DC Scenes

Jeff Malet • November 25, 2013

The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink officially opened on Saturday November 16 for the season and will remain open through March 16, weather permitting. The rink is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Don’t worry if you don’t have skates: they are available to rent for a nominal fee. Skating instructor Alice Shelley is also returning this season. There are group classes and private lessons available seven days a week at all times for all ages, levels and abilities when the rink is open. You can e-mail (aliceshelley@ yahoo.com) or call (202-507-2396) Alice Shelley, director of the Sculpture Garden Skating School, for more lesson information.

View our photos from opening day at the rink by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="101541,149932,149937,149947,149966,149952,149956,149960,149972,149929,149924,149943,149896,149901,149890,149904,149910,149915,149918,149977" nav="thumbs"]

Jeff Malet •

The Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company performed Burgess’s new piece “Homage” at the National Portrait Gallery’s Kogod Courtyard Nov. 16. This performance is part of the exhibition, “Dancing the Dream,” which is on display at the National Portrait Gallery. From the late 19th century to today, according to the exhibit, dance has captured this nation’s culture in motion. “Dancing the Dream” will showcase generations of performers, choreographers and impresarios. The show will include images of performers, such as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Michael Jackson, Savion Glover, George Balanchine, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Beyoncé, Isadora Duncan, Agnes de Mille and Lady Gaga. Dance has drawn from the boundless commotion of cultures to represent the rhythm and beat of American life. This exhibition will explore the relationship between the art of dance and the evolution of a modern American identity.

Burgess set his piece to a background of interviews and a diverse set of dance music from such notables as Bob Fosse, Shirley Temple, John Travolta, Josephine Baker, Shirley MacLaine and Elvis Presley. Next April, Burgess has been commissioned to perform a second “Homage”.

View our photos of the performance at the Kogod Courtyard and open rehearsals inside the exhibit area by clicking on the photo icons below.
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Jeff Malet • November 1, 2013

The 38th Marine Corps Marathon took place Sunday morning, Oct. 27, in perfect autumn weather. The race started at the Pentagon, ran through Georgetown, up Rock Creek Parkway, around the National Mall and back over the Potomac before finishing at the Marine Corps War Memorial. This year’s top finishers were native Ethiopian Girma Bedada in the men’s race (2:22:52), and U.S. Army Captain Kelly Calway from Colorado among the women contestants (2:42:16). More than 30,000 turned out to try the 26.2 mile course. The marathon is the third largest in the U.S. and eighth largest in the world.

View our photos from the Marine Corps Marathon by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="150777,150701,150696,150691,150686,150682,150677,150673,150668,150663,150658,150654,150649,150645,150641,150705,150709,150714,150769,150780,150759,150773,150764,150753,150749,150745,150741,150736,150731,150728,150723,150719,150636,150631,150552,150548,150543,150539,150534,150531,150526,150522,150517,150514,150509,150505,150496,150501,150556,150561,150565,150627,150623,150617,150613,150608,150604,150600,150596,150591,150586,150581,150578,150573,150570,101523" nav="thumbs"]

Jeff Malet • October 31, 2013

The government is back open after a 16-day shutdown (at least for 90 days). On Wednesday night, Oct. 16, only an hour and a half before the United States would have been forced to default on its loans, the House of Representatives passed a measure to extend the debt ceiling and end the shutdown.

View our photos from the final hours on Capitol Hill on Wed. Oct 16, and the following day, Thursday, Oct 17, when the National Mall came to life with the opening of the Smithsonian museums, national monuments, gardens and fountains by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="101505,151380,151335,151340,151344,151356,151370,151375,151360,151364,151352,151348,151332,151296,151301,151306,151292,151310,151314,151318,151323,151327,151384" nav="thumbs"]

Jeff Malet •

In perfect weather, 35,000 runners participated in the Army Ten-Miler on Sunday morning, Oct. 20. It is one of the largest 10-mile races in the world. The race started and finished at the Pentagon and extended to the National Mall.

According to organizers, the mission of the race is to promote the Army, build esprit de corps, support fitness goals and enhance community relations. Runners came from all 50 states as well as the District, though about two thirds were from the Washington metropolitan area. Sixty-three percent of the runners were affiliated with the military in some capacity, including more than 75 Wounded Warriors. All of the proceeds go to the Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation Fund. If the partial government shutdown had continued into this weekend, the course would have been altered to avoid federal land.

View our photos of the race from the 6-mile marker along Independence Avenue by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="101506,151222,151225,151230,151248,151252,151255,151260,151264,151267,151272,151275,151279,151288,151284,151218,151213,151209,151160,151155,151165,151170,151239,151234,151242,151175,151180,151186,151191,151196,151201,151205,151290" nav="thumbs"]

Jeff Malet • October 24, 2013

Civil rights veteran Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga.; Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill.; Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz.; Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y.; Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn.; Rep. Al Green, D-Texas; Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill.; and Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y.; joined 200 others who were arrested as part of an act of civil disobedience Oct. 8, after they blocked a main street near the Capitol during a massive rally seeking to push Republicans to hold a vote on a stalled immigration reform bill. Others arrested included Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, and several members of the clergy. The rally took place after the six-time Grammy winners Los Tigres del Norte performed at the National Mall during a show in which the Mexican band dedicated each song to the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally. The “Camino Americano: March for Dignity and Respect” was held as scheduled despite the National Mall being closed for the government shutdown. A bill has already passed in the Democratic-controlled Senate and is backed by the White House which includes billions of dollars for border security as well as a 13-year path to citizenship for those already in the U.S. illegally. However, prospects for final passage appears dim due to opposition in the GOP-dominated House of Representatives.

