Hellbender Brewing Company 9th Anniversary Celebration
November 11, 2023
1:00 pm-8:00 pm
5788 2nd Street NE
Join Hellbender in celebrating 9 years! Food trucks, new beer releases, live music & DJ, & screen-printed T-shirts.
My neighbor Keith and I have been working with some of the large private property owners along the South Dakota Avenue/Riggs Road NE corridor to tidy up their properties and to help keep surrounding public properties clean as well. Neighbors know that the public spaces owned by the District government, Metro, and National Park Service (NPS) in the neighborhood need a little attention.
The reception has been generally positive. Keith reached out to Alan Thompson, the owner of the Chick-fil-A located at 220 Riggs Road NE, to ask if his team could help with cleaning up the area along the north side of Riggs Road between the bridge & 1st Place NE. That area, the responsibility of partly NPS & Metro, tends to get debris that ends up accumulating, making it a bit unpleasant to walk down the street.
Alan answered the call. Oh the transformation. I have not seen that area look so clean in many, many years.
Huge thanks to the property owners who recognize they are part of a neighborhood & want to help us keep it clean!
Riggs Road NE North Side After Chick-fil-A Cleanup
Riggs Road NE North Side Before Chick-fil-A Cleanup
Tomorrow night’s the night!
Art All Night hosted by The Parks Main Street (TPMS) returns to the Riggs Park and Manor Park neighborhoods on September 30, 2023.
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. Should be a fun time.
Register to automatically be entered in drawing for gift certificates from local small businesses in Riggs Park and Manor Park. Registrants must check-in at a TPMS Welcome Center to confirm eligibility.
Event details and volunteer sign-up at https://theparksartallnight.org.
Art All Night 2023 hosted by The Parks Main Street
Performers and times subject to change
Venue #1 Riggs Park
Troka Insurance / RobtCo Property Management 200 – 212 Riggs Road NE WDC 20011
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm Performance by DJ Damu the Fudgemunk
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm Vendor Marketplace
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm LIVE Painting by Kimeko Robinson
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm Culinary Arts / Food Trucks & Food Vendors
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm Interactive Games / Demonstrations
7:00 pm – HYT 4 Results Fitness – Line Dancing
8:00 pm – DC Retro Jumpers Double-Dutch
9:00 pm – Performance by Fire Dancer Jordan Seitz
The VIP Room 6201 3rd Street NW WDC 20011
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Vendor Marketplace
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm – LIVE Painting – Renee McDonald
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm -Tim Kime Art / Transformation Junkies an Interactive Art Canvas
6:00 pm – Fashion Show by Lovely Lady Boutique
SMOOTH JAZZ and RHYTHM & BLUES
7:00 pm – Performance by Oren Levine & Friends
8:00 pm – Performance by Shirleta Settles & Friends
9:00 pm – Performance by Deidra Love & Company
Hellbender Brewery 5788 2nd Street NE WDC 20011
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm – LIVE Painting by Page Christensen
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Vendor Marketplace
SOUNDS & LAUGHTER
6:00 pm – Performance by DJ Tim
7:30 pm – Performance by Fire Dancer Jordan Seitz
8:00 pm – Comedy Show – Four Corners Entertainment
Unitees Screenprint & Embroidery 5776 2nd Street NE WDC 20011
LET’S MAKE SOME UNITEES!
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Workshop Interactive T-Shirt Screen Printing
Lamond – Riggs / Lillian J. Huff Library 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE WDC 20011
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Performance by DJ SuperSid (Riggs Park)
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm LIVE Painting by Alta Koer (Riggs Park)
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Vendor Marketplace
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Face Painting by Camilla
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm – The Davis Center Dancers
6:00 pm – Performance by Live To Love Family (LTLF) – Uplifting family-friendly hip-hop group for all ages
7:00 pm – Performance by Cassidy Marie
8:00 pm – Performance by Lea Holz
9:00 pm – Performance by Aaron Shneyer
Riggs Wine & Liquor / Riggs Cleaners / Hunan Shrimp Boat 5581 – 5585 South Dakota Avenue NE WDC 20011
COMMUNITY BLAST!
