The 2026 Main Street Jazz Series continues with The Lovejoy Group this Thursday June 25 at 6pm at the Lamond-Riggs Library.
Hosted by The Parks Main Street and presented by the Greater Washington Urban League.
Be sure to check out Joey Antico Collected Sound on July 16 and Shirleta Settles & Friends on August 20.
Passing along this retail survey from The Parks Main Street. Complete by May 31.
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Help guide the shops, restaurants, and services along the South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road corridor.
Dear Neighbors,
The Parks Main Street (TPMS), a program of the Greater Washington Urban League, has been serving Riggs Park since 2019, working to strengthen our neighborhood commercial corridor—and your voice remains essential to shaping what comes next.
We appreciate the feedback shared by community members in the past—it continues to guide our efforts.
We invite you to take a short survey to let us know the types of businesses, restaurants, and services you would like to see in Riggs Park—particularly along South Dakota Avenue from Galloway Street NE (The Modern) to the intersection at Riggs Road NE (Riggs Crossing Senior Residences and Fort Totten Square), as well as other retail spaces along the corridor.
Take the survey (less than 3 minutes)
Survey closes: Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM
About The Parks Main Street
In addition to providing grants and technical assistance to small, local businesses—including $40,000 in grants awarded to seven local businesses so far in 2026—TPMS brings the community together through events and partnerships such as:
This work also includes partnering with UDC Community College on the Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market and maintaining an ongoing collaboration with the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA).
Why Your Input Matters
Your feedback will help:
We want to understand what’s missing, what’s working, and what would encourage you to spend more time in the neighborhood.
Help Spread the Word
Please pass this along to neighbors, friends, and coworkers who live, work, or spend time in the area.
Passing along this retail survey from The Parks Main Street. Complete by May 31.
—
Help guide the shops, restaurants, and services along the South Dakota Avenue and Riggs Road corridor.
Dear Neighbors,
The Parks Main Street (TPMS), a program of the Greater Washington Urban League, has been serving Riggs Park since 2019, working to strengthen our neighborhood commercial corridor—and your voice remains essential to shaping what comes next.
We appreciate the feedback shared by community members in the past—it continues to guide our efforts.
We invite you to take a short survey to let us know the types of businesses, restaurants, and services you would like to see in Riggs Park—particularly along South Dakota Avenue from Galloway Street NE (The Modern) to the intersection at Riggs Road NE (Riggs Crossing Senior Residences and Fort Totten Square), as well as other retail spaces along the corridor.
Take the survey (less than 3 minutes)
Survey closes: Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM
About The Parks Main Street
In addition to providing grants and technical assistance to small, local businesses—including $40,000 in grants awarded to seven local businesses so far in 2026—TPMS brings the community together through events and partnerships such as:
This work also includes partnering with UDC Community College on the Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market and maintaining an ongoing collaboration with the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA).
Why Your Input Matters
Your feedback will help:
We want to understand what’s missing, what’s working, and what would encourage you to spend more time in the neighborhood.
Help Spread the Word
Please pass this along to neighbors, friends, and coworkers who live, work, or spend time in the area.
The 2026 Main Street Jazz Series kicks off with The World Music Collective on April 23 at 6pm at the Lamond-Riggs Library.
Hosted by The Parks Main Street and presented by the Greater Washington Urban League.
Free and open to the public.
From The Parks Main Street
Great seeing you Monday! Thank you for your feedback.
Can you post this on Next Stop… Riggs Park?
Where Are You in Your Entrepreneurship Journey?
The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection’s (DCLP) Business Resource Center is here to help you assess exactly where you are on the business success endeavor.
During this in-person session, the DLCP Business Resource Center (BRC) staff will provide one-on-one assistance in navigating the regulatory process. You will gain in-depth knowledge about the 4 Basic Steps for obtaining a business license (BBL) to open your business in DC.
Additionally, we share information regarding compliance with your license situation.
This opportunity is designed for both future and current business owners looking to operate in the District of Columbia.
Sign Up https://dlcpsbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events/signup/71811
How to Apply for a Basic Business License with DLCP in your Neighborhood – The Parks Main Street
Training Topics:
Business Licensing, Business Start-up/Preplanning, Corporate Registration
Date: 11/20/2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (EST)
Status: Open – 14 places remaining
Registration Deadline:
11/20/2025 5:00 PM (EST)
Fee: No Fee
Point of Contact: Ronal Norales (202) 368-3043
Location:
TROKA Insurance 210 B Riggs Rd NE Washington DC 20011, Washington DC 20011-2410 2nd Floor
Training Topics:
Business Licensing, Business Start-up/Preplanning, Corporate Registration
Registration Policies:
Special Accommodations: In accordance with the American Disabilities Act and state law, you may request accommodations due to a disability by contacting the event organizer listed above. Advance notice may be necessary for some accommodations. Registration must be paid prior to accommodation requests.
