East of the River Magazine – September 2025 by Capital Community News

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Art All Night (Bring a friend. Stay out late.)

DC Art All Night occurs from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. the following morning on two nights, Dec. 12 and 13. The festival takes place in all eight wards with different activations on each night, bringing visual and performing arts, including painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, fashion, music, literary arts, dance, theater, film, and poetry, to indoor and outdoor public and private spaces, including local businesses and restaurants. dcartallnight.org.

Because They’re Funny (BTF) Comedy Festival at the Wharf

On Oct. 11, 8 p.m., Jay Pharoah hosts the third annual “Breakout Comedian of the Year” competition at The Anthem. Six rising comics compete for a $10,000 grand prize and the career-changing opportunity to sign with a top Hollywood talent agency. On Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m., the Hey Ladies Comedy Experience is hosted by Sommore at The Anthem featuring Tisha Campbell, Zainab Johnson, Leslie Liao. It is an unfiltered night of stand-up and unapologetic truth from some of the funniest women in comedy. On Oct. 12, 10 p.m., the Last Laugh wraps at Union Stage with an open mic, where comedy veterans and rising stars take the stage to test brand-new material and leave it all on the mic. becausetheyrefunny.com.

Air and Space After Hours

From groundbreaking technologies to creative preservation methods, innovation is at the heart of the National Air and Space Museum’s exhibitions. On Thursday, Oct. 9, 6 to 8 p.m., come for an after-hours event at the Museum to: Talk to their curators about the past, present, and future of aviation and space. Get behind-the-scenes stories from staff that care for their artifacts and develop their exhibitions. Enjoy a live tour of the sky in the Northrop Grumman Planetarium. Sample aviation and space themed food and beverages (first-come, first-served). For ages 21 or older, guests must present a valid ID for entry. Free tickets (required) are available in September at airandspace.si.edu/whats-on/events/air-and-space-after-hours-2025.

Jay Pharoah hosts the third annual “Breakout Comedian of the Year” competition at The Anthem.

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

Smithsonian Craft2Wear Show:

Wear Your Art!

On Friday through Sunday, Sept. 26 to 28, more than 70 artists from across the country are selling their fine arts and crafts creations, including jewelry, accessories and wearable art. This year, the show is held in a new location, the historic Smithsonian Arts & Industries Building on the National Mall, between the Smithsonian Castle and Hirshhorn Museum. Craft show hours are Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $20 on Friday and Saturday; $15 on Sunday; students with ID, $10. smithsoniancraftshow.org/craft2wear.

“Julius X: A Re-envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” at the Folger.

Photo: Erika Nizborski

From Tuesday, Sept. 23 to Sunday, Oct. 26, award-winning writer, journalist, and podcast host Al Letson harmonizes with Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in his retelling of the story, Julius X: A Re-envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare at the Folger, 201 East Capitol St. SE. Letson highlights and reflects on contemporary challenges by blending Shakespeare with the story of Civil Rights leader Malcolm X. Julius X champions Shakespeare’s original text and timeless tragedy, amplified with Letson’s verse, to highlight the cyclical nature of societal strife and shared human experiences of ambition, betrayal, and brotherhood. $20 to $90. folger.edu.

The H Street Festival (ALWAYS A BLAST!)

The 20th annual H Street Festival is on Saturday, Sept. 20, noon to 7 p.m., during which there are many ways to celebrate the vibe on the H Street NE Corridor, from Third Street to 15th Street NE. The festival is famed for its incredible performance line-ups across multiple staging areas; delicious food choices; the unique mile long shopping experience; and the countless patios H Street businesses host. The local H Street businesses always come through with fantastic promotions and offerings on festival day. hstreetfestival.org.

Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival

The annual Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival is on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21, with hot air balloon launches on both days. (Gates open at 6 a.m. during the Balloon Festival.) Festival admission at gate is $20 for adults; military $15; and kids, $10. Ballooning requires very light winds and an absence of thermal activity to be safe and enjoyable, therefore, most balloons fly in the early morning and late evening hours. Free-flight rides are $300; tethered rides are $20 for adults and $10 for kids, 12 and under. The Flying Circus Aerodrome is 14 miles SE of Warrenton, VA, just off Route 17, at 5114 Ritchie Road (Route 644) in Bealeton, VA. flyingcircusairshow.com.

Hat by artist Karen Morris.

“The American Five” at Ford’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his inner circle imagined a pluralistic society in which equality and justice is guaranteed for all. In the face of surveillance, intimidation, arrests and life threats, five giants form a powerful coalition to advance civil rights and shape a defining moment in American history. Together, Dr. King, Coretta Scott King, Bayard Rustin, Stanley Levison and Clarence B. Jones plan the March on Washington and craft the speech that would galvanize the nation and inspire generations to advance America’s efforts to turn a dream into reality. “The American Five” is at Ford’s Theatre, 511 Tenth St. NW, from Sept. 19 to Oct. 12. Tickets are $26 to $53. fords.org.

Alex Harsley, Nite Meetings, 1959, printed 2024 inkjet print image: 30.5 x 45.7 cm (12 x 18 in.) sheet: 33 x 48.3 cm (13 x 19 in.) mat: 18 x 24 in. framed: 47.9 x 63.2 cm (18 7/8 x 24 7/8 in.). On loan from the artist.

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955-1985 at the NGA

Uniting around civil rights and freedom movements of the 1960s and 1970s, many visual artists, poets, playwrights, musicians, photographers, and filmmakers expressed hope and dignity through their art. These creative efforts became known as the Black Arts Movement. Photography was central to the movement, attracting all kinds of artists—from street photographers and photojournalists to painters and graphic designers. This expansive exhibition presents 150 examples tracing the Black Arts Movement from its roots to its lingering impacts, from 1955 to 1985. Explore the bold vision shaped by generations of artists. National Gallery of Art West Building from Sept. 21 to Jan. 11, 2026. nga.gov.

National Dance Day at the KC

The Kennedy Center, in partnership with American Dance Movement, presents National Dance Day on Saturday, Sept. 20, 12:30 to 7 p.m. Now in its 16th year, this free, community event invites people of all ages and abilities to experience the joy of dance through performances, workshops, and the opportunity to learn. This year’s celebration includes appearances from local dance companies such as Carpathia Folk Dance Ensemble, chitra.MOVES, Corazón Folklórico Dance Company, DC Rawhides, Furia Flamenca, Jessica Featherson, The Lion’s Den DMV, Emerald Holman, Motion X Dance Company, Project ChArma, and more. kennedy-center.org.

Nyo Chong, “Untitled (Subliminal World),” circa 2000, Acrylic paint on fabric, 31.5” x 43.75.” Lily Yeh papers circa 19942020. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution

“Breaking Down Walls: Art as a Portal for the Incarcerated” at the Archives of American Art

From Sept. 5 to Jan. 18, 2026, the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art presents “Breaking Down Walls: Art as a Portal for the Incarcerated,” an exhibition that showcases two separate prison art projects led by nationally acclaimed artists Lily Yeh (b. 1941) and Emanuel Martinez (b. 1947). The exhibition highlights the role of the arts in creating transformative experiences for inmates and their communities. At the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, 8th and G streets NW. Free admission. Open daily, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. si.edu/museums/archives-of-american-art-gallery.

Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, during which he delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech, calling for an end to racism.

at the American Indian Museum

A symbol of Guatemalan national identity, the marimba is a large instrument played by striking rows of wooden bars with mallets. Traditional marimba music serves as a link to Guatemalan culture for young Guatemalans living in the United States. Hear “Marimba Melodies” on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21, at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., as part of part of the museum’s Hispanic Heritage Month events. Have a seat and enjoy the music, or feel free to dance solo or with friends. americanindian.si.edu.

Home Rule Music Festival

(The Energy, The People, The Vibe)

Home Rule Music Festival returns to Alethia Tanner Park, 227 Harry Thomas Way NE, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 1 to 9 p.m., bringing with it a full day of live music, DJs, and cultural celebrations. This community event continues the festival’s mission to celebrate, preserve, and promote DC’s rich and diverse music culture. Attendees can expect a vibrant atmosphere with food trucks, local vendors, a music/record fair, art installations, and family-friendly activities. The festival is free and open to all ages, offering an inclusive space for the community to come together through music and culture. homerulemusicfestival.com.

