival

On Saturday, Aug. 29, rain or shine, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., Alexandria, Virginia, becomes a destination of food, music and culture. The Around the World Cultural Food Festival features two beer gardens, live music, dance and cultural performances, handcrafted goods, art, jewelry from global artisans and a kids’ corner with moon bounces and activities. Admission is free; parking nearby. www.visitalexandria.com

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A U GU ST 2026 05


WHAT’S ON W A S H I N G T O N

DC State Fair

The first DC State Fair was held on Aug. 28, 2010, established by food and garden bloggers to showcase the talents of the District and engage artistic, agricultural and culinary-minded residents in friendly competition. This year, the fair is on Sunday, Sept. 6, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Anthem Row, 700 K St. NW. The contest guide with rules, judging criteria and submission instructions is coming later this summer. Registration for contests is also coming later this summer. ‍The DC State Fair is led by a nonprofit organization that is operated entirely by volunteers. www.dcstatefair.org

“Romeo” at the Atlas

This fast-paced, all-male production reimagines Shakespeare’s timeless tale of love and loss through the power and intimacy of dance. “Romeo” unfolds through breathtaking movement and physical storytelling, showing the profound connection between two men whose love challenges the world around them. “Romeo” is at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, from Sept. 11 to 13. All seating, $53.75. www.atlasarts.org

My Chemical Romance at Nats Park

This is My Chemical Romance’s first show in the DMV since 2011, making it an especially long-awaited night for local fans. The show comes with a new twist: a theatrical storyline built around the mysterious Grand Immortal Dictator, a larger-than-life figure woven into the concert’s visuals and stage design. My Chemical Romance is at Nats Park on Tuesday, Aug. 18, rain or shine, at 7 p.m. (gates, 5:30 p.m.). Tickets start at $138. www.mlb.com/ nationals/tickets/events

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“Gruesome Playground Injuries” at Keegan

In “Gruesome Playground Injuries” by Rajiv Joseph, two kindred spirits find their way back to each other across a lifetime of scraped knees, broken bones and beautifully imperfect moments. With humor that sparkles and a connection that feels achingly real, this production invites audiences to recognize the bonds that shape us all. “Gruesome Playground Injuries” is at the Keegan, 1742 Church St. NW, from Aug. 15 to Sept. 6. Tickets are $55 for adults; $45, seniors, students and under 25. Single tickets incur a $5 service fee. www.keegantheatre.com

Capitol Hill Art Walk

On Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12 and 13, noon to 4 p.m., local artists and artisans display their work for sale in their own micro-galleries, in Capitol Hill home-studios, on porches and in yards. Artists are not required to live on Capitol Hill, but their setup location must be on the Hill and not a commercial space or park. There is no age requirement or limit on the type of art or crafts that may be displayed for sale. All are welcome, whether a professional artist, student or someone who likes to work with fabric, found objects or other unusual materials. The artists price and market the art in their own way. No fees or commissions are taken by the organizers. Register by Aug. 10 to be assured that your location is listed. www.caphillartleague.org


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The Joshua Redman Quartet appears on Sunday, Sept. 6.

WHAT’S ON W A S H I N G T O N

Labor Day Weekend’s DC JazzFest

This Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5 and 6, from 2 to 10 p.m., both days, celebrate all things jazz and enjoy the bustling Wharf neighborhood along DC’s Potomac River. Find the lineup at www.dcjazzfest. org/lineup-2026. Access to shows at Arena Stage on Saturday and Sunday is only available to holders of preferred seating, VIP and ultimate VIP tickets, who can attend performances on Saturday and Sunday at Union Stage and Pearl Street Warehouse. Every seat at each venue is first-come, first-served. Early arrival is recommended for high-demand shows. Ticket options start at $25. www.dcjazzfest.org

Maryland Renaissance Festival

The Maryland Renaissance Festival, 1821 Crownsville Rd., Annapolis, Maryland, is a 25-acre English village with acres of free parking, 140 craft and specialty shops, 42 food and beverage emporiums, games, attractions, 11 stages of entertainment with shows throughout the day and a 3,000-seat jousting arena. Festival days are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 29 and 30; Sept. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27; Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24. Tickets, only sold online, are adults, $31, seniors, $27. Kids 7-15 are $17; six and under free but do require a ticket. Tickets will also be charged an amusement tax. Distance from Washington, DC, is about 30 miles. www.rennfest.com

“Merrily We Roll Along” at Signature

Sondheim’s masterwork about friendship, ambition and the compromises that shape life is directed by Matthew Gardiner. Told in reverse chronological order, the musical follows three friends as they navigate idealism, loyalty and disappointment over 20 years. “Merrily We Roll Along” is at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, Virginia, from Aug. 25 to Nov. 1. Tickets start at $47. www.sigtheatre.org

Social Distortion at The Anthem

Social Distortion has become the unquestioned standard bearer for punk bands. Led by Mike Ness, the band continues to reinvent itself while remaining true to its punk rock roots. Social Distortion is at The Anthem, 901 Wharf St SW, on Friday, Sept. 4, at 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.). General admission is $70. www.theanthemdc.com

Hundreds of children of all ages enjoyed painting under the stars at the Shaw Art Market. Photo by Alexander Padro, Courtesy of Shaw Main Streets

Art All Night Shaw Returns for 15th Year

On Sept. 12, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., this year’s Art All Night Shaw festival marks the 15th anniversary of DC’s original free overnight arts festival, which debuted in 2011. The event’s largest activation will be on the 700 and 800 blocks of K Street NW, where the festivities will stretch from the Carnegie Library lawn down Anthem Row to I Street. Partners Shaw Main Streets, Events DC, and Downtown DC BID’s lineup will include live music, drummers, dragon and lion dancers, do-it-yourself painting, an artists’ market, DJs, free food, and more. A dozen other venues stretching as far as 11th and U Streets NW offer a full night of fun for all ages. Details at artallnightdcshaw.com.