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Performance by DJ Oxygen
5:00 PM – 10:00 pm – LIVE Painting by J’Nell Jordan
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Vendor Marketplace
6:00 pm – Spirit Tasting at Riggs Wine & Liquor
6:00 pm – HYT 4 Results Fitness – Line Dancing
7:00 pm – Performance by T-Mos the Scribe
8:00 pm – Performance by Teonna
9:00 pm – DJ Oxygen
Presented by The Parks Main Streets with financial support from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the Department of Small and Local Business Development. Additional support by Chick-fil-A Riggs Park, Riggs Park Place (EYA), Riggs Crossings Senior Residences (APAH).
Art All Night hosted by The Parks Main Street (TPMS) returns to the Riggs Park and Manor Park neighborhoods on September 30, 2023.
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. Should be a fun time.
Register to automatically be entered in drawing for gift certificates from local small businesses in Riggs Park and Manor Park. Registrants must check-in at a TPMS Welcome Center to confirm eligibility.
Event details and volunteer sign-up at https://theparksartallnight.org.
Art All Night 2023 hosted by The Parks Main Street
Performers and times subject to change
Venue #1 Riggs Park
Welcome Center
Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library (5401 South Dakota Avenue NE)
5:00 pm-10:00 pm Performance by DJ SuperSid
5:00 pm-10:00 pm LIVE Painting by Alta Koer
5:00 pm-10:00 pm – Vendor Marketplace
Family Friendly
5:00 pm-8:00 pm Face Painting by Camilla
5:00 pm-5:30 pm – The Davis Center Dancers
6:00 pm – Performance by Live to Love Family (LTLF)– Uplifting family-friendly hip-hop group for all ages
Singer Songwriter Spotlight
7:00 pm – Performance by Cassidy Marie
8:00 pm – Performance by Lea Holz
9:00 pm – Performance by Aaron Shneyer
—
Venue #2 Manor Park Welcome Center
The VIP Room (6201 3rd Street NW)
5:00 pm-10:00 pm Performance by DJ Rico Anderson
5:00 pm-10:00 pm – Vendor Marketplace
5:00 pm-10:00 pm – LIVE Painting by Tarika Campbell
5:00 pm-10:00 pm -Tim Kime Art / Transformation Junkies an Interactive Art Canvas
6:00 pm – Fashion Show by Lovely Lady Boutique
Smooth Jazz and Rhythm & Blues
7:00 pm – Performance by Oren Levine & Friends
8:00 pm – Performance by Shirleta Settles & Friends
9:00 pm – Performance by Deidra Love & Company
—
Venue #3 Riggs Park
Hellbender Brewery (5788 2nd Street NE)
6:00 pm-10:00 pm – LIVE Painting by Page Christensen
6:00 pm-10:00 pm – Vendor Marketplace
Sounds & Laughter
6:00 pm – Performance by EJB Jazz
7:30 pm – Performance by Fire Dancer Jordan Seitz (Riggs Park)
8:00 pm – Comedy Show – Four Corners Entertainment
—
Venue #4 Riggs Park
Unitees Screenprint & Embroidery (5776 2nd Street NE)
Let’s Make Some Unitees!
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Workshop Interactive T-Shirt Screen Printing
—
Venue #5 Riggs Park
Troka Insurance / RobtCo Property Management (200-212 Riggs Road NE)
Food/Fun/Games/Music
5:00 pm-10:00 pm Performance by DJ Damu the Fudgemunk
5:00 pm-10:00 pm Vendor Marketplace
5:00 pm-10:00 pm LIVE Painting by Kimeko Robinson
5:00 pm-10:00 pm Culinary Arts/Food Trucks & Food Vendors
5:00 pm-10:00 pm Interactive Games/Demonstrations
7:00 pm – DC Retro Jumpers Double-Dutch
8:00 pm – Line Dancing
9:00 pm – Performance by Fire Dancer Jordan Seitz
—
Venue #6 Riggs Park
Riggs Wine & Liquor/Riggs Cleaners/Hunan Shrimp Boat (5581-5585 South Dakota Avenue NE)
Community Blast!
5:00 pm-10:00 pm – Performance by DJ Oxygen
5:00 PM-10:00 pm – LIVE Painting by J’Nell Jordan
5:00 pm-10:00 pm – Vendor Marketplace
6:00 pm – Spirit Tasting at Riggs Wine & Liquor
7:00 pm – Performance by T-Mos the Scribe
8:00 pm – Performance by Teonna
9:00 pm – Performance by Jess Lake Trio
Presented by The Parks Main Streets with financial support from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the Department of Small and Local Business Development. Additional support by Chick-fil-A Riggs Park, Riggs Park Place (EYA), Riggs Crossings Senior Residences (APAH).
