Latest News

Georgetowner • March 19, 2015

Executive Director Martin Wollesen came to the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in Sept. 2013 from the University of California, San Diego. From 8 to 9:3 a.m. at the March 12 Cultural Leadership Breakfast, he will share his plans and goals for The Clarice: the six-venue centerpiece of the University of Maryland’s College of Arts and Humanities in College Park.

$15 for George Town Club members

$20 for non-members

To RSVP email richard@georgetowner.com or call 202 338 4833

Peter Murray •

As if anyone needed another reminder about how expensive housing is in the District of Columbia, apartment rental site Zumper mapped the cost of a month’s rent in a one-bedroom apartment in D.C. neighborhoods.

Subsequently, the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute released a report showing, among other things, that rent has increased in D.C. most for low- and middle-income renters and that the number of apartments in the area where monthly rent is below $800 has decreased from 58,000 in 2002 to 33,000 in 2013.

There are few surprises in the Zumper report. Georgetown is the most expensive place to live ($2,600), with Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown ranking in a close second ($2,510). Arlington is more expensive than living in a lot of neighborhoods in D.C. but with a lot less urban character. Ditto on SW Ballpark – Navy Yard, where rent averages are $2,104, hundreds of dollars more than in LeDroit Park – Bloomingdale ($1,550), Capitol Hill ($1,795), Glover Park ($1,760), Petworth ($1,610), Mount Pleasant ($1,650) and a couple of other neighborhoods. The main point here is that it’s not worth living in big-ass, expensive apartment building in a neighborhood with no personality, when there are lower prices in a number of charming (though sometimes in-transition) areas in D.C.

Speaking of charming, in-transition neighborhoods: Zumper’s map shows that despite continued sketchiness and crime, H Street-NOMA and Columbia Heights have officially become expensive places to live with rents for a one-bedroom apartment averaging out at $2,100 per month.

Rents are actually down slightly in Columbia Heights though there is this story from DCist about a building owner increasing monthly rents by more than $900.

The map also reaffirms Logan Circle-Shaw as an incredibly popular, in-demand neighborhood akin to Dupont Circle. What sets the area apart from others with high rent price points like Foggy Bottom, Mount Vernon Square, Woodley Park and Downtown is that the neighborhood currently is not home to massive buildings with market rate — read “costly” — rents. As more of these complexes, including buildings around the Shaw metro station, adjacent to City Market at O and near Logan Circle come online, the median one-bedroom monthly rent will likely shoot up even further. (This seems to defy common sense with regard to supply and demand, but that’s D.C.’s rental market in certain neighborhoods for you.)

So, what does this all mean for you and finding affordable housing in Washington? As D.C.’s real estate market becomes increasingly like those in New York City and San Francisco, finding affordable housing will progressively become a more daunting task but it’s possible, if you’re a savvy shopper. Try living with people — as many as you can — if affordability is your top concern. One-bedrooms might be expensive in Columbia Heights but there are plenty of large, multi-bedroom houses with rents around $1,000 per person in the neighborhood.

Look outside the box in terms of neighborhoods. If you want to live in near Dupont Circle but can’t afford rent there, don’t mosey over defeated to Arlington, check out a group house in Adams Morgan, Mount Pleasant or Bloomingdale. If those hoods are still too pricey, check out Petworth, Brookland, Trinidad, Eckington or Capitol Hill.

If real estate trends in D.C., New York and San Francisco illustrate anything, it’s that rundown, crime-ridden areas can quickly become hot, up-and-coming, appealing neighborhoods.

Linnea Kristiansson •

Beloved indie movie theatre West End Cinema will close in the end of March, co-founder and general manager Josh Levin announced on March 3. After opening in 2010, West End Cinema became known for showing independent films unsuited for large theaters and even for E Street Cinema downtown.

Levin has made the West End a haven for small, independent movies that otherwise could only be seen on demand or not at all. During the past five years, it’s provided D.C. residents an important venue for independent cinema, documentaries, awards contenders, foreign flicks and controversial movies such as “The Interview” last December.

West End Cinema said the following on their website: “For the past few years, we’ve enjoyed serving the ?D.C. community of cinephiles and movie-lovers, but the time has come. We are incredibly grateful for all your support and would love to share our thanks with you for one last month…and D.C.’s best popcorn!”