Disclaimer: The instructional sessions and seminars are provided as a service by DLCP for informational purposes only. Attending an instructional session or seminar does not guarantee that DLCP will issue you a license, corporate registration, permit, or certification.
From The Parks Main Street
Your Voice = Better Events + Stronger Small Businesses
Hey Neighbor!
On Saturday, September 13, 2025, Mayor Muriel Bowser Presents: 2025 Art All Night hosted by The Parks Main Street (TPMS) lit up the corridors of Riggs Park and Manor Park with art, music, some food, and community spirit. We were thrilled to welcome neighbors from Lamond, North Michigan Park and surrounding neighborhoods—your presence made the night even more special.
Whether you joined us in person or couldn’t make it this year, your voice matters. By sharing your feedback, you’ll help us:
AAN 2025 – “The Experience”
click below for a visual taste…
2025 Art All Night hosted by The Parks Main Street Video 1
2025 Art All Night hosted by The Parks Main Street Video 2
Please take a few minutes to complete our confidential survey. Your input will directly shape Art All Night 2026 hosted by TPMS and other events that bring our neighbors together and boost our local businesses!
Click below to share your thoughts…
TPMS is a program of the Greater Washington Urban League, and with your partnership, we’ll continue to uplift local businesses, showcase neighborhood talent, and create lasting community memories.
If you’d like to help plan or volunteer for 2026 TPMS events, email us at volunteer@theparksmainstreet.org with the best way to contact you and let us know how you can help.
Thank you for helping us build better events and stronger small businesses for Riggs Park and Manor Park!
Art All Night 2025 Hosted by The Parks Main Street
Saturday, September 13, 2025, 5:00pm-10:00 pm
Visit small businesses, shop, dine, see local art, and experience live performances by artists from Riggs Park, Manor Park, and surrounding communities in Wards 4 and 5.
WELCOME CENTER – Riggs Park
5401 South Dakota Avenue Ne WDC 20011 – Riggs Park
Art | Games | Music | Vendor Marketplace
5:00 pm-9:00 pm Face Painting – Carmilla Angel
5:00pm-9:00 pm Interactive Art Workshop with Painting Stations – Sierra Koker (Alta Koer)
5:00 pm-9:00 pm Knitting & Crocheting – The Stitchuation
7:15 pm Musical Performance by Just Rock Youth Music Experience
Flash Fire Performance – Jordan Seitz / FahrenSeitz Entertainment
WELCOME CENTER – Riggs Park
Corner of South Dakota Ave & Galloway St NE WDC 20011
Art | Music | Dance |Vendor Marketplace
5:00 pm-10:00 pm Vendor Marketplace
5:30 & 7:30 pm DJ Set by Damu the Fudgemunk (Multi-Instrumentalist | Producer
6:15 pm Hand Dancing – Beginning to Dance
6:45 pm Musical Performance by Elena La Fulana (Latin Grammy Nominee)
8:30 pm Musical Performance by The Jess Lake Trio
Flash Fire Performance – Jordan Seitz / FahrenSeitz Entertainment
5776 2nd Street NE WDC 20011
NOTE: Friday September 12, 2025, 11:15 am
(Social Justice School Art Class)
Interactive Tie-Dye & T-Shirt Screen Printing Workshop
WELCOME CENTER – Manor Park
6201 3rd Street NW WDC 20011
Film | Fashion | Comedy |Community Mural | Vendor Marketplace
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm Vendor Marketplace
5:00 pm-10:00 pm Interactive Community Mural by ANC4B
5:15 pm-6:30 pm Film Festival – DC Media Academy
6:00 pm-9:00 pm LIVE Painting by Tarika Campbell
6:30 pm DJ Set
7:00 pm-7:30 pm Fashion Show at Lovely Lady Boutique
7:30 pm DJ Set
8:30 pm-10:00 pm Comedy Show – 4Corners Entertainment (10 Comedias)
Flash Fire Performance – Jordan Seitz / FahrenSeitz Entertainment
Performers and times subject to change.
Check back for 2025 performance line up updates through September 13.
For information email artallnight@theparksmainstreet.org
The Main Street Jazz Series continues on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 6:30 PM with a special performance by Christopher Prince.
Hosted by The Parks Main Street and presented by the Greater Washington Urban League.
Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue, NE
The Main Street Jazz Series continues on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM with a special performance by Shirleta Settles & Friends.
Hosted by The Parks Main Street and presented by the Greater Washington Urban League.
