Maxwell Park’s Partner & Sommelier J.T. Garczyński pours a glass of refreshing Greek wine.
Photo: Andrew Lightman
What’s on Washington
What’s on Washington
General George Washington’s signed Oath of Allegiance to the United States, repudiating any allegiance to King George III and sworn while he and his troops were encamped at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, in 1778.
Opening the Vault at the National Archives
As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the National Archives is launching “Opening the Vault,” an exhibition series to display some of the most historically valuable and iconic artifacts in American history, including General George Washington’s signed Oath of Allegiance to the United States, sworn while he and his troops were encamped at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, in 1778, and Benjamin Franklin’s handwritten postal ledger, created in his capacity as the first Postmaster General in 1775. “Opening the Vault” is on display at the National Archives, 701 Constitution Ave. NW, which is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. www.archives.gov
The Atlantic Stampede Dance Celebration
The Atlantic Stampede Dance Celebration is a three-day event, June 4 to 6, sponsored by the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association. Experience four dances over three nights with two full days of dance workshops. Evening events feature live musical performances and calling from some of the nation’s most highly regarded LGBTQ+ artists. Here’s the schedule: June 4, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., Cowpoke Contra Dance; June 5 and 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., dance workshops; June 5, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. (free entry), IGRA Museum of American History Archives Induction Reception, and Capital City Square Dance, from 7:00 to 10:35 p.m.; Late Nite Contra Sonic Dance, from 10:45 to 11:59 p.m. Everything takes place in Eastern Market’s North Hall, Seventh and C streets SE. Full event pass is $139; individual activities start at $29. www.sickening.events/e/atlantic-stampede-country-dance-celebration/tickets
“The
Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical”at Signature
Let’s get wild in this new rock musical about the infamous author from the mind of Joe Iconis (“Be More Chill”) and directed by Tony Award winner Christopher Ashley (“Come from Away”). Hunter S. Thompson is impossible to pin down, inventing Gonzo journalism, attempting to take down a corrupt president and seeking equality for his fellow weirdos and outsiders. However, his drug-fueled tornado leaves a trail of destruction as he grapples with his legacy in a world that has left him behind. “The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical” is at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, from June 3 to July 13. Tickets start at $47. www.sigtheatre.org
“DC, I Love You: Ready or Not” at the Folger
“DC, I Love You” is an immersive experience that centers real love stories from the community. From June 14 to 21, everyday DC locations become stages. Audiences begin their journey at the Folger’s Haskell Center, where they’ll be greeted by artists and led on a tour through a series of surprising, poignant and playful scenes. Each moment unfolds in a unique spot around the historic Folger Shakespeare Library. $30; $50 for a couple. www.Folger.edu
“Les Miserables” at the KC
Since its pre-Broadway run at the Kennedy Center in 1986, “Les Miserables” has changed the world of musical theater. Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Boublil & Schonberg’s Tony Award-winning phenomenon returns to the Opera House after its sold-out run in 2023. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, the musical tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption. “Les Mis” is at the Kennedy Center Opera House from June 11 to July 13. Tickets start at $49. www.Kennedy-center.org
“Cosette Sweeping,” illustration from Victor Hugo, “Les Misérables” (1862), translated by Isabel Hapgood, New York, 1887. French illustrator Emile Bayard drew the sketch of Cosette for the first edition, and this engraving was prepared for an 1886 edition. The image has become emblematic of the entire story, used in promotional art for various versions of the musical.
“Wipeout” at Studio Theater
Claudia is giving herself an early birthday present: surf lessons. Floating in the Pacific isn’t entirely her speed, but she’s grounded her drifting friendship triad for years, and birthday celebration is a surefire way to get both of her best friends to show up. Joined by a surfbro instructor, Claudia and her friends face their Golden Years by catching some waves, settling some scores and navigating their smallness in the vastness of the ocean and life. “Wipeout” is at Studio Theater, 1501 14th St. NW, from June 18 to July 27. wwwstudiotheatre.org
The Pike Blues Festival
The Pike Blues Festival, formerly the Columbia Pike Blues Festival, is on Saturday, June 14, featuring Rick Franklin at 1:00 p.m.; Little Red and the Renegades at 2:10 p.m.; Anthony “Swamp Dog” Clark at 3:30 p.m.; Sol Roots Band at 5:00 p.m.; and Everyday, Everybody (headliner) at 6:30 p.m. The Blues Festival stretches down South Walter Reed Dr. from Columbia Pike to Ninth Street South. There are several car-free options for getting to the festival, and ample parking is available in nearby garages. www.columbia-pike.org/bluesfest
Miriam Schwartz and Zack Powell. Photo: Peggy Ryan
Rick Franklin kicks off the festival with a performance at 1 p.m.
Photo: Marilyn Leigh Stone
Step Afrika! Celebrating 30 Years
On Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, at 8 p.m., Step Afrika! celebrates 30 years of percussive performances in a ground-breaking production. Featuring two world premieres, along with choreographic works nurtured and refined in Johannesburg, South Africa, Step Afrika! will conclude its celebration at Strathmore Music Center, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, with special guests Sweet Honey in the Rock. Based in Washington, DC, Sweet Honey in the Rock addresses civil rights, women’s issues, climate change and more through their powerful performances. Tickets are $28 to $78. www. strathmore.org
Dupont Kalorama Walk Weekend
On Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the following museums will be open for free during the Dupont Kalorama Walk Weekend: Anderson House, the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati and a National Historic Landmark; Dupont Underground, a multidisciplinary platform for creative expression housed in an abandoned streetcar station; National Museum of American Jewish Military History, preserving the contributions of Jewish Americans to the peace and freedom of the US; O Museum in The Mansion, 112 rooms, over 80 secret doors, immersive themed exhibits; the Phillips Collection, America’s first museum of modern art; and the President Woodrow Wilson House, a National Trust for Historic Preservation site. The museums are within easy walking distance of the Dupont Circle Metro. www.dupontkaloramamc.com
Smithsonian Solstice Saturday on the Mall
Join the Smithsonian on the National Mall in front of the Air and Space Museum on Saturday, June 21, to mark the first Saturday of summer – Solstice Saturday – by enjoying programs and performances throughout the day and night. www.si.edu/solsticesaturday.