“We have loved doing what we’ve been doing, but we’re facing increased occupancy cost and increased competition for (movie) titles, so we decided to leave with our heads held high, declare victory and depart the field,” Levin told WTOP.

The theater will show its last film on Thursday, March 26. Stay tuned to West End Cinema’s website www.westendcinema.com, newsletter, and social media accounts for news about a to-be-announced final celebration to occur before the official closing on Tuesday, March 31.
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Robert Devaney • March 13, 2015

Supporters and friends of Dumbarton Oaks Park celebrated the opening of the gates to the park at Lovers’ Lane April 12, the day that the park opened to the public for the first time in 1941.

With work completed by the springtime, members of the National Park Service and the Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy gathered to enjoy the day and Georgetown’s renewed treasure of parkland. Among the crowd were Tara Morrison and Rebecca Karcher of NPS as well as landscape architect Mike McMahon — and conservancy members: board president Rebecca Trafton, restoration director Ann Aldrich, Liza Gilbert, Lindsey Milstein and Cecile Warnock.

Later in the month, Trafton had a special Earth Day message for friends of the park: “Two years ago, when Betsy Rogers of the Central Park Conservancy was speaking on our behalf at the Embassy of Italy, she challenged us to announce a first phase of Restoration.”

“We did: I announced the two-acre Signature Project at the entrance to the park, and on Earth Day 2012, we appealed to the public for the first time, asking for support to begin restoration.”

“Now, two years later, we are completing this $250,000 project, thanks to $50,000 from the National Park Foundation matched by our donors, $50,000 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and more than $100,000 worth of contributed trees and volunteer labor.”

“It has been a remarkable success — and suddenly from the bridge, one can look up, over erosion control matting, to Cherry Hill at Dumbarton Oaks and sense a connection between the Upper Gardens and the Lower Gardens, long lost and now regained. Sincere thanks are due to Rock Creek Park National Park Service staff, Signature Project Committee chair Liza Gilbert, Restoration Director Ann Aldrich, and the whole wonderful team of board members, friends and volunteers.”

The Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy is a non-profit organization established in 2010 that seeks to restore the bulk of one of America’s ten greatest garden landscape designs, namely 27-acre Dumbarton Oaks Park, formerly part of the Dumbarton Oaks estate in Georgetown. The estate is a milestone in the history of American landscape architecture and a landmark in our social history since it is the finest work of Beatrix Farrand, America’s first female professional landscape architect.
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Robert Devaney • March 11, 2015

The Georgetown Business Association held its monthly reception Feb. 25 at Malmaison down on K Street at the waterfront and was expecting to have Mayor Muriel Bowser stop by. Because of an afternoon press conference on the new Marijuana law and scheduling issues, Bowser could not attend.

Nevertheless, GBA president Charles Camp introduced Beverly Perry, senior advisor to the mayor. Perry noted that it has been “an exciting day . . . an exhausting day.” Posing the question, “What can Georgetown do for the city,” Perry said, “Spend more money . . . It looks like there is a lot of money in this room.”

In the spirit of transparency and getting everyone involved, Camp asked other local politicians and community leaders to address the lively crowd, which then continued to enjoy the hospitality of host Zubair Popal.
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Georgetowner •

House Mountain Horse Show

MARCH 7TH, 2015 AT 12:00 AM | EVENT WEBSITE

Named after the Lexington-area mountain, this two-day regional schooling horse show for hunter and jumper riders is owned and operated by the Virginia Horse Center Foundation and managed by Keedie Leonard & L. M. ”Sandy” Gerald.

Address

Anderson Coliseum, Virginia Horse Center, 487 Maury River Rd., Lexington, Va.

40th Annual Washington Antiquarian Book Fair

MARCH 7TH, 2015 AT 10:00 AM | $8-$14 | EHELPERN@SCOTTCIRCLE.COM | EVENT WEBSITE

It’s time to put down your e-readers and experience a bit of history! Have you ever seen a $30,000 book? Or a book that is hundreds of years old? Now is your chance when the 40th annual Washington Antiquarian Book Fair returns to the nation’s capital from March 6-7, 2015.