“Kiss of the Spider Woman” at GALA

In an Argentine prison cell, two complete opposites discover that love may spring in the most unlikely of places. Valentin, a political prisoner whose commitment to the Marxist cause takes precedence over all other things, forges an unlikely relationship with queer, movie-loving Molina, who escapes his harsh reality by retelling film noir classics as their glamorous leading ladies. Poignant, chilling, funny and sensual. The bilingual (in Spanish with English surtitles) EL BESO DE LA MUJER ARAÑA –Kiss of the Spider Woman is at GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW, from Sept. 4 to 28. $27 to $47. galatheatre.org.

GALA’s cofounder Hugo Medrano performing as Molina in GALA’s production of Kiss of Spider Woman in 1994.

Photo: Courtesy of GALA Theatre.

“The

One Good Thing or Are Ya Patrick Swayze?” at Washington Stage Guild

Brothers Jamie and Tommy share a small cottage overlooking the sea in Southern Ireland. One morning, after a violent storm, Jamie announces that he is dead…he is a ghost. Disbelieving this ridiculous claim, Tommy is convinced his brother’s delusion is simply the aftereffects of grief he suffered following their mother’s death. With wit and pathos, American playwright Joe Bravaco explores the emotional depths of these Irish siblings as they grapple with love, grief, forgiveness--and the afterlife. Washington Stage Guild, 900 Massachusetts Ave. NW, from Sept. 25 to Oct. 19. All tickets: $60. stageguild.org.

Alabama Shakes at The Anthem

Alabama Shakes are an American rock band formed in Athens, Alabama, in 2009. The band currently consists of lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, and bassist Zac Cockrell. Early critical reviews of their debut, Boys & Girls (2012), noted that the band borrowed from mid-20th century rhythm and blues. The songs were compared to artists such as Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, and Aretha Franklin. In January 2025, the band posted on Instagram that they are working on new music, and in February 2025, Alabama Shakes announced a reunion tour scheduled July to September. Alabama Shakes is at The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW, on Friday, Sept. 19, 8 p.m., (doors at 6:30 p.m.). theanthemdc.com.

Courtesy of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian

“Marimba Melodies”

Photo: Nick Moreland

SATURDAY 9|20|25 12PM-7PM

Performing Under Adversity

Cultural

Treasures

East of the Anacostia are Fighting Back

by Matthew McClure

Arts and culture in our city are under siege. The House Interior Appropriations Committee has suggested cutting 35% of funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Add to this Congress withholding more than $1 billion of DC’s own revenue and requests by the White House for exhibits on slavery at Smithsonian museums to be re-evaluated and it all seems a bit hopeless. But east of the Anacostia River, the people and places that bring creativity and expression to neighborhoods in wards 7 and 8 are ghting back through collaboration, ingenuity and perseverance.

Anacostia Playhouse

More than 18 months ago, the Anacostia Playhouse on Shannon Pl SE silently closed its doors. There was scant detail on what exactly had happened beyond rumors of the Playhouse’s Executive Artistic Director Stephawn Stephens stepping aside due to ill health and tales of rent going unpaid. Fast forward to late July when Adele Robey, founder of the H Street Playhouse—the Anacostia Playhouse’s progenitor—started ringing the alarm to alert the theatrical community to the possible permanent loss of this treasured resource. Robey gathered a concerned group of like-minded creatives, actors, donors and friends together to rally support for the rebirth of this critical community resource.

In partnership with ARCH Development, Robey formed Anacostia Playhouse DC, a nonpro t organization established to rally support for the reopening of the Anacostia Playhouse. At her event this summer, ac-

The Anacostia Playhouse Refounding event held in July at the Anacostia Arts Center. Photo courtesy Nikki Peele

A 2016 production of Ntozake Shange’s for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf held at the Anacostia Playhouse. Photo courtesy Anacostia Playhouse DC

LEFT: Interested in supporting the reopening of the Anacostia Playhouse? Scan the QR code below to donate.

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tors, political representatives, poets and DC creatives passionately testified to the value of the Playhouse and why it should be resuscitated. Nikki Peele, chairperson of ARCH Development, pledged a generous donation on behalf of ARCH towards a reopening, noting how arts and cultural organizations east of the Anacostia River are responding inventively to a myriad of threats and challenges that include, but aren’t limited to, a lack of funding. A few weeks ago, news broke that the old Anacostia Playhouse space in Shannon Pl SE had been leased out to new tenants. While disappointing, Peele is adamant that this won’t stop plans for future Anacostia Playhouse activities. “We’re still looking for a permanent home, but one thing’s for sure we’ll be doing theatrical events someplace. You must be creative in how you deal with challenges. Here in Ward 8, it’s not unfamiliar territory.”

Interested in supporting the reopening of the Anacostia Playhouse? Scan the QR code below to donate.

The Nicholson Project www.thenicholsonproject.org

Cutting budgets means making difficult choices. The Nicholson Project (TNP), an artist residency and gallery on the boundary of wards 7 and 8 founded by Stephanie Reiser in 2019, discussed possibly shuttering their on-site community food garden.

“At the end of last year when we were preparing our budget, we were thinking about whether we can do the garden. It costs a lot of money to run it,” says Allison Nance, TNP’s managing director. “But the value of the garden is it’s our community access point. We had hard conversations, but said no, we’re not going to close the garden, or not do the residency. We’re not going to stop supporting artists.”

Despite Federal grants for the arts dwindling, TNP is expanding. With funding from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, TNP has renovated an old garage on their property into space for an artist studio. They’ve also started converting a row home adjacent to the main residency and gallery into four separate artist studios, to be opened next year. “It seems like a smaller pool of money that all the nonprofits, arts organizations and artists are going after,” says Nance. “We’re all needing the same support. But being a small non-profit, you can be more nimble.” TNP shares a staff member and equipment with another arts organization, partners with Hamiltonian Artists on grant applications and is working to support creatives that are looking for a new home. “There’s a lot of generosity still out there. We want to continue this work because it’s important. It’s hard-

er, but that just means we need to be more creative.”

The Sandlot www.sandlotdc.com

When you’ve always done things a little differently, you’re better able to dodge the curveballs. “Cultural architect” Ian Callender has been making opportunity happen his whole life. Callender’s perhaps best known for his Sandlot event spaces; configurable shipping containers on vacant land that serve as platforms for local DJs, artists and chefs and as venues for community expression. “I established good partnerships early on,” says Callender. “I always thought that if brands have access to non-traditional financial means then why not use that for real estate.” Callender says he “…transforms underutilized or dilapidated spaces” to give exposure to brands that might not have access to adequate funding for renting brick and mortar retail space. Earning the Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in the Creative Industries in 2019 and be-

ing named a Washingtonian of the Year in 2022, Callender says his Sandlots are “… a beautification project. We’re a community amenity extension, a place where everyone in the neighborhood can assemble without any expense from an infrastructure perspective.”

Sandwiched between the old Senator Theater and Unity Healthcare on Minnesota Ave NE in Ward 7 is a patch of yellowing lawn where Callender has just installed Sandlot Senator Square. In partnership with Standard Real Estate Investmentsthe owner of the surrounding propertiesSandlot Senator Square will be open in time for Art All Night on September 12th and offer a ‘Graffiti Grow’ wall for local artists to express themselves, plus eats from a local supplier.

THEARC www.buildingbridgesdc.org

Building Bridges Across the River (BBAR) is celebrating 20 years of community-oriented change in DC’s Ward 8 this year. After the closure of the Anacostia Playhouse, the THEARC Theater and the THEARC Black Box at the THEARC campus at 1901 Mississippi Ave SE are now the only fully equipped performing arts venues in SE DC.

Lynnita Jones is senior VP of operations and programming at BBAR. Through the various community-centered projects that BBAR has initiated in the 20 years they’ve worked in Ward 8, Jones says they’ve formed enduring relationships with foundations and corporations who are only too happy to contribute financially to increased access and exposure to the arts in SE, or sponsor tickets for historically underserved communities. “We went into 2025 wanting to amplify Ward 8 voices. We didn’t have a lot of government funding outside the theatre. We’re telling people who would normally donate to The Kennedy Center that we have a whole different idea over here. A concept of community theater that they can support.” Individual donations are also welcomed, Jones confirms. “We have people donating on a yearly basis. We do a lot of yea-end campaigning and people will specifically pick our theatre program to donate to. We’ve always had to rally a different way because we didn’t get that

Song of Sons by Nate Langston Palmer, a photographic installation at the rear of the Nicholson Project. Photo: The Nicholson Project

Ian Callender at the future location of Sandlot Senator Square in Ward 7. Photo: Matthew McClure

grant funding as quickly as other arts and culture organizations.” The THEARC Theater hosts performances by The Washington Ballet and Levine Music’s Levine Presents performance series and DCPS students can learn the tricks of the trade through the iCAN Technical Theater Internship.

