RFK Newsletter: November 2021 | Events DC

The Fields at RFK are Open!

The winter season runs from November 28, 2021 to February 26, 2022. For interest in reserving a field or the pavilion, click here to check the reservation calendar for field availability and for scheduled Community Open Play!

Currently, it is Fall season at The Fields and they are accepting permit applications rolling basis. Requests must be received at least 14 days in advance. The Fields are open Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 11 PM and Saturday and Sunday: 8 AM – 9 PM. Submit requests for field space through the online booking form here and requests for the Celebration Pavilion’s online booking form here.

CRYSP staff will be onsite to assist patrons weekdays from 3 PM – 10 PM and on weekends from 8 AM – 8 PM.

Remembering Allen Lew

On October 28, 2021, the Allen Lew Memorial Committee in collaboration with Events DC hosted a memorial celebration at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center honoring former District of Columbia City Administrator Allen Y. Lew. Mr. Lew passed away on June 23, 2020, from complications caused by Covid-19. The Memorial Committee is comprised of over 50 developers, construction companies, architects, attorneys, and others who worked closely with Lew.

A native of New York, New York, Allen Lew graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School, received his Bachelor of Science degree in architecture from the City College of New York and went on to receive a master's degree in architecture and urban design from Columbia University. Allen was recruited in 1996 to come to Washington, DC as the Managing Director of Development to build the award-winning Washington Convention Center and oversaw its planning, development, and construction. He quickly gained a reputation for problem solving and innovative thinking.

During his nearly 25 years in the District of Columbia, Lew’s most notable DC projects after opening the Convention Center include renovation of the RFK Stadium, building Nationals Park, constructing Audi Field, and overhauling over 30 DC Public Schools as executive director of the Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization.

There were approximately 150 guests were in attendance for the program, including 23 members of Allen Lew’s family hailing from New York City, Boston, Chicago, and Sherman Oaks, California. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray who served as the DC Mayor who hired Allen as City administrator from 2011 to 2015, and a host of other speakers gave remarks referring to Allen as a visionary with a passion for getting the job done on time and especially noted his sharp wit.

Events DC President and CEO Greg O’Dell opened the program stating, “We get to see, touch, feel and experience his legacy through the beautiful buildings he built for us, but perhaps the biggest legacy is the imprint Allen left on all of us as well as changing our lives for the better. This event is a small token of our appreciation of this great man for all his service and dedication.”

To learn more about Allen Lew’s life, career, and accomplishments, visit https://www.allenlewmemorial.com/

RECAP: USA RUGBY VS. NEW ZEALAND ALL BLACKS

On October 23 at FedEx Field, USA Rugby faced the New Zealand All Blacks in an upsetting defeat.

New Zealand, who had not played in the U.S. since 2016, totally dominated in their first outing since a 10-match winning streak was snapped by South Africa in the final game of the Rugby Championship.

With an attendance of approx. 40,000 fans, the addition of the Army vs. Navy match before USA Rugby helped to boost the crowd's energy and set the tone for an exciting afternoon.

The pre-game ceremonials were touched by still-fresh grief. USA Rugby honored Kathy Flores, a great player and coach who died that week this week, with a moment of silence. From the All Blacks there was a pause of 11 seconds to honor their player Sean Wainui, killed in a car crash at just 25. Bryce Campbell, the US captain, laid a No 11 shirt on the grass in advance of the haka.

Billed as the 1874 Cup, which is a reference to the first account of organized rugby being played in the United States, the match was designed to grow interest in a nation hoping to stage a future Rugby World Cup.

For the All Blacks, the match marked the start of a run of five tests in consecutive weeks with Wales, Italy, Ireland and France their other opponents.

New Zealand defeated USA Rugby 104-14.

Grantee Spotlight: Visionaries of the Creative Arts

Visionaries of the Creative Arts (VOCA), based in Ward 7, has been a pillar in social justice for D/deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing BIPOC artists since its inception in July 2019.

VOCA provides a space for BIPOC Deaf & Hard of Hearing Artists to collectively create, collaborate & showcase their culturally distinct work while addressing social justice and racial equity through creative arts. As an Events DC Community Grant awardee (FY2021, Cycle 2), they were awarded for their Performing Arts Summer Camp for DC youth. Youth from grades 5 to 12 that are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or children of deaf adults (CODA) were able to explore the creative arts through dance, poetry, art, and more.

To learn more about VOCA, click here to visit their website.

Coaches vs. Racism

On November 13, 2021 University of Michigan will face Prairie View A&M University at Entertainment & Sports Arena in Congress Heights.

Coaches Vs. Racism (CVR) is a 501c3 national non-profit leading the charge to end systemic racism in sports. They are mobilizing coaches in the pro ranks as well as collegiate and amateur levels across the country to create an action-filled, educational and grassroots approach to inspire cultural and societal change in the world of sports.

CVR has teamed with the Big 10, College Coaches, Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and professional sports teams to promote awareness of Social Injustice, Economic Divide, Equality, Reform, and Systemic Racism (SEERS). Together, the groups aim to create a positive sports environment for all players by using education, conversation and community to build equality and understanding. The non-profit will work with coaches to ensure all players have access to the tools and resources necessary to develop student and professional athletes to their full potential and level the playing field.

A portion of the proceeds from all CVR games will be used to support marginalized students and student-athletes who are unable to complete their education due to lack of tuition funds. CVR hopes to engage these students in a “Good Start” program before they drop out of college by raising funds to pay tuition for struggling students and paying off their respective student loans. The non-profit will place special focus on students at HBCUs.

Tickets will be available at coachesvsracism.org