GGW: Evolution of Mount Vernon Square

Alex Block, of Greater Greater Washington, outlines a history of the Evolution of Mount Vernon Square. The posting features images from 1948, 1988, 1992, 1999, 2004, and 2009.


The image above was first featured by DCist on Sunday which stimulated the deep dive by GGW.

The Passenger Arrives

by KimFromTheK

The Passenger is a new bar in the Warehouse Cafe space, opening this evening. It's located at 1021 7th Street NW, between New York Ave and L Street, across from the Washington Convention Center.

With The Passenger, brothers Tom and Derek Brown (most recently of Cork and The Gibson, respectively) bring us their own laid back neighborhood bar and lounge. The space features late 19th century hardwood floors and distressed concrete and exposed brick walls, which gives it some character. The most impressive new addition to the decor is an area to the rear of the bar with arched ceilings and mirrored walls designed to look like an antique dining car. Lastly a private space called The Columbia Room (opening date TBD) will be dedicated to as a reservations-only area where Derek Brown will host more intimate gatherings focused on educating patrons in a space he refers to as "a cocktail club and laboratory bar".

Beers are served in cans and over twenty wines are available by the glass. There will not be a mixed cocktail menu; instead the brothers plan to ask patrons what they like, and mix something up that might appeal to them. And the food menu will include an eclectic offering of items such as Route 11 chips and kimchi hot dogs. I had the opportunity to snag a few photos at a pre-opening event last night. (Apologies for the quality as these were taken on my blackberry).

Top: 7th Street entrance; Middle: Owner Derek Brown mixing gin punch; Bottom: a view down the bar

In addition to the bar and lounge, the Civilian Art Projects is moving to 7th Street (into the gallery space on the first floor of 1019 7th Street). The Warehouse Theater will continue in operation, with a new entrance, and a production of Santaland Diaries upcoming in December.

Read more about The Passenger in Tim Carman's preview and WaPo's Going Out Guide review by Fritz Hahn. The Prince of Petworth preview features some of the best interior photos of The Passenger on the net at the moment.

22nd Annual Washington Craft Show this weekend

by KimFromTheK

Information Courtesy of Jo Ann Neuhaus at the Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association

This weekend Crafts America presents the 22nd Annual Washington Craft Show. The event takes place at the Washington Convention Center and showcases 190 Juried, Contemporary Craft Artists from 34 states and DC.

Top: Nancy Kubale; Bottom (left to right): Hideaki Miyamura; Ben Johnson; Robert & Barbara Matthews

Original pieces will be presented and available for sale in the following media: Basketry, Ceramics, Fiber, Furniture, Glass, Jewelry, Leather, Metal, Mixed-Media, Paper, Wearable Art, Wood

Hours:
Friday, November 6, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday, November 7, 10:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday, November 8, 11:00am - 5:00pm

General admission $15, but discounted coupons are available here; No charge for children under 12

Saturday, 3:30pm

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and David McFadden, Chief Curator of New York's Museum of Arts and Design, discuss Ms. Albright's personal jewelry worn to communicate a message or a mood during her diplomatic tenure. Following the discussion, Ms. Albright will sign her book, Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat's Jewel Box

For more information, visit the event website

Making Mount Vernon Square a People Magnet

The Mount Vernon Square District Project, which will have a Public Open House on Thursday October 1st, has a central theme among its goals to transform the square into a people magnet.

Below I've included a few slides from the June 16th presentation the Office of Planning delivered to key stakeholders that aim to aid this goal for the Square.

The DC Convention Center could be doing more to interact with Mount Vernon Square. Adding retail uses to the edges may be the best opportunity.


To learn more about the concepts being discussed for Mount Vernon Square and provide feedback to Office of Planning attend the open house forum on October 1st.

Convention Center reveals its artistic side

The Washington Convention Center will unveil Windows into DC, a new art exhibit featuring solely homegrown DC artists, in a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:00pm on Tuesday September 29th.

Mayor Fenty and other Council members are expect to attend the event which will take place at 7th & M Streets outside of the Mt Vernon Sq/7th St-Convention Center Metro entrance.


The exhibit is sponsored by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities.

The artists featured are: Beth Baldwin, Jason Clark, Tim Conlon, Liani Foster, Amber Robles-Gordon, Eve Hennessa, Michael Dax Iacovone, Anne Marchand, Cory Oberndorfer, Michael Platt & Carol A. Beane, Kelly Towles, Aneikan Udofia, Colin Winterbottom and The New Community for Children.

Convention Center Hotel, Retail and Cedar

Roundup of recent 'hood related blog postings:

• DC Metrocentric posts renderings for the planned Marriott Marquis Convention Center Hotel.
  
• Renew Shaw presents a vision for Convention Center retail at 9th and N.
  
• PQLiving spots a new awning and vertical signage for Cedar Restaurant on E Street.
  
• Lifein MVSNA has the agenda for the upcoming ANC6C PZ&E meeting on Tuesday.