AITE via erin m.

Have you heard? Gallery Plan B on 14th Street has joined Twitter, and they want you to join them. As the neighborhood gallery turns five on April 2, we recommend you check out its latest exhibition, Persona Grata.

All artists will be present at the group show this Saturday, March 12: Timothy Johnson, Shelley Laffal, Keith Clark, Gordon Binder, Chad States, Robert Dodge, Melissa Widerkehr, Andrew Criss, Joshua Hughes, and Massimo Righini.

Did you know that Gallery Plan B had a successful snowstorm opening? The gallery loanedThe Real World DC three artworks. Upon their return, they were immediately sold at a full-house reception.

David Kalamar and Paula Amt run this neighborhood gallery. “It’s funny how many people walk by and take pictures of the sign,” says David, who gets calls every once in a while for the other plan b. If you haven’t heard the story, Gallery Plan B was initially slated to be called “Q14.” Hearing that the building next door had registered the name, Paula exclaimed, “let’s go with plan b!” They liked the name even after Q14 became available; Planned Parenthood does, too.

Become a fan of Gallery Plan B on Facebook. Follow them on Twitter.

Once upon a time, shopping in the nation’s capitol was defined by a plethora of malls in Chevy Chase, Tyson’s Corner and Georgetown. Nothing existed to represent the city’s true and natural style. Little by little, with the help of bold creatives, a new and unique community-connected shopping experience is blooming in DC. The people behind this creative move are true pioneers, who now are gaining real recognition and redefining the shopping experience in Washington. DC residents are actively changing Washington’s style and there is a new found sense of hope for fashionable Washingtonians.

Over the coming month ReadysetDC is setting out to spotlight the burgeoning fashion community in Washington, DC. Part one of our intrepid adventure will comprise of a five part spring 2010 fashion feature on businesses, designers and fashion photographers. Each week we will feature a beloved Washington boutique or designer including; Treasury, De*Nada Designs, Commonwealth and Redeem. Each feature will provide a glimpse into the lives of the people behind the movement. You may call this a shopping guide for DC, though I would rather call this an ode to bold business pioneers. The series will also include spring forecasting straight from the Washington creatives themselves, just in time for the spring thaw.

fashion:district part II will be announced March 16th, after the final part I series debuts. We are brewing up something ground breaking which will spotlight every aspect of the fashion community here in Washington, DC.

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Over the past three years Redeem has become a neighborhood staple in Logan Circle. Owner and DC native, Lori Parkerson opened up her minimalist urban clothing boutique in 2006. A few months back Redeem celebrated its third birthday with featured designer Virginia Arrisueño of De*Nada Design and artwork by Kelly Towles. The event drew out an impressive crowd, a perfect representation of Redeem itself; stylish and electic. Redeem is a refreshing shop, where friends pop in throughout the day to say hello, newcomers find a conceptual gem and quality surpasses quantity.

Men and women alike flock to Redeem for urban armor. Parkerson’s shop features hard to find labels such as;
B. Son, Love Brigade, Kai-aakmann, Covet and Bodybag. Not to exclude DC’s own designing community, Redeem also sells pieces from De*Nada Design, Plastic Heaven and Realm by Jesse Walker.

Redeem is located at 1734 14th Street NW.

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RSDC: You opened in 2006, part of the frontline–if you will– in reinvigorating 14th street. What would you say has changed the most about the neighborhood since Redeem’s opening?

First, I’d say the real frontrunners were businesses like Home Rule and Green Pets, who both recently celebrated their 10 year anniversaries, as well as Muleh and Pulp. They really pioneered the area for retail! As for changes in the last 3 years…besides having other great independent businesses crop up along 14th Street like Cork and Treasury, I definitely feel like the neighborhood is getting more recognition in town and out. It feels like it’s producing more of a buzz.

RSDC: Why do you carry the lines you do?

Mainly the criteria for bringing in lines is a combination of the brand aesthetic and identity matching the identity of the shop, gut instinct – what lines do I get excited about? want to wear? love seeing others wear? [while] making sure the price point isn’t too outrageous. It can be a tricky balance. I really like supporting up-and-coming brands – being part of the process of furthering other independents’ passions and dreams.

RSDC: Why did you open your own boutique in the first place?

It’s been a dream of mine since I can remember. Fashion is the one thing I have never tired of. I just finally decided to pursue what I really love….to take a chance….

RSDC: Where are your go-to shopping spots?

Since opening the store, I don’t get out much nor do much clothes shopping outside of it. I like to visit Treasury to hunt for choice vintage. When I make it big I suppose I’ll be going to Hu’s for footwear.

RSDC: What advice would you give to creatives aspiring to become small business owners in DC?

Go for it! Have a solid, realistic, business plan [and] try to find someone who’s done it that can help answer questions. Be sure you’re 100% committed – it’ll help get you through the bumps and bruises.

RSDC: Where do you see Redeem (and yourself) in 5 years?

Older, wiser, still cranking out fresh gear for the people. Maybe with a bakery connected to the shop…a girl can dream…

RSDC: And finally, what do you see for Spring 2010. What looks are you looking forward to the most?

I’m really loving Kai-aakmann’s Spring 10 collection for guys and girls. We have the first delivery in house now and it looks awesome. For girls, looking forward to long structured boxy-shouldered vests, slim cropped trousers, and body conscious dresses. For guys, still loving the slim tapered ankle trouser and shorter shorts (we’ll have some great ones this season by store newcomer Hyden Yoo).

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The looks are a sneak peek into what ReadysetDC and Redeem are planning for this March, so stay tuned!

