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Photo by Chris Ferenzi Photography, Courtesy Capital Jewish Museum.
Patrons’ Party Co-Chairs Alex Ragonese and Malcolm Dilley and their dog Parker at their home in Georgetown. Photo by Kim Johnson.
ANC Report: Plans Fall Flat Due to Budget Uncertainty
BY PEGGY SANDS
The “April” meeting of the GeorgetownBurleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission, held on March 31, delivered two bits of good news.
The first was regarding public safety. There were no violent crimes to report, announced Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Danielle Vitatoe. She then added that she had no information about a robbery that had reportedly occurred that afternoon, just before the meeting. “Get back to you when I know more,” she said.
The second bit was the news that former ANC 2E chair Rick Murphy had accepted the position of co-chair of the Georgetown Community Partnership. The commissioners also applauded retiring co-chair Ron Lewis, who had helped the Partnership grow into a model of town-gown cooperation since 2012.
The rest of the meeting consisted mainly of routine updates. Reports from the offices of Mayor Muriel Bowser and Ward 2 Council member Brooke Pinto fell somewhat flat due to the District’s current state of financial uncertainty.
Ironically, Georgetown residents have been encouraged by city officials to share ideas for fiscal 2026 budget planning sessions via a link called “how to shape the future of D.C.” This seemed particularly premature since no one knows for sure how this year’s budget will end up. The hopedfor reinstatement of some $1 billion that was removed by Congress due to missing language has to await Congress’s return around April 8. The prevailing opinion was that the funds would be restored.
The nearly final report of the Georgetown Transportation Access and Circulation Study remains delayed. The District Department of Transportation would let the ANC know if there had been any significant changes. The lack of a stop sign at 35th Street and Dent Place was noted (it has been that way for years). Some commissioners insisted that the report contain commitments from DDOT not to use flex posts anywhere in Georgetown to designate where lanes divide.
Once again, commissioners politely requested an update from the mayor’s
Georgetown Garden Tour
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outreach coordinator on the failure by the Department of Public Works to pick up the neighborhood’s deteriorating bags of leaves, despite numerous communications. “Now we’re looking at spring yard waste that must be dragged through homes without a backyard alleyway to the street,” commented Commissioner Paul Maysak.
Progress has been made on Council member Pinto’s Peace DC plan, an extension of Secure DC, her successful public safety plan, instituted last year. The plan’s four goals are to end recidivism, support public safety workshops, prevent violence and strengthen neighborhood “harmony.” However, “nothing is fully funded,” said Pinto spokesperson Brian Romanowski.
A presentation was made by CommuniKids to support and maintain public funding for bilingual pre-K programs for toddlers.
The list of some 16 liquor license renewal applications, to be approved by the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board, included applicants ranging from Thunder Burger to the Four Seasons. The renewed licenses will follow the same, previously agreedupon parameters. Any objections should be submitted in writing. Of note: Green Almond Pantry and Grace Street Coffee Roasters, both at 3210 Grace St. NW, hope to extend
their closing time from 9 p.m. to
After the formal meeting ended, relatively early, a long, informal discussion about street barriers and parking in a newly energized Georgetown began — to be continued at future meetings.
Rick Murphy, new co-chair of the Georgetown Community Partnership and former chair of ANC 2E. Courtesy ANC 2E.
midnight.
The Department of Public Works in action.
Detained Georgetown Professor Awaits Hearing
BY HAILEY WHARRAM
On March 17, the Department of Homeland Security detained Georgetown University professor Badar Khan Suri outside his home in Rosslyn, Virginia. Following his arrest, Dr. Suri was sent to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, then relocated to a facility in Alvarado, Texas. There, he awaits an April 11 hearing which will determine whether or not he can be transferred back to Virginia ahead of his hearing with an immigration judge on May 6.
An Indian citizen studying Middle Eastern conflicts and peace processes, Suri is legally in the U.S. on a J-1 Exchange Visitors visa.
On April 14 at 4 p.m., the School of Foreign Service’s Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, where Suri is a professor and postdoctoral scholar, will host a panel, “Freedom of Speech, Trump and Campus Repression: The Case of Badar Khan Suri,” in the Healey Family Student Center Social Room.
Two days after his detention, DHS’s Tricia McLaughlin wrote on X that Suri was deportable, claiming that he was responsible for spreading Hamas propaganda online and “has close connections to a known or suspected terrorist.”
Suri’s wife, Mapheze Saleh, is a graduate student at Georgetown’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies and a U.S. citizen of Palestinian descent. According to the New York Times, her father, Ahmed Yousef, held a political position within Gaza’s Hamas-run government over a decade ago. Yousef openly criticized Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel in an article published by the Times 10 days before Suri’s arrest.
Members of Georgetown Students for Justice in Palestine and Georgetown Faculty & Staff for Justice in Palestine have protested Suri’s detention by organizing rallies and creating a petition titled “Open Letter Against the Repression of Free Speech & Academic Freedom.”
On March 25, Georgetown University
Interim President Robert M. Groves
issued a statement in reference to Suri’s arrest, writing: “We are concerned about the circumstances of his detention and the questions it may raise about issues of free speech. We expect the legal system to adjudicate this case fairly, and we will continue to monitor this closely.”
“Let’s leave aside the ethics of his legal case and whether [Suri], you know, committed any crime, which I don’t believe he has,” said ACMCU Director Nader Hashemi in an interview with The Georgetowner. “Why this type of draconian, shock arrest that mimics Stalinist Russia? Why couldn’t you just say, ‘Look, your visa has been revoked. You have a court date in three weeks. You need to show up, and your fate will be decided, and you can still stay with your family until then.’”
In Hashemi’s view, the cruelty of Suri’s detention was intended to “spread fear,” particularly among activists.
“If anyone thinks that this is just about Gaza or Palestine or this is just about one individual ... they need to think again,” Hashemi said. “I’ve studied authoritarianism all my life. This is how authoritarian transitions begin. It begins with these types of intimidations and arrests of innocent people who are vulnerable, people who are on visas who don’t have the full protection of American citizenship. But it never stops there.”
Details about the April 14 panel, to be moderated by Hashemi, are available at events.georgetown.edu
Badar Khan Suri in Healy Hall. Courtesy Georgetown University.
News Bytes
BY ROBERT DEVANEY AND STAFF
FOUR SEASONS RESIDENCES TOP OUT
Neighbors may have seen the construction of the Four Seasons Private Residences at 1051 29th St. NW moving right along these days. In fact, the builders held a topping-out ceremony last month. Groundbreaking was in May of 2023.
Hospitality and residential company Four Seasons, the Georgetown Company, the Levy Group and Mohari Hospitality are converting a former federal property into “an exclusive collection of bespoke, ultra-luxury homes in the heart of Georgetown,” they say. “Featuring one-to-four-bedroom residences, residents will enjoy legendary Four Seasons service and property management, timeless design and world-class amenities.”
