Sounds in the Square Summer Concerts Kick Off May 8

Thursday marks the first of seven concerts this summer as part of the Golden Triangle’s tenth annual Sounds in the Square free summer concert series. No Second Troy, a band Spin magazine says “burns bright as the sun” and who received a nod from Washington City Paper as one of DC’s best local bands, will start the series off from 5:00 to 7:00pm in Farragut Square Park. Check them out on their MySpace page and then come by the park after work for the best live—and free—music the city has to offer!

After the concert, head over to one of the Golden Triangle’s great bars or clubs to hang out with the band. OnTap magazine has organized after parties throughout the series that include discounts and prizes for Sounds in the Square concertgoers. Find out more about the OnTap-sponsored after parties here.

Don’t forget to sign up to win a free Epiphone guitar or a scooter from Coleman PowerSports. You can enter to win on the Golden Triangle’s website. 

The series continues through June on Thursday evenings. Call 202.463.3400 for more information or visit www.goldentriangledc.com for a complete lineup.

Art to be Installed at Farragut North Metro Station

Metro riders will soon have a more creative and artistic commuting experience, as the Golden Triangle has been awarded funding for the creation of permanent public art at the Farragut North Metro station entrance at the northeast intersection of Connecticut Ave and K Street NW.

The project, Pulse: Golden Triangle, a Neighborhood on the Move, has received an award of $25,000 from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and an additional $50,000 in funds will be contributed by the Golden Triangle. The art will be one element of a public realm and streetscape design program initiated by the Golden Triangle to revitalize the cityscape of the Connecticut Avenue corridor. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is providing in-kind support for the project through its Art in Transit program.

A call to artists for the project has been issued, with a deadline for submissions of 5:00pm Friday, May 23. More information, including the call, can be found at www.goldentriangledc.com.

Experience Japanese Culture in the Golden Triangle

The Japan Information and Culture Center at 1155 21st Street NW is the cultural and public affairs section of the Embassy of Japan.  Their exhibit hall and auditorium allow for an array of events open to the public.

“The Four Seasons of Kyoto,” an exhibition of Kyo Yuzen kimono designed by Naoki Nomura, will begin on May 15 and run until July 10. There will be an opening lecture for the exhibition on the 15th at 6:30pm featuring a demonstration of traditional Japanese dance. Visit the JICC website or call 202.238.6949 for more information.

Literary Events at Borders and Reiter’s

Reiter’s | 1990 K Street NW | 202.223.3327
Tuesday, May 20, at 6:30pm, Matthew S. Olson and Derek van Bever will discuss and sign copies of their new book “Stall Points: Most Companies Stop Growing--Yours Doesn't Have To,” which explores the challenges to sustain revenue growth in large firms.

Borders | 18th and L Streets NW | 202.466.4999
Wednesday, May 7, at 6:30pm, Senator Harry Reid will be signing his book, “The Good Fight,” which is the tale of two places, intertwining the Senator’s own story, particularly his early life of poverty, with a cautionary tale of Washington, DC.

Thursday, May 15, at 6:30pm, bestselling author and noted historian Arthur Herman discusses his fascinating and meticulously researched new history, “Gandhi and Churchill,” which reveals how both men were more alike than different, yet became bitter enemies over the future of India.

Friday, May 16, at 12:30pm, 85-year-old jazz legend Foreststorn ‘Chico’ Hamilton performs his inventive, original jazz.

Custom Designs from Green and Blue

Green and Blue has gone custom couture and just launched a fresh line of ELA ELA jewelry. Visit the hip boutique to check out their fashions from designers like Citizens for Humanity, Shoshanna, C&C California and more. Or, with their new line of custom couture and jewelry, have something made uniquely yours. Stop by 1350 Connecticut Avenue NW or visit www.greenandbluestyle.com.

Special May Events at Douglas Cosmetics

Visit Douglas Cosmetics at 1145 Connecticut Ave NW on Thursday, May 8, between 11:00am and 5:00pm for a Chanel makeover with artist Lauren Ogden. In addition, if you are looking for a beautiful and unique Mother’s Day gift, from May 7-9 Silver Frog Studio will be at Douglas Cosmetics from 11:00am to 6:00pm to showcase their handmade Russian jewelry by Marina Kalinina.