WOMENS:

Black Zip Up Vest …. Kai-aakmann  $118

Green Knit Tank …. Kai-aakmann $60

White Distressed Drop Denim ….  $125

Brass “In Flocks” Necklace …. AK Vintage  $85

Double B Handbag … George Gina & Lucy $215

MENS:

Navy Double Lapel Trench Coat … Kai-aakmann  $249

Pinstripe Shirt … Kai-aakmann  $115

Black Axel Pants … Orthodox $215

Blue Typewriter Tie… Cyberoptix $40

Nooka Watch … $135

Les Wayfarer Duffel … George Gina & Lucy $225

Originally purchased from the city in November of 2006, the Corcoran intended to partner with DC-based developer Monument Realty for the development of the school.  At its inception, the plan was to honor the schools heritage by expanding the Corcoran Gallery’s educational arm, the Corcoran College of Art + Design, with 80,000 square-feet of studio, exhibition, and classroom space.  Along with the arts education use, a major residential component was to be built on the site by Monument.  This part of the project was slated to include 20% affordable housing, as well.  With the collapse of Monument’s equity partner Lehman Brothers in 2008, the developer was forced to renege on the deal.  The building, located at Half and Eye Streets SW, has sat idle since then.  The brightly painted pieces of plywood that board the windows have been its only artistic contribution to the neighborhood in recent years.

Prior to being purchased by the Corcoran, the building did have a productive life.  The city ran a shelter for homeless men in part of the building, and artists occupied the remainder of the old school.  This artists group that had formerly taken residence in the Randall school, the Millenium Arts Center (MAC), was a center that strove to bring fine, visual, and performing arts and artists together from around the nation and the world.  It provided an affordable (free) option for artists in need of studio space in DC.  MAC effectivly disbanded with the purchase of the school, though they held a final closing show at Zenith gallery in December of 2006.  The MAC website is still on-line, providing a glimpse of what was once offered at the school: http://www.millenniumartscenter.org/index.html.

The pending sale is an encouraging sign for the now-unused property.  Telesis is a community focused developer with offices in DC, New York, New Haven, San Francisco, and Miami.  Telesis has been active in the DC market since the mid-1980s, building more than one thousand market-rate and affordable apartments and co-ops in NE and SE Washington.  Where Telesis takes the development role once intended for Monument Realty, CACB Holdings will pick-up the cultural batton from the Corcoran.  CACB is a group owned by the Miami-based Rubell family.  The Rubell’s are major patrons of the contemporary arts, with a Foundation that already runs a 45,000 square-foot museum of the family’s collection in Miami.  The Rubell’s vision for the Randall school will be to utilize the school to create a 20,000 square-foot contemporary art muesum that would function as a satilite to their Miami headquarters.  While the exact vision that the Rubell’s have for the site still requires much fine tuning, it is a promising new addition to DC’s smallest quadrant.

Parlaying off the success of the near-by Capitol Skyline Hotel (which the Rubell family also owns and is best known for its rooftop pool parties and funky Lapidus design), the residential component that was envisioned by the Corcoran/Monument team is set to be replaced with both hotel units and residences.  Much like the Newseum Residences, this mix of museum and residential is not a completely foreign typology in the nation’s capitol.  As with the original plans for the redevelopment of the Randall School, the historic component of the school with be preserved, while the more recent additions on the rear will be razed for the new construction.  Considering the lack of near-by tourist-type amenities or immediate metro access, the addition of a significant hotel component is an interesting modification to the original Corcoran project development plan.  In changing the cultural programing of the project from an arts education center to a purely museum focused project, Telesis/CACB will have some work proving to the local community and the city that the new program offers the same community benefits originally promised and planned for.  Showing that the new program will bring as much, if not more to the table, should help Telesis/CACB negotiate the dense beauracratic process that surely awaits them.

Perhaps the project should be further “mixed-use” with the inclusion of a local retail component.  This retail could be aimed at serving the needs of the surrounding neighborhood.  With the right tenant mix, this would help the project bring quality-of-life benefits to the existing neighborhood in concert with the cultural enrichment, new residences, and hotel employment already promised by Telesis/CACB.  A nice community arts store and school would certainly add to the public benefit of the project.  Maybe a new “Busboys-and-Poets-esque” cafe/restaurant/gallery/performance space would be embraced by the community.  This would stay true to the original artistic community vision of the site while providing an needed amenity to existing neighborhood residents and hotel patrons alike. Plus, with approved development rights of almost half a million square-feet, the project has a lot of room to work with.  Hopefully, the combined experience of Telesis and the Rubell family will create a project that helps to stimulate further reinvestment in the Southwest neighborhood while offering Washington DC a new outlet for contemporary art.

Halloween in March? AITE via Edward Hoover.

Tonight, our friends at Done & Done will host a show that will serve as a fundraiser for their upcoming music festival this April. Come out tonight to Velvet Lounge for music by The State Department, Young and High and Honey House, as well as $4 tall boy PBR’s!

(Editor’s Note: Please welcome our newest contributor Gabrielle!)

All photos by Tracy Clayton.

Mixt Greens is an ambitious newcomer to DC’s lunch scene. With two locations already open, and another two on the way, the restaurant offers organic gourmet salads, sandwiches, and soups in an environment that’s, well, very green.

“Our environmental ethic permeates every aspect of our operation – from construction to ingredient sourcing,” says Andrew Swallow, founder and executive chef of the San Francisco-based chain. “We strive to constantly push the bar of possibilities for environmentally sustainable restaurant operations.”

William McDonough + Partners, the renowned Charlottesville-based architecture firm, designed each of the restaurant’s DC locations. There’s a story behind nearly every component, right down to the tiny red specks of recycled laundry detergent bottles spotted on the tabletops.

