Wake to Washington

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Thanks but no thanks

The Bowser administration is requesting the D.C. National Guard to support migrants being bused here by Republican governors, saying that immigration is a federal issue requiring federal resources. But local advocates and volunteers say a militarized response is not what they want—they want a humanitarian effort for welcoming migrants. 

How to “upcycle” office buildings

What if downtown was filled with fewer (empty) offices and more places to live? That’s what a few developers are working to do, with projects underway in Alexandria at a former Department of Justice building and former Peace Corps headquarters. The changes should help fill up vacant buildings in the city and bring in tax revenue, but they’re not a silver bullet. 

In case of flooding

One piece of good news for the impending climate apocalypse: Early D.C. planners built “accidental resilience” into the city’s waterfronts by establishing parks that can absorb flooding in the case of a major storm, which would better protect city residents compared to cities like New York and Miami. The not-so-good news: more waterfront areas are being used for residential housing, and the city is still at risk for increased flooding from climate change. If you want to feel weird, these images offer a preview of what climate change in DC may look like.

Hylton-Brown case continues

MPD officers Terence Sutton and Lt. Andrew Zabavsky were charged for murdering Karon Hylton-Brown in 2020, when they stopped him for not wearing a helmet while riding a moped, then chased him until he was hit by a car. Now they’ve filed separate motions asking for the case to be dismissed, including a claim by Zabavsky that he is being unfairly prosecuted because he is white (!). DC cops already had a “no chase” policy, but the incident did spark a new bill to prohibit vehicular pursuits—that hasn’t gone anywhere since.

Also || Twitter account tracks Dan Snyder’s yacht, Trader Joe’s employees vote to unionize, explained: online therapy, can Metro just be okay?, urbex like it’s 2006, "algorithmic anxiety" is making our taste tacky and our wallets empty

Friday July 29th

Whiskey, whiskey, wherefore art thou, whiskey?

Deny thy vodka, and forget thy gin or if thou wilt not…I don't remember the rest. Anyway, come to Drunk Shakespeare at the Sage Theater. (7pm and 9pm)

The North Country album release

This local favorite is celebrating their new album with a show at DC with Toebow and The House You Grew Up In, bringing you soulful indie psychedelia to drink a wArm beer to. The single makes me feel like a little piece of oatmeal flying around the dishwasher in slo-mo. Wash me away, North Country. (7:30pm)

Also || ballpark shabbat, Rent! (Baltimore), vinyl DJ at Wild Days, IAN SWEET, Park Fridays, Star Wars in concert, weekend blues, usually I just laugh for free at my life, but you can laugh at real comedians for free in AdMo

Saturday July 30th 

Come to our birthday party?

It’s been too long! This year we’re at Metrobar, with food from the Mechitrachos truck, tunes, crafts, cornhole, the works. We'll share more about our impending Friendship Lab™ and preview brand new merCh! Bring friends or plan to make some there (or both?) and have a silly goofy time with us. (1-5pm)

Tim and Eric minus Eric

We gave away tickets to this sure-to-delight show featuring Adult Swim monseigneur Tim Heidecker, not to be confused with avant-garde musician Tim Hecker! (7pm)

Also || dance: Aru Dellarte, history: Douglass in Baltimore, SAAM Arcade, comedy karaoke trivia show, AAPI-owned food tour, comedy house show, Fort Dupont Park turns 50, with Be'la Dona, Sirius Company, Soul Searchers, DJ Rico; Silent Disco

Sunday July 31st 

Get groovy

Celebrate the late Jerry Garcia’s birthday at DC Brau, which will feature an all day lineup including Great Northern, The Brahman Noodles, and of course, a few Grateful Dead cover bands. (12-9pm)

Do the ocean a little favor

Join Surfrider DC for a trash cleanup around the Tidal Basin so all those poor tourists who jump in for a cool dip don’t have to deal with trash (ew!) along with generations of goose poop (aw!). Trash bags, grabbers, and gloves provided. (11am)

Also || tunes: Blake Mills, poetry @ Rhizome + even more local poetry, Georgetown mural tour with local Dwane Starling, Caribbean Music and Food Festival