Mid City DC Magazine – November 2025

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Ceremony: Artist Lindsay Adams at JHU Bloomberg

Through May 7, 2026, there is a major solo exhibition featuring all new work by emerging artist Lindsay Adams at JHU Bloomberg, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Drawing on artist Lindsay Adams’ background in international studies and cultural anthropology, Ceremony explores the histories of Black movement, migration, and world-building. Guest curated by Claudia M. Watts, the exhibition places Adams’ new works in conversation with never-before-seen archival objects from the Johns Hopkins Sheridan Libraries’ collection, including rare books and personal correspondence from Billie Holiday, Josephine Baker, and more. Free admission. washingtondc.jhu.edu.

GALA Film Fest: Latin American Innovation

From Dec. 3 to 7, this year’s GALA Film Festival features six contemporary lms by emerging directors and a classic from the Mexican Golden Age. Join GALA, 3333 14th St. NW, for exclusive talkbacks with producers, artists, directors, and experts, and receptions after the screenings. Here’s the schedule: Dec. 3, 7 p.m., Oasis (Chile, 2024); Dec. 4, 7 p.m., Las Cosas Inde nidas (Argentina, 2023); Dec. 5, 7 p.m., Casi El Paraiso (Mexico, 2023); Dec. 6, 2 p.m., Valentina O La Serenidad (Mexico, 2023); Dec. 6, 5 p.m., Llueve Sobre Babel (Columbia, 2025); Dec. 7, 2 p.m., El (Mexico, 1953); Dec. 7, 5 p.m., The In Between (Mexico, 2024). Individual lm tickets are $10; Festival pass, $35. galatheatre.org.

Jane Austen, 1870.

Celebrating Jane Austen at 250 at the Folger

This year, the Folger’s annual birthday tribute to American poet Emily Dickinson will also honor English novelist Jane Austen on her 250th birthday. On Tuesday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., noted scholar Martha Nell Smith will discuss the life, work, and legacy of Dickinson and Austen and how they continue to shape writers of today, highlighting well-known passages. The reading, which is co-sponsored by the Emily Dickinson Museum, will be followed by a book signing in the Great Hall. Emily Dickinson’s famous black cake, based on her own recipe, will also be served. $20. 201 E. Capitol St. SE. folger.edu.

Handel’s Messiah at the National Cathedral

On Friday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday Dec. 7, at 6 p.m., the Washington National Cathedral Choir and Baroque Orchestra, under the direction of Dana Marsh, perform Handel’s beloved Messiah under the Cathedral’s soaring Gothic architecture. Witness the concert that has captivated audiences for generations. Livestream is available for the Sunday performance only. Run time: 2.5 hours, including intermission. Tickets start at $32. cathedral.org.

“Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection” at the Phillips

Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States, Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection is a celebration and examination of the beauty and complexity of this nation’s history at the Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW, from Nov. 8 to Feb. 15. Out of Many builds a dynamic story about how, from the early 20th century to the present, various artists have imagined and depicted the people, cultures, landscapes, and histories of the United States. To tell a more diverse constellation of stories, the exhibition includes artworks from the historic collections of African American art at Howard University Gallery of Art and The David C. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland, among other institutions. Adult admission is $20; seniors, $15; students and educators, $10; military, $12; 18 and under, free. phillipscollection.org.

Pottery on the Hill Show & Sale

Pottery on the Hill is a weekend at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, celebrating functional pottery (that which can be regularly used, such as dinnerware, drinkware, vases, platters, and more) featuring top ceramic artists from across the country. Avid ceramics fans will love the chance to talk with the potters in a casual, fun environment and continue to grow their collections. There is a ticketed reception on Friday, Nov. 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ($45 in advance) and free shows on Saturday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. hillcenterdc.org.

Umbrella Art Fair (100 artists, three days – free to attend)

The Umbrella Art Fair on Friday, Nov. 21, 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 22, noon to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m., at The Square at International Square (fifth floor), 1850 K St. NW, is where the heartbeat of Washington, DC’s art scene converges with the avant-garde talents of global artists and makers. Umbrella is a declaration of artistic independence, a rebellion against the mundane, and a celebration of the daring. But more importantly, Umbrella is a space to provide economic opportunities for artists and creative entrepreneurs as a platform to showcase and sell their works. umbrellaartfair.com.

“Some

Like It Hot” at the National

Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, “Some Like It Hot” is the glorious, big, high-kicking story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime. Tickets are $69 to $179. “Some Like It Hot” is at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, from Nov. 25 to Dec. 7. nationaltheatre.org.

“Anonymous Was a Woman” at the Kreeger

Through Dec. 31, 2025, The Kreeger Museum, 2401 Foxhall Rd. NW, presents “Anonymous Was a Woman”. Curated by Dr. Vesela Sretenović, the exhibition features the recent work of Anonymous Was a Woman grant recipients and DMV-based artists Jae Ko, linn meyers, Joyce J. Scott and Renée Stout. In this respect, The Kreeger Museum’s exhibition not only celebrates artists based in the DMV area--aligning with the Museum’s mission--to support and bring greater visibility to the creative output of women artists. kreegermuseum.org.

Theater Night A Curated Review of Theater in the DMV

by Matthew McClure

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, a treaty signed in a railroad car in France marked the beginning of the end of World War 1. In Europe, November 11th is marked as Armistice Day while here in the US we commemorate the veterans that have defended our country in every war since that historic moment over one hundred years ago. On this day perhaps more than any other, we’re reminded that conflict is an indelible part of our shared DNA. This month’s column looks to theater that explores conflict and its consequences.

In the Spotlight

The Wild Duck, Shakespeare Theatre Company Showing October 18 – November 16 www.shakespearetheatre.org

F. Scott Fitzgerald once said that “Family quarrels are bitter things” that are more akin to splits in the skin than wounds because they take much longer to heal. Norwe-

gian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s rarely produced play

The Wild Duck vividly captures this unique aspect of familial conflict and its unintended consequences, with David Eldridge’s adaptation directed by Shakespeare Theatre Company’s artistic director Simon Godwin being a particularly searing portrayal of the hurt inflicted by those who love you the most.