The centerpiece of the restaurant’s concept is an edible living wall. Sustained by melted ice from the restaurant’s ice machines, the wall provides a seasonal rotation of herbs and lettuce used for salads and house-made dressings. For Swallow, a CIA-trained chef inspired by the cooking philosophy of Alice Waters, it also demonstrates the restaurant’s commitment to sourcing local ingredients whenever possible.

“You can’t do any better than a ten foot transportation distance,” he says.

Like its competitors, Mixt Greens allows patrons to create their own salad or choose a signature salad from the menu. Signature salads include the Hawaiian inspired Maui, featuring coriander crusted seared ahi tuna, as well as classics like the Mixt Cobb and the Caesar.

“Salads have, for the most part, always been an afterthought for most chefs,” says Swallow of his creations. “I wanted to turn them into a cuisine.”

Those opting to create their own salad can select from dozens of ingredients, ranging from peppers, onions, and carrots to green papaya, applewood smoked bacon, and roasted portabella mushrooms. All salads are tossed-to-order by one of the restaurant’s salad chefs and range in price from $6.95 to $11.95. A small selection of handcrafted
sandwiches ($8.45-$8.95) and seasonal soups ($4.95) is also available.

Mixt Greens is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 1200 19th Street, NW (Dupont Circle) and 1311 F Street, NW (Metro Center). A third location at 1700 K Street, NW (Farragut North/Farragut West) opens this Wednesday, with another set to open near McPherson Square at a later date.

“Free in DC” this week!

Monday, March 8th

“Poetry Out Loud” Recitation Competition with DC Youth
5:30pm – 8:00pm at Gala Hispanic Theatre in Columbia Heights

All photos by Vincent Gallegos:

erin m snapped this photo at the Longview Gallery home to this painting and the DCist Exposed Photography Show running through March 21st.

Photo Source: Electronic Superhighway (Charles Stutts)

Nam June Paik’s “The Electronic Superhighway” is one of my favorite works acquired by the Smithsonian Institute American Art Musuem (750 9th Street, NW in Chinatown). As you walk toward the end of the Modern and Contemporary exhibits located at the Lincoln Gallery of the museum, you will notice a huge neon sculpture of the U.S.

The installation by Nam June Paik is called Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S. In 1974, Paik was one of the first person to use the term “Electronic Highway”. The artist developed an interest in electronic art while studying in Germany. His work is displayed in museums located in the states as well as internationally (Italy, Germany, Japan, Australia and Greece). Paik’s ability to capture electronic moving images on television screens is far beyond technology in his days and clearly, evidence that he was ahead of his time. Standing at 15 x 40 x 4 ft. in height, it took me a moment to absorb Paik’s sculpture of America.

To construct this large sculpture, Paik used forty-seven channel and close circuit video installations. There are approximately 336 monitors displaying flash images associated with a particular location on the map. A reference to the Wizard of Oz may be symbolic to Paik because the movie was the first full length feature to be shown in color on CBS (1956). It was also the first film on prime-time television.

Smithsonian Institution’s description:

“When Nam June Paik came to the United States in 1964, the interstate highway system was only nine years old, and superhighways offered everyone the freedom to “see the U.S.A. in your Chevrolet.” Walking along the entire length of this installation suggests the enormous scale of the nation that confronted the young Korean artist when he arrived. Neon outlines the monitors, recalling the multicolored maps and glowing enticements of motels and restaurants that beckoned Americans to the open road. The different colors remind us that individual states still have distinct identities and cultures, even in today’s information age.”

Paik was a pioneer like many great artists in American history who’s legacy continues to inspire us each day. A larger zoom version of Paik’s work is featured on the Smithsonian’s website.

Source: Smithsonian Institute, Nam June Paik

(Click to here for large view)

Last month, graphic designer Cameron Booth took a run at redesigning the iconic DC Metrorail map. Proving that you can always build a better mousetrap, his design attempts to rectify some of the aesthetic issues that Booth calls “amateur,” while giving clarity to some important geographical conditions and providing enhanced flexibility for the inclusion of the coming Silver and Purple Metrorail lines.

Booth has three chief complaints with the current WMATA map. One, he criticizes the non-standard orientation of text of the various station names, including the cheating of what should be a 45-degree angle on the Foggy Bottom and Farragut West text. In reality, the slant of this text is rotated a few degrees off to avoid overlapping the blue line. Second, the map breaks from the “perfect diamond” shape of the District since the two eastern borders are not 45-degree angled lines. Finally, Booth thinks the call-out boxes that address peak hour services are cumbersome looking. His redesign corrects these so-called design sins and offers a map that is a significant break from the current design. He has since revised his own map to further enhance its clarity based upon feedback received on his blog as well as Greater Greater Washington and Beyond DC.

Booth reduces the colored line width to accommodate future stations and adds additional layers of information to the map, causing it it to lose some of its instant visual clarity and legibility from a distance. For what it may sacrifice in bold simplicity, though, it generally makes up for in overall graphical coherence and sound logic. However, there are some aspects of the current Metrorail map, such as the bold bulls-eye transfer station icons, which could have been maintained and would have helped enhance the functionality of Booth’s redesign.

Further visual clarity is added to the map with the inclusion of simple letter designations at the end of each line. This change will give colorblind passengers a quick way to differentiate between lines. It also opens up the possibility of further changes in line naming conventions by allowing for simple letter and number based designators in lieu of restricting it to just color names.