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OUT AND ABOUT

Theater Night Revolution, Resistance and Rousing Melodies by Matthew McClure major production (“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”) in what was then ven though July 4th is already a disthe gym for a lotant, smoke-filled memory, theaters in A still from Keegan cal high school, DC are still contemplating the contestTheatre’s 2016 Keegan Theatre production of ed concepts underpinning the holiday is now one of “American Idiot.” and what they mean right now. August the city’s heavyCourtesy of is a great month to support local theaters by buying Keegan Theatre weights. It was tickets to shows that grapple with ideas of indepentheir rendition dence, resistance, equality and freedom. Read on for of “RENT,” perour recommendations. formed in early 2010, that cemented Keegan Theatre’s place on DC’s performing arts map, and since then the small yet solIn the Spotlight id team under Rhea’s capable leadership has formed a Tucked away on Church Street NW just off the robust network of connections, programs and partnerbuzzing 17th Street corridor, Keegan Theatre has ships that has seen the playhouse through both tough been dishing up satiating servings of stage art to times and good. DMV audiences for 30 years. Artistic director SuWhat screams resistance to the status quo more san Marie Rhea ‒ who co-founded the mid-sized than the Tony Award-winning punk rock musical theater along with creative partner Mark Rhea – says “American Idiot,” part of Keegan’s upcoming 2026-27 she’s reflecting on three decades of plays and proseason? Rhea says she’s working on exciting new updates gramming that “speak across divides” and “tease out to this very American tale of disaffected youth, alienwhat I want people to be talking about without hitation and addiction that Keegan Theatre first staged 10 ting them over the head.” years ago. “I think ‘American Idiot’ will really be loudly From humble beginnings and staging their first speaking to the moment, to what’s happening.” “The Believers” by Audrey Cefaly will open to audiences for the first time in early spring next year on Keegan’s mainstage. “I wanted a play that was about a small group of people still reaching for each other despite extreme differences,” Rhea explains. “We’ve got a flat-earther, a Christian, a Greta Thunberg type character, all coming together on the Florida panhandle. It’s brilliant. It’s exactly what I hope theater can do.” Cefaly’s play is part of Keegan Theatre’s Boiler Room Series piloted by artistic director Josh Sticklin, which has become a critical tool for supporting stage work by emerging playwrights from concept through to execution. Rhea says “The Believers” is a great example of how resistance can be both nuanced Children participating in Keegan Theatre’s PLAY-RAH-KA education program. and layered. “It’s really exciting to birth someCourtesy of Keegan Theatre

Keep the Spirit of July 4th Alive in August While Supporting Local Theaters.

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thing that speaks to the moment but does it in a way that’s both subtle and complicated.” There are many other ways Keegan Theatre responds to the moment while staying true to its founding principles through the work it stages and the community connections it nurtures. Keegan PLAY-RAH-KA is the theater’s education program for pre-K, elementary and high school students. It gives kids across the region access to important skills like learning to work as a group, cultivating creativity and improving communication through summer camp and after-school programs. “I’m endlessly proud of who we are in every way, as a community partner, as an arts organization, as a mentor and carer of people and artists,” Rhea says. “The most important thing to me are the human beings in the space. That’s there’s unending respect and kindness and that everyone’s idea is worth hearing. It’s the DNA of who we are.” www.keegantheatre.com

On Right Now “Woody Guthrie’s American Song,” Theater Alliance Showing Aug. 6-29 www.theateralliance.com “Woody Guthrie’s American Song” is not a Woody Guthrie autobiography. Neither is it your typical summer musical. Conceived and written by Peter Glazer in the late 1970s and first performed in 1988 with vocal and orchestral arrangements by Jeff Waxman, this infrequently produced yet uniquely American lyrical tale reimagines scenes from Guthrie’s life and career through the perspectives of the


eclectic melange of Americans who so often featured in his music. “It really feels like a play and a concert mashed up with storytelling elements. It’s these cool little vignettes of what inspired him to write his songs,” explains director Tim Seib, who worked with Theater Alliance’s executive artistic director Shanara Gabrielle to make “Woody Guthrie’s American Song” come to life at The Wharf Waterfront Park in Southwest. This performance will cap Theater Alliance’s 2025/26 season and is the final work the company will produce before moving into the Arts Hub ‒ their shared interdisciplinary space at 340 Maple Drive SW ‒ along with creative partners IN Series operatic theater company and the 4EYE Film Center (see below). Assistant artistic director Aria Velz says that producing the play was motivated by wanting to stage an outdoors summer musical while the permanent home was under construction, in addition to presenting a work that corresponds with Theater Alliance’s view of art as a tool of social justice. “We’ve never done a musical before. There’s something joyous about gathering people together to enjoy music outdoors. Woody Guthrie’s work is also aligned with a lot of the values of Theater Alliance in terms of speaking for and uplifting marginalized groups.” Radical neighboring – curating activations for the surrounding communi-

ty outside of conventional performance spaces and letting them decide how much they’re able to pay for a ticket – is also one of Theater Alliance’s core values, and something that Guthrie himself would no doubt have approved of. Widely acknowledged as an American folk music icon and the forefather of artists like Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, Guthrie was born in Oklahoma in 1912 and grew up in the heart of the American Dust Bowl. While his early life was beset by tragedy (his home burned down, his sister perished after setting herself alight and his mother died of Huntington’s Disease), he got his first break after moving to California and performing on a local radio station. It was also in California that Guthrie acquainted himself with communism and socialism, movements that would influence his music and life forever. “Woody Guthrie’s American Song” follows “the Oklahoma Cowboy” from Oklahoma to Texas, then on to California and New York, where he immersed himself in the pro-worker movement and wrote perhaps his most recognized song, “This Land Is Your Land,” penned as a critique of Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America.” Seib says that each member of the ensemble plays a role in telling Guthrie’s story. “We explore the idea that a diverse group of storytellers can all embody Guthrie’s persona and voice. They’re using his words and voice but through the lens of a group of modern people.” All the action takes place in a purpose-built outdoor set that incorporates the wind, sunshine and water that Guthrie himself found endlessly inspirational. “There’s a wonderful scene when Guthrie’s on a train and he feels rain for the first time in a long time. I can’t help thinking, wouldn’t it be great if it started raining at that moment?” Seib laughs. As right-wing nationalism and democratic socialism sweep across the nation and the world, Woody Guthrie’s legacy has never been more relevant. Go watch it now. u