There will be 64 units. Owners will have views of the Potomac River, Georgetown and the Washington skyline.
EASTBANC BREAKS GROUND ON 2715 PENN
Commercial real estate developer EastBanc broke ground on a boutique 26,000-square-foot luxury residential project at 2715 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Situated directly across from the Four
Seasons Hotel, the five-story, seven-unit development is positioned at the center of one of the city’s most dynamic areas. 2715 Penn will feature distinctive architectural elements and offer residents spacious units with unobstructed views of M Street and Rock Creek Park.
JACK EVANS GETS ANOTHER D.C. JOB
Former Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans got another job in D.C. government. This time, it’s as a housing and development project manager for the Department of Housing and Community Development. The department’s operating budget for fiscal 2023 was $99 million. With his financial talents and years of experience on the Council, the job looks like a pretty good fit for the Georgetown resident. Since his resignation from the District Council in 2020, Evans has remained active in political and social circles.
FAA RESTRICTS HELICOPTER TRAFFIC NEAR DCA
In the wake of the devastating midair collision between an Army helicopter and a commercial passenger jet on Jan. 29, the Federal Aviation
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
GEORGETOWN FLOWER TOUR
Sunday, April 13
From noon to 4 p.m., participants in the second annual tour will build a bouquet as they visit Georgetown businesses, collecting flowers at each stop, starting at City Tavern, 3206 M St. NW. Bouquet bag provided at check-in. Visit georgetownmainstreet.com.
ANC 2E MONTHLY MEETING
Monday, April 28
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E, representing Georgetown, Burleith and Hillandale, will hold its March meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, 1524 35th St. NW, and via Zoom. Visit anc.dc.gov.
CAG ANNUAL MEETING
Tuesday, April 29
Georgetown residents are invited to attend the Citizens Association of Georgetown’s 2025 annual meeting, 6 to 8 p.m. at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, 3500 R St. NW. CAG will share recent accomplishments, present awards and elect new officers. Also, District and community leaders will offer remarks. Visit cagtown.org.
OLD GEORGETOWN BOARD
Thursday, May 1
The Old Georgetown Board–Commission of Fine Arts will meet at 9 a.m. at 401 F St. NW, Suite 312. Meeting documents are posted on the Monday afternoon prior to the meeting. Visit cfa.gov.
“PARTY FOR THE PARK”
Friday, May 2
Friends of Georgetown Waterfront Park is having a “Party for the Park,” 5 to 7 p.m., at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, 3100 South St. NW. Tickets are $50 each — GeorgetownWaterfrontPark.org.
THE BOOK HILL SPRING CLEAN IS SCHEDULED FOR 9 A.M.
Saturday, May 3.
Friends of Book Hill Park, 3219 Reservoir Road NW, BookHillParkDC.com .
FRIENDS OF GEORGETOWN WATERFRONT PARK
Friday, May 2
Friends of Georgetown Waterfront Park is having a “Party for the Park,” 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, May 2 at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, 3100 South St. NW. Tickets are $50 each — GeorgetownWaterfrontPark.org.
Administration has announced the prohibition of nonessential helicopter operations near Reagan National Airport and the permanent closure of helicopter Route 4 between Hains Point and the Wilson Bridge. The move is part of a broader series of safety reforms following the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in decades.
The area is notoriously congested. Reagan National has the country’s busiest runway and commercial planes often share airspace with helicopters.
BRITCHES OF GEORGETOWNE, GBA CO-FOUNDER RICK HINDIN
Britches of Georgetowne co-founder Ri chard Hindin — known around Washington, D.C., for the iconic Georgetown clothing store as well as for Adworks, Chicken Out Rotisserie and the causal Britches Great Outdoors — died on March 23 at his Bethesda home, aged 82.
Born in D.C. on June 19, 1942, the George Washington University and Coolidge High School alum helped establish the Georgetown Business Association in 1976.
Britches was sold by co-founders Hindin and David Pensky in 1983. The company formally declared bankruptcy in 2002. Hindin revived the Britches brand a few years ago after buying back
the trademark, hoping to bring his “heritage brand” to a new generation.
Hindin often said he was most proud of another thing he helped to found in Georgetown. In the mid-’70s, he — with John Laytham of Clyde’s, Richard McCooey of 1789 and the Tombs, Jim Weaver of Weaver’s Hardware and Paul Cohn of J. Paul’s, Old Glory and Paolo’s — launched the Georgetown Business Association.
Rick Hindin
Letters to the Editor
The Assault on Our Cultural Assets
Whatever downsides there may be to living in and around Washington, D.C., even in our historic, amenity-rich neighborhood of Georgetown — the high cost of living, the tourist crush, the soundscape of sirens, jets and helicopters — residents are exceedingly fortunate to have the city’s unsurpassed cultural resources so close at hand.
Collectively, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art and D.C.’s private visual arts venues, such as the Kreeger and the Phillips, are a museumgoer’s dream come true. The D.C. theater scene gives New York a run for its money. And the hub of our galaxy
The Smithsonian complex is in a class of its own. The exhibits in the Smithsonian museums (and the animal-filled habitats at the National Zoo) captivate more than 15 million visitors every year, not only Americans but citizens of every nation on earth.
We may take them for granted at times, but Washington’s array of cultural treasures make millions of D.C. visitors feel that they’ve arrived in heaven. It is hard to think of a greater source of pride for Americans or of admiration from our international guests.
As dismaying as are the DOGE raids on federal agencies, some semi-independent, the
“Washington’s array of cultural treasures make millions of D.C. visitors feel that they’ve arrived in heaven.”
of performing arts centers is the Kennedy Center, which completed a $250-million expansion in 2019.
As Washingtonians, therefore, we can’t help but take the Trump administration’s assault on the national cultural assets based here in the capital as a personal affront.
But as much as we like to think so, not everything is about us.
Some two million people attend the hundreds of performances presented annually at the Kennedy Center, from the free Millennium Stage offerings to the National Symphony Orchestra and Washington National Opera seasons. Between three and four million are wowed year after year by the National Gallery of Art’s splendid buildings, rich holdings and blockbuster exhibitions.
Liberation Day?
Our Liberation Day?
As expected, the Trump tariffs announced on Tuesday stunned the nation and the world (he really did it). And not so expectedly, the Saturday “Hands Off” demonstrations amazed us for their many locations — towns large and small, Fifth Avenue, the National Mall, European capitals — and for their peacefulness. Few police were required.
Both events were called Liberation Day by their adherents.
The new tariffs now reverberating through the markets are ending globalization as we know it. Hang tough, says the president, predicting a stronger America.
The Saturday protests looked to be made up mostly of white women, exhorting citizens to oppose Trump, his DOGE team and a mean-
Trump administration’s hostile takeover of the Kennedy Center and intimidation of the National Gallery and the Smithsonian are beyond the pale. We frankly find them baffling, except as cynical moves to fuel a culture war that has provided political benefits to the party now in power.