Theater Alliance

www.theateralliance.com

While not strictly speaking east of the Anacostia River anymore, Theater Alliance has deep connections to Southeast DC. Many of its audience members and supporters still travel from wards 7 and 8 to see Theater Alliance productions at their pop-up in SW, only a few blocks away from Arena Stage.

After the Anacostia Playhouse closed last year, Theater Alliance – which had been sharing a space with the Playhouse unaware that rent wasn’t being paid to the owners of the building – found itself without a home. Bouncing back from defeat, the company utilized Muriel Bowser’s Pop-Up Permit Program to secure an empty retail space within walking distance of The Wharf. Shanara Gabrielle, Theater Alliance’s Producing Artistic Director, is head of a small but mighty team that she says has leveraged collaboration and adaptability as tools of survival in a climate of unpredictable sponsorship. “Resource sharing is inherent to Theater Alliance. We have the advantage of this pop-up space and we’ve invested in sharing tech directors, tech staff resources, box office, concessions, marketing… it’s an important part of what I think the survival of all non-profits is going to look like in the future.” Theater Alliance has forged a network of grants and funding across multiple agencies and organizations, both private and public, to keep bringing performing art to the communities they serve. “We’ve thrived this year. We grew our budget by $100 000 through a diverse source of funds and though diversifying our portfolio of grants.” Continuity and collaboration, says Gabrielle, are key. Theater Alliance will be running productions through the fall, starting with fire work by Mary Glen Fredrick (on now until September 21st), followed by a.k payne’s Furlough’s Paradise.

Note: The Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, which had no funding allocated by the Federal government per a proposed Trump administration 2025-2026 budget, was approached for comment but had not responded at time of going to press. u

Strengthening our Regional Agriculture and Food System

Article and photos by Annette Nielsen

Coming out of the pandemic, we learned how important our local farmers and producers are to maintaining a resilient food system. With the rising cost of food coupled with impending cuts in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), we see an impact on individuals and families, as well as our local grocers and food businesses. Now, it’s even more important our DMV farmers and producers have the important tools and resources necessary to ensure their long-term success.

Enter American University’s Health Studies department with a model that emphasizes regional collaboration to tie together food justice, environmental sustainability with a focus on community resilience.

An Innovative Pilot

Taking a leadership role on sustainability throughout the DMV, American University’s Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities Lab launched an innovative pilot supporting

local farmers and producers. The Agriculture, Infrastructure and Equipment (AIE) Grant Opportunity was designed to expand capacity of established farmers located in the Mid-Atlantic. The project was sponsored by Novo Nordisk, Inc., a supporter of American University and its collaborative effort in building an equitable and resilient food system around the Washington, DC region. Through the purchase of needed equipment and infrastructure, farmers and producers realize an increase in the production of fruits and vegetables, subsequently improving access to high quality, local food in Washington, DC and neighboring localities.

Says American University Health Studies professor Dr. Stacey Snelling, “The Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities Lab is pressing ahead in our work towards a more resilient local food system in DC. In the second year of this work, we have funded partners across production, distribution and consumption, while currently zooming in on equipment and infrastructure investments for 12 local farmers.”

Ranging from $2500 to $4999, the awards went to farms with at least three (3) years in operation and providing food access in Wards 7 and 8. The total investment exceeded $55,000 and each farm received an average of $4,600.

Impact for Local Farms

One grantee is in Upper Marlboro, Maryland at Deep Roots Farm run by farmer Gale Livingstone. Livingstone, a former finance professional, first worked as

Arcadia Farm’s Mobile Market travels around the DMV making many stops in DC. Here, Brendan stops off in Kenilworth Terrace for a Wednesday market.

The Arcadia Mobile Market Team set up at Kenilworth Terrace at a Wednesday Market.

a volunteer and leased land prior to fully investing in her own property of over 50 acres. Now, she is contributing to the food system full-time through direct marketing at farmers’ markets and her Community Supported Agriculture model, bringing her beautiful produce and other agricultural products from area farmers to market in the District each week, including the Wednesday afternoon Watkins Farmstand (1300 E St SE) and the Saturday morning H Street Market (corner of 13th and H St NE).

While she raises chickens and grows a wide variety of produce, she plants and harvests a few varieties of potatoes – all by hand, a labor-intensive farm task. Through the grant, she was able to purchase a potato planter and harvester.

“We grow a lot of potatoes – two crops per season and harvesting the potatoes would take about a day-and-a-half. We knew we needed to realize more e ciency and reduce labor costs – the harvester we were able to get through the grant cuts our time down to a half-day. We are really so very thankful for this opportunity and grateful to have the support.”

In Virginia, the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture sees

Dreaming Out Loud’s Daanye Scott, farm coordinator (left) and farm manager, Autumn Herbert with their new Jang JP5 Seeder, which speeds up the planting process at their Kelly Miller Farm.

Representing the Capitol Hill/Hill East, Eastland Gardens, Kenilworth, Kingman Park, Mayfair, Parkside, River Terrace and Rosedale neighborhoods and the

Virtual Login: https://dc-gov.zoom.us/j/ 82241895770?pwd=30xgxP1oqOWhDHUuX w1vbrC1rYieSe.1 and enter password: anc7d

Brian Alcorn, Chairperson 7D08 – Capitol Hill 7d08@anc.dc.gov

Vacant 7D04 – River Terrace 7d04@anc.dc.gov

Brett Astmann, Treasurer 7D07 – Rosedale 7d07@anc.dc.gov

Dev Myers, Secretary 7D10 – Hill East 7d10@anc.dc.gov

Artilie Wright 7D03 – Parkside 7d03@anc.dc.gov

Ebony Payne 7D05 – Kingman Park 7d05@anc.dc.gov

Marc Friend 7D06 – Rosedale 7d06@anc.dc.gov

Ashley Schapitl 7D09 – Hill East 7d09@anc.dc.gov

Josh Taborn 7D01 7d01@anc.dc.gov

Vacant 7D02 7d02@anc.dc.gov

to:

partnered with Future

an impact on the regional food system through innovative programming. At Arcadia, they provide training for beginning farmers, many of whom are veterans.

Executive Director, Pam Hess speaks to the importance of a capital grant opportunity. “A farm equipment grant is exceedingly rare and extremely valuable –it can super-charge a small operation.”

Hess says the equipment they purchased through the grant was all related to the farm’s transition toward more fields with no- and low-till practices and include pieces or add-ons for use on a smaller tractor. While also being able to fit in the farm’s high tunnels, the smaller tractor can protect and build soil structure, improve drainage, and support positive microbial activity.

Sean Matthews of Sean’s Veggie Garden received a grant for acquiring a paper pot transplanter and a generator for his vegetable farm and echoes the sentiment, “The grant was perfect timing for me. The turnaround time from grant application to receiving the equipment was really fast – and American University also took care of placing the equipment order and following up to make sure we received everything.”

Headquartered in DC and with work

for a ‘Small

focusing on Wards 7 and 8, Dreaming Out Loud brings programming and innovation – from a CSA, food hub, and youth programming at their Kelly Miller and Fort Stanton Farms.

Says Autumn Herbert, farm manager for Dreaming Out Loud, “Relationship building is a very important part of being successful. These connections and financial support — like the Agriculture, Infrastructure and Equipment Grant from American University where we were able to add a 5-row seed planter, tool shed and salad spinner for greens – is key for us to do our work more efficiently.”

Feeding the DMV Region

The Franciscan Monastery’s gardens have been an oasis in the District for over a century and the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild (FMGG) has been raising produce for donation since 2014. On its two-acre urban DC farm, FMGG grows and harvests about 8,000 pounds of vegetables annually – 95% of which is donated to area nonprofits like DC Central Kitchen, the Father McKenna Center and other nearby food pantries.

FMGG board member, Peter Quinn notes how impactful grants are to their

At Kelly Miller Farm, Dreaming Out Loud

Harvest

Tools and Equipment’ demonstration, and Nazirahk Amen of Purple Tools as instructor.

work. “The grant we received through American University has made it possible for us to acquire items like heat mats for germinating seeds earlier in the season inside the greenhouse, as well as elevated beds on wheels that help with accessibility concerns for older adults volunteering in the garden.”

These donations to area food pantries are becoming increasingly important to the DMV, as the Capital Area Food Bank’s latest report from September 2024, noted that 37% of the Washington region (nearly 1.5 million people) didn’t always know where their next meal would come from, an increase of 5 percentage points over 2023.

