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Shaw First Friday Art Walk Artists and Performers Sought

On the rst Friday of every month, Ellington Plaza, on the 600 block of T Street, NW, in front of the Howard eatre, transforms into a dynamic hub of artistic expression. From 6 to 10 p.m., residents and visitors alike can experience a fusion of visual arts and small businesses, creating a truly immersive and engaging environment for all. Artists and performers interested in being part of future Shaw First Friday Art Walks should contact Julie Seilerat julie@unionstage.com or 623-215-5173.

company’s playwright of choice, GB Shaw. An Unbuilt Life by Elizabeth DeSchryver, Dorothy’s Dictionary by E.M. Lewis, and e Victorian Ladies’ Detective Collective by Patricia Milton join Arms and the Man by GB Shaw for 2023-24 productions directed by Steven Carpenter, Laura Giannarelli, Morgan Duncan, and Michael Rothhaar respectively. Performances begin Sept. 28 at the Washington Stage Guild’s home, e Undercroft eatre in the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 900 Massachusetts Ave. NW. stageguild.org.

Giant Food Launches Ben’s Chili Bowl in Stores

Giant Food has announced that Ben’s Chili Bowl’s world-famous Chili and Half Smokes

Frederick Douglass Home Reopens

e Frederick Douglass home at 1411 W St. SE, has reopened for timed-entry tours Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advance tickets are strongly encouraged and can be made on Recreation. gov. Frederick Douglass purchased the home in 1877 and it welcomed about 65,000 visitors each year, prior to 2020. In his later years, Douglass was deemed the “Sage of Anacostia,” an accolade that celebrated his indominable intellectual spirit. At his home on Cedar Hill, every object tells a story. e collection includes the pen he wrote his memoirs with, the writing desk where he wrote speeches, his extensive library and his walking sticks. nps.gov/frdo.

are now available in the prepared food sections and hot bars in Giant stores throughout Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. is signi es the rst chili retail distribution partnership for Ben’s Chili Bowl, a staple in Washington, DC. benschilibown.com.

Small Medium Business Growth Fund Grants

e Washington Area Community Investment Fund will o er approximately $2 million dollars in total grants aimed to retain, grow and propel innovation in district-based small businesses by supporting large scale capital improvements, critical equipment purchasing, and technological advancements within industries related to green innovation, experiential retail, incubators, immersive en- tertainment and professional services. Grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded. Email them at smbgrowthfund@wacif.org to schedule a 15-minute meeting with Grants Manager Dawn Sanders. Applications close July 21. wacif.org.

Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concerts

e free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is back on the Yards Park boardwalk. Fridays through Aug. 4, come to Yards Park to relax and enjoy the river view, fantastic bands, food and beverage, and a large variety of great restaurants a short walk from the park. Family-friendly lyrics and grassy open space make this an enjoyable event for adults and kids alike. Here’s the remaining lineup: July 14, Friends of Pluto; July 21, e Breakaways; July 28, Pebble To Pearl; and Aug. 4, Broad Sound. capitolriverfront.org.

The Atlas Seeks Performing Artists for 2023-2024 Season

e Atlas Performing Arts Center in the H Street Corridor is a leader in presenting arts of the now. e Atlas nurtures diverse artists, leverages partnerships to explore current issues, and promotes a passion for the arts. e Atlas produces several festivals and fosters talent through their incubation program Atlas Arts Lab. Applications are now open for their next cohort of artists in the Atlas Arts Lab, where you’ll receive free rehearsal space, a stipend, and will be presented in an evening-length work. Applications are also now open for the 14th Annual Intersections Festival, a multicultural, multidisciplinary performing arts festival which features dance, lm, music, theater, performance art, spoken word, and more. e Intersections Festival takes place in March. Winterfest will be presented this December in time to celebrate the season. ey’re looking for holiday-themed performances that help spread hope, peace, and love. Applications can be found at atlasarts.org/apply-now. Reach out to Sharon King at sking@atlasarts.org with any questions. All applications are due by Aug. 4, 2023.

Downtown Holiday Market Applications Open

This year the Downtown Holiday Market will operate for 35 days and will have 5 weekend dates. Opening on Friday, Nov. 17, it will run continuously through Saturday, Dec. 23 (closed Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23 and Monday, Dec. 4). Hours are from noon to 8 p.m. each day. The market is held in the Penn Quarter neighborhood in Downtown DC on a closed F Street NW, from Seventh to Ninth. diversemarkets.net/ events.aspx?evid=81.

Giant Food Summer Local Produce Boxes Return

Giant Food has announced the return of its Local Produce Boxes featuring locally sourced in-season produce sold exclusively through Giant Delivers. Available throughout the summer without a subscription or commitment, the boxes retail for $22.99 and contain eight varieties of produce from farms throughout Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. Items will vary weekly depending on farm harvests and what is in season. Participating farms include Baugher’s Orchards and Houser Produce Farm of Maryland, Papen Farms and Fifer Orchards of Delaware, Kirby Farms of Virginia and more. The Local Produce Boxes are available weekly through September or while supplies last. For more information and to purchase a Local Produce Box, visit giantfood.com/pages/giantslocal-best.

