U Street NW

Funk Parade Planned for May 3

A growing group of businesses, civic leaders, and local organizations are coming together to organize & support a funk parade and music showcase in early May. The Funk Parade is scheduled to happen on or around U Street NW on Saturday May 3, 2014. The parade is actually one part of three: a street fair, the parade, and musical performances. 

These things of course require a bit of funding, and the organizers are throwing a kickoff party to do just that. This fundraiser/show will be held at Liv on March 13. Good luck to everyone involved. Sounds like a cool idea!

For more information on the Funk Parade visit their neat website.

From the organizers:

FUNK PARADE PLANNED FOR DC’S U STREET NEIGHBORHOOD

Parade, Street Fair and Music Festival to Celebrate Spirit of Funk, DC’s Birthday

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A group of over 70 local businesses, civic leaders and neighborhood organizations today announced plans for the first-ever Funk Parade in the U Street neighborhood on Saturday, May 3, 2014.

The planned event has three parts: a street fair by day, the mighty Funk Parade in the afternoon, and a music festival in the evening.  The events will be rich in music and art, and will honor both the neighborhood and the spirit of funk, “the subatomic particle of love,” which brings people together and makes them feel all right. The date, May 3, is the 211th anniversary of the District’s incorporation.

“Bringing people together in the spirit of music and celebration is part of what makes the U Street neighborhood a crown jewel of the city,” said D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1).  “I'm proud to support this unique event.”

Funk Parade is supported by a broad group of leaders, businesses and community groups, from Councilmember Graham, Ben’s Chili Bowl and the Howard Theater to ANC 1B, U Street Music Hall, the Brixton, Bohemian Caverns, Blind Dog Cafe, Twins Jazz, WJLA Channel 7 and dozens more. For a full list of supporters, click here.

The event is co-sponsored by Listen Local First, an organization which partners with hundreds of local musicians and businesses to create new new avenues for local music exploration.

For more news, including announcements of band lineups, participating artists, sponsors and more, follow Funk Parade on Twitter at @FunkParade or go to http://funkparade.com.

Donate! Volunteer! Get involved!  Email funk@funkparade.com.  

Adams Morgan's Amsterdam Falafel Opening on 14th

1830 14th St NW, location of new Amsterdam Falafel franchise

Amsterdam Falafelshop, the Adams Morgan make-it-your-own falafel restaurant, is opening another, franchised location on 14th St NW. The original location at 2425 18th St NW is not closing. The owners have been working on developing a franchise plan and the 14th Street store will be the third, joining two others in Somerville, MA and Annapolis, MD. The new store is at 1830 14th St NW, near Swann St. This location will be larger than the original and will also serve alcohol.

Amsterdam joins several other businesses with an Adams Morgan-Shaw crossover. Joint Custody recently moved from 18th Street to 16th and U Street NW. Meeps Vintage moved from U Street to 18th Street in 2006 and two years later Miss Pixie's Furnishings made a move from 18th and Columbia to 14th and R.

'Into the Lime Lite' Documentary Screens Wednesday

Photo courtesy of  filmmakers

A couple of weeks ago I got the chance to see a really great documentary short filmed in DC, about DC, by a DC film crew. The movie --Into the Lime Lite-- follows a local youth boxer as he trains at the Lime Lite gym in Columbia Heights, preparing for and competing in the Beltway Belfast Classic boxing tournament. 

Two things going for this film: 1) Engaging subject matter (who knew there was a full service youth boxing academy right here in mid town?), including boxer Malik Jackson, the focus of the story. Having won national events already, he's now training for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. And 2) The film making is just pitch perfect; lighting, music, pace and framing. The filmmakers are from the Institute for Documentary Filmmaking at GWU's Documentary Center.

Into the Lime Lite will be shown as part of the U Street Movie Series, tomorrow Wednesday, August 22 at 7:45 PM (actually, right at sundown). The location is Harrison Field at 13th and V NW, just north of the Ellington apartment building. Gates open at 7:00 PM. The film is short, so they'll  be showing a full length movie just afterwards; The American President. 

A great movie under the lights. Check it out!

Sounds of Malcolm X Park

If you follow The 42 Bus on Twitter you have probably noticed me talking up Sundays at Malcolm X Park. More often than not on a Sunday evening, I am there. Usually listening to the drum circle, but also walking the grounds, watching ducks in the fountain, eating snacks on a blanket or just hanging out. As I have said before, it is one of the best free activities in the District.

The drum circle jams are organic. That is, each performance is made up of 2-3 dozen separate, individual performances of single drummers. The only structure is the structure formed during each specific jam; it happens on the fly. Jams can last 90 seconds or 15 minutes. Each is unique and by nature, none are repeated. That's the beauty.

