Locals can watch “Purple Rain” outdoors and dance to music from the District’s “foremost Princeologist” in NoMa tonight.
The tribute to the singer and actor is scheduled for 6 to 10:30 p.m. at Storey Park (1005 1st St. NE), according to the NoMa Business Improvement District’s Facebook page.
DJ Dredd and Keenan Orr are slated to play the artist’s music before the film begins at sunset, which is about 8:30 p.m.
Called the District’s “foremost Princeologist” by The Washington Post, Dredd is “the architect of the long-running Prince dance parties in D.C. that have spanned almost two decades,” according to the NoMa BID. Orr, a D.C.-area native, is known for “bouncing from Chicago House, Baltimore Club, Electro, Disco and classics of the 80’s and 90’s,” the BID notes.
Dangerously Delicious, Healthy Fool, Orange Cow and Stella’s Popkern also are set to serve food during the event from their food trucks.
Photo via Wikimedia/penner
An art exhibition and ice cream social will take place in NoMa tonight.
The exhibition, a photo collage project by artist Gail Rebhan, kicks off at 1200 First Street NE tonight at 6 p.m. The opening reception will double as an ice cream social, according to the NoMa BID.
“Rebhan’s photo-collage examines the cultural history DC’s NoMa neighborhood — or specifically 1200 First Street NE — from two-hundred years ago to the present day,” reads an event listing.
The project is a collaboration of the Washington Project for the Arts (WPA) and the NoMa BID.
Photo via Washington Project for the Arts
The list of movies that will be screened outdoors in NoMa this summer has been released.
Earlier this month, the NoMa Business Improvement District, which hosts the annual outdoor film series, asked residents to vote for which movies would make the list. The theme of this year’s series is “Choose Your Own Adventure,” and voters chose a wide range of adventures, including “Princess Bride,” “Fast Five” and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”.
Organizers also added a special screening of “Purple Rain” starring Prince on Tuesday, June 7.
Here’s the full film schedule for this year’s series:
- “Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark” on June 1
- “Purple Rain” on June 7
- “Princess Bride” on June 8
- “Guardians of the Galaxy” on June 15
- “Jumanji” on June 22
- “Fast Five” on June 29
- “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” on July 6
- “Life of Pi” on July 13
- “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” on July 20
- “E.T.” on July 27
- “Apollo 13” on Aug. 3
- “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” on Aug. 10
- “Jurassic Park” on Aug. 17
All of the screenings will be held in the Storey Park lot at 1st and L streets NE. Gates to the park will open at 7 and movies will start at sunset.
Chairs, picnics and coolers and kids are all welcome.
Photo via Facebook/NoMaBID
Muralists from across the globe will meet in NoMa in May to beautify the neighborhood, according to the NoMa Business Improvement District (BID).
NoMa will serve as host to POW! WOW!, “a global art movement that celebrates culture, music and art in cities around the world,” during the last two weeks in May.
During the festival, local and international artist will paint walls throughout the neighborhood and deliver “classes, performances and lectures in addition to live art installations,” the BID said in a press release.
Read more about POW! WOW! below:
Starting humbly as a small art exhibition with a handful of artists in Hong Kong, the newest editions of POW!WOW! now encompasses creatives from all over the world painting in Honolulu and other cities.
Over the past five years POW! WOW! has grown into a major market art festival with a line up and experience that rivals some of the best in the world. POW! WOW! is an amenity with substantial economic and brand impact. The event is also a vehicle to celebrate cities’ art and culture, and draws tens of thousands of people to its doors.
