Artist Talk at Civilian Art Projects Friday

Tomorrow (May 27) from 6:30 to 8:30, Civilian Art Projects will host an artist talk with Patrick McDonough. From the press release:

Join us for a talk with Patrick McDonough about "Opening Act," his exhibition in "The Entrance" at Civilian Art Projects.

Patrick launched our new project space with four discrete, interrelated projects on the topic of fan behavior. The pieces include: an accent wall painted to match the digital color hex hue corresponding to two Soundgarden's song titles from the "Ultramega OK" album; a handmade birdhouse based on the Smart Stud...ios building (in the artist's hometown) where sound engineer Butch Vig mixed albums by Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage, and many others; a sound piece reversing the audio from an episode of Bob Ross' Joy of Painting, embodying the back-masking purportedly used by bands to subliminally influence listeners; and, a tattoo piece featuring lyrics from the band The Hold Steady tattooed on the artist back.

The exhibition closes on May 28th.

Civilian Art Projects
1019 7th Street NW
202.607.3804
Hours: Wed-Thur-Sat 1-6pm

On the Calendar: Third Annual Whole Hog Roast at Old City Green

On June 11 starting at 6 pm, Old City Green will throw its third annual Whole Hog Roast! Schuyler Cunningham of Cunningham Farms will be roasting a 100 lb hog and dishing up pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, loin, cheeks and maybe even the brian and tongue for those who are adventurous. Cover and smother that with some amazing additions by Seasonal Pantry and you'll have a feast in the company of good friends.

Other entrees, cheeses, and delicious sides and beverages will be provided. Come around 5 pm if you want to help pull the pig. All are welcome, including children and pets.

Cost is $20 for all you can eat and drink until it is all gone.

Third Annual Whole Hog Roast (facebook event page)
Old City Green
902 N Street, NW

Demolition at Site of Future Marriott Hotels

A few of the folks I follow on Twitter have posted photos of demolition occurring at (what I believe is part of the) site of two planned Marriott Hotels at Ninth and L.   Here are their photos, which appear to show the demolition of an old warehouse/garage in the alley behind the Whitman.  I have heard of no impending plans for developing the Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn on the site, so my guess is that the cleared space will be used for staging and parking in the near term.

Photo credits: @mikekruger and @vanessagwall.

Community Safety Walk Monday Night

ANC2C04 Commissioner Rachelle Nigro has organized a community safety walk, which will take place this coming Monday night (May 23).  Meet in front of Good Libations at 5th and M Streets, NW at 6:30. Come out to meet your neighbors and take a stand against crime. The final stop will be Beau Thai restaurant for a fun neighborhood gathering at their bar. All ANC 2C residents are encouraged to attend!

If you have any questions, contact Commissioner Nigro at 202.670.1732, nigroanc2c@gmail.com, or www.facebook.com/votenigro.

Community Safety Walk
Monday, May 23, 6:30 PM
Meet at the corner of 5th and M Streets, NW

French Street Park Renovation

Check out coverage by Borderstan and Prince of Petworth of the newly overhauled French Street Park (you may recall my post about the then-impending renovation back in 2008). The park is designed to attract Monarch butterflies and to be a peaceful green space in the neighborhood. What an improvement to what was there before, and what a great addition to the neighborhood!

Long View Gallery Presents The Washington Glass School

This week, Long View Gallery unveils its latest exhibition, "Artists of The Washington Glass School – The First Ten Years."  The gallery will celebrate the show's opening with a reception on Thursday (May 19) from 6:30 to 8:30pm (to rsvp, e-mail info@longviewgallery.com or call 202.232.4788). The show will run through June 19.

From the press release:

The Washington D.C. area has become international renowned as an emerging center of glass art. At the forefront of this charge is the Washington Glass School, where, for the past ten years, the instructors, artists and student have brought narrative and content into glass, dragging it away from decorative craft and into the rarified atmosphere of “fine art.” The Washington Glass School has produced artists whose art can be found in museums and collections worldwide and is advancing the studio glass movement with its explorations of narrative content, technology and skills.

Washington’s Long View Gallery presents “Artists of The Washington Glass School – The First Ten Years” showcasing ten years of integrating glass into the contemporary art dialogue. While it recognizes the past and present, The First Ten Years is intended to instigate – and celebrate – the new directions contemporary glass is exploring through various artistic metaphors. Featured artists include: Tim Tate, Michael Janis, Erwin Timmers, Elizabeth Mears, Robert Kincheloe, Syl Mathis, Lea Topping, Allison Sigethy, Dave D’Orio, Kirk Waldroff, Robert Wiener and others.

