Washington City Paper

29/08/2024

Caitlin Berry, who guided the opening of the Rubell Museum, is once again leading a new art space in D.C. Berry has been named the inaugural director of the Irene and Richard Frary Gallery, opening this October.

Berry will usher another new art institution into the city, opening in October at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center.

29/08/2024

Trayon White’s reelection campaign is once again deep in debt, with $29,680 in outstanding payments. This time, White himself is a creditor—he loaned $13,300 across six payments in June and July. For a councilmember who allegedly told an FBI informant that he’s “hurting” for money while soliciting $156,000 in bribes and kickbacks, these payments will undoubtedly raise eyebrows, as will their timing. The Council is considering sanctions, including expulsion—how long can he keep this up?

Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White loaned his debt-ridden campaign thousands of dollars, just as he allegedly accepted bribe money.

28/08/2024

Hidden fees, skyrocketing bills, and no clear answers. Tenants at the Cielo in NoMa are facing mounting utility costs after the building’s management company started charging “common area” fees through a third-party billing company. But they’re not alone—our investigation uncovers how landlords across D.C. are hitting tenants with hidden costs that could put them at risk of eviction.

Tenants face unpredictable expenses, displacement, and evictions as landlords pass on operating costs.

28/08/2024

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27/08/2024

The Post ends Mark Jenkins’ “In The Galleries” column after 13 years, marking another shift away from local coverage. D.C. artists, who relied on this column for visibility, are worried about the impact on their community.

Mark Jenkins’ final column ran Aug. 25; the local art coverage cut follows the recent hiring of a New Yorker to handle theater reviews.

27/08/2024

Will Trayon White’s arrest derail his campaign? His expected November win—and Ward 8’s political future—are now uncertain. Here’s what could happen next.

Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White’s bribery scandal has kicked off a political free-for-all as politicos ponder next steps.

24/08/2024

Back for its biggest event since COVID, the DC Jazz Festival turns 20 this year. The local fest features a diverse lineup of global acts and homegrown favorites from Aug. 28-Sept. 1.

Back for its biggest event since COVID, DC Jazz Fest turns 20 this year, but it’s already eyeing the future.

23/08/2024

When DCist shuttered earlier this year, six laid-off staffers came together to form the nonprofit news startup, the 51st. After months of fundraising and community engagement, they’ve raised over $250,000, including a last-minute $50,000 boost from a wealthy couple. Now, co-founders say they’ll be able to launch their local news website and weekly newsletter by Halloween. But with sustainability still a concern, will the 51st be able to keep the momentum going?

A wealthy couple donated $50,000 to push the local news startup’s fundraiser over the edge. The 51st will launch in October.

23/08/2024

Close out the summer with the latest tracks from D.C.’s hottest bands. From pop-punk scream-along anthems to contemplative projects about heartache, here's what our music writers are listening to.

Close out August with Ugly and Road To Riches, catch up on Outerloop and Strutman Lane, a pop-punk debut from Truth or Dare, and more.

22/08/2024

Nathan Silver’s unconventional comedy, Between the Temples, explores how Jewish people reconcile tradition with modernity. Like a relative who had too much to drink at a high holiday celebration, the film descends into frenzied, guilt-ridden awkward chaos.

Like a relative who had too much to drink at a holiday, Nathan Silver’s Between the Temples descends into frenzied, awkward chaos.

22/08/2024

Get ready for an action-packed weekend in the District. From War and Treaty's homecoming at the Hamilton to local theatre and salsa festivals, there's plenty to see and do. Plus, don't miss drummer Brandon Korch performing in five bands at the Black Cat—a feat of strength most musicians wouldn't dare attempt.

War and Treaty at the Hamilton, pop-punk at Merriweather, Korchfest, Local Theatre Festival, Washington Salsa Fest, and Frank Lloyd Wright.

22/08/2024

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21/08/2024

David Henry Hwang’s Soft Power blends surrealism, politics, and comedy into a very funny, surprisingly emotional journey. The musical holds up a literal mirror to the audience as they face America’s flaws.

Conceived before the 2016 election, Soft Power is ripe for another election year, but it also asks bigger questions identity.

21/08/2024

Councilmember Anita Bonds is working to kill Initiative 83. Loose Lips hears she has pressured election officials behind the scenes and is considering stacking the Board of Elections over her frustration with the electoral reform initiative.

At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds is lobbying D.C. elections officials to try and keep Initiative 83 off the ballot.

20/08/2024

Pointless Theatre Co. at Transformer tackles election year anxieties with Democracy’s Last Hurrah? Blending gallery show, art workshop, and performance, the project culminates in a participatory parade on Sept. 7.

