Latest News

Peter Murray • August 13, 2015

After facing an investigation earlier this year over racial bias, the Georgetown University track program is being probed about allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

A day after a blog post titled, “Georgetown Track Exposed” appeared online July 16 providing information about sexual misconduct on the men’s track team, Georgetown U. released a statement acknowledging a probe into such activities that started in April 2015. In addition, the University’s communications office wrote that the university has met with every member of the team to review school policy and the allegations. The university also closed the men’s track locker room, where some of the misconduct was said to have occurred.

Georgetown University’s statement did not bring light to the activities that led to the investigation, though it did note that the sexual misconduct investigation is “separate from a review regarding allegations of racial bias within the track program being conducted by the Georgetown University Office of Institutional Diversity Equity and Affirmative Action (IDEAA), which began in late March following a report of racial bias.” That investigation stems from runner Stefanie Kurgatt’s claims that track program coaches conspired to kick her off the team.

The “Georgetown Track Exposed” blog post, on the other hand, provided more detail on why the team is under investigation for sexual misconduct. The anonymous blogger wrote, “During conversation concerning discrimination [with the university], issues of sexual harassment and sexual assault in the MEN’s LOCKER ROOM were brought up.” The writer goes on to describe a video the men’s team produced as a trailer for its annual “Hoya Snaxa Awards” that included long distance runners performing “overtly sexual activities between each other.” The awards, emails posted by the anonymous blogger show, were given out for things like “Hottest Mom,” “Best Drunken Performance,” among with other crude superlatives.

The author says that the video previewing the awards “prompted the University to open an additional Title IX investigation based on violations of the Georgetown University’s Code of Sexual Conduct.” In addition, the blogger says the university immediately took the video, which was released “through Georgetown University Email accounts,” down.

According to the university, neither investigation has concluded.

Georgetowner •

FREE at Artists Proof: ‘How Drama’ performance

August 6th, 2015 at 5 p.m. | contact@aproof.net | Event Website

Join Artist’s Proof as Singapore theater group, How Drama, offers a free smorgasboard of Asian theater experiences that will transport you to the other side of the world.

How Drama was founded in 2007 and is proud to be a Singapore-based theater company, which provides new and exciting theatre experiences for audiences here and around the world.

Address

1533 Wisconsin Ave. NW

United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps Concert

August 6th, 2015 at 07:30 PM | Free | acourtney@susandavis.com | Tel: 2024080808 | Event Website

Join us for a fun night of entertainment and a performance by the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps is part of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). The Fife and Drum Corps is stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia. The musicians of this unit recall the days of the American Revolution as they perform in uniforms patterned after those worn by the musicians of General George Washington’s Continental Army.

Address

18900 Jefferson Davis Highway

THE PIANO GUYS

August 6th, 2015 at 8 p.m. | Event Website](http://www.wolftrap.org/)

Inspiration ensues when these piano and cello YouTube phenoms bring their beautiful compositions to the stage, with original works and classical/pop mashups ranging from Swedish House Mafia to Vivaldi.
Address

Filene Center; 1551 Trap Road; Vienna, VA 22812

Civil War tours at Tudor Place

August 8th, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. | Members: $8/one tour, $12/ both house and walking tours Non-members: $10/one tour, $15/both | [Event Website](https://12200.blackbaudhosting.com/12200/tickets?tab=3&txobjid=9d04e55d-0d48-4aad-a344-05ad50d7ff56)

To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, choose house tour, walking tour, or both to see Tudor Place through the eyes of previous owner Britannia Peter Kennon who saved her family home by boarding Union officers during the Civil War.

Join the expert guided walking tour of historic Georgetown and see in person relics of the war’s turmoil, including a Union hospital, grave sites of Confederate spies, and a mansion at the heart of the tragic slave escape ship, The Pearl.

Address

1644 31st Street, NW

Farmers Market at the Capella Hotel

August 8th, 2015 at 09 a.m. | Event Website](http://www.capellahotels.com/washingtondc/georgetown/)

Shop like Chef Ruta at the Capella Farmers Market , taking place the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October. Shop produce from Northern Neck Farms, the same farmers Chef Ruta uses to make his fabulous dishes. The market is located at the entrance of the hotel. Look out for locally sourced, fresh, and seasonal flavors!