Continued Collaboration for Success

As we see greater need in the realm of food insecurity, collaborative partnerships between private enterprise, academic expertise and research, local farmers and producers alongside non-pro t entities – are important keys to addressing hunger in the DMV.

The Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities initiative has seen positive impact. From getting food in the hands of under-resourced communities or through their convening of the rst DMV-focused Food Summit in October 2024 where over 50 regionally based organizations came together at American University, this important work looks at the strengths and challenges inherent in the local food system. The AIE grants support and address recommendations gleaned from the Summit as well as important conversations those engaged in the Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities initiative have had in the eld.

Annette Nielsen, a writer, and food and agricultural systems advisor. She has returned to Capitol Hill from New York where she served as the executive director of the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center. ◆

neighborhood news

Reflections at 75 The Man from Anacostia

by Phil Pannell

This month I will be 75 years old. I am Libra and my scales have constantly been unbalanced, but they still are able to weigh justice and injustice. During my three-quarters of a century of living , I have witnessed major changes in our society. I have been reflecting on the events that I have lived to witness and some are indelibly etched in my memory.

Growing up in rigidly segregated Newport News, Virginia, race and civil rights were always in the forefront of community life. I remember my grandparents showing me

the issue of Jet magazine that had the pictures of the beaten, shot and lynched corpse of Emmett Till. He was murdered and mutilated on August 28, 1955 and his mother’s decision to have an open casket helped to galvanize the civil rights movement. Eight years later on August 28, 1963 Martin Luther King, Jr. electrified the nation with his speech at the March on Washington. Then 18 days later the nation was shockingly awakened from Dr. King’s dream by the horrific Birmingham, Alabama church bombing that killed four Black girls.

I remember being in the eighth grade and in English class when the principal came on the public address system to inform us that President John Kennedy had been shot.

During my lifetime I have been described as and called myself colored, Negro, Black and African American. I have also been called other names. What is now important to me is not what I am called but what I answer to.

When I moved to New York City in 1964, the cultural shock left me reeling for months. I had never been in a racially integrated classroom and it took some time for me to adjust. I lived in Harlem during the Black Power Movement. I vividly recall the shock waves that went thru the community when Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965.

I graduated from high school in 1968, the year that Dr. King and Senator Robert Kennedy were assassinated. I remember the shouting, screaming, the police sirens, the sound of breaking glass and burning buildings illuminating the nocturnal sky during the riot in my neighborhood in response to the murder of Dr. King.

My first job after graduating from high school was a library page at what is now the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. It was a des-

tination for the African American intelligentsia and I was blessed to be on the staff for three years. It was there that I met Dr. Amos Wilson, one of the leading theorists of Afrocentrism. We were close friends up until his untimely death in 1995.

In the fall of 1968 I began my education at Fordham University. Donald Trump is an alumnus who spent his freshman and sophomore years there and then transferred. I opted for a Jesuit education because its purpose was to prepare for a life of service to others for the glorification of God. Today when I witness what President Trump is doing and how he is behaving, it is obvious that his Fordham experience had minimal impact on him.

During my undergraduate years I became immersed in the anti-Vietnam War movement, which put me on the path to civil disobedience. I would go on to be arrested over a dozen times for causes involving civil rights, war, LGBT rights and DC statehood.

On June 28, 1969 I was in Greenwich Village on the first night of the Stonewall Rebellion and it ignited me to become involved in the struggle for LGBT equality.

I have lived to see humans land on the moon; Barack Obama, a Black man elected president; Hilary Clinton win the popular vote for President but lose the Electoral College; and Kamela Harris, a Black woman, be the Democratic presidential nominee. De jure racial segregation has mostly been dismantled. And I lived to see a Black man and woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. But in too many respects de facto racial segregation is apparent and corrosive.

Unfortunately, I have lived to see our great country now on the path to authoritarianism. For far too many of our citizens neo-fascist trappings and tendencies have become routine and acceptable. A cursory examination of European history between both of the world wars show clear parallels as to what is now happening in our nation. The philosopher George Santayana warned us that “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

I have seen the District of Columbia come agonizingly close to becoming a state and tragically the pendulum has swung to the point that Home Rule is endangered.

Recently there was a mass shooting in a Minneapolis Catholic church resulting in the deaths of two children and injury to 18 others. It was reported that there could have been more fatalities but because of the active-shooter training that the children received in school they knew how to respond.

When I was in elementary school, the United States was involved in the Cold Ward with the Soviet Union. Students were taught how to seek safety and hide under their desks in the event of a nuclear strike. Then the students were responding to a foreign enemy. Today the enemy is our fellow citizens.

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

neighborhood news

National Gallery Nights Returns this Fall

The NGA East Building comes to life in this popular, 6 to 9 p.m., after-hours program. Join them for themed evenings with music, live performances, artmaking, pop-up talks, and more. The season kicks o on Thursday, Sept. 11, with “Back to School.” Embrace creative projects using everyday materials. “Strike a Pose” on Oct. 9 and celebrate the exhibition Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985 with vintage-inspired fashion, photo booth moments, and rare West Building access after dark. The season ends on Nov. 13 with “Art Under the Stars” as visitors experience the exhibition The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art with didgeridoo performances, textile weaving, and rooftop stargazing. The rst lottery opens Sept. 1, at 10 a.m. Walk-up passes are also available starting at 5:30 p.m., the day of each event. nga.gov.

Hiring Hub Job Fair at Anacostia Library

On Thursday, Sept. 11, noon to 4 p.m., start a new career path at the Hiring Hub Job Fair. Meet with prospective employers at Anacostia Library, 1800 Marion Barry Ave. SE. Follow the link at sites.google. com/view/anacostialibrary-hiringhub to register and upload your resume. Only online resumes will be accepted. No paper resumes. Positions will be posted in advance of the job fair date. dclibrary.org.

JusticeAccess at Anacostia Library (free legal help)

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, 1 to 3 p.m., get free legal help at Anacostia Library, 1800 Marion Barry Ave. SE. JusticeAccess is a mobile law library focused on meeting the legal information needs of members of the public. Sta will be tabling and will address questions and/or provide referrals. Services can be anonymous and discussions are con dential. For more information, email info@justiceaccess.org. Consultations are for ages 18+. justiceaccess.org.

Black Women Thriving East of the River

Black Women Thriving East of the River Is accepting applications for the next cohort of scholars committed to pursuing health-related careers. Pathways includes up to $10,000 in nancial assistance, career coaching and networking for participants enrolled or interested in pursuing certi cations or degrees in any health-related eld. You must be currently in or interested in pursuing a healthrelated career; identify as a woman or a gender non-conforming/non-binary person from underrepresented communities; and be a DC resident who lives in or has generational ties to Ward 7 or 8. thrivingeotr.org.

Marigold Health (peer support) at Benning Library

On Friday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Benning Library, 3935 Benning Rd. NE, Marigold Health will provide information about the Marigold App which o ers anonymous 24/7 peer support services related to mental health and substance use conditions. Marigold is an anonymous social network where anyone interested in recovery can nd support. Marigold sta will help people reg-

ister for the Marigold App, o er Narcan kits, fentanyl test strips, and small giveaways for those who sign up for the app. dclibrary.org.

Fusion Festival at Anacostia Arts Center

The second annual Fusion Festival returns to the Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Marion Barry Ave. SE, on Saturday, Sept. 27, noon to 6:30 pm., for a full-day experience at the intersection of innovation, culture, and transformation. Expect a one-of-a-kind gathering that speaks to the soul of the DMV—where real people, real conversations, and real momentum meet. They’re bringing together the artists, innovators, small business own-

ers, visionaries, and culture-shapers who are building what’s next across the region. Through engaging panels, handson workshops, and dynamic networking spaces, explore what it means to navigate personal and professional transitions. General admission tickets are $81.88. anacostiaartscenter.com/events.

Yoga Workshop at the ACM

On Saturday, Sept. 20, 11 a.m. to noon, attend a Yoga Workshop at the Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. This session is suitable for all levels, welcoming beginners and experienced yogis alike. Ideal for those who enjoy the fusion of music and movement. Participants should wear clothing that al-

Community Forklift’s 20th Anniversary Celebration

On Saturday, Oct. 18, noon to 3 p.m., celebrate Community Forklift’s 20th anniversary at their free public celebration featuring food for sale, free anniversary cake (while supply lasts), art activities, a preservation workshop, a Goodwill clothing drop-o , and more. Community Forklift is at 4671 Tanglewood Dr., Edmonston, MD. communityforklift.org.

Photo: Lavala Harris

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in

DC Open Doors

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

DC Open Doors

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

DC Open Doors

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

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

District.