The Wild Duck was written by Ibsen in 1884 during his 30-year exile in Rome while Norway was being rent asunder by political and social strife. It’s set in a 19th century Norwegian town and is populated by characters Ibsen based on either his direct relatives or the Pauses, a noble scion of Ibsen’s family from Norway’s Upper Telemark region. Between the sumptuous setting of the wealthy Werle home and the Ekdal’s humble abode, we are introduced to two families whose histories are intertwined in ways that the audience gradually learns are more complicated – and combustible – than they initially appear. Gregers Werle (played by Alex Hurt in his STC debut) is the older Werle’s only son and sole heir. His

tenuous relationship with his father Håkon (Robert Stanton) spills over into his friendship with Hjalmar Ekdal, the son of Håkon Werle’s old business partner, whose life will change forever when an explosive and deadly secret is revealed.

Eldridge’s adaptation of The Wild Duck is fresh off a September run at New York’s Theatre for a New Audience, where it garnered rave reviews. With a cast that includes Nick Westrate as the melancholic Hjalmar Ekdal, Melanie Field as his long-suffering wife Gina and exceptional lighting, music and scenic design by Stacey Derosier, Alexander Sovronsky and Andrew Boyce, it’s not hard to see why the play’s visceral sense of creeping dread has affected theatregoers and critics so profoundly. Ibsen’s play is at once darkly brooding and tragically

comedic. Ostensibly a meditation on the mistakes that men make and the Freudian obsession with the father-figure (Ibsen modelled the character of Old Ekdal on his own father Knud), Eldridge and Godwin’s version gives plenty of expressive space to Ibsen’s female characters. Maaike Laanstra-Corn is exceptional as Hjalmar and Gina’s daughter Hedvig, whose failing eyesight means her whole world is narrowed down to the small photographic studio she shares with her parents, a couple of drunken lodgers and an injured wild duck that she dotes on obsessively. Hedvig’s innocent vulnerability (mirrored by the eponymous wild duck) is the counterfoil to Gregers Werle, who with “chronic righteousness” sets about dissecting the Ekdal’s meticulously assembled life with scalpel-

like precision and an icy detachment.

The Wild Duck’s overarching theme of conflict (both internal and external) jostles with those of willful and accidental blindness, the burden of truth and the benefits of a lie in a play that manages to be simultaneously compact and expansive. You’re guaranteed to leave the theater with a lot to think about after the curtain drops.

Special Mention

In Flanders Fields, Alliance for New Music-Theatre Showing November 11 www.newmusictheatre.org

On Armistice Day, John and Elizabeth Chapman invite you into their home and back in time

to 1917 to remember their son Victor, the very first American aviator to perish in what later became known as the Great War. This immersive, salon-style performance by the Alliance for New Music-Theatre is named after the titular 1915 poem by Canadian poet and soldier John McCrae and will take place at the Arts Club of Washington’s historic Monroe House. John Boulanger (Caesar, The Man Ray Project: Caesar and the Mannequin) plays John Jay Chapman, alongside Cara Schaefer as Elizabeth Astor Chapman and Alan Naylor as Victor Chapman.

“The project really began back in 2017,” Boulanger explains, referring to the first incarnation of In Flanders Fields at The President Woodrow Wilson House in April eight years ago to commemorate the centennial of America’s entry into WWI. “That was more cabaret style with performers reading letters, poems and singing songs.” Over the years, Boulanger developed the concept to include content from the historical letters – first published by Victor’s father in 1917 as Victor Chapman’s Letters from France – and Victor himself, speaking from beyond the grave to offer solace to his grieving father and stepmother through his words and music. “That’s what I call the magical realism version,” says Boulanger.

In Flanders Fields elicits both the dignity and trauma of WWI through the personal testimony of soldiers writing in the mud and muck of the trenches. The evening’s selection will also include poems by Alfred Edward Housman, Edith Wharton, Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, George Butterworth and of course John McCrae. DC’s own John Phillip Sousa (the March King) will also be featured in the repertoire. This salon-style event is small so seating will be limited. Purchase your tickets now and dress in your best period attire. Pearls and medals are encouraged. u

Spotlight on Gloss Bar DC

by Andrew Lightman

While I scarcely qualify as a metrosexual male, years of running have transformed my toes into a hot mess. Get a pedicure to remedy the matter, my partner insisted. After a relaxing hour at the salon, I emerged with no-longer embarrassing, black painted, sandal-ready toes.

Now, in the words of the Monkeys, “I’m a believer.” Pedicures have become a life necessity.

Gloss Bar DC at 1340 Eighth St. NW proved a revelation. In stark contrast to its peers, the salon’s footprint is a massive 3,400 square feet, making it perhaps the largest in DC. High walls, oor to ceiling windows accented by cute chandeliers provide a uniquely open, airy, modern, upscale ambiance. e wide spacing of nail and pedicure stations across a white tiled oor add to the relaxed vibe.

A

Full Service Nail Salon

e salon is the brainchild of proprietor Vi Vo. Vo is a licensed cosmetologist, aesthetician and permanent makeup artist. “E ortless, elegant nails –crafted in DC” is her salon’s motto.

Gloss Bar DC provides a full range of manicures and pedicures from the basic to intricately designed “nail art.” Its sta of 26 consists of licensed nail technicians, cosmetologists and estheticians. “ ey are “amazing people,” said Vo.

“We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and safety, using only topquality products and state-of-the-art equipment,” explained Vo. All the technicians at Gloss are carefully trained and vetted to her exacting standards. Vo encourages them to take their time. “It’s not about volume,” she said.