Booth’s redesign is clearly still a diagram of the system not a topographical representation. It shows conceptual routing and station locations in lieu of depicting their actual locations. However, Booth’s map does pick up on some of the more important station locations and line routes that relate to major roadways and jurisdictional borders. He correctly places Friendship Heights and Southern Avenue stations on the respective borders of Montgomery and Prince Georges County. The current Metrorail map correctly locates the Capital Heights station in this regard but misses the mark on the other two. (Ed. Note: the WMATA map online places Friendship Heights wholly in Maryland but the maps currently installed around the system have been adjusted to show the stop correctly located on by jurisdictional border.) The Red Line’s jump from following Connecticut Avenue to Wisconsin Avenue is maintained in Booth’s redesign but the Silver Line’s route which goes from from Rt. 267 to Rt. 123 and Rt. 7 before returning to Rt.267 is ignored. The relationships between these stations and the major vehicular routes is important for the understanding of the routing and relation of the Silver line to the developments around Tysons Corner. Booth has provided an overlay of actual station locations and routings with his map for comparisons sake.

The Booth map generally follows the current Metrorail map’s lead with regard to the acknowledgment of parks and green space. It includes the National Mall, Rock Creek Park, Arlington Cemetery, Hains Point, and Roosevelt Island but does not indicate other major (relatively) metro accessible parks such as Kennilworth Aquatic Gardens, Anacostia Park, and Gravelly Point. It actually edits out Gravelly Point which is currently indicated on the Metrorail map. These other parks have arguably a lower significance in terms of acting as geographic landmarks but, none the less, helping people realize the access to parks that Metrorail can offer is an admirable goal and could be accomplished easily on the Metrorail map.

Gone from Booth’s map are the “boxy mid-1980s Volvo” icons currently used to identify stations with parking facilities. These clunky symbols have been substituted for the universal “blue-circle-white-letter-P” parking sign. Also gone from the map are the awkward call-out boxes that clarify the peak hour restrictions on the Red and Yellow lines. He has replaced the boxes with a more subtle dark line along the affected portions of each line and placed details about the restrictions in the legend to the right of the map. This change greatly helps to reduce the visual clutter of the existing map.

Expanding on the identification of Amtrak, MARC, and VRE lines from the current map, which only provides the corresponding train’s logo at transfer stations (such as Union Station, King Street, and Silver Spring), Booth has included a diagrammatic routing of the lines on his map. Even the Riverdale MARC station, which has no corresponding Metrorail station, has been included. This inclusion helps to serve as a reminder of the potential for interconnectivity between services and should be expanded to include Circulator bus routes, primary and express Metrobus routes, the future streetcar system, and maybe even permanent water-taxi routes. Much care would clearly need to be taken to avoid illegibility when including routing information for these other modes, but having a single comprehensive visual guide to help explore and understand intermodal connectivity will be critical to the transit future of the region. With the pending expansion of the DDOT bike-sharing program, it could be worth considering an acknowledgment of the stations that have bike-sharing stations in their immediate area. The inclusion of non-WMATA run services may be an uphill battle, but it is one that should be strongly considered in future redesigns of the Metrorail map (a universal transit pass and the integration of the transit info in Google Maps wouldn’t hurt either).

Booth’s redesign of the Metrorail map, while not without some flaws, is a fantastic exercise in re-envisioning the iconic map. It has stimulated great discussion, and will hopefully be well considered by WMATA officials when the time comes to officially update the map. It is worth noting that Booth is an Australian, by-way of Portland, who has never visited our fair city. His objective outsider look at the system and its iconography is a key component to the success of his redesign. Great job, Mr. Booth!

In lieu of putting in my opinion, I asked Shauna Alexander to document her experience of hosting a local house party that included several of DC’s current popular artists, including Matthew Hemerlein, Child Ballads, Lightfoot, and Laughing Man.

From the original idea of the party, to having the party posted in the Washington Post’s Going Out Guru’s section, Shauna provides us with a unique insight into the art of the present day house party- and thus a glimpse into a part of the DC music scene.

Tue, Jan 26, 2010 at 3:40 PM

Conception! On the wave of success of a previous Fort Awesome Extravaganza (that featured Hello Babies, Alex Gruenburg, Lightfoot and Loose Lips) the residents of the Fort (Stephanie Getson, Kelly O’Donnell, Jeff Discala, Kristin Donovan and Jake Goodman) decide another party needs to happen immediately. My housemates really want US Royalty to play, I drop their manager a line to see if this is even feasible.

Thur, Jan 28, 2010 at 3:40 PM

Bump into Ryan Wakeman (Publicist and Tour Manager of US Royalty) at Aaron Thompson’s gig at Haydees. We discuss the logistics of US Royalty playing my house. They’re officially confirmed for the 27^th of February.

Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 5:16 PM

Through Facebook I book Matthew Hemerlein to play the party. After a few conversations with the guys of Child Ballads and Laughing Man (who are personal friends) the show is booked. The line-up is solid and spirits are high. I spend the next several weeks (and the entire snowpocalypse) waiting for the date to roll around.

Tue, Feb 16, 2010 at 9:18 PM

Despite the firm commitment, Ryan Wakeman emails to inform me that US Royalty has to drop out of the house show. Frustration and disappointment are the buzz-words around the Fort for the next two days. The debate to get someone to replace them weighs heavy on my mind. Final verdict? Full confidence in the line-up without USR. The show and party go on as planned.

10:36 PM

The Facebook invite goes live. 492 people are invited.

Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 10:07 PM

After taking a routine nap (thanks to a concussion obtained the week prior) I wake up to four text messages, two voicemails and a gchat conversation telling me that my party (and our address) is listed in the Washington Post. Part of me is thrilled, the other is pondering how in the hell I’m going to break this news to my housemates…

Thur, Feb 25, 2010 at 11:41 AM

After a rational discussion with my housemates the night before, I drop David Malitz at the Post an email requesting he take our address down. Within minutes the problem is rectified. The keg count has also been bumped up from three to five to prepare for the onslaught of people from all the publicity. I am about to have a nervous breakdown.