Address

Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge; Rosslyn Ballroom, Shenandoah Suite & Dogwood Room;1900 North Fort Myer Drive; Arlington, VA 22209

Washington, DC Travel & Adventure Show

MARCH 7TH, 2015 AT 10:00 AM | $11-16 | INFO@TRAVELSHOWS.COM | TEL: 202-249-3000 | EVENT WEBSITE

Discover dream destinations at the Washington, DC Travel & Adventure Show, March 7 & 8. Roster of Celebrity Travel Speakers Includes Rick Steves, Pauline Frommer, Samantha Brown, Patricia Schultz and Josh Gates, offering travel expertise and inspiration. Savor world cuisines on the Taste of Travel Stage, watch the world come alive on the Global Beats Stage, and the brand new Savvy Traveler Stage will focus on insider travel tips and practical advice.

Address

Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW

Fauré Requiem – Cathedral Choral Society

MARCH 8TH, 2015 AT 04:00 PM | $15-75 | LSHERIDAN@CATHEDRAL.ORG | TEL: 202-537-2228 | EVENT WEBSITE

Stunningly luscious music on an all-French program. Written following personal spiritual transformation, Poulenc’s Organ Concerto exudes heartfelt directness. Dictated to her sister at the end of her young life, the Pie Jesu was Lili Boulanger’s requiem for herself. Intimate and profoundly beautiful, Fauré’s Requiem is one of the most beloved pieces in the choral repertoire. Featuring Music Director J. Reilly Lewis as organ soloist.

Address

3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW

Cultural Leadership Breakfast: Martin Wollesen

MARCH 12TH, 2015 AT 08:00 AM | RICHARD@GEORGETOWNER.COM | EVENT WEBSITE

As part of the series presented by Georgetown Media Group and sponsored by Long & Foster, Martin Wollesen, executive director of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, will share his plans and goals for The Clarice, the six-venue centerpiece of the University of Maryland’s College of Arts and Humanities. Admission is $20 ($15 for George Town Club members). RSVP via email.

Address

George Town Club, 1530 Wisconsin Ave. NW.

CAG Concerts Kick-off Party?

MARCH 12TH, 2015 AT 06:30 PM | $60 | EVENT WEBSITE

The kick-off party will be at The George Town Club on March 12 from 6:30 – 8:30 PM.
Concerts in the Parks is Georgetown’s favorite summer concerts series that is free and open to the public in beautiful Volt and Rose parks. Proceeds from this event help underwrite the cost of putting on the concerts. 2015 Concerts will take place Sunday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 PM on May 17th, June 14th and July 12th.

Address

The George Town Club; 1530 Wisconsin Ave.

Gary Tischler •

The Academy Awards Show is a little like Good Old Reliable Nathan from “Guys and Dolls”:

They’re good (partly), old (going back to the 1920s) and, for sure, reliable. At the Oscars, all manners of sins are forgiven—sins of shamelessness, sins of foot-in-mouth-disease, sins of fashion (extremely unforgivable among the unforgiving fashion critics), sins of omission (where are the many missing nominations for “Selma” and the one for Clint Eastwood?), and just your usual run-of-the-mill sins, entirely particular to Hollywood, that enclave of look-at-me, self-absorption, wretched excess, accompanied by hordes of media minions, given to mind-blowing displays of both buttering up and cutting up (and down).

Yet, amid the sometimes unbearably tedious length of the proceedings, things happen. Drama breaks out. Tears, some of them genuine amid the sea of actors, flow. Surprises occur, although perhaps not where they’re expected. The deserving get rewarded (good for you, Julianne Moore; you go, J.K. Simmons) and sometimes people say just the right thing (Simmons, again, the ad pitchman and television character actor who won the supporting award for “Whiplash,” telling viewers to call their parents), and sometimes not (Sean Penn, on announcing the three-time winner Alejandro Inarritu, saying, “Who gave that S.O.B. a green card?).

The favored front-runners pretty much won: Eddy Redmayne for Best Actor, playing Stephen Hawking; Moore for “Still Alice,” playing a woman suffering from dementia; “Birdman” for Best Picture, Patricia Arquette for Best Supporting Actress and Simmons for Best Supporting Actor.

What didn’t happen was almost as interesting—“American Sniper,” which has been getting critical praise (and some damnation, too), and big box office, got hardly anything, and omitted Eastwood again from a Best Director nomination, even though he showed up. “Boyhood,” which had critics swooning as only the smitten can, got little except for Arquette’s nod. The evening seemed to be a triumph of the fact-driven, small, and slightly independent film—witness “Whiplash” and “The Grand Hotel Budapest,” which won a number of awards, letting us see faces we ordinarily do not get to see in People Magazine.

