Dear Valued Readers,
As we welcome the start of summer, we are excited to highlight the various
celebrations taking place this month. June is not only the beginning of the sunny season, but it is also a month filled with cultural significance and historical remembrances.
Firstly, we would like to acknowledge Pride Month, which celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and their fight for equality. This month is a time to honor the progress made towards inclusivity and to continue the work to create a world where everyone feels accepted and valued.
June also marks the commemoration of Juneteenth, a day that recognizes the end of slavery in the United States. It is a time to reflect on Black Americans' struggles and achievements and work towards a future where racial equality is a reality.
In addition, June is recognized as Black Music Month, which celebrates the contributions of Black musicians to the music industry. From jazz to hip-hop to R&B, Black music has played an integral role in shaping the sounds of our world.
Lastly, we would like to recognize Caribbean Heritage Month, which honors Caribbean people's rich culture and traditions. This month is a time to celebrate the history and diversity of the Caribbean and to appreciate the many contributions made by Caribbean individuals and communities.
As we enjoy the warm weather and longer days, let us also take the time to reflect on the significance of these celebrations and to continue the work towards a more inclusive and equitable society.
Wishing you all a happy and meaningful summer season!
Facebook: Entertain DC, DCRadioHD, 202Creates
Instagram: Entertain_DC, 202Creates, DCRadioHD, CreativeAffairsDC
Twitter: Entertain_DC, 202Creates
LaToya Foster, Director
DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment
The Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) and the Golden Triangle BID presented GOING TO THE GO-GO!
We headed downtown for more summer fun…a FREE Go-Go Concert featuring the Allure Band and Experience Band! Residents were able to dine at nearby eateries to make the night complete.
Reimagine downtown DC where you can enjoy great entertainment, great food, and support our great local businesses!
Learn more: Going to the Go-Go with The Golden Triangle BID (splashthat.com)
#EntertainDC #RediscoverDC #ReimagineDC #GoGo #DowntownDC #DCisOpen
On Monday, June 19, Mayor Muriel Bowser, Entertain DC and the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Mayor’s Office of African American Affairs, and the DowntownDC Business Investment District (BID) hosted events for residents to commemorate Juneteenth.
Juneteenth is a national holiday commemorating the date in 1865 when, more than two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, Union Troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas and announced that all enslaved people were freed.
The family-free activation featured musical performances from Grammy-nominated Go-Go band EU featuring Sugar Bear, Grammy-nominated and 10-time Stellar-Award winner Anthony Brown, the Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute Band, The Image Band, along with other local musical performances. MC Kyle on the Mic captivated the crowd, keeping everyone engaged throughout the entire celebration while Roland Martin rendered wise remarks that left everyone with the reminder we have more injustices to unwrite in history.
Father-son duo DJ Quicksilver and DJ Sauce God were side by side spinning to win in a Battle of the DJs. Residents were able to enjoy tasty treats, outdoor games and double dutch, contests with prizes, face painting and a kid zone with activities for youth, live muralists, dancing, and more.
The activation included a special “School Daze” 35th-anniversary segment to recreate moments of the 1988 film by Spike Lee. HBCU students, alumni, sorority, and fraternity members of the Divine Nine strolled throughout Black Lives Matter Plaza in front of the White House.
Click The Links Below To View (or Read) the 2023 Juneteenth Press Coverage:
Gospel, Go-go and DJ battles: DC residents celebrate Juneteenth at Black Lives Matter Plaza | WJLA
Juneteenth celebration on Black Lives Matter Plaza (fox5dc.com)
DC celebrates Juneteenth with block party of ‘unity, culture and connectedness’ - WTOP News
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/interactive/2023/photos-juneteenth-celebrations-across-us/
https://www.washingtonian.com/2023/06/15/things-to-do-in-dc-june-15-19-2023-2/
https://www.gukjenews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2745654
A totally rad 2-day 90’s themed food & music festival!
The Giant National Capital BBQ Battle is the premier food and music festival in Washington, DC. Celebrating 31 years in our nation's capital, this mammoth event featuring everything BBQ returned June 24- 25, 2023 on Pennsylvania Avenue, between 3rd & 7th Streets.