Photo via Flickr/NoMa Business Improvement District
Snow Expected to Start in Capitol Hill Area Between Noon and 2 p.m. — Storm models earlier this morning suggested that the coming blizzard could begin in the Capitol Hill area as early as noon-2 p.m. [Washington Post]
Capitol Hill Elementary School Teacher Found Not Guilty of Sexual Assault — Former Miner Elementary School special education teacher Leroy Damien Ware was acquitted on charges that he sexually assaulted a 9-year-old student at the Capitol Hill school in 2014. [Washington Post]
NoMa Among Fastest Growing Neighborhood in the District — The NoMa Business Improvement District released a report showing that the neighborhood is one of the fastest growing in the District and is on track to become the most densely populated. [Greater Greater Washington]
Taxi Fares to Increase by $15 for Duration of Storm — D.C. taxicabs will charge a “snow emergency fare” of $15 this weekend starting at 9:30 a.m. today. [WJLA]
Bayou Bakery Expands Dinner Service Starting Friday — Capitol Hill eatery Bayou Bakery will start serving dinner on Friday, with plans to serve fried chicken livers, seared Cajun pork belly and blue crab fritters. [Washington Post]
Turf Athletic Field at Randall Recreation Center Almost Complete — Construction on a new turf athletic field at Randall Recreation Center in Southwest is almost complete. The field includes a new scoreboard, soccer field and baseball/softball field. [SWTLQTC]
Monthly Capitol Hill Area ANC Meeting Roundup — Hill Rag takes a look at what happened last month with Capitol Hill area ANCs, including 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. [Hill Rag]
NoMa Parks Foundation Purchases Two Acres North of New York Avenue NE — The NoMa Parks Foundation purchased two acres from Pepco at the northern end of NoMa to convert into a park. It’s the second park purchased by the parks foundation, a branch of the NoMa Business Improvement District. [Washington Business Journal]
J.O. Wilson Elementary Receives $175,000 Grant for Extra Services — Mayor Muriel Bowser announced at a press conference at J.O. Wilson Elementary School on Capitol Hill that the school will receive a $175,000 community schools grant to provide health care, extra learning, mental-health services and counseling for families of students. [Washington Post]
Center for Teens, Preteens Opens at D.C. General — A youth center inside D.C. General homeless shelter designed by the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project for teens and preteens opened yesterday. [NBC Washington]
Ten 01 Restaurant and Bar Opens Above Ben’s Chili Bowl on H Street NE — Ten 01, the bar and restaurant on the second floor of Ben’s Chili Bowl at 1001 H St. NE opened yesterday with a refined menu that includes a half-smoke-infused Manhattan and a prickly pear margarita. [Washington City Paper]
NoMa Parks Foundation Buys Its First Property — The NoMa Parks Foundation, a group responsible for bringing more parks to NoMa purchased their first property last week. The lot at 3rd and L streets NE is just over 5,000 square feet and cost the foundation $3.2 million. [Washington Business Journal]
Fall is in full-swing, and Halloween is now 10 days away. For those who love the season of changing leaves, pumpkin spice and costumes, the Capitol Hill area has plenty of ways to celebrate.
Events across the area this weekend will give residents a chance to start their Halloween celebrations a week early. Here are some pre-holiday events to help you get in the Halloween spirit:
Thursday
Seniors Costume Brunch
King Greenleaf Recreation Center (201 N St. SW)
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Area seniors are invited to the recreation center for a costume brunch with food and music. There will also be prize giveaways for guests wearing the best costume of the event. More information is available via e-mail.
NoMa Pumpkin Carving Happy Hour
NoMa Junction @ Storey Park (1005 First St. NE)
4 – 7 p.m.
NoMa BID will provide free pumpkins and carving tools for the first 200 visitors to the “pumpkin patch.” Pumpkins can be reserved in advance online. Participants can bring their own pumpkins and tools, if they choose. The event is free and open to the public. It will have live music from ’90s cover band the Lloyd Dobbler Effect, face painting, and a candy scavenger hunt. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase.
Thursday – Sunday
Scream City D.C.
