It’s live. It’s independent. Sometimes, it’s even free. District Fringe, the indie theater festival that’s now in its second season, has one week of shows under its belt and two more performance-packed weeks to go. Ticketed shows typically cost $15. Staged readings of works by some up-and-coming playwrights are $10. And most events at the […]
Business in Brief: Apartment building sold, Shemalis rebrands, a new weekend breakfast spot
Avalon no longer: Avalon the Albemarle (4501 Connecticut Avenue) is now just The Albemarle after WC Smith completed its purchase of the property in March. The seller was AvalonBay, which still operates AVA Van Ness at 2950 Van Ness Street NW, and was initially approached about selling The Albemarle by an affordable housing nonprofit. WC […]
The 2026 District Fringe festival at Van Ness-UDC includes programs for up-and-coming playwrights and young audiences
After its successful inaugural festival in July 2025, District Fringe is returning to Van Ness this summer with new plays and initiatives. District Fringe recently announced the festival dates (July 10 through 26, Wednesdays to Sundays) and the performance lineup (see the news release below). The performance schedule and online box office should arrive at […]
Neighborhood in the News: UDC’s graduation, home seller profits, and a statue’s mistaken identity
Mayor Muriel Bowser was the keynote speaker Saturday the University of the District of Columbia’s 49th commencement ceremony. She also spoke at the Howard University commencement that day, and WUSA9’s report compared the two: At UDC — the city’s only public university — Bowser struck a markedly warmer and more reflective tone, emphasizing her long‑standing […]
On the Soapstone trail, solving two problems with one stone
by Marlene Berlin On a recent hike along the Soapstone Valley trail, I was greeted by a surprise at the first stream crossing: no more wobbly or submerged rocks. This is thanks to Doug Rosenthal, a runner in the park, and two volunteer trail maintainers from the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club at work on another […]
Main Street updates: Retail studies, ‘Taste of Van Ness Main Street,’ playground cleanups, spring pop-up market
Outside experts gave the business corridors in Van Ness and the 5000 block of Connecticut Avenue a closer look last year. Van Ness Main Street released the results of the two studies early this year. As we’ve reported previously, both studies had a lot to say about the former Intelsat campus and its impact on […]
Business in Brief: New Van Ness businesses; Intelsat auction canceled; Whale Tea rebrands; I’m Eddie Cano bankruptcy update
Some Forest Hills Connection reporting involves poking our heads through open doors. Doing so recently yielded the news that the last remaining vacant retail space at Park Van Ness (4455 Connecticut Avenue) has been leased to an IV hydration spa. A contractor getting the space ready told us Hydralive Therapy is moving in. Similarly, we […]
Pedestrian safety updates: New walk signal at Conn. and Chesapeake, Reno Road issues, Soapstone-Rock Creek trails gap
by Marlene Berlin Let’s start with some good news: After 15 years of study and advocacy, Chesapeake Street at Connecticut Avenue finally has a fully operational traffic light. Installation started in December, and the signal was activated on March 10th, but its origins go all the way back to 2010, when Connecticut Avenue Pedestrian Action, […]
Van Ness organizers plan another ‘No Kings’ mini-rally on March 28
Neighbors who have organized “No Kings” and other protests at Connecticut Avenue at Veazey Terrace are encouraging people to bring their signs and voices to another rally this Saturday, March 28th. This, too, coincides with a national No Kings march. “Our sign-waving has been successful for past No Kings demonstrations, but we need to go […]
Two visions for the former Intelsat/Whittle campus: As an education and civic center, or tearing it down and rebuilding with housing
Ward 3 Council member Matt Frumin has had his eye on the expansive Intelsat campus for some time. The 660,000 square foot complex sits on 13 acres. Its most visible entrance is at 4200 Connecticut Avenue. And it has been largely vacant since Whittle School & Studios closed in 2022. In 2023, Frumin wrote in […]