“Funk Parade officially launched its Indiegogo Crowd Funding Campaign today.

Funk Parade is a one-of-a-kind parade, street fair and music festival planned for DC’s U Street neighborhood on Saturday, May 3rd, 2014. Funk Parade celebrates DC’s vibrant music and arts, the U Street neighborhood, and the Spirit of Funk that brings us all together.

The group is using the online crowdfunding platform to raise $20,000 from community supporters and individuals over the next 30 days in order to help defray some of the costs of the day fair, community parade and music festival that will celebrate the city, U Street and the spirit of funk on Saturday May 3rd.

“This money will help cover the costs of the police and permits the city requires, and to the musicians and performers who will make the day amazing,” the organizers explained.

You can view the campaign here.

The campaign will allow community members and supporters to contribute to the Funk Parade mission in return for awesome gifts and perks provided by some amazing U Street businesses and DC partners.

Funk Parade is supported by over 100 local businesses, community groups, nonprofits and civic leaders. Many of the businesses, including &pizza, Ben’s Chili Bowl, Matchbox, Tropicalia, Local 16, The Brixton, El Rey, Right Proper Brewing Company and Satellite Room donated perks for the fundraising effort.

Contributors to the campaign will receive free drinks and food at local U Street neighborhood businesses, Funk Parade T-shirts, “U” ball caps and private catered events.

Funk Parade T-shirts are being produced by Twice As Warm, a DC-area business with a social mission: it donates an item of clothing for every item purchased. Twice As Warm’s donations from the Funk Parade shirts will benefit Martha’s Table.

The campaign features a video produced, shot, and edited entirely by Funk Parade supporters, and filmed in U Street locations.”


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1830 14th Street, NW

“Dear PoPville,

Looks like significant progress has been made at Amsterdam Falafel on 14th. Any news on an opening date?”

Good news and bad news – another reader writes:

“I recently read on the website for the Shaw Dupont Citizen’s Alliance — the group behind the failed proposal for a liquor license moratorium on 14th Street — that the group has unanimously voted to protest a liquor license for the Amsterdam Falafelshop, which as you have reported is set to open at 1830 14th Street. When I contacted the owner to express my dismay and offer my support, he sounded genuinely perplexed by the decision, noting that the ANC has not only not protested but affirmatively supports the new restaurant and explaining that the only alcohol he plans on serving is Dutch beer. The protest hearing is April 9, and the owner would appreciate any letters in support of his application. In the meantime, he will open by only serving soft drinks. He’s planning a soft opening for March 23.

Apparently the SDCA is living up to its promise to protest every new liquor license application of any kind within its boundaries in response to its loss on the proposed liquor license moratorium, which is outrageous because the community could not have been more clear about its wishes. In any event, I write to invite all supporters of Amsterdam Falafelshop to either attend the ABRA protest hearing on April 9 or send letters or send letters of support.

The ABRA hearing is at 10:00 am on April 9 at the Reeves Center, 2000 14th Street NW, Fourth Floor, Washington DC 20009. Those who cannot attend the hearing in person can write ABRA in support of the applicant at [email protected], referencing Licence Number ABRA-093449.”

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14th and S St, NW

Pulp closed at 14th and S St, NW after 14 years back on Jan. 12th. Thanks to ‏@JordannaSussman for tweeting us the photo above. A Craigslist ad for the location says:

“Hey Buddy! on 14th is hiring qualified receptionist for full time positions to include weekends and some evenings. We are a newly opened dog daycare, animal boarding, and grooming facility. Qualified applicants will have a minimum of two years experience in the Veterinary, animal care, or administrative fields. Ability to multi-task, communicate effectively with clientele, precise attention to detail are imperative. You will be required to handle, care for, and clean up after animals. Love for animals while important, should go hand in hand with professionalism and a strong personal desire to ensure the well being of all animals. It is important to note that this position will not be filled by persons who only want to play with animals. We are a business and intend to operate as such.”


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2400 14th Street, NW (between Belmont and Chapin)

“Dear PoPville,

FYI – Big tractor trailer out in front of the new Streets market unloading foodstuffs into the store. Seems like they’ll beat Trader Joe’s to market?

Do you have any insight into who is behind this market? Seems like a mix between a grocer, a cafe, and prepared foods – similar to Glenn’s but by the look of it with a far more robust grocery option. I would love to know who these guys are.”

Nobody seems to know who the folks at Streets Market and Cafe are – it remains a mystery to me!

‏@bustyredhead tweets us a photo of the stocking up this morning:

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From a press release:

(re)activate is a one night public art exhibition that will take place in the empty parking lot at 1932 9th Street, NW and the southwest corner of U Street on Saturday, March 15th from 5:30pm – 9:30pm!

Featuring video and performance art by emerging and established DC artists, the outdoor exhibition will explore and reflect on the dynamics of space, while introducing alternative modes of exhibiting art and culture in our urban environment!

Celebrating the groundbreaking of a new mixed-use art space in the U Street neighborhood, the exhibition will take place on the future site of H-Space, a work-live studio and multidisciplinary project room for artists. In animating the currently vacant lot through video projections and performance art, (re)activate invites audiences to (re)consider the usage of space in the District of Columbia, how it relates to their personal experience, our collective histories, and the future identity of the city.!

While the individual works of art investigate our interactions in and relationships to space, at its core, (re)activate contributes to the critical dialogue on creative place-making and how to make more space for art in a rapidly growing city like Washington, DC.

Participating Artists include: Animals and Fire, Free Space Collective, James Huckenpahler, Patrick McDonough, Jonathan Monghan, Kendall Nordin, Jassie Rios and Jose Ruiz!


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Thanks to a reader for sending the awesome night shot above. Back in November admired their, then, new awning and this makes it so much sweeter. Alphonse Italian Market and Osteria, from the owners of Russia House and Biergarten Haus, is located at 1212 U Street, NW next to Ulah Bistro by the U Street metro.

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Looks like they’re still working on the inside (and the upstairs windows) but the upgrades outside are a very good sign (sorry, early case of cabin fever) the inside will be something to looking forward to seeing too. Updates as they get closer to opening.

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