Public and private spaces across the District transform into pop-up galleries and performance stages for an evening of art in all its forms — painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, fashion, music, dance, theater, film, poetry, and more — as part of the annual Art All Night festival starting at 7 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 14.
The festival takes place in eight DC Main Streets neighborhoods:
- Congress Heights
- Deanwood Heights
- Dupont Circle
- H Street NE
- Minnesota Avenue
- North Capitol Street
- Tenleytown
- Shaw
Modeled after Paris’ “Nuit Blanche,” the District’s Art All Night program started in Shaw before expanding — and now in its eight year, it is the largest of the neighborhood observances.
Art All Night in Shaw will include over 30 activations in the neighborhood. The annual Shaw Art Market and Stage at Parcel 42 will feature works from more than 30 DC artists for sale, and live performances from GRAMMY nominated progressive hip-hop artist and multi-instrumentalist Christylez Bacon and internationally acclaimed Ethiopian recording artist Yehuni Belay
Additional activation and interactive activities include a community mural, light installation and DJ at Apple Carnegie Library; Triptych, a showcase of music and culture with 16 DC artists plus food and libations provided by Please Bring Chips and Otabe DC presented by No Kings Collective, Hen House and JAB; The Shaw Community Center presents “The Lee on 11th,” a night of concerts featuring Juju House, Malik DOPE Drummer, Davey Yarborough and Shaw Bucket Band, a screening of the Animated Film Short Shaw Stories; The Wizard of Shaw plus a fashion show and art gallery. Join The High Priestess of Love, The Queen of the Shameless Plug, The Father of Five and Mother to Many, Team Rayceen at the DCHFA Auditorium for a lively and unforgettable cabaret experience.
Also, Robin Bell, the award winning multi-media artist responsible for the 2017 projection, Emoluments Welcome, on the face of the Trump Hotel in Washington, DC, which garnered international media attention, is creating a custom projection in Blagden Alley that is inspired by the history of the a and the surrounding neighborhood. Lights and lasers will create abstract images, and text will be projected that will “bring the viewers back to where we are in today’s environment in Washington DC.”
Shaw businesses and institutions will activate as well, with a Paint and Sip at Urban Athletic Club, Fashion Show at Wanda’s on 7th, face painting at Watha T. Daniel Library and much more throughout dozens of locations in the Shaw neighborhood.
