The 2006 H Street Festival
What were people's impressions of this year's festival versus the festivals of years past? Where is the festival headed in the future? Here a few thoughts on my end-
-there was less publicity this year [and I didn't think there was even a whole lot last year]
-the turnout seemed good, but I'm not sure how it compared to that of last year.
-I think the fact that people still turned out shows that people have gotten used to the idea of an annual H Street Festival and now anticipate the event.
-the selection and quality of vended food was better this year
-many of the easily recognizable advertising vendors seemed to return from last year
Did you know the first H Street Festival was held in
30 comments:
Yep, it was a post riot PR thing. WW and local businesses pushed it, I remember relatives and friends of theirs, thinking that it seemed odd.
Looking at it now, it still is rather odd, but for different reasons. Growing up here, it was never a big deal, and never had a huge draw. Unity Fest, River Fest, Georgia Ave Day, Malcolm X (Park) Day, seemed to be more important.
Recasting H as some historical festival is a bit of an odd pill to swallow. As some one with roots here, I've listened to the perspectives of many about H. I am not sure what there really is to celebrate historically about H. Yes it was thriving, but highly discriminatory. Which is why it was a target of frustration during the riots. Not to drag race into this, but I can't talk about H w/o the context of the riots. I can't think about the great renaissance w/o reflecting of what was before and before that.
I live closer to H now, I like the new H. But I can't celebrate it. Not yet, it feels like partying in a war zone, or even a cemetery. It's park hallowed ground and in part touchstone.
-Robby
I enjoyed the festival this year. It was less flashy (less big name sponsors)than last year's but more reflective of H street businesses. I did think it was a little strange to see another flavored ice vendor when Philadelphia Ice was there. I think local businesses should have priority with even less carny aspects...nee meat on a stick vendors. A shout out goes to Sticky Rice, NAPA 1015, Sidamo and the other businesses for pitching in to make it fun for me.
I had a great time. It seemed a bit less crowded than last year though. I would have enjoyed a wider variety of musical acts, but I'm sure they went with who they could get to do it. In response to Robby, I'm new to DC, and it doesn't feel like they are trying to create some "historic" festival. The festival, and a lot about H Street, feel very new to me. It sort of feels like a baby festival that might someday turn into something larger.
H Street Fest -- where the hill meets the hood!
I was thoroughly disappointed with the turn out. This festival is supposed to attract people to the neighborhood, and in the past it seemed on course to rival the Adams Morgan festival. It's always good to get out and enjoy the area with my neighbors, but it's also important to get people, from outside of H Street, coming the corridor during the day time.
I am not sure if I was spoiled by the past three years, and perhaps I would feel different if this was the first H Street festival I have attended. The past three years the music has been diverse, and there has been steady growth, this was certainly a step back. I'm not sure if the guys that have been doing the festival were just resting on their laurels or if they felt the momentum they had built would carry them, but I hope they get back to whatever they were doing before... I usually see two of them out in the different areas of the city a month before the festival; I didn’t see either of them at all.
Honestly, if I didn’t read this blog I wouldn’t have known when the festival was going to occur. Goggling h street festival, obviously doesn’t work.
Anon 944,
the two guys [Raphael Marshall and Kwasi Frye] who handled the 2005-2007 festivals did not work on this one. There was a disagreement between them and some other involved parties and a separation ensued. So the festival had a new organizer this year.
As someone who was manning a booth this year I would say that while the organizers got a VERY late start and marketing was scant I thought it was better experience this year for us.
We had a lot of people from way outside the neighborhood stop by the Atlas table and sign up for our mailing list.
I thought it was nicer this year, less congested and more locally focused.
13 St Said:
This being my first H street Festival (I was out of town last year) I was kind of enthusiastic about the whole thing. It turned out to be a three block community gathering rather than the big turnout that I had anticipated. However, I enjoyed the kids fashion show and the food stands and not so much the music. It was disappointed to see that there wasn’t any variety. Looking forward I would like to see more representation of the H St Businesses … Jazz (P&P), oldies (XII), trill show (palace of Wonders) hair show (form our over 50 hair salons) local art shows, and may more…. The point is, get involved and show your support and publicize it a head of time to reach out to the rest of the community. We have over 14 blocks to stretch it out and I am prepared to cry over a parking space.
Anon 944, be sure to volunteer to help next year to improve turnout.
I thought the festival was great. Beautiful weather, great food smells, some good music here and there. Hopefully the folks who did come in from outside the n'hood spotted how things have changed and will come back and patronize places on H St. I think it was a plus for new businesses...at one point in the day I saw Sweets and Treats *packed* full of people. Folks should put it together that if you're looking for bars there are several to bounce around to with plenty of food options when you get the munchies. If you're looking for culture you can do pre-theatre at Napa or GM, see a show, then have coffee/wine at Sova, Ice Cream at S&T's. Professionals in the City should make that a packaged evening if they haven't already. Hopefully this idea is getting through...that it is a destination worthy of planning an evening.
Where the Hill meets the Hood. That's a pretty good one.
This is my third H Street Festival. I thought the music that I saw was diverse. At the 14th Street Stage at 12:30 there was an a cappella group of I think 5 people (who the oldest was only 17!). Michael Jantz and The Davenports really rocked and they are local, just off of H Street talent. The volunteer soundman could have had the levels better on the accompanying vocals, but it was a great 1 hr performance by the band. Following that was a female singer (I am ashamed that I don't remember her name) accompanied only by the MC doing beat box or bongos which is very different from what I listen to, but very powerful stuff. I give the music a thumbs up.