Woodrow “Woody” Guthrie with his famous guitar, “This machine kills fascists.” Courtesy Theater Alliance

A U GU ST 2026 11


OUT AND ABOUT

Spotlight: Prim’s Cafe

A Neighborhood Gathering Spot by Andrew Lightman

Operating partner Ashley Mason-Greene and founder Ashley Blake pose in front of Prim’s Cafe’s attractive service counter. Photo: Kris Connor

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ornings always bustle in Prim’s Cafe at 1847 Seventh St. NW in Shaw. Stroller-flanked gossiping parents join bleary-eyed Howard students in search of caffeinated restoratives after all-nighters. Smiling baristas catch up with their regulars. The vibe is relaxed and friendly, with snippets of conversation filling the air. “Good coffee shops bring people together,” said operating partner Ashley Mason-Greene. “The ‘village’ is important,” agreed founder Ashley Blake, echoing Hillary Clinton’s famous adage about the importance of community. A bright storefront window and white brick walls are complemented by an exposed white ceiling. On the right wall is a white pegboard, on whose shelves sit tchotchkes and a hanging plant, in front of which sits a tea caddy with reading material, sugar and other beverage accouterments. The left wall hosts a colorful revolving display of art from local schools. A green-tiled wall frames an attractive wood-accented service counter displaying delectable pastries. A second rear room is outfitted as an ersatz living room,

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ideal for toddlers to explore. “I wanted to create a comfortable open space appropriate for moms and families,” Blake recalled. She lives nearby with her toddler Prim, the cafe’s namesake, who often starts her mornings before preschool as the cafe’s unofficial greeter. At midday, the seats are thronged with teleworkers, jiving to Mason-Greene’s Black Diaspora playlist. Just before afternoon close, folks flood in just to make the cafe “part of their day,” posited Mason-Greene. While the decor, service and ambiance hug customers warmly, the beverages are the real stars.

Beverages & Noshes

Prim’s Cafe offers a full menu of cold and hot beverages. Try the signature latte spiced with house-made lavender syrup. The matchas, a favorite of Howard students, come straight or enhanced with strawberry puree, another homemade touch. With beans sourced from Adee’s Coffee Roasters, a Black-owned

Cinnamon rolls and chocolate muffins are two of the many tasty treats for a morning nosh. Photo: Kris Connor

Baltimore business, the java arrives iced or hot as lattes, cappuccinos or Americanos. For the caffeineaverse, there are peppermint and chamomile teas on offer. Inspired by Mason-Greene’s mother, the cafe serves sweet tea and lemonade in Mason jars, plain or flavored with house-made syrups. Make sure to try the blueberry, if available. The cafe’s beverages are complemented by an assortment of pastries sourced from DC’s famed Sweet Lobby. They sell out fast, Blake said. On the savory side are fresh bagels with lox sourced from the Chesapeake Smokehouse, as well as avocado toast. The inspiration behind Prim’s Cafe’s delightful beverages and delicious noshes lies in the family roots of partners Blake and Mason-Greene.

It’s a Double Ashley

Known as Prim’s sunroom, the cafe’s sun-drenched front windows echo the owners’ sunny dispositions. Photo: Kris Connor

Blake is a military brat with a global upbringing. “Wherever I traveled, I found a mom-and-pop coffee shop. The experiences stuck with me,” she recalled. Blake gardened at her mother’s knee. Her


The chai matcha is one of the cafe’s most popular drinks. Photo: Kris Connor

family’s DIY ethos instilled a love for crafting. All the wall decor and staff uniforms at Prim’s Café were fashioned by her. After her daughter’s birth, Blake and Prim’s father, a professional chef, began making everything for her from scratch, honing culinary skills later put to use designing the menu. “Cooking helps me feel more grounded,” Blake said. Mason-Greene, on the other hand, grew up in a small Kentucky town. Her grandmother imbibed Folgers to the background of “The Young and Restless,” she remembered fondly. Both are foodies. Mason-Greene learned the art of cooking in her family’s kitchens. The two women met at Logan Tavern. Blake was a partner while Mason-Greene handled the public relations as a contractor. Hitting it off, they often spoke about going into business together. When Blake secured a lease in October 2025, she immediately called Mason-Greene to join the new venture. At Prim’s Cafe, patrons can experience the comfort of the family kitchens in which Blake and Mason-Greene were raised. Prim’s Cafe is located at 1847 Seventh St. NW. Visit www.primscafe.com for more information. u

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OUT AND ABOUT

Spotlight: Techo Palma Shaw’s Tropical Rooftop by Andrew Lightman

Fans of the old El Techo will be delighted to find shrimp tacos still on the menu. Photo: Rey Lopez, www.reylopezphoto.com

a restaurant group with three brick-andmortar locations and concessions at Nationals Park. A new team for a new concept.

A Tulum Vibe

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any were saddened by the closure of El Techo at 606 Florida Ave. NW, just steps from the storied Howard Theatre. Its unique Ibiza-themed roof deck was Shaw’s go-to spot for a party. Under new management, the establishment has reopened as Techo Palma. Led by restaurateur Daniel Joseph Hatem, a former investor in the old establishment and a veteran of the famed, now shuttered Lima, the new team includes partners Chloe Swanson, Rafa de la Rosa and Jacob Simpson. Simpson, a well-known local mixologist, has spent time behind the bars of Chaplin’s, Bar Chinois and Black Whiskey. Chef de la Rosa is a veteran of the kitchens of some of Spain’s and New York City’s best restaurants. Managing partner Swanson is also the founding partner of Haute Dogs,

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touched up all the colorful wall art and restored the operation of the restaurant’s signature front windows. Updating the dining furniture with a poolside vibe, he created an attractive lounge space in the establishment’s center. “When helping Daniel bring this vision to life, we aimed to create a dreamscape that transports guests to a tropical oasis,” said Swanson. “We wanted to preserve El Techo’s soul while allowing it room to evolve. When I was creating the arch wall art in our dining room, I researched the different plant varieties found in our inspirational regions. We wanted it to feel as if you were looking out into a rain forest. The real plants are what help bring the vision to life. Curating the creative direction and interior vision was a great privilege and point of pride for me. It allows us to showcase a new journey for Techo, ensuring we transport guests to an experience that is both new and familiar from the moment they walk in.”