2:43 PM

Word on the street another act is trying to cash in on the party by crashing/playing a set. Texts and emails fly back and forth before finding out Andrew Bucket was the culprit. By this time I’m starting to question my sanity. Thankfully the issue is resolved before the night is through.

9:44 PM

Facebook tells me I’ve been invited to my own party. There are now two online invitations. This one has over 200 people invited… Visions of being taking away in handcuffs by the Police or a Fire Marshall are all I dream about at this point.

Fri, Feb 26, 2010 at 6:40 PM

On the way out to celebrate a friend’s birthday at The Passenger, I notice that the townhouse next to us, which has been vacant for months, now has tenants moving in. Worries abound.

Sat, Feb 27, 2010 at 10:46 AM

Rise and shine, it’s party day and there are about 1,000 things to do before the 10pm start time. Thankfully I am hopelessly optimistic.

11:15 AM

Fort Awesome resident Jeff Discala and I spend the next twenty-minutes or so creating a daunting to-do list. My favorite item on the list? “Pick out something to wear.” Anyone who knows me know this will be at least a 45-minute task. The next several hours are spent getting my room, which will later double as the “green room” into order. I hate folding laundry.

1:45 PM

Jeff and I head out the door. College Park Liquors is our first stop. Two handles of Jameson, a 30 rack of PBR, a handle of vodka, and a 12 pack of Corona make its way into the trunk of the car. Secret stashes and reserves of beer (not to mention filling band requests) are key to staying sane at your own party. No one likes to wait on line for the keg, not even the party hosts.

2:22 PM

Forget Matt Hemerlein’s requested Magic Hat, so we swing back to liquor store. We’re officially behind schedule now.

2:43 PM

UMD’s campus has an ATM that gives money in $5 increments. This is crucial since all banks are closed. Note for the future- change is always a must.

3:06 PM

We hit up Shoppers in College Park, MD for party necessities (cups, ice, Asian Doritos….). An epic search for Vitamin Water 10 results in failure. “Power-C” will have to do.

3:24 PM

Pizzas are scored from Ledo’s Restaurant (according to Jeff, this is the best pizza ever. My New York skepticism reigns high. Turns out I was right). A wise decision considering the rest of the evening agenda.

3:47 PM

Our travels take us to the SE side of DC to pick up a generator from Fragers Hardware. The faulty electric system in at the Fort is no longer a concern!

4:18 PM

After nearly getting lost heading to the hardware store, Paper Sun is our last stop to pick up the PA system. Trying to fit three speakers and other necessary gear into Jeff’s 94 Honda Accord is like pulling teeth. I almost have to walk home. Some master fiddling and rearranging for fifteen minutes equates to victory!

4:30 PM

A few phone calls go back and forth between myself and Lex Paulson of Child Ballads arranging load in times, gear sharing and general gossip. We’re both now on the hunt for a spare microphone.

4:43 PM

Finally we return home to unload the car. An hour late for house powwow. On a happier note, three kegs from Delaware have arrived. One less thing to worry about! Housemate Jake Goodman (and his two friends from Delaware) set off to procure two more kegs locally. We are so prepared it hurts.

5:04 PM

A gathering of the Fort housemates finally occurs. We divvy out most of the responsibilities, but plans tend to go out the window when manual labor is involved. We move a grand total of 4 tables, 8 chairs, 3 couches, 2 rugs and an entire kitchen island. Nerves are on rise as time ticks down.

7:15 PM

I’ve managed to sneak in a quick cat-nap while watching Sunshine (an incredible movie if you’ve never seen it). This is the closest thing to peace I’ll feel all evening.

8:28 PM

Peacefully, both Kelly O’Donnell and I head next door in attempts to warn/schmooze/reason with our new neighbors about the party. Thankfully they are cool with it and promise to swing by the next shindig for sure. We return to the kegs being in place and an eerily empty Fort.

9:22 PM

Musicians begin crowding the parlor for the Fort, adjusting microphone stands, and turning their amps to 11. Thank god. Stewart Lupton gives me an appreciative nod of support after noticing my nervous fidgeting.

10:07 PM

While I man the door for the first hour, Matt Hemerlein sound checks like it’s his job (it is, isn’t it?). To say I’m excited is the biggest understatement in the world- or at least for the day. My only complaint? Having to ask my friends for money at the door… but 5 kegs won’t pay for themselves!

11:20 PM

Disaster strikes! Apparently both taps on the kegs have given out. An announcement is made seeing is anyone else at the party might have access to taps… the room’s response? Absolute silence. We’re talking crickets chirping in the background. Panic ensues. Word of the broken taps spreads like wildfire.

11:24 PM

ReadysetDC writer/photographer and Tori Milko contacts our mutual friend (and local photographer) Joel Didriksen for taps. He proves to be a quicker solution than driving to a Maryland liquor store. Keys are located and I run like I have battery acid in my veins the few blocks to his place. Time is of the essence!

11:25 PM

Some miscommunication has the bands running behind schedule (surprise!), but finally Mr. Hemerlein and his percussionist Jeff Franca take the stage. From what I’m told he plays an incredible set.

12:18 AM

Found the box of taps! The taste of victory is bittersweet as I roll back to the party completely out of breath and with 6 taps in hand to see Laughing Man take the stage. I quickly busy myself with fixing the keg problem.

12:20 AM

I have my first drink of the evening. Jameson has never tasted so good.

