Entertainment & Sports Arena: June 2021 Newsletter

Washington, DC Lifts Major Capacity Restrictions

Last Friday, June 11, Mayor Bowser lifted substantive restrictions and requirements allowing for in-person meetings, conventions, and other events, marking a monumental step forward amidst the COVID-19 recovery. DC residents can now safely visit their favorite restaurants, events, and entertainment venues! Local pastimes like visiting the Zoo, Smithsonian museums, or a Nationals or D.C. United home game are back now that the city is open at full capacity.



Destination DC has provided current DC reopening updates and current travel information for local residents and visitors. Events DC venues have implemented an in-depth health and safety plan including advanced sanitation tools, thermal scanner systems, and enhanced sanitation protocols. The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and the Hotel Association of Washington, DC are also following suit.



As the city’s premier host of conventions, entertainment, sporting and cultural events, we are confident that the travel and tourism industry will come back stronger than ever. In the coming months, visitation to DC is expected to increase 50 percent since 2020 with almost 15 million visitors in 2021, with this number continuing to grow through 2022. Washington DC continues to aim for high visitation with proper safety precautions as time goes on.

Improved Air Quality at the Entertainment & Sports Arena

Events DC has partnered with AtmosAir Solutions to establish the safest and healthiest conditions possible at the Entertainment & Sports Arena. Through the installation of a patented bi-polar ionization (BPI) technology system, AtmosAir Solutions functions to improve air quality and reduce energy consumption within the Arena.



The technology used by AtmosAir Solutions improves wellness by suppressing airborne and surface micro-organisms and pathogens as well as reducing odors and irritating volatile organic compounds (VOCs).



The 4,200 seat Entertainment and Sports Arena hosts amateur and professional basketball competitions, concerts, esports, boxing, galas and other events throughout the year. With the hopes of reducing the spread of future health threats like COVID-19, the technology of the AtmosAir Solutions will allow the Arena to continue hosting indoor events safely.

Celebrate Juneteenth with the DC Community

Every year on Juneteenth, cities and communities across the nation come together to commemorate June 19th, 1865, the day that federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to ensure the freedom of all enslaved. In Washington, DC, a wide range of events are planned and held to celebrate and remember this part of history.



Moechella



Moechella, a different take on the popular music festival Coachella, will take place June 18-20. Moechella is an advocacy festival that will showcase GoGo and its meaning to the city.



Million Moe March for Equity & Justice | Saturday, June 19 | Black Lives Matter Plaza – 14th & U St



Unity Fest by Moechella | Sunday June 20 | Gateway DC Pavilion Hosted by Yaddiya featuring food trucks, kids havens, and live performances by Junkyard Band, EU feat Sugar Bear, TOB, Ambition, and MTM.



More information on Moechella DC 2021 can be found on their Instagram account: @moechella.



JUNETEENTH Presented by Step Afrika! | Saturday June 19th, at 8pm | Virtual



This summer, Events DC is pleased to present Step Afrika!’s JUNETEENTH Virtual Celebration. The performance presents three unique works- “Trane”, “Little Rock Nine” and “The Movement”- each of which is inspired by the African American experience and struggle for freedom. The choreography embodies determination, resilience, and reclamation of freedom. The JUNETEENTH event will be available for viewing on-demand on the Step Afrika! website, Facebook, and YouTube.



Step Afrika! brings together percussive dance styles that incorporate traditional African dances and an array of contemporary art forms encapsulating storytelling, humor, and audience participation. For more information on JUNETEENTH and Step Afrika!, use the provided links below.



Event Trailer: https://youtu.be/otomCk1QTnE

Event Registration: https://bit.ly/stepafrikajuneteenth2021

Organization: www.stepafrika.org

Inaugural Juneteenth Day of Service



The Inaugural Juneteenth Day of Service distributes care packages to families in the community. Volunteers can also aid in cleaning up the area around Malcom X Ave. SE and Martin Luther Jr. Ave. SE Corridor. A musical performance by the Malcom X Drummers will also be a staple part of the event. This event takes place in Congress Heights at 550 Malcom X Ave. SE, Washington, DC.



Find more information can be found on their Facebook page.

Events DC $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.

Learn more:

Events DC FY2022 Community Grant Guidelines (PDF)

Events DC FY 2022 Community Grant Application (PDF)

Events DC FY 2022 Community Grant Checklist (PDF)

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 CONCACAF Nations League, Euro 2020, Copa America, Gold Cup, the Tokyo Olympic games, other international friendlies and regular season NWSL and 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. Click here for full list of participating restaurants.

National Mall Fireworks are Back!

In a statement earlier this week, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that “D.C. is open and ready to welcome back visitors to celebrate the way we came together as a city and as a nation this year. We have shown once again that when we come together, there is nothing we can’t do". The 17-minute fireworks display will start at 9:09 p.m. and launch from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The Washington Monument will be closed on the Fourth of July, but all the other memorials and monuments will be open.

Anyone who is not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is asked to wear a mask. Everyone should wear a mask on public transportation under federal and D.C. regulations.

Where can I watch the Fourth of July fireworks on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.?

The National Park Service recommends these spots for good fireworks viewing:

• President’s Park
• The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and Netherlands Carillon
• Columbia Island/Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove
• Gravelly Point (North of Reagan National Airport)
• Washington Sailing Marina at Daingerfield Island