September in the Neighborhood: Community-powered celebrating, feasting, and weed wrangling

This month, the UDC amphitheater is the venue for two dance parties and two movie nights. (2021 Van Ness Main Street photo)

September’s neighborhood events are all about community: working together, picnicking together, playing together, and gathering together to enjoy local amenities and culture.

You could do all of these things during Celebrate Van Ness Main Street on Saturday, September 14th. VNMS is teaming up with Friends of Peirce Mill and Forest Hills of DC Senior Living for a day of festivities that include a family-friendly cleanup at Forest Hills Park, musical performances up and down the avenue, an artisans market, dance parties at the UDC amphitheater, child-centered performances and tours at Peirce Mill, and an in-progress art installation on the facade of Forest Hills of DC Senior Living.

The description above barely scratches the surface. Here’s the full events schedule, and a list of the artisans market vendors. Also, Van Ness has openings for volunteers throughout the day, and those interested in helping out can fill out this volunteer interest form.

September 14th is also the first day of the month-long Rock Creek Weed Wrangle. Rock Creek Conservancy says last year’s event removed 11,700 square feet of non-native invasive plants from area public parks and green spaces. Some of the weed-removal events are taking place at Reservation 630, behind Politics and Prose, and at Trail 9.

A veritable feast: On September 8th, sample vegetarian cuisine from around the world at Capital Memorial Church’s first Global Veggie Fest.

Going to see the The Barbie Movie or Spy Kids at the UDC Amphitheater on September 12th and 14th? You’re encouraged to bring takeout from nearby restaurants.

Local restaurants will be also welcoming guests during the Celebrate Van Ness Main Street events of September 14th. In addition, Bread Furst head baker Ben Arnold is hauling his 18-foot smoker to the Days Inn parking lot, where he’ll be smoking brisket, pork, and chicken and offering an array of sides. You’ll find him there, along with artisans market vendors, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

And on September 26th, Friends of Peirce Mill is hosting its first Picnic in the Park on September 26th, featuring the music of Carly Harvey.

Let’s sing: The next season of Levine Music’s monthly Community Sing begins on September 24th.

Forest Hills Connection is an editorially independent program of Van Ness Main Street