According to Vo, Gloss Bar DC has the largest selection of polishes in the District, boasting over 1,650 high end products including e Gel Bottle, OPI Gel, Korean Gel Polishes and Dazzle Dry. All

are HEMA and TPO free. “No one can beat my collection,” she said. “We are also known for using the best Builder gel.”

Vo backs the work of her technicians with a twoweek guarantee for all dips, powder and gel services. Moreover, every single manicure is documented photographically for review. “I have more than 45,000 photos,” she said.

Gloss Bar DC, however, is more than “paws and claws.” e salon o ers lash, brow and full body waxing for both genders. Most importantly, it is also a spa for the head.

A Spa for Your Head

A head spa is an Asian ritual combining deep scalp cleansing and treatment masks. It involves more than 15 discrete steps and a host of specialized equipment. Customer’s scalps are dry exfoliated with scalp tools and scrubbed with organic salts. e technician massages the head, nape of the neck and shoulders with particular attention to pressure points. Two clarifying shampoos are applied and a waterfall halo shower is employed for hydrotherapy. e experience culminates with a hot towel wrap; a neck stretch and

hair blow out with a Dyson hair dryer. Only salon quality Moroccan oil and Paul Mitchell products are used.

“Every single step is designed as a massage,” said Vo. e entire process takes between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on the options. In the end, the client’s scalp is deeply cleansed to remove oil, product and buildup. It encourages healthy circulation for optimal hair growth.

A Family Business

Vo is the granddaughter of a US Marine and Vietnamese woman. Her grandfather was stationed there during the war. Her grandmother and mother went into hiding after her mother’s birth, losing track of the child’s American father. Vo emigrated to the US with her mother at the age of six months, settling initially in DC. She is the oldest of four daughters. anks to 23andMe (www.23andme. com), 49 years after the war, her family reunited with her paternal grandfather.

In 2011, Vo started working with her parents Andy Vo and Kim Nguyen in their nail salon in Adams Morgan, Enchanted Nails & Spa. Vo opened her own salon in Shaw at 825 O Street NW. at salon, only 1,000 square feet in size, earned a reputation for the quality of its nail designs and COVID conscious operations. In 2024, she opened the larger location across the street at 1340 Eighth St. NW.

In March of 2025, Vo expanded the old location into a neighboring Starbucks, reequipping it as a head spa beauty salon. It now totals 2,600 square feet and provides head, lash and brow

services in six private rooms and a dry bar. With the nail salon across the street, Gloss Bar DC now provides 6,000 square feet of spa pampering in Shaw.

Vo’s business remains a family a air. Her newest location was designed and built by her ancée, Steve Nguyen of QCI Construction, who she has tapped to build the next Gloss Bar at City Ridge scheduled to open in fall of 2026. In the near future, Vo hopes to turn her parents’ original salon into a Gloss Bar, if she can persuade them to retire.

In the meantime, Vo remains passionate about her businesses. A licensed instructor in Aesthetics and Permanent Makeup, she works with two local esthetician schools. Partnering with a California nonpro t, Vo donates part of her salon’s proceeds to fund food and medical treatment for Vietnamese orphans. In future, she hopes to open her own esthetician and nail school with a focus on educating Latino single mothers. “I just want to help empower women,” Vo stated.

Vo attributes her success to the support of her family, her landlord Roadside Development and her loyal customers.

“We are very lucky how supportive the (Shaw) community is,” said Vo.

Gloss is located at 1340 Eighth St. NW. For more information, visit www.glossbardc.com. ◆

ISpotlight on Industrial Bank

ndustrial Bank President and CEO B. Doyle Mitchell, Jr. cannot walk into one of the nearly century-old bank’s branches without getting buttonholed by a customer. A tall elegantly dressed man in his early sixties, he pauses with each one. He is clearly a man who loves his work.

“Customers were the ones who built the bank,” said Mitchell, Jr. “We are still there for the folks who don’t feel comfortable at larger commercial banks.” “There is something special about coming into our branches. We really care about people,” he added.

“They have treated me very nice and are willing to help you,” said Veronica Saunders, an eightysomething senior who has banked with Industrial for over 50 years.

by Andrew Lightman

Industrial Bank (www.industrialbank.com) is woven into the fabric of U Street, known as the Black Broadway. Joe Louis, Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole and Ethel Waters numbered among its customers. Its deep community roots allowed it to survive and thrive despite the travails of the 1968 Riots and the construction of the Green Line.

A Black Family Business

In the midst of the Great Depression’s banking crisis, Jesse Mitchell, a Howard-educated attorney, saw opportunity. Black DC residents struggled to find access to credit and a safe place to entrust their life’s savings. In 1933, Mitchell and his friends agreed to create a new bank for Black Americans.

“My grandfather saw the need for a bank that would lend Black people money,” said Mitchell, Jr.

It took an act of Congress, but by the end of that year the federal government approved their plan. The Black community embraced the scheme. By April 1, 1934, Jesse Mitchell and his partners had sold 95% of the initial $50,000 stock offering.

On August 13, 1934, the US Treasury chartered the new bank known as the Industrial Bank of Washington. Later that month, the institution opened its doors with six employees and $192,000 in assets at 2006 11th St. NW, in the heart of Black Broadway. Mitchell became the bank’s first president, serving until his death in 1955.

By the time the founder’s son B. Doyle Mitchell, Sr. took over Industrial Bank in 1954, it had become the largest Black-owned bank in the country, with assets totaling $7 million. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, he started his career at the bank as an entry-level bookkeeper, working his way up under his father’s tutelage.

As president, Mitchell added branches at 4812 Georgia Ave. NW in 1962 and Deanwood in 1966. This expanded the institution’s customer base. He also joined other minority financial institutions in collectively providing loans to major corporations, such as Disney. At the age of 30, B. Doyle Mitchell,

Jr. took over the bank in 1993 after his father’s death.

