You might want to wander over to Adams Morgan tonight where the out-of-towners will likely be movie stars and not legislative correspondents. Or you might want to avoid the whole neighborhood entirely since the sheer volume of street space taken up by massive trucks, dollies and other movie-making equipment almost guarantees traffic hassles. I’ve stumbled across the no-name-yet Nicholson/Witherspoon/Rudd vehicle in a couple of locations across town – even watched Jack and Paul emote for a few takes across the street from the Scientologists, at Connecticut and R, the other day — but the sheer size of this effort suggests that tonight is going to be a big night. And face it, everyone needs to get through Adams Morgan every now and again, if only to remind themselves why they rarely go there any more, and a Wednesday night with a movie shoot for curbside entertainment beats heck out of a Friday night with rookies puking on the curb.

Ed. Note: I still enjoy going to Adams Morgan from time to time! Here is a list of favorite bars we discussed a couple weeks ago. So, I’ve been getting emails pretty regularly asking why certain areas of AM are closed (including the Duke Ellington Bridge). This is the film I’ve been talking about when I email you back. And in what I’ll call great timing, PoPville flickr user Tyrannous got some great shots of the filming last night.

more direction

“reese witherspoon, paul rudd, james L. Brooks on the corner of 18th and columbia ave in front of the starbucks filming a yet to be titled movie.”

Paul Rudd meeting DC


You may recall back in May Charles wrote a post titled, Which Weird Sculpture Captures Adams Morgan Best? Well, a reader tipped me off that a winner had been selected. After doing a bit of research and pleading I was able to confirm that a winner had indeed been selected. And it’s the Bike Musician by James Simon (rendering above).

I spoke with Kristen Barden of the Adams Morgan BID who was unable to confirm but said that the winning sculpture should be completed in 2010. Kristen did mention that she is a bit concerned that the sculpture may break up the recently created plaza which is currently being used for a Summer concert series.

Do you like the selection? Do you think it will break up the feel of the plaza?

UPDATE:  Just received the following email:

“I am with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the organization that is commissioning the artwork for Adams Morgan.  I wanted to let you know that a final decision has not been made for the Adams Morgan public art project.

Deirdre Thayer Ehlen, DC Creates Public Art Coordinator”

Well, we’ll stay tuned.


From an email:

“The Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District (BID) continues with the FREE Summer Concert Series on Saturday, June 20 from 5 to 7 pm in the new public plaza in front of BB&T Bank at the north east corner of Columbia Road/Adams Mill Road/18th Street, NW in Adams Morgan.

The FREE Summer Concert Series will occur every Saturday night from 5 to 7 pm through July 11. We will have a limited number of chairs for audience members. Please feel free to bring your own beach chair. In the event of rain, the concert will be canceled for that day. Due to the nature of the series, there will not be a rain date. Bring your kids, your dogs, your best friends and enjoy the music! Come early to shop and stay after for dinner!

June 20th

The Ash Lovelies

The Ash Lovelies were founded in 2008 by longtime Arlington VA indie singer/songwriter Lou Black (http://www.myspace.com/LouBlack) and continues to evolve as an eclectic songwriting collective bringing together local singer/songwriters looking to experiment with various pop fusions. To learn more about this band please contact: Lou Black at: [email protected] or visit: http://www.myspace.com/AshLovelyMusic.”


This is a two part question. I’ve been curious for a while with so many new bars and old bars on 18th Street, what’s your favorite? Recently mine has become Bourbon. But here’s the second part of the question sparked by a conversation I had with a friend.

For those that are Dan’s Cafe fans – when are you too old to go? Back in the day I used to go to Dan’s fairly frequently but that’s just because my name is Dan and I’m very loyal. But, I’m 34 now and it’s just not as fun for me anymore. Would you say that the average age of 18th St. bar patrons is much younger than elsewhere in the city? Ed. Note: My stereo is now playing “my my my slow descent into alcoholism it went” by the New Pornographers. Seriously. Great now I’ve probably upset my mom.

