As the summer continues to heat up so will the stages of DC with the return of the 9th Annual Hip Hop Theater Festival with performances, workshops and parties in various venues throughout Washington July 6 -10. View a complete schedule of events here.
Washingtonians and visitors are being treated to a special treat this summer – a most beautiful nighttime view of the District. The Washington Monument has extended its visiting hours during the rest of the summer. The monument is now open to visitors from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day. The extended hours will remain in effect through Labor Day. The initiative is an effort to reinvigorate the national parks ahead of the park service’s centennial in 2016.
Engaged Community Offshoots the organizers of the Sowing Seeds Here and Now! Summit, is hosting “An Evening with Will Allen” Thursday June 17 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Busboys & Poets at 14th and V Street NW. Regarded as the father of the food justice movement, Will Allen is a recipient of the 2008 MacArthur Genius Award for his pioneering work with urban farming, and was named 2010 TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People.
This is a unique opportunity to convene in an intimate setting with Will Allen, who will be speaking on solutions to food inequities and public health epidemics in the Washington, DC region. The evening will feature complimentary hors d’oeuvres by Busboys and Poets, and by Restaurant Nora, America’s first certified organic restaurant. Get your tickets for this event here.
Andrew Lee Vinson is a man of substance and style. A gifted artist, educator and performer he has used his passion for culture to empower and uplift young people. Andrew is one of the talented and most engaging members of Step Afrika!, the first professional dance company dedicated to stepping. As Andrew and his fellow artists prepare for the Step Afrika! home Performance Series June 16 – 20 at the Lansburgh Theatre in Washington, DC he found a moment for a bit of Q&A with Substance & Style.
What inspires you to step?
I am inspired by excellence.
How would you describe your personal style?
Funky Preppy
As a fashion forward guy, what advice do you have for men who want to step up their game?
Go for a classy look and make you sure you “pop”
When you aren’t performing, where are you most likely to be found?
Gym!
Who do you currently have on heavy rotation?
Drake. He’s a beast. I love his new song “Find Your Love” produced by Kanye West.
Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek are back with a new cd and they are coming back to the District this week, June 10th for another performance with special guest Tabi Bonney at the Black Cat. It is going to be hot and Talib will be spitting lyrics hotter than a DC summer day. Get your tickets in advance here.
As summer starts so does the summer reading list. First up, Bitch Is the New Black: A Memoir by Helena Andrews. In her own candid and sassy voice Ms. Andrews takes us with her as she explores life and love as a successful Black woman on the beat in Washington, DC. Let the reading begin!
She may be out of the French Open, she will soon be in DC. Venus Williams will be the speaker for the July 7, 2010 lunch series at the National Press Club. Lunch begins at 12:30pm but a much earlier arrival is best for a good seat. Make your reservation here today as this will surely sell out quickly. Later she will be signing copies of her new book Come to Win: How Sports Can Help You Ace Your Goals and Top Your Profession at the Barnes & Noble on 12th Street NW at 3:00pm. What will she wear?
The Heinous Mr. Haynesworth
Posted in Commentary with tags sports on June 17, 2010 by substanceandstyledcMost people who get paid to go to work show up. Most people who are told by their boss that they plan to adjust the management and operation systems typically adjust their work style. It is part of being what people love to call on their resumes a ‘team player’ and after all they have been told by their employer to do so. However, this is not the case with professional football player, Albert Haynesworth of the Washington Redskins.
In April of this year Haynesworth got a $21,000,000 bonus check - yes, which is on top of his salary. And the fact that puts all of this in perspective and should deeply trouble every Washingtonian and every Redskin fan is that his bonus is $1,000,000 more than what will be spent by the District of Columbia to finance the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). The SYEP is a seven week employment and training program that allows nearly 20,000 District youth, ages 14 to 21, with an opportunity to work. The budget for the program this year is $20,000,000.
A star athlete from a local sports team refusing to show up for work after receiving a bonus check for practically the same amount of money as it costs the city to try to teach and instill in its young people the value of working, earning an honest living and staying out of trouble is quite ironic. Or maybe it is just sad.
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