At the time, Mitchell, Jr. was vice president of commercial lending. Much like his father, he began working at the bank at age 16, answering the phones and riding shotgun with the drivers picking up receipts from its branches. While attending Rutgers University, he continued to work there during the summer.

Mitchell, Jr. had always dreamed of being an architect or musician. He served as road manager for his best friend’s band, who he coincidentally met in the bank’s mailroom. An undergraduate economics class changed his perspective. “We could do well by doing good,” he realized. Mitchell, Jr. continued Industrial Bank’s growth. He expanded first to Prince George’s County and later to Harlem, NY and Newark, NJ.

Customer Oriented, Full-Service Banking

Today, Industrial Bank boasts over half a billion dollars in assets. The bank has nine branches in DC, Maryland, New Jersey and New York. It employs over 140 people. It provides retail banking services in person and also online to roughly roughly 15,000 account holders and 14,000 households in more than 40 states, Mitchell, Jr. said, many of whom are multigenerational.

“We are competitive. You will get personalized service and over time you will feel like family,” Mitchell, Jr. observed.

Industrial Bank is a full service commercial and residential lender. “We love creating first time home buyers,” Mitchell, Jr. explained. The bank works closely with the city and federal government to secure down payments and financing, he said. According to the bank president, small business

loans make up about 20% of the bank’s lending. Industrial partners closely with the federal Small Business Administration to make credit available to entrepreneurs, he added. “If you are a small business, it’s important you know your banker,” Mitchell, Jr. said.

Commercial real estate constitutes the majority of the bank’s lending. e focus is on mixed use developments and owner-occupied o ce space. Mitchell, Jr. is proud of the fact that the bank is also the lender of choice for many DC Black religious institutions, since it is the last Black-owned bank in the city.

“We like putting down roots. We are part of the community,” Mitchell, Jr. stated. It is its close integration with DC’s Black community that is largely responsible for the bank’s success. It is a tradition Mitchell, Jr. embraces in each conversation with his customers.

“I’ve always had a heart for helping people like my parents did,” Mitchell, Jr. said.

To learn more about Industrial Bank, visit www.industrial-bank.com.

I.M.P. Employees Petition to Unionize

by Sara Payne

Aline of excited concertgoers snakes around the block of the 9:30 Club at 815 V St. NW. e night is already alive with chatter and anticipation. Inside, employees prepare for a soldout show. As fans at the bustling box o ce hope for a last-minute ticket, sta check IDs at the door, pour drinks and adjust stage lights in preparation.

e 9:30 Club is one of several venues owned or leased by I.M.P. (It’s My Party) www.impconcerts.com) which include e 9:30 Club, e Anthem, e Atlantis, Merriweather Post Pavillion and the Lincoln eater. ese are among the most popular live-music venues in the DMV.

I.M.P. is a local production and promotion company, which began in the bedroom of its founder, Seth Hurwitz. Hurwitz booked his rst show at his high school in May 1980. Over the years, the company has produced more than 20,000 events for millions of fans.

“It’s a gathering place of joy, music and arts,” Hunter Spears said. Spears works the doors at the Lincoln eatre, e Atlantis and 9:30 Club. “We want to sustain these spaces in a way that is just and equitable to the people helping put on these shows as well,” he added.

On Oct. 20, 2025 a group of I.M.P. employees petitioned management for formal recognition and the right to organize. Management has not yet formally responded.

Organizing a Union

e National Labor Relations Act protect the rights of employees to organize unions. e I.M.P. employee petition is the rst step. If management recognizes the union, bargaining can begin internally. If it does not, organizers must convince 30% of I.M.P. employees to sign union authorization cards.

Once the signatures are obtained, they le a request with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold a union election. If at least 50% plus one vote in favor, management is obligated to bargain in good faith with the new union. Under certain circumstances, employees can strike for recognition as well.

Employee Concerns

Lighting designer Sierra Quimby has worked for I.M.P. since 2014. Quimby started as door sta and loves her work. In addition to pay raises, she hopes that unionization will improve work conditions including scheduling.

“We have shows that load in at 9 a.m. and we aren’t done until midnight or later sometimes,” Quimby said, noting their hopes for split shifts in the future.

Shifts exceeding 15 hours are common at local performance venues, said a representative from e International Alliance of eatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts (IATSE, www.itase.com). is schedule structure is why breaks, meals, rest and safety are imperative for employees in the industry, the representative added.

Operational elements of these shows, including lights, sound, alcohol sales and getting concertgoers in and out of the venue, are fundamental components of each production, Quimby emphasized.

Employees have also taken on additional responsibilities, on top of their normal workload, at the venues without compensation, said Spears. “People like myself, who are not trainers, end up training people for free.”

“We have a lot of people who have really stepped up recently in helping with advancing shows, with training new hires, administration and work sched-

uling, but none of those people have been compensated for those additional responsibilities,” Quimby said, echoing his concerns.

Union Assistance

E orts to unionize began in the spring and have been worker-led since the beginning, a person familiar with the situation said. According to an ITASE representative, more than 70% of employees support the move.

ITASE is one of three established unions that are assisting with the I.M.P. organizing drive. Floor and door sta , bartenders and food preparers are working with Unite Here Local 25 (local25union. org), which primarily represents hotel, restaurant and casino employees across the region. ITASE Local 868 is aiding those working at the box o ces. ITASE Local 22 is supporting sound and stage production sta , according to a representative.

Next Steps

Employees say management has been receptive to their concerns in the past, but has yet to provide “solutions” to their most pressing problems. “ ey heard our questions, and they really did not act on anything besides giving us soup before the shifts, which is simply not what we asked for,” Spears said. “It was very much ‘here’s a pizza party’ kind of vibes,” Quimby added.

“We all love this place,” Quimby said. “We love the job that we do, and we love the venues that we work at. We love putting on these shows, and we know that it can be so much better than it is.”