So what’s your favorite bar on 18th Street? And when are you too old to go there?


I had noticed the sign at the corner of 14th and U Streets, NW and a reader wrote in about the Adams Morgan location:

“What’s going in the space next to Shwarma King on the 1600 block of Columbia Road?”

I spoke to some workmen at the Columbia Road location (1652) and they said Cricket Communication will be coming in the next few weeks. From their Web site they say:

“Cricket is a simple, affordable wireless service offering consumers and local businesses a flat-rate unlimited service over the latest technology, high-quality, all-digital CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO wireless network. Designed for customers whose basic and advanced wireless needs have not been met by traditional communications companies, Cricket is the pioneer of unlimited services with no long-term commitments or credit checks required.”

I’m gonna file this under – it’s better than an empty storefront…

DSCN0165


“Hello PoP,

Over the past few weeks my friends and I have noticed that the Ghana Cafe (on 18th street in Adams Morgan) is going through a transformation. First they took down the sign, now they have gutted the whole building, installed new windows on all three floors and put up new internal walls. Could you work your magic and find out if it’s coming back as a shiny new Ghana Cafe or if it’s gonna be another Jumbo Slice?”

I took a look this weekend and the permits out front said that it was slated to become a retail or wholesale store. I think it would be great to add some retail to the mix of 18th Street. Anyone have any idea what type of retail this may become? What do you think would do well in this spot?


North Sea Restaurant is located at 2479 18th Street, NW (near the McDonalds). I have to say, I never realized this was a proper restaurant. I always thought it was just take out. But it looks pretty nice.

Their Web site says:

“Our restaurant offers a wide array of authentic fine Chinese dishes, ranging from tranditional Szechuan and Hunan dishes such as , Seasame Chicken, General Tso’s Chicken, Sauteed Mix Vegetable to new style entrees such as Pad Thai, Chicken Chow Mein, Pepper Steak and Kung Po Shrimp.”

You can see the menu here. So any fans out there for delivery or dining in?


Rumba Cafe is located at 2443 18th Street., NW in Adams Morgan. I know this is a popular spot to listen to live Latin music but recently I’ve noticed lots of folks eating at the outdoor cafe in front. Here’s a list of main courses from their menu. Any fans of the restaurant? The bar? The music? What’s the best part of this spot?


Back in March I asked if the gym at 2007 18th Street in Adams Morgan was closing. I just noticed an alcohol application on the window.

It says the restaurant trade name is “Jack Rose” featuring:

“regional cuisine and drinks, occasional DJ, live music, dancing, and cover charge”.

So does anyone go to this gym? Is it closing? With an occupancy of 299 and 150 summer garden it has to be the whole building, right? Does the “transfer” mean that this restaurant already exists and will be moving here? Anyone know more details?


When I got the email saying:

“This weekend I will hit the streets dressed as a tree…”

I wasn’t sure if this was the ramblings of an insane person or a legit cause. Turns out it is a super cool legit cause. Pictured above is Bert Fitzgerald, 27, in Adams Morgan.

He worked on the Holly Tree Farm around Charlottesville VA last summer, and is now organizing this project delivering CSA shares from local Virginia family farms to DC, and partnering with farms that do pastured eggs, grass fed meats, raw milk cow shares, artisan breads and cheeses,local trout, and more.

He says:

“With a CSA (community supported agriculture) the idea is that you put money up front to support the costs of the farm’s growing season, and you get a share of its produce (dozens of different things throughout a season) every week. What we do different is that we deliver to your door, at the time you want it, on Thursday (as opposed to doing drop off points). And we allow people to add a very diverse group of local foods to their orders. If people want to join us we have lots of shares to offer, and they start up this Thursday (going through oct 1), so now’s the time to sign up!”

More detailed info after the jump. (more…)


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