Barbecue Teams and Restaurants from across the country cooked off for the title of National BBQ Champion. Attendees enjoyed mouth-watering BBQ Chicken, Beef Brisket, Pulled Pork, Ribs and all the delicious sides. The event featured three music stages with Rock, Reggae, Go-Go, RB, Jazz and Blues along with interactive exhibits, cooking demonstrations, multiple Free Food sampling pavilions, a DC Sports Zone, lots of kid's activities and more.
For information visit www.BBQinDC.com
June 7th was the birthday of music icon Prince, who sadly and unexpectedly passed away in 2016. To celebrate the Purple One’s legacy, #EntertainDC, Department of Park and Recreations (DPR) and DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) hosted Edward “Junie” Henderson and the Prince Tribute Band for a free concert.
The concert in Franklin Park was filled with a nonstop, hit-packed show featuring all of Prince’s biggest hits, including “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Purple Rain,” ‘When Doves Cry,” “Kiss,” “1999,” “Sign Of The Times,” “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” “Little Red Corvette,” and so many more!
DC took to the stage at the Roots Picnic Festival in Philadelphia. A comedy show starring Dave Chappelle took place June 2 at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center and was a precursor to the main event, which was held at the Mann at Fairmount Park on June 3 and 4 in Philadelphia — the Roots’ hometown.
Director LaToya Foster and President & CEO of EventsDC Angie Gates traveled to the city of brotherly love and brought some sisterly affection during many meetings. They met with President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, John McNichol as well as Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sheila Alexander Reid where they discussed how DC and Philadelphia may may collaborate.
Director LaToya Foster and President Angie Gates also stopped by to do a media interview with Radio One 107.9 FM - Jay Dixon.
Director Foster also met with African American novelist, Omar Tyree who is known for his bestselling book Fly Girl, For the Love of Money and Mayor for Life: The Incredible Story of Marion Barry, Jr. which he co-authored with Marion Barry
Last but not least, they met with Walt Reeder Jr, President & CEO of Big Block Entertainment + Sharon Pinkenson, Executive Director of Philadelphia Film Office, + Nakia Dillard, Actor, Producer, Filmmaker.
As the nation's capital, DC is the meeting point of politics and entertainment, history, culture and innovation. It's a city that never ceases to inspire and amaze. Get ready to explore the iconic monuments that stand as beacons, narrating the story of our past. Soak up the vibrant sounds of our thriving music scene, from the pulsating beats of Go-Go to the smooth melodies of all that jazz.
Experience our world-class cuisine, from award-winning restaurants to hip food trucks, offering a melting pot of culinary delights that reflect the city's diverse culture.
Whether you're a lover of arts and culture, a foodie, a music enthusiast, or a history buff, DC has something special waiting for you. This is not just a city; it's a celebration of life, diversity, and creativity that you won't find anywhere else. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to pack your bags and make DC your next destination. #RediscoverDC and experience the unforgettable charm and vibrancy of the nation’s capital like never before.
For more visit entertainment.dc.gov and eventsdc.com
#RediscoverDC #ExperienceDC #CapitalofCreativity #DCisOpen #EntertainmentDC #OCTFME #ObviouslyDC #EventsDC
On behalf of Mayor Bowser, HAPPY #PrideMonth2023!
Happy Pride, DC! Mayor Muriel Bowser kicked off Pride Month by raising the LGBTQIA+ Pride flag at the John A. Wilson Building. This was an historic moment, the first time a Pride flag flew outside of our City Hall/State House.
The event was also a celebration of DC’s long history as a leader in LGBTQIA+ rights. In 1973, the District voted, ahead of the nation, to update DC’s human rights law to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; the DC Human Rights Act remains one of the most comprehensive laws of its kind in the nation. In 2009, I was proud to be on the Council when DC was among the first states in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage, ahead of the 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationally. Since then, we've continued to make many strides in protecting and advocating for our LGBTQIA+ community, with dedicated housing resources and shelter, investments in workforce programming, and more. We also look forward to hosting World Pride 2025!
