This year Peter Bug and the Peter Bug Shoe Academy cerebrates its 50th anniversary and 50,000 pairs of shoes repaired. The community institutions – both Peter Bug Matthews and the Shoe Repair Academy – host a day-long celebration of music and food at 13rh and E Street, SE.
Friday, June 19 – Friday Night Live on Eastern Market Metro Plaza
5:00pm – 6:30pm.
African American Music Appreciation Month – Performances.
The concert series comes to Eastern Market Metro Plaza through the efforts of Barracks Row Main Street and the Department of Parks and Recreation. CM Charles Allen secured funding in the current FY DC Budget to program the performance space at the Plaza.
Saturday, June 20th Congressional Cemetery African Americans History Tour
11:00am – 12:30pm Historic Congressional Cemetery
African Americans buried at Congressional Cemetery represent many facets of the American experience through history. Among them are a woman born into slavery whose family fought for their freedom and the freedom of others; an author and Rhodes scholar integral to the Harlem Renaissance; and a Civil Rights Movement activist who became DC’s “Mayor For Life.” We invite you to take a guided tour that will illuminate their stories and those of other African Americans interred at Congressional.
Tickets are only $10 and all proceeds go to benefitting our non-profit mission of historical preservation and education. This is a non-refundable donation.
Come prepared with comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing and shoes, as the tours often stray from the main paths. Tours are rain or shine. Visitors may meet docents at the front gate of the cemetery located at the corner of E St. and Potomac Ave.
Friday, June 12 – CM Charles Allen Hosts Office Hours on H Street, NE
9:00am – 10:30am.
CM Charles Allen hosts Neighborhood Office Hours on H Street at Maketto (1351 H Street, NE) the morning of Friday, June 12. RSVP here: https://www.charlesallenward6.com/calendar
Friday, June 12 – Friday Night Live on Eastern Market Metro Plaza
Friends of SE and NE Libraries will hold their 2nd Saturday Book Sale this Saturday
Set up on Friday, June 12th at 1pm – Volunteers welcome.
Sale on Saturday, June 13th from 10am to 3pm
Saturday, June 13: Lincoln Park Tree Labeling Fundraiser.
11:00am – 3:00pm
Friends of Lincoln Park host a Tree Labeling Fundraiser to turn Lincoln Park into an eco-learning space for kids and families. The goal is to raise $650 to label a unique selection of Lincoln Park’s trees. By adding these educational plaques, we hope to spark curiosity, encourage hands-on learning, and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards right here in our neighborhood.
Event Details
When: Saturday, June 13th, 2026, from 11:00am – 3:00pm
Where: Lincoln Park
Who: Kids of all ages and their families!
What to Expect
We will have:
Fun games and family-friendly activities
Snacks
Prizes
How You Can Support
If you feel inspired to help us reach our $650 goal and create this educational space, there are a couple of ways you can contribute:
Donate Online: Visit our GoFundMe Page to make a direct contribution here: https://bit.ly/3QeKeEH
Saturday, June 13: Discover Virginia Avenue Park
11:00am – 2:00pm
Friends of Virginia Avenue Park host this Community Day with tours, lively Caribbean music, games and snacks and beverages.
VAP is along the south side of 1-695 between 9th and 11th Streets SE.
The oldest feature in the park is a community garden so popular it has a constant waitlist. A large dog park was added as part of the community benefits resulting from the CSX rail tunnel project.
The most recent addition to the park is a children’s playground donated by the National Community Church. With an open view of the Washington Monument, the park is a good place watch fireworks.
Portrait of the Artist: Another Side of Barry Margeson
by Larry Janezich
Posted June 3, 2026
Barry Margeson
Back in 2007, Barry Margeson was selling art on the playground of what was then Hine Jr. High School – now the Residences at Eastern Market. He says, “I’ve always loved
Eastern Market and when I returned to DC after getting my MBA I started making art in a sort of autodidactic way.” He said he talked to Carol Wright, who was operating the Eastern Market Flea Market on Saturdays, and signed on as one of her vendors.
The first three images below illustrate the style and techniques he was using during this period. Asked about the genesis of the pieces, he references Alexander Calder, Joan Miro and Henri Matisse and says, “Their colors and shapes inspired the art that I started making. I was painting acrylic onto watercolor paper and then cut out shapes and glued them to the surface to create a piece of art.”
