A late-night celebration of local artwork, music and performance is headed to at least seven neighborhoods across the District next month.
Art All Night is scheduled to enliven the District on the night of Saturday, Sept. 24, organizers announced earlier this week.
Last year, the festival lit up the Carnegie Library, prompted dance performances at the Colombian Embassy and put a bat signal in Shaw.
This year, Art All Night is partnering with seven main street associations, including Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets, H Street Main Street and Shaw Main Streets.
Organizers shared this update on the annual art extravaganza on Wednesday:
Local art, live music and activities for kids and pets will take over a stretch of 17th Street NW near Dupont Circle on Sept. 12 for the sixth 17th Street Festival.
The festival, which runs from noon to 6 p.m., will be similar to previous years’ festivals and will include more than 50 local artists and special zones for kids and pets.
Artists and other vendors will set up on 17th Street between P and R streets NW. Most of the vendor spots have been filled but submissions to fill the few remaining spots will be accepted until Friday.
Lee Granados, founder and co-chair of the festival, says that the festival tries to have a wide variety of art styles represented.
“We really try to push the envelope a little bit and bring in a pretty extensive variety to touch a lot of interests,” Granados said. “We have our typical traditional paintings and photography, but some of the applications I’ve seen have been for comic book graphic designers and some computer-generated work. There’s definitely a range from very contemporary to very traditional artists.”
While their parents peruse the art, children can enjoy storytelling, moon-bounces and other activities in the “kids zone” located at Stead Park on P Street. There will also be a “pet zone” sponsored by Dupont pet boutique The Cheeky Puppy.
Organizers are still finalizing entertainment for the main stage, but Granados says the festival plans to continue its annual tradition of including performances by local drag queens in the day’s entertainment. Several high-profile LGBT organizations have signed on as sponsors of the festival, including Capitol Pride and the Washington Blade newspaper.
Granados says she is also working with businesses around 17th Street to incorporate them into the celebration. The festival, which is put on by Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets, has a policy of excluding any vendors who might compete directly with area businesses.
“We have something for everyone and we hope that people come and enjoy a variety of entertainment and vendors and learn about some of the nonprofits in this area,” Granados said. “We also hope that people will support our local businesses while they’re here.”
Photo via Facebook/ 17th Street Festival
Not even Hurricane Sandy could stop the High Heel Race, only postpone it. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.
Check out photos from 2011 festivities and High Heel Race on 17th Street.
In case you haven’t heard, due to Hurricane Sandy the 17th Street High Heel Race has been postponed to Thursday November 1. Thursday night will be the night that the neighborhood waits for every year… it’s the 26th Annual High Heel Race. The festive and highly competitive event will take start on 17th Street NW between P and R Streets at 9 pm sharp. Pre-race festivities (the parade of costumes leading up to the race — check out last year’s photos) begin around 6 pm.
Last year’s event boasted of more than 60,000 people, and not even a hurricane will stop DC’s die-hard divas and fans from racing and cheering this year. Remember ladies and gentlemen: Your heels must be at least 2 inches high or you will be ineligible to win. Registration will be in front of Cobalt (1639 R Street NW) starting at 6 pm.
The one thing that remains in schedule is the Cool-off party at Cobalt for the official High Heel Race After Party turned into Pre-High Heel Race Party on Tuesday night. DJs Jason Royce and Madscience will provide the entertainment upstairs and in 30 Degrees. So get ready for the race and partying on Thursday night.
We hope to see you all OUT on Thursday!
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Tuesday, October 30: Get ready for the 2012 High Heel Race on 17th Street NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Check out photos from 2011 festivities and High Heel Race on 17th Street.
Ladies, it’s time to put your heels on! The 26th Annual High Heel Race will take place on Tuesday, October 30 on 17th Street NW, between P and R Streets.
Last year, Borderstan neighbor, Stephen, came in a close second to winner, Craig Williams. But who will clench the title this year? It’s time to find out. Pre-race spectator fun (the parade of costumes leading up to the race – check out last year’s photos) starts as early as 6 pm; the race starts at 9 pm sharp.
The first event, held in 1986, drew a respectable crowd, which has grown steadily over the years. Recent races and pre-race festivities attracted tens of thousands of Washingtonians to 17th Street for the High Heel Race; last year’s event boasted of more than 60,000 people.
The event is sponsored by the Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets (HDCMS) program and JR’s Bar and Grill, the creator of DC’s traditional High Heel Race.
Here are some race details: As for those heels, they must be at least two-inches high or you will be ineligible to win. Registration will be in front of COBALT, 1639 R Street NW, starting at 6 pm.
For more information, visit the event’s website.