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.

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.

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.

COVID-19

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

neighborhood news

lows for the ease of movement and expression. Bring a yoga mat and optionally, water or a towel to stay hydrated and comfortable throughout the class. Session facilitated by Khepera Wellness. anacostia.si.edu.

Litter Cleanup at Kenilworth Park

On Saturday, Sept. 27, 9 to 11 a.m., join Potomac Conservancy for a trash cleanup at Kenilworth Park. Meet at 1500 Deane Ave. NE at 9 a.m. All supplies (trash bags, gloves, trash grabbers, etc.) will be provided. Please wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and bring water. nps.gov/keaq.

DC Housing Resource Center Opens

The Housing Resource Center (HRC), 1901 MLK Ave. SE, is the District’s central hub for housing, connecting residents and other customers with essential programs and services. They o er guidance on rental assistance, homebuyer support, foreclosure prevention, housing counseling, and emergency and transitional housing. HRC is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Read more at dhcd.dc.gov.

Art & Memory: Telling Your Story Through Creativity

Anacostia Park Care Day Volunteer Events

Join Friends of Anacostia Park in supporting a clean and vibrant Park for all who visit. Meet Grounds Lead Mr. Wayne at the Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion, 1500 Anacostia Dr., every third Saturday of the Month (Sept. 20 and Oct. 18), 10 a.m. to noon, through October. Projects vary; all supplies are provided. Typical activities include trash and invasive species removal, mulching/watering trees, and beautifying the landscape. friendsofanacostiapark.org.

On Thursday, Sept 18, 10:15 to 11:30 a.m., celebrate the power of storytelling through artistic expression at the Anacostia Community Museum, l910 Fort Pl. SE. In A Bold and Beautiful Vision: A Century of Black Arts Education in Washington, DC, 1900–2000, discover how DC’s most in uential artists and educators wove their family, community, and personal experiences into their work. Then, create your own meaningful piece incorporating portraits or photos from your life, connecting your story to the legacy of Black arts education. Recommended for lifelong learners. Registration recommended. anacostia.si.edu.

CAN I KICK IT? East of the

River

Outdoor Movie Screening Experience

For over a decade CAN I KICK IT? (CIKI?) outdoor movie events have brought thousands of people together from the DC area and beyond to enjoy a unique fusion of cinema, hip hop and martial arts culture. This summer this award-winning experience came East of the River for the rst time for a three-night series. The two remaining movies are on Saturdays, Sept. 20, at Skyland Town Center, The Last Dragon and on Oct.25, at the CHBC Art Gallery lot, I’m Gonna Git Yo Sucka. Both screenings will kick o with a guest DJ set by a local DJ, followed by the feature lm at 8:30 p.m. and will be scored live by DJ 2-Tone Jones. All Movies are free and open to the public.

MLK Library Clothing Swap

On Saturday, Sept. 20, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., revitalize your style by letting go of pieces that no longer resonate with your unique taste.

The

Maryland Renaissance Festival

Enter the gates of Revel Grove and leave the hectic pace of the twenty- rst century behind. Qua an ale and relax in one of their pubs. Shop for unique, handcrafted gifts. Let the kids play in their free children’s area-- complete with a beautiful pirate ship. The remaining festival dates are Sept. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28; and Oct. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Adult tickets are $23.64 to $29.09; kids tickets are $12.73 to $16.30. Single day admissions are only available online. The Maryland Renaissance Festival is at 1821 Crownsville Rd., Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Find directions at rennfest.com.

At MLK Library, 901 G St. NW, for a transformative clothing swap. Each person brings in their gently worn clothing that they no longer want, and then everyone gathers to exchange clothing. Drop-o begins at 12:30 p.m. Adult sizes will be accepted. Attendees who wish to participate can contribute up to 10 pieces of clothing. (You must bring in items in order to leave with items.) Participants will receive tickets equal to the number of items brought that can be exchanged for other swapped items once browsing opens at 1:30 p.m. dclibrary.org. dclibrary.org.

Community Forklift First Friday, October Edition

On Friday, Oct. 3, 5 to 8 p.m., celebrate salvage and the community that makes it work. Visit Community Forklift’s reuse warehouse for live music by Lab Monkey Rebellion, food and drink for purchase, local artists and vendors, a face painter, discounts on secondhand materials, and more. They’ll be open late for shopping and donating materials as well. Alcohol available for purchase to those 21+. Community Forklift is at 4571 Tanglewood Dr. Edmonston, MD. communityforklift.org.

SW Waterfront Community Health Fair

On Wednesday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., all are invited to the Twelfth Annual SW Waterfront Community Health, Wellness and Resource Fair at River Park Mutual Homes, 1311 Delaware Ave. SW. The Fair provides AARP resources and services, DACL resources and services and the O ce of the Attorney General Legal Counsel for the elderly. Also available are hearing screen-

Predator and Prey 5k

On Saturday, Oct. 4, 7 a.m. (gates at 6 a.m.), embrace your inner animal at the 2025 Predator and Prey 5k, hosted by the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Join hundreds of runners and walkers as you move for a mission: supporting the Zoo’s animal care and conservation programs. It’s a casual but challenging course, where racers will stride past animal habitats along scenic pathways and unpaved trails inside Zoo grounds. Expect plenty of hills: this run features over 170 feet of elevation change. Fee is $75. Must be 18+. Registration comes with a T-shirt and a race medal. Register at nationalzoo. si.edu/visit/events/2025-predator-and-prey-5k.

ings, blood pressure testing. Come ready to do group tness exercises with William Yates. A complimentary box lunch will be provided. For further information contact Betty Jean Tolbert Jones, 202-554-0901 or jonesbettyjeantolbert@gmail.com.

Do you have a notice for the Bulletin Board? The East of the River Bulletin Board includes event notices, volunteer opportunities and other community news. Send your notice to bulletinboard@hillrag.com. ◆

Lucky the three-legged cheetah at Naankuse, Namibia.

Theater Night

A Curated Review of Theater in the DMV

by Matthew McClure

There’s not enough space, no page large enough to hold all the names synonymous with Black excellence and the outsize role it’s played in US history. Baldwin, Basquiat, Angelou. Hurston, Hughes and Dubois. They’ve all made an indelible mark on the lives we live right now. As political factions take a scythe to the records of our nation’s Black history, the responsibility falls on us to memorialize Black Modernism, the Harlem Renaissance, the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and Berry Gordy’s Motown. We must honor Pulitzer Prize winners August Wilson and Toni Morrison, while lauding the powerful vision of Afrofuturism presented to us by Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther and meditating on Coogler’s Sinners and its message of musical ancestral connection. In this month’s column, you’ll find stage tributes to Black luminaries like Duke Ellington, Adelaide Hall, Coretta Scott King and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Black theatre talent such as Lili-Anne Brown, Sheldon

Epps and Chess Jakobs. Read on for our curated selection and never forget.

In the Spotlight Play On! Signature Theatre

Showing August 12 – October 5 www.sigtheatre.org

This month, take the A train uptown and head back in time to the swinging, steamy Harlem of the 1940s for Sheldon Epps’s Play On!, a riff on William Shakespeare’s comedic romp Twelfth Night that’s set to a toe-tapping, sultry soundtrack of Duke Ellington’s greatest hits.

First opening to audiences in 1996, Play On! ran for 61 performances on Broadway in 1997 and has developed a cult following amongst ardent fans of Edward Kennedy ‘Duke’ Ellington and actor, director and TV writer Sheldon Epps. This version is directed by Lili-Anne Brown in her directorial debut at Signature Theatre and swaps out Shakespeare’s Illyria for NYC’s Harlem and the infamous Cotton Club where Vy, a lyricist from Mis-

sissippi hoping to take a bite out of the Big Apple, must don the clothing and mannerisms of men to get her foot in the door. Shakespeare lovers beware: Epps’s musical is more of a nudge and wink in the direction of the bard’s original work rather than a faithful reproduction. Epps is much more interested in plunging the audience directly into New York’s intoxicating, contradictory and dazzling swing era, where Big Band Jazz and Blues ruled the dancefloors of the day, and the Lindy-Hop, Collegiate Shag, Balboa and Charleston brought African American artistic expression from the fringes into the limelight. Greg Watkins plays Duke with suave sophistication, accompanied by a cast that’s guaranteed to elicit rapturous applause after every number. Awa Sal Secka plays Lady Liv, a Bluesy version of Shakespeare’s Olivia and Duke’s muse/unrequited love. I’d go so far as to suggest that Sal Secka’s Lady Liv is a paean to Adelaide Hall and her Cotton Club Parade tour of 1934. Hall was a queen of the Harlem Renaissance and

a prolific performer with a stage presence that bewitched and beguiled in equal measure. Jalisa Williams plays Vy (or ‘Vy-Man’ when attired in high waisted, pegged trousers and suspenders), Wesley J. Barnes is Jester, Chuckie Benson plays Rev, Alana S. Thomas is CC and Kanysha Williams is Miss Mary. In gorgeous costumes by Samantha C. Jones, they collectively shine against the backdrop of scenic designer Dan Conway’s version of the Cotton Club. Conway’s glittering Art Deco detailing, dreamy pink ostrich feather chandeliers and cozy club seating belie the ugly truth that the Cotton Club historically refused entry to African American audiences in one of the many racialized paradoxes of the era.

