Just when you think it can’t get any better…
“Come Home to the Avenue“, FoRIA’s inaugural Holiday reception, just got even better. We are thrilled to announce that Greater U Street Jazz Collective will bring their smokin’ hot sound to the party! If you haven’t heard them play yet at Lace DC, this is your chance. Featuring some musicians from right here in the neighborhood, they will be bringing a quartet to Art Enables this Friday night to share in the love for Rhode Island Avenue and Ward 5. And we’re not done with the good news! If you like listening to live jazz, you’re gonna love this: during “Come Home to the Avenue“, you can sign up for a drawing to win an hour of Greater U Street Jazz Collective playing LIVE at your local event! Catch them every Thursday night at Lace DC, from 8:30 –...
Read MoreRIA Fall Fest Coming Saturday – Now featuring an art installation!
Of course everyone reading this is aware of and excited for the Rhode Island Avenue Fall Fest, this Saturday, September 22, from Noon to 4pm. And we’ve been working hard to bring it all together, which is why we’re very excited to announce an art project that has been in the works for some time. At the Fall Fest local artist Candy Schibli will install the piece Tap In (an interactive map): Learn about the history of the neighborhoods of Rhode Island Ave. Literally, unplug some of the hidden treasures with an interactive map showcasing some of the main roads of this area. Made from paper mache, it holds inside of its walls brief historical facts of the area as well as other additional fun surprises. The piece will be installed on a storefront just a couple doors down from Rita’s. And while you can ‘Tap In’ to the map and get piece of history and other fun suprises, it’s not something you can take away from. You’ll also be able to contribute and submit your own pieces of history about the area as well – so please bring your memories and historical facts! Below is a sneak peak of the piece coming together. I’m not sure about you, but I can’t wait for Saturday and the Inaugural Rhode Island Avenue Fall...
Read MoreOfficial Press Release: Friends of Rhode Island Avenue to host Inaugural Fall Fest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 14, 2012 Contact: Kyle Todd 202-525-7286 Washington, D.C. – Ward 5 neighborhood non-profit group Friends of Rhode Island Avenue (FoRIA) will hold their inaugural Fall Fest on Saturday, September 22 from noon – 4pm. The festival will take place in front of businesses along the 2000 – 2400 blocks of Rhode Island Avenue, Northeast, highlighting the Great Street of RIA and bringing the Woodridge neighborhood out for an afternoon of fun. “We’re excited to be working with so many great businesses to hold our first Fall Fest,” said FoRIA Chairman James Holloway. “We encourage all in the community to come out to visit their favorite local businesses or become acquainted with some new ones.” Numerous local businesses and vendors are participating in the Fest, including Rita’s Flavored Ice, Art Enables, Lace on the Avenue, and Damian Ministries. There will be music, food, and children’s activities happening throughout the afternoon. “We are asking all attendees to bring non-perishable food to Damian Ministries as they come out to the festival,” said FoRIA President Kyle Todd. “We know that in these tough economic times it’s been tough for churches and food pantries to meet the demand, so we hope that this effort will help them serve those in need as we head into the fall and winter.” For more information about FoRIA or the Fall Fest, please contact Kyle Todd at info@friendsofria.org. ***** Friends of Rhode Island Avenue NE is dedicated to promoting, developing, and enhancing Rhode Island Avenue NE as a culturally, socially, and economically vibrant community in Washington D.C. Our goal is to raise awareness of the RIA NE corridor and to advocate for its positive redevelopment. We are an all-volunteer organization that offers free membership and welcomes all to...
Read MoreUrbanTurf Covers recent FoRIA “Rhode Trip”
On Wednesday, July 25, FoRIA held our first “Rhode Trip” — where we turn up at a business we’d like to attract to Rhode Island Avenue NE in big numbers to show them that there is demand for their business on RIA. UrbanTurf was there to cover the event: Last Wednesday at 5:30pm, 15 residents of DC’s Woodridge neighborhood entered the Bloomingdale bar Boundary Stone wearing t-shirts that read “Friends of Rhode Island Avenue.” They chatted with the bartenders, spent money, and left calling cards that said “If you build it, we will come.” The purpose? Convincing the owner to open up shop in Woodridge, which has a dusty commercial strip a couple miles away on Rhode Island Avenue. Thanks to all who came out to Boundary Stone and be on the look out for our next Rhode Trip…. coming...
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