Drawing inspiration from decades of visits to Tulum, on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Hatem wanted Techo Palma to recreate the vibe of the beach bars for which this boho beach town is famed. The establishment is DC’s destination tropical rooftop lounge, he said. Growing up in DC’s nightlife scene, Hatem decries the demise of the city’s iconic lounges. When El Techo closed, he seized the opportunity. While the former establishment was known for its inexpensive tacos and margaritas, Techo Palma, in contrast, in Hatem’s words, is “a more elevated experience, a place for adults to gather in comfort and listen to music while imbibing tasty cocktails and dining on delicious fare. First, Hatem installed a high-fidelity system without any base cabinets. The result is a sound meant for “mingling,” he The romance of the explained. The rotating soundtrack city fills the windows of features “downtempo grooves, AfTecho Palma’s renowned robeat rhythms, Latin house and rooftop. Photo: Rey Lopez, www.reylopezphoto.com sunset beats that slowly build into a party after dark,” the website says. The restaurant still hosts DJs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, but it is not a nightclub. The music stops at 10 p.m. While El Techo always had hanging and potted greenery, Hatem took the notion much further, installing nearly 200 living plants. The restaurant’s only fake tree quietly resides in a bathroom. He also


#dineinshaw #drinkinshaw #shopinshaw #loveshaw However, Hatem changed more than the decor.

An Elevated Dining Experience

El Techo was known for its margs and birria tacos. Hatem kept both. Then, he unleashed Chef de la Rosa to fashion a seasonal menu of small plates. In celebration of Hatem’s Lebanese roots, slow-roasted, chipotle-lime-glazed lamb ribs accompanied by a smoked eggplant puree joined the lineup. The chef ’s Spanish roots are apparent in his garden creations. A Caesar salad arrives, garnished with pickled onions and mint, cotija and paprika breadcrumbs and dressed with an anchovy dressing. A fresh cantaloupe melon salad combines cucumbers, cilantro, sunflower seeds, lemon zest and mint with a kick from serrano peppers. Heirloom tomatoes combine with watermelon and queso cotija. Tostadas come two ways. Seared marinated beef tenderloin arrives dressed in a spicy tomato marmalade, garnished with pickled onions, epazote and tobiko roe. Fire-roasted carrots complement black beans, charred avocado and a harissa glaze. With Simpson creatively helming the bar, the drink menu has expanded beyond standard margaritas. Try the Horchata F*ck Up, a confection of Evan Williams bourbon, rice, peanut, pandan and oak milk. Akumal, a combination of El Jimador Blanco Tequila, smoked pineapple, mango, Ancho Reyes and poblano honey, is another must-have. These are just two of Simpson’s inventive concoctions. With new fare, delicious beverages and a more loungey vibe, Hatem and his partners have certainly succeeded in reinventing one of DC’s greatest rooftops. Tulum is now only a Metro ride away. Techo Palma is located at 606 Florida Ave. NW. Visit www.techopalma.com for more information. ◆

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A U GU ST 2026 15


OUT AND ABOUT

Shaw Is a Great Place to Train Outdoors

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by Graham King

efore there was Urban Athletic Club, before there was a weight room, a front desk or a membership app, there was a park and a handful of people who wanted to work hard. In 2003, I started my first fitness business, Balance Gym Integrated Training Concepts (later Balance Gym) out of Walter Pierce Park in Adams Morgan. No walls, no equipment, no air conditioning. Just a patch of grass, a group of people ready to move and whatever the DC summer decided to throw at us. We ran outdoor boot camps for a year, then moved to Kalorama Park, where we ran them for another year. Those two years taught me more about what fitness actually is than almost anything I’d done before. And what it taught me, more than anything, is this: the outdoors has something that no gym can fully replicate.

Working Out Outside Works

Let’s start with the basics. When you train outside, your body gets to work the way it was built to work ‒ in open air, in real conditions, with the sun doing things for you that no overhead light ever will. Vitamin D. Most of us are deficient and don’t know it. Research shows that just 15 to 30 minutes of sunlight exposure is enough to meet the recommended daily intake, and your body synthesizes vitamin D naturally when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D supports bone health, muscle function, immune system strength and even your mood through serotonin production. You don’t get that in a climate-controlled gym. Sweat. Real, heavy outdoor sweat. I know that doesn’t sound like a selling point, but it is. When you sweat hard, your pores open up and push out the buildup underneath ‒ oil, dirt, impurities. Dermatologists have noted that this natural process can help cleanse the pores and support clearer skin. The antimicrobial properties in sweat can even help your body fight off certain bacteria. There’s a reason people talk about that post-workout glow. Just make sure you shower after. You want the sweat to do its job, not sit on your skin. The heat itself. Training in summer heat means your body is working harder than it looks. You can

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get an effective workout in less time because your cardiovascular system is already under load. That said, you have to be smart about it. You can’t walk outside on a 90-degree day and try to run for 30 minutes. You build up to it. Start with 10 minutes at an easy jog. Go to 15 minutes the next week. Let your body acclimate to the conditions. Watch air quality alerts. On high-pollution days, dial it back or move it inside. Heat training done right is a serious tool; done recklessly, it’s a problem. The environment. There’s something that happens when you train outside that doesn’t happen the same way indoors. You look around and see people riding bikes, walking their dogs, taking a jog, chasing their kids. There’s a natural energy to being out in the world. Training alongside it creates a sense of camaraderie, even with strangers. Back at Walter Pierce Park in 2003, that was one of the things that bonded our boot camp groups. We were all there, together, choosing to get after it in a public space. AC is great. I love it. But there’s something equally great about being outside, sweaty and working, with the whole neighborhood as your backdrop.

