Festival - PoPville

Dear PoPville – Anyone Know the Status of this Year’s DC Caribbean festival?

Published March 20, 2012 at 10:30AM

Photo by PoPville flickr user rjs1322

Dear PoPville,

Does anyone know the status of the DC Caribbean festival? Have they received permits from the city? Have they paid their police overtime bill from several years ago (well over $100 K)? It comes through our neighborhood and impacts the community, I’m sure folks would like to know its status.

I have received incomplete and contradictory information. I have an email chain (from the office of an at-large councilmember) from the police department saying the organizers have NOT applied for their permit (called an HSEMA). However, the organizers of the event insist that they have applied with the city. I contacted both Juan and Sedrik in the Mayor’s outreach office to seek clarity; Juan told me to talk to my local community organizers and Sedrik has not returned my email. No one has answered the police overtime question. A friendly ANC Commissioner was also going to try to investigate.

The dates for the event are about three months away and the organizers appear to be planning for a 2012 event.

After last year’s event, the organizers promised the Georgia Ave Task Force that they would organize well in advance of the festival (the city gave them the permit a few weeks before the 2011 event). We were told Howard was working on an economic impact study of the event, which was to be released by Thanksgiving of last year. There has been no economic impact study and permitting status is unclear.

Thanks to Popville in advance!

The 5pm Post – Weekend Reminders

By Prince Of Petworth

Published March 16, 2012 at 5:00PM | Updated March 16, 2012 at 6:03PM

Click to enlarge

A reader requested I post a reminder about road closures for this Saturday’s Marathon.

I’d also like to wish everyone a very happy, fun and safe St. Patrick’s Day. Don’t forget about your free taxi option from SoberRide.

For those looking for a proper St. Patrick’s day concert – the great O’Tasty is releasing a new album and playing IOTA Club & Cafe at 2832 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA on Sat. at 8:30 PM (tickets $12.)

Craft Beer + Food Truck Festival at Kastles Stadium/SW Waterfront

By Prince Of Petworth

Published March 16, 2012 at 12:00PM

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

This could be cool:

WHAT: LivingSocial is hosting its First Craft Beer & Food Truck Fest. This event will bring together 25+ craft breweries along with 10 of DC’s best food trucks. The event will feature local musical groups and artists for a weekend of celebration that is unique to Washington, DC. Interactive art installations, musical entertainment and fun activities throughout the day will transform this event into a beer festival with a day-time party vibe.

Customers will have their ID checked and be given a bracelet, as well as a sampling glass, which will give them access to the event and tastings from each of the breweries. Food trucks will be selling their delectables to customers throughout the duration of the event. The festival will feature various stage and dance areas, communal “Oktoberfest-style” tables and benches, access to bleachers, VIP tents, boardwalks along the water, as well as free walking space where the food/drink vendors will be set up.

WHERE: Kastles Stadium/SW Waterfront
800 Water Street Southwest

WHEN: Saturday, April 21 & Sunday, April 22
12 pm – 5 pm

PRICE:
· $35/person
· $70/person after March 24th

BREWERIES:

Great Lakes
Jack’s Cider
Redstone
Evolution
DC Brau
Weyerbacher
Ommegang
Saranac
Sam Adam
New Belgium
Sierra Nevada
Dogfish Head
Magic Hat
Harpoon
Palm
Flying Dog
Leinenkugel/Blue Moon
Pilsner Urquell/Peroni
Woodchuck
Yeungling
Crown Imports (Negra Modelo, Modelo Especial)
Pabst Blue Ribbon
Port City
Lagunitas

FOOD TRUCKS:
Lobster Truck DC
DC Empanadas
DC Slices
Takorean
Curbside Cupcakes
Rolls on Rolls
Cajunators
Hula Girl
Basil Thyme
Rolling Ficelle

Beer tastings are unlimited and they say US Royalty will be performing.

SoberRide is Back, Get a Free Taxi Ride this St. Patrick’s Day

By Prince Of Petworth

Published March 15, 2012 at 11:00AM

From an email:

“Together with the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) SoberRide initiative, AT&T is proud to provide free taxi rides (up to $30) to anyone over 21 in the greater Washington, DC area this Saturday, March 17 from 10pm until 6am on Sunday.

AT&T customers can call #TAXI to get a safe, free ride home, while others can dial 800-200-TAXI.”

Organizers of Dupont Circle Snowball Fight and World Cup Watching Will Bring “Dance in the Circle” Festival Sunday, May 13

By Prince Of Petworth

Published March 13, 2012 at 10:30AM | Updated April 20, 2012 at 11:38AM

Photo by PoPville flickr user sciascia

From an email:

I’m a local resident and organizer of 2010’s World Cup fan festival and snowball fights in Dupont Circle Park, and I would like to let you know about another event that I am organizing for next month: Dance in the Circle (DITC).