Address

1050 31st St. NW

Spies on Screen; OSS 117: Lost in Rio

August 11th, 2015 at 06:30 p.m. | 10 | lhicken@spymuseum.org | Tel: (202) 654-0932 | Event Website](http://www.spymuseum.org/calendar/detail/oss-117/2015-08-11/)

It’s 1967, and a former Nazi is hiding out in South America holding a damaging list of World War II French collaborators. France can trust one man to track down the evil Professor Von Zimmel: agent Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath, codename OSS 117. Cosponsored by the Alliance Française de Washington. Tickets: $10; members of the alliance or The Inner Circle, $8. For member tickets, email Laura Hicken at lhicken@spymuseum.org — includes screening, soda, and popcorn.

Address

800 F Street, NW

Robert Devaney • August 12, 2015

“It’s nice that people here give you a five-finger salute,” said Officer Christian Deruvo of the Metropolitan Police Department, as he referred to the less than welcoming one-finger salute cops might get in other neighborhoods.

Deruvo was with an impressive rank and file of MPD officers as well as neighborhood and business leaders during a public safety meeting at Dumbarton House June 25. On display was the special relationship that the police and residents enjoy. The room was full, and there were nine cops, all totaled, with Assistant Chief Diane Groomes heading up the panel.

The community discussion ranged from sexual assaults, home invasions, theft from autos, shoplifting, security cameras on the street and for the home, as well as body cameras for MPD officers. Also discussed were hold-ups at the 7-Eleven, a car jacking on P Street, and how to secure scooters. Also brought up was where smoking marijuana is legal or not. Briefly discussed were new social media apps and websites that can get more people involved as the eyes and ear of the police, such as GroupMe or NextDoor.com.

“We can solve crimes together,” said MPD Officer Antonial Atkins, who attended the meeting despite being on vacation. He likes to hand out water on hot days, simply to get to meet people around Georgetown and gain trust. “Get to know your neighbors,” Atkins said. One of his inspirations for community policing, he said, came from watching reruns of “The Andy Griffith Show,” in which everyone in town knew each other.

At the same time, Atkins is a big supporter of using social media and other technologies to connect the citizens and the police. “Cameras help,” he said. He has taken the lead on GroupMe with the business community. Nevertheless, when confronted with a crime, he cautioned, “Call 911 first.”

At the meeting, Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans gave a brief history lesson of policing in D.C. and nationwide. “Community policing came back in the 1990s,” he said, after the years when cops simply drove around in their cars and reacted to crime.

Georgetown, part of Ward 2, is also part of the MPD’s Second District, which stretches from the White House, northwest to the Maryland state line on Western Avenue. Neighborhood leaders can list several of those who have headed up the police district, such as Andy Solberg, Peter Newsham and Patrick Burke.

On hand was the Second District Commander Melvin Gresham, a 30-year veteran of the force, who took over from Michael Reese in March. Reese, known for his hands-on and strategic approach to crime prevention with the neighborhoods of his district, was an example of how MPD tries to operate across the city. Gresham continues that effort.

During the meeting, Gresham said crime was down 29 percent down from last year — which in Georgetown means mostly retail and thefts from autos. Lt. Roland Hoyle, who heads the Georgetown patrol area, known as PS206, said that crime was on the decrease (“two robberies in 30 days”).

While the so-called “Georgetown cuddler” is no more, sexual violence continues. Groomes commented on the police’s combatting sexual assaults: “We work closely with Georgetown University and George Washington University.”

Several preventative measures include cameras and mobile group apps. Also involved with the Citizens Association of Georgetown, Jim Wilcox of the Georgetown Business Association wants to expand GroupMe into the residential neighborhood. Currently, the app’s usage is 80 percent on business and 20 percent in the neighborhood.

