Mid City DC Magazine – September 2025 by Capital Community News

Chef Sisay Tassew of Dashen Restaurant and Lounge displays her vegetarian platter.

Photo: Andrew Lightman

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.

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.

Photo: Erika Nizborski

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, ve giants form a powerful coalition to advance civil rights and shape a de ning 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 lmmakers 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 1994-2020. 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.

WHAT’S ON WASHINGTON

“Marimba Melodies” 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.

“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 mid20th 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.

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

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

Photo: Nick Moreland

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

don the clothing and mannerisms of men to get her foot in the door.

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 Mississippi hoping to take a bite out of the Big Apple, must

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

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

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

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

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. e music is as much a character as the actors on stage and Ellington’s famous Cotton Club house band is paid tting tribute by Luther Henderson’s original Tony Award nominated orchestrations and six live musicians on piano, trombone, trumpet, drums and bass. at 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

e American Five, Ford’s eatre

Showing Sep. 19 – Oct. 12 www.fords.org

In Warren Le er’s grainy black and white photo taken on August 28, 1963, the Washington Monument is re ected awlessly 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 ocked to the nation’s capital for one reason: e advancement of equal rights under the law for all African Americans.

Ford’s eatre 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 eatre Legacy Commissions and directed by Aaron Posner, e American Five explores the planning of

the 1963 March on Washington through the eyes of its ve formulators: e 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. e 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.

e cast of e 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 nonviolent 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. e danger was real, and it lurked around every corner.

e 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? ◆

Sp o tli ght on Dashen

by Andrew Lightman

Tucked away on the 1600 block Seventh Street in Shaw, Dashen Restaurant and Lounge (1608 Seventh St. NW) is a small outpost of the Ethiopian city of Gonder. Named for one of the country’s largest mountains, it is family owned and operated. Here, one can truly sample the flavors of Ethiopian home cooking.

Traditionally Ethiopians eat communally. Stews and other dishes are arranged on a bed of injera, a soft, spongy flatbread that is made with fermented teff flour. Diners break off pieces of injera to scoop up food.

While Dashen has an extensive à la carte menu, I recommend ordering the traditional communal platters. Sized for the dining party, they can be ordered vegan or with meat.

Vegetarians are in for a particular treat.

Sample the shiro, a mash of chickpea flour, berbere spice blend, onions and garlic. Enjoy gomen, a slow-cooked side of collards seasoned with ginger and garlic. Kik alicha, yellow split peas combined with ginger, garlic and turmeric, provides a needed protein. Yesmire wot is a spicy red lentil stew. Don’t miss the fosolia, a traditional green bean stew or the potato wot. In fact, a vegetarian platter can incorporate as many as 20 different items, depending on the size of the party ordering.

For carnivores, Dashen adds tibs, kitfo, ye beg alichia and doro wot to the mix. Tibs is cubed or sliced meat, either lamb, chicken or beef sauteed in niter kibbeh, a spiced clarified butter that is an essential element in Ethiopian cuisine. Kitfo is minced, raw beef, marinated in a fiery combination of mitmita, a chili-based powder, and niter kibbeh. Ye beg alichia is a mild stew of either beef or lamb spiced with turmeric, niter kibbeh, garlic, ginger and black cardamon. Lastly, there is doro wot, Ethiopia’s national dish, a complex berbere chicken stew slow cooked in niter kibbeh.

The à la carte menu offers these classic Ethiopian preparations singly with a choice of protein. Also, there are pescatarian and European options.

A word to the wise: don’t depart without tasting the homemade honey wine.

All In The Family

So, what distinguishes Dashen from other Ethiopian restaurants? It’s all in the family.

Chef Sisay Tassew helms Dashen’s kitchen. Tassew learnt her craft from her mother at age 13 in her family’s restaurant in Ethiopia. This establishment, founded by her grandmother, still exists today. In other words, Tassew is the product of a culinary tradition dating back a century. Later, she trained in Addis Ababa.

Following in the footsteps of her siblings, Tassew emigrated to the United States in 2001. She soon found a job at Dukem, one of DC’s original Ethiopian restaurants. After working there six years, she opened Fasil, an earlier iteration of Dashen, with her family.

Dashen is staffed entirely by family: her husband Gebre Kahassai, her children and their spouses. Ka-

Chef Sisay Tassew, Gebre Kahassai and their family. Photo: Andrew Lightman

Gebre Kahassai displays the restaurant’s homemade spice mixtures and marinades.

Photo: Andrew Lightman

Chef Sisay Tassew prepares doro wat.