Host Neil Patrick Harris was smooth, but also a little underwhelming, even when he stripped down to his skivvies and revealed himself to be quite buff. There is a little bit of disconnect there, but that might have something to do with the fact that the whole ABC night—counting a 90-minute red carpet show amounted to more than four and a half hours.

Just when you’re feeling a little dizzy, up came Arquette, getting Meryl Streep and other actresses to jump out of their seats advocating for equal pay and women’s rights. Just when you think nothing can move you, country star Tim McGraw singing ailing Glen Campbell’s moving “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” to an audience stunned into silence. Tears erupted also when John Legend and Common sang and rapped “Glory,” the song from “Selma.”

And who knew that Lady Gaga could be such a Broadway star, running through a medley of songs from “The Sound of Music” on the occasion of the film version’s 50th anniversary? Actually, Tony Bennett probably knew.

Those nice surprises and those moving movements almost always make the Oscars, if not relevant, worthwhile.

Georgetowner •

[UPDATE] On Wednesday, Feb. 25, just before 10:40 a.m. smoke poured out of the Steve Madden building at 3109 M St. NW in Georgetown. The building also houses BrandLink D.C., the Wink boutique and the Ury salon and spa.

An official from D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department on the scene said that the fire was spreading within the walls. It is believed that the insulation burned due to some sort of electrical issue. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

“Everyone was able to make it out,” the official said. “No one is injured at this time.”

Firefighters had the fire put out by 11:20 a.m. and began reopening M Street, but a portion remained closed to traffic.

BrandLink D.C. posted on its Facebook page that, even though it experienced smoke damage, ”We are happy to report that everyone is safe and sound.” The event and marketing firm will be working from a temporary office space throughout this week.

The Urban Outfitters building, next to the Steve Madden building, is also closed because of damages because of the fire.

[February 25, 2014] Smoke poured out of the Steve Madden building at 3109 M St. NW in Georgetown just before 10:40 a.m. Feb. 25.

An official on the scene said that the fire burned within the walls. It is believed that the insulation burned due to some sort of electrical issue.

“Everyone was able to make it out,” the official said. “No one is injured at this time.”

There are serious traffic delays at the scene.
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Georgetowner •

Twentythirtysomething Book Club (T.T.B.C.)

February 26th, 2015 at 07:30 PM | Free | julia.strusienski@dc.gov | Tel: 202-727-0232 | (Event Website](http://www.meetup.com/Twentythirtysomething-Book-Club-T-T-B-C/)

Are you a local reader at least 21 years old? Looking for a more casual book club experience? Then join us for Twentythirtysomething Book Club (T.T.B.C.), a new book group for younger adults.

For our February meeting, we will be reading Robin Sloan’s 2012 novel, “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore.”

For more information, check out our MeetUp page or email erika.rydberg@dc.gov or julia.strusienski@dc.gov.

Address

breadsoda; 2233 Wisconsin Ave. NW

2015 DC Design House Bare Bones Tour

February 28th, 2015 at 12:00 PM | $5 or free with purchase of $30 DC Design House ticket for April 12-May 10 | dcdesignhouse@theloftatai.com | Tel: 301-807-0910 | [Event Website](http://www.dcdesignhouse.com/)

Take a tour of the 2015 DC Design House before the designers work their magic. See the 27 empty rooms in this new McLean, VA home built by Artisan Builders and then come back from April 11 to May 10 to see the beautiful designs. It’s the 8th Annual event with 100% of proceeds benefitting Children’s National Health System.

12 noon until 3 p.m.

Address

956 Mackall Farm Lane; McLean, VA 22101

Paintings, Calligraphy and Ceramics by Stephen Addiss

February 28th, 2015 at 12:00 PM | [Event Website](http://robertbrowngallery.com/)

Robert Brown Gallery hosts an opening reception for an exhibition of work by painter, poet, ceramicist, musician and Japanese art historian Stephen Addiss. A professor for thirty-six years, Addiss retired in 2013 from a position at the University of Richmond. He began studying calligraphy and ink painting in 1969 with Asian scholars, later studying in Japan and Taiwan.

Address

1662 33rd St. NW.