PS: An Astronomy Festival on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 6 to 11 p.m., in front of the Air and Space Museum, will celebrate the fall equinox with telescope views of the sun, Saturn, star clusters and colorful double stars at the largest astronomy outreach event in the US. www.hofstra.edu/physics-astronomy/astronomy-festival
The Washington Roast at DC Improv
On Thursday, July 3, at 7:30 p.m., a constituency of the DMV’s best comedians will face off in-character as politicians at DC Improv, 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW. Politicians answer live audience town-hall questions before an unfiltered roast battle. Hosted by the show’s creator, Tim Kardashian, the Roast also features Dee Ahmed, Laura Arago, Bria Beddoe, Todd Fleming, Elizabeth Booker Houston, Suzanne Lambert, Ashley Pontius, Vito Prime, Rashee Raj, Rose Vineshank and Jon Yeager. Proceeds benefit Hilarity for Charity, a nonprofit founded by Seth Rogen and his wife to support Alzheimer’s research, care grants and preventative measures. General admission is $20; $30-$35, reserved. www.dcimprov.com
Visitors at the President Woodrow Wilson House.
Tim Kardashian, the Roast’s creator and host.
Theater Night
A curated preview of theater in the DMV
by Matthew McClure
Marsha P. Johnson. Edith Windsor. James Baldwin. Harvey Milk. The month of June is about much more than parades, parties and rainbow bunting. It’s also about remembering Queer icons who bravely deconstructed social, political and cultural barriers to advance themselves and others. This Pride Month column celebrates the bravery of theatrical characters and the playwrights that write them into existence.
Special Mention
Frankenstein, Shakespeare Theatre Company
Showing May 27 – June 29 www.shakespearetheatre.org
If you’re a parent, you’ll know that there’s no braver act than participating in the creation and nurturing of life. English novelist Mary Shelley was a new mother at the time she set pen to paper and wrote what has since entered popular culture as an icon of Georgian/Victorian Gothic horror: Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. By the time her book was published two years later in 1818, she was mourning the deaths of both of her children.
Writer and director Emily Burns is an associate at London’s National Theatre and a mother herself. She’s reworked Shelley’s eternally creepy tale of Victor Frankenstein’s ungodly creation for Shakespeare Theatre Company’s 2025-2026 season and has given it a slightly different flavor than what we might expect. “I read the book for the first time since I was a teenager back in 2020, and I found a very different story to the one that had become the myth in my head.” Burns elaborates. “I had the iconic images: Scientist, creepy guy, bolt through the head, strangling a small child, damsel in distress. In reading it, I
felt like I’d found a different story about the incipient terror of parenthood.” Shelley is now considered a pioneer of early Science Fiction and Gothic horror. Frankenstein was written at the height of the Romantic movement, with liberal doses of Enlightenment and the Occult thrown in during a time when male authors dominated the literary world. Her home life with husband Percy Bysshe Shelly was tumultuous, and through Burns’s interpretation we get to ask a compelling question: How much of Frankenstein was influenced by Shelley’s complicated and traumatic relationship with childbirth, motherhood and marriage?
Burns forefronts her unique perspective by
taking an unflinching look at the relationship of Elizabeth and Victor Frankenstein, played by Rebecca S’manga and Nick Westrate. “Victor commits the ultimate sin: Rejection of the child. I thought about Mary Shelley and her history of childbirth. She’s pregnant with her third child while still feeding the second after suffering the death of the first at the time she writes this book. She’s writing about the corporeality of making a body. I felt like there’s a version of this story that we can engage with that holds the idea of the novel as a meditation on parenting without abandoning the horror and terror that the novel is known for.” Lucas Iverson is The Creature: Sentient, sapient and bravely seeking out the meaning of his existence while committing murder in the process. “Why don’t we choose to be brave?” asks Burns. “What stops us from being brave?”
In the Spotlight
The Piano Lesson, 1st Stage Showing June 5 – June 22 www.1ststage.org
African American playwright August Wilson needs no introduction. The characters that populate the ten plays in his Pittsburgh Cycle are incandescent representations of the complex, necessary bravery of Black contemporary society in America. This month, you’ll be introduced to a few of them at 1st Stage theater’s rendition of Wilson’s fourth installment in the Cycle, The Piano Lesson, written in 1987 and now directed by Danielle A. Drakes.
“This is my first time directing at 1st Stage. I’m excited. This is also my first Wilson that I’m directing.” explains Drakes, who has just caught her breath after directing Mosaic Theater’s Cullud Wattah, but had to accept the invitation to help reconstruct
Deidra LaWan Starnes plays Berniece in The Piano Lesson. Photo courtesy 1st Stage.
Wilson’s tale of the Charles family and an heirloom piano that carries more than just a tune. Bravery abounds in this story set in 1930s Pittsburgh where brother Boy Willie and sister Berniece leverage their personal strengths to reconcile a painful family history, helped and hindered by an assortment of colorful characters along the way. The play rings a personal note for Drakes, who has been working with “the theme of ancestral healing. It’s been a process for me, having lost my grandmother two years ago. Doing this work is a tribute to her.”
There’s something beautiful about the way that Wilson frames music and creativity as a modality of healing in The Piano Lesson; a way of reconciling the pain of the past with the possibility of healing in the future. The titular piano, embellished with the faces of the Charles family, is the sage that Berniece must use emancipate her home from inherited trauma and an unwelcome ghostly visitor. “Berniece doesn’t know her own strength. She doesn’t know
that she’s the one the ancestors are calling for.” Drakes says. “What does it take to move on and move past and forward from the curses that our families have experienced?” With Deidra LaWan Starnes as Berniece, Ronald Eli as Boy Willie and James J. Johnson as Doaker Charles, you’re not going to want to miss this one.