When fire destroyed Eastern Market in 2007, he moved to Italy for a year and had two shows in Milan. He returned to DC and was hired by DGS as the manager at Eastern Market.
Untitled. Painted, cut, and glued paper. 2008 27” X 45”
Asked how art fits into his life, he says “It’s something I’ll always do and then points to how he has almost unconsciously designed his living space to reflect what he was creating in his pieces.
Untitled. Painted, cut, and glued paper. 2008 27” X 45”
He especially missed the presence of a detail in this piece which he sold and then recreated a full sized piece of the detail shown below to hang in his home. He says, “If you took a photo of that wall of my house where the detail hangs, it could easily be one of the interiors from my early pieces.”
Untitled. Painted, cut, and glued paper. 18” X 24”
In the early 2010s he stopped making art for a while, then began experimenting with alternate styles but says he “struggled figuring out where to go with that. I used spray paint for a bit and then got back into acrylic about a year ago and began making something in the style I’m working in right now and added the LED component recently and really like that. I think that’ll be part of my art for a while now.”
Untitled. Canvas, acrylic, LED lights. 26” X 35”
Untitled. Canvas, acrylic, LED lights. 26” X 35”
Asked about the source of his inspiration for his latest pieces, Margeson talks about a “beautiful piece of art he bought from an Eastern Market weekend vendor, Cherif Mamadou.” He says, “Cherif is from the Ivory Coast and has a large variety of styles. I bought one of his pieces and it was up in my home for probably three years before I began to riff on it and began to develop this new style that I’m working with now. There’s paint on paint – there’s texture. There are colors that I love together – orange and light blue.”
Asked about the LED element, he says, “I’m of the light bright era – anyone born in the 70s is probably familiar with the little boxes with light patterns in them, and I always wanted to do something like that. When I finished the acrylic stage of the first piece, it just didn’t feel finished and so I started doing that and I liked it.”
Councilmember Charles Allen met with constituents and held community office hours on Friday morning at The Roost on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.
Fairy Godmother at 319 7th Street, SE, near Eastern Market is closing its doors on Monday after 42 years on the block. Owner Roberta Blanchard says the store has been purchased by a couple who lives on Capitol Hill who have plans for a new shop with a similar business model.
Here’s a photo from Friday as Fairy Godmother’s signage comes down. Photo credit: Maggie Hall.
Update on Streets Market coming to 15th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. A cut above the usual convenience store, Streets Market will offer organic and natural foods, some prepared foods, and beer and wine.
The new market at 1442 Pennsylvania Avenue continues its buildout. Streets Market in a local chain operation with outlets in Baltimore and close-in Virginia, and 10 stores open or about to open in DC.
Friday afternoon also saw the unveiling of “Loveful Hands” on Eastern Market Metro Plaza. CM Charles Allen who got funding to redesign the Plaza, said, “One of the things that we wanted was to make sure that public art is a part of our public parks and I’m really grateful for the group of neighbors that came together … Eastern Market Main Street, Barracks Row Main Street. EMCAC, our Advisory Neighborhood Commission, Nicky Cymrot, and Donna Sheeder – who unfortunately is no longer with us – all really worked hard and came together to think about what we wanted this space to look like, and decided that art is going to be at the center.”
Sculptor, Jay Coleman (center) helped the city officials present which included (left to right) ANC6B Commissioner David Sobelsohn, Coleman, CM Allen, DPR Director Thennie Freeman, and DGS Director Delano Hunter unveil the piece.
And here it stands.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, April 6
ANC6B Transportation Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
Little Engine – Placard Notice New Class “D” fast-casual Restaurant. Applying to serve canned beer and wine. An ANC letter supporting a stipulated license was approved and received by ABCA in March.
Protests/Other Updates
Final approval of CIVIC on Eighth Settlement Agreement.
Special Election for ANC 6A06: Saturday April 11, 2026 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Per DC Statute ANC 6A will host an in-person special election for the 6A06 seat on Saturday April 11 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at 1300 H Street NE in the space formerly occupied by Ephemeral Tattoo. All registered voters who are residents of 6A06 are encouraged to vote.
