Entertainment & Sports Arena: July 2021 Newsletter
COVID Vaccination Sites Closings and Opening
On June 11th, Mayor Bowser lifted restrictions as DC moves toward allowing in-person meetings, conventions, and other events, marking a monumental step forward amidst the COVID-19 recovery.
Since opening as a vaccination destination in early March, over 1,000 vaccines have been administered to DC area residents daily, collectively, between Events DC venues - the RISE Demonstration Center and Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Overall, over 430,000 District residents have received at least one dose of the vaccination.
Both sites closed at the end of last month, the RISE Demonstration Center on June 30 and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on June 20. Although these locations closed, there are still pharmacies, clinics, health care centers, and educational institutions across the city that will offer the vaccinations.
New walk-in vaccination clinics will open at several DC Public Schools, including Anacostia High School (Ward 8), Eastern High School (Ward 6), Luke C. Moore High School (Ward 5), and Ida B. Wells Middle School (Ward 4). Schools will be open on Monday-Saturday with varying hours by location.
Visit Mayor Bowser's Reopening Guide here.
Pull Up To The Soufside Market
DC is proud to note that nearly a third of all businesses in the District of Columbia are Black-owned. As the District strives for the growth of equity and access to services across all eight Wards, new business opportunities arise to close the disparity gap. At the brink where Wards 7 and 8 meets, resides the Soufside Market! Approaching their first anniversary, Soufside Market has been highlighting and empowering African American vendors, across multiple industries, to sell products, as well as enlightening consumers on understanding the importance of circulating capital within Black communities.
On Saturdays, you will find Soufside Market situated in a parking lot filled with customers shopping from 15 vendors under tents, a DJ playing the latest jams, and a large black and white ‘Soufside Market’ mural. If you are interested in visiting the Soufside Market, check out their website, Instagram, or pull up from 10 AM – 4 PM on Saturdays at 2510 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020.
Soufside Market is always open to featuring local Black-owned businesses, to register your business click here.
Mystics Season Returns After Olympic Break
The Washington Mystics played hard in the first half of their WNBA 2021 season, which was paused due to the Tokyo Olympic Games. Two Mystics players, Ariel Atkins and Tina Charles were selected to represent Team USA! Once all players have returned home to the United States, the Mystics are looking forward to growing as a team and competing in the WNBA playoffs. They most recently defeated the Chicago Sky in overtime on July 10 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, bringing their current season statistic of 8 -10. The season will resume August 15 against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The next home game at the Entertainment and Sports Arena will be against the Phoenix Mercury on August 22 at 2 PM ET!
Check out the rest of their season here.
Gun Violence Stops at the TraRon Center
The TraRon Center, a non-profit based in Ward 8, is on a mission to aid those impacted by gun violence cope and move forward. They were awarded as an Events DC Community Grant recipient (FY2021, Cycle 1) as they continue to provide a space to openly discuss the issues of gun violence and help affected individuals through art forms in the District. The TraRon Center uses a peer support approach to begin helping traumatized individuals start their journey towards healing.
The non-profit was founded in 2017 by Ryane B. Nickens after encountering several traumatic experiences of gun violence since the 1990s. She created programs to help DC area families that have endured the pain of gun violence find healing and to empower them to actively seek ways to change the culture of violence in their communities.
The TraRon Center assists its community by offering services including consulting, summer camps, community engagement, and activism to reduce gun violence. Find more about this non-profit’s programs here.
The Return of Live Music
This weekend enjoy four nights of live music at Entertainment & Sports Arena featuring:
Thursday, July 22
Robert Randolph and The Family Band
Friday, July 23
Junkyard Band
Saturday, July 24
Thievery Corporation
Sunday, July 25
Jason Cerda
Events DC and Entertainment & Sports Arena are committed to hosting world-class sports and entertainment while keeping all fans, guests, employees, players, and performers safe. The Summer Concert Series is held in accordance with all health and safety protocols as outlined by the DC Department of Health and the Executive Office of the Mayor.
Read more here about Events DC’s commitment to safety and the wellbeing of all guests and staff at Entertainment & Sports Arena.
Events DC's $500K Community Grant Program Is Back
As an active and engaged community member, Events DC is proud to continue to support the future of non-profit organizations in Washington, DC that promote youth participation in both the arts and athletics. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, Events DC is pleased to provide funding for the program of $500,000 during two grant cycles ($250,000 in the first cycle and $250,000 in the second cycle). Cycle 1 applications are due August 1, 2021.
The grant program provides financial support to qualifying non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting children through sports, performing arts or cultural arts in the District of Columbia.
Celebrate the "Summer of Soccer" Across DC
The summer of 2021 is the ultimate summer of soccer! Over 68 days, soccer fans around the globe have an opportunity to catch more than 150 international matches between The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League, Euro 2020, Copa America, Gold Cup, the Tokyo Olympic games, other international friendlies and regular season National
Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and Major League Soccer (MLS) matches featuring the Washington Spirit and D.C. United.
The first of these tournaments, Euro 2020 and Copa America kicked off on June 12, followed by Gold Cup and the Tokyo Olympic games in July.
The DC2026 team, Washington, DC's official bid for the FIFA World Cup 2026, compiled a roundup of the many of the local bars across DC that will be locked-in on this football frenzy! Join the pursuit and show you are United by the Game at DC2026.org.
Please confirm the game schedule with the bar/restaurant in advance.
Learn More About Summer Of Soccer here.