12:37 AM

The sounds of Laughing Man (Brandon Moses, Michael Andrew Harris and Luke Stewart) roar through the front of the house that while on the 3^rd floor I can distinctly hear the voice of Lightfoot’s Jessica Louise Dye reverberating through the walls.

12:58 AM

Stewart Lupton and his merry band of music makers including Lex Paulson, Misha Alexander, Andrew Bucket, and Jessica Louise Dye (who was dancing on top of a bass amp playing tambourine for most of the set) begin to play.

1:10 AM

It’s official. We’ve run out of cups. All 200 of them.

1:33 AM

There is definitely someone smoking an unknown substance in the “green room.” I worry for the state of my bedroom and professional wardrobe.

2:07 AM

The need for more live music is at an all-time high after Child Ballads explosive set, so Little Miss Lightfoot borrows a guitar and starts an impromptu set.

2:48 AM

Continuing with the jam session, Ian Graham of Deville/Lightfoot, and Jeff Franca keep the music going. This is Lex Paulson’s 3^rd hour straight of playing keys. Even Matt Hemerlein grabs his axe and starts jamming again.

3:26 AM

After a few nudges, the bands are finally kicked off the “stage”. And to think I had promised my neighbors the music would be over by 2am….

4:01 AM

Fort Awesome’s living room has become a breeding ground for necking. There are couples making out on every couch and in every inch of somewhat private space.

5:08 AM

The dreaded announcement! “You don’t have to go home, but you definitely cannot stay here,” my voice echoes through sparsely crowded halls. People groan with defeat. Stephanie Getson and I start cleaning up in attempt to quickly stifle the stale-beer smell that’s almost inevitable the next day.

6:48 AM

After nursing a very drunk party-goer (who’s name is being withheld to protect the guilty despite trying to pass out in my bed) I finally hit the sheets. Tomorrow is going to be hell.

Sun, Feb 28, 2010 at 11:17 AM

Money is counted from the night before… after paying the bands we break completely even. Estimated total of attendees? Well over 300. This calls for a celebratory brunch at Marvin. Several of us reminisce and tell stories about night prior while eating chicken & waffles. Mimosas are heaven right now.

12:30 PM

Cleaning begins. We come to find out that we still have a keg and a half of beer left. People must not have had A-game in play. Several people stop by to claim belongings they lost/left/misplaced from the night before. The Fort’s coat collection has grown by six.

5:30 PM

Cleaning has mostly commenced. Consensus is that we’re never throwing another party like this again. We all know this is a lie.

9:20 PM

There are no longer any signs of a bands having taken residence in our parlor. The drum kit once sitting pretty is now gone and I’m feeling strangely nostalgic about it all.

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 8:10 AM

As I’m leaving for my day-job, I still notice the faint smell of cigarettes as well as something else still permeating from my room and despite all the Febreze by the time the smell has dissipated it’ll be time to start the cycle all over again.

Author’s Note: A special thanks to Shauna Alexander for her contribution, and to all of those who attended/performed at the Fort Awesome House Party last weekend.

Look up. AITE via laurarotondo.

Over the coming month ReadysetDC is setting out to spotlight the burgeoning fashion community in Washington, DC. Part one of our intrepid adventure will comprise of a five part spring 2010 fashion feature on businesses, designers and fashion photographers. Each week we will feature a beloved Washington boutique or designer including; Treasury, De*Nada Designs, Commonwealth and Redeem. Each feature will provide a glimpse into the lives of the people behind the movement. You may call this a shopping guide for DC, though I would rather call this an ode to bold business pioneers. The series will also include spring forecasting straight from the Washington creatives themselves, just in time for the spring thaw.

fashion:district part II will be announced March 16th, after the final part I series debuts. We are brewing up something ground breaking which will spotlight every aspect of the fashion community here in Washington, DC.

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In 2004, two friends from Virginia created a concept boutique entitled Commonwealth. Focusing on streetwear brands that emphasize individualism over generic consumerism and community spirit. Years later, the shop has received praise across the board, having been featured in such publications as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Streetwear Today among others. Commonwealth was named one of the “Best Stores in America” by Details Magazine and one of GQ Magazine’s “Top 100 Stores.”

In 2007 the Commonwealth team, ready to expand their brand, set their sights on Washington, DC, opening up Commonwealth’s second location at 1781 Florida Avenue NW. Commonwealth found a community ready for their clean, quality streetwear; creating a haven for creatives in the area. Commonwealth fuses together the store itself, local artists, designers, DJs and friends.

I was able to speak with Roland Castro, manager at the Washington, DC Commonwealth store in Adam’s Morgan about Commonwealth’s role in DC and the future.

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RSDC: Explain the concept of Commonwealth…

RC: In 2004, the owners Larry Incognito and Omar Quiambao wanted to start a retail project with a vision comprised of products and information that represented certain lifestyles of creative culture; of which they have grown accustomed to experiencing in the places they’ve visited and the cities they’ve lived in . They felt that their home state of Virginia was ready for that kind of project and thus Commonwealth first opened its doors in Norfolk. It was only a matter of time before Larry and Omar expanded the business, and in 2007 they brought that same original vision to Washington, DC.

RSDC: Why did you open on U Street–any particular reasons?

RC: It was very important to separate ourselves from the obvious retail centers in the city. Our customer is different from the one that shops at the mall or tourist shopping areas. Having Commonwealth positioned next to stores like Ed Hardy, True Religion, or other trendy “Hollywood” fashion brands wouldn’t have made sense.

RSDC: How has the area changed since you opened?

RC: We’ve seen growth in the opening of new businesses around us. With the addition of the Stussy store on our block, we’ve been able to further solidify our place as a main streetwear destination in DC, similar to the boutiques on La Brea in Los Angeles.

