For artists interested in participating please see pdf below:
Georgia Ave
Thanks to all the readers who forwarded this email:
Caribbean Carnival, a cultural festival that has been happening annually for 19 years, was enjoyed by many thousands this year, but was also the subject of much debate. The shortened route, financial issues, and aggressive police tactics sent mixed messages to Carnival organizers and the community. Several fights that occurred raised safety concerns from the community. Councilmember Graham, Councilmember Bowser, the MPD and the Mayor’s office have publicly expressed their desire to see the Carnival continue and the full route restored but there are serious issues that must be overcome.
The Georgia Avenue Community Development Task Force has invited Councilmember Jim Graham (on travel but sending a representative), Councilmember Bowser (unconfirmed), MPD Chief Lanier (confirmed), and DC Caribbean Carnival Director Loughton Sargeant (confirmed) to our next meeting on Wednesday July 27th at 6:00pm at the G II Restaurant and Lounge at 2632 Georgia Avenue (corner of Georgia and Fairmont) to discuss the issues that occurred at this event and ways the community can be more involved in its planning and execution.
For background on some of the issues regarding this year’s Carnival, you can listen to a Town Hall meeting on the Carnival conducted Saturday July 16th broadcast live on WPFW. The archived show can be heard by going here and scrolling down to “Caribbeana” broadcast on Saturday, July 16, 2011 7:00 pm. The Town Hall was hosted by WPFW’s Gloria Minott, with panelists Paul Quander, Deputy Mayor of Public Safety and Justice, Councilmember Bowser, Councilmember Graham, MPD Assistant Chief Lamar Green, Claude Barrington of the DC Caribbean Carnival and others.
Photo by PoPville Flickr user yostinator
Up Against the Wall clothing closed back in June ’10 and this prime retail space has been vacant ever since. This whole strip of retail on the 2300 block of Georgia Ave near Howard University has seen numerous vacancies.
I’m happy to see this prime corner space get a tenant.
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I’m hearing multiple reports of how many people were shot but it is not clear to me how many people. It seems at least one person has died but that is not confirmed. It appears that there may have been a stabbing as well. DCfireems tweets:
“update – shootings/stabbings – EMS evaluated & transportsed total 6 inj – Ga Av from 2 locations – Ga & Gresham Pl and Ga & Bryant st NW”
This happened around 5:20pm Sat. afternoon.
Will update when more info becomes available.
UPDATE:
There was a stabbing at 430pm at Georgia Ave and W St, NW with one arrest.
4 people were shot at 515pm at Georgia Ave and Gresham St, NW (one has been pronounced)
One domestic assault with arrest at 530pm at Georgia Ave and Fairmont St, NW.
There was a big fight at Georgia and New Hampshire Ave, NW in front of the CVS with one young male knocking out another.
A reader writes about the fight and sends in video:
“ran out to the balcony and saw two groups running towards cvs. guy was being beaten by two people until he lost consciousness. i called the cops, who were in the area anyway, and it looks like the victim was ok.”
The Washington Post reports:
Assistant D.C. Police Chief Diane Groomes said the shooting had no connection to the festival or the university. Investigators think it stemmed from a neighborhood issue, she said.
Three of the four shooting victims were from outside the neighborhood, police officials said.
Photo by PoPville flickr user Blinkofanaye
You can get a taste of what it will look like here.
Parade starts at Kansas Avenue at 11:00 a.m. and goes south on Georgia Avenue.
For those concerned with street closings, following is info from MPD:
The 2011 Caribbean Festival and Parade
(Washington, DC)-The Metropolitan Police Department would like to inform the public that the 2011 Caribbean Festival and Parade are scheduled to be held on Saturday, June 25, 2011. In order to facilitate this event, there will be areas closed to vehicular traffic.
The following street closings will begin at 6:00 am and are expected to reopen at approximately 4:00 pm.
Parade Staging area:
Upshur Street NW from Georgia Avenue, NW to 13th Street
Iowa Avenue NW from Georgia Ave to Allison Street NW
Georgia Avenue NW from Kansas Ave to Allison Street NWParade Route:
Georgia Avenue NW from Kansas Avenue to Florida Avenue, NWFestival Perimeter area:
The following street closings will begin at 6:00 am and are expected to reopen at approximately 9:00 pm9th Street NW from Florida Avenue northbound to end of circle
(By the Sherman tower dorms of Howard University)
8th Street NW from V St to Barry Place
Barry Place NW from Georgia Avenue to Sherman Avenue
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Back in very early March a reader noted that GII had been closed for a while at 2632 Georgia Ave NW. I just saw some new menus and a new alcohol application has gone up on their window:
The alcohol application says:
” Neighborhood restaurant, offering American style cuisine, Entertainment to include
occasional acoustic Jazz bands, karaoke, open mike and DJ. Capacity 86 Total load 100″
I feel like I’ve been burned a few times with this place but I’m cautiously optimistic that some “acoustic Jazz bands” could be pretty cool.