Chip Dent, also of the GBA, talked about street cameras, especially the one on Wisconsin Avenue and P Street. A lot of crime can happen, he said, “near P and Q. It is less congested than M Street and easy to get away by car.” Along with Rich Lanza and David Sealock, representatives of M.C. Dean, which has donated its products and services to the Citizen Association, Dent said that home cameras help a lot to prevent crime — or at least identify a suspect. There are home camera systems that cost $1,000. (M.C. Dean has installed at least four cameras in Georgetown for CAG over the last six years, and does the maintenance as well. Company CEO Bill Dean has pledged money to install three more cameras in Georgetown in the near future.)

Crime on the east side of Georgetown increased with the reconstruction of Rose Park: cars were broken into Super Bowl Sunday night. With park lights cut off by a contractor’s mistake, MPD quickly moved in and provided mobile lights along the park’s paths.

“If it happens to you, it’s a crime wave,” said Ed Solomon, a Georgetown-Burleith advisory neighborhood commissioner. Another commissioner, Monica Roache, and Solomon, along with the Citizens Association of Georgetown and the Georgetown Business Association, helped coordinate the meeting.

“People have to remember that we live in a city,” Solomon said. “Be aware of your surroundings.”

There’s a trust between MPD and the community, Solomon added. “Senior cops bring the young ones along. They don’t give off a police face.”

As it turns out, robberies in the Second District have risen since that meeting on Dumbarton House. For example, last week, there were street robberies in Chevy Chase, D.C. – a rare occurrence at any time. There was a mugging in front of Blessed Sacrament Church on Western Avenue.

An MPD “Officer of the Year,” Atkins summed up how a community can “take a bite out of crime,”” to quote McGruff the Crime Dog on crime awareness and prevention.

Atkins talked about neighbors who lived on the same street for more than 10 years and did not know each other. One resident thought someone was breaking into the house next door. It was his neighbor, not a burglar, and it took a cop to know the difference. And it takes someone like Atkins to know the neighborhood better than most of its neighbors.
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Robert Devaney • August 7, 2015

In April, Commander Melvin Gresham of the Metropolitan Police Department took over the reins of the Second Police District — which includes Georgetown — where he previously served as a captain. He has been assigned to the Fourth, Third, Fifth and Seventh Patrol Districts and served in the Narcotics Branch and the Special Operations Division.  The 30-year veteran met with the Georgetowner several times, whether on M Street, Wisconsin Avenue or at Volta Park. The tall, unassuming police officer looks to us like a stand-up guy — and took the time to answer a few questions.

Gresham went to Fairmont Heights High School in Prince Georges County and the University of Maryland University College.

“As a young man, I actually had my sights on becoming a professional boxer, but witnessed the sordid side of the sport, ” he told us. “When this dream ended, I worked in the local state government in Maryland.  One Friday evening, I received a phone call from an old high school friend who wanted me to accompany him to take the entrance exam for the D.C. Police Department.  We both ended up taking the exam, and we were both accepted to the department.”

Now in charge of policing Georgetown, Gresham had an outsider’s view of the oldest neighborhood in Washington at first. “As a teen, I had heard so many stories about the extravagant stores in Georgetown and also the historic scenery,” he said. “I must say that during my first visit, I was truly mesmerized.  As a young man in my early 20s, I would frequent the Georgetown area.  Back then, it was more of an entertainment area. Now, I would say Georgetown is more family-oriented.”

As for the city in general and its crime problems, he said. “D.C. has improved tremendously since the late 1980s and the 1990s.  I believe that the strong partnerships between the various law enforcement agencies and the community involvement truly made the difference.”

“One of the most valuable lessons that I have learned throughout my career is to have empathy, be compassionate, be fair and treat people the way that you would want to be treated,” Gresham said.  “Most of all, be respectful.  In my long career, I have been on the scene of many horrific crimes that I will always remember, but the hardest are the crimes that involved the elderly or children.   But I do not like seeing anyone victimized.”

For Gresham, a key ingredient for policing is training. “I would say that the training we receive and the daily experiences that our members have in handling the various activities in the city have prepared us for handling demonstrations, both large and small,” he said.