Recommendation: ANC 6A protest the application for a substantial change request toa license to change hours of operation and alcoholic beverage sales, service, and consumption, and hours of live entertainment, for Transmission, 1353 H Street NE. unless a settlement agreement is reached. ANC 6A authorizes the ANC Chair or the Chair of the ABC Committee, or their designee, to negotiate the settlement agreement.
Transportation and Public Space
Recommendation: ANC 6A file a complaint/protest in TOPS for DDOT PSRA Permit concerning the 1000 block of H Street NE (north side).
Economic Development and Zoning (EDZ)
Recommendation: 1350 East Capitol Street, NE. To construct a two-story plus cellar rear addition and a one-story plus cellar sideaddition, to an existing, attached, two-story plus cellar, principal dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone.
Officer Reports
Accept Treasurer’s Report
Standing Committee Reports:
Community Outreach Committee (COC)
Accept March 2026 Report.
Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis (ABC)
Accept March 2026 Report.
Recommendation: ANC 6A protest the medical cannabis retailer license application for DC Dank, 712 15th Street NE unless a measurement is taken by ABCA that confirms the establishment is located greater than 400 feet from Miner Elementary School. If this measurement confirms that the establishment is greater than 400 feet away from Miner, ANC 6A shall protest the application unless a settlement agreement is reached. In this case, ANC 6A authorizes the ANC Chair or the Chair of the ABC Committee, or their designee, to negotiate the settlement agreement.
Recommendation: The application for a substantial change to a license for Allure Lounge, 711 H Street NE to add (3) Sports Wagering betting kiosks inside premises on the main floor and in the bar area be forwarded to ANC 6A for further discussion by the full ANC during its April 9, 2026 meeting.
Transportation and Public Space
Accept March 2026 Report.
Economic Development and Zoning (EDZ)
Accept March 2026 Report.
Suggested Motion: ANC 6A amend its September 25 , 2025 letter to BZA insupport of a special exception to construct a new, detached, two-story,accessory dwelling unit in the RF-1 zone at 628 15th Street NE; to include acknowledgement that the 10-foot public alleyway is nonconforming.
New Business
Suggested Motion: ANC 6A send a letter of support regarding an after-hours permit toinstall the playground equipment and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) at Goding Elementary School located at 920 F Street NE, if needed, on Sunday April 12. 2026 andApril 19, 2026 within the hours of 7:00 am and 7:00pm.
Suggested Motion: ANC 6A send a resolution opposing Federal attempts to remove protected Bicycle facilities in Washington, DC.
Single Member District reports (1 minute each)
Community Comments (2 minutes each)
ANC6C Transportation and Public Space Committee has scheduled a virtual meeting for 7:00pm.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
FREEDC EVENTS for April
Go here to see a list of upcoming events for this week and to sign up to join FreeDC: https://freedcproject.org/
150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Memorial at Lincoln Park
Location: Lincoln Park is at the junction of 11th Street NE/SE and East Capitol Street NE/SE.
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM
Duration: 5 hours
Join the National Park Service as we reflect on a living symbol of America’s 250‑year journey toward full freedom by observing the 150th anniversary of the dedication and unveiling of the Emancipation Memorial in Lincoln Park.
The Life of a Poet featuring Brian Gilmore, author of No More Worlds to Conquer: The Black Poet in Washington, DC in Conversation with Poet/Editor Kyle Dargan
In-person
Thursday, April 9 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – $12.00
A history of Black poets in Washington, DC, reveals how they have reflected and transformed American cultural discourse
The discussion will feature poet Teri Ellen Cross Davis, Folger Poetry Manager and eminent DC Poet, Karl Carter
In No More Worlds to Conquer, local poet Brian Gilmore uncovers the buried legacy of Black poets in Washington. He traces the literary life and politics of Black poets in the nation’s capital since Paul Laurence Dunbar, showing how well-known American poets, such as Sterling Brown and Jean Toomer, were mentored in DC by poets like May Miller and Georgia Douglas Johnson and making the case for the city as a center of American literature.