The Spaces

Shaw and the surrounding neighborhoods are loaded with outdoor training options. A few of my favorites: • Cardozo Athletic Field and Track. A full track with a solid field. Great for interval runs, lap work and tempo training. This is one of the most underutilized training spots in the neighborhood. • Garrison Elementary Park. There’s a soccer field here, and it’s perfect for outdoor field workouts. Flat, open and easy to navigate for a solid no-equipment session. You don’t need a membership to access any of these. You just need to show up.

A No-Equipment Field Workout

If you find yourself at any flat open field, here’s a simple workout you can do with nothing but your bodyweight: 1. Field Sprints. Start at one end of the field. Run to the other end at a moderate pace ‒ not a full sprint but a purposeful jog. Walk back as your

Author Graham King employs a bench in his outdoor workout at Garrison Elementary. Photo: Graham King

recovery. Do that 10 times. Each time you run, go a little faster than the run before. The walk back is your rest. Simple, effective and your heart rate will tell you it’s working. 2. Walking Lunges. Take 10 walking lunges, then 10 regular walking steps. Repeat that pattern all the way to the end of the field. This builds leg strength, hip flexor mobility and balance ‒ all at once. 3. Pushups and Mountain Climbers. Either on the turf or on a park bench for an elevated angle: sets of 10 pushups followed by 10 mountain climbers. Keep it simple. Your rest between sets can be a jog down and back or a lap around the track. 4. Pullup Bar. If the park has a pullup bar, finish with dead hangs ‒ just hanging from the bar and letting your shoulders and spine decompress. If you have the strength for it, add pullups. If not, the hang itself is valuable. Run through that circuit twice. You’ll be done in 25 minutes and you’ll feel it.

Find Your People or Find Your Spot

If you want something more structured that takes the guesswork out, there are good options in the city. Cut7 (www.cutseven.com) runs outdoor sessions. Their Field Day programming is worth checking out; their website has current schedules. Urban Athletic Club has an outdoor training area that’s part of our regular programming, so it’s not a special event ‒ it’s just how we train some days. And if running is your thing, DC’s run club scene is thriving right now. There are several active groups in and around Shaw. They’re welcoming, they’re free, and the only question is which one is geographically convenient for you. Find the one closest to your house and show up once. That’s usually all it takes. Graham King is the owner of Urban Athletic Club. Visit www.urbanathletic.club for more information. u


A U GU ST 2026 17


NEIGHBORHOOD

Shaw Streets by Pleasant Mann community service. She received a $5,000 scholarship check and will attend Trinity Washington University.

Shiloh Baptist Church Welcomes New Pastor

The winners of the 2026 Robert Agus Scholarships. Photo: Kodi Jordan, courtesy of Pink Rocki Advocacy Foundation

Shaw Youth Receive Scholarships

On the afternoon of Saturday, July 24, in the community room at Lincoln Westmoreland Apartments, four recent high school graduate residents received awards totaling $10,000 to support their college dreams. The Robert Agus Scholarships, named for a longtime representative of the board of directors of the Lincoln Westmoreland Housing Corporation (LWHC), are bestowed on residents of Lincoln Westmoreland Apartments and Channing Phillips Homes who are graduating from high school, have achieved at least a 2.0 grade point average and have been accepted to a college, postsecondary school or trade school. The ceremony, organized by youth participating in a Wellness Circle sponsored by LWHC and the Pink Rocki Advocacy Foundation and conducted in English and Spanish,

featured remarks from Lincoln Westmoreland Tenants Association president Theodosia Robinson, who has resided at the building since it opened 52 years ago. Juan Crespo, a graduate of Archbishop Carroll High School, will attend Montgomery College. He received a laptop computer valued at $500. Friendship Collegiate Academy Public Charter School graduate Tori Jenkins completed over 100 hours of volunteer service and served as her school’s student body president. Receiving a $2,000 scholarship, she will attend Towson University. Emely Alameda Flora, a Columbia Heights Education Campus graduate, completed over 230 hours of community service. She received a $2,500 scholarship and will attend Trinity Washington University. Vanessa Cervantes Casarrubias graduated from Jackson-Reed High School, with more than 100 hours of

1 8 MID C ITYDCN E WS.COM

Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, DC, one of the nation’s oldest and most distinguished congregations, welcomed the Reverend Essentino A. Lewis Jr. as its seventh pastor in July. He succeeded Reverend Wallace Charles Smith, who led Shiloh’s faithful for 33 years. Lewis previously served for 18 years as pastor of Clifton Park Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland. The church expanded ministries, strengthened organizational health and increased influence throughout the region under his leadership.

Pastor Lewis is a member of the Maryland Bar, having earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Maryland School of Law and served as Morgan State University’s assistant general counsel for nearly a decade before entering the ministry full-time. His doctor of ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and his research on transformational African American church leadership demonstrate his commitment to strengthening the witness, leadership and future of the Black church. Pastor Lewis and his wife, Cassandra C. Lewis, are the parents of three children. They look forward to becoming part of the Shiloh family and to partnering with the congregation in advancing the work of the church to its next chapter. Pas-

Shiloh Baptist Church’s incoming pastor, Reverend Essentino A. Lewis Jr., and executive minister George E. Mensah Sr. at welcoming barbecue. Photo: Alexander M. Padro, courtesy of Shaw Main Streets


Frank Asher at Old City Green in 2008. Photo: Alexander M. Padro, courtesy of Shaw Main Streets

tor Lewis gave his first sermon at Shiloh on Sunday, July 19.