Photo: Andrew Lightman

hassai, the former owner of Axum Restaurant, often joins her in the kitchen. The two are fanatical about provisioning, with a focus on organic ingredients. All the spices and aromatics are sourced directly from Ethiopia.

Tassew carefully grinds her own spice mixtures, such as mitmita and berbere and prepares the niter kibbeh. This is a very long and laborintensive process. She also prepares the marinades for the meat, poultry and fish.

The preparation of the restaurant’s signature doro wat, for example, is a six-hour affair involving slow cooked onions, aromatics and spices cooked down into a spicy marinade. The chicken is carefully butchered and repeatedly washed with lime, salt and vinegar, a five-hour endeavor.

While one can say a lot about the importance of using good ingredients, intensive and careful preparation and cooking, what really distinguishes Dashen’s cuisine is Tassew. Diners are treated in her restaurant to the same food that she prepares for her family.

At the end of my two-hour interview at Dashen, involving Tassew, her husband, her children and grandchildren, she brought out a vegetarian platter for me to sample. Her entire family sat down and joined in the delicious repast. The meal was simply fabulous, spiced as it was with one indefinable ingredient: a mother’s love.

For more information, visit www. dashenrestaurantlounge.com. u

A Dashen vegetarian platter. Photo: Andrew

Sp o tli ght on Hyatt House

by Andrew Lightman

Nestled at the corner of Ninth and O Streets NW (899 O St. NW) is Hyatt House Washington DC Downtown Convention Center (Hyatt House), Shaw’s newest amenity. The hotel’s exterior is a sleek, modern, windowed skyscraper. Its stunning façade offers windows divided by coppertoned panels, set above a portico.

Steps from the Washington Convention Center and Metro, the 184-key Hyatt House offers guests apartment-style suites equipped with kitchens for both short-term and extended stays. Its location across the street from the Giant Food store, is very convenient for those wishing to dine in, while the Shaw neighborhood itself offers myriad dining options.

“Everything you need is within easy reach,” said Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC COO Evens Charles, whose company owns the hotel.

Hotel amenities include a 24-hour fitness center. It provides a complimentary breakfast bar for its

lodgers. The well-appointed lobby on the second floor includes a bar, named H Bar. The hotel also has a business center with both individual and collaborative workspaces. Garage parking is available below.

On the rooftop is Realm—a bar, lounge, and restaurant that will operate under its own distinct brand and identity. Featuring panoramic views of the D.C. skyline and a dedicated street entrance, Realm is slated to debut later this fall.

Hyatt House is also a neighborhood resource. Its business center and conference facilities are available for rent. Neighborhood residents also can rent rooms for guests Those renovating or repairing homes might find the hotel’s long-term accommodations convenient. Make sure to ask for discounted neighborhood rates when booking a reservation.

Frontier Development & Hospitality Group

eral offices was irresistible.

The company has more than $600 million of mixed-use development in its pipeline. In the District, it is a major partner in the Hill East mixed-use development on Reservation 13. There, it is building 1,000 residences including for-sale condos and townhomes, ground floor retail and a extended-stay hotel, in three phases on seven acres.

Frontier’s $320 million portfolio of 11 hotels spans seven states. The firm had long sought to purchase a hospitality property in the District, explained Charles. The location of the O Street property, the former Cambria, close to Howard University, the DC Convention Center and fed -

For Charles, a native Washingtonian, Hyatt House was a return to his roots.

A Native Washingtonian

Charles grew up in Petworth, just north of Shaw. Raised by a hardworking, single Haitian émigré mother, he recalled getting himself up at 5 a.m. to deliver the Washington Post to neighbors, cook his own breakfast and walk to school. At age eight, he started playing football in the local Pop Warner leagues. The mental toughness and physical discipline instilled by athletics provided the foundation for his future life. Later, Charles parlayed his athletic prowess into academic opportunity. First at Archbishop Carroll High School. Later, he earned a football scholarship to Temple University, where he

Hyatt House’s sleek, modern façade.

Photo: Andrew Lightman

A spacious suite with a king bed and full kitchen. Photo: Hyatt House

Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC Chief Operating Officer Evens Charles. Photo: Andrew Lightman

played strong safety. There, he earned both bachelors and master’s degrees.

Becoming a Hotelier

Towards the end of his education, his landlord happened to speak to Charles about the importance of building wealth. Inspired, he took $1,000 of his savings and bought his first home at foreclosure in West Philadelphia. Hiring neighborhood laborers, he fixed it up and then flipped it, making about $25,000, which was much as his annual salary at his day job at the time. Immediately investing the proceeds in another property, he soon found himself renovating two and three level homes. He kept most as rentals.