RFK Stadium (2400 East Capitol St. SE)
7 – 10 p.m. (open until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday)
“Exorcism Estate” and “Slaughter Factory” are two fully-enclosed haunted houses that will take over Parking Lot 8 through the end of the month. The haunts are from the same minds as Field of Screams Maryland and are almost guaranteed to be very, very scary. The production company recommends no one under the age of 13 attend, and parents should use their discretion when choosing to bring their children. Tickets are available online for $30-$40. One ticket grants admission to both haunts, and each takes approximately 40 minutes to walk through.
Friday
Haunted History and Ghost Hunt
Northeast Neighborhood Library (330 7th St. NE)
4 – 9 p.m.
This evening will pair history and haunts so guests can decide for themselves whether the library is haunted or not. The first hour of the event will provide a haunted history of the building and the surrounding area. Following that will be a paranormal investigation where attendees will get into teams, use “ghost hunting” equipment and search for evidence of paranormal activity. The event is free, but pre-registration is required by e-mail, in person or by telephone at 202-698-0058.
Friday and Saturday
In Their Own Words: Soul Strolls at Congressional Cemetery
Historic Congressional Cemetery (1801 E St. SE)
6 – 9 p.m.
The Congressional Cemetery will have a second weekend of night tours. The tours will tell the stories of some of the 65,000 “residents” there, as interpreted by cemetery staff. The event will also have a cash bar and music each night. Tours are held during the twilight hours. Tickets are available online and cost $20 for adults and $10 for children who are 12 years old or younger.
Saturday
Hot Cider Hustle 5K/15K
RFK Stadium (2400 East Capitol St. SE)
9 a.m.
Capitol Hill-area runners can participated in one of two fall-themed races around RFK Stadium along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. Both races start at 9 a.m. in Lot 7. Hot apple cider and caramel apples will wait for participants as they cross the finish line. Registration is still open for both races, but the price will increase tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Pumpkins in the Park
Washington Canal Park (202 M St. SE)
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The Capitol Riverfront BID is hosting a late morning/early afternoon of family-friendly activities and entertainment to get ready for the holiday. Small pumpkins and decorating tools will be provided. There will also be face painting and live entertainment. The event is free and open to the public.
Barktoberfest
Yards Park (355 Water St. SE)
1 – 5 p.m.
The Washington Animal Rescue League is hosting the Second Annual Barktoberfest, an event scheduled to have local craft beer, live music, food trucks, shopping, a canine costume contest and a puppy kissing booth. General admission tickets are available online for $35 and include unlimited beer tastings. Dogs must be leashed at all times. Rain date is Oct. 25.
Haunted Harvest
Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan (215 G St. NE)
6 – 9 p.m.
This fall festival is for families to celebrate Halloween a little early. The event will have several activities, including a haunted house, spooky pumpkin painting, mad science experiments and a zombie dance party. Costumes are encouraged for all attendees. A chili cook-off contest will take place from 6 – 7:30 p.m. for $1 per taste. Dinners of chili or hotdogs will be served from 6 – 8 p.m. and cost $5 each. A $20 donation per family is recommended.
Photo via Facebook/Capitol Riverfront BID
NoMa dog owners voiced their desire for a dog park at a dog-friendly meeting with Councilman Charles Allen of Ward 6 yesterday.
At 5:30 p.m. yesterday, Allen visited an empty lot at 200 K St. NE that local dog owners have converted into an unofficial dog park. But with construction set to start soon on Union Place, a 14-story residential building on that lot, residents are hoping to secure a permanent, official dog park in the area.
More than 450 people have signed an online petition asking Allen to join the fight to bring a permanent dog park to NoMa.
Allen’s office could not be reached to comment on yesterday’s meeting. But he did voice his support for a NoMa dog park in September.
“I have been a longtime supporter of adding parks, public space, and green space in the NoMa neighborhood,” he said in an email.
The NoMa Business Improvement District, which manages funds to build parks in NoMa, said in a statement yesterday that they are aware of the petition and are working to find a location for a dog park.
