Festival

The 5pm Post – Mount Rainier Better Block Project (MD) – April 9, 2011

By Prince Of Petworth


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From an email:

“On April 9, 2011, local artists and volunteers will temporarily convert 1.5 blocks of 34th Street and Bunker Hill Road in Mount Rainier, MD into a vibrant, eclectic “Main Street” with a festival atmosphere. Better Block projects across the country have been a catalyst for sustained community development by providing a “live” demonstration of an area’s business potential.

The planning team behind the Mount Rainier Better Block project has energized residents, community leaders, resident artists and business owners to bring the project’s national success to a struggling business district in Prince George’s County.

This is a family-friendly event with food, shopping and musical performances offered at various locations along the avenue.”

You’ve heard of “Temporariums” and pop-up shops? Well, the Better Block Project is a pop-up neighborhood!
What:
The Better Block Project is a revitalization “tool” designed to enliven local neighborhoods and stimulate economic activity. For one day, local residents, artists, business owners and activists, get together and practice “do-it-yourself revitalization” transforming their neighborhood into their version of the ideal main street. Created by residents of Oak Cliff, a neighborhood in Dallas, TX, the idea has spread to several other cities including, Memphis, TN, Boston, MA, and New York.

Where:
34th Street, Mount Rainier, MD; starting at the circle on 34th and Rhode Island and continuing just beyond Bunker Hill Road

When:
April 9th, noon to 6 pm; rain date April 10th.

Activities:
Sweeping the Avenue: sponsored by Joe’s Movement Emporium, neighborhood volunteers will clean the streets prior to April 9th activities.

Artist/business partnerships: artists will be matched with business owners, create plans to improve business facades, create signage and artistic displays showcasing their wares.

Pop up businesses: vacant properties will temporarily house art galleries, cafes and small businesses, enabling property owners to creatively open their doors to potential tenants.

Performances: Dance and music performances on the main stage along with street performers.

The 5pm Post – Saturday – Cherry Blossom Fest at the Yards Park

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

The Capitol Riverfront BID will be hosting a National Cherry Blossom Festival Family Fun Day in the brand-new Yards Park on the river.  The event will be on Saturday, April 2 from 11 am – 4 pm.

Celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival, the start of baseball season and the beginning of spring at the Yards Park, the centerpiece of a new Washington, DC waterfront destination.  Like no other public space in the region, the Yards Park brings unique opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and the river.  The 5.5-acre park is the size of about four football fields and features a ¼ mile boardwalk and waterfall.  It is the centerpiece of the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood and The Yards development.

The FREE Family Fun Day will include:

  • Lantern making for kids and adults
  • Kids crafts and activities including boat making kits and a moonbounce
  • Sake tasting and a Japanese beer garden by Mie N Yu
  • A variety of sushi and Japanese cuisine available from Nooshi Sushi
  • Trapeze School demonstrations and performances at 1:15 and 2:15
  • Martial Art performances by Hapmudo at 12:30 and 1:45

Happy St. Patrick’s Day – Celebrate with DC United

By Prince Of Petworth

Well this doesn’t really have to do with St. Patrick’s Day but you can get free half smokes at Ben’s Chili Bowl courtesy of DC United and “Ben Olsen’s Chili Bowl.” And free half smokes should not be overlooked. From DC United:

March 17, 2011

Ben Olsen’s Chili Bowl
1213 U Street NW

Free half-smokes!

* 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Free half-smoke for every fan wearing D.C. United gear.
* 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Ben Olsen’s Chili Bowl is open! Free half-smokes for all fans!

Special t-shirts

* Buy a ticket to the home opener at the event and you’ll receive a free limited-edition Ben Olsen’s Chili Bowl T-Shirt.
* Check into “Ben Olsen’s Chili Bowl” on Foursquare.com and show it to a D.C. United staff member for a free t-shirt.

Join Ben Olsen and other D.C. United fans starting at 7:30 PM at Touchdown Bar. 1334 U Street, NW

Personally, I’ll be celebrating at Chickass…

It’s Not Just Mardi Gras – Happy International Women’s Day

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Pablo Raw

Happy International Women’s Day:

“Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more.”

Dear PoP – Mardi Gras Fun?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

A reader writes asking for fun suggestions for her 24 year old niece and friends, specifically, “suggestions for Mardi Gras fun just a few steps up from the body-shots, pukey, sticky-floor yob crowd.” Hahaha, I’m curious to hear your suggestions as well!