These are beloved facilities, examples of successful public-private partnerships that require professional, nonpartisan management. Their diminishment can only reflect poorly on those responsible.
Our hope is that the public — local, national and international — will express its rejection of this bullying, and worse, of Washington’s artistic and cultural institutions, and that the administration pauses its disruption of our irreplaceable venues before more artists, professional staffers, audience members and donors vote with their feet.
spirited America. “Weaponize your white privilege,” wrote one woman on social media. (A Black columnist opined that Blacks aren’t surprised by this darker side of America, it’s always been there.)
Our new economic realities will soon become clearer and, at least in the short term, harsher. Do many Americans think this is a great thing?
As for any opposition, peaceable marches won’t get us far. Something new and positive must be created. We’re reminded, thankfully, that there are still miracles and wonders to be witnessed (Alex Ovechkin’s historic achievement, to name one).
Liberated or not, we are living in a timeline of anxiety, both economic and political. Which new age slouches towards Washington to be born?
THE TIP PERCENTAGE SHOULD GO DOWN
As the minimum wage for restaurant workers goes up (and I applaud that for putting those employees on a more reliable/stable income), patrons should consider decreasing their tip percentage, because those tips are no longer so vital to saving workers from a ridiculously low minimum wage.
The staff’s increasing minimum wages are now reflected in our increasing restaurant entrée bills. So, reciprocally, the tip percentage should go down. All the more so because the “standard” tip in recent years has gone up from 15 percent to 20 percent, for no obvious reason.
This suggestion may not sit well with staff at many of our Georgetown restaurants, because the high cost of meals here gives them high tips (especially when derived from a 20-percent standard).
But the D.C. minimum wage law was intended primarily to help those in low-end restaurants who could barely make it on a ridiculous minimum wage combined with low tips. It was not designed for waiters at high-end restaurants, whose tips may far exceed their actual hired wages.
And that is the reason many of them opposed the D.C. referendum which altered the minimum-wage law. But, sorry, I don’t feel like paying twice over for higher restaurant prices to increase the minimum wage and then also for an escalating customary tip (from 15 to 20 percent). The latter needs to “give” to accommodate the new minimum-wage measure.
— By Marc Nicholson
A DISASTROUS PROPOSED ADDITION ON DUMBARTON STREET
Money talks. Developers carry more weight than residents in Georgetown.
A proposed three-story brick extension on each of two houses on Dumbarton Street will significantly impact the entire southern portion of the block. Ten households have written to the Old Georgetown Board to oppose the developer’s proposal. Their views were supported by a unanimous “no” vote by ANC 2E.
Nevertheless, at its hearing on Feb. 6, the Old Georgetown Board, which has been empowered to protect historic preservation in Georgetown, ignored and did not address or question points of contention between the residents and the developer, COBA. Summaries of our letters were read out, pro forma, but the board did not discuss these points and no discussion was had as to the impact on the block and the precedent that would be set.
COBA presented a plan that is nothing short of appalling. A huge, three-story brick wall would rise up on the east side of 2919 Dumbarton St. NW (our house) and on the west side of 2913 Dumbarton. It would completely block the windows on 2919 Dumbarton and would put the kitchen and garden of 2913 in shade, causing value to migrate from our existing homes to the new development. It will also impact the views of everyone between 29th and 30th Streets, including the oldest African American church in the city.
In brief, the proposed development would:
• block air, light and views from everyone living on the block;
• obstruct views from 29th Street and 30th Street;
• impact and perhaps kill a “heritage tree” behind 2915 Dumbarton St. NW;
• close off the views from the historic African American church on 29th Street;
• add density in the form of a solid brick wall and thereby create an unattractive, dark, tunnel-like space between 2917 and 2919 Dumbarton St. NW;
• And, most important, set a terrible precedent by creating a “free-for-all” message that building deep and tall additions behind houses, no matter what their impact, is permissible and will not over time undermine the intent of the Old Georgetown Act of 1950 to preserve the historic character of our neighborhood.
Residents have no opportunity to challenge these kinds of proposals. The developers present plans to the Board and residents can listen in on Zoom but may not speak.
While planned and thoughtful development in consultation with neighbors should be welcome, this kind of poorly considered, take-it-or-leave-it development will destroy the historic fabric of our federally protected neighborhoods, which should serve as a model of redevelopment and restoration for the country.
As the song says, “Don’t it always seem to go. You don’t know what you got till it’s gone.”
— Ruth and Edward Abrahams reside at 2919 Dumbarton St. NW.
The Women Leaders Who Keep Georgetown Running
BY HAILEY WHARRAM
In celebration of Women’s History Month, The Georgetowner recognized a few of the women community leaders who help make Georgetown such a special place. As a womanfounded and woman-owned company ourselves — Ami Stewart founded The Georgetowner in 1954 and Sonya Bernhardt has owned the paper since 1998 — The Georgetowner understands the tremendous value of women’s leadership.
GEORGETOWN MAIN STREET:
RACHEL SHANK AND IESHA HOLY
Founded in 2017, Georgetown Main Street aims to uplift local small businesses by organizing annual events such as Art All Night and the Georgetown Cookie Tour.
Executive Director Rachel Shank joined GMS in 2019 after earning a public administration master’s degree from George Washington University. Over the past six years, she has built strong professional and personal relationships with local business owners by adopting a people-first approach. When speaking about her leadership style, she cites a famous Maya Angelou quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
In reflecting on what Women’s History Month means to her, Shank is encouraged to see women leaders finally getting some time in the spotlight.
“I think for a long time women have been silently leading and have been the reason why so many amazing things have happened in our society, so it’s been wonderful to see over the past 20 or so years that women are really starting to get the recognition that they deserve for their contributions to society,” Shank said. Iesha Holy, who chairs the GMS board, has been inspired by the rejuvenating collaborations forged in recent years across different womenled organizations in Georgetown. “It wasn’t
always the case that all of these organizations worked so well together, so maybe it’s a little bit of a testament to the women’s leadership,” commented Holy.
BLACK GEORGETOWN FOUNDATION:
LISA FAGER
Black Georgetown Foundation is an organization dedicated to the preservation of two historic Black cemeteries in Georgetown: Mount Zion Cemetery and the Female Union Band Society Cemetery.
Lisa Fager has served as Black Georgetown Foundation’s executive director since 2019. In 2024, the Daughters of the American Revolution recognized her with the DAR’s inaugural Medal for Excellence in Historic Preservation.
“I’m currently working on legislation — the DC African American Burial Grounds Act — that would help protect historic Black cemeteries and ensure their inclusion in the city’s historical records,” said Fager. “I am also involved in an augmented reality project called 51 Steps to Freedom, which brings the stories of these burial grounds to life through immersive technology.”
For Lisa Fager, Women’s History Month offers an opportunity for reverence.