It also added that they are working on acquiring land for parks and would announce “important news” about land acquisition soon. An official at NoMa BID could not give any further information about the developments.
Several residents thanked Allen for his visit via Twitter, and Metro Mutts and Petco were on hand with free dog treats and toys to keep the dogs occupied throughout the meeting. Metro Mutts is the sponsor of Hill Now’s weekly Pet of the Week.
Thanks @CharlesAllenW6 for stopping by the “unofficial” dog park at 2nd and L Streets! pic.twitter.com/NIID0QBH4p
— Near North Fourth (@NN4th) October 7, 2015
Great turnout for #NoMaDogs at the 2nd and L “unofficial” park! Thanks, @CharlesAllenW6! pic.twitter.com/BlVlBeLUh5
— Near North Fourth (@NN4th) October 7, 2015
ICYMI: Meeting with @CM_CharlesAllen for #NoMaDogPark went well! Happy to support w/free treats & toys. https://t.co/4RATfA32lC
— Metro Mutts (@MetroMutts) October 8, 2015
Food trucks and free weekly lunchtime concerts have popped up in an old NoMa parking lot for a limited time this fall.
The NoMa Business Improvement District last week helped launch “Lunch Box,” which it bills as the District’s “first and only lunchtime food truck pod.” The space at 1st and N streets NE is slated to have food trucks, games and picnic tables available every weekday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Oct. 30.
On Wednesdays at noon until Oct. 28, Lunch Box also is scheduled to host musical acts, including:
- Rew Smith, playing rock music this Wednesday.
- Tony M, playing acoustic rock music Oct. 7.
- Darcy Dawn, playing pop-rock music Oct. 14.
- Jason Masi, playing acoustic soul music Oct. 21.
- Levi Stephens playing soul and rhythm and blues music Oct. 28.
Image via Twitter/NoMa BID
Dog owners in NoMa are looking for Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen’s help in bringing a permanent dog park to the neighborhood as an empty lot currently serving as an unofficial space for unleashed dogs nears development.
More than 400 people have signed an online petition asking Allen to join the fight to bring a permanent dog park to NoMa. He plans to meet with these residents at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at the makeshift dog park.
NoMa dog owners “have teamed up in the name of their puppies to ask that land for a real dog park be set aside,” said Cari Shane, a dog owner and organizer of the Dogs of NoMa Facebook group. “This friendly group of dog-lovers wants to make sure that the $50 million set aside for parks and art includes land for an official dog park.”
For the past year, NoMa residents have been taking their dogs to the empty lot at 200 K St. NE, beside the Loree Grand apartment building. However, with construction set to start soon on Union Place, a 14-story residential building on that lot, residents are hoping to build a permanent dog park in the area.
Locals note that despite an influx of new people and pets to the neighborhood, NoMa still doesn’t have a park where dogs can run unleashed. In 2013, the D.C. Council established a $50 million fund for parks and art in NoMa. The group of dog owners hopes that Allen and the NoMa Business Improvement District can use this fund to partially pay for a permanent dog park near the residential centers of the neighborhood.
A representative for Allen confirmed today that the councilman does have a community meeting planned for that day. But more information about his stance on the park was not immediately available.
Photo via Facebook/Dogs of NoMa
Capitol Hill Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in the Capitol Hill area. If you’d like to see your event featured, fill out our event submission form.
For more events, be sure to check out our event calendar.
Wednesday
‘Save the Last Dance’ on NoMa Summer Screen
Storey Park (1st and L streets NE)
Time: 7-10 p.m.
Watch “Save the Last Dance” al fresco as part of NoMa Summer Screen outdoor film series. Coolers, dogs on leashes and kids are welcome for the free screening.
Thursday
Canal Park Outdoor Movie: ‘Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory’
Canal Park (200 M St. SE)
Time: 7-10 p.m.
Have a picnic and see “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” for free as part of the Canal Park Outdoor Movie Series.
Friday
MarketSW
4th and M streets SW
Time: 4-9 p.m.