If you live for Duke Ellington at the peak of his talent, then this one’s for you. The music is as much a character as the actors on stage and Ellington’s famous Cotton Club house band is paid fitting tribute by Luther Henderson’s original Tony Award nominated orchestrations and six live musicians on piano, trombone, trum-

Wesley J. Barnes as Jester and cast members of Play On! Photo by Daniel Rader.

Greg Watkins as Duke in Play On! Photo by Christopher Mueller.

pet, drums and bass. That Ellington was born, raised and earned the moniker of ‘Duke’ in our very own DC (some argue even found his signature sound amongst the city’s Ragtime piano players) makes watching Play On! in the DMV even more special.

On Right Now

The American Five, Ford’s Theatre Showing September 19 – October 12 www.fords.org

In Warren Leffler’s grainy black and white photo taken on August 28, 1963, the Washington Monument is reflected flawlessly in the pool that stretches eastwards from the base of the stairs leading to the Lincoln Memorial. Only the peaks of the elms lining the water are visible, because every inch of space has been occupied by the 300,000 people that have flocked to the nation’s capital for one reason: The advancement of equal rights under the law for all African Americans.

Ford’s Theatre opens its new season with a debut play by playwright and poet Chess Jakobs that takes the audience behind the scenes of this pivotal moment in US history. Sponsored as

part of the Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commissions and directed by Aaron Posner, The American Five explores the planning of the 1963 March on Washington through the eyes of its five formulators: The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Coretta Scott King, Stanley Levison, Clarence B. Jones and Bayard Rustin. Even after the abolition of chattel slavery in 1864, African Americans labored against prejudice. Jim Crow laws prevented Black citizens from casting votes and using public facilities not designated for them, amongst many other demeaning, dehumanizing and nonsensical regulations. The March on Washington, planned to coincide with the centennial of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation 100 years previously, was a line being drawn in the sand, a steadfast step towards equality by brave men and women who stood to lose it all with no guarantee of success.

The cast of The American Five is new to Ford’s stage. Ro Boddie steps into the daunting shoes of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. alongside Renea S. Brown as his wife Coretta Scott King. Aaron Bliden plays Stanley Levison, Yao Dogbe is Clarence B. Jones and Stephen Conrad Moore is the notably non-violent Bayard Rustin (frequently the object of personal attacks due to his open homosexuality). Jakobs and Posner thrust us back in time to 1963 when the stakes were high and ordinary people were being asked to do extraordinary things. Only a few months before the march, Medgar Evers was gunned down in his driveway. Little did the Kings, Levison, Jones and Rustin know that before the year ended, President J.F Kennedy would lie slumped in the arms of Jacqueline Kennedy after an assassin’s bullet stole his life. The danger was real, and it lurked around every corner.

The American Five asks us a question that’s as pertinent now as it was during the March on Washington 63 years ago: Would you be willing to step forward and change history? u

Awa Sal Secka as Lady Liv in Play On! Photo by Christopher Mueller.

Meet Your Neighbor

Artist Yetunde Sapp: Mrs. Converse Stays Grounded

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

When Yetunde Sapp walks into Grounded in Anacostia, she is greeted by name. Sort of.

“Well, hello, if it isn’t “Mrs. Converse”,” says barista (and fellow artist) Aton Crowley, reaching over the counter to shake her hand as Sapp, 26, laughs.

The Anacostia native was a Converse All-Star from 2022-2025. The program from the sports and lifestyle brand supports independent artists worldwide. In 2025, Sapp was one of 25 independent artists based in New York that were tapped to create custom sneaker art that re ects their diverse communities.

Sapp did the work as a Brooklyn-based New York City artist and graduate of the Parsons School of Design. But Sapp describes her design entitled, “My Kind of Blues,” as “a visual love letter to jazz, go-go and the musical soul of DC.”

Raised in Arts and Culture

At the age of three, Sapp and her family moved from Takoma Park to the Anacostia Arts and Culture District, growing up just down the street from the historic home of Frederick Douglass. She attended Maret School, spending one year at Duke Ellington before returning to Maret to graduate in 2017.

She began drawing with her father as a form of expression. Sapp considered a future outside of the art world, “which may have felt more practical,” she said in retrospect. But uniquely her parents — father Tchaka Sapp and her mother, Levita Mondie — encouraged her to pursue art as a way of life. “Who am I not to be OK with the most pronounced/obvious part of [her] being?” Mondie said. “In my mind, she showed up on the planet to be an artist.”

Despite Sapp’s immersion in the arts, she still wasn’t sure she wanted to pursue it as a career. As she prepared to graduate high school, she applied to various programs, but in the end it was the arts schools that welcomed her with open arms. She selected one of the top design schools in the country: Parsons School of Design

Sapp in Converse Capitol. Photo: Manhoor Soo | Instagram @4cmoon, courtesy Y.Sapp near the US

in New York City, entering the school after a gap year in 2018.

Art as Activism

But Sapp’s journey shifted during spring break 2020 at home in Anacostia. COVID hit, “and then we were on spring break for a year,” Sapp said. After the death of George Floyd and nationwide protests, she joined demonstrations in DC but sought another way to make a statement. She turned to the boards covering ground- oor windows of downtown businesses. At rst, she asked mural sponsors for permission, but they rejected portraits, preferring general slogans, she said.

“They said ‘no,’ and that made me more mad,” Sapp recalled. “So I thought, why am I asking for permission? I want to tell these stories.”

She began painting murals with basement paint, without approval. Many were quickly painted over or ipped to hide them. “That made me more mad,” she said. She repainted, sometimes the same image up to four times, though many were destroyed. One mural survived: her portrait of Breonna Taylor, painted on plywood covering the DC Chamber of Commerce.

While Sapp was in New York cleaning out her apartment, the Chamber told her they had cut out the mural and wanted to return it. The 12 x 8-foot piece stayed at her Anacostia home for six months. Though someone o ered to buy it, Sapp refused: “This is commemorating someone’s life, and I don’t want to pro t o that. But I also couldn’t throw it away.”

Learning the Smithsonian was collecting protest art, she contacted the Anacostia Community Museum, near her home. The mural entered their permanent collection and later appeared in a 2022 exhibit, The Utopia Project, which highlighted art as activism. Program manager Asantewa Boakyewa told Smithsonian Magazine that works like Sapp’s are “participatory activism,” meant to engage, not just be seen.

“When I created it, I wasn’t thinking about why—I was just angry,” Sapp said. But through the exhibit, she connected with other activist artists and attended a

museum conference in Louisville, Breonna Taylor’s hometown. “Now I was learning all these di erent ways I can continue to contribute,” she remembered.

Changemaker

The next year, Sapp was selected as a Gucci Changemaker, a global initiative created by the fashion giant that focuses on social impact and community engagement, fostering diversity, inclusion and positive change in the fashion industry and beyond.

Then, in 2024, Gucci selected Sapp as one of four Gucci Changemaker Creative Fellows, in support of her project, Heirloom Museum, in New York City. It was the cumulation of years of research on the artists on both sides of her family that lead to the discovery of her maternal great-grand-aunt Rose Marie McCoy and paternal great-grandmother Debby Moore. Both women moved to NYC in the 1950s and 60s to pursue musical careers that supported them during segregation.

“It feels like a lot of pressure to be like, “I’m a change maker”,” she said when I asked her about it. “Like, I’m making change or something. I see people living daily around me, doing things that are making change. It feels kind of scary to be singled out.”

But it is Sapp who makes these things happen. She applied to the Gucci programs. Her involvement with Converse was a long time coming—she made a vlog in her rst year at Parsons showing o ideas for sneaker design. Sapp began texting the All-Stars Program Director three years ago, emailing pitches when he departed the following year. She was nally selected last year.