Catch Before Closing
Twelfth Night, Folger Theatre Showing May 13 - June 22 www.folger.edu
In William Shakespeare’s comedic, genderswapping farce Twelfth Night, identical twins Sebastian and Viola survive a devastating shipwreck only to be swept up in the equally perilous antics of Illyria’s royal courts. Bravery? There’s plenty of it on display in director Mei Ann Teo’s culturally germane exegesis of intrigue, forbidden love and mistaken identity that closes out Folger Theatre’s 2024-2025 season.
Twelfth Night was intended as entertainment for Christmastide celebrations
when role reversal and gender bending for comedic effect was customary. Even so, it’s arguably one of Shakespeare’s most bravely transgressive plays when it comes to tackling sex and power between men and women.
There are few things so thrilling as seeing the Bard’s lines delivered with impassioned gusto, and in this Alina Collins Maldonaldo accomplishes the difficult task of standing out in a cast that’s as top tier as they come. Her Olivia manages to capture the sensual, double-edged writing that’s still as razor sharp as when it was first written in 1601. Against a backdrop of a slick concrete set, musical stylings by Be Steadwell and sumptuous costumes by Olivera Gajic, Teo surfaces some of the raw sexuality that’s easily read into Shakespeare’s original text, perhaps even tipping over into extremes with the occasional audacious inclusion of ‘cross gartered stockings’, a riding crop and nipple caps. It’s thrilling to sit back and watch such a tightly knit cast bounce so effortlessly against each other while so clearly loving what they’re doing. Don’t even think about missing this one. u
Che Kabia as Sir Toby Belch, Futaba as Feste and Hunter Ringsmith as Sir Andrew Aguecheek. Photo by Erika Nizborski.
Alyssa Keegan as Orsino and Lilli Hokama as Viola/Cesario. Photo by Erika Nizborski.
Sp o tli ght on Shaw
by Andrew Lightman
Petite Cerise
On a nondescript corner in Shaw sits a tiny piece of France. The second project from the creators of The Dabney, Petite Cerise at 1027 Seventh St. NW is a chef-driven, classic French bistro.
Epitomized by its logo, which combines a little cherry (petite cerise) with a slow-paced snail, the vibe of the establishment is elegantly relaxed. White walls, accented by warm wood, an open kitchen, tile floors with tables situated next to almost floor to ceiling windows in the main dining room provide a romantic ambiance. Decorating the walls are French lithographs gathered by the chef on his travels.
Walking in, one is greeted by a gorgeously appointed bar, which serves caffeinated beverages from 8 a.m. every morning, along with pastries that would make a Parisian smile—the perfect place to pull up a seat and spend a quiet morning.
finest seasonal offerings. Applying classic French techniques to the products of the Chesapeake and the Shenandoah mountains, he fashions ever-changing menus for brunch, lunch and dinner.
In the winter, root vegetables and braised meats take pride of
place. Now, in the late spring, asparagus, rhubarb, peas and strawberries reign supreme, framing grilled trout, fluke, sirloins and savory crepes. All can be paired with craft cocktails, carefully selected vintages and classic Normandy cider. Patrons can choose to dine prix fixe or à la carte.
Chesapeake French Cuisine
Petite Cerise is the brainchild of Chef Jeremiah Langhorne, who has drawn his inspiration from travels in France. First visiting in 2013, young and broke, he and his wife made a point of searching for simple culinary pleasures.
“I want you to come in and see a simple omelet on a plate and think that is the best omelet I have ever had, because that was my experience eating in France,” said Langhorne.
Langhorne begins with ingredients. Over the years, he has built a network of farmers and fishermen, who provide the
A Long Strange Trip
Langhorne grew up in the shadows of the Shenandoah Mountains. Unable to afford culinary school, he worked his way up as an apprentice, beginning with McDonald’s at age 14.
In 2001, Langhorne joined the staff of Charlottesville’s famed OXO as a “comme.” There, he
Petite Cerise Chef Jeremiah Langhorne. Photo: Petite Cerise
Petite Cerise’s elegant dining room. Photo: Scott Suchman
House-made Parisian gnocchi served with sweet corn, garlic scapes, parmesan, and cherry tomato. Photo: Scott Suchman
labored four years under the tutelage of Chef John Haywood. Haywood “beat” into him the techniques and sauces which form the core of French cuisine. He rose to the rank of sous chef, meeting his now wife, who worked as the hostess.
In 2007, Langhorne earned a place in the kitchen at McCrady’s in Charleston, South Carolina, under the guidance of Chef Sean Brock.
“It was the most exciting kitchen in the country…Sean was blending modern techniques with classic southern cooking traditions with all these ingredients that had not been used for 100 years,” Langhorne recalled.
Langhorne has a personal collection of nearly 3,000 cookbooks. A Good Housekeeping tome dated 1834 is a favorite. “It is cool to see how humans have interacted with food,” he observed.
In 2013, Langhorne moved to the District, settling in Shaw. Washington, in his mind, is a European city, very green, with a rich food history. After eight years, he and his wife moved to nearby Alexandria.
“My goal coming up here is to re-document and recreate the cuisine that we had in this region,” Langhorne explained. “We’ve lost a lot of our tradition and history in the MidAtlantic and Chesapeake regions.”
In 2015, Langhorne opened The Dabney, serving Modern American cuisine, which has earned a Michelin star every year since 2017. In 2018, the James Beard Foundation recognized him as “Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.” In 2025, The Dabney earned the foundation’s appropriation as a semi-finalist for “Outstanding Restaurant.”