April 7, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 301 A Street, SE. Lively Cajun French music from southwestern Louisiana. Dance to two steps and waltzes played by the Capitol Hill Cajun Orchestra (led by members of the Capitol Hillbillies). All ages welcome; free admission
Capitol Hill Perception Survey 2026
This quick and easy survey is a great way to support your neighborhood by sharing how you as a member, resident, worker, or visitor experience Capitol Hill and our services. Your feedback directly helps improve programs and amenities that benefit the community.
As a thank you, you can enter to win a $50 gift card to one of our supporting local businesses including Ambar, Mr. Henry’s, Hill’s Kitchen and Labyrinth Games & Puzzles.
First Look at Congressional Cemetery’s Gate House Renovation
by Larry Janezich
Posted Saturday, February 7, 2026
At ANC6B’s Thursday night meeting of the Planning and Zoning Committee, Mark Hudson, Executive Director of Congressional Cemetery, (bottom, center) introduced Hartman-Cox Architects to present concept designs for the renovation of the cemetery’s gatehouse, garage, kiosk and pergola. The cemetery’s current vision is to be more community focused with more space for education and community engagement facilities.
Here’s a view of the proposal from the west side of the building. The existing porch and garage will be removed. A new structure on the garage footprint will have restrooms, an interpretive display, a kitchen, and multipurpose space. The entrance to the new structure will be in the middle. A terrace in front will will be a launchpad for groups visiting the cemetery.
Here’s a view looking at the south end of the building showing the terrace.
And the proposed first floor plan. The second story of the main building will be extended over the one story south end of the original building to create more administrative space on the main building’s second floor. The current E Street entrance to the building will remain funeral-focused to separate that function of the gatehouse from the more public event space.
Here’s a view of the new kiosk which will be an orientation point for the cemetery and have a fulltime staff member to take check-ins for the local canine group and possibly a gift shop and pamphlets for self-guided tours. There will also be lockers for docents who do volunteer tours at the site. The pergola will be a shade structure for the golf cart used to navigate the site and help people with limited mobility.
Regarding a timeline, Hudson says, “We’re looking at this calendar year for design work and we’re still raising funds which to some extent is driving the process – and then completing construction in 3 to 4 years.” Hartman-Cox is looking to get concept approval from Historic Preservation this year, but does not anticipate ground breaking in 2026.
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“The Stars We Do Not See” – at the National Gallery of Art East Building through March 1. A once-in-a-life-time exhibit of Australian Indigenous art – the largest ever shown in North America.
Collaborative painting – Spirit Dreaming through Napperby County
Painting representing a coming of age ceremony – Elders initiation boys into adulthood.
Painting of a rain spirit, traditionally found on cave walls.
“Burdi, Burdi” (Fire, Fire). A red space where the performance artist sings in the native language of the threats of colonization.
Bark painting showing interaction of Australian natives with global trade partners prior to arrival of the British in the 18th Century.
A group of 12 paintings by Australian Indigenous artists.
The Week Ahead…
Monday, December 29
CANCELLED. ANC6A Community Outreach Committee will hold a virtual meeting at 7:00pm.
The standard business of the Executive Committee is adoption of upcoming meeting agendas. At December’s Executive Committee meeting, the agendas for the December ABC, Transportation, and Planning & Zoning Committee meetings will be voted on as will the agenda for the January Full Meeting of ANC 6B.
Capitol Hill Corner would also like you to know about:
On going:
Folger Library
Ring in the New Year with Folger Consort’s Resplendent Joy. Streaming on-demand now through January 4
In case you missed it, or you want to relive the magic, you can now enjoy Folger Consort’s Resplendent Joy from the best seat in your house. Ring in the new year with touching songs of simple beauty and celebratory odes to the season as many times as you’d like through January 4.
Unlimited access is pay what you will, starting at $25. Pay the price you can afford, your generosity supports programming at the Folger.
Tonight: Tree Lighting on Eastern Market Metro Plaza & Schedule for Capitol Hill’s Holiday Events
By Larry Janezich
Posted November 22, 2025
The Capitol Hill Holiday Tree Await’s Tonight’s Illumination at 5:30pm on Eastern Market Metro Plaza
Saturday, September 29th – Small Business Saturday –Labyrinth Games and Puzzles at 645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, hosts their Annual Staff Cookie battle to benefit Toys for Tots. (See below)
Schedule of Events:
Saturday, Nov 22
Capitol Hill BID’s 19th Annual Capitol Hill Tree Lighting.