Southwest is having an Asian-inspired monthly market with crafts, antiques, live music and food trucks.
Saturday
Book and Diaper Drive*
Capitol Hill Seventh-Day Adventist Church (914 Massachusetts Ave. NE)
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Show an act of kindness by donating disposable diapers and used or new books for children and adults at the Acts of Kindness Day Book and Diaper Drive. It will benefit Books for America and the DC Diaper Bank.
Victory Gardens Locally Grown Organic Produce Sale*
426 15th St. SE
Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Buy fresh, local, organic tomatoes, cucumbers, and basil to support a local non-profit providing fresh produce for the less fortunate in the community.
Free Fitness at The Wharf
Gangplank Marina Park at The Wharf (600 Water St. SW)
Time: 9-11 a.m.
Start your Saturday morning off with, a dance-based ‘Yala’ workout at 9 a.m., a balanced waterfront yoga class at 10 a.m. or both.
*Denotes featured (sponsored) content.
Photo via Facebook/NoMaBID
A little drizzle didn’t deter two community groups from throwing a party to unveil 14,000 square feet of murals in NoMa last night.
The NoMa Business Improvement District and hip-hop nonprofit group Words Beats & Life welcomed about 75 people for the official debut of the “largest public art project” in the District. The celebration included free gelato and popcorn, face paint, music and break dancing.
Rain initially forced attendees under a large tent at Storey Park (1005 1st St. NE), where 55 artists designed the murals. But the party went on as rain lightened and organizers moved out of the shelter.
“After July Fourth, when I was literally soaked to the bone, I don’t even notice the rain anymore,” NoMa BID president Robin-Eve Jasper said with a chuckle.
Victoria Murray Baatin, legislative and community affairs director for the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, thanked artists and members of the community for their time and contributions. The artists used more than 200 gallons of primer and 500 cans of paint for the murals, beginning work in May.
“This mural really illustrates the value of talent and the importance of collaboration,” she said. “Public art is a catalyst for change often times and it can create a sense of community and liven the day-to-day activity of any given place. Certainly, this space achieves that.”
Artist Max Gibbons of Words Beats & Life painted a large black and blue calligraphy mandala in the center of the park. He said all of the poems that make up the mural came from the program’s students who are 10 to 22 years old.
“They put their hearts and souls into writing about their communities and their neighborhoods,” he said. “So I took what they wrote, put it in a design and physically put it in this location.”
The “largest public art project” in the District is set to have its official unveiling in NoMa tomorrow with free food, music and dancing.
To celebrate the completion of 14,000 square feet of murals at Storey Park (1005 1st St. NE), the NoMa Business Improvement District and D.C. nonprofit group Words Beats & Life are slated to throw a party that starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday on the transformed lot. The festivities will include disc jockeys and break dancing performances, in addition to the free food.
Designed by 55 artists, the murals portray NoMa’s industrial history, residents and the Metropolitan Branch Trail, among other elements of the neighborhood, NoMa BID president Robin-Eve Jasper said.
After the unveiling, the NoMa BID will have a free screening of “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo” on the lot. The movie, which is part of the organization’s outdoor film series, is slated to begin at 8:45 p.m.
Photo via Flickr/NoMa Business Improvement District
Free outdoor movie nights for children and their parents are returning to NoMa this week.
Families can catch the 2014 adaption of “Annie” tomorrow, followed by “Happy Feet Two” July 7, “Rio 2” July 21 and “The Princess and the Frog” Aug. 4, according to the NoMa Business Improvement District, which started the “Family Film Night” series in 2011.
All the screenings start at sunset in the Sursum Corda plaza at 1st and L streets NW. Free food and children’s activities will be available starting at 7 p.m.
On Wednesday nights until Aug. 12, the NoMa BID also holds free outdoor movies in the Storey Park lot at 1st and L streets NE.
Photo via the NoMa Business Improvement District