And quick side note: in other Georgia Ave, NW news – Ma Ma’s Southern Cuisine located at 3118 Georgia Ave, NW is now serving Breakfast all day. Sadly they were closed at 11am on Sat. when I would’ve enjoyed some breakfast… But seriously, I’m a huge fan of breakfast all day options – I look forward to trying them out.
Georgia Liquors is looking to open up at 2917 Georgia Avenue NW (at Columbia Rd). This is the space most recently used as a campaign office for Jacque Patterson’s unsuccessful campaign for an at large city council seat. Prior to that I think it was a pharmacy.
I have to admit I’m a little disappointed because there are already a bunch of liquor stores on Georgia Ave. I was hoping this sweet corner space would become a restaurant.
I guess if it looks like the new Sherry’s in Woodley Park it won’t be so bad…
Photo by PoPville flickr user Blinkofanaye
DC Caribbean Carnival Parade is June 25th. The parade route has been a bit shortened:
The annual Extravaganza Parade will be staged along the Georgia Avenue corridor on Saturday, June 25, 2011 , and will commence at Kansas Avenue at 11:00 a.m. and terminate at the international marketplace at “DE SAVANNAH” – Howard Center Lot @ Georgia Avenue & Bryant Street.
This is a love it or hate day for many. I love it.
Building up to the event there is the Petworth Library Family Program – Caribbean Festival Mask-Making:
Caribbean Carnival Mask Making and Storytelling
Petworth Library, Saturday, June 18
On Saturday, June 18 at the Petworth Neighborhood Library, located at 4300 Kansas Avenue, NW from 10:00 am until 12:30 pm, children and adults will have an opportunity to make masks, and listen to tales from the Caribbean!
This event is supported by the Caribbean Food Alliance, Georgia Avenue Business Association, the Caribbean Carnival Committee, the Caribbean Chamber of Commerce, the Petworth Library, the Caribbean Carnival Committee, Carnival Band Leaders Association and Councilmember Muriel Bowser.
Refreshments and Prizes
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Back in late April I shared the news that a new neighborhood bar would be coming to 3628 Georgia Ave, NW in the old (long vacant) Huron Pharmacy building. A number of people have been asking for an update – so here’s a bit more info that has become available. They’ve applied for a liquor license at the end of May:
New Tavern with food and beverage service for on premise consumption. Entertainment for inside premises and summer garden will include low volume musical performances such as two or three piece member acoustic bands and DJ’s. Seating capacity is 65. Total occupancy load is 65. Summer garden will have an estimated seating for 120 patrons.
They’ve created a Facebook page for the bar to be called DC Reynolds. You can see some photos of the construction progress and what it currently looks like on the inside – here and they describes themselves as:
American pub and grill opening fall 2011 in Park View/Petworth. DC Reynolds was founded by restaurateurs Jeremy Gifford, Jon Calvert, and Justin Gifford after years of experience with a wide range of diverse concepts. DC Reynolds will integrate a full service home cooked menu with a relaxed, comfortable ambiance.
But my favorite post from their Facebook page says:
Met with some farmers and cheese makers this morning at the Bloomingdale Farmers market to talk about sourcing local meat, produce, and cheese. The dragon breath cheese and prosciutto we tried were awesome!
Sweet! Stay tuned for more info as construction progresses.
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“Dear PoPville,
I recently went to Ma-Ma’s Southern Cuisine with my girlfriend and had a great experience.
Ma-Ma, herself, served us and treated us to some lemonade on the house. I had the broiled “Sadie Mae”, a tender and flavorful trout filet with a wonderful side of greens and potato salad. My girlfriend had the “Irving”, named after the street, presumably. This dish included tender short ribs with bbq sauce, sauteed spinach and macaroni and cheese. Ma-Ma was so nice. One thing she warned us about is that we may want to call ahead to make sure certain dishes are available. I originally wanted the “Jim Graham” but she had sold out by the time we arrived. There’s also karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights. I definitely recommend Ma-Ma’s Southern Cuisine to all of the readers.”
Great to hear a good review here. Ma Ma’s Southern Cuisine is located at 3118 Georgia Ave, NW?
Any other fans?