In spite of his success at The Dabney, French cuisine remained Langhorne’s passion. In March 2023, he opened Petite Cerise, an homage to the Parisian bistro.
Petite Cerise is located at 1027 Seventh St. NW. Visit www.petitecerisedc.com for more details.
Maxwell Park
Maxwell Park, at the corner of Ninth and O Streets NW, offers 50 wines by the glass. Another 300 cases lie waiting in the basement. The establishment’s selection changes monthly. All bottles are carefully chilled to their correct temperature.
The establishment’s two partners, Brent Kroll and JT Garczyński and general manager Connor Williams regularly staff the floor. All three are experienced sommeliers.
On a Saturday afternoon, a friend and I sat down at the restaurant’s expansive bar. Framed by an exposed brick wall and a hundred wine glasses hanging upside down overhead in a rack, it dominates the space.
Garczyński immediately
greeted us. What wines had we enjoyed previously? he asked.
A Greek roommate introduced me to his country’s amazing wines, said I. Garczynski smiled. He had spent a great deal of time in Olympian and Peloponnesian vineyards, he said, while pouring me a glass of NV Markogianni Roditis, “Vorias & Helio” Orange Ritinitis. Glowing like the sun, this traditional “retsina” is produced near Skillountia, using traditional grapes and traditional winemaking techniques. This medium-bodied wine with a crisp acidity delighted the palate. My companion was similarly pleased with an Italian selection.
So began our oenophile pilgrimage. As we sipped each glass, Garczynski narrated its origins, regaling us with tales of his vineyard travels. We learned
each wine’s history and provenance. Such conversations are the essence of the Maxwell Park experience.
“We take wine and make it accessible,” said Kroll, the establishment’s
founder. On a busy night, his bar has the vibe of a house party, he extolled.
From The Streets of Detroit “I always wanted a wine bar where no
Maxwell Park expansive bar. Photo: Andrew Lightman
Maxwell Park founder Brent Kroll. Photo: Courtesy Maxwell Park.
JT Garczyński pours a glass of NV Markogianni Roditis, “Vorias & Helio” Orange Ritinitis. Photo: Andrew Lightman
one could padlock the door on me,” Kroll explained. His caution no doubt stems from lived experience. Kroll grew up poor in urban Detroit. Maxwell Park is named for his favorite childhood playground.
At age 15, Kroll started as a busboy in a fancy Detroit Italian restaurant. Hooked on the industry, he worked his way through college. One day, he complained about being put in the least lucrative section. “If you want to work in a high earning area, you have to know your wine,” his supervisor said.
Kroll took the advice and began studying. Dropping out of college, he earned his sommelier certification at age 21. Wine had become his passion.
In 2008, Kroll accepted an offer from DC restaurateur Ashok Bajaj to join the staff at Ardeo + Bardeo in Cleveland Park. The work was hard, seven days a week, but it taught him the basics of the restaurant business. In 2011, Kroll became the beverage director at DC’s famed St. Regis Hotel, which hosted Chef Alain Ducasse’s Adour restaurant. In 2014, he departed to join the Neighborhood Restaurant Group (NRG), whose properties include Rustico and Vermillion. He opened their Iron Gate property. NRG, he hoped, would help him open a wine bar.
Kroll finally decided it was to strike out on his own. He talked to his regulars and industry contacts. Eventually, he raised enough capital from friends and family to open Maxwell Park in 2017.
To this day, Kroll still enjoys running a section at Maxwell Park. On many nights, he recognizes more than half the restaurant’s customers, and is always ready to recommend the perfect glass.
Maxwell Park is located at 1336 Ninth St. NW. For more information, visit www.maxwellparkdc.com. u
Shaw Streets
by Pleasant Mann
Councilmember
Pinto Safety Walk
Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto held a safety walk on Monday evening, May 5, to assess public safety in the Shaw neighborhood. Pinto started at the Watha T. Daniel Library, accompanied by Third District Commander Michael Pulliam as well as other police officers, advisory neighborhood commissioners, library staff and Shaw residents. The walk continued up Seventh Street, with stops to note issues that might affect public safety.
When the group reached T Street, an area that had been the epicenter of nefarious activities, participants were surprised to find that the corner had been cleaned up by the Third District police. Residents on the walk thanked the police and hoped that the improved conditions could be maintained. The Shaw Howard Deli on the 1900 block of Seventh Street was called out as a longstanding blight on the community, in urgent need of
corrective action. April King, branch manager of the Watha T. Daniel Library, did note that some of the problems from T Street, such as open-air drug use and stolen property fencing, had moved down the street. The safety walk then went down Wiltberger Street before concluding with a review of improvements needed to enhance public safety.
United House of Prayer Memorial Day Celebration
Delegations from around the country convened in Shaw to attend the United House of Prayer for All People (UHOP) annual Memorial Day weekend celebration. The highlight of the event was the parade on Saturday, which started at the church’s national headquarters on M Street, went up to Logan Circle, passing the home of UHOP founder Bishop C.M. “Daddy” Grace, and went along P Street to Seventh Street before going south back to “God’s White House,” as the church on M Street
is known. The parade was made up of UHOP marching bands from congregations nationwide, cars associated with past bishops and their wives and a procession of leading members of the church, including current Bishop A.D. Cunningham. The weekend’s festivities included a memorial service honoring past leaders of the church, held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, along with workshops and educational sessions for youth outlining the history of the church and its accomplishments.
Shaw Restaurant Wins Grant
Daily Fish of Chesapeake (2250 Sherman Ave. NW) has won a Robust Retail Grant from the District’s Department of Small and Local Business Development. The $10,000 award, which focuses on the breakfast and lunch trade, was selected
from eligible entries in a lottery. The grant program is intended to support brick-and-mortar businesses in DC’s commercial corridors.