In talking about the police and residents, Gresham said, “The definition may vary, however, my definition is a partnership between the police and the community in creating and sustaining a safe and healthy relationship and environment.  I believe that you have to listen to the officers who are on the beat.  The men and women who are on the street are the ones that I go to help implement community policing.   To enlist the assistance of the community, the police must build trust and foster a strong working relationship.  Each member of our department receives very detailed training at the time of acceptance in the MPD Police Academy.  The training lasts for approximately six to seven months.”

Aside from the violent crime in D.C., Gresham said, for the Second District, “Some of the most challenging crime are actually property crimes, such as thefts, theft from autos and burglaries.  The reason being, there are very few witnesses.”

The commander considers the relationship between the MPD and the community very positive. “I constantly receive emails and letters from citizens who commend the officers on their dedication and professionalism,” he said. “The citizens are very supportive.”

For Gresham, characteristics that make a good police officer are “honesty, integrity, professionalism and respect.” And the coolest thing about being a cop? “I would say making a positive impact in someone’s life,” he said.
 

Kelly Byrnes •

There’s no grander party in Washington, D.C., than the fourth of July. Cookouts, fireworks, and parades are annual staples of the holiday, and there is no shortage of them in D.C. From the firework spectacular and Capitol Fourth concert on the National Mall to modern rooftop bars, there is something for everyone this holiday weekend.

Families can trek to the National Independence Day Parade as it makes its way down Constitution Avenue. The parade features a plethora of marching bands, colonial fife and drum corps, dignitaries and military members. Starting at 11:45 a.m., this is the show that kicks off America’s birthday in style.

Nearby, the National Mall is the place to be to experience the true patriotism of the holiday. Daytime festivities include a reading of the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives. Beginning at 10 a.m., the reading will place Americans back to 1776, as our Founding Fathers and other key historical figures are channeled. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Archives hosts family-friendly activities like crafts and storytelling.

Situated between Third and Fourth streets along the Mall, the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival continues through July 5. Saturday’s festivities run until 5:30 p.m. and feature traditional Peruvian culture on display, including a dance performance 4 p.m. The event is free and ideal for those looking to spend their Independence Day with an exotic twist.

Before America’s most impressive firework display begins, the 35th annual Capitol Fourth concert kicks off at 8 p.m. from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Hosted by “The West Wing” actor Bradley Whitford, the event features performances by Hunter Hayes, Barry Manilow, KC and the Sunshine Band, Alabama, and more. The National Symphony Orchestra provides the patriotic score of John Philip Sousa while the fireworks boom.

For those looking to avoid the crowds of the Mall, rooftop venues can provide phenomenal views. DNV Rooftop is open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., offering a selection of beer, wine and cocktails for the party. 1905 Restaurant will host a rooftop barbecue from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., highlighting $5 beers provided through Atlas Brew Works. Tickets are $20 and first come, first serve.

One of the more popular hometown parades is the 49th annual July 4th Parade & Picnic.  The parade starts at 11 a.m., rain or shine, on Saturday, July 4, at the foot of Whitehaven Parkway and MacArthur Boulevard.  Line-up begins on Whitehaven at 10 a.m. in the order in which people appear. No registration is necessary.

Another crowd-pleaser is the Barracks Row-Capitol Hill Fourth of July parade. Line up begins 10 a.m. at 8th & I Streets, SE; parade starts 10 a.m.
 
For the evening’s fireworks, the Georgetown waterfront offers views of the Potomac River and the sky above the western side of the National Mall. Washington Harbour is right on the river with restaurants, such as Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place, Fiola Mare and Nick’s Riverside Grille, that offer outdoor dining. Also, on the river is Key Bridge Boat, where adventurous kayakers get to see the fireworks from the middle of the Potomac.

Robert Devaney •

Developer EastBanc presented its designs for a five-story, red-brick boxy building at Pennsylvania Avenue and M Street at the monthly meeting of the Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E June 29. The site provides an eastern gateway to Georgetown.

Plans call for a 70-seat ground-floor restaurant, eight 2,000-square-foot rental apartments and roof top space. Also situationed next to M Street, the near-triangle of land abuts Rock Creek Park. It currently holds a Valero gas station and auto repair garage and lies across from the Four Seasons Hotel.