Long View Gallery
1234 Ninth Street, NW
202.232.4788


Image credit: Elizabeth Ryland Mears and William Forrest, 'The Three", 6 ft h x 3 ft w x 3 ft d, glass, steel and mixed media, photo by anythingphoto.net

Happy 40th Anniversary, MCCDC!

Tonight, Metropolitan Community Church of Washington ("MCCDC") celebrates its 40th year of ministry. The event takes place from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Human Rights Campaign Equality Center, 1640 Rhode Island Avenue, Northwest. To purchase last minute tickets, click here.

Happy Anniversary, MCCDC! And congratulations on your snazzy new website!

Metropolitan Community Church of Washington
474 Ridge Street, NW
202.638.5051

Recent Past: 2004 at 1300 Ninth

Continuing my look back at 2004 photographs from the Property Information Verification System, take a gander at what's now home to Maruka Gallery and Boutique just seven years ago. The building was vacant shell with trees growing out of it.  Note too that an empty lot appears to its right, where the building occupied by Shakti MindBody Studio stands today:

It now houses the amazing Maruka Gallery and Boutique, a purveyor of fine art, gorgeous jewelry, healing minerals, natural bath and massage oils, body products, and candles. Maruka also is a great venue for private events, about which you can read more here.

Maruka Gallery and Boutique
1300 Ninth Street NW (corner of 9th and N)
202.745.1881

Seasonal Pantry's Ice Cream Club Is Back!

Seasonal Pantry bringing back its popular ice cream club, just in time for warmer weather. Here's what they say:

Ice Cream Club is finally back and will run from the end of spring through summer. It works like a CSA, or Community-Supported Agriculture buying scheme, where members pay a farmer at the beginning of the season and receive a load of fruits and veggies every week.

Here's what we’ve got to offer
Every week of our club includes four 8-ounce portions of ice cream and sometimes sorbet.

What flavors do I get?
Every week will include two different flavors of ice cream or sorbet. Some examples from last year include cruller-doughnut, banana-bread crunch, and Turkish coffee/cardamom.

That's a total of 32 ounces per week, equivalent to two pints of Ben & Jerry's. We will use locally sourced products when available for our inspirations. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, let us know. We don’t discriminate.

Where do I get my ice cream?
We will have pickups at Seasonal Pantry's new shop located at:
1314 1/2 9th St., NW, Washington, DC 20001
Tuesday-Saturday, 11am–7:30pm | Sunday, 9am–3pm

When are pickups?
June 7th and 8th
June 14th and 15th
June 21st and 22nd
June 28th and 29th

If you can't make a pickup date, the ice cream is here for you when the shop is open. When possible, we ask you to please pickup on the dates provided; we have limited staffing and space to hold the ice cream.

How much is the club?
The cost of the club is $50 and we are accepting up to 100 members.

Where do I sign up?

Click here to visit our Clubs page online!
www.seasonalpantry.com/clubs.html

Seasonal Pantry's new store's projected opening date is June 7, and I'm counting down the days....


Seasonal Pantry
1314 1/2 Ninth Street, NW

May MCDC Shaw Streets Column

If you haven't yet grabbed a copy of this month's MCDC, check out a PDF online version of my monthly Shaw column here. In it, I write about the Marion Street Garden, the newly opened Tenth Street Park, and the tulips in bloom on Ninth Street.

You can pick up copies of MidCity DC at businesses throughout the neighborhood.  I usually grab mine from Azi's cafe.

Video Spotlight on Old City Green

Check out this great video about our neighborhood garden center Old City Green and its owner Frank Asher. The video's producer writes, "In all the alleys, row houses and hustle and bustle of Washington DC lies and urban oasis, tucked into the corner of Shaw. OLD CITY green gives Washingtonians an escape from the urban city and provides a complete emulsion of nature. Frank Asher the owner talks more about the mission and place OLD CITY green takes in the neighborhood of Shaw."

Urban Oasis from Russ Schubert on Vimeo.

I bought some planters and some plants (veggies, herbs and shrubs) at Old City Green this past weekend.  While there, I was reminded of one of the many benefits of shopping local:  business owners know you!  When Frank spotted me with the planters I purchased, he said "I knew you'd like those!"