With the Pride flag, which will be outside of the Wilson Building throughout June, we are sending a message to residents and everyone who visits Washington, DC that we are an inclusive city, we are a city that loves and values the LGBTQIA+ community, and we are a city that knows we are stronger when we stand together and when we celebrate together. Mayor Bowser also lit up the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Pride colors, and was lit up again on June 10 and June 11. Throughout June, you can also ride with pride on our Pride Circulator, our Pride Streetcar, a Pride Capital Bikeshare bike, and the Pride Metro.
On Saturday, June 10, we celebrated at the Capital Pride Parade. This was a great opportunity to show support for the LGBTQ+ community and celebrate the diversity here in the #DistrictofPride. Attendees enjoyed music and light refreshments, socialized, and walked alongside Mayor Bowser and other community leaders to spread love and acceptance throughout the city. This year's Capital Pride Parade was the biggest and most colorful one yet!
The Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs had the #DistrictofPride Showcase at Lincoln Theatre on Thursday,June 29, 2023 at 6:30 pm. This show-stopping event highlighted some of our amazing talent who live right here in DC. There were drag performers, poets, singers, and more!
We support, empower, and celebrate our #LGBTQIA+ community in all 8 wards, 365 days a year!
Check out our #LGBTQ resources & upcoming events: linktr.ee/dclgbtq
June is Caribbean American Heritage Month. All month long, Mayor Bowser and the Mayor’s Office on Caribbean Community Affairs celebrate the contributions, achievements and diversity of DC’s Caribbean citizens while honoring the shared history of joy and perseverance that has united and enriched cultures for centuries.
#CaribbeanDC #WeAreDC #CaribbeanAmericanHeritageMonth!!
DC/DOX is a new documentary film festival showcasing powerful, timely stories in our nation’s capital.
The festival’s launch event was held June 15, 2022 featuring a slate of seven new films reflecting the extraordinary range of documentary cinema. From an investigation into rising threats against journalists in the United States and across the globe, to a reckoning with the US maternal health crisis, and a meticulous archival analysis of the militarization of the American police force; from an examination of the unlikely Watergate whistleblower Martha Mitchell, to inventor David Hanson and the humanoid robot Sophia; and from the the surprising journey of musical icon Leonard Cohen’s most celebrated song, “Hallelujah”, to the challenges facing an all-girl heavy metal rock band in Lebanon, the films on the launch slate demonstrate the power of documentary cinema to bring our world – past, present and future – into focus. Screenings were followed by conversations with the filmmakers, moderated by leading DC journalists.
Click here to learn more: Home - DC/DOX (dcdoxfest.com)
Mayor Muriel Bowser, Youth Mayor Addison Rose and the Ladies of WKYS 93.9 invited the youth of DC for a magical night “under the sea” at the Advance Screening Premiere of ‘The Little Mermaid’. The 2023 reimagined live-action adaptation of Disney's 1989 animated film, The Little Mermaid, stars Halle Bailey as Ariel. Inspiration was sparked as little ones made waves on the magical blue sea carpet.
OCTFME had the oppportunity to interview Misty Copeland and Melonie D. Parker during an intimate panel hosted by The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. The conversation with trailblazing and award-winning leaders in the performing arts, entertainment, and tech, featuring ballerina and New York Times Best-selling author Misty Copeland, with her latest book The Wind at My Back; Melonie D. Parker, Chief Diversity Officer at Google; and Phylicia Rashad, renowned actress and Dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University explored the importance of mentorship as you build your career no matter what field you choose and what it means to use your experiences and platform to bring about change for future generations.
#EntertainDC Office is delighted to recognize KOKAYI as the 2023 June DC Star. A DC Star is a resident who exemplifies excellence in creativity, education, creative entrepreneurship, economic revitalization of creative businesses, social justice or racial equity.
Kokayi is the recipient of the 2023 Guggenheim Fellow for Music Composition, Halcyon Arts Fellow, Nicholson Arts Fellow, Preeminent Improvisational Vocalist, Artist, Author, Producer, GRAMMY-nominated musician, and multi-disciplinary fine artist can be heard on over 60 titles spanning: Jazz, Hip Hop, Rock, and R&B.
“My work is an amalgamation of my life experiences as filtered through, DC, Go-Go, and the African/African American cultural influences created and passed on throughout the African diaspora.”