RSDC: Why do you carry the labels you do; how do you think these reflect upon Commonwealth’s mission?

RC: We stock and work with brands that we believe are some of the best in what streetwear has to offer like Commonwealth, Play Cloths, 10Deep, Maiden Noir, Wings + Horns, Undefeated, Original Fake, Play by Comme des Garcons, Nike, Clae, and New Balance just to name a few. We represent a particular mindset and consumer and that reflects on the type of product we carry.

RSDC: Where do you see DC in 5 years, in terms of style?

RC: I’d like to see it eventually get to the point where DC can influence other cities in these aspects and not just in government.

RSDC: Further more where do you see yourself and Commonwealth in 5 years?

RC: I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute to Commonwealth’s operations and events. By then we will have our full line and perhaps will expand to more locations in other cities.

RSDC: Commonwealth focuses a lot on spotlighting artists, and the local community; where do you plan on going with that in the future? This year in particular.

RC: We plan on continuing to add and help build on that community through various shows, in-store events, and parties. This month we’re launching our own mixtape series and a new monthly party.

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The Looks.

The looks are a sneak peek into what ReadysetDC and Commonwealth are planning for this March, so stay tuned!

ABOVE:

ORIGINAL FAKE DRAW LOGO TEE $70
COMMONWEALTH FLANNEL $70
MAIDEN NOIR X COMMONWEALTH OFFICER JACKET $240
MAIDEN NOIR STANDARD RAW DENIM $225
COMMONWEALTH PEOPLE’S CHOICE 5 PANEL $32
OAKLEY X COMMONWEALTH FROGSKINS $175
CONVERSE SPECIALTY CHAMBRAY CHUCK TAYLOR $70

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ABOVE:

COMME DES GARCONS PLAY POLO $165
MAIDEN NOIR CAMPUS HOODIE FLEECE $180
MAIDEN NOIR STANDARD WORK CHINO $210
STONE ISLAND RAIN JACKET $400
SHWOOD CANBY MAPLEWOOD SUNGLASSES $105
SPERRY BRICK SOLE TOP SIDER $95

Local band Pash has played hundreds of shows, traveled thousands of miles, and worked with some of the District’s greatest local artists. After eight years of touring Pash will be playing it’s final show at Black Cat tonight. I had the pleasure of catching up with guitarist Erik Bruner-Yang to hear some stories of the evolving DC music scene, old local legends (Dismemberment Plan, anyone?), and tales of life on tour.

TMilko: Pash has had a successful run here in DC. Why have you decided to head your separate ways?

ErikBY: The band unfortunately has run its course and it seemed like a good time to close this chapter of our lifes. Most people don’t realize but Pash has been together for about eight years. We started in 2002 when we all meet during my freshman year in college. We still love each other and we wrote some amazing songs, played with the most incredible bands, and were able to travel and see parts of the United States we never thought we would see. People were playing our records in the most obscure parts of the world; we did an interview with a St. Petersburg blogger about two years ago and that was when I knew we had accomplished something as a group.

The catalyst for the end of the band was when I became the general manager of Sticky Rice DC. That job started in 2008 right after we had a successful SXSW experience and a two-week tour opening for Stars. The timing of the full time job really killed all the hard work we had done for the six years prior. I was working about 70 hours a week and just didn’t have the time for Pash anymore. We stuck it through although and wrote some of the best songs we ever did for a third record that will probably never be recorded.

TMilko: Over the years you’ve seen the rise and fall of numerous local bands. What were/are some of your favorites?

ErikBY: My favorite local band of all time is the Dismemberment Plan. I was so obsessed with the band that when we went to record our first record “Kingwood” we asked the guitar player of the Dismemberment Plan, Jason Caddell, to produce it and we used the same studio that Dismemberment Plan used…the legendary Inner Ear Studios. I did this only so I could hang out with my idol. I remember the first day we started recording I was geeking out so much that I couldn’t even concentrate on the reason why we were there.

My favorite local bands now and forever: Dismemberment Plan, Exit Clov, Q and Not U, Black Eyes, Supersystem

Best up and coming locals: Title Tracks and US Royalty.

TMilko: Local venues have been drifting in and out of the District’s music scene as well. What were some of your favorite venues to play?

ErikBY: We are a band born and raised on the ethics of the District’s DIY scene. It’s a scene that is not a huge and effective as it used to be but it was one that we are proud to be a part of. THE BLACK CAT is the best venue in the entire country and if it stays the same it always will be. We’ve played great DIY spaces and other great venues but the Black Cat will always be the best.

TMilko: Given that Pash has been in the local musical scene for quite some time, I’m sure you’ve seen a decent amount of change. How would you say the DC music scene has evolved over the last decade?

ErikBY: DC is always a great place to be a band if politics are in turmoil. All the great DC bands rose to their greatest ascensions when the politics would be so far off right. All the “anti this…” and “awareness this…” and “benefit for this…” shows in this city have always been the best events this city puts on. The political landscape in the city has changed and so has the music scene.

DC has never been known for being a great pop music city but interestingly enough most of the new bands in the city are great pop bands or great DJs. DC is all about a great fun time right now and it is not nearly as bleak or boring as it has been for the last few years.

TMilko: What do you think are some of the challenges facing the District’s musical scene?

ErikBY: I think every music scene has its challenges. There are so many bands and so many few places to play. All ages spaces are virtually dead now. DIY spaces can’t survive because of high rent. The recession presents another unique set of challenges with people not having expendable money and the worst is that no one buys records anymore.