I’ll share a few suggestions emailed my way. Well first off, I’m sure New Orleans themed, Little Miss Whiskey’s will be pretty spectacular located at 1104 H Street NE. Also on H St, NE The Pug is celebrating Mardi Gras at 1234 H St, NE:

And in NW The Heights will be celebrating at 3115 14th Street NW:

Also in NW, and one of my personal favorites, the Red Derby located at 3718 14th St. NW will be celebrating their 3rd annual Mardi Gras:

“We’re gonna have 3$ Hurricanes and $5 Shrimp Po’ Boys. AND the DECK is OPEN!! WHoooo”

Peak Cherry Blossom Blooming Dates Announced

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user kevnkovl

The big news was announced yesterday:

“The National Cherry Blossom Festival, partners and friends, gathered today to announce plans for the 2011 Festival and the predicted peak blooming period of the cherry blossoms – MARCH 29 – APRIL 3!”

The parade is Apr. 9th and the Grand Marshall of the parade is “Atticus Shaffer, who plays youngest son Brick Heck on ABC’s The Middle”. Awesome.


Photo by PoPville flickr user kevnkovl

The 5pm Post – Mt. Pleasant Temporium Opens Friday!

By Prince Of Petworth

At long last the Mt. Pleasant Temporium opens tomorrow at 3068 Mt. Pleasant St. NW.

From an email:

The Mt. Pleasant Temporium is a temporary, pop-up retailer coming to Mt. Pleasant St. NW for 24 consecutive days from February 18 through March 13. The project, located at 3068 Mt. Pleasant St. NW, is part of the District’s new Temporary Urbanism initiative and features handmade goods for sale from 30 local, independent crafters and artists.

The Temporium’s special events schedule includes autobiographical and theatrical storytelling, crafting, book readings, and live music. All events are free and open to the public. Opening weekend includes a reception on Friday, Feb. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m.

The theme of the Mt. Pleasant Temporium is storytelling, which is woven throughout the retail aspect of the shop to give visitors a truly engaging experience with the products for sale and the stories behind the artists who made them. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in the theme by leaving their own handwritten stories in the Temporium’s storefront window installation, created by local artists Sean Hennessey and Rania Hassan.

If You Really Can’t Find Anything to do on Valentine’s Day

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user rosiedawn

From a press release:

A grocery store might not be a typical date destination, but on Saturday, February 12, Giant Food locations across the Washington, DC metropolitan area will host Valentine Date Night. Please join us to experience just how romantic a supermarket can be as we hosts our third annual Valentine Date Night event. Sparks will fly in all 179 neighborhood Giant locations as customers and their Valentines enjoy a wide range of festivities including bowling, fudge sampling, and making ice cream floats. Kids will have fun decorating heart-shaped cookies, and there will even be a special “Lovers Lane Express Checkout” for Valentine’s Day purchases.

Date Night activities at Giant include:

· Paper Towel and Coconut Bowling for Prizes
· Ice Cream Float Station
· Date Night Raffle every hour
· Kid’s Corner Cookie Decorating Station
· Sweet Street Fudge Tastings (at select stores)
· Lovers Lane Express Checkout

The 5pm Post – Chinese New Year Celebration and Parade on Sunday

By Prince Of Petworth

This is always a fun celebration. The parade is always my favorite but you gotta get their early to get a good view (though not sure how the Super Bowl will affect the crowd size…)

Chinatown Coffee Co. is taking advantage of the holiday to create a crazy concoction:

From an email:

“Chinatown Coffee Co. will celebrate Chinese New Year on Sunday, February 6th, 2011 from 2pm to close. To ring in the Year of the Rabbit, Chinatown Coffee Co. will feature “The Crazy Rabbit” cocktail, composed of absinthe and champagne. Additionally, the shop will offer its customary bar, coffee, and tea menus.

Chinatown Coffee Co.’s Chinese New Year celebration will be held on the same day as DC’s annual Chinese New Year parade on H Street, NW in Chinatown. The parade is from 2pm to 5pm and will feature a traditional Chinese Dragon Dance, Kung Fu demonstrations, and live musical entertainment.

Chinatown Coffee Co. is located at 475 H Street, NW, on the corner of 5th and H.”

And from MPD:

“Year of the Hare Chinese New Year Parade Street Closures

On Sunday, February 6, 2011, the Year of the Hare Chinese New Year Parade and celebration will take place in the District of Columbia from approximately 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. In conjunction with this event, there will be several street closures and parking restrictions that motorists should take into consideration.”

Details after the jump. (more…)

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