According to EastBanc, construction could begin by next summer on the property, which it bought for $4 million in March.

While the commission approved demolishing the gas station and welcomed a re-invention and re-use of the property, several balked at the designs, perceived as boxy, bland and blocking open space.

Commissioner Jeff Jones, who summed up the feelings of some in the commission and in the neighborhood, told meeting attendees and EastBanc presenters of the planned construction: “I feel like this is an opportunity. It’s a blank space. I like authenticity in Georgetown as far as all the different types of architecture that we have. I’m OK with a modern building here. This is almost pedestrian-like.”

“We struggled a lot with the building,” EastBanc’s Anthony Lanier said. “It’s a building that grows on you over time. … It’s a very difficult building to understand, and it’s a very difficult site to build on.”

Victoria Rixey, who spoke for the Citizens Association of Georgetown at the meeting, gave the design faint praise: “We feel that this building speaks to the architecture of the West End. This is sort of a ’60s style where you have the concrete slabs with the brick infill, and we feel it belongs better in that neighborhood.”

Besides aesthetic criticisms, EastBanc has more hurdles for the 7,400-square-foot property at 2715 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. (It contracted with well-known Portugese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura for the design.)

The Old Georgetown Board reviewed EastBanc’s demolition request and design concept July 2. In September, the D.C. Zoning Commission will designate the property’s category, which stills calls for at least three parking spaces. Also, there is a 50-foot height limit for the structure.
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Kelly Byrnes • August 6, 2015

Be on the lookout for Peetniks on M Street.

Peet’s Coffee & Tea, a specialty coffee and tea company that started the artisan coffee movement in Berkeley, Calif., in 1966, plans to expand to Georgetown, landing at the busy intersection of 33rd and M Streets NW. The new location will be the seventh shop in the greater Washington, D.C., area in addition to the restaurants and retailers that carry the coffee to brew and sell.

Last year, Peet’s said it was opening 23 new stores in a phased rollout across the D.C. market. Its D.C. flagship store opened in April 2014 at 1701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, steps from the White House. According to the company, Peet’s “entry into D.C. will become the company’s second largest retail market outside of California and its biggest East Coast retail footprint.” In addition, Peet’s is the official coffee of the Washington Nationals.

The Georgetown Peet’s will join a host of other nearby coffee joints–both local and national names—though there is no word on when the doors will open to the public.
 
Next to the now-shuttered Rhino Bar and across from Georgetown Cupcake, the corner spot at 3299 M St. NW previously housed Red Fire Grill Kabob, which closed in 2013. It looked like the building might become a clothing store, but Sandro, a Paris-based fashion label for women and men, pulled out of its lease on the property a few months ago. Before its closing four years ago, the Indian restaurant Aditi was there for 23 years. The building has stood empty for two years.

Georgetowner •

Wait Wait…Don’t tell Me!

July 23rd, 2015 at 08:00 PM | Event Website

Watch comedians, journalists, celebrity guests, and more compete in NPR’s award-winning current events quiz show, hosted by actor and playwright Peter Sagal, for their chance to win a coveted prize from scorekeeper emeritus Carl Kasell.

Address

Filene Center; 1551 Trap Road; Vienna, VA 22812

Summer Sights and Sounds

July 24th, 2015 at 05:30 PM | 0 | isobel@taapr.com | Tel: 2026258370 | Event Website

The Shops at Wisconsin Place will be holding the final installment of the Summer Music Series. Guests are invited to join us on the plaza to enjoy food and beverage items from select restaurants, sing along with Luke James Shaffer, and “Enter To Win” raffle prizes.

This event will also feature a variety of beautiful Nepali art pieces created by local artists. The silent auction of the artwork will benefit PHASE Worldwide in bringing relief to the areas recently struck by disaster in Nepal.

