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Part of the "Awesome People You Should Know in DC" series Find travel inspiration and discover new wonders for your adventures in DC as some of the city's movers, shakers, explorers and creatives share tips on exploring the city even during the quarantine and what they're looking forward to once the restrictions lift.  We feel like bursting out into the chorus of "The Impossible Dream." For the first time since the establishment of the District of Columbia 230 years ago, the House of Representatives voted to declare the city to be the nation’s 51st state; the bill still has get past a GOP-led Senate, Still, this moment makes for a perfect introduction to our next "Awesome Person," Erik Metzroth.
The former marketing consultant and longtime DC resident was an independent candidate for US "Shadow" Representative in 2018. There is only one job associated with the Shadow Representative position: attaining statehood rights for the people of DC. So what inspired him to run? Erik says, "I saw that our license plates keep saying the same thing or almost the same thing. Originally it was “Taxation without representation.” Now if you get a license plate in the last year or so you might have gotten one that says, “End Taxation Without Representation.” "Every time I saw a license plate, every time I heard a story about D.C. statehood, it frustrated me that much more that nothing comes of it, especially knowing that there is actually a dedicated budget that goes toward D.C. statehood now –which didn’t necessarily exist in the past. And so for all those reasons, I decided that, you know, instead of sitting on the sidelines because it’s something that I personally care about. For us to be literally the only place in the continental United States that does not have the same rights as the rest of Americans, on top of being the place where government is most important in this country, it just drove me to want to run." Even though Erik didn't win, his passion and advocacy helped ignite the DC statehoood fight and put the goal that much closer to being reached. These days he has turned his passions to documenting sights in DC as a photojournalist. In fact, it's Erik's photos on his Instagram account that caught our attention. Instead of the cookie cutter "iconic" shots of DC landmarks, Erik has aimed his camera at images of people, places and things that are off-the-beaten path or go unnoticed in the course of our daily routines. Erik sees "the real" DC differently; find out how you can too!
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The best ice cream in DC, minus the brain freeze  Photo credit: @mmmgoodies During these dog days of summer (basically any day ending in -y in DC), there’s nothing like a sweet and delicious frozen treat to cool you down. With so many spots for summertime scoops, we've compiled a handy list of 10 local places to sample some of the best frozen confections in the city!
Prepare for the most unforgettable summer to date  Summertime and the living is easy. Things are slowly opening up in DC but with museums and other attractions still closed, we’ve been spending more and more time outside.
This season of easygoing, laid-back living is chock-full of fun things to do. In the fun-loving spirit of this favorite time of year, we came up with a can’t-miss checklist for an unforgettable summer in DC's great outdoors. PSA: Be safe out there! Remember to wear a mask and social distance. Part of the "Awesome People You Should Know in DC" series Find travel inspiration and discover new wonders for your adventures in DC as some of the city's movers, shakers, explorers and creatives share ow they're staying busy during the quarantine and what they're looking forward to once the restrictions lift.  Longtime DC resident Andrea Seiger is the guidebook author of "111 Places in Washington That You Must Not Miss." She has been in the tourism and meetings industry for over 33 years and is a non-stop explorer who loves to shop in markets and for handmade local goods.
We managed to catch up with this always-inquisitive urban explorer to ask about her favorite places in the city and suggestions for locals and tourists alike to discover the "real" DC.  You really need only two things for a picnic: a tasty, portable snack and a place to eat it.
You can take the DIY approach and avail yourself of the myriad summery selections in local markets, but if you prefer to have a chef do the work, here’s a taste of the most portable to-go picnic basket menus for all of your summer celebrations. We've curated six places to pick-up the perfect prepared picnic grub! Part of the "Awesome People You Should Know in DC" series Find travel inspiration and discover new wonders for your adventures in DC as some of the city's movers, shakers, explorers and creatives share ow they're staying busy during the quarantine and what they're looking forward to once the restrictions lift.  DC-native Solia Bickersteth is a rising pop phenom who released her debut EP Fast Cars & Midnight earlier this year. She embodies DC's long-standing DIY music tradition, writing, playing all the instruments and producing her own music. As a singer-songwriter, Solia finds inspiration from personal experiences. Check out a sample of her music on our "DC Sounds Like This" Spotify playlist. She says, "My goal as a songwriter is to tell stories and so through the voices of these women I’m speaking through in the show, I”m telling stories." Through her journey producing two other releases and writing her first play for the Capital Fringe Festival a couple of years ago, she has found the value in letting go and being open to new experiences. Naturally, being able to enjoy live music again at 9:30 Club tops her wish list for post-COVID activities, but she encourages people to explore DC beyond the popular hotspots:
Follow Solia @iamsolia for updates about releases, videos and events. Curious? There's more!