Her design references DC directly, featuring a guitarist who evokes Chuck Brown under the high top and blossoms down the sides of the laces. You can choose any color when you order a pair, but the display shows them in pink, evocative of cherry blossoms.

Over the past few years, Sapp has been billed as a DC-born, Brooklyn-based artist. She says that bouncing between the city where she went to school and home has shaped her to this point. She wore her “202” necklace proudly in NYC.

rie McCoy and paternal great-grandmother Debby Moore. Both women moved to NYC in the 1950s and 60s to pursue musical careers that supported them during segregation.

The Future

In her bio, Converse describes Sapp as “always pitching us ideas constantly.” But it isn’t just the shoe company. Sapp hasn’t rested on her blossoms. She’s got several projects in the works. She’s designing the Junior Ranger Coloring book for Anacostia Park, where she had her fourth and fth birthday parties.

Scheduled to attend a party in the Hamptons for Gucci, she looked up bed and breakfasts nearby, nding Art House East Hamptons. It was too pricey for her to stay, but she decided to take a tour of the compound, which includes a bed and breakfast and separate art studios for the couple that owns it. One artist was working on a project linked to milliner Vanilla Bean. Sapp and her mother had just inherited her great-grandmother’s collection of church hats. She was hired to research Bean in DC and is continuing to work on a related art project throughout the next year.

Sapp doesn’t know where the future will take her, but she knows that DC has made her who she is today. Being from the District has shaped both her art and her activism, with stories of family and community history re ected in her work.

She is proud to come from Anacostia and amused that it was named the Arts District in 2023. To her, it has been the source of creativity for 26 years. “I feel like I’ve just been making art my whole life,” Sapp said, “and the foundation is everything built around me.”

Get your Yetunde-designed Converse at converse.com and search “My Kind of Blues” or go to: https://rb.gy/t4wx72. Follow Yetunde Sapp’s work on Instagram @ye.sap ◆

Yetunde Sapp wears her “My Kind of Blues” Converse. Photo: Tevelle Taylor | Instagram @tevelleTaylor, courtesy Y.Sapp

Hands

by Kathleen Donner

Homecoming Family Day at President Lincoln’s Cottage

Each year, President Lincoln’s Cottage, 140 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW, invites families to enjoy the grounds as the Lincolns once did with a day of fun activities. This year’s Homecoming nurtures the whole child, encouraging self-expression, curiosity, brave ideas, connection, and belonging. Families can enjoy arts and crafts, story time, pony rides, petting zoo, live music, and cottage tours. Homecoming Family Day is Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Admission is free; cottage tours require paid tickets. Bring a picnic or enjoy a meal from food trucks. lincolncottage.org

Dead Man’s Run Kid’s Race

Dead Man’s Run, Congressional Cemetery’s annual fall 5k fundraiser, is on Sunday, Oct. 12, 5:30 p.m. The race starts inside the cemetery and continues onto the Anacostia Trail for a ghostly evening run full of spooky music and other fun. The race fee is $40. There is also a children’s race prior to the start of the 5k. Participation in the children’s run is free for any child who has a parent, guardian, or friend registered for the 5k. Children may still participate, if no runners are registered, for a $5 fee. Registration for the children’s race is in the chapel the day of the race and a parent or guardian must sign a waiver. Registration and packet pickup opens at 3:30 p.m. Congressional Cemetery is at 1801 E St. SE. congressionalcemetery.org.

Little Beasts at the NGA Sculpture Garden

On Saturday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., pack a picnic for activities in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. Educators from the National Museum of Natural History will be in the garden in celebration of the National Gallery of Art’s monthly family program, First Saturdays (held concurrently in the East Building Atrium of the National Gallery of Art from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Come explore artful connections with the flora and fauna around you, paint your own little beast, and more. In case of rain, this event will be relocated to the National Gallery of Art’s East Building Atrium. This exhibit features specimens from the National Museum of Natural History’s collection and artworks from the National Gallery of Art. naturalhistory.si.edu.

Kingman Island Friends and Family Day Ride

Hill Family Biking is partnering with the DC Department of Energy & Environment for the sixth annual Kingman Island Friends & Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 27, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Here’s the schedule: 10:15 to 10:30 a.m., bike maintenance help; 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., community bike ride; 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kingman Island Friends and Family Day. The ride begins at Stanton Park for a classic Hill Family Biking group ride to Kingman Island to kickoff the event with live music. Food for lunch and Maracas Ice Pops will be available for purchase and or bring your own picnic. Activities like nature crafting, fishing, boating, yoga and more will be available on the island until 3 p.m. Free. hillfamilybiking.org.

Family-Friendly Late Skates at Anacostia Park

On the last Saturday of the month, Sept. 27 and Oct. 25 (Halloween Late Skate); skate until 10 p.m. and enjoy the featured DJ or band. Events last

Jan van Kessel the Elder, Insects [bottom right corner], 1658, oil on copper. Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Upperville, VA.

admissions at: www.myschooldc.org or call (202) 888-6336

contact

Call (202) 545-0515 or email enrollment@bridgespcs.org

kids and family

throughout the day and include Double Dutch, lawn games, job fairs, boat trips and more. You can also skate anytime at Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion—the one and only roller-skating rink in the National Park Service. nps.gov/anac.

DC Wards 7 and 8 Days at National Children’s Museum

The National Children’s Museum, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, has introduced DC Ward Days—Ward 7 on Sept. 28 and Ward 8 on Sept. 20—when respective residents are invited to the Museum for a free day of play. To reserve DC Ward Day tickets, enter your zip code as a promo code on the Discounts page during checkout at nationalchildrensmuseum.org. Remember, your zip code will only work on your specific DC Ward Day, and day-of proof of address will be required when checking in to the Museum. nationalchildrensmuseum.org.

Observe the Sun at Air and Space

On Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m., weather permitting, become an astronomer and observe the sun safely with a filtered telescope. Join Air and Space outside the Museum at the corner of Seventh Street and Independence Avenue, near the silver Delta Solar sculpture, to view a variety of features on the Sun. Knowledgeable staff will be there to answer questions and guide observing. No reservations are necessary to participate. The programming area is accessible step-free via the public sidewalk and the Museum’s terrace. Written and touchable explanatory materials are available for learners of all types. airandspace.si.edu.

Books

from Birth (delivered to your door)

The Books from Birth program is open to all children under the age of five who live in Wash-

The Democracy Lab at the Capitol

Daily, except Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., learn about the work of Congress in this hands-on education gallery. The activities are designed for children between the ages of eight and fourteen, however, visitors of all ages are welcome. Visitors under the age of eighteen must be accompanied by an adult always. Staff are available to assist and answer questions, but not to supervise children. They welcome individual and family visitors on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of 15 or more children must make a reservation in advance of their visit. Photography is permitted. Democracy Lab reservations do not include a tour of the Capitol. visitthecapitol.gov.

Troupe Vertigo: Cirque España! at the KC

Enjoy Symphonic, cirque-tastic fun for the entire family. On Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19 and 20, 8 p.m., in the Concert Hall, feast your eyes on Troupe Vertigo’s world-class aerial artists, contortionists, and dancers performing extraordinary feats of acrobatics, classical ballet, and contemporary theater backed by the NSO. Highly stylized choreography, lighting, and music create imaginative visual landscapes set to works by Bizet, Lecuona, Albéniz, and more, reimagined by the awe-inspiring ensemble. $44 to $114. kennedy-center.org.

ington, DC. All enrolled children receive a free book in the mail each month from birth until they turn five. All books will be delivered to the address you provided at registration by the US Postal Service. When you sign up for Books from Birth, you can select 100% Bilingual English/Spanish books from when the child enters the program until they graduate at age five. In addition, those families selecting this option can also select which language they would prefer communication from the Imagination Library to arrive in. Read more and register your under-five kid at dclibrary.org/ using-the-library/books-birth.

Hill Center Family Day

Family Day at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, is on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2 to 6 p.m. It is a day of face painting, music by King Bullfrog, balloon animals, magic and more. Admission is free. hillcenterdc.org.

