This past Saturday lovers of books united on the Mall for the National Book Festival. The rain could not dampen the good times. There were tons of authors and even more fans flooding the Mall. One of the coolest sights, for me, was seeing so many kids there. Did anyone check it out? If so, who was your favorite author you heard speak?
More photos after the jump. (more…)
I know some folks don’t like this festival but I thought it was pretty great. The music was awesome. There was great food. There was the guy from the Arlington Rap video, I’m 99% sure that was him though I heard him singing “Rapper’s Delight”. And even dancing. For those that went did you have a good time? (I’ll post reader/PoPville Flickr pool photos tomorrow) More photos after the jump. (more…)
Last year was a great time. I definitely think it is worth checking out.
The Adams Morgan Day Festival Web site says:
“The Adams Morgan Day 18th Street Festival is characterized by two large signature music stages and other innovative & dynamic cultural, music, arts and dance activities. The famous Columbia and Florida Stages (located strategically on 18th Street at Columbia Rd and at Florida Ave.) feature live music acts from all genres from Central and South America, Latin rock, salsa, jazz, to soul, funk and American rock.
Adams Morgan Day showcases the local business area
as an ethnic, eclectic retail, entertainment and restaurant locale.
•Arts on Belmont has long been a popular draw with its high quality of original artisans and range of media exhibited: glassware and metalwork, paintings, jewelry, sculpture & photography. Nestled on shade tree lined street of historic town homes, Arts on Belmont is a beautiful venue with articles in all price ranges.
•New in 2009 is the Green Pavilon with purveyors of all things green located together under one large tent! The Green Pavilon is near the Kids Area on the Marie Reed School field. Another new feature also originated by Adams Morgan Main Street in 2005, is the dynamic Dance Plaza (located on the grounds of the Marie Reed School) with interactive dance workshops that encourage audience participation, and cover the range and styles of many cultures.
•The Cultural Stage (located at Unity Park-Columbia Rd and Euclid St.NW) also boasts a variety of acts, including poetry, theater, dance and music, even the Sitar Arts Center of Adams Morgan. Jazz Oasis in the Park was new in 2007. For residents with children who may want a quieter, more contained area, Kalorama Park is the place to sit on a bench, spread a blanket, listen to quality jazz
•The new festival layout originated by AdamsMorgan Main Street in 2004 highlights the neighborhood scale architecture and leaves all the business storefront façades visible to festival.”
Thanks to Mt. P resident and journalist, Ryan Holeywell, for providing an updated report on Fiesta DC. He reports:
ANC Commissioners made it unambiguously clear at Tuesday night
It seems the issue will be addressed at ANC 1 meeting Tuesday. Do you think the festival should be on Mt. Pleasant Street, 14th St. or elsewhere?
The reader writes:
“Fiesta DC wanted to move the festival to 14th Street. The fire department would not let them block off the street and so now they’re in a bind and want to return to Mt. Pleasant. The reaction seems generally negative, but it’s hard to tell if that’s just who is speaking up about it all. The concerns are:
— Road closures. Apparently in years past the festival blocked off a lot of streets, including Irving, which caused a huge cluster for the residents. There was also little notice about what roads were going to be closed, which added to the frustration.
— Safety. Apparently security has been an issue in the past.
— Clean up. Last year there wasn’t good clean up and the Mt. Pleasant residents/businesses were left to deal with this.
— Size. From the forums on this, it seems like a lot of people are concerned with how large the festival has gotten and the fact that it’s a city-wide Latino festival. There’s no Mt. Pleasant draw/relationship to it and no benefit to the neighborhood. Several people on the boards are suggesting the festival move to some place like RFK as there is no Mt. Pleasant tie and that the neighborhood put together their own festival.
— There seems to be some issue about money in all of this. They are a registered 501(c)3 charity, but at a meeting yesterday someone said they were a for-profit venture. That is causing some dustup and there’s concern about transparency.
The whole thing will be resolved on Tuesday at an early ANC 1 meeting.”
Well, I thought for sure it was going to rain like crazy on Columbia Heights Day. Thankfully, someone worked some mojo and while it was a bit cloudy in the morning the afternoon turned into a beautiful day. Like last year the photos really give the best description. Though like last year my favorite part was the cupcake eating contest. But beyond the cupcakes the best part is really just seeing folks from all over the neighborhood listen to music and have a good time.
Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)
I’ve come across many block parties in my walkabouts but this one may take the cake.
They had a whirly bird! A real whirly bird! For a block party. That is the coolest I’ve seen. (It was on Saturday.)
Last year was the first time I went to the Montgomery County Fair and it was amazing! So I was walking around this weekend and spotted this car in Bloomingdale. And it reminded me that the demolition derby at the fair is this Saturday. The demolition derby is by far my favorite part of the Fair. So if you can make it Sat. you should check it out and you’ll have a blast.
You can read more about the fair and find directions here.
Walking down the 600 block of L Street, NW I noticed some interesting paintings and then I saw an artist (Erin photographed above). It turns out I was behind 607 New York Ave, NW which is the home of the Captial Fringe Festival.
It turns out the entrance to many of the plays are through the L Street entrance. Erin was painting the names of the venues. Ah, it makes so much sense now. I was super confused for a while. Sadly, I’ve never been to a Fringe Festival before. Has anyone been to one? What’s the scoop?
You can get tickets here. You can find the list of shows here.
Photo courtesy of C. Stanley Photography
From an email:
“Sixteen DC artists – all from different disciplines – are showcasing inventive performance pieces, each the result of six months of collaboration. For example, composer Jonathan Matis, visual artist Kate McGraw and playwright Allyson Currin are performing in a piece together. All details and ticket purchasing can be found on the mash-ups page at the Source Festival site. All tickets are $18, but – insider info – the best offer is at Source’s Facebook fan page – where if you’re a fan, you can get buy one, get one free tickets. Promotion information is posted on the wall.
Mash-ups created by Alberto Gaitán, Naoko Maeshiba, Jonathan Matis, Allyson Currin, Kate McGraw, Enoch Chan and Kimmie Dobbs Chan, Kathleen Akerley, Jeremy Haik, Vincent E. Thomas, Psalmayene 24, Dan VanHoozer, Kelly Mayfield, David London, Allen Von Schenkel and Kristen Williams.
One Act plays are next week – all details at sourcedc.org/sourcefestival.”