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Borderstan: News from Dupont-Logan-U Street
Paul Williams, executive director of the Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets program since April 2008, will be departing to return to his historic preservation consulting firm. MetroWeekly‘s article indicates the Board made the announcement on January 1. There’s no word of potential replacements as of Thursday evening.
The organization’s mission is to preserve and promote the historic nature of Dupont Circle and has established events such as Taste of Dupont. The organization also played an important role in the 2011 17th Street Festival.
Khelan Bhatia has a warning about those “special versions of normal fare” you’ll encounter at some stores on Friday.
From Khelan Bhatia. You can follow Khelan on Twitter @KhelanB or email him at [email protected].
Hiya, Borderstanis. Can you believe Thanksgiving is almost upon us? While most people live to gorge on turkey, stuffing and mashed potatos on the day itself, I (unsurprisingly) spend most of the day mentally and physcially preparing for the midnight sales on Black Friday.
In other words, Tryptophan is out and espressos and copious amounts of five-hour energies are in. It also helps to get in some exercise the days leading up to the mad, mad sales. A brisk jog usually works best. And if you can get a run on a course that has large, people-sized obstacles, you’ll be incredibly prepared for the insanity that awaits you.
Black Friday (and Saturday) post-Thanksgiving shopping is not for the feint of heart! Not up for it at the big stores and malls? Shop locally in the neighborhood this Friday and Saturday. New to Borderstan and not sure where to start? Just start walking: The local business corridors on Connecticut Avenue, P Street, 17th Street, 18th Street and 14th Street, U Street and 9th Street NW are full of great local businesses.
This week many of us, like yours truly, are heading home to the ‘burbs where we were weaned as wee fashion victims in our adolescence. (Yes, I owned three pairs of Z Cavariccis. No, I will not share those pics). Not sure about you, but a trip to suburbia usually means a trip to the outlet malls.
Now, folks can get a little nutty and lose all common sense when heading to the outlets. I’ve seen it; I’ve experienced it; I’ve probably run over a few pedestrians to get that 38-chest Ted Baker suit that was only $200. Below, you’ll find a few tips that’ll help all of us “Keep Calm and Carry On.” BTW, this advice is as much for me as it is for you.
6 Tips for Black Friday
- Prioritize. Before heading out, think about what you really need to purchase and don’t let the flashy lights hypnotize you to buy something you’ll never wear. This isn’t Vegas, people.
- Amortize. Remember to mentally amortize. A bargain is only as good as how likely and often you’ll wear the article of clothing. For example, the pair of skinny Ralph Lauren Double RL jeans I got for $45 is a fantastic deal; the leather jacket I got from Theory for $200 isn’t so great ’cause guess what? I don’t normally wear leather jackets.
- Pass on “Specials.” Some of the outlet versions of stores like J.Crew and Banana Republic carry special versions of their normal fare. So, you’re not really buying a less expensive version of their normal ouevre; you’re likely buying a misshapen shirt or pair of slacks that isn’t fit for the human body. Be sure to look at the tags before you purchase the article(s) in question. If it looks dissimilar to the labels you see at their regular stores, I’d recommend not shelling out your hard-earned cash.
- Avoid Queues. Some outlet stores get so busy, they have a queue, velvet rope and a judgy bouncer determining whether you’re worthy or not. Seriously folks, this isn’t the newest bar opening on 14th Street, it’s the damn Coach outlet in Katy, Texas. You’re too stylish to wait in a line.
- Hydrate. Keep hydrated. Seriously, keep a bottle of water with you at all times.
- Have Fun. Remember, it’s fashion.
That’s it for me this week. Enjoy Turkey Day and Black Friday!
Tuesday, October 25: Get ready for the 2011 High Heel Race on 17th Street NW. An added benefit to the festivities this year is food trucks at 17th and O Streets NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Check out photos from 2010 festivities and High Heel Race on 17th Street.
It’s race time! The run for the roses! Each year on the Tuesday prior to Halloween is the 17th Street High Heel Race with this year being the 26th running. The blocks of 17th Street NW between P and S Streets will be closed off at 6 pm with the race starting at 9 pm sharp. Of course, the real fun is the parade of costumes leading up to the race (check out last year’s photos).
New this year at the High Heel Race: The Washington Blade Food Truck Rally with 10 food trucks at 17th and O Streets NW. And for only 20 dineros US you can buy an official High Heel Race T-shirt!
The first event in 1986 drew a respectable crowd and has grown steadily over years. Recent races and pre-race festivities have brought tens of thousands of Washingtonians to 17th Street for the High Heel Race — last year’s crowd was estimated at 60,000. The event is sponsored by the Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets (HDCMS) program and JR’s Bar and Grill. JR’s was the creator of the annual event the year it opened in 1986.