Old City Green
Corner of Ninth and N Streets, Northwest
202.412.2489

Beau Thai Secures Liquor License

Our beloved neighborhood Thai restaurant Beau Thai -- which came in third place in City Paper's 2011 Readers' Poll Best of Thai Restaurants in D.C. -- finally secured its alcohol license last week and now features a full bar. The offerings will expand and develop with time, but the bar currently feature four lovely wines that pair well with Thai food (a vino verde, a sauvignon blanc, a malbec and a cabernet sauvignon), a limited selection of good liquor, and a few beers.  This coming weekend, "Thai Bloody Marys" will make their debut at the restaurant, with a unique brunch menu to follow in a few weeks.  A signature cocktail list is also in the works.

The restaurant will apply for outdoor seating soon, with hopes of offering dining al fresco by the late summer/early fall.

Cheers, Beau Thai!

Beau Thai
1700 New Jersey Avenue, NW
202.536.5636

From SMS: Flowers for Mom from Convention Floral--Free Delivery in DC!

From Shaw Main Streets comes a reminder to buy local this Mother's day:

Convention Floral, located at 1920 9th Street, NW, is a Shaw Main Streets Business Supporter Member and Best New Business award winner. Be sure to tell them, "Shaw Main Streets Sent Me!" when you stop by, call, or go online to order flowers for Mother's Day.

It's not too late to place your order and have flowers delivered in time for mom's special day anywhere in the country or overseas. Please use a local Shaw florist instead of national 'order gatherers.'

The Magnificent Mom Bouquet $54.95


Give Mom wings with fragrant pink lilies and roses in an elegant glass vase decorated with hand-etched designs, from the Faith Hill Collection.


She's always been there for you. Honor the "Mom" in your life with a beautiful floral bouquet that is sure to make her spirits soar.

To place your order for Mother's Day, call or visit Convention Floral today. FREE delivery in DC on orders placed on the Convention Floral web site (http://www.conventionfloral.com/).

CALL TODAY: 1-888-939- 0510 or 202-939-0510.

Convention Floral
1920 Ninth Street, NW
202.939.0510

Sale on Tickets for Derby Day Party at Long View Gallery

Remember the awesome Derby Day Party at Long View Gallery I wrote about last week?  For today only (May 5), tickets for the event are on sale two-for-the-price-of-one.  Buy tickets here ($75 gets you two tickets), and remember a portion of proceeds from ticket sales goes to Pediatric Care, an organization to help children affected and effected with HIV/AIDS.

Word is that the party is going to be over-the-top cool, with the gallery decked out with turf, fences, flat screens for race-watching, and food and drink by Ridgewells Caterers. 


Long View Gallery Derby Day P'arty
May 6, 2011, 5 to 8 p.m.
1234 Ninth Street
202.232.4788

Touchstone Presents Marcia Coppel and Harvey Kupferberg

Two new shows open this Friday (May 6) at Touchstone Gallery with a reception from 6 to 8:30. One show is called "Life Is Too Serious," comprised of paintings and drawings by by Marcia Coppel, and the other show is called "Infrared - The Invisible Light," comprised of photographic images by Harvey Kupferberg. Both shows run through May 29, 2011.

From the Marcia Coppel press release:

It would be hard to imagine what Marcia Coppel’s paintings would look like if she had never been to Mexico. They would surely be interesting. Her characteristic laid back, whimsical drawings might be the same and her interest in ordinary people relaxing at lunch or at the beach might even be similar. But her colors - no, no! The colors come from Mexico.

And she is a true colorist. The figures she draws are rudimentary and the drawing merely gives her a framework to play with the colors she loves. She paints mostly tête-à-tête but sometimes there are three folk sitting at an umbrella covered table in an outdoor patio or on the beach.

Image credit: I Need Your Help With This”, Acrylic on canvas by Marcia Coppel

From the Harvey Kupferberg press release:

Infrared photography is one of many different ways of capturing light. Light comes in two forms, visible and invisible. An example of visible light is the rainbow. Its color palette starts with violet changing to blue, yellow, orange and finally red. The invisible light cannot be seen with the human eye. Examples of invisible light below the visible blue wavelength are the X-ray and ultraviolet light. The invisible infrared spectrum lies just beyond the visible red at the other end of the visible spectrum.

Film photographers capture the infrared spectrum with an infrared sensitive film and an opaque filter to block visible light. The modern digital camera can be modified for infrared photography. An infrared filter is placed in front the camera’s sensor to prevent visible light to pass while allowing infrared light to pass through to the digital sensor.