Date: Thursday, July 24, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue, NE
Join The Parks Main Street for the annual Riggs Park Art Crawl, Saturday July 19, 2025, 10am-3pm.
Free, family-friendly festivities throughout the day.
Art walk starting at 11:30 am at South Dakota Avenue & Kennedy Street NE.
Download 2025 Riggs Park Art Crawl Map & Schedule of Activities
Artists stationed at their traffic control box locations talking about their design and painting live at 11:00 am.
Sydney Buffalow
“Riggs Park”
Tarika Campbell
“Peace & Pyrite”
Britnee Scott
“A Piece Of The City”
And be sure to check out the children’s festival also on July 19, 1pm-3pm at The Modern (400 Galloway Street NE).
Riggs Park Art Crawl
July 19, 2025
10:00 am-3:00 pm
Lamond-Riggs Library
5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Join The Parks Main Street for the annual Riggs Park Art Crawl. Featuring live performances, interactive workshops, handmade crafts, and engaging activities for all ages.
Join the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Development Task Force* for an update & discussion of neighborhood development projects.
Thursday, July 17, 2025
6:00 pm-7:30 pm
Lamond-Riggs Library, Meeting Room 1
5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87321053383
Passcode: 071725
For questions, contact task force co-chairs Julia Larsen (julia@lrcadc.org) & Keith Sellars (keith.sellars1@gmail.com)
* Hosted in conjunction with The Parks Main Street and ANC Commissioners Keith Sellars (5A01), Shelagh Bocoum (5A09), Garrett Moore (4B08), & Danielle Geong (4B09).
Join the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Development Task Force* for an update & discussion of neighborhood development projects.
Thursday, July 17, 2025
6:00 pm-7:30 pm
Lamond-Riggs Library, Meeting Room 1
5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87321053383
Passcode: 071725
For questions, contact task force co-chairs Julia Larsen (julia@lrcadc.org) & Keith Sellars (keith.sellars1@gmail.com)
* Hosted in conjunction with The Parks Main Street and ANC Commissioners Keith Sellars (5A01), Shelagh Bocoum (5A09), Garrett Moore (4B08), and Danielle Geong (4B09).
A solid crew of 25 neighbors came out on a humid but not too too hot Saturday on June 28 to pick up trash around the neighborhood and help beautify the green space on the corner of South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE. A member of One Life Fitness who lives in Langdon saw the flyer in the gym and came out to join us. A high schooler from McKinley Tech who lives in Capitol Heights heard about the clean up and helped out to get community service hours. Altogether, neighbors collected about 30 bags of trash. Thanks to everyone, including our youngest clean up leaders in training, who came out to lend a hand.
Shoutout to ANC 4B & 5A commissioners Keith Sellars (5A01), Shelagh Bocoum (5A09), Garrett Moore (4B08), and Danielle Geong (4B09) for organizing the event; getting donations of food, snacks, and water; and generally being cheerleaders for the community.
And thanks to The Parks Main Street Executive Director Edwin Washington for supplying grabbers and bags and arranging to have the Clean Team mulch the trees around the green space with a little help from Liam with Casey Trees. The Clean Team was excited to learn something new.
The neighborhood will be hopping with activities today through Saturday.
Details below
June 26, 2025
Main Street Jazz Series featuring Oren Levine & Friends
Time: 6:30 pm-7:30 pm
Location: Lamond-Riggs Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Check out the Oren Levine & Friends jazz session tonight at 6:30 at the library.
June 27, 2025
Kids’ Art Space Pop Up at The Modern
Time: 4:00 pm-7:00 pm
Location: 395 Ingraham Street NE (former interim library space at The Modern)
Friday afternoon, join the Cafritz Foundation at their next kids’ pop-up event in their community maker space at The Modern — a creative hub for local kids and families to build, explore, and imagine together.
Explore the railroad that built Fort Totten: the Washington Branch of the B&O Railroad, still running today as the Metro’s Red Line. Kids will work together to build the iconic Thomas Viaduct and an iron truss bridge.
All materials provided. Free and open to all ages.
Families will also be invited to fill out a short survey to help shape future programming.
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Fridays at Fort Totten Concert Series featuring Frank Viele
Time: 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Location: Corner of South Dakota Avenue & Galloway Street NE
Later Friday evening, enjoy live music featuring Frank Viele at the Fridays at Fort Totten Concert Series. Bring a chair & chill with neighbors.
June 28, 2025
Riggs Park Clean Up & New Park Plan Review
Time: 8:30 am – Noon
Location: Meet at Green Space on the southwest corner South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE
Start the day early with a neighborhood clean up with your Riggs Park ANC Commissioners. Tools, trash bags provided.