“While we have not yet been fully informed of the positions the unions plan to present, we fundamentally believe in their right to exist and to our employees’ rights to collectively bargain,” a representative for I.M.P. stated. “We look forward to a robust dialogue toward the best result for our sta and for the company.”

Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com.

ANC 2G Commission Considers Seaton Elementary School Modernization

by Pleasant Mann

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2G held its monthly meeting for October on ursday evening, October 9, 2025. e meeting was held as a virtual conference. Commission Chair Steven McCarty (2G04) called the meeting to order. Commissioners 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.

ird Police District. Sergeant James Hoever of the ird Police District reported that during the previous month, total crime was down by 30 percent, weapon recoveries up 33 percent and arrests were up by 60 percent. e MPD conducts regular checks at the Banneker and Kennedy Recreation Centers. On weekdays, they manage the Safe Passage program at Banneker High School, Dunbar High and Seaton Elementary. e ird District Commander had breakfast with the managers of City Market at O to discuss bar notices on private property and how to do them. MPD Narcotics units have been noti ed to include Eighth Street NW in their surveillance. Commissioner Nigro asked if Safe Passage included the alleys, and if so, what happened to people that were arrested. Commissioner Padro said that he had complaints from parents about drug use in the alleys along Eighth and Q Streets NW. Commissioner Berry mentioned resident complaints about drug sales on Eighth and O. Hoever said that they would have a special team deployed there.

Seaton Elementary Modernization Project. Commissioner Padro introduced the request of the Seaton Elementary School’s Parent-Teacher Organization for a letter of support for their position on the school’s modernization project. ere were four basic points that the PTO wanted to emphasize. First, there were three di erent proposals presented to them, some with the entrance to the school on 10th Street. e PTO wants to maintain the entrance to the school on Rhode Island Avenue. Second, the parents wanted the modernization to provide for a growing enrollment. Because Seaton

has a good reputation, the number of students it gets continues to increase. Any future plans should expect more students at Seaton than are currently enrolled. ird, each grade should have the same number of classrooms. e current proposals call for fewer classrooms for upper grades. Fourth, the PTO are adamantly opposed to proposals substituting arti cial turf for the grass cover currently on the Seaton eld.

Padro introduced a motion spelling out these points in a letter to the hierarchy of the DC Public Schools, the Mayor and the DC Council. e motion passed with 5 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstention.

Liquor License Renewals. ere were four establishments asking for support to renew their Class C Tavern licenses.

TG Cigars (1120 Ninth Street NW). e commission supported the renewal in a 5 - 0 - 1 vote.

Your Only Friend (1114 Ninth Street NW). Renewal supported by a unanimous vote.

Morris American Bar (1020 Seventh Street NW). Renewal approved by unanimous vote.

Flirt Cocktail Bar and Social Lounge (1015-1/2 Seventh Street NW). Commissioner Nigro noted that the business had been cited for a number of infractions. She suggested that the commission protest renewal of the license. A motion to protest renewal of the license passed unanimously.

501 New York Avenue NW. e Department of General Services application for a public space permit for the new Central Cellblock that they want to construct at the corner of New York Avenue and Sixth Street has come up again. Commissioner Nigro explained that that she and Commissioner McCarty attended a hearing of the District Department of Transportation’s Public Space Committee on the matter, where a number of questions about the application came up. As a result, the Public Space Committee tabled the matter and have opened up the record again. Nigro made a motion for the commission to submit another statement opposing the issuance of a public space permit for the project. e motion

passed unanimously.

Commissioner Nigro also made a motion to have the ANC apply for a grant from the Expert Assistance Fund of the O ce of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions for legal assistance with the 501 New York Avenue NW public space permit. e motion passed unanimously.

631 P Street NW. Request for a public space permit to allow construction of a fence on a lot’s property line. e request arose from safety concerns at the currently vacant lot, where residents requested an enhanced fence that was closer to the sidewalk and that was at a height that people could not climb over. e developer of the site submitted an application for a new fence. e DDOT Public Space Committee suggested that the ANC review the proposal. e developer currently has authority to have a 42-inch-high fence and is asking for a new fence 60 inches in height. A motion to support the permit application passed unanimously.

1000 S Street NW. A review of an application before the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) to construct a new row house in a historic district. e HPRB allowed demolition of the current building on the site, declaring that it was beyond rehabilitation. e owner of the site proposes to build a two-unit at that will have a third oor. e architect had two proposals for the building, one with a roof deck, the other with a Mansard roof to match other historic buildings in the neighborhood. e commission’s Zoning and Development Committee supported the proposal. Regarding Commissioner Garrett’s motion for a letter to the HPRB in support, Commissioner Padro wanted it to specify that the ANC supported the alternative that called for a Mansard roof on the building, and not the one with a roof deck. e amended motion passed unanimously.

ANC 2G will hold its next meeting on ursday, December 11. 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. ◆

City Market at O Fall Festival

City Market at O held a Fall Festival on Saturday, October 11, sponsored by Roadside Development. Among the pumpkins and bales of hay on hand was a setup for basketball dunking, food trucks and an ice cream vendor, and a petting zoo. Music for the event was provided by DJ Mystique of Rowdy Girlz Entertainmet. This event replaces the Holiday Tree Lighting Festival that had been an annual tradition for many years.

Howard Theater Gets Eco-Friendly Upgrade

Shaw Streets

by Pleasant Mann

The Howard Theater recently celebrated the installation of a new HVAC and solar panel system, a project that highlights the successful intersection of historic preservation and modern sustainability.

The project was made possible through a collaboration of several organizations, including the DC Preservation League (DCPL), the DC Green Bank, the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU), and the District Department of Energy and Environment.

The upgrades, which included a new high-efficiency HVAC system and a rooftop solar array with battery storage, are projected to save the theater nearly $2 million in utility costs over their lifetime. The new HVAC system alone is expected to cut heating and cooling energy use by an estimated 40 percent. Uprise Solar, a District Certified Business Enterprise, installed the solar and battery system.

