Arts & Entertainment
Block party fun
Businesses, residents gearing up for 2nd annual 17th Street Festival
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A scene from last yearās 17th Street Festival. This yearās event is slated for 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday. (Blade file photo)
Several blocks of 17thĀ Street N.W., roughly from P to R streets, will be closed Saturday for the second annual 17thĀ Street Festival slated for 2 to 6 p.m., though streets will be closed from noon to 8.
Organizers say it has the flavor of āan old-fashioned block party.ā
āItās a chance to come out, meet our neighbors and just enjoy the street without having to worry about cars or any major disruptions,ā says Jack Jacobson, the ANC commissioner for that area who co-conceived the idea last year with Stephen Rutgers and Lee Grenados, president of community group Urban Neighborhood Alliance and a life-long 17thĀ Street resident.
Jacobson says the idea was born out of the streetās extensive year-long āstreetscapeā renovation that was completed last August and saw all the curbs, gutters and sidewalks there refurbished.
āI saw throughout all that how the residents and businesses worked very closely to make it a success, so I thought a festival inviting neighbors and showcasing businesses would be a great continuation,ā Jacobson says.
Rutgersā boyfriend, Cobalt manager Mark Rutstein, says he was inspired by a recent trip to Chicago where he saw how successful a Market Days event was.
āIt was huge and really energetic,ā he says. āWe kept thinking, āThis would be really cool if we could do this on 17thĀ Street.āā
A main stage will be constructed in front of Safeway. Acts slated throughout the day include the Deb Felz Band, Sherry Vine, Eric Scott and Company Dance Crew, the Silver Liners (a popular D.C. band), the cast of āDrag City: DC,ā DJs Shea Van Horn and Bil Todd who spin at local gay parties, and headliner Inaya Day, whoās slated to go on at 5 p.m.
Itās free and open to everyone but organizers conceive of it as an event mostly for the 17th Street area and its neighbors within walking distance ā Logan, Dupont and U Street areas.
āWeāre hoping for a nice big turnout but weāre not thinking of it like Adams Morgan where the whole city comes,ā Jacobson says with a chuckle.
He guesses about 25 to 35 percent of residents there are gay but says āabout 98 percentā are gay friendly.
The blocks there are home to Cobalt and JR.ās, two of D.C.ās most popular gay bars. Rutstein says the two businesses are happy to be involved.
āItās kind of like it is with the Pride parade, which comes right past us,ā Rutstein says. āTheyāre bringing us all this revenue and increased foot traffic, so itās kind of our duty to get involved and give back a little.ā
There will be a kidsā zone and another area for pets. About half the businesses there will be offering specials; the Blade is a sponsor. It will be held rain or shine. Last year, organizers estimate about 5,000 stopped by throughout the day. Theyāre hoping for substantially more this year.
Go here for more information.
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The 2024 New York City Pride Parade wound through the streets of Manhattan and past the historic Stonewall Inn on Sunday, June 30.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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The fourth annual Fredericksburg Pride march and festival was held at Riverfront Park in Fredericksburg, Va. on Saturday, June 29. The event began with a march around downtown Fredericksburg beginning and ending in the park.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Covering Fredericksburg Pride for @WashBlade . City Council member @WillMackintosh speaking: pic.twitter.com/tDdVD2IVsM
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) June 29, 2024
Photos
PHOTOS: Goodwin Living Pride
Senior living and healthcare organization holds fourth annual march at Falls Church campus
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The senior living and healthcare organization Goodwin Living held its fourth annual community Pride march around its Bailey’s Crossroads campus in Falls Church, Va. with residents, friends and supporters on Tuesday, June 25. Following the march, a drag brunch was held with performances by drag artists of SADBrunch: Crimsyn, Sapphire Dupree and Evon Dior Michelle.
(Photos courtesy of Goodwin Living)
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