Fitness Study at Curves

Calling all women! Participants are needed for the Curves/Avon Fitness Study. Stop by Curves at 1710 Rhode Island Avenue NW or call 202.429.2878 to learn more about how you can receive a start-to-finish fitness evaluation, 30 days free on CurvesComplete.com, and supervised training from a Curves trainer by participating in one of the country’s largest fitness studies ever.

Mother’s Day in the Golden Triangle

Be it brunch, lunch, or dinner, treat your mother to an unforgettable Mother’s Day this year at one of the Golden Triangle’s fine restaurants.

The MStreet Bar and Grill will be celebrating Mother’s Day with with unlimited champagne and mimosas, a choice of starters, selection of mains, and a sweet finish all for just $28.50 per person ($14.50 for children under 13).

Vidalia will have a special Mother’s Day brunch menu from noon until 3:00pm.

Restaurant K by Alison Swope brings some southwestern flair to Mother’s Day with a delicious brunch selection.

The Great Outdoors at Hudson Bar & Lounge

The patio is open!  Enjoy cocktails and dining al fresco in the cool spring air while you people-watch and mingle with friends, family and colleagues at the 2030 M Street NW location.

Don’t have time to hang out on the Hudson patio? Bring home Hudson’s delicious meals any day or night of the week.  You can view their menus online and call them at 202.872.8700 to place your carryout order. 

A Relaxing Happy Hour at the Venetian Bar & Lounge

Each day brings discounts and specials at the Venetian, Hotel Lombardy’s bar and lounge with a quiet and relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere. Come in for happy hour from 5:00 to 7:00pm at 2019 Pennsylvania Avenue NW and try one of their innovative cocktails, world-class wines, or small-plate appetizers.

Meet Your Neighbor: Meg Dawson—Reiter’s Books

Reiter’s Books could possibly be the oldest bookstore in Washington, DC.  First opened in 1936, Reiter’s has spent the past 72 years providing the leading scientific, professional, technical, and medical books to DC’s community of academics and intellectuals. Over 60,000 books can be found in stock that cover anything an inquisitive mind would want to explore, be it green design, astrophysics, economics, statistics and probability, or a myriad of other subjects.

The bookstore has been a family affair for over forty years. Bob and Barbara Nelson purchased the store from founder Albert Reiter in the 1960s and their daughter Meg Dawson, is now managing the business. “If you are an intellectual or a scholar and you come in here---it’s paradise,” Meg says, of the faithful clientele that have been relying on Reiter’s for years.

Reiter’s isn’t just for scholars. With an impressive children’s section and many works that appeal to a broad audience, a trip to their 1990 K Street NW location is sure to have something for anyone with a curiosity for the world around us.

With book readings and signings and other events always on the horizon, Reiter’s is eager to host small meetings, events, or book clubs in their Golden Triangle space. Contact Meg Dawson at 202.223.3327 for details. Visit Reiter’s online at www.reiters.com to peruse some of their selection.

Ambassador of the Month: Dannie Byers

When Dannie started as the Project Manager for the Golden Triangle’s Hospitality Ambassador program in 2001 after years in law enforcement, a business improvement district with an Ambassador program was still a fresh idea.

“I was excited to join something totally new and get to plan and strategize with law enforcement but not be a part of it,” Dannie said. “The Ambassador program is a form of community policing that is interesting—it’s rewarding to help people and also a rush when things are happening and we’re right in the middle of it.”

After serving two years for the Golden Triangle, Dannie left to pursue his passion—inventing new useful products for everyday people. While he continued to invent and patent his ideas, he returned to the Ambassador program as Director of Operations in 2006, managing and supervising the Ambassadors.

Dannie’s leadership has helped shape the program to serve as the eyes and ears for the business district, and his dedication to the community and the individual Ambassadors has created a group of diverse individuals that is close-knit and almost like a family. Dannie has truly been the backbone of the Golden Triangle’s Ambassador program, which makes it all the more bittersweet that he has chosen to move to North Carolina where he will focus on promoting his inventions.

“Working here has taught me a lot, and I’m very thankful for the opportunity. Working for the Golden Triangle helped me grow as a person in different ways I previously didn’t think about,” Dannie said. “Giving a bit of yourself—even just by picking up trash—there is a reward that comes back to you.”

The Golden Triangle has certainly been rewarded by Dannie’s wholehearted service. We wish him the best of luck in North Carolina. Check out Dannie’s product, the EasyWheelbarrow, available from his website, Dajoby Products, or at select Ace Hardware stores.