As part of this effort, DCPL successfully secured a $750,000 grant from the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights grant program and $185,000 from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Facilities and Buildings grant program. The upgrades were also financed by a $775,000 loan from DC Green Bank and more than $35,000 in incentives from the DCSEU.

Roy “Chip” Ellis, owner of Ellis Development Group/Historic Howard Theatre, Inc., noted that “These new systems will help the Howard Theatre stay open for a new generation and continue to serve as a cornerstone of the DC community.”

New Restaurants Open in Shaw

Dashen Ethiopian Restaurant and Lounge (1608 Seventh Street NW) held its grand opening on the weekend of October 3. Dashen, named after one of the tallest mountains in Ethiopia, is a reboot of a previous restaurant at the location. The chef, Sissay Tassew, grew up in a family restaurant before getting formal culinary training in Addis Ababa. Her menu offers a wide variety of meat and strictly vegetarian dishes. For more information, visit dashenrestaurantlounge.com.

Realm Rooftop Bar and Lounge (899 O Street NW) opened on October 30. Providing broad views of the cityscape, Realm intends to be an urban oasis providing a sophisticated escape for the District’s business class. The kitchen is helmed by Executive Chef Keem Hughley, recently of Bronze DC on H Street NE, who has created a menu reflecting the tastes of the tropical Seychelles islands, his native

home. Realm also offers a space for private events. Visit realmrooftopdc.com for details.

African American Civil War Museum Reopens Veterans Day

The African American Civil War Museum, a fixture for decades in the historic Shaw neighborhood, will celebrate its reopening after several years of expansion and renovation in the landmark Archibald Grimke School building on Monday, November 10 and on the following day, Veterans Day. The museum held a big celebration for the formal unveiling of a new bronze statue by sculptor Stan Watts, showing President Abraham Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation. The date of the unveiling, September 22, was chosen since it was the day that the proclamation was first announced. The statue sits at the entrance to the renewed museum.

At 11:00 a.m. on November 10, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and members of the D.C. City Council will cut a ribbon outside the museum, at 1925 Vermont Avenue NW. The D.C. government provided funds to the museum. The 16,000 square foot museum’s new space will open to the public at 11:00 a.m. on Veterans Day.

Also on Veterans Day, there will be a Reading of the Names ceremony where the names of each United States Colored Troop (USCT) soldier will be read aloud at the African American Civil War Memorial across Vermont Avenue from the museum. This moving tradition honors the 209,145 USCT soldiers whose names are inscribed on the Wall of Honor. Speaking their names aloud affirms their sacrifice, preserves their memory, and connects their legacy to the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality. Groups across the U.S. have signed up to join in the reading of names.

The reopened museum will expand exhibit space, introduce state-of-the-art interactive dis-

plays, improve accessibility, and enhance visitor amenities—creating a richer and more engaging experience for all who come to learn about the USCT and the journey from the Civil War to Civil Rights. The upgraded space will tell these stories with greater depth, impact, and connection to the struggles for freedom and equality that continue to shape our nation. Admission is free, although a donation is suggested. Hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The museum will be closed on Mondays and holidays.

Shaw Small Business Saturday Set for November 29 Shaw will again mark the beginning of the holiday season November 29 with Shaw Small Business Saturday, the neighborhood’s version of the

national Small Business Saturday push to give prominence to local small businesses during the shopping season. This year, Shaw Main Streets will again offer the ever-popular Shawbucks, five-dollar denominated coupons in sheets of four that can be used at dozens of participating neighborhood businesses that day, which is the day after Black Friday. The Shawbucks inspire purchases right after Thanksgiving, with businesses reporting sales to hundreds of Shawbuck-bearing customers in previous years. The $5,000 worth of Shawbucks will be distributed at a Shaw Main Streets tent on Eighth Street at City Market at O, starting at Noon, while supplies last. Free hot apple cider, holiday cookies, candy and recyclable shopping bags will also be given away. u

BULLETIN BOARD

DC’s Four Outdoor Ice Rinks Open this Month

They are: the Canal Park Ice Rink at 200 M St. SW. (skatecanalpark.com); the Ice Rink at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden at Seventh Street and Constitution Avenue NW. (nga.gov/ice-rink-sculpture-garden.); the Wharf Ice Rink at 970 Wharf Street SW. (wharfdc.com/wharf-ice-rink); and the Washington Harbor Ice Rink between 3000 and 3050 K St. NW. (thewashingtonharbour.com/ice-skating). At press time, opening dates have not been announced.

Turning Back a Page” at DC Arts Center

Through Dec. 14 at DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW, “Turning Back a Page” features Julia Porcari’s watercolor paintings on retired library catalog cards. Drawing on a lifetime surrounded by literature, she illustrates classic stories, folklore, and myths directly on the cards, offering a new way to approach literary art. Open Wed.–Sun., 2–7 p.m. dcartscenter.org.

Five Minute Horror Film Fest at Shaw Library

Saturday, Nov. 15, 3–5:30 p.m., local directors screen five-minute horror films

created during DC Public Library’s filmmaking workshops. Awards and refreshments follow. Shaw Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW. dclibrary.org.

Tech 101 at Shaw Library Thursday, Dec. 11, 4–6 p.m., get help creating email accounts, changing passwords, navigating online forms, managing email and cloud storage, and organizing smart devices. Shaw Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW. dclibrary.org.

Bingo Loco at the Howard Saturdays, Nov. 22 and Dec. 13, 6 and 10 p.m., the Howard Theatre, 620 T St.

NW, hosts a lively bingo party with comedian hosts, danceoffs, lip-sync battles, confetti showers, and prize giveaways— including vacations. Admission $35. unionstagepresents.com/ the-howard.