Race Details. As for those heels, they must be at least 2 inches high or you will be ineligible to win. Registration will be in front of COBALT, 1639 R Street NW, starting at 6 pm.
VIP Passes. You can purchase a $40 VIP pass for the tented area at Church Street where the race ends. Proceeds help cover the cost of the event with the remainder of the funds going to HDCMS.
This year’s 17th Street Festival is Saturday afternoon, September 24.
Check out photos and wrap up from the 2010 17th Street Festival. Borderstan.com is proud to be one of the Festival sponsors again this year. Check out the entire list of 2011 Festival sponsors at the bottom of this story.
The 2nd Annual 17th Street Festival is a little more than three weeks away and the organizers are planning for a bigger festival with more sponsors. The Festival takes place Saturday, September 24 on the 17th Street NW corridor — along 17th Street between P and Riggs and on R Street between 17th and New Hampshire Avenue NW.
“We are very excited that the Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets Program has come aboard as a partner and is helping us plan the Festival,” said Lee Granados. “They have been tremendously helpful with business outreach.” Granados is festival co-chair, co-founder and president of the Urban Neighborhood Alliance, which organizes the event.
To date the Festival has 23 sponsors in the Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze categories. Two additional major sponsors have recently come on board: the Dupont Circle Citizens Association (Gold) is sponsoring the Art Show; and Dupont Circle ANC 2B has signed on as a Gold sponsor. Both organizations doubled their sponsorship levels from 2010.
Festival Events
Among the events at the 2011 Festival:
- JR’s Bar & Grill will celebrate its 25th Anniversary by bringing back last year’s popular beer garden at 17th and Church Streets.
- Ross Elementary PTA and the DC Jewish Community Center will sponsor the Kids’ Zone, which will be held in front of Ross School on the 1700 block of R Street NW.
- The entertainment stage will be located in front of Safeway and the Red Bull MXT will play host to a DJ in between sets. The Rutstein Group, a realtor with Caldwell Banker, is sponsoring the stage while Level One/30 Degrees is sponsoring the DJs and entertainment.
- The Pet Zone will be located between R Street NW and Riggs Place NW. In addition to other activities, MPD will be doing a K9 demonstration.
Artists, Vendor Apps Due September 9
Artist Applications. Any local artist, particularly from the Dupont neighborhood, wishing to participate in this year’s Festival should fill out an artist application at by Friday, September 9.
A limited number of slots will be available to artists, and applying artists will be juried to ensure the broadest range of artwork from the broadest network of artists is on display. Priority will be given to artists residing in and in proximity to Dupont Circle. Artists will be able to sell their artwork during the show.
Vendor Applications. Businesses and organizations wishing to participate in this year’s Festival are also encouraged to fill out a vendor application by Friday, September 9.
To ensure that the 17th Street Festival remains a locally-focused event benefiting residents in proximity to 17th Street, the Festival reserves the right to deny applications for vendors that would compete with existing businesses in the 17th Street NW business corridor.
Vendors can apply to participate in the Kids’ Zone, Pet Zone or General Vendor Area.
The cost for a tent is $100, a table and 2 chairs is $50, and a half table (to be shared with another organization or business) is $25. Additional chairs can be reserved at $2 each.
Sponsors
Platinum: Urban Neighborhood Alliance, Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets Program, DC Department of Small & Local Business Development, Washington Blade.
Gold: JR’s Bar & Grill, Dupont Circle ANC 2B, Cobalt, Level One, The Rutstein Group, Coldwell Banker Dupont, Dupont Circle Citizens Association.
Silver: TB Bank, PEPCO, Carlyle Suites/Twist Restaurant, Victory Fund, DC Jewish Community Center, Ross Elementary PTA, BaseCamp.
Bronze: Borderstan.com, Whitman-Walker Health, Jack Evans, Salon Rouge, VIDA Fitness.
Tortilla Coast plans to open a fifth restaurant at the southeast corner of 15th and P Streets NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Tom Hay. Questions for Tom? Send him an email. You can follow him on Twitter @Tomonswann.
A look at recent developments related to business and politics in the Borderstan area…
Senior Housing Preserved; New Residential Tower at 15th & V
Jair Lynch Development Partners, headquartered at 1508 U Street, has been busy working on deals right in their own front yard. The company has been working with the residents association of the Paul Laurence Dunbar Apartments — formerly known as Campbell Heights Apartments — at 2001 15th Street NW to recapitalize and renovate the 171 unit building. The deal preserves its status as affordable housing for senior citizens under a covenant which will last for 30 years.
