RFK Newsletter: August 2021 Newsletter

Community Grant Recipients Honored at Awardee Luncheon

On July 29, Events DC celebrated its Fiscal Year 2020 and 2021 Community Grant award recipients at the Community Grant Awardee Luncheon in Studio 801. Nearly 30 organizations attended, and over 55 DC non-profit organizations were honored for their commitment to providing youth-focused sports, performing, or cultural arts programs in the District of Columbia. Youth from the National Capital Fencers Club formed a saber arch through which guests passed under to enter the Studio. The program opened with a musical performance by DC Strings; and East of the River Boys and Girls Steelband (FY2021) closed out the celebratory event.  

Remarks were made by Council Chairman Phil Mendelson; Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto; and Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie; along with Events DC leadership Chairman Max Brown, Community Grants Committee Chairman Ty Simpson, and President and CEO Greg O’Dell. Board Members Alan Bubes and Jay Haddock Ortiz were on hand to lend their support and extend well wishes to the grantees. 

Watch the Community Grant Awardee Luncheon on GATHER.   

Our steadfast commitment to social impact to non-profit organizations in the District continues! The next Community Grant application cycle opens in December 2021. To learn more about the Community Grant, click here. 

Celebrate GoGo Music at Moechella Market

LongLiveGoGo, the group behind the Go-Go truck and Go-Go infused protests, have opened a gallery called Moechella Market on Barracks Row Main Street. With Go-Go designated as the official music of DC, organizations like LongLiveGoGo are working to preserve the cultural legacy of the music through advocacy, rallies and concerts. 

Expanding their reach to support and feature local businesses and artists, LongLiveGoGo created Moechella Market (507 8th St SE) open on Sundays from 4-8pm. 

Check out the Moechella and LongLiveGoGo  Instagram pages to stay up to date on all of their events. 

Free Sports at RFK: Disc Golf

A-tisket a-tasket, Events DC installed new baskets! This month, Events DC worked with CRYSP to complete the District’s first disc golf course. Located on the Oklahoma Avenue Lawn, you will find the six-hole course where groups of up to six people can throw/stroke discs across the course. Leave your photo ID with the field office staff (adjacent to Lot 7) in exchange for a borrowed disc, scorecard, pencil, and set of rules – play on the course is free!  

Assemble your team to meet up on the Oklahoma Lawn, learn how to play with us here!

Grantee Spotlight: Explore the World With Peace Thru Culture

Since its launch in 2006, Peace thru Culture, Inc. strives to build tolerance, respect, and understanding among humans through interactive cultural education and global exposure. As an Events DC Community Grant awardee (FY2021, Cycle 2), they were noted for their programming that provides cultural enrichment opportunities for children and youth in under-resourced communities in the District. 

While many of their Americas and Caribbean exchange programs are temporarily closed for 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they look forward to igniting their in-person programs in 2022.  They have served over 1,800 youth with programming that focuses on global awareness, leadership skills, communication skills, social responsibility, critical thinking, self-reliance, literacy support, civic engagement, and STEM. 

To learn more of what the world has to offer through Peace thru Culture, visit their website. 

Grantee Spotlight: Power to the Playwrights

Based in Ward 4, the Young Playwrights’ Theater (YPT) empowers students from the third through twelfth grade from across the District to utilize creative expression and theater as valuable tools for education, enrichment, and self-actualization. They encourage youth to create and perform original work for their peers and for the public. 

YPT was awarded an Events DC Community Grant in FY2021, Cycle 1 for their impact on youth cultural and performing arts. Their writing curriculum focused on students learning the fundamentals of social advocacy and later they facilitated town halls and performances with discussions.  

To learn more about the Young Playwrights’ Theater, click here.