Inspired by the work of developer R. Donahue Peebles, Charles attended the Annual International African American Hotel Ownership Summit and Trade Show sponsored by the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD). Marking numerous connections, he decided to become a national hotelier. In 2012, he returned to DC and founded Frontier. With the development of Hyatt House, Charles finally owns a major District hotel. In 2024, NABHOOD recognized his achievement, bestowing on him its “Deal of the Year” award.

He is proud that he has been able to return to DC with the means and vision to make a lasting impact on his hometown. He credits his success to hard work, discipline, and the guidance of mentors.

“Look for people who are examples. Open yourself up to learn. Find a mentor,” Charles said – words he continues to live by.

For more information on Hyatt House Washington DC Downtown Convention Center, visit www. hyatt.com/hyatt-house/en-US/ wasxc-hyatt-house-washington-dcconvention-center. For more information on Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC, visit www. frontier-development.com. u

Shaw Streets

by Pleasant Mann

Shaw Restaurants win top RAMMY Awards

The region’s hospitality community gathered at the Washington Convention Center August 3 to honor the best in dining and drinking at the 2025 RAMMY hospitality awards. This year, 14 Shaw restaurants, bars and people were nominated for awards.

Shawn Townsend, president and CEO of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, started the evening with a speech that reminded the audience that Washington did not start as a notable dining destination, but that it has built itself into a world-class center of cuisine. He wondered if some leaders had taken for granted the jobs and revenue that the dynamic DMV restaurant industry

brought to the community, but noted that recently, some politicians had begun to listen and address the needs of the hospitality industry.

As the evening went on, and as they started to announce the RAMMY winners, it seemed as if Shaw was being skipped over. But Shaw came up big in the last three, most important awards. First was Mita, one of Shaw’s two Michelin-starred

Carlos Delgado, Chef of Causa/Amazonia, with his son, accepts the RAMMY award for Chef of the Year. Photo: Pleasant Mann

plant-based restaurants, which won the RAMMY for Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year. In his acceptance speech, Mita Co-Chef Miguel Guerra related that during the pandemic, the idea of the restaurant, a place to showcase the culture and cuisine of their Latin heritage, came up with his Co-Chef Tatiana Mora. “But Tatiana came up with the crazy idea to do vegetables, but with our flavors.”

Next, Carlos Delgado, of Causa/ Amazonia, was declared Chef of the Year. This is his second award this year, after winning the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Mid Atlantic. Chef Delgado took to the podium, thanked his team and explained that he brought his young son up with him in the hopes that the memory of this win will last his son forever. Finally, Seng Luangrath, whose string of Laotian restaurants includes Shaw’s Baan Mae, won the RAMMY for Restaurateur of the Year. She said that winning the award was almost unimaginable as the daughter of a refugee, describing herself as “a self-taught chef, a mom and someone who did not know what she was doing in the beginning.” She appreciated that Laotian cuisine, coming from such a small country, was now known all over the country. Luangrath also thanked her staff, who have worked with her over the 14 years she has been in business, as well as giving a shout out to her son Bobby, her business partner.

Immaculate Conception

inaugurates New Parish Office, Blesses Chapel

On Saturday afternoon, August 9, Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church inaugurated its new Parish Office, which includes a small chapel, located in the Intercept at O apartments. The office was built by Roadside Development as part of its community benefits package for the building. Besides the chapel, the office consists of a

mini kitchen and meeting room. A crowd of parishioners were invited to the event.

The chapel is dedicated to Pier Giorgio Frassati, who is scheduled to be canonized as a saint on September 7. Although he died young, Frassati was a hero to the poor of his native Turin, who pushed for his canonization. The chapel includes a paint-

ing of Frassati, along with one of Our Lady of Guadelupe. There is also a relic in the chapel, a piece of Frassati’s clothing.

Father Charles Gallager, pastor of Immaculate Conception, started by thanking all the parishioners who contributed financially and spiritually to get the parish office and chapel completed. He then invited Bishop

Bishop Esposito-Garcia blesses Immaculate Conception’s Frassati Chapel with Pastor Father Gallagher and Priest-in-residence Robert Boxie III. Photo: Pleasant Mann

DC firefighters from Engine Company 6 congratulate Mrs. Gladys Williams on her 100th Birthday. Photo: Pleasant Mann

Juan R. Esposito-Garcia, auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington, to step into the chapel to bless it. After blessing the Frassati Chapel, the bishop went on to bless the rest of the rooms of the parish o ce. Father Gallagher announced that he intended to go to Rome to witness the canonization of Frassati in September. Frassati Chapel is available for private prayer by registering with Immaculate Conception Church.