5:30pm
Eastern Market Metro Park
“Men in Blue” will serve hot chocolate and doughnuts while local musical groups perform.
Entertainment: Joyous Voices, Washington Men’s Camerata, Capitol Hill Chorale, and Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s Suzuki Strings
Masters of Ceremonies: Kojo Nnamdi and Tom Sherwood
All festivities will be held at the tree known as “Sonny” in the SW Quadrant of Eastern Market Metro Plaza (Corner of 7th and D St SE). Members of the Didden family will flip the switch to illuminate the tree that was planted to honor the late George Didden III for his many contributions to the Capitol Hill community.
Also, launching of 4th Annual Better Together Small Business Gift Card Exchange running Saturday, November 22 through Sunday, December 7, 2025.
Outside on 7th St. SE and NC Avenue SE. During the outdoor market from 10am until 3pm, shoppers can find the Jazz Café – green bistro tables and chairs at the north end of 7th Street, SE.
Eastern Market & Hill is Home Holiday Time Machine (21+ only)
6:00pm – 10:00pm
Eastern Market’s Holiday Time Machine promises to be a homegrown, historic antidote to the impersonal shopping experience of Black Friday: a festive gathering of local makers and artists, plus the introduction of delicious, social-media ready hot chocolate drink by Melt by Hippie Sippin.’ Republic Restoratives, a small batch, women-owned distillery will be at the event, offering samples of their award-winning spirits.
The event – co-hosted by local blog The Hill is Home – is a preview of the entire holiday experience. For only $30 at the door or $25 for early-birds who buy online, you can attend a holiday party you actually want to go to… Go here for more https://www.thehollydays.com/ and here for tickets https://bit.ly/4rfcftn
Saturday, September 29th Small Business Saturday
Labyrinth Games and Puzzles at 645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, hosts their Annual Staff Cookie battle to benefit Toys for Tots.
10:00am
Members of the staff bake cookies (subsidized by management). Customers eat the cookies, vote for their favorites with donations and the cookie that earns the most wins. All of the donations go to Toys for Tots.
Sunday, November 30
11:00am – 1:00pm
Eastern Market.
The Betty the Yeti Welcome and Parade (all ages!) Santa Claus, who will appear Saturdays from 11am to 1pm at the Market, and iconic cryptid Betty the Yeti, who will appear Sundays from 11am to 1pm.
Monday, December 1
The Barrack’s Row and Eastern Market Main Street’s Sip and Shop.
5::00pm – 8:00pm – with wine tastings and exclusive in-store specials.
Co-hosted by the BID and Hill Havurah, the annyual event celebrates Hanukkah on the front steps of Reformation (212 East Capitol Street NE). This year’s celebration will take place on the second night of Hanukkah.
The 9-foot Menorah was gifted to the Capitol Hill Community in 2014 by the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District in honor of past Chairman of the Board and Community Leader, Paul L. Pascal, Esq. The “Men in Blue” will serve jelly donuts and hot cocoa.
Photo Essay: Dedication of Hill Center’s New Gathering Space
By Larry Janezich
Posted October 2, 2025
Wednesday night, The Hill Center dedicated and celebrated the opening of its new community space – seating in the round for the Center’s outdoor activities and public gatherings. The space is named in honor of Hill Center visionary John Franzén. Franzén, who died in 2020, was one of the Center’s founding board members and a former president of the Old Naval Hospital Foundation which created Hill Center.
Some two hundred community members participated in the event. Radio host, author and podcaster Bill Press was the master of ceremonies and recounted Franzén’s efforts leading Congress gifting the former Old Naval Hospital to the District and the sites subsequent transformation into the Hill Center which opened in 2011.
Mayor Bowser had planned to attend, but the closing of the federal government disrupted her schedule. Press introduced the speakers which included Jennifer Cartland, President of the Hill Center Board of Directors; Ward Six Councilmember Charles Allen; Nate Franzén, a nephew of Johnathon who represented the family; and Mary Early, sculptor and juror of the six sculptures featured in the opening of the new sculpture garden.