At a recent meeting of the Meridian Hill Neighborhood Association Jair Lynch presented a proposal for a 95-unit residential building at the southeast corner of 15th and V Streets NW on property that is currently parking for the Paul Laurence Dunbar Apartments. The new building will not have the affordable housing requirements of the Dunbar Apartments. According to the book Best Addresses, the site was once the location of the Portner Flats apartment which opened in 1897. At the time the building was referred to as Portner’s Folly because of its remote location from downtown.
Tortilla Coast Protest
With construction of the planned Tortilla Coast restaurant at 15th and P Streets NW in full swing, neighbors are mobilizing to protest the restaurant’s hours for serving alcohol on their outdoor patio and sidewalk cafe. Borderstan was contacted by a neighbor of Tortilla Coast who says he received a letter from another nearby resident who is trying to rally opposition to Tortilla Coast’s liquor license application.
News from Dupont-Logan-U Street (mostly).
From Tom Hay. Questions for Tom? send him an email.You can follow him on Twitter @Tomonswann.
Dog Park Meeting
The Shaw Dog Park’s monthly meeting ,of the dog park committee is this Wednesday, April 20, 7 pm, at the Hotel Helix. All are welcome to attend. Shaw Dog Park located at 11th Street and Rhode Island Avenue NW (just south of R Street) and operated by Shaw Dogs, a volunteer group. Our newest contributor, Tori Tyree, has some tips for the dog park.
Dupont Group Fundraising on eBay
Interested in bargains and want to help a local organization? Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets is holding an eBay fundraising auction. HDCMS’s mission “is to make Dupont Circle’s commercial corridors economically healthy, improve our quality of life, and reflect our community’s pride and history.” As of this writing they still have lots of cool vintage cufflinks, collectibles and artwork available to the highest bidder.
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The fountain in Dupont Circle: A total of 19 restaurants are participating in the Taste of Dupont 2010. (Luis Gomez Photos)
The Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets (HDCMS) will hold the the Taste of Dupont 2010 this Tuesday, October 5. from 6 to 9 pm. Individual tasting tickets are $5 each ($20 for 5 tickets) and can be redeemed at 19 participating restaurants and food establishments in the Dupont area.
Many of the participating establishments will have specially priced cocktails and wines. All tickets holders are entered into a raffle that includes a $100 gift certificate to La Tomate Restaurant and a $100 gift certificate to Mourayo Restaurant.
You can purchase tickets online or at the Dupont Circle Resource Center Tuesday evening after 5 pm. You can also get more information at Historic Dupont Circle Main Street’s Facebook Page.
17th Street NW during the 2008 High Heel Race event. (Photo: Luis Gomez Photos)
How time flies. The annual 17th Street Halloween High Heel Race is only week away: Tuesday, October 27. Starting time is 9 p.m., but 17th Street north of P Street will begin filling up between 6 and 7 p.m.
In what appears to be an historic change (yes, I’ve attended a few), the race course is reversed this year, with the contestants running south. The race will start at R Street and end at Church Street in front of JR’s Bar & Grill. The course is 0.2 miles–1/5 of a mile–in case you are thinking of donning a pair of heels and finding out just how fast you can run.
The Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets (HDCMS) program is the designated beneficiary this year. According to HDCMS Executive Director Paul Williams, the group has created a roped off VIP area at the finish line at Church Street “for those that wish to arrive as late as 30 minutes before the event for a secured, prime viewing area! Ticket holders will also receive a Bar Fast Pass to head directly in front of any lines at JR’s, Cobalt, and 30 Degrees following the event.”
The VIP section is limited to 50 ticket holders at $40 per person, and there are apparently some tickets left. Williams estimates a crowd of more than 15,000–an estimate I find entirely believable.
Gallery plan b is at 1530 14th Street NW between Church and Q Streets. (Image: Gallery plan b)
Gallery plan b in Borderstan at 1530 14th Street NW is hosting a one-night exhibition that will benefit three area non-profit groups. “Perspectives DC” is an exhibition in brush, lens, and words… a one-night exhibition to benefit Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets, Dupont Circle Village and the Logan Circle Community Association.
The first of a series of public meetings on the future of the 17th Street NW corridor takes place Wednesday evening, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Cobalt, 1639 17th Street NW. (Photo: Luis Gomez.)
The first of a series of planning meetings on the 17th Street NW corridor (which I believe is roughly from P to S) is tomorrow evening, Wednesday, August 5, at Cobalt, which is located on the third floor at 1639 17th Street NW. The city’s streetscape project begins this fall, so this is a timely discussion and meeting.
Here are details from ANC 2B Commissioner Jack Jacobson:
The fountain at Dupont Circle. (Image: Luis Gomez Photos.)
