Here is a blurb on what the festival is all about:

At the Festival, tradition bearers, local scholars, and Smithsonian curators speak for themselves, with each other, and to the public. The Festival typically includes daily and evening programs of music, song, dance, celebratory performance, crafts and cooking demonstrations, storytelling, illustrations of workers’ culture, and narrative sessions for discussing cultural issues. The Festival encourages visitors to participate—to learn, sing, dance, eat traditional foods, and converse with people presented in the Festival program.

Grocery Store Alert: Jefferson Space Activity?

Seconds ago, Corey emailed us with the following info:

FYI, Saw a truck unloading small items into the Balducci’s space, but not sure whether it means anything. Any buzz?

Has anyone seen more activity or spoken with the construction workers?

Smithsonian American Art & Portrait Gallery Opening Event Info (July 1)

GPLiving readers should expect to see several postings about the Smithsonian American Art & Portrait Gallery in the next few days – and rightfully so! The museum has been closed for 6 years while undergoing extensive renovation. It is a cornerstone of our neighborhood and it’s about to come back to life.

Opening Day Events

This Saturday (July 1) is the grand opening. Here are the times:

Podcasts

Before you visit the museums, be sure to load up your ipod with these two podcasts/audio guides: Selections from the American Art Museum’s Lincoln Gallery and the Portrait Gallery’s Americans On Display.

Performance of 1776: The Musical

Then, on Friday, July 7 through Monday, July 10, the National Portrait Gallery inaugurates its Cultures in Motion Program with a staged reading/concert of the prize winning play 1776: The Musical in the Nan Tucker McEvoy Auditorium:

Friday, July 7, 7:00pm
Saturday, July 8, 2:00pm and 7:00pm
Sunday, July 9, 2:00pm
Monday, July 10, 7:00pm

Admission is free, however reservations are preferred. To make a reservation or for additional information, please call (202) 275-0570.

Interactive Maps/More Info

Lastly, you can orient yourself with the Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture by checking the WaPo’s interactive article.

Pedicabs Coming To Gallery Place!

GPLiving was out and about a few days ago and noticed a Pedicab rolling up 7th St. Too bad we didn’t have the camera handy! We thought this was just a freak occurrence of an “independent pedicab driver” testing the waters for business. Today, however, we learn that full fledged pedicab service is expected to begin on July 4th!

For the uninitiated, pedicabs are basically a bicycle taxi service. The front part of the bicycle looks normal, and that back part contains a two person (covered) seat. Everything else works like a normal taxi – albeit a little slower, more fun, and friendlier to the environment.

The company offering service is called DC Pedicab. Most exciting is DC Pedicab’s list of favorite spots to pick up a pedicab: Bustling nightlife in Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, Capitol Hill, and Gallery Place.

Craigslist watchers noticed DC Pedicab are advertising pedicab positions.