Noted Shaw Entrepreneur Frank Asher Dies

Frank Asher, founder of Shaw’s Old City Green and Old City Farm & Guild, passed away July 15. A longtime Shaw resident, Asher was a dedicated community partner who was always ready to help make the neighborhood a cleaner, more attractive place to live, shop, work, play and learn. In 2008, he renovated a long vacant site on the southwest corner of Ninth and N streets NW to create an outdoor garden center, Old City Green. The business became the place for residents of Shaw and adjacent neighborhoods to buy plants, soil, pots and other items for their homes and yards. Characterizing himself as a “guerilla gardener,” Asher helped design neighborhood yards and gave advice on how to make Shaw greener and more sustainable. He hired and trained landscapers to help him transform yards, gardens and businesses into thriving greenspaces. In 2013, Asher moved his business to the grounds of the then closed Shaw Junior High School on Rhode Island Avenue. It was a major expansion, becoming Old City Farm & Guild, which remained in operation until the school site was scheduled for demoli-

tion for construction of Banneker Academic High School. While on Rhode Island Avenue, Asher made the site available for a Sunday farmers market, the DC State Fair, comedy shows and numerous other events. “If someone brought the seed of an idea or event, Frank was ready to nurture it and help it grow,” Shaw Main Streets executive director Alexander Padro wrote of Asher in a Facebook obituary. Asher retired in 2018 and moved to Cumberland, Maryland. He is fondly remembered by the many friends and community partners he left behind. His legacy is a neighborhood that benefited from his love of nature and the many grateful memories of Shaw residents.

15th Anniversary of Shaw Art All Night

Art All Night Shaw, the neighborhood’s biggest annual event, is set for Saturday evening, Sept. 12. The festival is presented by Shaw Main Streets, in partnership with Events DC and the Downtown DC Business Improvement District. The free event’s largest activations will be on the 700 and 800 blocks of K Street NW, on the Carnegie Library lawn and on Anthem Row, where “District of Wonder” will feature art installations, interactive experiences and live performances. Art All Night Shaw will include art and music activations throughout the neighborhood. On the 600 block of T Street NW, Urban Garden Brewing will host wrestling matches, an art market and a Go-Go band. Other Shaw venues include Lee’s Flower and Card Shop, Pop Fizz Bar, Wanda’s on 7th Salon and Spa, Endless OM, Sandlot Uptown and Beau Thai Shaw. Team Rayceen will bring their signature LGBTQIA+ showcase, including cabaret, fashion and dance to the DC Housing Finance Agency for another year. For more information, visit artallnightdcshaw.com. u

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A U GU ST 2026 19


NEIGHBORHOOD

ANC 2G

ANC Reviews Transportation Initiatives

A

dvisory Neighborhood Commission 2G reviewed two notices of intent (NOI) from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) involving two transportation changes in Shaw. The first involved safety improvements to the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and 10th Street NW. The intersection is considered dangerous, with a pedestrian fatality several years previously. The NOI removes parking on one side of 10th Street, adjusts lanes, moves the bike lane from the west side of the street to the east side and places a median in the middle of 10th Street. It also installs bollards at the corners of the intersection to protect pedestrians from cars turning onto the street. Comments to DDOT on the NOI are due in August, when the ANC does not meet. A resident stated that he crosses at the intersection frequently and that it is dangerous, with cars speeding and some running red lights. He would at least want to extend the crossing signal time to provide time to cross the street. Another resident characterized the intersection as frightening. Commissioner McCarty said that he had gotten more than a dozen messages in support of the NOI. Commissioner Berry, in whose single-member district (SMD) the intersection is located, said she hoped that the comment period would be extended so she could consult her constituents. There were other alternatives, such as a turn signal, that could improve safety that the NOI did not propose, she noted. She characterized the NOI as ineffective and sought a delay in its consideration. McCarty took exception to the request, saying that although the intersection was in Berry’s SMD, his constituents used it frequently and wanted action. Berry moved to request that DDOT extend its comment deadline so the ANC could continue its evaluation of the NOI. The motion was defeated 2-3. McCarty moved to support the NOI but accepted an amendment recommending the installation of turn signals in both directions on Massachusetts Avenue. The motion passed 4-0-1.

20 M MID ID CITYD C ITYDCN CN E WS.COM

by Pleasant Mann The second DDOT NOI was intended to improve safety at the intersection of Rhode Island Avenue, Seventh Street and R Street NW. It would move the bicycle lane on R Street from the north side of the street to the south side. Parking on R Street, which is currently unregulated, will be converted to paid parking. Turn restrictions from Rhode Island Avenue and Glick Court would also be added. A motion to support the NOI passed 4-1-1.

Public Safety

Third Police District Lieutenant Stanley Mark Rawls reported the PSA 308 crime statistics for the month. Thefts had gone up, while incidents of violence had remained steady. There was an assault with a deadly weapon June 19, a knife attack. A suspect was arrested. Robberies had gone down, with one robbery on the 400 block of R Street. There was a continuing problem with package thefts and thefts from autos.

Alcohol Licenses

The WildEast Club (1318 Ninth St. NW) is applying for a Retailer’s Class C Tavern license and asked the ANC to support a stipulated license. Commissioner McCarty said that work on a settlement agreement with the establishment was almost complete, with provisions for trash removal and entry through the Ninth Street entrance, not Naylor Court. Hours of operation were being discussed. Commissioner Padro considered operating hours an important factor in determining whether the ANC supported the license. McCarty opened a discussion on operating hours. The commission decided to have the club close at midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and at 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday. The serving of alcohol would stop an hour before closing. A motion to support the stipulated and permanent licenses with the agreed-upon hours passed the commission unanimously. Casa Majanos TexMex and Bar (1439 11th St. NW) is applying for a new Retailer’s Class C Restaurant license, with a sidewalk cafe endorsement.

It would also like a stipulated license. Padro said that it has signed a settlement agreement with the ANC. A motion to support the license, its sidewalk cafe endorsement and a stipulated license passed unanimously. A separate motion to approve the settlement agreement with the establishment also passed unanimously.