Shaw Celebrates Centenarian

On Saturday afternoon, August 16, the 1700 block of Fifth Street NW was crowded with over 100 family members, neighbors and community well-wishers congratulating Mrs. Gladys Williams on her 100th birthday. ere were refreshments available on both sides of the street. Proclamations were read from Mayor Muriel Bowser and Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto congratulating Mrs. Williams on her birthday. e event was topped by the arrival of a retruck from the DC Fire Department’s Engine Company 6. Mrs. Williams was born in North Carolina and came to the District at the age of ve. She married a member of the military and traveled the world with him. She also worked as a nurse for 40 years. She has lived at the same address for over 50 years. At one point, Mrs. Williams addressed the crowd, welcoming everyone. She said that she loved everyone there, “no matter who you are, what you look like or where you came from.” ◆

BULLETIN BOARD

Sip & Shop by Pop Up Gallery

Join Wunder Garten for the Sip & Shop experience by Pop Up Gallery— happening every second Sunday of the month at Wunder Garten, 1101 First St. NE. Discover one-of-a-kind fashion, accessories, home goods and more from local creators. wundergartendc.com.

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. Join MLK Library, 901 G St. NW, for a transformative clothing swap, where you can breathe new life into pre-loved pieces and dis-

and

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. Participation fee is $75. Must be 18+. Your participation directly supports the Zoo’s mission to save animals species and habitats. Registration comes with a T-shirt and a race medal. This race through the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is a true test of endurance and animal instinct. Register at nationalzoo.si.edu/visit/events/2025-predatorand-prey-5k.

“The Dragon” Opens Spooky Action’s 2025-26 Season

From Sept. 25 to Oct. 19, Spooky Action Theater begins its 2025-26 season with an adaptation of “The Dragon”, a banned 1940s Russian political fairytale by Evgeny Shvarts. Terrorized by a wicked dragon, a town gets a chance for freedom with the arrival of a confident and cocky Sir Lancelot. On the surface a supernatural fairytale, this subversive play written (and banned) in Stalinist Russia offers a scorching satire of authoritarian regimes and the mechanisms they use to control people. In a sharp new adaptation centering immigrant actors, “The Dragon” is a witty allegory that exposes the dangers of tyranny--and would be even more fun if it were not so disturbingly relevant. Spooky Action is at The Universalist National Memorial Church, 1810 16th St. NW. All tickets are general admission and range from Pay- What-You-Can to $43. spookyaction.org.

Lucky the three-legged cheetah at Naankuse, Namibia. Predator

Prey 5k

DCHFA,

DCHFA, Your Homeownership Resource in the District.

DC Open Doors

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

DC Open Doors

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

DC Open Doors

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

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

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

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

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

DC4ME

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

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.

www.DCHFA.org

The Maryland Renaissance Festival

Enter the gates of Revel Grove and leave the hectic pace of the twenty- rst century behind. Slow down. Leisurely stroll their beautiful, wooded paths. 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. e 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. e Maryland Renaissance Festival is at 1821 Crownsville Rd., Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Find directions at rennfest.com.

cover unique treasures. 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 are 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.

500 and Counting!

A Freedom Reads Celebration at Planet Word How can reading foster inspiration and com-

munity even in the most uninspiring environments? Reginald Dwayne Betts is the founder and CEO of Freedom Reads, a rstof-its-kind organization that confronts the impact of prison on the spirit. In March, he celebrated the 20th anniversary of his release from prison—the spark from which Freedom Reads was ignited—and this fall, Freedom Reads celebrated the opening of the organization’s 500th Freedom Library, each one built inside a prison. On Saturday, Sept. 13, 4 to 6 p.m., Mr. Betts joins Planet Word, 925 13th St. NW, for a compelling talk and demonstration on how the power of books and literacy empowers us to build con dence and community in every space. Free admission. planetwordmuseum.org.

Wunder Garten

Saturday Sessions

Saturday Sessions is your weekly destination for unforgettable nights of music, dancing, and pure energy in the heart of DC. Every week, 8 p.m. to midnight, Wunder Garten, 1101 First St. NE, brings the city’s leading DJs to the decks, spinning everything from house and techno to hip-hop, disco, and the hottest hits. Expect frequent themed parties, exclusive guest DJ sets and other surprises. wundergartendc.com.

Art Enables

“Outside

Forces”

Art Enables, 2204 Rhode Island Ave. NE, announces the 19th annual “Outside Forces”, their exhibition showcasing the power, originality, and imagination of self-taught artists from across the country. is year’s show, Sept. 2 to Oct. 26, brings together independent creators and artists from 25+ sister studios, each o ering bold, inventive work that exists outside the bounds of mainstream art traditions. From vibrant paintings to striking mixed-media pieces, “Outside Forces” is the perfect introduction to the world of outsider art. e opening reception is on Saturday, Sept. 6, 5 to 7 p.m. Gallery hours are daily, except Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. art-enables.org.