My only disapointment this year was that I typically hit the bars after I've had my fill of food / music / etc - just to support each establishment equally. This year I had my 2 year old son with me and the Rock and Roll Hotel wouldn't let me in - yes, the same R&R Hotel that hosts "Baby Loves Disco" wouldn't let my 2 year old in because he wasn't 21. The door person was just doing her job, but it was still disappoining to not go to one of my favorite bars on H. Tony T at the Pug helped make up for my disappointment though, my son was welcomed, and we got to meet Tony's wife and daughter! The Pug is the best.
@Michael-- I think the singer you're thinking of was Carolyn Malachi. I thought she was *wonderful.* http://www.youtube.com/user/malachimusic
It was my first H St Festival and I really enjoyed myself. Can't wait to attenda again next year hopefully with even more booths and talent.
Agree that outside food vendors should not be used, plenty of local food vendors in area that should get priority, including the H St church that had great ribs and chicken.
Sticky Rice, LOVED THE OUTDOOR SEATING. Cant wait till we have a streetscape with outdoor seating for all restaurants.
OVERALL A GREAT EXPERIENCE.
Russ
THE TURN OUT THIS YEAR WAS OK, NOT MUCH ADVERTISING FOR THE FESTIVAL. I AGREE STICKY RICE OUTSIDE SEATING WAS A GREAT ATTRACTION AND THE KIDS FASHION SHOW WAS EXCELLENT. THE OWNER DID A SUPERB JOB WITH ALL THE KIDS. I HOPE SHE DOES IT NEXT YEAR. I JUST HOPE THE ORGANIZERS DO A BETTER JOB WITH ADVERTISING ESPECIALLY IN THE COMMUNITY
Loved the art cars, food and music. I like the idea of giving priority to H street businesses too. Hopefully next year, more of them will figure out a way to participate.
I saw my first DC Health inspector! Unfortunely, she was pretty rude to the vendor for no apparent reason. She really had a very unpleasant demeanor.
AMAZING FESTIVAL. THE BEST EVER. I HOPE MORE PEOPLE PARTICIPATE NEXT YEAR. IT WAS WONDERFUL. I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH. I'M IN AWE. I LOVED IT. I WANT MORE. CAN'T GET ENOUGH.
PLEASE MAKE IT BIGGER FOR THE WHOLE OF H STREET ALL THE WAY TO CHINA TOWN.
THANK YOU!
if you'd like some photos from this year, i took a whole bunch: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorigoldberg/tags/hstreetfestival/
Activities sure to draw a crowd next year
- - - - -
1- "monster pull" with pocket rockets
2- meth cooking demonstrations
3- Israeli Church of Universal Practical Know-how on two amplified stages
4- a Powerball drawing
5- hit-the-target contest (bring your own gun)
6- "public safety" rodeo featuring five white cops trying to subdue a carload of area youths
Lori - Nice photos. The bassist you took a snap of is me and the band is Michael Jantz & The Davenports. (that's 2 mentions in this thread now... hopefully this doesn't count as over the top shameless self promotion). We're all local to the neighborhood and had a blast playing on Saturday. Couldn't ask for better weather and the beef sandwich from Napa really hit the spot.
-Jim
Gorgeous weather, nice crowd but seemed less crowded then last year... not sure I would have heard about the festival if it wasn't for my daughter working at Atlas...so maybe a little more promotion would be a good idea, I'd like to see more people visit that area, it's got a lot to offer
Pics from fashion show can be seen at www.jennifergtucker.smugmug.com
just scroll to DC fashion show
Still a post Riot PR event. Sad after 40 years.
CRY MORE ROBBY
Robby , what has changed in 50 years? If Obama is elected and god forbid something happend to him while in office you guys will burn down the city again as well as every other city in the US
@Katy - yes, that's her! Thanks for the link.
Also, I'd like to appologize to the H Street Martini Lounge for not recognizing them in my first posting. They were very receptive to children (there were 3 in there at the same time!) - everyone working was very pleasant the atmosphere was very comfortable and enjoyable. I only wish I liked Martinies! Their $3 beer special kept us very happy!
We had fun at the festival. We got there towards the end and some of the vendors were packing up early so that was disappointing. Also, the bbq we got from one of the vendors was cold and I got a half cooked potato. Our total was $13 and we threw most of it away. Food on the Fly or whatever the new food carts are called saved the day with a yummy $5 empanada. Afterwards we chased some frites w/beer at Granville Moore's. What's with the bartenders/servers there? The blond gals are always grumpy/unfriendly with the exception of one of them who I had not seen before. There seemed to be little entertainment after 5:30 with the exception of a DJ talking over some beats. Had a great time tho and I'm looking forward to next year.
Jennifer I have some pics of the Kids Fashion show if you want to post them on your website
Inked,
Is jftb's post appropriate?
great weather
a hip-hop group i work with was the last act to perform on the 12th street stage (unfortunately due to a communication mixup, their set got cut short).
my daughter was in the fashion show
caught a few of the performances. ra the mc did well, i believe i saw the aforementioned singer who performed with only a beatbox accompaniment. that was jabari of hueman prophets on beatbox, by the way...sadly, my daughter needed a nap, so i missed a lot of the fun.
After working a 12 hour day, I read this blog. The comments of an idiot are not worth responding to. It's interesting to think that we could be diverse enough elect Mr. Obama, but seemingly not mix on H. Maybe Macro change comes easier. In the end H is a street. The Riots like the Graveyard that was once where the CVS is now, are a part of history to be forgotten in a generation or two.
Maybe that's for the better.
Oh come on Robby, you said you didn't go to the festival, so you know nothing about who mixed with who.
My friends who were in the riot tell me that it was as much or more about greed as injustice, so maybe it is time to move on. At least they understand they were young and stupid.
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