Address

The Shops at Wisconsin Place; 5310 Western Avenue; Chevy Chase MD 20815

Walnut-Themed Food Truck Visits The Yards Park

July 24th, 2015 at 06:00 PM | FREE | chelsea.michael@edelman.com | Tel: (312) 233-1312 | Event Website

California Walnuts teamed up with Chef Devin Alexander (New York Times bestselling author and chef from “The Biggest Loser”) to bring a giant walnut food truck to Washington, DC on July 24 with a mission of inspiring consumers to experiment with walnuts and enjoy them in entirely new ways.

Chef Alexander will celebrate the culinary versatility of walnuts by handing out free samples and demonstrating how to prepare her new summertime dessert recipe: the Chocolate Vanilla Walnut Grahamwich.

Address

The Yards Park; 355 Water Street SE

Divas Outdoors: Classic Films Under the Stars

July 24th, 2015 at 07:00 PM | $20, $10 for members | Tel: (202) 686-5807 | Event Website

The evening begins with picnic spreads across the lawn, all vying for the top spot in the best picnic spread competition. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs, and creative and delectable picnics inspired by the sophisticated setting at Hillwood.

The evening also includes strolls through the splendid gardens and the opportunity to tour the special exhibition, Ingenue to Icon: 70 Years of Fashion from the Collection of Marjorie Merriweather Post.

Around 8:45 pm John Water’s 1988 film “Hairspray” will begin.

Address

4155 Linnean Avenue, NW

Cupcakes of Georgetown Walking Tours

July 25th, 2015 at 01:00 PM | $25 | marketingintern@dumbartonhouse.org | Tel: 2023372288 | Event Website

Join Dwane Starlin, member of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides, for a delightful walking tour of Georgetown- with history and cupcakes! The tour will begin at Dumbarton House and make stops at Baked & Wired, Sprinkles, and Georgetown Cupcake to pick up our pre-ordered cupcakes, meaning you get to skip the long lines! Enjoy your treats as you learn about Georgetown – DC’s most historic neighborhood. The tickets includes one cupcake from each shop.

Address

2715 Q St NW

4th Annual Beer Fest presented by Drink the District

July 25th, 2015 at 01:00 PM | $35-$50 | ilovebeer@drinkthedistrict.com | Tel: 202-618-3663 | Event Website

On Saturday, July 25th, Drink the District presents 4th Annual Beer Festival.Participants will have access to tastings of 75+ American beers and wines while enjoying DC’s best food trucks, lawn games and musical entertainment.

With two 3-hour sessions to choose from, participants can celebrate from noon until night!

Find tickets at drinkthedistrict.com

Dates and Times

SaturdayJuly 25th

Session 1: 1:00 -4:00pm

Session 2: 6:00-9:00pm

Admission

$35.00 Online/ $50.00 Door

Address

The Block; 500 New York Ave, NW

Neon Trees

July 20th, 2015 at 07:00 PM | $25.00 | Tel: 202-265-0930 | Event Website

The pop band plays music from its latest album, “Pop Psychology.”

Address

9:30 Club
815 V St. NW

Gary Tischler •

Thinking of the novelist E.L. Doctorow and the actor and musical performer Theodore Bikel, who passed away this week at the ages of 84 and 91, respectively, the phrase “larger-than-life” comes to mind, for different reasons.

Doctorow built a prize-winning literary career that was both critically acclaimed and popularly embraced, with novels that often emerged transformed as films and theater works.  Bronx, N.Y.-born Doctorow lived a literary life—he wrote 12 novels,  several books of short stories and a book of  essays on literature.

He was a teacher or a “writer-editor-professor,” as one bio summed up. His was a life attached and garnished with honors—the National Book Critics Circle Award for his novels “Ragtime,” “Billy Bathgate” and “The March” and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Gold Medal for Fiction.

This kind of literary life is the fodder for the work of critics, academics and literati, but it did not stop there. His novels not only made best books lists but also bestseller lists—and were embraced by the public, either in and of themselves or as popular works on stage and screen.  His output and works were a more than modest achievement, they would put him reputation-wise in the ranks of great American novelists when that  phrase was still resonant of a desired achievement among writers, although it may be less so today. 