Art All Night Shaw
2025 Planning Starts Planning has begun for the next Art All Night Shaw, the neighborhood’s annual one-night art festival, presented by Shaw Main Streets and Events DC. This year, Art All Night Shaw will take place on Saturday evening, Sept. 13. Plans are to have a large activation with music and dance performances, an artists’ market and art installations in front of the Carnegie Library on K Street. Other activations will take place in venues along the commercial corridors in Shaw Main Streets’ service area, including Seventh, Ninth and 11th streets, T and U streets and Florida and Georgia avenues. Artists and performers interested in be-
Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto starts her public safety walk at Watha T. Daniel Library. Photo: Pleasant Mann
The United House of Prayer for All People holds its Memorial Day parade in Shaw.
Photo: Alexander M. Padro, Courtesy of Shaw Main Streets
ing part of the festival should visit www.artallnightdcshaw.com.
Shaw RAMMY Awards Nominees
There were errors in the list of Shaw establishments up for RAMMY awards that appeared in May’s Shaw Streets story. The list omitted Mike Friedman, of Fossette Focacceria and All Purpose restaurant, who is a finalist for Chef of the Year. Also left out was Keiri Tobar Morales of RPM Italian, who is up for the Restaurant Employee of the Year award. Finally, Andy’s Pizza, which is nominated for Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year, was incorrectly listed as being in one of the categories where the winner is chosen in a public vote. The RAMMY awards will be announced at the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington gala on Aug. 3 at the Washington Convention Center. For more information, visit www. therammys.org.
Shaw Open House Returns June 21
Shaw Main Streets will hold this year’s Shaw Open House, a free event highlighting neighborhood businesses, on Saturday, June 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. Shaw Open House will showcase restaurants, bars, health and fitness facilities and other exceptional retail in central Shaw. Attendees should expect free food and beverage samples and special offers, along with drawings for prizes from dozens of participating businesses. The first 250 guests at the event’s welcome center will each receive $20 in Shawbucks, valid for purchases made until midnight that day at participating Shaw businesses. A total of $5,000 will be available.
The Shaw Open House ends at 5 p.m. with a close-out party and prize drawing. For more information, visit www.shawmainstreets.org. u
Serving Residents with Dignity at Bread for the City
Achild waits quietly for a routine checkup while a retired couple selects fresh produce to fill their empty shelves. In another room, a single mother facing eviction speaks with an attorney.
The high cost of healthcare, groceries and legal aid has made these essential services inaccessible to many District residents. Within the walls of Bread for the City at 1525 Seventh St. NW, however, they are free of charge. While the cost of living rises, the center’s unwavering commitment to access and equity remains unchanged.
A History of Dedicated Service
For more than 50 years, Bread for the City has served as a crucial support system for District residents. The agency began as two separate entities: the Zaccheaus Free Clinic and a collective of local faith-based organizations. In 1995, the organizations merged to create a hub for community care including food, clothing and medical services.
When the groups united, legal aid, social support and workforce development services were added to existing programs. Medical care expanded to cover vision, dental and behavioral health. To reach more residents in Wards 7 and 8, a second site was opened at 1700 Good Hope Rd. SE. Both centers aim to address gaps in care across the city.
The organization has expanded significantly, but its mission to provide essential services with
by Sarah Payne
compassion and integrity has remained. Robyn Dudley, associate director of payee services, emphasized, “Our model is serving our community with dignity and respect.”
CommunityCentered Care
To accommodate the changing needs of clients, Bread for the City has adapted programming and forged partnerships with District agencies. Due to their income levels, many clients find that they are ineligible for government assistance but still struggle to make ends meet, Dudley reported. “This is not just low-income residents, we’re seeing an influx of residents who are just not able to cut it,” she added.
The center’s food program has shifted to meet growing demands by increasing the standard threeday grocery supply to a five-day supply. “Three days was just not enough coverage,” Dudley noted, citing inflation. A weekly Friday Farmers Market was added to give residents access to fresh, healthy food options at no cost. Through fundraising efforts, the organization hopes to expand these offerings.
The housing crisis has added further strain. “Astronomical” home and rent prices have stoked fear for many residents about losing their homes, according to Dudley. While the agency provides both social assistance and legal aid to tenants, the effects reach into mental health, Dudley observed.
The organization “spearheaded” mental health resources in the District and has worked to provide trauma-informed care for clients, Dudley said. In addition to standard behavioral healthcare, the center provides financial assistance and benefits-management resources for individuals with mental illness.
Under a contract with the District Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), Bread for the City established its Representative Payee Program (RPP) to provide financial and social assistance management services for adults with chronic mental illnesses. In early 2025, the contract was expanded and allowed
the organization to nearly double the number of residents in the program, Dudley reported.
A Team Effort
The center is dedicated to providing a high level of support and often looks to the residents for guidance. The client advisory board provides an opportunity for community members to provide feedback and ideas about the best ways Bread for the City can help.
Listening and learning are key to the center’s success, Dudley said. “They’re not only being served, but they’re being part of the decision making,” she added, noting the impact of feedback on shaping the center’s programs.
In the coming months, residents will see some of that feedback implemented. The Shaw location will undergo extensive renovations to the food pantry in an effort to create a “grocery store shopping experience.” With a strong emphasis on dignity, the center is considering a self-checkout area to create a true grocery store atmosphere. Despite its authentic appearance, all items in the store will be available free of charge.
The center also relies on volunteers to keep the programs up and running. Community members willing to donate time are invited to participate in every part of the center including the food pantry, clothing boutique, administrative support, teaching and mentorship. Volunteers also help reach residents who cannot access the centers. This includes grocery delivery, diaper distribution and more.
As a long-time advocate, Bread for the City serves as a vital resource for Washingtonians navigating financial hardship and mental illness. Amid economic uncertainty, the center remains ready to assist anyone who may walk through its doors. “We are working to support a community that may not be able to fight for themselves,” Dudley said.