(virtual) Aspiring

Writer’s Circle

Writers meet online the first and third Thursdays, 6–7 p.m.,

to share work, receive feedback, and take part in writing exercises. All genres welcome. Email MLK Library Adult Services at adultservices.dcpl@dc.gov to join. dclibrary.org.

Mount Vernon Salutes Veterans

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Mount Vernon offers free admission to active-duty, former,

America’s Trot for Hunger on Thanksgiving Morning

This Thanksgiving, be part of a time-honored DC tradition at SOME’s (So Others Might Eat) annual Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger 5k on Freedom Plaza, Pennsylvania Avenue and 13th St. NW. Race morning check-in is at 6:30 a.m.; Little Turkey OneMiler is at 7:30 a.m.; 5k waves begin at 8:15 a.m. The route runs along Pennsylvania Avenue and is an official 5k course and is timed and certified by USATF. Registration is $65; $15 for Litle Turkey One-Miler for ages ten and under. Best dressed turkey contest is at 9:30 a.m. Roads reopen at 10:30 a.m. Funds raised from America’s Trot for Hunger provide much-needed food, housing, access to healthcare, and employment training. trotforhunger.org.

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource

Resource in the District.

DC Open Doors

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

DC Open Doors

DC Open Doors

homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia.

DC Open Doors

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

homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership in the city. This program offers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on first trust mortgages.You are not required to be a first-time homebuyer or a D.C. resident to qualify for DCOD. You must, however, be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia.

DC Open Doors is your key to homeownership inthe city. is programo ers competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance costs on rst trust homebuyer or a D C. resident , be purchasing a home in the District of Columbia.

HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.

DC4ME

HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.

HPAP provides interest free deferred loans for down serves as a co-administrator of this DC Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) rst-time home buyer program.

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

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

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

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

DC4ME VA Loan Product

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

The DC4ME VA Loan Product is a VA mortgage product offered by the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA).

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

COVID-19

COVID-19

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

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

COVID-19

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

In addition to the traditional VA benefits, like no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance, this product includes 3% assistance, funded by DCHFA, that can be used toward eligible closing costs or prepaid items. This makes the DC4ME VA Loan Product one of the most affordable and accessible loan options for qualified military-connected borrowers.

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

www.DCHFA.org

Mount

Vernon by Candlelight

On Nov. 28 and 29 and Dec. 12, 13, 19, 22 and 23; 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., take a 45-minute candlelit tour of the estate as they celebrate the build-up to the 250th anniversary of American Independence. You will also learn about holiday traditions of 18th-century Virginia and hear stories of Christmases past from costumed character interpreters portraying Washington’s family, friends, and enslaved or hired staff. Admission is $41 for ages 12 and older; $33 for ages six to 11; five and under, free. mountvernon.org.

and retired military. Hear the Harmony Heritage Singers at 11 a.m. and the U.S. Air Force Strings at 2 p.m. Explore Revolutionary-era flags on the bowling green. Free tickets for service members only. mountvernon.org.

Thanksgiving Services at the National Shrine and National Cathedral

Thursday, Nov. 27: Holy Mass at the National Shrine at 8 a.m. and noon (no confessions; shops closed; church closes 3 p.m.). nationalshrine.org. The National Cathedral hosts a 10–11 a.m. Thanksgiving service (not a Eucharist) with ASL interpretation. cathedral.org.

Covenant House’s Sleep Out: Washington, DC

Thursday, Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m. to Friday morning, Nov. 21. The annual Sleep Out supports

youth experiencing homelessness. Rain or shine, with indoor options if needed. Register: sleepout.org/pages/2366?eventID=1103.

DC Green Bank Supports

Fleet Electrification

DC Green Bank is providing $1 million in loans through FinEV to help DC small businesses—such as florists, tradespeople, and transport providers—switch to electric vehicles, cutting fuel costs and emissions. dcgreenbank.com/news/finev.

Tree Planting Season Begins

DDOT’s 2025–26 tree planting season has begun, replacing lost trees and expanding canopy citywide to clean the air, cool streets, and beautify neighborhoods. Request trees via 311 (call, text, or 311.dc.gov). Free yard trees also available.

Housing Resiliency Webinar

Government employees and contractors concerned about income stability can join a Housing Counseling Services webinar on Wed., Nov. 12, 6 p.m. Topics include budgeting and mortgage/rent options. Register: hcsetc.org/register or 202-667-7606.

Leaf Collection Season

DC’s leaf collection runs Nov. 3–Feb. 2026. Rake leaves to the curb or tree box the weekend before your scheduled week. Check your schedule online via the large orange box. dpw.dc.gov/leaf.

Food Waste Smart Bins Expand

Langston Hughes by Winold Reiss, 2024. I Too Am America: A Generative Poetry Writing Workshop at MLK Library

On Saturdays, Nov. 15, Dec. 13 and Jan. 10; 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., at MLK Library, 901 G St. NW, join the Library and Story Tapestries for three poetry workshops inspired by the life and works of Langston Hughes. Participants will write together and share their poetry in a nurturing environment. This event is for all ages and poets of all levels and is free with registration. Select participants will have their poems published in a digital format for Langston Hughes’ birthday, February 1, 2026, highlighting DC’s diversity and resilience. Register at dclibrary.libnet.info/event/14812844.

National Veterans Day Observance at Arlington Cemetery

The annual National Veterans Day Observance to honor all veterans who served and continue to serve, will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Arlington National Cemetery. All events are free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure access and should plan to be in place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or seated in the Memorial Amphitheater no later than 9:30 a.m. Here’s the schedule: 8 a.m., Arlington Cemetery opens; 10:15 a.m., last shuttle from welcome center departs to Amphitheater; 10:30 a.m., prelude concert; 11 a.m., wreath laying at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; 11:05 a.m. to noon, National Observance Program at the Memorial Amphitheater. Free parking is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center parking garage. arlingtoncemetery.mil.