“Women’s History Month is a reminder of the countless women, named and unnamed, who have shaped history despite being overlooked or erased,” she said. “It’s a time to uplift their stories and recognize the labor, resistance and brilliance of women, particularly Black women, who have been at the forefront of social change.”
CITIZEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGETOWN: BRITTANY SAWYER AND AMY TITUS
Spearheaded by Executive Director Brittany Sawyer, the Citizen’s Association of Georgetown is dedicated to preserving historic Georgetown’s livability, safety and connectivity.
Sawyer, who has led CAG since 2022, is currently working to create a community guide
to help Georgetown residents connect with city resources, groups and services that might not be on their radar. “We’re honored to make our mark on CAG’s 147-year history and build a sustainable future for generations to follow,” Sawyer said.
Amy Titus, president of CAG’s board of directors, believes Women’s History Month is a valuable time to reflect on how female mentorship has changed her life. “I am very grateful for all the mentors I have been so lucky to have,” said Titus. “In turn, I try to give strength and guidance to other women.”
GEORGETOWN HERITAGE: MAGGIE DOWNING AND NANCY MIYAHIRA
Georgetown Heritage is an educational organization dedicated to preserving the neighborhood’s rich history. Among other initiatives, Georgetown Heritage leads neighborhood walking tours and boat tours along the C&O Canal. Executive Director Maggie Downing, who has lived in the city for 17 years, finds joy in sharing the District’s history.
“I love when I get to expose someone to something that challenges their idea of what Georgetown is like — whether that’s telling the full story of why we don’t have a Metro station, or telling younger people about all the music venues where really big performers got their start or sharing a photo of the industrial waterfront that’s now a beautiful park,” Downing said.
Nancy Miyahira is Georgetown Heritage’s director of arts and culture programming. Though the bulk of her work focuses on the past, when asked what advice she would give to aspiring community leaders — especially young women — Miyahira encouraged them to pay close attention to what’s on the horizon.
“Take the time to be reflective about your goals and your life’s path,” Miyahira said. “It’s easy to get bogged down with the details and admin of everyday life, so make sure you ‘look up’ every once in a while, to envision your future.”
Georgetown Heritage is a sister organization to the Georgetown Business Improvement District, which will welcome Deborah Kerson Bilek this month as its new CEO, succeeding Joe Sternlieb.
Nancy Miyahira, Lisa Fager, Maggie Downing, Amy Titus, Iesha Holy and Brittany Sawyer. Photo by Kim Johnson.
CAG ANNUAL MEETING
Program
BUSINESS
INS & OUTS
BY ROBERT DEVANEY
IN: CITIBANK, NEXT TO MARTIN’S
The Georgetown Citibank Center at 1258 Wisconsin Ave. NW — which had a soft opening on March 26 — plans a grand opening in May. The New York-based bank now occupies the 1851 Greek Revival building once known as Forrest Hall, where community gatherings occurred for decades. (Mark Twain gave lectures there.) Formerly housing a Gap, the historic building sits next to Martin’s Tavern.
Citi’s flagship, state-of-the-art, two-story branch is totally 21st century, however. The company writes: “The 6,427 square-foot space offers Citi’s full scope of personal banking, small business, mortgage and wealth services and features a flexible, open floor plan designed to support a dynamic client-led experience. Citigold clients will enjoy exclusive access to a stunning lounge, designed to transition seamlessly into an engaging space for events and community engagement.”
IN: SUGARED + BRONZED
Sugared + Bronzed has opened at 1815 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 102B. Founded in 2010 by Courtney Claghorn in Santa Monica, California, the company tell us: “We’ve revolutionized airbrush tanning with a proprietary solution and revived an all-natural, ancient Egyptian form of hair removal called sugaring.”
IN: CASPIAN CRUST
Speakers
Mayor Muriel Bowser
Councilmember Brook Pinto ANC 2E Chair
CAG President Amy Titus
GBID President &
Unique design details include a biophilic wall featuring the image of a cherry blossom branch and a Georgetown-specific Hero Wall.
IN: MY LITTLE CHAMOMILE, IN THE ALLEY
Green Almond Pantry at 3210 Grace St. NW has a sister restaurant — My Little Chamomile — part of Grace Street Collective. Last month, chef-owner Çağla Önal opened the 42-seat restaurant in the same tucked-away alleyway as the restaurant Reverie.
At 3210 Cherry Hill Lane, My Little Chamomile — a nickname for Önal’s daughter — features homestyle TurkishMediterranean cooking. Originally from Istanbul, Önal is pleased to offer sit-down dinners from 5 to 10 p.m.
IN: RAMEN BY UZU ON GRACE BY MAY
Coming into Grace Street Collective at 3210 Grace St. NW by May 1 will be Ramen By Uzu. It will feature “chicken and vegan ramen, with small sides such as kimchi, edamame, seaweed salad and Japanese curry rice.”
Meet the new place, almost the same as the old place … Caspian Crust is setting up at 1826 Wisconsin Ave. NW, previously home to Janti Cafe. While not officially Turkish, Caspian (as in the sea) touts its Mediterranean-adjacent menu, highlighting “Su Böreği, spinach or ground beef börek and Azerbaijani Paqlava.”
MOVING: J.CREW HEADING DOWN M
A little bit of retail musical chairs is underway. The J.Crew clothing store at 3222 M St. NW, part of the Georgetown Park complex, has closed. There are plans for it to move to 3077 M St. NW — in the old Brooks Brothers and Showfields space — as first reported by PoPville. Landlord EastBanc confirmed a reopening by early fall.
Lululemon was temporarily at 31st and M during the remodeling of its first location at 3265 M St. NW, across from the former J.Crew space, which is reportedly being readied for the Japanese casual-wear retailer Uniqlo.
COMING: ALFIE’S, IN HAMILTON COURT
Alfie’s, the short-lived Thai pop-up from the chef behind Lucky Buns, will be resurrected in Georgetown this summer, according to the Washington Business Journal, which reported last month: “Chef Alex McCoy has inked a deal for space at 1228½ 31st St. NW, part of Hamilton Court, which is undergoing a major renovation from developers Ezra and Jessica Glass, as The Georgetowner recently reported.”
OUT: TD BANK
One bank arrives; another departs. The TD Bank — at Wisconsin Avenue and Q Street, next to Georgetown Exxon — will close on May 4. The property has an ample parking lot and formerly housed Reed Electric.
Courtesy Sugared + Bronzed
Courtesy My Little Chamomile
Georgetown Living
BY KATE OCZYPOK
The co-chairs of this year’s Georgetown House Tour Patrons’ Party are excited to get the next generation involved. Washington Fine Properties realtor Malcolm Dilley and his husband Alex Ragonese, who is involved in commercial real estate, are working hard to get some buzz going among their peers.
How It Started
It all started with Georgetown House Tour chair Azali Kassum. Kassum, a neighbor who has known Dilley for years, asked him and Ragonese to get involved. “I mean, I give it to her, she’s working tirelessly to make this a really spectacular year,” Dilley said. Realizing that Dilley and Ragonese were perfect picks to co-chair the Patrons’ Party, Kassum was on to something, A Georgetown native, Dilley attended the Potomac School and began his career in philanthropy and special events at the National Gallery of Art. He now works with the Roth Team at WFP.