Bread for the City is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visit www.breadforthecity.org to learn more about the services and updates to the Shaw location.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com. u
Groceries are available free of charge at Bread for the City. Photo: Courtesy of Bread for the City
ANC 2G Commission Reviews Alcohol and Cannabis Licenses
by Pleasant Mann
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 2G held its monthly meeting for May on ursday evening, May 8, 2025. e meeting was held as a virtual conference. Chair Steven McCarty (2G04) called the meeting to order. Commissioners Howard Garrett (2G01, vice chair), Alexander M. “Alex” Padro (2G02), Nicole Shea (2G03, secretary), Sheena Berry (2G05) and Rachelle Nigro (2G06, treasurer) were in attendance. e commission had a quorum to conduct business.
Third Police District
Lieutenant Gavin Harrell of the ird Police District reported a slight decrease in overall crime during the previous month. ere was a notable increase in thefts from autos. e police are increasing the hours of deployment to enhance their presence on the streets. e police chief is starting a summer crime initiative, telling o cers to get out of their cars to walk around neighborhoods for 15 to 30 minutes at a time.
Alcohol Licenses
e ANC had a large number of applications for new or renewed alcohol licenses this month and therefore grouped the requests by single-member district. Consideration of the sole ANC 2G01 establishment on the agenda, El Techo (606 Florida Ave. NW), was tabled since its public notice placard had to be corrected. ANC 2G02 had Oyster Oyster (1440 Eighth St. NW), Hyatt House (899 O St. NW) and Chaplin’s (1501 Ninth St. NW) requesting support for license renewals. Motions to support the renewal of all three licenses passed unanimously.
Ambar (1547 Seventh St. NW) was the only license up for renewal in ANC 2G03. e license has an entertainment endorsement. Berry asked about the hours allowed on the endorsement. e answer was that entertainment was allowed until 2 a.m. during the week and 3 a.m. on weekends. Berry asked why the commission was seeking to restrict hours on a neighboring establishment, Play DC, but not here. Padro responded that while Ambar is a restaurant, Play DC operates as a nightclub. A motion to support the renewal passed in a vote of 5-1, no abstentions.
In ANC 2G04, the commission voted unanimously to support the license renewals for San Lorenzo (1316 Ninth St. NW), Ghostburger (1250 Ninth St. NW), CherCher Ethiopian (1334 Ninth St. NW), All Purpose Pizzeria (1250 Ninth St. NW) and e Dabney (122 Blagden Alley NW). In the case of the Courtyard Marriott (901 L St. NW), the ANC’s Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Licensing Committee said it would like to have a settlement agreement with the establishment since there had been an issue with some of the hotel’s vendors operating outside of established hours. However, that was not an issue for enforcement by the Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration. e commissioners voted unanimously to support Courtyard Marriott’s license renewal.
Work was needed to complete settlement agreements between the ANC and Causa (920 Blagden Alley NW) and Calico (50 Blagden Alley NW). As a result, the commission passed motions to protest renewal of the licenses unless settlement agreements were reached. Consideration of the request by Port Royal (1118 Ninth St. NW) for a new liquor license was tabled since new placarding had moved the deadline to submit protests.
Petite Cerise (1027 Seventh St. NW), Kinship/ Metier (1015 Seventh St. NW), Rumi’s Kitchen (640 L St. NW) and Flight Club (641 New York Ave. NW) were the restaurants in ANC 2G06 requesting license renewals. Nigro said that they all had settlement agreements and had not presented problems for the neighborhood. Support for renewing their licenses was approved unanimously.
Don Fuego, Ninth Street NW
A marijuana dispensary wanted to add a safe-use treatment facility endorsement that would allow customers to consume cannabis on the premises. e proprietors said that the facility would have su cient ventilation to avoid odor problems and that they would warn customers about loitering in the area.
McCarty said he had discussed this issue with the residents of the Whitman condominium. Padro said he could not support the new endorsement. He suggested that there was nothing to prevent intoxicated customers from leaving the establishment, posing a danger to themselves and others and potentially becoming victims of crime. Padro added that he had convinced the cannabis dispensary licensees in ANC 2G02 to drop treatment facility endorsements from their applications in exchange for support of their licenses. A motion to support Don Fuego’s safe use treatment facility endorsement failed in a vote of 2-2-2.