Welcome to a Native Place

On Wednesdays through Sept. 24, 1 to 1:30 p.m., enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa, Isanti Dakota and Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the American Indian Museum’s Potomac Atrium. At the end of his 30-minute presentation, visitors from around the world are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture in the past and present. americanindian.si.edu.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Imagination Stage

From Sept. 17 to Oct. 15, The Very Hungry Caterpillar is at Imagination stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, MD. Experience more than 70 beautiful, larger-than-life puppets and original music as “Brown Bear, Brown Bear,” “The Very Lonely Firefly,” “10 Little Rubber Ducks,” and, of course, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” come to life on stage. This special event

John Trumbull’s painting, Declaration of Independence, depicts committee which drafted the Declaration of Independence presenting their work to the Congress.

kids and family

Fotos y Recuerdos Festival

On Saturday, Sept. 27, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., join the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and G streets NW, for a festival in the Kogod Courtyard. Their friends from Lil’ Libros are returning with more books, activities and fun at this bilingual event for all ages. Learn about figures and artists from both museums and celebrate art, history and culture with a day of art making, dancing, museum tours, story times, book signings and more. Free but registration encouraged. npg.si.edu.

returns by popular demand, following a sold-out run in 2023. Imaginationstage.org.

The Curiosity Runway at Reagan National Airport

Reagan National Airport has teamed up with the National Children’s Museum to bring a fun and exciting play experience for their youngest customers. Sponsored by The Boeing Company, this exhibit sparks curiosity through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). Curiosity Runway gives children a dedicated and comfortable space where they can safely play and explore the wonders of aviation. Located in National Hall, near the north security checkpoint exit, children can enjoy exciting Interactive Game Displays, a Jetsetter Slide, and a Cloud Crawler that encourages motor skills. Parents can enjoy seating and charging stations located on the perim-

eter of the Curiosity Runway. Adult supervision is always required. flyreagan. com/travel-information/services-amenities/kids-play-space.

Black Student Fund & Latino Student Fund Annual School Fair

The Black Student Fund & Latino Student Fund Annual School Fair is on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2 to 5 p.m., at UDC. The Black Student Fund’s commitment to bringing independent schools and Black families together led to the creation of the annual Fair in 1972. The BSF/LSF School Fair has provided a networking opportunity for thousands of families to meet with representatives from more than seventy independent schools. Parents and prospective students get first-hand knowledge about each school’s programs, community, admissions requirements and financial aid process. In addition, the fair fea -

tures interactive seminars focused on the admissions process, the financial aid process and personal/family financial management. Read more and register at blackstudentfund.org.

Kids Run the Bases at Nat’s Park (last chances this season)

Kids ages four to ¬twelve can run the bases after every Sunday day game throughout the season. This year’s remaining dates are Sept. 14 and 28. Kids Run the Bases begins immediately following the game, weather permitting. An adult must accompany runners to the field. Once the game has ended, it takes the grounds crew approximately 20 minutes to prepare the field. Kids and parents/guardians can begin lining up at the end of the seventh inning, however fans who would like to stay and watch the entire game will still be able to line up once the game has ended. Participants must exit the ballpark through the Right Field Gate. The line forms outside of the park on the sidewalk along First St. washington.nationals.mlb.com.

HÉCTOR, EL NIÑO ELÉCTRICO: Héctor, The Electric Kid at GALA

In this thrilling bilingual musical, Hector, a shy 10-year-old boy, meets a wizard in the auto shop where his mother works. After this mysterious encounter, Hector finds he has a special power: Now Hector is electric. Can Hector manage his new power? Héctor, The Electric Kid is at GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW, from Oct. 18 to Nov. 1. The performances are Mondays through Fridays at 10:30 a.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m. General admission tickets are $12 for adults; $10 for kids. GALA has parking in the adjacent lot (over the Giant) for a $4 fee. galatheatre.org.

Race For Every Child and Kids Dash Registration Open

The Race For Every Child on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Freedom Plaza, is a fun event with a serious purpose—to promote children’s health and wellness and raise much-needed funds that help Children’s National ensure every child can benefit from world-class medical care. Prerace activities start at 7 a.m.; 5k at 8:45 a.m.; and Kids’ Dash at 10 a.m. The Kids Dash is a 100-yard run on Pennsylvania Avenue NW for children ages three to ten. Kids lineup by age in between 12th Street and 13th Street NW. The Kids Dash start line is on 12th Street and the finish line is on 13th Street. Look for entrance signs. The Kids Dash course has a designated parents’ lane, so parents may follow along while their child participates. Children between the ages of three and ten are eligible to participate in the Kids Dash. Registration is free through Oct. 12. childrensnational.org.

TIME for Kids (authentic journalism for kids)

TIME for Kids engages students with authentic journalism, inspires them to join the national discourse on current topics, and provides teachers with valuable resources for the classroom. TFK was founded in 1995 and has been a trusted source of news ever since. Currently, the magazine reaches more than two million students in elementary school classrooms across the United States. They offer four grade-specific editions. The magazines build informationalreading skills, helping students to better understand our complex world and become informed and active citizens. TIME for Kids is available in bulk subscription only--perfect for schools and libraries. timeforkids.com. u

Illustration by Ariel Gómez. Courtesy of GALA Theatre.

“What’s

in a name”

by Myles Mellor

Across:

1. Police alert

4. Latino rock group

8. “Don’t bet ___!”

12. Jungle reptile

17. Submarine equipment

20. Decorator’s advice

21. Gave work

22. Big name in corporate data

24. “Lost” star, first name

25. Chop ___

26. Harley action

28. Little hoppers

29. “Peanuts” boy

34. Prudential competitor

38. The Beatles’ ‘’___ Love You’’

40. David and others

44. H.S. class

45. Feelings of dread

49. ___ Bon Jovi

50. Former ‘’American Idol’’ judge

51. “Now We Are Six” author

53. “Mission Impossible” star’s first name

54. Military rank, abbr.

55. Apes

57. Knickknack holder

59. Rapper prefix

61. Orch. section

62. Dictionary abbr.

64. Inner layer of the skin

65. “It’s ___ against time”

67. Applaud

71. Not e’en once

72. First pope’s name

73. New Testament book

75. Spelling on TV

77. Aria, e.g.

78. Cat type

80. Latin for that is

81. Beach, in Barcelona

83. Civil War inits.

84. Sci-fi figures

87. Refusals

88. Girl in a Police hit

90. Oscar winner for “Amadeus”

93. “The Greatest”

96. Mature gracefully

97. Slippery

100. Brown beverages

102. Pinch

103. Autocrat

105. Invalidate

106. Tops

108. D.J.’s stack

109. ___ tube

111. Clan emblem

112. Language of Pakistan

115. Tolstoy title word

117. “One more night” singer

121. Big name in cider

127. Big name in Formula 1 racing

132. Longed

133. Paint

134. Noon and 6pm

135. Sound asleep?

136. Go for a dip

137. Cry of eagerness

138. Superlative ending

Down:

1. Police dept. alerts

2. Cuzco’s country

3. Steep slope in Scotland

4. Work for eds.

5. Shakespeare division

6. Fjord country, briefly

7. “Tarzan” extra

8. ___ tanker

9. Home of Pyramid Lake, abbr.

10. Actress Lupino

11. Won’s partner

12. Compadre of Fidel

13. Off shore drill

14. Vivacity

15. Sparks neighbor

16. Sidewalk stand offerings

18. Happy scene

19. One engaged in, suffix

23. Drink that can be hot or iced

27. Herbivore

30. Introduction, in a way

31. Snackers

32. Stamp of approval

33. Ticket ends

35. Ceylon and green, e.g.

36. Nancy, in Nancy

37. French friend

38. Breathe hard

39. Three-time Masters winner

40. Bedwear, informally

41. Get wet

42. Bug in a colony

43. Coin opening

46. Sound equipments

47. Agony

48. Attack ad, maybe

52. Manufacturer Strauss

56. Pontificate

58. Types

59. One of the Jacksons

60. Dessert

62. Honey Brown

63. Black bird

65. Sorry statement

66. Salon treatment

68. Price abbr.

69. Attractive leader

70. Sail holder

73. Bell and Kettle

74. Org. with an influential journal

76. Bustling activity

77. Jack who ate no fat

79. NATO member, abbr.

82. Put ___ to (finish)

85. Taqueria fare

86. Holler

89. Clears after taxes

90. Allied

91. Moisten

92. Tina Turner, e.g.

93. Advice columnist, Landers

94. Misquote

95. Internet addresses

98. Year in Nero’s reign

99. Play by Euripides

101. That vessel

104. Sharper

107. Louvre pyramid architect

110. With 4, a Toyota

112. Rules on plays

113. Shower

114. Bond opponent

116. Confines

118. Philosopher David

119. “A Little Bitty Tear” singer, 1962

120. “___ we forget”

122. Suffix with sulf-

123. People at People, for short

124. Regulation

125. French pronoun

126. Watson makers

128. Roarer

129. ___-di-dah

130. 70s rock group, abbr.

131. Highest