The Next Generation
“I’m born and raised in Georgetown,” Dilley said. “I joke that I’ve essentially lived in a fiveblock radius my whole life.”
Ragonese, who moved to D.C. in 2012, remembers the Georgetown House Tour as one of the first community events he attended. He grew up in a small New England town that puts on a house tour during the holiday season. When he was a child, it was the highlight of the year.
“I have always loved Georgetown and the House Tour, and when I was told about this opportunity, I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to give back to this place I love so much,” he said.
Dilley echoed his sentiment, saying how nice it is to just walk out their door and see familiar faces, whether they’re neighbors now or family friends from his younger years. It’s nostalgic for him to see the Little Folks School students, as he
was a graduate of the preschool. Dilley and Ragonese reside in Georgetown with Parker, their English yellow Lab.
“Obviously I’m biased because I was born and raised here, but when I met Alex, I said we’re living in Georgetown, that’s our only option,” Dilley said. “For a number of years, we felt like we were one of the few people in our friend group living here.”
It wasn’t until after the pandemic hit that the couple began to notice young adults who were starting families migrating to Georgetown. “It’s nice to have our friend group really evolve over the last few years,” Dilley said. “It’s been so special to just walk a couple blocks to a friend’s house and have a glass of wine and sit in their backyard.”
With Ragonese in commercial real estate, a lot of the couple’s household discussions revolve around retail. They both agree
that Georgetown has gotten livelier in the last 18 to 24 months, with lots of small boutique brands opening, whether they’re restaurants, clothing stores or coffee shops.
With the businesses being smaller, a sense of community, service and camaraderie is fostered, Dilley pointed out.
The House Tour: What to Expect
“What you see with the House Tour is what we see in the neighborhood,” Dilley said. “For homeowners and business owners alike, Georgetown is such a wonderful place to invest, not just money but invest in building their lives.”
The chance to be able to go into homes and see the way people live is what Dilley called a special opportunity. When people walk through the neighborhood on weekends, they often like to peek inside homes — not just to get a glimpse inside the lives of Georgetowners, but to actually see that the community isn’t just full of museums.
“It’s a real neighborhood with real people that live here,” Dilley said. “It’s always great to see the number of people out on the sidewalks during House Tour weekend.”
As for houses on the tour, there are a few that the couple are eager to see. They are both excited to check out one of the homes on N Street on Cox’s Row.
“One thing that is going to be really special this year is that we have a varied collection of houses,” Dilley said. “Visitors are going to be able to see a lot of different aspects on what you can do with a Georgetown house.”
Also new this year is a design panel at B&B Italia on the Thursday before the House Tour. For years, Kassum and Dilley discussed the idea of getting a group of local designers, architects and builders to share their thoughts on what it takes to do a project in Georgetown, bringing the neighborhood’s historic homes up to modern living standards.
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 16)
Bozzi Chair - CB2.com $2,799.00
Hew Side Table - Design Within Reach $1,695
Waterworks bathtub as seen in the home of Danielle Naeve. The Candide tub $10,130
Jodi Macklin’s home on this year’s house tour.**
Lamp BB Italia - Louis Poulsen
PH, Fendi Casa Collection $4,650
White Armchair - Molteni Lucio $3,935
Artwork - Hemphill Gallery, Art By Colby Caldwell, Not for Sale
Artwork - by Andy Fireman, Not for Sale
Bunny at Manse $125
Danielle Naeve home on this year’s house tour**
BY DONNA LEANOS
Gems of the Georgetown House Tour
The 92nd Georgetown House Tour offers a rare glimpse behind the facades of its storied homes, each interior a reflection of thoughtful curation and refined sensibility. This spring, Georgetown reveals itself as a study in cultivated design, where legacy and innovation intersect. Designers like Jodi Macklin and Danielle Naeve exemplify this nuanced aesthetic, one also echoed throughout the neighborhood’s most distinguished shops. Here, contemporary Italian furnishings sit alongside fine art and whimsical touches like handcrafted papier-mâché bunnies from Bavaria, made using techniques passed down since 1894. It is in this interplay of history, craftsmanship, and quiet delight that Georgetown’s design language finds its voice: elegant, layered, and timelessly alive.
AUCTION BLOCK
BY KATE OCZYPOK
April’s auction items include a Salvador Dalí etching, a pair of Art Nouveau candelabra, a Buddhist terracotta, an oil painting related to a Lorenzo Lotto work in the Louvre and a Birkin bag.
WESCHLER’S
DALI’S (1904-1989) ARGUS: FROM ‘MYTHOLOGIE‘ ETCHING IN COLOR
Estimate: $4,000–$6,000
Sold for: $11,000
From a Maryland trust, this Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) color etching with drypoint and heliograph on Japon paper was printed in 1963. Part of the artist’s “Mythologie Suite,” it is signed “Dalí” in graphite.
THE POTOMACK COMPANY
PAIR OF GEORG JENSEN (DENMARK) SILVER TWO-LIGHT CANDELABRA
Estimate: $30,000–$35,000
Sold for: $22,500
This set of silver Georg Jensen candelabra was designed in 1930 and manufactured post-1945. The two are marked with a GJ cypher, “Sterling” and the number “264.” From a private San Francisco collection, the pieces are in the Art Nouveau style, each with a ring-form finial above trailing fruit clusters and upswept arms, with large circular drip pans and bell-shaped candle cups.
DOYLE
“CHRIST AND THE WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY” OIL ON PANEL
Estimate: $5,000–$8,000
Sold for: $28,800
This unframed, c. 16th-century oil painting on panel, “Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery,” measures 50 by 66¼ inches. Closely related to a work by Lorenzo Lotto (1480-1556) in the Louvre, it is from the estate of American investor Allan Goldman, who died in 2022.
BONHAMS
HERMES: CLEMENCE JPG 42CM BIRKIN
Sold for: $12,160
This Hermès Birkin bag from 2005, with a Rouge Garance exterior of clemence leather, was designed by creative director Jean Paul Gaultier. Sold with the lock, keys, clochette and dust bag, it is said to be in very good condition, with slight wear to the corners.
Danny Lledó Launches
El Taller de Xiquet
BY EVAN CAPLAN
In his evocative journey through Valencian cuisine, chef Danny Lledó explores, innovates and beguiles: first at his Michelin-starred prixfixe restaurant Xiquet, and now in its recently launched sister space, El Taller de Xiquet, both at 2404 Wisconsin Ave. NW.
Lledó, never far from his chef’s whites, hails from Valencia, where his father is an accomplished chef in his coastal, sun-dappled hometown of Dénia. Moving to the U.S. from this familial base, Lledó has become the most award-winning paella chef this side of the Atlantic, garnering an assortment of prizes and accolades from Spain and the U.S.