If you want to see it live, come to Malcolm X Park (aka Meridian Hill Park) at 16th and Euclid Sts NW on any Sunday, weather permitting. From about 5:00PM until 8:00PM there are drummers making music at the southwest corner of the top level, near the Joan of Arc statue. Here's one I recorded recently.

Out and About: Eatonville Adds Vegan Dishes

Eatonville only recently made it onto my restaurant radar. As often as I frequent U Street, I had never been to this sister restaurant of Busboys and Poets. Eatonville is named after the Florida town of the same name; and inspired by it's most famous resident, author Zora Neale Hurston. 

The menu is southern, southern, southern. I'm from the south, but just made my first visit to this establishment last week. What a treat!

Eatonville just recently added a handful of vegan plates. They work, and that's more important to me than throwing on several standard veggies over rice dishes that don't necessarily mesh with the menu. The three I tried were the vegan gumbo, the hoppin' john and the pan fried vegan chicken. Hoppin' john is sort of a southern version of red beans and rice; using black eyed peas instead. All were very well done! The pan fried chicken is made of one of the more popular brands of faux chicken (gardein, I believe) and came with hoppin' john and collards. Really satisfying! Great fall comfort food. Staff was awesome and the space is gorgeous. 

Eatonville looks like it's taking some cue from Busboys by slowly bringing in vegan dishes that complement each other and also the res of the non vegan menu. So, you can eat vegan in a wonderful space and get the same experience that any other diner gets. Keep what works and improve on the rest. Doesn't hurt that the cocktail list of adult beverages is A+, too.  Cool spot, will have to make a repeat trip. Eatonville is located at the corner of 14th and V Sts NW.

DC Noodles

DC Noodles is not on the 42 bus line, but I have to give them a shout out. I love when a restaurant makes it clear on the menu, or signage what's vegan, what can be made vegan and what isn't vegan. And especially those who back that up with knowledgeable employees.

DC Noodles has always offered vegan-friendly, good food, but on a recent visit I noticed that they had clearly labeled the menu with vegetarian items, even going as far to show which items were made with fish or oyster sauce and broth; often a hidden ingredient. Some dishes are just vegetarian, but not vegan so definitely ask the server your detailed questions. They are happy to accommodate and check with the cooks, etc.

DC Noodles is located at 1410 U Street; quite a walk from the closest 42 bus stop, but you can walk from Adams Morgan easily.

Rest in Peace Ben Ali

Friday Fun Post: Backdoor at Backbar

Start August off with a dance party. This event is not on the 42 bus line, but is fully endorsed by the 42 Bus. A slew of local DJs, including a few with Mt Pleasant roots are hosting the first ever Backdoor dance party at the 9:30 Club's Backbar.

From the Backdoor folks:

"On our maiden voyage, take a musical summer vacation with us, with booty jams that transcend time and space:

Transcontinental African pop rifts, timewarps of funk and disco, islands of reggaeton and dancehall, tropical epochs of cumbia, and new seasonal intersections of anything and everything that makes you want to dance.

With:
DJ Natty Boom
DJ Mothersheister
DJ Trash
DJ rAt
DJ bent
+ Visiting Professor DJ Kofi

Saturday Aug 1st 11pm-3am $5
9:30 Club Backbar, 815 V St (9th St Entrance)
Pop Quizzes and Beverage Giveaways!!
Surprise Drink Specials!

BACKDOOR is a reminder of how marginalized folks have been denied front door access to social spaces and how people have always resisted that by creating their own spaces. We want this party to be a mix of all kinds of communities. A contrast between being forced to use the backdoor and meet clandestinely, and our choice now to meet together that way."

Dancehall! I've just started to get into dancehall after a friend in NY, NY introduced me to some good dancehall a few months ago. Not sure if they'll play anything like this at the party, but I've been jamming to Serani and similar artists recently. So, if you're reading this DJs....

37 and One Half Hours in Washington DC: Day Two

This post is based on--heck, totally stolen from--the 36 Hour series produced by the New York Times. If they send a cease and desist order, well, I’d have to agree that I pretty much copied the idea and would have to comply. Although, technically, this is called the 37 and One Half Hour Series. Click here for Day One.

Day Two
Morning: Up early, yea? Skip the petit déjeuner offered at the hotel. Head to U Street (Green Line on the Metro) and get a hearty breakfast at Ben's Chili Bowl or Mocha Hut (1213 an 1301 U St NW). There is some shopping and sightseeing here, with the highlight being the African American Civil War Memorial (Vermont and U St NW) This memorial's name pretty much says it all. It's a nice departure from the heroic style single subject memorials of downtown. Other attractions are on U Street NW between 16th and 10th Streets and on 14th Street near U St.