The international artist has had his art appear in the Philips Collection, Foggy Bottom Bienalle, and Yangtze VideoArt show in Wuhan, China. In 2022, he published his book "You Are Ketchup: and Other Fly Music Tales" which walks readers through the golden age of hip hop to the current day, dispensing hard-earned lessons and illuminations from decades of producing and performing music.
Kokayi is a teacher as much as he is a musician, and now writes for emerging artists yet to achieve success and veteran artists who might have once had it but are not out. Using stories from life and career as a vehicle, Kokayi covers a range of topics, including art as a commodity and advice about defining your artistic community, knowing when your art is ready to level up, finding a formula that works, distinguishing your art from others, and more. Chris Richards from the Washington Post writes “written in a tone so conversational you can practically hear it in your ear, “You Are Ketchup” feels like a megadose of straight advice from a muso-mentor who’s been there. And, of course, Kokayi has been all over the place..”
I’m extremely honored to be chosen as an OCTFME DC Star. DC for me is home and has made an indelible impression on who I have become as an artist. Our indigenous music, flavor, and culture to our ability to forge new paths and set new trends have always made us special. This "specialness" has been the impetus for carrying this culture with me throughout the world while I continue to improve my artistry and serve as a conduit; creating unique opportunities for other DC artists and advocating for the recognition of our cultural and artistic contributions as Washingtonians. I can’t stress enough the support that I have received as a DC native, from not only our community of creatives but from our institutions that provide the support needed to continue to create. Thanks again OCTFME for this honor.
Kokayi continues to produce and perform while also serving as Arts and Creative consultant for Interledger Foundation designing their FUTURE|Money arts-centered grants and projects focusing on financial equity and open payments systems.
"Congratulations Kokayi on behalf of Mayor Bowser on your well-deserved recognition from OCTFME! Your commitment to creativity, education, and social justice in the District of Columbia is truly remarkable. Your advocacy for creative entrepreneurship and the revitalization of creative businesses is an inspiration to us all. Your tireless efforts towards achieving racial equity and social justice have made a positive impact on our community. We are proud to have you as a resident of the District and congratulate you on this outstanding achievement. Keep up the excellent work!” says Director LaToya Foster
Congratulations to the 2023 RAMMY Awards FINALISTS! Winners will be announced on Sunday, July 9, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. OCTFME is proud to be a sponsor of the 41st Annual RAMMYS that will honor excellence in long-standing categories that range from individual professional honors to accolades celebrating culinary concepts and service.
For the very first time, both the finalists and winners for the five publicly voted categories were chosen by the public.
For more information, 2023 RAMMY Award Finalists — THE RAMMYS
Mayor Muriel Bowser Presents 202Creates is
Proud to Announce the 2023 Summer Cohorts Residency Program Participants
The eleven-week immersive Residency Program empowers local emerging creative entrepreneurs by offering a comprehensive curriculum that features esteemed speakers and noted business experts, provides invaluable mentorship, grants access to an extensive alumni network and facilitates the journey from ideation to successful execution of creative businesses and/or business projects. Visit www.202creates.com to learn about 202Creates and the Residency Program.
For more information: http://www.202creates.com/press
AMIN EL SIWI
The #EntertainDC Office is pleased to recognize Amin El Siwi as the OCTFME June 2023 Filmmaker of the Month (FOTM).
“Congratulations to our June Filmmaker of the Month! Amin’s dedication to storytelling and commitment to the craft of filmmaking is truly inspiring. On behalf of Mayor Bowser and OCTFME, we are proud to have you represent the DC film community and cannot wait to see what you create next,” says Director LaToya Foster.
Amin currently works as a multimedia producer for the World Bank Group in the communications department with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa. In 2015, he moved from Egypt to Washington DC to work as a producer for the Middle East Broadcasting Networks. In 2019, he won the People’s Voice Webby Award for a short documentary titled “Rukiye”. Between 2013 and 2015, he worked as an assistant producer and assistant director in independent feature films and documentaries in Egypt. Amin's fellowship entailed working with American University's Humanities Truck project in highlighting the work of DMV area climate change organizations through a short documentary.
"As an immigrant filmmaker and a DC resident, I am honored to be recognized by the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment. I’m a passionate storyteller who is always working on stories about immigrants and minorities in the DMV area."