With Doctorow, there’s a feeling of a man who worked stubbornly, often inspirationally at his craft in a way that did not require celebrity or fame. But his works—the novels—were something else again. They had heft, an epic feel to them, without being of great length in terms of words and pages and even actual, physical weight.  You could carry all of them in a grocery bag without risking a stroke.  But their effect and result was a kind of intricately familiar waltz conducted by his creations—some of them historical figures—with the factual tropes of historical eras and actual events. 

These relatively slim volumes embraced and riffed on the execution of the Rosenbergs, (“The Book of Daniel”),  America’s coming of age during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt (the amazingly thick and elliptical “Ragtime”), the depression-era New York World’s Fair as a quasi-boy-coming-of-age piece (“World’s Fair”),  a boy’s dangerous infatuation with gangster Dutch Schultz (“Billy Gathgate”) and Sherman’s ruinous (for the South) to the sea (“The March”), among others.

In those novels, fictional characters mixed it up with historical characters,  in ways that seemed plausible, but were often fictionalized and in so doing, managed to capture the spirit of an age, a decade, a time in ways that seemed richly packed with everything the times contained.  They played on what the reader knew and what he didn’t know. These novels were a form of enticement, the work of the carny barker with a spiel of bright shiny promises and elusive meanings.  There was music in those novels.

“Ragtime” was the most emblematic, characteristic of Doctorow’s works. It fairly sang with a changing, robust, dramatic times without being overly dramatic or operatic.  Here was the striving American family, dreaming big dreams, but unsettled by the changing times. Here were the beginnings of the movie industry. Here was Houdini, the injustices of child labor, immigrants coming ashore full of energy. Here was anarchism, a black man running afoul of already settled Irish immigrants, busting with steam and bigotry.  The book seemed to contain almost every rising wave of the times covered in a style that was sharp-edged. It had the feel and emotional impact of a flowing thread made up of a series of short poems and songs.   Carl Foreman turned “Ragtime” into a masterful film (with Norman Mailer in a bit part, James Cagney in his last role as a New York City Police Commissioner, Donald O’Connor as a song-and-dance man, among the large cast).  “Ragtime” would later become a Broadway musical—twice—including a ground-up production from the Kennedy Center.

Theodore Bikel—who appeared frequently in Washington, D.C.—in road companies of “Fiddler on the Roof” and in plays at Theater J—may not have a “Ragtime” equivalent in his career (although “Fiddler,” even though it was originated by Zero Mostel, would certainly qualify), but his entire life and career was bigger than life. 

Born in Vienna, Bikel made his first appearance as Tevye the Milkman (non-musical) in Tel Aviv. His first film was “The African Queen” (Bogart-Hepburn) in 1951, and he had an Oscar-nominated role in Stanley Kramer’s “The Defiant Ones.” He spoke nine languages and could perform in 24 languages with an accent in hundreds more. He often played Germans and Russians.  He performed Tevye more than 2,000 times, probably a record for the part.  He was married four times. 

He created the role of Captain von Trapp in the original Broadway music production of “The Sound of Music” opposite Mary Martin. He appeared in 2005 in a highly praised production of “The Disputation” at Theater J in downtown D.C. 

He described himself as a liberal Jewish activist. He appeared in the Frank Zappa film, “200 Motels.” On television, he was in “The Twilight Zone,” “Gunsmoke,” “Law and Order,” Mickey Spillane’s “Mike Hammer,” “All in the Family,”, “Columbo” and “Charlie’s Angels” and numerous versions of “Star Trek.”

Saying all that—Bikel’s CV includes a memorable role in “The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming,” and training at the Royal Academy in London, a small part in “A Streetcar Named Desire” directed by Laurence Olivier.

There was another whole career: Theodore Bikel was also a folk singer, playing the guitar, singing Jewish folk from Russia and songs and protest songs. He was co-founder of the Newport Folk Festival (with Pete Seeger, Oscar Brand, George Wein and Harold Leventhal) and took the stage in 1963 with Seeger, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary and the 21-year-old Bob Dylan.

He was a long-time civil rights activist. One could go on and on. 

The life, the music, the parts, the sum of it all, the passion, the liberality of feeling and the largeness of soul made Theodore Bikel: bigger than life its own self. Ditto for Doctorow.