You’re invited: Celebrate local businesses and community with Van Ness Main Street on April 29

The UDC Theater of the Arts will be the venue for Van Ness Main Street’s April 29th community celebration and fundraiser.

Van Ness Main Street’s first in-person fundraiser in more than three years will be held on Saturday, April 29th at 7 p.m. at the UDC Theater of the Arts.

The event will be a celebration of community and local businesses, with food and drinks provided by Sfoglina, Bread Furst, Rosemary Bistro, I’m Eddie Cano, Comet Pizza, Buck’s Fishing and Camping, Muchas Gracias, Calvert Woodley, and Call Your Mother.

The program includes performances by Crush Funk, Carly Harvey’s Blues Quartet, UDC’s Allyn Johnson Jazz Trio, and the Burke School band; and the presentation of the 2023 Reginald M. Felton Spirit of Van Ness award.

Felton was the vice president of the VNMS board of directors when he died in June last year, and was remembered as a “passionate” leader and man of service.

Outgoing UDC President Ronald Mason, Jr. will also be recognized for his support for VNMS and the community. And, the Main Street says, “We will be especially celebrating you – our most important reason to celebrate!” The VNMS community donated 1,475 volunteer hours last year, and in the past three years has helped raise more than $160,000 for local business grants and other programs assisting small businesses through Covid-19 and other difficulties.

Ticket sales support VNMS efforts to support local businesses, and are available for purchase here.

Volunteer to help out before, during and after the event, and admission is free.

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