Aaron Burr Lecture at Georgetown Library

February 28th, 2015 at 01:00 PM | jerry.mccoy@dc.gov

Jamie Stiehm, a columnist for Creators Syndicate and a contributor to usnews.com, will give a free 1 p.m. lecture: “The Intriguing Aaron Burr: Vice President and So Much More.” The third vice president of the United States, Burr served under Thomas Jefferson from 1801 to 1805.

Address

Georgetown Neighborhood Library, Peabody Room (third floor), 3260 R St. NW.

Russian “Ballades, Fantasies, and Satires”

February 27th, 2015 at 12:00 AM | $50 | [Event Website](http://thercas.com/)

Soprano Natalia Kraevsky and bass Grigory Soloviov will sing songs in Russian accompanied by pianist Vera Danchenko-Stern, founder and artistic director of the Russian Chamber Art Society, at this third concert of RCAS’s 2014-2015 season. Danchenko-Stern’s Peabody Conservatory colleague, pianist Alexander Shtarkman, will also perform. Tickets, include a wine and dessert reception. For tickets, visit their website.

Address

Embassy of Austria, 3524 International Court NW.

701 Restaurant Hosts Four-Course Wine Dinner with Crosby Roamann Winery

February 27th, 2015 at 07:00 PM | $90 | Tel: (202) 393-0701 | [Event Website](http://701restaurant.com/)

701 Restaurant invites guests to come celebrate one of Napa Valley’s finest wineries, Crosby Roamann, on February 27th at 7 p.m. The experience is priced at $90 per person (not including tax and gratuity) and guests will enjoy Executive Chef Benjamin Lambert’s four-course feast while winemaker Sean McBride will orchestrate pairings.

Address

701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Cantate Chamber Singers presents the St. John Passion of J.S. Bach

March 1st, 2015 at 04:00 PM | $35 ($45 for premium seats in first few rows), age 18 & under FREE, students with ID $15. | exec@cantate.org | Tel: 301-986-1799 | [Event Website](http://cantate.org/)

Cantate (Gisèle Becker, Music Director) presents Bach’s masterpiece in the rarely performed fourth version of 1749, with period instruments. Featuring Joseph Dietrich singing the role of the Evangelist, Kevin Frey singing the role of Jesus, soprano Mary Ellen Callahan, mezzo-soprano Barbara Hollinshead, baritone Steven Combs, and tenor David Wolff.

Address

Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church; 6601 Bradley Blvd; Bethesda, MD 20817

Time for Three

March 1st, 2015 at 05:00 PM | $25. – $30. | sam@stjohnsgeorgetown.org | Tel: 202-338-1796 | [Event Website](http://www.stjohnsgeorgetown.org/)

The groundbreaking, category-shattering string trio transcends traditional classification, with elements of classical, country western, gypsy and jazz idioms forming a blend all its own. Performing music from Bach to Brahms, arrangements of The Beatles, Katy Perry, Kanye West
and Justin Timberlake.

Free parking at the Hyde Addison School parking lot directly across from the church.

Address

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Georgetown; 3240 O St. NW

Linnea Kristiansson •

The Washington Harbour Ice Rink on the Georgetown waterfront will close for the season this Sunday, March 1.

The rink is the largest outdoor ice skating venue in the region. Open annually from mid-November until March, the ice rink at 3050 K Street NW transforms from a picturesque fountain in warmer months and is open for recreational skating every day, including holidays.

With a couple of days left in February, take the opportunity to enjoy a healthy activity right on the Potomac, with a warm beverages rink-side.

Go, before the season ends! See you on the ice.

Opening hours:

Monday-Tuesday 12:00-7:00pm
Wednesday-Thursday 12:00-9:00pm
Friday 12:00pm-10:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-10:00pm
Sunday 10:00am-7:00pm

Prices:

Adults: $10.00
Children/Seniors/Military: $9.00
Skate Rental: $5.00
Season Pass: $195.00
10 Admission Pass: $85.00
Socks/Gloves: $4.00

Helmets and penguin skate aids are available, free of use, first come first serve.

Weekly events:

College Night Skate: Each Thursday, Receive $2 off Admission with a Valid College ID
Cartoon Skate: Every Saturday morning from 10:00am — 12:00pm
Rock N Skate: Every Saturday night from 8:00 – 10:00pm

For more information on ice skating, signing up for lessons, and general questions call (202)706-7666.