Until then, artists will be working in the space Wednesdays through Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. Anyone can drop in to work on some in-progress puppets and contribute their own thoughts about democracy’s potential demise.

Part gallery show, part workshop, and part performance, the collaborative project culminates in a democracy parade from Pointless Theatre.

20/08/2024

New details in the Trayon White case: The informant behind the bribery accusations is linked to Life Deeds Inc., a D.C. contractor that was previously accused of falsifying records.

Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White is facing accusations of accepting bribery payments and kickbacks.

16/08/2024

Fede Álvarez’s Alien:Romulus breathes new life into the legendary franchise, blending the gathering dread of the original with the pass-the-ammo action of 1986’s Aliens.

Alien: Romulus, helmed by horror auteur Fede Álvarez, gives a long-in-the-glistening-razor-tooth franchise a shot of youthful vigor.

16/08/2024

There’s a burgeoning underground dance scene happening in D.C., with DJ-led, DIY parties taking over loading docks and no-frills spaces. But it's not just about the party, it's about creating community and safe spaces.

A wave of DIY parties put on by local DJs have emerged over the past few years, bringing electronic music to unexpected venues across D.C.

15/08/2024

Exclusive: Theatre Week returns on Sept. 26. Celebrate D.C.’s vibrant theater community with discounted show tickets, panel discussions, walking tours, interactive exhibits, a free kickoff party at Arena Stage, and more.

Theatre Washington’s seventh annual celebration of the local theater community officially kicks off Sept. 21; main events run Sept. 26 through Oct. 13.

15/08/2024

Kick off this weekend in D.C. with a talk from mixed-media artist Mickalene Thomas, watch The Little Mermaid on the Mall, catch indie rock band Dogs on Shady Lane at Songbyrd, and visit two local galleries for thought-provoking exhibits.

Kick off the weekend with a talk from Mickalene Thomas, watch The Little Mermaid outside, catch Dogs on Shady Lane, and visit two art shows.

14/08/2024

Noises Off hilariously peels back the curtain on the chaos and absurdity of theater. Keegan Theatre’s production of the delightfully meta 1982 classic runs through Sept. 8.

Keegan Theatre’s current production of Noises Off avers that actors are complex humans who are as deeply flawed and absurd as anyone else.

14/08/2024

Former DCHA Director Brenda Donald is suing the agency, its board, and Councilmember Robert White, claiming she was targeted and retaliated against after refusing to explain a $41K bonus she received after a scathing federal audit.

The former D.C. Housing Authority director is claiming whistleblower status in a recent lawsuit that argues she was effectively forced to resign under tough questioning from Councilmember Robert White.

14/08/2024

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13/08/2024

Hal Ashby’s The Last Detail isn’t just another road trip movie—it’s a time capsule of 1970s disillusionment, featuring Jack Nicholson in all his pied-piper charm. See the 1973 classic at AFI Silver August 14-15.

1973's The Last Detail, featuring Jack Nicholson in all his pied-piper charisma, showed us the everyday losers we all could relate to.

13/08/2024

Mayor Bowser’s home is getting a $525,000 taxpayer-funded glow-up, but where do security upgrades end and home makeovers begin? Hard to say without more transparency from the city.

Mayor Muriel Bowser's Colonial Village home is getting half a million in taxpayer-funded improvements and renovations.

09/08/2024

Two lawsuits are challenging D.C.'s assault weapons ban. One was filed by the Fi****ms Policy Coalition, which receives major funding from a nonprofit funneling millions into similar legal battles nationwide.

A former D.C. cop-turned-pastor is behind a nonprofit funneling millions to similar legal challenges throughout the country.

08/08/2024

Caroline Lian, deputy director of D.C.’s Department of Buildings, is facing a $25,000 fine for juggling three roles—her DOB job, a full-time gig at Freddie Mac, and a seat on the Falls Church City Council.

A top employee at the D.C. Department of Buildings got caught working a second job and serving in local office while on the clock.

07/08/2024

Cuckoo features a standout performance from Hunter Schafer, but the film falls short with its cliched ending and lack of a strong antagonist. “The promise inherent to an unusual horror atmosphere is not enough,” writes critic Alan Zilberman.

When it comes to NEON’s Final Girls, Hunter Schafer gives a true breakout performance, but Cuckoo lacks a worthy enemy.

07/08/2024

Public housing residents in D.C. face ongoing maintenance delays despite persistent complaints. Emergency repairs (including threats "to life, safety, and property") take an average of 12 days to be resolved, breaking DCHA’s 24-hour goal.

In fiscal year 2023, emergency repairs took an average of 12 days to be resolved, breaking with housing authority guidelines.