ANC 2G will hold its next meeting on ursday, July 10. e meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. Plans are to hold this meeting as a virtual conference. Visit www. anc2g.org for more information. ◆
BULLETIN BOARD
Studio Theatre Announces 2025-26 Season
Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW, has announced its 2025-26 season slate, which includes several Broadway and off-Broadway hits. Here’s the lineup: “The Heart Sellers” by Lloyd Suh (September); “Mother Play: A Play in Five Evictions” by Paula Vogel (November); “Octet,” music, lyrics and vocal arrangement by Dace Malloy (January); “Jonah” by Rachel Bonds (March); “Purlie Victorious” by Ossie David; and a sixth mainstage show TBA. Studio annual subscriptions are now on sale on the website. Single tickets will go on sale later in the summer. www.studiotheatre.org
Future Friday: Cities as Opportunities for Affordable Living
On Friday, July 11, from 2 to 3 p.m., at the National Building Museum, gain valuable insights into how cities can become more affordable places to live. Held the first Friday of each month via Zoom, this program will focus on policies in housing, transportation and urban planning that promote affordability and opportunity. Hosted by James Darius Ball, director of Future Cities, this one-hour event will offer takeaways for creating more affordable cities across America. The Next Future Friday, on Aug. 1, from 2 to 3 p.m., is “Cities as a Nexus of Mobility.” www.nbm.org
Washington Stage Guild’s Announces 40th Season
The Washington Stage Guild has announced the plays for its 40th season. The 2025-26 productions feature the US premiere of Joe Bravaco’s “THE ONE GOOD THING – or ‘Are ya’ Patrick Swayze?,’” Samuel Beckett’s classic “Happy Days,” Patricia Milton’s “Accused!” (the third play in her Victorian Ladies Detective Collective series) and the company’s first take on George Bernard Shaw’s “Caesar and Cleopatra” in a slimmed-down version by artistic director Bill Largess. Performances begin Sept. 25 at the Washington Stage Guild’s home, the Undercroft Theatre in the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 900 Massachusetts Ave. NW. www.stageguild.org
Woolly Mammoth Announces 46th Season
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW, has announced its 46th season, marking the final season programmed by artistic director Maria Manuela Goyanes. This lineup features seniors fighting the apocalypse, a supernatural time-hopping history, a fertility musical comedy, the political power of drag and a clown who can solve all your problems. Here’s the lineup: “Dead Inside” by Riki Lindhome; “The Great Privation” by Nia Akilah Robinson; “ho ho ho ha ha ha ha” by Julia Masli; “The World to Come” by Ali Viterbi; “TRAVESTY: Sasha Velour; and a Fine Madness” by Justin Weaks. www.woollymammoth.net
Five Minute Horror Film Fest at Shaw Library
On Saturday, June 14, from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m., local directors showcase their spine-chilling five-minute horror flicks created during the third cohort of DC Public Library’s filmmaking workshop series. Awards ceremony and refreshments follow. The event will take place at the Shaw Library, 1630 Seventh St. NW, in the lower level meeting room. Only street parking is available. Contact elaine.pelton@ dc.gov with questions.
Book Swap at MLK Library
On Saturday, June 28, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., trade in pre-owned books at Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 901 G St. NW. Bring unwanted books and browse through the selection, exchanging items for a similar quantity of books contributed to the swap. The drop-off starts at 12:30 p.m. Fiction and nonfiction books for adults, teens and children are accepted. Attendees can contribute up to 15 books. Please provide books that are in a clean and gently used condition only; damaged books will not be accepted. Following the swap, remaining books will be donated to the Friends of the Library. www.dclibrary.org
Nearby FRESHFARM Outdoor Markets
By the White House Market, 810 Vermont Ave. NW, is open Thursday through Nov. 20, from 11
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Roller Skating (and Late Skate) at Anacostia Park Skate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion, 1500 Anacostia Dr. SE, the only roller-skating rink of the National Park Service. Skate rental is available from Memorial Day to Labor Day on Sunday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Rentals are free with a government-issued ID. Socks are required to rent skates. Last skates will be given out 20 minutes before closing. On the last Saturday of the month through October; on June 28, July 26, Aug. 30, Sept. 27 and Oct. 25, skate until 10 p.m. and enjoy the featured DJ or band at Late Skate. Events last throughout the day and include double-Dutch, lawn games, job fairs, boat trips and more. www.nps.gov/anac
a.m. to 2 p.m. CityCenterDC Market, 1098 New York Ave. NW, is open Tuesday through Oct. 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Dupont Circle Market, 1600 20th St. NW, is open year-round on Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mount Vernon Triangle Market, 499 I St. NW, is open year-round on Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Union Market District Market, 1298 Fifth St. NE, is open Sunday through Dec. 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All FRESHFARM markets and farmers accept SNAP/EBT, WIC and Senior FMNP checks. The FreshMatch program provides a dollar-for-dollar match on all federal benefits spent, helping shoppers take home more fresh produce and creating revenue streams for local farmers and food producers, while annual funding lasts. www.freshfarm.org
Contracts (Virtual) Brief Advice Legal Clinic
On Tuesday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to noon, attorney volunteers and contracts specialists will meet oneon-one with small business owners to review the standard contract for services or goods and discuss potential changes, additions and implications. Examples of topics include parties, terms, termination, dispute resolution, choice of law and more. (Attorney volunteers will not draft new contracts or provide businesses with ongoing assistance.) Advance registration and confirmation is required. Register at www.probono. center/ContractsClinic. Contact npsb@dcbar.org with questions. u
Photo: NPS/Kelsey Graczyk
CHANGING HANDS
Changing Hands is a list of most residential sales in the Midcity DC area from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIS, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, manager of the Coldwell Banker o ce on Capitol Hill. e list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.
KIDS & FAMILY
Family Days for Juneteenth at Mount Vernon
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 19 to 21, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., learn about Ona Judge, Christopher Sheels, Hercules Posey, and Mount Vernon’s many enslaved people who resisted enslavement and sought freedom before the Emancipation Proclamation. Discover how they defined their agency and the legacies they left behind. Join an Enslaved People of Mount Vernon Specialty Tour at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. This program is included with admission. A free ticket is required to hold your place in line. Tours start at the Mansion circle. All activities included with admission: $28 for adults; $15 for youth six to eleven; and free for ages to five. mountvernon.org.
July 4th Family Activities at the National Archives
Join the National Archives on Constitution Avenue Independence Day celebration. They’re celebrating America’s birthday on the steps of the National Archives with re-enactors, family fun, and the iconic Declaration of Independence reading ceremony. The music starts at 9 a.m. From 10 to 11:45 a.m., there are speeches, readings and music. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., there are family activities Inside the building--sign the Declaration of Independence, make you own flag, do a scavenger hunt, enjoy activity stations; meet and have your picture taken with Revolutionary figures Abigail and John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Ned Hector, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. archivesjuly4.org.
National Capital Barbecue Battle (free, under twelve)
The National Capital Barbecue Battle is on Saturday, June 21, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, June 22, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (rain or shine). The two-day event along Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, between Third and Seventh, features barbecue and grilled food samples all weekend, 30 bands performing across three stages, celebrity chefs, cookbook authors, microbrew and wine sampling and cooking competitions. Kids 12 and under are free. Kids will enjoy sports activities from the Washington Capitals, Mystics, Wizards, DC United and others. There will be exciting BMX stunt bike & skateboarding shows, free food, candy & ice cream samples, fun arts activities and more. Daily pass, $20; two-day pass, $30; family four-pack (adults), $60. bbqindc.com.