Launching Xiquet in March of 2020 under the pandemic’s long shadow, Lledó persevered in his quest to allow guests to luxuriate in finedining Valencian cuisine with a focus on paella. Xiquet’s deeply experiential dinner begins with an aperitif and welcome bites on the middle level of the building, moves to the light-filled penthouse — adjacent to the wood-fired oven — for the appetizer and entrée courses and concludes on the mezzanine level with pastries. Below this action, on the entry level, is the laboratory. Home to a wine bar until 2022,
it’s now where El Taller del Xiquet — the workshop of Xiquet — has opened.
According to Lledó, the new restaurant “symbolizes a space for culinary creativity and craftsmanship.” This R&D arm of the enterprise offers diners more flexibility, given its à la carte menu. El Taller allows guests to get a glimpse into the lab, with a menu running from apps to entrees to desserts to a cheese cart. Rustic in feel, it showcases “where the story of Xiquet begins, drawing inspiration from my heritage and deep expertise in Spanish cuisine,” he says.
While Xiquet embraces a minimalistic aesthetic in its sun-drenched room, El Taller offers a cozier ambiance, leaning in on natural charm. The opening of El Taller presents an opportunity for locals to join in on Lledó’s intentionality and creativity; the experiential has become experimental.
Bringing the Xiquet experience to Glover Park and Georgetown was no accident. “The journey to find the perfect space for my restaurants was guided by the desire to be in a vibrant community that appreciates quality dining,” says Lledó. The location “means being
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part of a rich cultural landscape where we can connect with a diverse clientele, enhancing our culinary narrative.”
That narrative extends to Xiquet’s fruit de mar: buttery carved octopus paired with both uni and Petrossian Ossetra caviar. This decadent dish is deeply personal, inspired by Lledó’s childhood memories of learning to catch octopus and uni with his father on the beach. Elevated, the dish transports cerulean seaside recollections to the plate.
Downstairs at El Taller, Lledó is especially proud of the llobarro gravlax, a Mediterranean take on the cured-fish preparation. The quintessential branzino is served on brioche toast with capers, chives, shallots and lemon caviar. Supplementing traditional paellas are parallel dishes called fideuàs, which use vermicelli noodles in place of rice.
Paired with housemade pumpkin sourdough and seasonal accoutrements, each cheese on El Taller’s curated cheese cart “tells a story of tradition and terroir,” explains Lledó. Options include the butterscotch notes of Roncal (Spain’s first Protected Designation of Origin cheese), the citrusy brightness of La Garrotxa and the deep nuttiness of El Abuelo Ruperto.
“Being situated here has enriched my experience,” says Lledó. “The vibrant mix of history, culture and diversity in the neighborhood resonates with my culinary philosophy.” And he aims to give back: he and his team actively participate in fundraising events, including Chefs for Equality, which advocates for LGBTQ+ rights. Says Lledó with satisfaction: “I have not only established my culinary roots here, but embraced the opportunity to contribute to the neighborhood’s growth and vibrancy.”
Chef Danny Lledó. Courtesy Xiquet.
Cocktail of the Month
The Malbec Margarita
BY JODY KURASH
When you think of wine and Argentina, one word comes to mind: malbec. Even though the grape has a long history in France, it’s most often associated with the land of Lionel Messi and Eva Perón.
Malbec’s superiority in Argentina is due to the fact that the grape thrives in the country’s characteristic climate and terroir, especially in the Mendoza region. The vineyards here are planted at some of the highest altitudes in the world, at an average of 2,000 to 3,600 feet above sea level.
The rich, inky and deep purple vino has a vivid flavor with notes of plum, coffee, leather, black cherry and pepper. It’s the perfect accompaniment for another Argentinian culinary claim to fame: beef. This varietal is so beloved that a holiday was created in its honor.
Malbec World Day, celebrated annually on April 17, commemorates the day in 1853 when President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento officially made it his mission to transform Argentina’s wine industry. According to the Oxford Companion to Wine, the president tasked a French soil expert with bringing new vines to Argentina. The malbec grape flourished, creating wines that outshined those of France, its country of origin.
Earlier this year, when I found myself in Buenos Aires, I decided that a visit to wine country was a must-do. I was eager to drink my
way through the region, the capital of which, also called Mendoza, was a quick flight away. It’s easy to arrange day trips to the provincial vineyards nearby and the city is teeming with bistros and wine bars.
I visited a variety of wineries, including one of the oldest in the territory, a completely organic operation that doubled as a museum. I sampled wine on its own and paired with savory hors d’oeuvres, multicourse dinners and another Argentinian delicacy, alfajores, a chocolate pastry with luxurious fillings. Flavors ranged from bold and brave to sweet and sexy.
While Mendoza is also a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, with trekking, mountaineering and horseback tours, I was ecstatic to focus only on the oenophile pursuits. I waltzed through rows of fertile vines filled with bunches of brilliant purple grapes, explored cellars where wines were fermenting and learned about the history and process of making this stellar varietal. However, my cocktail-writer gene eventually kicked in. In the city, I discovered that malbec can be used as a component for some unique drinks. The most obvious application is sangria, mixed with juice from oranges and limes. In one bar, I savored a glass with a sublime hint of cinnamon.
Malbec can also be substituted for whiskey in a classic whiskey sour with lemon, simple syrup and egg white. If you prefer something on the more potent side, the New York Sour features a float of red wine on top. The wine creates a tart tipple with a bright smack.
Since the midsummer temperatures were in the 90s in the Southern Hemisphere during my January holiday, one summery concoction grabbed my attention: the Malbec Margarita.
Traditionally called the Devil’s Margarita, possible due to its red hue, I discovered it in another part of Argentina, Puerto Iguazú, the gateway to the enormous and magical Iguazú Falls on the border with Brazil. Here the “demon” moniker comes from the Devil’s Throat, a colossal U-shaped waterfall, the largest and most formidable in the Iguazú system.
• 1 1/2 OZ. WHITE TEQUILA
• 1 OZ. MALBEC WINE
• 1 OZ. LIME JUICE, FRESHLY SQUEEZED
• 3/4 OZ. AGAVE SYRUP INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
Add the
After long days of hiking the paths around the falls — which are higher and basically three times as large as Niagara Falls — I was delighted to find this refreshing thirst-quencher, since temperatures remained scalding even after the sun went down.
The agave zest from the white Tequila mingled flawlessly with the lively malbec, while the lime tang added a refreshing edge. The dark fruit nuances from the wine enhanced the beachy feel to this cocktail, giving it a distinctly sultry South American personality.
When April 17 arrives, raise a glass of malbec or a rosy margarita. And if you want more, remember that Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner.
The Malbec Margarita.Pexels photo.