Part of the "Awesome People You Should Know in DC" series Find travel inspiration and discover new wonders for your adventures in DC as some of the city's movers, shakers, explorers and creatives share ow they're staying busy during the quarantine and what they're looking forward to once the restrictions lift.  Multi-hypenate Elle VanDyne is the founder, CollabCreate DC, a creative hub for connecting and amplifying DC's creative community, which she started in 2018 from an Instagram account. When she's not connecting people + promoting the DC creative community, she is an, artist, writer, producer and a self-described DIY addict. Find out how she stays connected to the DC community and creatively inspired as quarantine eases but things remain far from "normal." P.S. she's in the market for a new hair stylist so send suggestions her way! How long have you lived in Washington, DC? 20 years! What local spot in DC brings you joy and why? Femme Fatale DC's retail pop-ups + events (powered by CollabCreate DC) bring me joy, and I miss all of the beautiful energy of that space + the people who make it wonderful. What recommendations do you have for people to explore and discover DC while staying at home?
What's something new you've found out about DC while staying at home that you didn't know before? That's an excellent question I'm not sure I have an answer for yet... I guess I'd say that I'm proud of how our Mayor has responded to this crisis and dealt with it in a rational, informed way. It's empowering to see the women leaders who have stepped up to lead us in this time of uncertainty. What's the first thing you're looking forward to doing in DC after the COVID restrictions are lifted? I can't pick one thing, so here's my perfect post-COVID day: oatmilk latte from Colony Club, pedicure at Enchanted Nails in Adams Morgan, haircut at TBD (need a new stylist!), ALL OF THE THRIFT SHOPPING, then happy hour on a patio somewhere with all the people I miss. And dinner out with my partner at Zaytinya - our first date five years ago (anniversary in June!). Awww! Share your tips for ways locals and tourists can discover the "real DC" once things return to "normal." Find local women-owned businesses to support! A Tour of Her Own and Curious Caravan create fantastic content that goes beyond the surface layer of DC and reveals the rich history of our city and country from a woman-centric view. Editor's Note: thanks for the shout-out! Stay connected with CollabConnect @collabconnectdc. Curious? There's more!
Chris Naoum, DC Funk Parade Co-founder + Music Advocate, Sounds Off on Exploring DC Like a Local5/26/2020 Part of the "Awesome People You Should Know in DC" series Find travel inspiration and discover new wonders for your adventures in DC as some of the city's movers, shakers, explorers and creatives share ow they're staying busy during the quarantine and what they're looking forward to once the restrictions lift.  You might not know his name, but if you're a local music fan, chances are you've attended one or more of his festivals. Christopher Naoum is the founder of Listen Local First, co-founder of the annual Funk Parade and the city's newest music festival, Down in the Reeds And to add to his long list of accomplishments, he is also festival, programmer for the Kingman island Bluegrass & Folk Festival In short, just call him the DC Music Man! And if you're an artist, Chris is one of the most passionate and active advocates for musicians' rights in the district.
Discover Chris' favorite local spots in the DC and how he continues to discover new things in the city! Discover DC's Fascinating Local History + Heritage With Cultural Tourism DC's Cheryl Crowell5/22/2020 Awesome People in DC You Should Know Series Find travel inspiration and discover new wonders for your adventures in DC as some of the city's movers, shakers, explorers and creatives share tips on exploring the city even during the quarantine and what they're looking forward to once the restrictions lift.  Longtime DC resident Cheryl Crowell is the Resource Development Director at Cultural Tourism DC; she is responsible for developing new sources of revenue and building relationships that further the organization's vision. The non-profit develops authentic, memorable experiences for people to enjoy and learn about DC, beyond its monuments. You've probably seen tall posts with historic information, photos and maps all across the city. Well, those are thanks to Cultural Tourism DC. And that's not all.
They promote pride and appreciation for the arts and vibrant heritage of DC through an impressive range of signature events: Residents and locals can participate in WalkingTown DC, a 10-day festival of intriguing guided tours of DC sites; gain insight into our international diplomatic community via Passport DC and the Around the World Embassy Tour; and engage in arts and culture during PorchFest DC, a showcase for local performing artists in neighborhood settings. Cultural Tourism DC is the ultimate local's tourism guide! With all that insider knowledge, find out what DC spots bring Cheryl joy and other ways for you to discover the real DC! A continuing series about awesome social distance activities in DC to keep you entertained during the outbreak and inspired to keep daydreaming about your next adventure in the Nation's capital.  So, you want to get outside to enjoy the weather for the long Memorial Day weekend but still avoid crowds of people, Well, unfortunately, you can cross Meridian Hill Park off the list.
But we've curated some less-populated options for you to enjoy. Here are eight less well-known parks, gardens, and green spaces in DC–we mostly skipped more obvious “hidden gems” like the National Arboretum in favor of less-visited, but still lovely, spaces. So pack a picnic and get out there and enjoy nature in (relative) solitude! Remember to wear a mask and social distance. Let's be safe out there. |
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