Come face-to-face with wildlife in a stunning live-action virtual reality safari. Strap on VR goggles and experience lush jungles and endless savannahs as you journey across the wilds of Africa. Enter the world of the wild and see elephants, leopards and gorillas in their native habitats from the safety of your VR Transporter. Passengers must be 42 inches tall unless accompanied by an adult. Manufacturers recommend that users be at least 13 years of age. Children younger than 13 who are at least 42 inches tall may ride with consent of a parent or guardian. General admission is $12. Tickets sold on-site at the VR attraction at the Conservation Pavilion (next to Mane Grill). The zoo is free to visit but entry passes are required, including infants. nationalzoo.si.edu/visit/virtual-reality-safari.
Disney’s Monsters Movie at Congressional Cemetery
Friday, June 13, 7 to 10:30 p.m., delight the whole family with the heartwarming chaos of Disney’s Monsters, Inc. at Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE. Feel free to bring your own beverages and food. Alcohol is permitted and will also be for sale. Keep in mind that all guests will be ID checked upon entry. They also recommend bringing your own blankets, low-lying lawn chairs, etc. (Please do not bring chairs that may obstruct the view of those behind you.) In the event of rain, the film will be shown on the following Friday evening. Gates open about an hour before sunset and the movie begins at sunset. $10 for adults; $5 for kids, three to twelve. No dogs. Register at congressionalcemetery.org.
DPR Spray Parks Open forSummer
Here are the DPR Spray Park Rules: Children should never be left unsupervised in any area in the spray park. Infants in diapers or still in training should wear pool-approved garments. No dogs or pets are permitted at or near DPR spray parks. Absolutely no glass is permitted on/or around the spray park area. Food and drinks are not permitted on spray park grounds. Alcoholic beverages and smoking are strictly prohibited at all DPR parks, including spray parks. Find a listing by ward at dpr.dc.gov/sprayparks.
Three DPR Outdoor Kids’ Swimming Pools Open
Happy Hollow Children’s Pool at 2200 Cham-
VR Safari at the Zoo
plain St. NW; Park View Children’s Pool at 693 Otis Pl. NW; and Lincoln Capper Children’s Pool at 555 L St. SE, are open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and are closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Additionally, Park View and Lincoln Capper close from 2 to 3 p.m. Outdoor pools are open on weekends only before Sunday, June 22, in addition to being open on Memorial Day, May 26. dpr.dc.gov/outdoorpools.
SW Night Market: A Family Friendly Gathering
Market SW, at Fourth and M Streets SW, is on alternate Fridays, 4 to 10 p.m. Remaining dates this season are June 7 and 21; July 5 and 19; Aug. 2, 16 and 30; and Sept. 13 and 27. With a mix of local and creative businesses, food trucks, live music, a fully stocked beer garden, colorful lights, and family-friendly activities, each market creates a lively atmosphere of a neighborhood outdoor living room. The market is directly across the street from Waterfront Station Metro and near Arena Stage. DiverseMarkets.net.
Pop-Up
Stargazing
at Air and Space
Wednesday, June 18, 8:30 to 10 p.m., join Air and Space outside the Museum at the corner of Independence Avenue and Seventh Street SW, near the silver Delta Solar sculpture, and
see the wonders of the night sky. Experienced people will help you to use di erent telescopes to observe a variety of things, including planets, stars, and the Moon. Stargazing is free and open to the public; no tickets or reservations are required. This event is weather dependent and may be cancelled due to rain, clouds, and other poor visibility. airandspace.si.edu.
Friday Night Fishing on the Anacostia
Anacostia Riverkeeper’s Friday Night Fishing program is a free, family-friendly, learn-to- sh program. It takes place along the Navy Yard on the Anacostia each summer. Open to all ages. ARK and partner Earth Conservation Corps provide everything you need for you and your family to learn how to sh in a fun and educational environment. Friday nights from June 21 to Sept. 6, 5 to 8 p.m., at the Diamond Teague Park Recreation Dock. Anacostia Riverkeeper provides shing gear, safety vests, and a mini demo on shing, shing safety and fun facts about the sh in the river. Adults need DC shing licenses to actively sh. Registration is recommended via the Anacostia Riverkeeper Eventbrite page. anacostiariverkeeper.org/friday-night- shing.
Honey How?! Family Program at the Botanic Garden
On Friday, June 20, 3 to 5 p.m., drop by the Botanic Garden’s Children’s Garden to celebrate National Pollinator Week and explore the how’s of honey. How do owers attract bees? How do bees make honey? Join the Botanic Garden to taste di erent honey varietals to understand the connection between oral nectar and honey avor. Families will explore the life cycle and behavior of bees and their relationship to plants and the ecosystem. This is a free, drop-in program. No registration needed. usbg.gov.
DC Prep is one of DC’s top public charter schools, serving students from PK3 through 8th grade. With award-winning campuses and strong roots in the Edgewood, Benning, and Anacostia communities, we’re not just focused on academics, we’re preparing your child for life.
#FunInShaw
SHAW OPEN HOUSE
Come explore Shaw between 6th and 11th Streets, NW and get a taste of what Shaw’s businesses have to offer.
Date: June 21, 2025
Time: 1 PM - 5 PM
Cost: FREE
Food, Beer, Wine and Cocktail Samples
$20 in Shawbucks to spend like cash
#LoveShaw Magnets, Pins, Recyclable Shopping Bags and Other Swag
Prize Drawing for prizes from participating businesses After Party
For the list of participating businesses and event Passport and Shaw swag pick up locations, visit www.shawmainstreets.org and follow @shawmainstreets on and for updates.
