The DC Lineup for this weekend: fellowship, arts fests and Freedom Plaza

Community is the central theme in this edition of the DC Lineup. After all, as we move from July to August, we’re all in the unrelenting heat together.

There will be scattered thunderstorms for much of the weekend, July 31 to Aug. 2, according to the forecast. Temperatures will range from 73 to 93. 

1. Community: The Palm Collective is a Black-led organization that works to end systemic racism by uniting individuals and community groups. This Saturday, the group is bringing together more than 65 Washington-area organizations for Demand DC, a march during which participants will articulate their four core demands of the District’s government: divest the Metropolitan Police Department from DC Public Schools, end qualified immunity, institute a public safety or behavioral response team, and make election days a DC holiday. Running from 3 to 8 p.m., the gathering starts at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, and then moves to Black Lives Matter Plaza before ending at Freedom Plaza. Participants are asked to wear masks. Cold water and snacks will be provided. The Palm Collective is seeking donations to support its mission, as well as volunteers with a variety of skills including public relations, fundraising, supply distribution, and medical, legal, political, policy and bail network support. 

2. Community: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is a women’s service organization that was founded at Howard University in 1913 and has more than 300,000 members worldwide who organize programs highlighting economic and educational development, international awareness, health, and nonpartisan political engagement. Its Federal City Alumnae Chapter, one of several chapters based in DC, has more than 600 women dedicated to enriching the Black community in the District. The group reframed its annual event to help community members who are struggling during the pandemic. “Caravan of Love: Community Day Distribution” will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Backpacks with school supplies, toiletries, health screening information, safety kits (including masks), children’s activity kits, employment services resources and a boxed lunch will be provided for free to local residents in need. Delta Sigma Theta will follow strict health guidelines: Distribution of items will be conducted in a drive-up or walk-up grab-and-go style, with no lingering on the premises. Presented in partnership with Ballou Senior High School in Ward 8, the event will be held at the school, 3401 4th St. SE.

3. Literature: The District’s LGBTQ literary festival OutWrite, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, will host a virtual fest from 7 p.m. Friday to 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Rasha Abdulhadi, executive director of the poetry nonprofit Split This Rock, will moderate a panel “Breath to Word: Poetry and Mindfulness.” DC-based writer Ruthanna Emrys will lead the talk “Queer Community in Speculative Fiction.” The festival also includes workshops and live recordings of programs such as the literary podcast Lit!Pop!Bang!, produced in Baltimore. Registration is free. 

4. Nature: Gallaudet University’s Gally Gardens is a space used to share information about sustainably grown produce with the community in American Sign Language. This Saturday, Cultivate the City — a local social enterprise that teaches DC residents about urban agriculture — is hosting Farm Open Hours from 9 a.m. to noon at Gally Gardens. The public is welcome to come and learn about gardening, and pitch in with activities like harvesting fruits and vegetables, weeding and watering. No experience is necessary. The organizers suggest bringing a water bottle and sunscreen, or a hat. The garden is located at the university’s Hansen Plaza, 800 Florida Ave. NE.

5. Community: The hair salon The Shop at Shaw rallied Shaw Main Street and neighboring businesses DC Brau Brewing Co., DuHon Photography, and Pekoe Acupuncture & Wellness Center to participate in the [Shaw] Equity Project this Saturday. Black Lives Matter T-shirts are for sale online, priced at $35 each. The proceeds benefit The Whitlow Foundation, which provides micro-scholarship awards to creative and culinary arts students in need of support. Starting at about 2 p.m. Saturday, staff at all of the participating businesses will don the shirt. A photographer will be on site to document the event and create a neighborhood-wide photo campaign. The Shop at Shaw is located at 1924 8th St. NW.

6. Community: The local nonprofit Hope and a Home helps financially struggling families with kids by providing education programs and up to three years in transitional housing. Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Manoli Canoli (a Greek and Italian restaurant in Chevy Chase, Maryland) are giving these families a break from cooking with the event Give the Gift of a Night Off in the Kitchen! Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. Meals for the families can be purchased online; an individual entree with dessert costs $15, and dinner for four plus a salad and dessert costs $50.

7. Community: Fellowship Baptist Church regularly serves the community through food distribution. This Saturday, the congregation is hosting a gathering to give out groceries in its back parking lot from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or, the organizers note, “as long as the food lasts”). The church is located at 5605 Colorado Ave. NW. 

8. Arts: Studio Gallery has reopened on Fridays and Saturdays from 1 to 6 p.m. (and by appointment only on Wednesdays and Thursdays). Only five people are permitted inside at a time, and everyone must wear a face mask. This is the first weekend to see two new exhibitions at the gallery: Virginia-based member artist Eleanor Kotlarik Wang’s Ribbons of Stretch, which ties in images and textiles from cultures around the world, and the all-members installation Art and Activism, featuring work by Studio Gallery artists that addresses current global issues. Proceeds from some of the sales will go to charities selected by the creators.

9. Comedy: The DC Improv Comedy Club is hosting a Five for Five Online Showcase this Friday from 8 to 9:15 p.m. Viewers pay $5 to watch five comics perform: Washington and Baltimore-area favorites Violet Gray, Eddie Morrison and Simone are among the performers, along with New York-based Lucas Bohn and a mystery guest who tours nationally. A Zoom link will be sent to ticket holders 30 minutes before the show.

10. Film: The online film festival DC Shorts presents Summer Chills, which features horror, thriller and comedy-horror genres. The screenings, which began on Tuesday and continue through Sunday, include nine movies from six countries. Tickets for the entire festival cost $12. The program includes Q&As with filmmakers.