MLK Memorial Summer Film Series

The MLK Memorial Founda-

The Rooftop at Union Market

The Union Market is one of DC’s largest rooftops for dining, drinking and safe socializing. From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., grab a bite from your favorite market vendor and bring it up or snag one of Hi-Lawn’s picnic baskets to enjoy with one of their signature cocktails. From noon until midnight, Hi-Lawn is a fun, laid-back and welcoming rooftop and green space, with seasonally changing fare from culinary director/partner Chef Beauchamp, creative draft and juice box cocktails, hosted picnics, lawn games and outdoor music, all with stunning 360-degree city views. unionmarketdc.com.

How We Start (outdoor) Yoga at Union Market

How We Start is a wellness series designed to build community through the practice of yoga, breath-work, and guided meditation. This free experience will offer a foundational sequence that is beginner friendly and accessible for all bodies and experience levels. How We Start is on Sundays, July 16 and Aug. 20; 10 to 11 a.m., on Neal Place at Union Market. Register at unionmarketdc.com/events. Mats will be provided. unionmarketdc.com.

US Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center Opens

The new United States Park Police Horse Stables and Wells Fargo Education Center has opened. It replaces the original horse stables that were built as a temporary facility for the 1976 Bicentennial. The new facility, near the Korean Veterans War Memorial, was built as part of the preparations for the 2026 celebration of America’s 250th anniversary where the National Mall will play center stage. The Education Center, staffed by volunteers, is open Thursday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It includes video exhibits, interpretive panels, tactile displays featuring equipment and tack, and opportunities to view the horses in their paddocks and grooming stalls. The new facility creates a modern and sustainable home for the horses and provides a new opportunity to see the horses and learn about the history of the mounted unit on the National Mall. The project also creates an accessible sidewalk path, a “Path of Hope,” to connect the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial directly to the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool. nationalmall.org/content/horse-stables.

tion has announced the lms to be shown in their 2023 summer movie series. Here’s the remaining lineup: Avatar: e Way of the Water, Friday, July 21; and e Woman King, Friday, Aug. 18. Free and open to the public, lms will be screened on the lawn adjacent to the bookstore at 8 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and bring a blanket or low-pro le lawn chair. Parking is limited and use of public transportation is encouraged. lmsatthestone.org.

Georgetown Heritage Canal Boat Tours

George Washington dreamed of a canal that stretched from the Potomac to the Ohio River Valley-connecting the east to the west. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on July 4, 1828. Washington eventually got his wish in name, but not in practice--the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal stretched 184.5 miles to Cumberland, Md., by the time it was completed in 1850. When a signi cant ood occurred in 1924, railroads had already revolutionized transportation in the United States, and the waterway closed as a business enterprise. e Canal was designated a National Historical Park in 1971. Today, the C&O Canal is one of the most impressive surviving examples of the United States’ canal-building era. Canal Boat Tours are at 10 a.m., noon. 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays. $15 for adults; $8 for kids; $10 for seniors and active military. georgetownheritage.org/boat-tours.

USDA Farmer’s Market

e USDA Farmer’s Market operates on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Sept. 29. It is located outside USDA Headquarters, on the corner of Independence Avenue and 14th Street SW. e market hosts 20+ local vendors each week and o ers plenty of breakfast and lunch options, as well as live enter-

Chincoteague Annual Pony Swim and Auction

Wednesday, July 26, will mark the 97th year of Chincoteague’s annual Pony Swim. The purpose of the pony swim is to move the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island so that the foals can be auctioned. The auction helps to control the overall size of the herd and is a fundraiser for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. The Fire Company uses proceeds from the auction to provide veterinary care for the ponies throughout the year. The festivities kick-off the Saturday before the Pony Swim with the Southern Herd Roundup and conclude the Friday after the Pony Swim when the Ponies swim back to Assateague. The Chincoteague Fireman’s Carnival—with rides, games, raffles, and lots of good food—will be open each night during pony penning week beginning at 7 p.m. Misty of Chincoteague will also be showing, at 11 a.m., daily, at the Island Theater during pony penning week. DC to Chincoteague is about 170 miles. For a complete listing of events and activities, visit chincoteague.com/pony_swim_guide.html.

tainment, demonstrations, classes, and more. usda.gov/our-agency/ initiatives/usda-farmers-market.

Late Skate Saturdays at Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion

On “Late Skate” Saturdays, July 29, Aug. 26, Sept. 30 and Oct. 28; skate until 10 p.m. and enjoy the featured DJ. Events last throughout the day and include double dutch, lawn games, job fairs, boat trips and more. Free skate rental (socks required) is available with a government issued ID. You can also skate anytime at Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion—the only roller-skating rink in the National Park Service. nps.gov/anac.

Full Passport Services

Library, 901 G St. NW. It is open Tuesday to Thursday, 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Photos may be taken on-site. All applicants must be present. Free printing, copying, and scanning is available. Read more about fees and forms at dclibrary.org/passports.

DC Heat Alerts and Shelter Hotline

Summer Sunday Organ Concerts at the National Shrine

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave. NE, presents organ concerts by some of the best organists in the country on Sundays in July and August at 6 p.m. Carillon recitals precede at 5:30 p.m. The concerts are free; donations accepted. Plenty of parking. nationalshrine.org.

Available at MLK Library

There is a Passport Acceptance Office on the second floor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

When the temperature or heat index in the District reaches 95 degrees, District Government, through DHS and the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, implements the Heat Emergency Plan and activates cooling centers for residents to seek relief. For transportation to a shelter, call 311 or the Shelter Hotline 202-399-7093. For more information, and for a list of District cooling centers, visit heat. dc.gov. u