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Lamond-Riggs Library 3rd Anniversary Celebration
Time: 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Location: Lamond-Riggs Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the new library. Children’s activities take place throughout the day.
At 12:30 pm, join neighbors Michelle Lisa Herman and Deborah Grimstead, two of the three co-authors of “Fort Totten and Lamond-Riggs: A Historical Tapestry,” for an author talk to discuss the companion book for the Heritage Wall designed and installed by Herman at the Lamond-Riggs Library.
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Cafritz Foundation Children’s Festival – Field Day Fun
Time: 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
Location: The Modern, 400 Galloway Street NE
Kick off this summer’s children’s festival series of free, community-centered fun for the kids. Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation to play games like kickball, cornhole, jenga, bouncy balls, sack race; or get cool temporary tattoos. This festival series is always a good time.
Come Celebrate the 3rd Anniversary of the Lamond-Riggs Library, June 26 & 28, 2025. Events take place at 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE.
Oren Levine & Friends Jazz Concert
Thursday, June 26, 2025
6:30 pm-7:30 pm
Saturday, June 28, 2025
Family Events
10:00 am until 2:00 pm
Adult Events
12:30 pm – The Making of the Companion Book for the Heritage Wall.
Our own Deborah Grimstead and Michelle Lisa Herman will lead this author talk.
They will discuss “Fort Totten and Lamond-Riggs: A Historical Tapestry,” a written compilation that illuminates the stories behind the 42 Heritage Wall images.
After the event, each panelist is available to discuss the book with interested patrons, and light refreshments are available. This event is hosted in Conference Room 1.
1:30 pm – 3rd Anniversary Celebration Reception
The Main Street Jazz Series continues on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 6:30 PM with a special performance by Oren Levine, a celebrated jazz pianist and award-winning songwriter.
Hosted by The Parks Main Street and presented by the Greater Washington Urban League.
Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue, NE
From The Parks Main Street
The Main Street Jazz Series is a collection of live jazz performances hosted by The Parks Main Street and presented by the Greater Washington Urban League. Held in the neighborhood corridors of Riggs Park and Manor Park, this series showcases the creative energy of local jazz talent. It provides a dynamic cultural platform where art, commerce, and community innovation converge, offering each performance as a unique experience that brings the neighborhood’s heartbeat to life. The Main Street Jazz Series serves as a gathering point for celebrating local talent and reinforcing the cultural and economic vitality of Riggs Park and Manor Park.
Kicking off the Main Street Jazz Series is Herb Scott
D.C. Native and saxophonist Herb Scott is a star on the Washington, D.C. Jazz scene. While studying at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts under the award-winning educator Davey Yarborough, he performed with renowned trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and Jazz pianist Herbie Hancock. Herb studied Jazz Studies at Michigan State University under Jazz legend Rodney Whitaker and Professor Diego Rivera, and toured with the MSU Jazz Band. His career includes performances at the White House, Dizzy’s Coca Cola-Club in New York, the Lincoln Center, the world famous Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Universal Studios Orlando, Constitution Hall, the Library of Congress, the Detroit Jazz Fest, the East Lansing Jazz Fest, the DC Jazz Fest.
In 2017 Herb formed a non-profit, The Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation which provides critical resources, including advocacy, to DC-based Jazz musicians, venues, and music education programs.
Hellbender will be closing on December 22, 2024, and I am sad to see them go. Hellbender offered food trucks and pizza on the weekends for a neighborhood starving for decent food options. I appreciate that Hellbender provided a place for neighbors to gather, hear and perform live music, support local artists at the annual holiday market, and just enjoy a chill spot in the neighborhood for so many years. Thanks to Ben, LT, and the rest of the gang for their hard work all these years.
Social media message from founder Ben Evans:
Good afternoon. Hellbender Brewing Company will be closing at the end of this week after over 10 years of business. This has been an extremely difficult decision, but it is final. We love our local community and LT Goodluck and I are passionate about beer. Our last day of operation will be this Sunday, 12/22. I want to thank everyone who helped us get this far. Nothing about this journey has been easy, but 2024 has been our most difficult year to date. I hope that people find other spaces that are trying to bring the community together, and I hope that they support them any way they can. We look forward to raising one last pint with you all over the next several days.
Cheers,
Ben Evans
Founder & Head Brewer
Hellbender Holiday Market
December 7, 2024
1:00 pm-7:00 pm
5788 2nd Street NE
Join Hellbender for their annual holiday market! Shop local from over 20 vendors and enjoy food, drinks, music, and holiday cheer.
*21 Vendors
*2 Food Trucks (Pizza & Tacos)
*DJ
*Cat Adoption Pop-Up
*Goats for Petting
*Fire Pit on the Patio
* Holiday Beer Release
Next Stop...Riggs Park 