Bin program expands from 31 to 50 sites in 2026, adding 35,000 pounds of monthly food waste collection. Drop off compostable food scraps at 12 community sites (no painted or glittered pumpkins). Ward 1–2 sites: Columbia Heights and Mt. Pleasant markets (Sat.) and Dupont Circle (Sun.). zerowaste.dc.gov/ foodwastedropoff.

DC Hypothermia Alerts Alerts activate when temperatures (with wind chill) are ≤32°F, or ≤40°F with ≥50% precipitation. For shelter or welfare checks, call 202399-7093 or 311. For emergencies, call 911. Include time, location, and description. dhs. dc.gov/extremeweather.

Community Forklift Wish List

Community Forklift, 4671 Tanglewood Dr.,

Edmonston, MD, seeks donations of tile, appliances, small solid-wood furniture, window A/C units, décor, and cabinets. Contact Donations@ CommunityForklift.org or 301-985-5180. communityforklift.org.

Project GiveBack ’25 at the DC Armory

Saturday, Nov. 22, 7:30 a.m.–2 p.m., DC Armory, 2001 East Capitol St. SE. Project GiveBack’s Thanksgiving Food Distribution provides holiday baskets to families in need. Volunteer: projectgiveback.org.

Do You have a Notice for Bulletin Board?

Send event notices, volunteer opportunities, and community news 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

Hill Family Biking: Garfield Park Re-Opening Littles Ride

On Saturday, Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., join Hill Family Biking for a Littles Ride—geared toward ages three to six with a one-mile route from Stanton Park to newly renovated Garfield Park. Older siblings may ride along. Parents should be on bikes. A Holiday Lights Ride follows Dec. 13, 4:30–6:30 p.m., from Watkins Elementary, 420 12th St. SE. hillfamilybiking.org.

Saturday Morning Live at the National: Capoeira and The Nutcracker

On Saturdays, Nov. 8 and 22, 10 a.m., experience capoeira—a blend of dance, music, and martial arts—with EducArte instructors. On Dec. 13, enjoy an abridged Nutcracker adventure through Clara’s journey and the Kingdom of Sweets. Free at the National Theatre’s Helen Hayes Gallery, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Registration suggested; walk-ins welcome. nationaltheatre.org.

Thanksgiving Day’s Little Turkey One-Miler

Join a DC Thanksgiving tradition—SOME’s Annual Trot for Hunger 5K—at Freedom Plaza. The Little Turkey One-Miler for ages ten and under begins at 7:30 a.m.; the 5K run/walk starts at 8:15 a.m. Registration is $15 for the One-Miler and $65 for the 5K.

Funds support food, housing, healthcare, and job training for DC residents. trotforhunger.org.

Washington National Opera’s The Little Prince at the KC Terrace Theater

From Dec. 12 to 14, the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater brings Antoine de SaintExupéry’s classic The Little Prince to life in Rachel Portman’s opera. The story of friendship between an aviator and a mysterious prince unfolds with humor, charm, and wonder for all ages. Tickets start at $40. kennedy-center.org.

Ukulele Family Sing Along, Jam Along

on the Millennium Stage

On Friday, Nov. 28, 6 p.m., join Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer for a joyful family sing-along and ukulele jam on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. Free; online reservations open two weeks before each performance. kennedy-center.org.

Upcoming Library of Congress Family Days

On Saturday, Nov. 15, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., celebrate family recipes and harvest traditions in the Jefferson Building Mezzanine. Create your own cookbook using materials from Library collections. On Dec. 26–

Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show

From Dec. 5 to 21 at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW, leap into the holidays with Step Afrika!’s high-energy Magical Musical Holiday Step Show. Enjoy laughter, songs, and dance with DJ Nutcracker and his Arctic friends in a lively celebration for the whole family. Tickets start at $49. arenastage.org.

FLAMENCO EN FAMILIA at GALA

On Saturday, Nov. 15, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., at GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW, join Sara Jerez, Richard Marlow, and guest dancers for an interactive introduction to flamenco. Learn palmas, zapateo, and the use of castanets, fans, and other traditional instruments. Free for children and families. galatheatre.org.

27, craft holiday cards and bookmarks with winter imagery from the archives. Free, tickets required. loc.gov.

US Army Orchestra American Holiday Festival

Celebrate the season with the US Army Orchestra’s American Holiday Festival Dec. 5–7 at DAR Constitution Hall. Free tickets available Nov. 3, 10 a.m. Showtimes: Fri. 8 p.m.; Sat. 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun. 3 p.m. Firstcome seating opens one hour before showtime; unticketed entry allowed 15 minutes prior if seats remain. usarmyband.com.

NMAAHC Kids Story

Time: Jabari Tries

On Saturday, Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., kids ages four to eight can get creative with NMAAHC Kids at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Enjoy a reading of Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall, then build inventions with recycled materials and explore related museum objects. Free; registration required. nmaahc.si.edu.

NMAAHC Kids Story

Time: When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree

On Saturday, Dec. 13, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., celebrate Kwanzaa and the principle of Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) through Jamie L.B. Deenihan’s When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree. Create garden-inspired collages, enjoy lemon-themed play, and explore related exhibits. For ages four to eight. Free; registration required. nmaahc.si.edu.

Capital City Symphony: “Zoom” and “Spark!” at the Atlas

On Sunday, Nov. 16, 2:30 & 5 p.m., enjoy Zoom, a musical adventure featuring Peter and the Wolf and Finlandia at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE. On Saturday, Dec. 6, 3 & 5:30 p.m., Spark! returns with holiday music and Potomac Fever from the Gay Men’s Chorus. Free youth tickets (16 and under). Adults $40.75. atlasarts.org. ◆

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CHART YOUR COURSE TO EXCELLENCE

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• 2024 Bold Performance School recipient in the High School and 2022 Bold Performance School recipient for the Middle School

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