The six-hour dance festival, scheduled for April 21st, will be the first of its kind in Dupont Circle Park, featuring a dance floor, speaker system, lights, DJ booth, and 10 local-area dance companies doing performance and instruction in a variety of styles, all free & open to the public.

Press release after the jump. (more…)

Chef Cathal Armstrong has been chosen Grand Marshal of the Washington, D.C. St. Patrick’s Day Parade

By Prince Of Petworth

Published February 27, 2012 at 12:30PM

Photo by PoPville flickr user cfehskens

From a press release:

Parade Chairman Ginny Kelly has announced that Cathal Armstrong has been chosen Grand Marshal of the Washington, D.C. St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This year’s parade, the 41st, will step-off at noon, Sunday, March 11, 2012 on Constitution Avenue, N.W. from Seventh to Seventeenth Streets.

Cathal Armstrong, a native of Dublin, emigrated to the U.S. in 1992 and has since distinguished himself as a chef and an entrepreneur. With his wife, Meshelle, he has established a highly regarded family of restaurants including Restaurant Eve, The Majestic, PX, Eamonn’s A Dublin Chipper, Virtue Feed & Grain and most recently Society Fair.

To purchase grandstand tickets or for more information, visit our website at dcstpatsparade.com.

I’m gonna be honest – I didn’t even realize we had a St. Patrick’s parade. Anyone ever go? And while we’re on the topic – anyone have a favorite bar to go to on St. Patrick’s Day?

The 5pm Post – 2012 Chinese New Year Parade and Festival

By Prince Of Petworth

Published January 26, 2012 at 5:00PM | Updated January 26, 2012 at 5:44PM

Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

From Chinese Parade DC:

On January 29, 2012, the Chinese community of the greater Washington metropolitan area is going to celebrate the “Chinese Lunar New Year 4710” in Washington, DC Chinatown.

The Chinese consolidated Benevolent Association, an umbrella organization representing thirty Chinese-American organizations throughout the Greater Washington area will host the event. Over 40,000 are expected in attendance. The parade will also be televised to 40 million nationwide*.

DATE
January 29, 2012

START TIME
2:00 p.m.

ROUTE START
6th & I st. NW

ROUTE END
6th & H st. NW

From the Downtown BID:

Here is a schedule of special events in the DowntownDC BID area:

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Chinatown Lunar New Year Festival
Chinatown Community Cultural Center
616 H Street, NW

Programs and activities will include: live music and dance performances, traditional Chinese calligraphy, children’s crafts, face painting, tai chi and kung fu demonstrations, lion dancing, poetry readings, film screenings, art and photo exhibits, raffle prizes, New Year souvenirs, free giveaways, and much more. Special guest performances by: Wong People and students of Yu Ying Public Charter School.

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Chinese New Year Parade and Festival
H Street, NW, between 6th and 8th Streets

Each year a parade is held in Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The event features the traditional Chinese Dragon Dance, Kung Fu demonstrations and live musical entertainment with a giant firecracker set off at 3:45 pm

Artomatic Returns to Crystal City in 2012

By Prince Of Petworth

Published January 18, 2012 at 1:30PM

From a press release:

Artomatic returns to Crystal City in 2012 for its signature free arts event, to be held in the biggest Artomatic building ever, from May 18 – June 24. At its last event in 2009, Artomatic attracted more than 76,000 visitors to see work by more than 2,500 artists and performers. The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) is thrilled to announce that Artomatic will take over the Transwestern Presidential Tower, entrance at 2511 S. Clark St. in Crystal City, VA, with a special opening night celebration on May 18.

Artomatic is well-known for transforming empty spaces into vibrant arts communities that celebrate creativity and create a unique and exciting event for tens of thousands of visitors – all free to visit. Anyone can show art at Artomatic – there is no criteria to participate, and art is selected on a first-come, first serve basis – so it’s a great way to discover new art.

Every night of the event, thousands of people visit Artomatic to discover new art, grab a drink, listen to music, go on dates, and mingle with the creative community. Artomatic features dozens of daytime art workshops for kids. (Please know that some art displayed at Artomatic may be inappropriate for children). No matter what kind of creative events you like, you’ll find something to like at Artomatic.

“Crystal City is the perfect partner to take Artomatic to the next level in 2012. With the largest exhibit space we’ve ever had, we’re excited to host the biggest event in Artomatic’s history,” said George Koch, an original founder of Artomatic. “No matter what kind of creative events you like, you’ll find something you like at Artomatic. Come explore new art, listen to music, enjoy a film, or visit our fashion show!”

For the latest information about the event, how to participate, and when to visit, subscribe to Artomatic by email or Facebook, and check the Artomatic website for updates.