THE MALBEC MARGARITA
Tequila, wine, lime juice and agave syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Still summering in Stanton? Catch Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility” at the American Shakespeare Center, adapted by Emma Whipday with Brian McMahon and directed by Jemma Alix Levy (May 1 to Aug. 2). Also out that way: “Footloose: The Musical” at NextStop Theatre Company in Herndon (May 8 to June 8).
A treat for foreign film buffs, among others: the world premiere of Julia Izumi’s “Akira Kurosawa Explains His Movies and Yogurt (With Live & Active Cultures!)” at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, directed by Aileen Wen McGroddy (May 4 to June 1).
The Keegan will celebrate WorldPride DC 2025 with a production of William Finn’s Tony-winning 1992 musical “Falsettos,” in which Marvin leaves his wife and son to be with his lover Whizzer (May 10 to June 15). On May 18: a matinee with childcare and a post-show talkback. On May 30: a Young Professionals Happy Hour.
ARTS
NEW IN JUNE...
Also timed for WorldPride: Woolly Mammoth’s “Pride Plays,” a festival of six shows in development, plus community events (June 3 to 6).
The American Shakespeare Center will greet summer with (go figure) “The Winter’s Tale” (June 5 to Aug. 2).
“The Murder at Haversham Manor” is “The Play That Goes Wrong” at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, directed by Frank D. Shutts II (June 7 to 28).
June musicals: “Les Misérables” in The Kennedy Center Opera House (June 11 to July 13); “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations” at The National (June 17 to 22); and a “cabaret-style immersive musical” at GALA, “Botiquín de Boleros de Columbia Heights” by Venezuelan Rubén León (June 11 to 29).
“Wipeout” at Studio Theatre — by Aurora Real de Asua, directed by Danilo Gambini — has been described as “a septuagenarian surf comedy” (June 18 to July 27). And we meet a
At Folger Theatre in the expanded Folger Shakespeare Library, Mei Ann Teo will direct “Twelfth Night” (May 13 to June 22). In “Senior Class,” a world premiere (book and lyrics by Melvin Tunstall III, music by Greg Dean Borowsky and Tunstall) directed by Amy Anders Corcoran at Olney, two high schoolers dream up their own “Pygmalion” musical after “My Fair Lady” is canceled (May 16 to June 22).
Soak up some “authentic New Jersey vernacular” in the Best Musical-winning show “Kimberly Akimbo” at The National (May 20 to June 1).
As if the “Scottish play” isn’t frightening enough, Shakespeare Theatre Company will give audiences a charge with Emily Burns’s adaptation of “Frankenstein” in the Klein Theatre (May 27 to June 22).
Celebrities: Can’t live with ’em, can’t live without ’em. At Round House, Rob Ruggiero directs Rajiv Joseph’s “King James,” about two fans of a certain Cleveland Cavalier (May 28 to June 22). In Brent Askari’s “Andy Warhol in Iran” at Mosaic, directed by Serge Seiden, the Pop portraitist is taken hostage (May 29 to June 29).
Korean immigrant family in Toronto in “Kim’s Convenience” by Ins Choi, directed by Aria Velz at Olney (June 25 to July 27).
FOR THE KIDS...
Presented by Discovery Theater in the Smithsonian’s Ripley Center: “Mother Earth & Me” (April 29 and 30), “Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” (April 23 to 25) and “Jojo’s Backyard Safari” (May 28 to 30).
Oh, what a “Charlotte’s Web” director Clancy Yovanovich will weave at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo Park. Joseph Robinette adapted the E. B. White classic (April 25 to May 25).
In “Dory Fantasmagory” at Bethesda’s Imagination Stage — John Glore’s adaptation of Abby Hanlon’s book, with music by Deborah Wicks La Puma — Dory tries to get her family’s attention with the help of fairy godfather Mr. Nuggy and monster-friend Mary (June 18 to Aug. 3).
FINALLY...
What could be more appropriate than “Shear Madness” in The Kennedy Center Theater Lab (through Oct. 5)?
“#Charlottesville” closes this weekend at the Keegan Theatre.
Congressmen, Coach Honored at Ireland Funds Gala
BY ROBERT DEVANEY
The Ireland Funds, a global philanthropic network that each year supports the work of hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the island of Ireland, hosted its 33rd National Gala at the National Building Museum on March 13. The evening raised more than $1 million.
Rep. Brendan Boyle, Rep. David Joyce and Washington Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn were honored. Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin TD addressed those gathered as part of his St. Patrick’s Day visit to the United States.
“We are proud that this unique event continues to bring friends of Ireland from both sides of the Atlantic together to celebrate the power of philanthropy and the special bond between the U.S. and the island of Ireland,” said Caitriona Fottrell, president and CEO of the Ireland Funds.
Leukemia Ball Raises $2 Million
BY THE GEORGETOWNER
This year, roughly 1,300 guests attended the annual Leukemia Ball, one of Washington’s premier black-tie events, held March 29 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. This year’s gala, the 38th annual, raised approximately $2 million. Over the years, the ball has raised more than $74 million for blood-related cancer research, making it one of D.C.’s largest nonpolitical fundraising events.
At the VIP reception: LLS Ball co-chairs Katie Yanushonis of the Meridian Group (speaking) and Kimberly Davis-Riffe of KPMG. Photo by Naz Atabaki.
The VIP reception. Photo by Naz Atabaki.
From Merck: Nadia and Brian Smith, Amanda and Kevin Love. Photo by Nick Nelson.
Patrick Collison, co-founder and CEO of Stripe, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and Caitriona Fottrell, president and CEO of the Ireland Funds. Photo by Tony Powell.
BBC News Chief Anchor Caitríona Perry, honoree Rep. David Joyce and Caitriona Fottrell, president and CEO of the Ireland Funds. Photo by Tony Powell.
Honoree Dan Quinn, Head Coach of the Washington Commanders. Photo by Stephen Bobb.
The GEORGETOWN House Tour 2025
House Tour & Tea
SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH
11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Woodrow ‘Fashioning
Power, Fashioning Peace’ at the Wilson House
IN GRATITUDE TO for modern living. Each home has a story to tell!
Our Sponsors
Celebrating its 92nd year as one of the oldest home tours in the nation, the Georgetown House Tour invites local residents to graciously open their doors in Georgetown to support fundraising for community outreach programs supported by St. John’s Episcopal Church on O Street. Attendees can visit these historic homes to see how they are preserved and updated
For more information and to purchase tickets for the Patrons’ Party and the House Tour & Tea, please visit: WWW.GEORGETOWNHOUSETOUR.COM
“Fashioning Power, Fashioning Peace,” an exhibition and gala hosted by the President Woodrow Wilson House on Embassy Row, explores the intersection of fashion and diplomacy. The second annual event, it celebrates how cultural and personal style have historically been used as instruments of influence, storytelling and peacebuilding across cultures and generations.
“The success of last year’s inaugural event made it clear that this was more than just a one-time celebration,” said Felice Herman, deputy director of the Woodrow Wilson House. “Honoring the late Ambassador Esther Coopersmith, a true diplomat and connector, [the event] allows us to bring together voices from the worlds of politics, fashion and global affairs.”
