Wake to Washington

Throwback Fun

Calling the radicals, the rule breakers, the dreamers. Come experience the 3rd annual DC Field Day, you’ll relive the best part of your childhood + a little adult day drinking. Snag your early bird tickets now.

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Across the Rainbow Bridge, but still in DC

DC lacks a few things—statehood, buildings taller than the Washington Monument, and until now, a pet cemetery. The Congressional Cemetery is changing that though, adding a dedicated space for your beloved pet. Right next to a babbling brook, this is probably a more peaceful place than any current option.

Clean the Green

Councilmember Brandon Todd has an interesting history with campaign laws. He just has a problem with remembering to report who gives him money and what he can use his email list for. So a coalition of ANC chairs and political committees are calling on Todd—a member of Bowser’s so-called Green Team—to up the transparency this time.

MPD arrest disproportionate number of Black people

While accounting for under 50% of the total population, an ACLU DC study found that Blacks accounted for 86% of total arrests in the District between 2013-2017. The study accounted for different neighborhoods finding that Blacks were still more likely to be arrested in primarily White neighborhoods.

• "Americans have come to think of vast, unaccountable policing as normal and wise. It's not."

• Based on this footage, MPD could do better at deescalation.

Not quite “ticketing your neighbors,” but food for thought

One part of the proposed Vision Zero Omnibus bill (which includes a ton of other provisions) would allow ten residents from each ward could be part of a pilot program to allow them to help issue tickets to cars that are blocking bike lanes, cross walks, bus lanes, or the streetcar tracks — after they go through a training program. While Twitter is already alight with points about the ways this could end badly, NBC has a pattern of forgoing nuance in their transit reporting.

• Check out Bike Lane Uprising for the ways folks are already reporting these violations.

Works of art inside and outside of the field

From Howard's 1974 record-setting undefeated season to DC United's dynasty years in the 90s, DC has a long history of recruiting the best players. In fact, DC United is the team with the most homegrown minutes in MLS history. One of them, Bill Hamid, has been spotted recently speaking, among other things, about go-go and gentrification. Did you also know Ben Olsen is a painter?

• Not a fan of DC United? Loudoun United FC and Washington Spirit have matches at Audi Field soon.

Also || Why “dykes plan to march against displacement,” BET CEO sells mansion, Suns Cinema adding second story, 150 apartments and Dupont, Problem with the Apple store, Nipsey Hussle opportunity zone, DC appears in national overview of city environmental justice policies, Ward 8 receives food justice grant

Take the Comp Plan survey

There’s an old saying that says something like, “if you don’t say anything now then you can’t complain later,” so take the DC Comprehensive Plan survey and let the government know what you value in your community.

Drum lessons, anyone?

“The lack of proper rehearsal space is one of the biggest challenges facing musicians in the District… but 7DrumCity is more than a practice studio.” CityPaper profiles a vital resource for the city’s musical community—and a place where you can get the skills to start your own band, too.

Karen Russell & Ted Chiang

Authors of two of the strangest, most enchanting works of fiction we’ve read come to Politics & Prose. Russell’s stories have often garnered the “magical realism” label, but the villainous turn in Swamplandia! is terrifyingly real; Chiang’s Stories of Your Life, which provided the material for Arrival, appear mechanistic before revealing Borges-like challenges to reality. (7 pm)

Tunes: Jacob Collier, My Brightest Diamond, Zach Winters

• From YouTube to Howard Theater, Jacob Collier’s idiosyncratic—and highly technical—approach to music theory results in infectious pop tunes. (8 pm)

• “Not many people can front a rock band, sing Górecki’s Third Symphony, lead a marching band processional down the streets of the Sundance film festival and perform in a baroque opera of their own composing all in a month’s time.” But My Brightest Diamond can! (8 pm)

• Head to Scooby Doo Mansion for a chill night courtesy of Zach Winters. (7 pm)

Reminders from the Weekly Scheduler

• Jessye Norman, an acclaimed opera performer who’s won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Medal of Arts, and a casual 40 (!!) honorary doctorates, will discuss her career and advocacy projects as part of the Concerts from the Library of Congress series. (7pm)

• DASER is an ongoing meetup about the intersection of art and science. This month's theme is movement. (6:50 pm)

• In the inaugural exhibition at Mehari Sequar Gallery, DC born-and-raised artist Jamilla Okubo is displaying her artworks in “Ain’t going to tell you no story, Ain’t going to tell you no lie,” which explores folklore in daily life in Black America. On view through June 7. (8-11pm)

Also || zoofari bite nite | poetry reading | profs & pints: indiana jones | women & wealth | diy hair care | impact of plastic pollution | behold her’s confetti portrait party | women | talk: hair love | gardening for hair products