In his remarks, Allen paid tribute to Franzen’s vision of community: “This is a space where you’ll run into friends whenever you come here…a place where the community can all come together. John saw value in creating this space…he talked about the power of community and wanted to be part of making that community. We are now a part of that effort and will carry it forward.”
Following the dedication of the space, Mary Early, sculptor and juror spoke to the dedication of the newly established Hill Center Outdoor sculpture garden and announced the Best of Show: “X and Why” by Luc Fiedler.
Here are the six pieces inaugurating the new garden display. The garden will feature a rotating exhibit featuring primarily local artists. The current exhibition will continue through March of 2026.
Left to right: Searching, by Nicholas Femia; Split Decision, by Todd Smitn; Repose, by Mimi Frank and Breon Gilleran. Roots in Black and White, by Dalya Luttwak; Acorn, by Kirk Seese; and Best of Show, X and Why, by Luc Fieller.
Herb Scott, founder of the Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation, and his band provided entertainment for the reception before and following the dedication.
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ANC6B has a bone to pick with Ambar on Barracks Row. The restaurant’s alcohol beverage license is up for renewal and ANC6B is protesting the renewal because, they say, Ambar is in violation of the agreement under which they promised to store trash indoors. Ambar had made signed an agreement to that effect in return for ANC support for their adding a second story to the rear of the restaurant – a pledge it seems, they never had any intention of honoring.
Here’s the current situation: a dumpster and a trash compacter. On Wednesday, the city’s alcohol licensing board hears the case and the outcome will indicate both how seriously the board takes restaurants’ signed operating agreements negotiated with ANCs as well as how much “great weight” the agency actually gives opinions ANC as required by law. The ANC has taken this protest seriously and both sides have lawyered up; negotiations on a settlement were taking place over the past week. See below for info on how to virtually join Wednesday’s meeting. (Update: hearing has been postponed as negotiations continue. )
Update on Barracks Row Popeye’s – Last week, the front door of the Popeye’s on Barracks Row sported a Stop Work Order regarding the installation of their air conditioning units. That issue looks to have been resolved and new building permits have been posted. Work has continued on the buildout with substantial progress. No word yet on opening, though. The Popeye’s restaurant previously at that location under another owner closed in November 2021. Meanwhile, at Taco Bell – Popeye’s next door neighbor – it appears that not much visible progress has happened beyond interior demolition.
The ANC6B Southeast Library Taskforce chaired by Commissioner David Sobelsohn met on Monday, September 15, and heard a construction update from Jaspreet Pahwa, Director, Capital Planning and Construction – DC Library. Construction is on schedule after an unexpected delay caused by having to relocate Washington Gas pipelines which pushed back the expected early 2026 reopening by three months. Here’s the current view of the construction on the South Carolina side of the library.
And here’s the view on the D Street side.
The Hill Center – Here’s a photo from last Sunday’s American Roots Concert Series at Hill Center. This one featured the Pine Leaf Boys who drew a large crowd for the free concert. The NYT described them as “…the link that connects the young and the old generations,” and “the best new, energetic and fun Cajun band in a very long time.”
Over in front of the Hill Center, Gathering Terrace – the John Franzén Terrace – drew several members of the over-flow crowd for the Pine Leaf Boys. The space will be dedicated at a two hour event on October 1, beginning at 5:30pm. Mayor Bowser is scheduled to attend and the program will include a military honor guard presenting the colors. Here’s a link to register for the event: http://bit.ly/3IAUHX9
Friday Night Live – And last Friday Night Live at Eastern Market Metro Plaza featured “Spanglish Latin American Band.” This coming Friday, the Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation’s Herb Scott Band will close out the season – September 26 at 5:00pm.
The Week Ahead….
None of the local political or civic organizations regularly covered by Capitol Hill Corner are meeting this week.
There are some items of interest, however:
The Week Ahead…
Wednesday, September 24
(POSTPONED) Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration, 1:30pm.
Case concerning ANC6B protest of Ambar’s application to renew liquor license.
Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation‘s Herb Scott Band closes the Friday Night Live concert season.
Capitol Hill Corner Would Also Like You to Know About:
Folger Theater
Tuesday, September 23 – Sunday, October 26
Julius X –A Re-envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare.