Historic Preservation

An application is before the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) for a development project at 1323 10th St. NW, currently a church parking lot. Commissioner McCarty said there had been one meeting with the developer, but the residents of Naylor Court had not received the details of the project. The application was scheduled to be heard before the HPRB in July, but McCarty wanted the ANC to request that the HPRB defer consideration until its September meeting. A motion to ask the HPRB to delay consideration of the application until September passed unanimously. Commissioner Padro noted that the HPRB calendar for July had an item related to the renovation of Seaton Elementary School. Padro, however, was unable to obtain information about what the HPRB would actually discuss. He asked the ANC to request that the HPRB defer the case until September to enable the commission to comment on it at its next meeting. Padro’s motion to request a deferment passed unanimously. Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2G met on July 9. It was called to order by Steven McCarty (2G04, chair). Alexander M. “Alex” Padro (2G02), Nicole Shea (2G03, secretary), Sheena Berry (2G05) and Rachelle Nigro (2G06, treasurer) attended. ANC 2G does not meet in August. The next ANC meeting will be on Thursday, Sept. 10. The 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. ◆


A U GU ST 2026 21


NEIGHBORHOOD

BULLETIN BOARD Vibe, its free outdoor summer concert series in Kalorama Park, for Thursday evenings of live music, dancing and community gathering. This year’s lineup showcases an eclectic mix of local talent, with an emphasis on soulful sounds, sing-along favorites and genres that reflect the cultural richness of Adams Morgan and Washington, DC. Here’s the remaining schedule: Aug. 6, North Cap Band; Aug. 13, Langston Hughes !!; Aug. 20. Downtown Tumbao (Aug. 27, rain date). www.adamsmorgan.com Jefferson’s Rough Draft of the Declaration of Independence

“The Declaration’s Promise” Opens at Library of Congress

This exhibition explores the foundational principles of the Declaration of Independence and their impact on American history over the last 250 years. It presents treasures drawn from across the library’s collections, including Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence with edits from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin; Frederick Douglass’ speech on “The Meaning of July Fourth” and Abraham Lincoln’s handwritten Gettysburg Address. The exhibition will be on view in the Thomas Jefferson Building through July 3, 2027. www.loc.gov

Live! Weekday Concert Series on Wilson Plaza

On weekdays, through Sept. 25, noon to 1 p.m. on Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, enjoy free lunchtime performances featuring local entertainers and a variety of musical flavors, such as Go-Go, jazz, bluegrass folk, reggae, rock, country and pop rock. There’s plenty of outdoor seating. www.rrbitc.com/live-concert-series-on-the-plaza

AdMo Vibe Summer Concerts Schedule

The Adams Morgan BID is bringing back AdMo

2 2 MID C ITYDCN E WS.COM

collection. For ages 18+. Free. Registration recommended at www.npg.si.edu.

AARP and DACL Annual Community Health, Wellness and Resource Fair

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., join the Southwest Waterfront AARP Chapter and the DC Department of Aging and Commu-

Pottery Market and Free Community Day at NMWA

On Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pottery Market from 4 to 7 p.m.), the National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW, is holding a summer pop-up market featuring local women and nonbinary potters. The special market spotlights 12 independent makers from across the DMV and draws inspiration from the current exhibition “Burnished: Pueblo Pottery at NMWA.” www.nmwa.org

Analog Nights at the National Portrait Gallery

On Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m., bring your favorite analog hobby and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the Kogod Courtyard. Think needlepoint, knitting, sketching, watercolor, junk journaling, mahjong and more. Analog Nights feature a spotlight activity inspired by the Portrait Gallery’s

Parade on Pennsylvania Avenue in 1987 celebrating the Washington Redskins’ victory in the Super Bowl.

Sports Fans Asked to Help Mark Washington’s Biggest Sports Moments

DC Public Library has announced “Hail to the Fans: The Spirit of DC Sports,” a citywide exhibition opening April 2027. It asks residents to contribute the memorabilia, photographs and personal memories that will populate the show. Anyone whose life has been touched by DC sports may contribute. Items loaned for the duration of the exhibition remain the property of the owners and will be returned when the exhibition closes. Each contributor’s name will appear on the wall beside their object or story, becoming a permanent part of the public record of Washington sports. The exhibition runs April through October 2027 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and all 25 neighborhood locations. Submit items and stories at www.dclibrary.org/hail-fans.


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815 FLORIDA AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20001 • 202.777.1600 • WWW.DCHFA.ORG A U GU ST 2026 23


NEIGHBORHOOD

DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle Announces Dates

Library of Congress National Book Festival

The Library of Congress hosts the 2026 National Book Festival on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. This year the library features an expansion of programming to celebrate the nation’s anniversary and to showcase offerings beyond books to include film, music and American folklife. The festival is free and provides a full day of conversations with authors, poets and illustrators from a variety of genres. The festival offers readings, giveaways and activities for children and young adults, as well as the opportunity to purchase books from the official bookseller. Updates on plans for the National Book Festival will be shared at www.loc.gov/bookfest. nity Living (DACL) at the annual Community Health, Wellness and Resource Fair at River Park, 1311 Delaware Ave. SW. The fair offers access to AARP resources and services, DACL resources and services, the Office of the Attorney General, Legal Counsel for the Elderly, Metro Access and Transport DC, the DC Board of Elections, PEPCO, Arena Stage, the Southwest Library, the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services, DISB, Office of the People’s Counsel, IRS, Social Security and Councilmember Charles Allen’s Office. Contact jonesbettyjeantolbert@gmail.com with questions.

Straight Talk about Prostate Cancer at MLK Library

On Saturday, Sept. 12, from 1 to 3 p.m., visit Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW, for an afternoon focused on information about prostate cancer for patients, survivors and caregivers. Terry

B. Hill of Jersey City Free Public Library will lead a conversation about his experience as a prostate cancer survivor. The session includes statistics from the American Cancer Society followed by time for questions. www.dclibrary.org

DowntownDC Holiday Market Dates Announced

The 2026 DowntownDC Holiday Market returns from Nov. 13 to Dec. 23. Each winter, the DowntownDC Holiday Market transforms F Street NW, between Seventh and Ninth, into a winter village filled with twinkling lights, seasonal cheer and local creativity. Featuring local vendors from diverse backgrounds, including women-owned and BIPOC-owned businesses, the market offers everything from handcrafted gifts and artful finds to signature seasonal bites and warm drinks. www.downtowndc.org/holidaymarket

