Free Noontime Organ Concerts Resume at Thomas Circle

Fri., Sep. 10 (12:15-1pm): The weekly MUSIC AT MIDDAY free, 45-minute lunch hour concerts at National City Christian Church on Thomas Circle kicks off its 2010 fall-winter season  with the church’s own organist, Dr. Charles Miller performing, to be followed by Paul Skvington from St. Luke’s Catholic Church in McLean on the 17th, and on the 24th, Dr. Miller will again be at the console.

These performances all take place inside the soaring John Russell Pope-designed sanctuary (reminiscent of a great Christopher Wren church in London) on National City’s magnificent 7,000-pipe, five-keyboard Möller organ. In the words of the church’s Dr. Miller, it is truly a “magical, musical, mystical machine [that produces a] most thrilling, floor-shaking, audience-friendly, and entertaining music composed be some of the greatest musical geniuses.”

Also enjoy and learn from the hands-on displays of organ pipes, colorful photographs of the inner workings of the organ, interesting information on pipe organ history, and a post-recital demonstration of how the organist operates the five keyboards, pedal board, and over 300 controls will provide an up-close look at this complex and fascinating “King of Instruments.”

For those who love wood-working, computers, electronics, and physics, as well as music, these recital/demonstration events are a special treat and are geared to attract and engage people of all ages, those familiar with the pipe organ and those who’ve never seen or heard one before. For more info, call the church’s music office at (202) 797-0103 or send an email to cmiller@nationalcitycc.org or visit the church’s website, www.nationalcitycc.org.

Free Outdoor Movie Showing in heridan-Kalorama

Fri., Sep. 10 (7:30pm): The Friends of Mitchell Park will be presenting its FILMS IN THE FIELD with a free showing of Secrets of the Mountain, starring Barry Bostwick and Paige Turco and described as being about “an ancient secret and a treacherous quest [that] tests a family as never before.” This was the first of a 2010 “family-friendly TV movie series produced by Walmart and Proctor & Gamble. Popcorn provided and arriving early with blankets, chairs, and picnic baskets encouraged. For more info, call (202) 234-6662.

St. Thomas’ New Church Buiding Plan to be Unveiled

Sat., Sep. 11 (7pm): Neighbors and friends of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Parish Church (1772 Church St.) are invited to COMMUNITY RECEPTION at which architect Matthew Jarvis will unveil his final plans and model of the new church that will be built on the site of the original English gothic edifice, which was destroyed in a fire of mysterious origins August 24, 1970. (This plan was first reported by The InTowner last winter; see, “Dupont Circle’s St. Thomas’ Parish Planning to Build Anew,” March 2010, page 1.) Swiss-trained architect Matthew Jarvis will discuss his plans, followed by a remarks by the Very Reverend Gene Robinson, Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire. For more info, the Parish’s website, www.growth.stthomasdc.org.

African-Americans in Foreign Affairs to be Discussed by Distinguished Panel

Sun., Sep. 12 (2:30-4:30pm): The Historical Society of Washington (Mt. Vernon Sq., at 801 K St.) will be presenting a PANEL DISCUSSION featuring George Washington University Research Professor Adele Logan Alexander who will discuss her most recent book, Parallel Worlds: The Remarkable Gibbs-Hunts, the story of William Hunt, who served as a U.S. representative in France, Madagascar, Guadalupe, and Liberia through the 1930s, and his writer-activist wife, Ida Gibbs-Hunt. Professor Alexander, also a member of the National council on the Humanities appointed by President Obama, will be joined on the panel by Spelman College trustee and former US Ambassador to Ethiopia (2002-’05) and Kenya (1990-’93) Aurelia Brazeal; biographer A’Lelia Bundles; historian Ben Justesen; and moderator civic activist and veteran DC publicist Lea Adams.

This program is part of the Society’s “Charting the Course” series of free author and lecture forums offering the public an opportunity to hear provocative presentations and interact with a distinguished group of authors and lecturers. A question-and-answer period will follow the presentation.