Amin’s short documentary "East of the River" just received the Best Short Documentary Award at DC Independent Film Festival, in March 2023. In collaboration with a DC non-profit called TASSC, he is currently in the preproduction phase for a short documentary about torture survivors.
Congratulations Amin!
Relevant Websites:
https://vimeo.com/user13501323
Social Media:
IG: @aminelsiwi
FB: @amin.elsiwi
PETWORTH SOCIAL BAR & GRILL
The #EntertainDC Office is pleased to recognize Petworth Social Bar & Grill as the OCTFME June 2023 Location of the Month (LOTM).
"On behalf of Mayor Bowser and OCTFME, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Petworth Social Bar & Grill for being named the June Location of the Month. Your commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive space for all residents and visitors to our great city is a testament to the vibrant and diverse community we are proud to call home. Thank you for your contributions to the cultural fabric of our city and for helping to make the District a better place for all,” says Director LaToya Foster.
Petworth Social Bar & Grill (PSBG) is Black and minority owned business in the Historic Petworth Upper Northwest neighborhood. Native Washingtonian LaNita LaDais, a 202Creates Residency Program graduate, is co-owner of the premier restaurant, craft cocktail bar, and event space. Her southern roots are the backdrop that inspired the decadent and delicious Cajun Creole Cuisine that PSBG is known for.
Conveniently located three blocks from the Georgia-Avenue Petworth metro station, PSBG offers a spacious yet social environment. This intricate location offers opportunities to host private events. LaNita also has an extensive production and events background which pairs perfectly with this versatile venue that is the perfect place for birthday parties, team building sessions, live performances and more. With her expertise, LaNita is able to work directly with clients to help them turn their vision, whether it is an event, activation or even a production project, into a reality that far exceeds expectations.
To learn more about this location and to plan your next media event, please visit www.psbng20011.com or call 202-450-1839.
Follow them on Instagram at @petworthsocialbarandgrill
The 41st Annual RAMMYS return July 9 to honor excellence in long-standing categories that range from individual professional honors to accolades celebrating culinary concepts and service.
For more information: www.therammys.org
Over 250 theater artists will perform in 30 theater productions over eight days, July 14 to 17 and 21 to 24, 2022. There will be sketch comedy, standup, documentary theater, musical theater, and cabaret with themes reflecting on what is happening in our world today — such as the climate crisis, our relationship with our bodies, substance abuse, motherhood, the afterlife, marijuana in gentrifying DC, Palestine, cloning, identity, the pandemic, and much more.
For more information: 'Nothing short of a miracle': Capital Fringe to return in July - DC Theater Arts
Broccoli City is a Black-owned social enterprise that focuses on people and progress. They foster creativity and community growth by building innovative experiences that intersect technology, music, art, and social impact.
Over the past 10 years, they have successfully mobilized over +20M young people through Broccoli City events and our online platforms.
For more information, visit https://www.bcfestival.com/
The DC Creative Affairs Office has launched Care for Creatives Community Conversations, a webinar series that highlights mental wellness within the District's creative community. Visit CreativeAffairsDC.com/partnerships to watch the conversations on-demand.
The Care for Creatives program is available to help all creatives, artists and entrepreneurs! This partnership between the DC Creative Affairs Office and the George Washington University, Community Counseling Services Center (CCSC) provides pay-what-you-can mental health services to area creatives.
To receive care, email CCSCFoggyBottom@gwu.edu and the Care for Creatives team will follow up with more information. You will be asked a couple of questions and then paired with a clinician for support.
The Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment is the regulatory agency that protects and advances the cable service-related interests of the District. At the #EntertainDC Office, our dedicated team is proud to consistently deliver world-class customer service in all aspects of our work. We readily supply information to meet the diverse needs of each constituent and make every effort to educate as well as inform. If you are a cable television customer, you have rights concerning billing practices, late charges, rate increases, disconnection or interruption of service and dispute resolution procedures, the #EntertainDC Office is here to assist.
Any questions? Ask MARCELLA!
Our mission is to produce and broadcast programming for the District of Columbia’s public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable channels and digital radio station; regulate the District of Columbia’s cable television service providers; provide customer service for cable subscribers; and support a sustainable creative economy and labor market the District of Columbia.