2 4 MID C ITYDCN E WS.COM

The market, in the 1500 block of New Hampshire Ave. NW, is open from Nov. 12 to Dec. 23, Monday to Friday, noon to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, and Nov. 30 for exhibitor turnover. The market features more than 35 small businesses presenting artisan goods, boutique brands, handcrafted products and unique holiday gifts. www.dcholidaymarket.net

Turtle Island in 1776: The Native World Caught between Empires Symposium

On Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the American Indian Museum, scholars they highlight new research on the experiences of 18thcentury American Indian leaders and their tribal communities. Presentations address Native Nations across regions of Turtle Island and their interactions with competing empires and the emerging United States, while examining themes of sovereignty, diplomacy, resilience and cultural continuity during war and nation-building. Free but registration required. www.americanindian.si.edu

DDOT Now Accepting Park(ing) Day Applications

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is hosting PARK(ing) Day 2026 on Friday, Sept. 18. Residents, businesses and community organizations may temporarily convert on-street parking spaces into pop-up parks. Running from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., PARK(ing) Day is an annual event that encourages residents to reimagine the possibilities of public space. Participants are required to sign a release form and provide a certificate of insurance, along with the concept and site design of the proposed activity. Applications must be submitted by Friday, Aug. 21 at www.tops.ddot. dc.gov/DDOTPERMITSYSTEM/ DDOTPERMITonline/landing.aspx. For more information, visit www. public-space-activation-dcgis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/parking-day or contact Paige Leddy (paige.leddy@dc.gov) for assistance with activation concepts, location eligibility or general questions. The Mid-City DC Bulletin Board includes event notices, volunteer opportunities and other community news. Send your notice to bulletinboard@hillrag.com. u

Old Post Office Building Clocktower Reopens

The historic Clocktower at Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, again welcomes the public. Visitors can take in panoramic views from atop a gem that has been a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The tower is open to the public from Wednesdays to Saturdays, 9.a.m.to noon. Admission is free. www.hilton.com


REAL ESTATE

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. Neighborhood

Price

BR

2440 Ontario Rd NW 2302 Ontario Rd NW

$6,150,000 $1,225,000

15 3

$1,100,000 $935,000 $900,000 $855,000 $699,000

4 3 4 3 3

ADAMS MORGAN BLOOMINGDALE

35 T St NW 55 Adams St NW 129 Florida Ave NW 34 Randolph Pl NW 32 Randolph Pl NW

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

1248 Girard St NW $1,420,000 5 724 Rock Creek Church Rd NW $1,275,000 6 1322 Quincy St NW $1,257,000 4 $1,200,000 5 3542 10th St NW 1213 Otis Pl NW $1,112,500 4 $985,000 3 1349 Otis Pl NW 3623 New Hampshire Ave NW $950,000 3 1363 Perry Pl NW $890,000 3 $800,000 3 1011 Kenyon St NW $800,000 3 2620 11th St NW 742 Irving St NW $700,000 2 1011 Quebec Pl NW $380,000 3

DUPONT CIRCLE

1716 Q St NW 1632 Riggs Pl NW 1737 Church St NW 1326 22nd St NW

$3,250,000 $2,195,000 $2,016,000 $1,100,000

4 4 4 3

16 Q St NE $999,000 $915,000 139 S St NW 165 V St NE $760,000 151 Rhode Island Ave NE $735,000

5 4 4 4

ECKINGTON

KALORAMA

1806 24th St NW 2131 S St NW

$3,400,000 $2,570,000

4 4

$1,640,000 $915,000

4 3

$2,875,000 $2,100,000 $1,725,000 $1,443,000

4 3 3 3

$2,575,000

6

911 M St NW $2,725,000 934 French St NW $1,730,000 950 Westminster St NW $1,475,000 131 NW P St NW $1,275,000 $779,000 1709 6th St NW

5 4 4 4 3

LEDROIT PARK

501 T St NW 330 U St NW

LOGAN CIRCLE

1308 Corcoran St NW 1304 S St NW 1414 Columbia St NW 1416 10th St NW

OLD CITY #2 1420 Q St NW

SHAW

U STREET CORRIDOR 2111 12th St NW

$750,000 3

1443 Chapin St NW #303 $455,000

ADAMS MORGAN

2210 1st St NW #2 207 Florida Ave NW #1

$780,000 $487,500

920 I St NW #411 $1,420,000 2 400 Massachusetts Ave NW #421 $414,000 1 915 E Street, Condo Home Unit 1214 NW $355,000 1 $302,000 0 2201 L St NW #509 777 7th St NW #UNIT #1124 $285,000 2 $250,000 0 1301 20th St NW #817

CITY VISTA

475 K St NW #1204

$720,000

2434 Ontario NW #1 $650,000 2 2328 Champlain St NW #326 $605,000 2

2

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

4101 Arkansas Ave NW #B $1,098,000 5 1335 Harvard St NW #1 $820,000 3 $730,000 2 1341 Irving St NW #C 1443 Chapin St NW #403 $625,000 1 2716 Sherman Ave NW #PH5 $617,500 2 1390 Kenyon St NW #303 $475,000 2 $450,000 2 3060 16th St NW #209 1463 Harvard St NW #1 $425,000 2 2 1390 Kenyon St NW #613 $425,000 1463 Harvard St NW #3 $390,000 1 1 1444 Fairmont St NW #4 $375,000 1441 Euclid St NW #206 $325,000 1 2 1390 Kenyon St NW #325 $315,000 1423 Newton St NW #303 $295,000 1 $240,000 1 3534 10th St NW #200 910 M St NW #918

1

3 2

CENTRAL

CONVENTION CENTER

CONDO

14TH STREET CORRIDOR

BLOOMINGDALE

$660,900

2

1701 18th St NW #401 $1,599,900 1401 17th St NW #1007 $895,000 1401 17th St NW #512 $805,000 u

3 2 2

DUPONT CIRCLE

A U GU ST 2026 25


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Photo Courtesy Events DC.

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Photo Courtesy Events DC.

Photo by Alexander M. Padro, Courtesy Shaw Main Streets.

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Mid City DC Magazine – August 2026 by Capital Community News - Issuu