If you are a museums person realize that you can't see them all. Go with your gut and visit those you think you'll be enriched by and enjoy. And even then, chose an exhibit or two and just see those. I have to recommend my favorite two art museums, the National Gallery of Art and National Portrait Gallery. The Portrait Gallery (8th and F Sts NW) is part American history museum, too. The permanent exhibit, America's Presidents, features timeless portraits of every commander in chief (besides Obama, he hasn't gotten an official portrait yet). The National Gallery (4th and Constitution NW) offers classic and modern art from around the world and never ceases to showcase the best of its vast collections. Spilt time between both of these distinctly different, but equally enjoyable museums. Lunch at either: National Gallery's quaint throw back cafeteria with neat views, or the covered courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery.

Afternoon: No visit to DC is complete without a visit to the peoples house, the United States Capitol Building. Secure a tour of the building in the Capitol Visitor's Center. Consider skipping the exhibits in the center itself and get the earliest tour possible. It's one of two ways to get into the Capitol Building. The other is to get gallery passes from one of your Congressional representatives. You get to watch what passes for debate these days up close and personal. Score passes in advance if you can and do this instead of the fixed building tour. Time is always an issue, but if you've got it, make a proper visit to a Senator or House Representative. We don't have either as residents of a federal District; and regardless, I think if you're in DC , try to connect with your elected leaders and lobby for a cause of yours. At least sign the guest book.

Again with the time, you'll be running out of it at this point. Squeeze in a quick photo-opish visit to the Supreme Court or the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress. They are a block apart from each other (1st and East Capitol Sts) and are impressive architecturally and symbolically, although you can't photo the inside of the SC chamber.

Get some rest at the hotel and get ready for a night on the town.

Every guide to DC urges visitors to wade out of their comfort zone and visit one of the in-town neighborhoods. Something off the beaten path. Adams Morgan's bars, Dupont's people watching., or Georgetown's cobblestone. I think all those are doable and I do think that out-of-towners visit those place and find them interesting. But if you want something different, they Atlas District on H Street NE between 12th and 14th Streets. Take a cab from the Gallery Place Metro, Union Station Metro, or where ever you are and be prepared to take a cab back to where ever you are sleeping. Have a number of a company you can call in advance of needing a ride home. Palace of Wonders offers shows that can't be found anywhere else this side of New York City. Eat out at Sticky Rice, Jimmy Valentine's (1103 Bladensburg Rd. NE) or Granville Moore's (1238 H Street NE). Then party party party the night away there or Rock & Roll Hotel, Red and the Black or H Street Martini Lounge (1353, 1212, and 1236 H St NE respectively). Bars close at 2 on weekdays, 3 on the weekends. Not saying out have to stay out that late... just make sure you have that cabbie's number handy.

Ben's Will Expand, Offer Alcohol

Ben's Chili Bowl is not on the 42 bus line. But, it's one of the best eats in the city, and one of the only places you can enjoy a good meal and not have to think about ordering drinks with your meal. You still have to deal with the inebriated young people on the weekends, but for the most part, Ben's is a fulfilling, safe, wholesome option for a meal.

Now, according to the Washington Business Journal, the Ali brothers who own the restaurant want to expand the operation into the building next door, which they own. The new site would offer some relief for Ben's which is packed for many lunches, most weekend evenings, and whenever a tour bus decides to pull up to the front door. I usually eat at the bar, but have been in a couple of times when there weren't any seats except for in the very back in the newest added room. The current building is an old theater and has a unique layout which is narrow, but deep.

In addition to adding more seating, the Ali brothers want to create an entirely new venue out of the new space. The general idea is a martini bar, with boutique and specialty beers. Part of the setup may involve a special Ben's brew, made locally. The ball is rolling on the project; the alcohol permit has been approved and the owners are looking to be done with a build-out of the new space by this fall/winter.

Not sure yet if I like the idea. I know Ben's was a nearly put on life support after its value assessment tripled and the tax bill rose accordingly a few years ago. U Street recently hasn't been as friendly to traditional, family owned, local businesses. Newer businesses seem to be upscale restaurants, high end furniture stores and high couture clothing boutiques. Ben's has to keep up with the Jones' so to speak. But I hope the new venue is part-and-parcel separate from the original Ben's. I'd like to see the original Ben's remain intact and have the new venue be a completely separate entity. Ben's should be preserve as the small, family owned, food focused restaurant. Let the new venue make it or break it on its own.

U Street NW

Nighttime Nosh

Ben's on U St of course