View our pictures of the rally and the arrests by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="151999,151931,151926,151922,151917,151912,151909,151905,151900,151896,151892,151934,151939,151987,151982,151977,151972,151968,151964,151959,151953,151948,151944,151888,151883,151878,151820,151815,151811,151806,151802,151798,151793,151996,151789,151990,151824,151830,151874,151870,151865,151860,151857,151853,151848,151843,151839,151835,101488" nav="thumbs"]

Jeff Malet • October 21, 2013

Honor Flights are continuing to arrive despite the shutdown. The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans by transporting them to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. A Park Service ranger on site at the World War II Memorial explained on Oct. 5 that the World War II Memorial is technically closed, but individuals would be allowed to enter to “express their First Amendment Rights.” This was in contrast to my last visit on Oct. 1, when the World War II Memorial was closed to all visitors. I spent part of Oct. 5 at the World War II Memorial photographing veteran arrivals from Arkansas, Florida and Minnesota. A Park Service ranger indicated that the Memorial was receiving something on the order of 7 or 8 Honor Flights a day. The WWII Memorial remained virtually open that Saturday afternoon though there appeared to be only one entrance, and the fountains had all been shut down. The water filtration system turned off but the pools have not been drained. A visiting congresswoman suggested that the restrooms were shut down as well. The National Park staff, who appeared to be working without a pay check, were all extremely cordial to the veterans and their families. Arlington National Cemetery has always remained open. A veteran spokesman complained that the Iwo Jima Memorial was closed to them. The Lincoln, Korean and Vietnam memorials may still be closed but veterans may have found limited access when they assert themselves. This is all based on personal observation and like many other venues affected by the shutdown, appears to be in flux.

View our photos of Honor Flight veterans of the “Greatest Generation” visiting the World War II Memorial on Oct. 5 by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="101483,152085,152090,152100,152095,152104,152113,152108,152119,152069,152065,152059,152073,152032,152037,152044,152077,152082,152049,152054,152117" nav="thumbs"]

Jeff Malet • October 17, 2013

Thousands of protesters descended on Washington, D.C., Oct. 13 to protest the closure of national war memorials as a result of the government shutdown. The target of their ire was President Barack Obama. Called “The Million Vets March,” the group included former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, “birther” Orly Taitz and “Mall lawnmower man” Chris Cox — and was joined by a group of truckers staging its own protest against the government.

The protests coincided with a visit of World War II veterans from Washington State as part of the Puget Sound Honor Flight, including 96-year-old Marilouise Kelly, who served five years as a nurse near London, England. These vets were met by their congressman, Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash. Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization, created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices by transporting these heroes to Washington, D.C., to visit and reflect at their memorials.

View our photos from the World War II Memorial by clicking on the photo icons below.
[gallery ids="101499,151538,151543,151547,151552,151556,151560,151565,151571,151576,151580,151585,151588,151593,151602,151600,151533,151515,151510,151521,151450,151455,151459,151464,151469,151477,151481,151485,151490,151524,151528,151495,151500,151505,151596" nav="thumbs"]

Jeff Malet • October 10, 2013

The eleventh annual Turkish Festival brought together 100 artists and thousands of visitors on Sept. 29 to “create new friendships and explore the wonders of Turkey in Washington D.C.” The festival featured a variety of live musical and folk dance performances including the return from Turkey of the Yeditepe University Folklore Club. Several tents were set up along Freedom Plaza and Pennsylvania Avenue, where visitors were invited to purchase jewelry, clothing and food, and meet with organizations that provide information about Turkish culture. The Turkish Festival also featured hands-on activities for kids.

View our photos of the Festival by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="152826,152779,152773,152768,152756,152741,152763,152751,152746,152785,152789,152813,152810,152805,152825,152818,152821,152799,152794,152736,152733,152729,152683,152679,152675,152669,152666,152661,152650,152655,152688,152692,152724,152720,152716,152712,152708,152704,152700,152696,101474" nav="thumbs"]

Jeff Malet •

The Georgetown University Hoyas’ football team fell to the Princeton Tigers, 50-22, before a sold-out but dispirited homecoming crowd at the Georgetown University Multi-Sport Field on Sept. 28. The Hoyas took an early 12-8 lead on a first-quarter rushing touchdown from senior running back Nick Campanella and a 14-yard fumble return for a touchdown by sophomore safety Cameron Gamble. But the Tigers stormed back as punter Tyler Roth’s throw to Will Powers for a first down off a fake punt, sparked the touchdown drive that put Princeton up 15-12. Tigers quarterback Quinn Epperly scored his second of four rushing touchdowns, and Brian Mills ran 53 yards for a score on the following possession to take a 22-12 lead. In the third quarter, Epperly romped for a 53-yard keeper on a fourth down play. Epperly became the first Princeton player in 20 years to score four times in a game. The Princeton offense generated 542 yards on offense to 343 for the Hoyas, who have been hampered this season with a series of injuries at key positions. Senior Hoyas safety Stephen Atwater faced his younger brother DiAndre Atwater, a sophomore Princeton running back, for the final time of their collegiate careers. The two only played against each other one other time in their football careers, last year at Princeton. Their father Steve Atwater was an eight-time NFL Pro Bowl selection and two-time Super Bowl champion as a safety with the Denver Broncos.

View our field level photos of the game by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="101475,152576,152580,152584,152589,152593,152597,152601,152606,152610,152614,152618,152622,152626,152631,152634,152638,152649,152571,152567,152562,152647,152492,152509,152515,152497,152500,152504,152519,152524,152528,152532,152537,152541,152545,152550,152554,152558,152642" nav="thumbs"]