Infrared photography is influenced by environmental conditions. Seasonal changes, atmospheric conditions, time of day and the position of the sun all play an important part in producing the tonal range of an infrared print.

This exhibition of black and white prints at Touchstone Gallery demonstrates the variety of different tonal qualities produced on clear
and hazy days. Some images are different from what viewers normally expect while other cannot be differentiated from visible light photographs.

Image Credit: “Trees at Lock 24”, Giclee print by Harvey Kupferberg

Touchstone Gallery
901 New York Avenue, NW
202.347.2787

Video Spotlight on Shakti MindBody Studio

Take a listen to this great video about Shakti MindBody Studio and its owner Ieshia Ali. As the video's producer writes, "If you are looking for an escape from the fast paced urban city life then you should check out Shakti, slow down and connect with others and the world around you."

Bohemian Yoga Suite from Russ Schubert on Vimeo.

Shakti MindBody Studio
1302 Ninth Street NW(corner of Ninth and N Streets)
202.241.9642
info@shaktimindbodystudio.com

ANC2C May 2011 Agenda (UPDATED)

Tomorrow night is the monthly ANC2c meeting (held the first Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library).  Below is the agenda as received via e-mail:

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 2C
PUBLIC MEETING

May 4, 2011, 6:30 PM
Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library
1630 7th Street, NW

Agenda

1. Call to Order and Roll Call
2. Approval of Agenda
3. PSA 308 Report: Lt. Jeffrey Carroll, Metropolitan Police Department
4. 624 9th Street, NW/RP MRP Realty: Request for Support for Special
Exception and Variance Relief
5. 1706 10th Street, NW: Support for Zoning Relief for Rear Addition
6. Goethe-Institut Washington, 812 7th Street, NW: Presentation on
Proposed Renovations and Request for Input
7. 1547 7th Street, NW/Warren Williams: Owner to Discuss Development
Plans for Building
8. 1618 Market, 1618 8th Street, NW: Request for Support for Single
Sales Ban Exemption
9. Other New Business
10. Old Business
11. Approval of Minutes of 04/06/11 Meeting
12. Approval of Quarterly Report for Period Ended 03/31/11
13. Approval of Expenses
14. Announcements
15. Adjournment

I'm particularly interested in hearing what's said regarding Item 7 ("1547 7th Street, NW/Warren Williams: Owner to Discuss Development Plans for Building"). The currently-vacant-corner-property-with-tons-of-potential was recently advertised for sale by Long and Foster (I think the asking price was $1.2m), but it seems that the listing has expired or gone inactive.  I would love to learn that the beautiful development plans I wrote about in 2007 are on again.

UPDATE - Mr. Williams will be unable to attend tomorrow night's meeting due to illness and has requested that the discussion of Item 7 be postponed until the June meeting.


Note -- tomorrow night's ANC2c meeting, and  many other important and/or fun neighborhood activities, appear on the renewshaw.com calendar.   

Mother's Day Brunch at Acadiana

Acadiana is hosting a three course priced fixed brunch for $32 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Mother's Day. Purchasers of the priced fix menu can enjoy $1 Mimosa's and Bloody Mary's and an all you can eat raw bar for $9. With a live jazz band and a kids' menu available, Acadiana makes a great brunch destination! Make your reservation here!

Acadiana
901 New York Ave., NW
202.408.8848

Long View Gallery Hosts Star Studded WHCD Pre-Party

Last Friday night, the uber chic Long View Gallery was the scene of a super-star-studded pre-White House Correspondents' Dinner party called the "First Amendment Party," which was thrown by IMPACT Arts + Film Fund, National Journal, The Atlantic and Funny or Die.  In attendance were many celebs, including Jon Hamm (from "Mad Men"), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (from “Modern Family”), Ian Somerhalder (from “The Vampire Diaries”), Zach Galifianakis (from "The Hangover), Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys quarterback), Chace Crawford (from "Gossip Girl"), Maria Bello (from "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"), Patricia Arquette (from "Medium"), Bradley Cooper (from "The Hangover"), Dustin Lance Black (screenwriter, director, film and television producer extrordinaire), and Sean Penn. Read more at Politico here.

Very cool!

Video Spotlight on Chatman's D'Vine Bakery and Cafe

Check out this awesome video about Chatman's D'Vine Bakery and Cafe:

Sweets from the South from Russ Schubert on Vimeo.

Chatman's D'Vine Bakery and Cafe

1239 Ninth Street Northwest
202.249.3258