Records stores are virtually extinct. iTunes is the devil and the internet, no matter how great it is, makes being in a band so much more competitive. Unfortunately for the District being in a band has become competitive because the opportunities to play have declined because of all the challenges I listed. I just remember a few years ago there were so many shows you had to turn them down and now just the amount of available shows for all bands to play have dwindled. A lot of the DC’s most creative promoters have left but fortunately many young people like Ready Set DC will find new ways to rebuild our city.

TMilko: Let’s hear a favorite memory as a band.

ErikBY: SXSW 2008 was the best. Ryan and Joe got drunken matching tattoos. Merideth got laid. I was wasted for six days straight. It was the first time my cousins got to see my band play and it really was the best three weeks of my life. The pre and post tours went as perfectly planned as DIY tour could go. I really loved that timeframe of Pash.

TMilko: Can we expect any projects from Pash’s former members?

ErikBY: Ryan is doing Typefighter. Mer is moving to Austin so I am sure she will start a new band. I am opening up my dumpling/ramen house called Toki Underground on H Street in NE and have been djing throughout the city under the name of Kom-Toki. I host the monthly dance party Villians as Little Miss Whiskeys every first Thursday and a monthly dance party called PEEL at the Rock and Roll Hotel every last Wednesday. Joe is still playing with Karmellas Game and Club Scout. He will also be managing Toki Underground.

TMilko: Do you have any advice for DC’s upcoming bands?

ErikBY: My favorite thing about DC bands in the past was how unfashionable they were but how music-forward every band was. I think a lot of DC bands look incredible now but the music is dated but there are a few that are combining both. My advice just do what you are doing cause you mean it not cause you just want to be cool. Cause being in a band in DC has never been about being cool.

TMilko: Anything you’d like to say as a final farewell to DC?

ErikBY: Thank you to all our wonderful friends and fans that have been with us so long. Pash is something that will be with me forever and all the memories all of the great people that been with us along the way. Instead of just one Pash you will now get four different variations of us …haha…I hope you’re ready.

You can see Pash’s final show tonight at Black Cat Backstage. Doors open at 8:30. Tickets are $8.

Free Events this Week! Below are some highlights from Free in DC

Monday, March 1st

Next Reflex Dance Collective Performance

6:00pm and 7:30pm at The National Theatre

Noon – 1:00pm at The Church of the Epiphany

Free only for Students w valid ID, Cello Performance in Georgetown

7:30pm at at La Maison Française

DC Arts Advocacy Day

9:00am – 5:00pm

The Russian Chamber Arts Society at Happenings at the Harman

Noon – 1:00pm at Harman Hall in Chinatown

Opening Night for G40 Arts Summit in Crystal City

5:00pm – 10:00pm

Poetry Reading at the Arts Club of Washington

7:00pm – 9:00pm near Farragut West

Phillips After Five at the Phillips Collection

5:00pm – 8:30pm in Dupont Circle

Art Opening at the Foundry, Kurdish Art

6:00pm – 8:00pm in Dupont

First Fridays in Dupont, Art Galleries Open Late

“Activation 2719″ Open for Viewing

10:00am – 5:00pm in Columbia Heights

Intersections Festival Free Cafe Concert

1:30pm at Atlas on H St, NE

Official Opening Party for G40 Arts Summit in Crystal City

6:00pm – Midnight

Intersections Festival Free Cafe Concerts

3:30pm and 6:00pm at Atlas on H St, NE

Inaugural concert of the National Gallery of Art New Music Ensemble

6:30pm at the National Gallery of Art

Insight Meditation Class with IMCW

6:00pm – 7:30pm at All Souls 16th & Columbia

For more Free, low cost and donation based events, check out Free in DCor follow @FreeinDCBlogon twitter

Digital Capital Week (DCWEEK) is a 10 day festival in Washington DC focused on technology, innovation and all things digital in our nation’s capital.

The first 2000 General Admission tickets will be free. Registration is OPEN here.

Modeled after Internet Week NY, Social Media Week, FotoWeek DC, Fringe Festival, etc. — DCWEEK will consist of a series of distributed events produced and hosted by individuals, organizations and community groups.

It’s a time to do the following:

• to learn from others through sessions, keynotes, workshops and panels
• to meet new friends, clients, partners, investors and collaborators
• to focus on the issues that can be addressed in new ways
• to come together to support innovative businesses, people and ideas
• to showcase the DC area as a region for technology, innovation and creativity
• to work on projects that benefit the city and the world
• to experiment with what’s possible
• to have fun at some great parties!

How much is it to attend?

• The first 2000 General Admission tickets will be free.
• Specific events will be hosted by community members and will have an entry fee

How do I connect with others participating in DCWEEK?

Join the Facebook Group

Use/follow the hashtag #DCWEEK

Follow @dcweek on Twitter

When is DCW?

DCWEEK will kick off on June 11th and conclude on June 20th, 2010. The full schedule of events is located here and will be updated frequently: http://bit.ly/dcwcal

Who is participating in DCW?

Technologists, Artists, Entrepreneurs, Communicators, Govies, and social capitalists of all kinds will participate.  Use this as an opportunity to hang out with your tribe, or connect with a new one! The schedule is segmented according to these participant groups for your convenience.

Who is behind DCWEEK?

DCWEEK is co-produced by iStrategyLabs and Shiny Heart Ventures.

iStrategyLabs is an idea foundry that brings new ideas to life in the digital and physical world for clients, communities and ourselves. We specialize in experiential, word-of-mouth, and social media marketing.

Shiny Heart Ventures is a technology company with heart and soul, focused on creating community powered products and services that remind us of the joys of life.

More info at http://www.digitalcapitalweek.org/