Tickets starting at $20
“This bold new play takes Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Julius Caesar and reworks it through the lens of the American Civil Rights Movement, focusing on the story of Civil Rights leader Malcolm X and drawing parallels between ancient Rome and 1960s Harlem.”
Location: Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, 421 Seward Square SE
“Join acclaimed pianist Steve Baddour on Saturday, September 27, for an afternoon of music, stories, and conversation at the United Methodist Church Capitol Hill. The performance, starting at 3:00pm, will feature a rich program of European Impressionistic music, Latin American classical pieces, a medley of love songs from the’50s and’60s, and a recently composed work based on a Palestinian folk song.”
On Fridays October 17, 24 and 31 and Saturdays, October 18, 21 and November 1
Soul Strolls 2025: Grave Robbing and Resurrection
“Congressional Cemetery revisits the history of the cemetery in twilight and darkness, immersed in vignettes of the lives of interred residents via our guided lantern tours.
Unearth the dark tales of the cemetery’s residents, offering a window into a disturbing chapter of D.C.’s history. Come and enjoy the captivating ambiance of an evening in the cemetery with live music, thematic cocktails, and witness history come alive as our skilled actors breathe life into these stories right where they rest.”
Support goes to helping keep Historic Congressional Cemetery a community sanctuary, place of remembrance, and historic landmark.”
September 18 – October 12. 8:00pm (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) 2:00 PM (Saturdays and Sundays).
New Adaptation of Frankenstein to be Staged at Historic Chapel at Congressional Cemetery
Location: Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street, SE.
Mary Shelley’s Monsters. The author of the infamous novel faces her creations and comes to understand the lasting impact of her radical and horrific story in this new retelling of Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Directed by Alex Levy, Artistic and Managing Director at 1st Stage in Tysons, VA, and featuring Katrina Clark as Mary Shelley; Jon Beal as the Creature; and JC Payne as Victor Frankenstein
Most Saturday mornings you find Tarek Fhad sitting in the window of Peregrine Espresso drinking coffee and drawing. CHC asked him about his drawings.
Fhad said, “It’s kind of like yoga – a place which makes me happy and a place that makes me use my creative mind that’s an escape from everything – I just live in that drawing for an hour or hour and a half.”
Swing…
Originally from Lebanon, Fahd says he’s been drawing for 30 years. It started with what sounds like a voyage of self-discovery while he was studying interior design in college. In those days, he would draw sketches of people during breaks between classes. He says, “I started drawing people doing different things and saw how they’re connected to different parts of their lives and I was able to find my own character in the people that I drew.”
Now, he doesn’t draw people like he did then. He draws designs – “But,” he says, “I still have people in my patterns. There’s always a hidden person in my patterns – so it always starts with a person hidden in the pattern and with a moon, and the whole pattern builds around them.” He has hundreds of these sketches.
Le Balcon…
Asked if he had thought about commercializing his art, he said: “I never thought about doing the full commercial thing. I don’t want to put it on T shirts and pillows and like all that. What I want to do is I want to be able to draw and enjoy it…. For me art has to be accessible to everybody … I enjoy drawing and it’s something that is part of me and if I can share it with the people around me and they’re happy that makes a huge difference to me.”
In keeping with making his art accessible, he thought of a way to do that through Etsy. “So I have an Etsy store and you can buy a digital download for $1.99 and print it and color it. I wanted a store that was not a chore – involved in packing and shipping….”
Big windows, small cities…
He says, “I’m originally from Lebanon I grew up in Lebanon and I’ve been in the United States for almost 20 years. I came here and loved it and I decided to become a citizen. I’m influenced by both Lebanon and the United States and I try and put all of that in my drawings.
I made a choice to become an American and there are a lot of beautiful things in this country and a lot of beautiful things in Lebanon and drawing is a way of trying to find where you belong and I belong in-between those two countries. The United States offered me a lot of opportunities – I drew in coffee shops in Lebanon I still draw in coffee shops here and finding a way to mix those influences in my art is very interesting for me.”
On a random week night…
Professionally, Fahd is now a data analyst. He and his wife – an engineer – live on Capitol Hill. He helps her in her community volunteer work as a bee keeper at Congressional Cemetery.
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 