Partners including embassies, designers and cultural leaders participate with a deep appetite for the program, which elevates softer, yet still powerful, tools of diplomacy.
Attendees can expect to see a range of garments that reflect cultural identity and diplomatic intent. This year’s exhibition, on public view from May 8 to 10, will feature over 50 designers promoted by their embassies, showcasing outfits that tell stories of heritage, resilience, pride and innovation. There are traditional textiles reimagined for a modern lens as well as more avantgarde pieces that make bold political statements.
“We’re also thrilled to include designs by Runa Ray, representing the United Nations, whose work is rooted in sustainability and global unity, and Max Alexander, a young American fashion prodigy whose creativity defies age and expectation,” said Herman. “As a whole, the exhibition is as much about beauty and craftsmanship as it is about the deeper messages woven into every stitch, messages of identity, diplomacy and peace.”
After all, fashion is one of the most universal forms of expression. The clothing we all wear tells important stories about who we are, where we come from and what we value.
“In today’s world, where polarization and misunderstanding often dominate, fashion offers a unique and creative way to foster empathy and dialogue,” Herman added. “Whether it’s a diplomatic ensemble worn to signal unity or a garment rooted in centuries of tradition, fashion helps us see the person, the culture and the intention behind the cloth. That’s why ‘Fashioning Power, Fashioning Peace’ matters now more than ever. It’s about celebrating the shared human desire to be seen, to express and to connect.”
More information, the names of all 53 countries represented at the event and the full list of host committee members can be found at woodrowwilsonhouse.org. Tickets both for the gala, on Monday, May 5, and for the exhibition are available at fareharbor.com.
Courtesy Woodrow Wilson House. Representatives from the Singaporean Embassy.
Courtesy Woodrow Wilson House. 2025 exhibition outfits arrive.
‘Yoko: A Biography ‘
REVIEWED BY KITTY KELLEY
Most biographers can only fantasize about unfettered access to their subjects — to know their thoughts and dreams and aspirations, to understand their dilemmas, to explain their demons. Consequently, they invest years researching old records, hunting sources and plumbing archives to construct a life story.
In this respect, David Sheff is a unicorn. As a personal friend of Yoko Ono, who is now 92, he had full access to her files, friends, records and children, to whom he dedicates this book, which he describes a bit exuberantly as “one of the greatest stories of our time, a harrowing, exhilarating and inspiring journey.”
Sheff met his subject in 1980 for a Playboy interview published in January of 1981. At the end of that year, John Lennon was murdered by a deranged fan, and Sheff flew to New York to be with Ono, Lennon’s wife. He then wrote a book, “All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono.” He also contributed to the Jan. 12, 1981, People cover story, “Yoko: How she is holding up,” and later sold the film rights.
In 1984, he wrote more Lennon profiles (“The Betrayal of John Lennon” and “The Night Steve Jobs Met Andy Warhol”). His
Playboy interview was reissued in 2021 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Lennon’s death. Now comes “Yoko: A Biography,” which the author presents as the capstone to Ono’s career as a conceptual artist.
When Sheff first proposed interviewing the couple, he had to submit the date, time and place of his birth to Ono beforehand. “The interview apparently depended on Yoko’s interpretation of my horoscope,” he writes, “just as many of Lennon’s business decisions are reportedly guided by the stars. I could imagine explaining to my Playboy editor, ‘Sorry, but my moon is in Scorpio — the interview’s off.’ It was clearly out of my hands.”
Ono’s obsession with astrologists, seers and fortune tellers, much like Nancy Reagan’s mania for consulting the stars, bordered on pathology. In one year, Ono spent over $1 million on readings from psychics, mediums and clairvoyants.
When she agreed to meet Sheff, she summoned him to the Dakota in Manhattan, and he arrived with copies of previous Playboy interviews with Martin Luther King Jr., Albert Schweitzer, Bob Dylan and Jimmy Carter. Ono leafed through them and then responded: “People
like Carter represent only their country. John and I represent the world.”
Apparently, Ono’s seers didn’t “see” Carter’s Nobel Peace Prize in the future. When the former president died last December, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood sang the 1971 song “Imagine” at his state funeral. Ono had co-written the lyrics with Lennon, who deprived her of credit at the time. He later told Sheff, “I wasn’t man enough to let her have credit for it. I was still selfish enough and unaware enough to sort of take her contribution without acknowledging it.” In a BBC interview, he added: “I just put ‘Lennon’ because, you know, she’s just the wife and you don’t put her name on, right?”
“Imagine” became the most acclaimed song of Lennon’s solo career. Years later, Ono said, “I feel in the big picture the fact that John and I met was to do this song.”
Sheff’s biography of Ono is buttressed by her marriage to Lennon, particularly their years opposing the Vietnam War. In fact, they celebrated their 1969 wedding with a sevenday, public “bed-in” for peace, filmed and distributed around the world. “Li’l Abner” cartoonist Al Capp accused them of staging the event for money. “Do you think I could earn money by some other way, sitting in bed for seven days, taking shit from people like you?” Lennon snapped. “I could write a song in an hour.”
Weeks later, Lennon returned his 1965 MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) medal; Queen Elizabeth had presented one to each of the Beatles. His accompanying note: “Your Majesty: I am returning this MBE in protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts. With love. John Lennon of Bag.” (“Cold Turkey” is a song about the couple’s withdrawal from heroin. “Bag” refers to their “bagism” campaign to stop judging people by race or physical appearance,
introduced by covering themselves in white
The last part of the book, “Yoko Only,” illustrates her career as an artist best defined as avant-garde — radical, experimental, even revolutionary. In “Cut Piece,” possibly her most famous work of performance art, Ono knelt with scissors on the floor in front of her. Fully clothed, she invited audience members to come to the stage one by one, cut a piece of her clothing and take the cut piece away until she was completely naked. Described as “reception theory,” the audience becomes as involved in the art as the artist/performer.
More recently, Ono unveiled her “Wish Tree” in several cities around the world. Each tree carries instructions: Make a wish, write it on a piece of white paper and tie the paper to a branch. She does not read the wishes, but collects them every year to be buried at the base of the Imagine Peace Tower in Iceland.
The “Wish Tree” at the Hirshhorn here in Washington welcomed spring last year abloom with thousands of white paper blossoms tied by wishful visitors, a testament to participatory art and to an artist who continues to imagine and intrigue.
Georgetown resident Kitty Kelley has written several number-one New York Times best-sellers, including “The Family: The Real Story Behind the Bush Dynasty.” Her most recent books include “Capturing Camelot: Stanley Tretick’s Iconic Images of the Kennedys” and “Let Freedom Ring: Stanley Tretick’s Iconic Images of the March on Washington.” She serves on the board of BIO (Biographers International Organization) and Washington Independent Review of Books, where this review originally appeared.