State Fairs:

Growing American Craft Open House

On Friday Sept. 19, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., celebrate the groundbreaking new exhibition State Fairs: Growing American Craft at Renwick Gallery open house, Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th St. NW, featuring craft artists from across the country. Learn about bowl hewing from Keith Ruble of Indiana, straw and tin applique from Martha Ewing of New Mexico, and custom sweater knitting from Samuel Barsky of Maryland. Exhibition curator, Mary Savig, the Fleur and Charles

744-5419

National Gallery Nights Returns this Fall e 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. e season kicks o on ursday, Sept. 11, with “Back to School.” Embrace rst-day-of-school energy with 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. e season ends on Nov. 13 with “Art Under the Stars” as visitors experience the exhibition e Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art with didgeridoo performances, textile weaving, and rooftop stargazing. e 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.

Bresler Curator-in-Charge for the Renwick Gallery, will be available to chat about her favorite state fairs and the ideas that inspired the exhibition. Explore the exhibition further with a scavenger hunt for all ages. Free admission. americanart.si.edu.

The MLK Library Punk Archive Processing Night at The People’s Archive

On Wednesday, Sept. 10, 6 to 8 p.m., come help the DC Punk Archive sort through some boxes. e DC Punk Archive needs your help to make their items discoverable. ey have boxes that need to be gone through, inventories created, things alphabetized and categorized. No experience necessary. Due to limited capacity, you do need to sign up for this event. Please only sign up for one processing event per month so they can get as many folks in as possible. If it’s full, no worries. ey’ll have more processing nights coming up. dclibrary.org.

Behind the Musical: Hamilton Documents Archives

August 6, 2025 was the 10th anniversary of the opening of “Hamilton,” the Broadway musical. Discover primary resources in the National Archives, such as Alexander

Opening the Vault: The Beginning of Our Union at the National Archives France played a critical role in supporting the United States as it fought for independence from Great Britain during the Revolutionary War and the Marquis de Lafayette was a key broker in this bilateral relationship. e National Archives, 701 Constitution Ave. NW, invites you to view the latest rotation of Opening the Vault: e Beginning of Union, now on display at the National Archives Museum through Nov. 6, 2025. Explore Marquis de Lafayette’s Oath of Allegiance, the Articles of Association, the Treaty of Alliance with France, and more. archives.gov/dc.

Articles of Association, page 3, October 20, 1774.

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.

Hamilton’s Oath of Allegiance, George Washington’s nomination of Hamilton as Secretary for the Department of the Treasury, and Hamilton’s Statement of Property and Debts on the DocsTeach website at docsteach.org.

Fusion Festival at Anacostia Arts Center

e 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. Hosted in the heart of Anacostia, Fusion Festival is where ideas turn into movement and moments turn into momentum. ey’re bringing together the artists, innovators, small business owners, visionaries, and cultureshapers who are building what’s next across the region. rough engaging panels, hands-on work-

shops, and dynamic networking spaces, explore what it means to navigate personal and professional transitions. General admission tickets are $81.88. anacostiaartscenter.com/events.

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. ey’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.

DDOT Launches d.@Home

e District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has announced the launch of DDOT at Home (d.@home), a streamlined permitting pro-

gram designed to simplify the public space construction permit application process for residential property owners. Accessible through DDOT’s Transportation Online Permitting System (TOPS), the program o ers a faster, easier path for homeowners making minor improvements. e program, formally titled d.@home, focuses on small-scale residential projects that require access to public space. By omitting the need for engineering drawings and reducing application review time, DDOT at Home simpli es the permit process for all District residents. For more information, visit ddot.dc.gov/ddotathome or contact DDOT’s Public Space Regulation Division at 202-673-6813.

Do you have a notice for the Bulletin Board?

e Mid-City DC Bulletin Board includes event notices, volunteer opportunities and other community news. Send it to bulletinboard@hillrag.com. ◆

CHANGING HANDS

Changing Hands is a list of most residential sales in the Midcity DC area from the previous month. A feature of every issue, this list, based on the MRIS, is provided courtesy of Don Denton, manager of the Coldwell Banker office on Capitol Hill. The list includes address, sales price and number of bedrooms.

CONDO

KIDS & FAMILY

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.

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.

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

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

KIDS & FAMILY

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.

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 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.

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.

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. u

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.

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

Photo by Alexander M. Padro

Photo by Pleasant Mann