Free U Street Outdoor Movie Showings Series Concluding its Summer Series

Tue., Sep. 14 (8:15pm): With free popcorn at 8pm for the first 100 persons arriving when the gates open at 7pm, the U STREET MOVIE SERIES is concluding a double-header, Duke Ellington’s Washington and Soul Power (rain date, September 21st) out on the Harrison Recreation Center playing field (V St., bet. 13th & 14th). Between 7pm and the start of the films, DJ Yellow Fever and guests will be spinning discs.

Sponsored by Friends of Harrison Recreation Center, U Street Neighborhood Association, Meridian Hill Neighborhood Association, ANC 1B, and Midcity Business Association, the series’ theme this summer has been to highlight the musical and culturally diverse roots of the U Street neighborhood though films telling the stories of accomplished musicians. For more info, visit http://movies.ustreet-dc.org.

Donations and sponsorships to assist in underwriting the cost of this annual summer series can be made by visiting http://movies.ustreet-dc.org, and will benefit Friends of Harrison Recreation Center, a nonprofit formed in 2009 that works directly with the DC parks and recreation department to involve the community on how to improve the recreation center through capital improvements and design changes, and how to enhance the center’s management and programming. The goal is to make Harrison Recreation Center a better designed, cleaner, safer, and better managed facility in the neighborhood for all to use and enjoy.

Adams Morgan Photographer’s Recent Images to be Shown

Sun., Sep. 19 (5-8pm): All are invited to an OPENING RECEPTION to view the recent photographic series, “What’s Up with DC’s Homeless?,” by well-known Adams Morgan photographer Nancy Shia, where these images will be on display at Adams Morgan Spaghetti Garden (2317 18th St.).

Dupont East’s 17th Street Neighbors Looking Forward to Festival Event

Sat., Sep. 25 (2-6pm): Dupont East neighbors, led by volunteers from the Ross Elementary School PTA, will have organized what is hoped to be the first of an annual 17th Street Festival. Come CELEBRATE the near completion of the 17th Street Streetscape Project which got underway in December, 2009 and is now in its final stage of completion. Featured will be music performances throughout the afternoon from the stage at Church Street, artist vendors, a pet zone, a kids zone, an auction tent, and more. At 8 p.m. there will be a free movie screening at Stead Park.

All proceeds and donations from this event will help to further revitalize the beauty of 17th Street, including flowers in tree boxes and light post banners highlighting neighborhood groups and organizations. Additional funds will go towards Ross Elementary and future events on 17th Street. For more info, visit www.17thstreetfestival.org.

Annual “Taste of Dupont” Progressive Dining Event Announced

Tue., Oct. 5 (6-9pm): Mark your calendars for another fun and food-filled TASTE OF DUPONT event, sponsored by Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets (HDCMS). The idea is to be able to create one’s own progressive dinner with $5 individual tasting tickets redeemable at any of the participating restaurants, many of which will have specially priced cocktails or wines paired with the offered tastings.
As of September 6th, the establishments already signed up to participate include Annie’s Paramount Steak House, Burger Joint, Café Green, Café Dupont, Current Sushi, Firefly, Floriana, Gazuza, Level One, One Lounge, Scion, Soho Tea & Coffee, Twist at the Carlyle Suites, and Urbana. As others commit to joining the party their names will be posted on the HDCMS website, www.dupontcircle.biz, where additional information, including how to purchase tickets, updating participating restaurants, and menu choices will be found

Hank’s Oyster Bar Plans Subject of ABC Board’s Scheduled Protest Hearing

Wedd., Oct. 13 (1pm): The Alcoholic Control Board (ABC) will be holding a PROTEST HEARING on the petition filed by Hank’s Oyster Bar to terminate its current Voluntary Agreement. Neither Hank’s nor the protestants had reached an agreement and, as the Board had determined at the prior status hearing, mediation was deemed not possible.

The related petition seeking approval for a lateral expansion into an adjoining commercial space on Q Street just three doors east of 17th, originally scheduled for consideration at a September 8th Status Hearing, was re-scheduled for September 29th at 9:30 a.m. At that proceeding a determination will be made whether or not the parties have reached an agreement in resolution of the issues and if not, why not, and if further mediation deemed not possible a formal protest hearing before the ABC Board will be set.