“That Sunday Sound” Live Music Series returns to Hellbender (5788 2nd Street NE), Sundays in September & October
September 3: DJ Dempsey (vinyl), 3pm-7pm
September 10: Grasso Brothers (rock/soul), 3pm-6pm
September 17: Hollertown (bluegrass), 4pm-7pm
September 24: Black Muddy River (Grateful Dead trio), 4pm-7pm
Congratulations to Food & Friends! The neighobrhood organization was voted “Best nonprofit” and “Best place to volunteer” in Washington City Paper’s Best of DC 2023 people’s poll. The organization is located at 219 Riggs Road NE. Check out the website and volunteer opportunities at https://foodandfriends.org.
Backpack Giveaway
August 4, 2023
4:00 pm-7:00 pm
Riggs Liquor (5581 South Dakota Avenue NE, across from Walmart on Riggs Road)
Sponsored by Symone Brooks, John Yoo/Riggs Liquor, Chick-fil-A, and The Parks Main Street.
Backpacks will be filled with school supplies and hygiene items. Over 300 backpacks available. Food and backpacks available on a first come, first serve basis. Children must be present to receive a backpack.
Sixth Annual Riggs Park Art Crawl
July 14 & 15, 2023
10:00 am-3:00 pm
Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library
5401 South Dakota Avenue NE
Vendors ● Music ● Books ● Live Painting ● Yoga Demo ● Face Painting ● Balloons ● Caricatures
Presented by The Parks Main Street, Culture Coffee Too, Center for Nonprofit Advancement, and the DC Department of Small & Local Business Development (DSLBD)
Ward 5 Commemorative Works Project Community Workshop
June 24, 2023
2:30 pm-4:30 pm
Woodridge Library (1801 Hamlin Street NE)
Join the DC Office of Planning and The Parks Main Street for a community workshop to identify subjects worthy of commemoration in Ward 5!
This in-person workshop will take place on June 24 at 2:30 pm at Woodridge Neighborhood Library, located at 1801 Hamlin Street NE.
Registration encouraged but not required. Register to attend at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ward-5-commemorative-works-community-workshop-tickets-650852666847.
Whether you’re a historian or simply interested in preserving the legacy of our community, this workshop is for you. Attend and share your unique perspective to help create something special for Ward 5!
Nominations for commemorative subjects are due June 28, 2023. Submit your nominations at https://www.publicinput.com/cwtap#4.
Ideas shared by residents in a previous meeting were discussed in these posts.
We are being blessed with a plethora of live music options in the neighborhood. Fridays at Fort Totten kicks off today at the Modern. And Hellbender is also featuring live music at the brewery.
First Fridays at Hellbender
Check out Bad Luck Gold at Hellbender (5788 2nd Street NE) tonight and every first Friday of the month 8 pm-10pm. El Jefe Pizza will be in the house tonight.
Hellbender is also bringing us Sunday Sounds. Summer is right around the corner. The weather is heating up and it’s the perfect time for That Sunday Sound. That Sunday Sound is a live music series sponsored by Hellbender Brewing Company and The Parks Main Street. Join Hellbender and The Parks Main Street for this FREE event, Sundays in June from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm to enjoy local musicians.
June Music Calendar
June 4: DJ Laura Lopez (soul/funk/city pop vinyl set)
June 11: The Potecasi Slade ‘Xperience (blues/funk)
June 18: The Pond (swamp rock)
June 25: Half Pint Harry (pop/rock)
Ward 5 Commemorative Work Community Meeting #1 (Virtual)
May 31, 2023
6:30 pm-7:30 pm
Registration required (click the link): Register at Ward5CommWorks
The Parks Main Street is holding a series of community meetings to seek input on potential subjects for a Ward 5 commemorative work.
The DC Office of Planning is underwriting an effort to determine and select a “commemorative work” to honor and celebrate a person, place, or event in Ward 5. This project is called “Faces and Places: Commemorate People, Places and Events that Define our Communities.”
The Office of Planning and The Parks Main Street would like residents in Ward 5 to offer ideas and to be involved in this community effort.
The goals of this first meeting are to:
Find more information at https://www.publicinput.com/cwtap and https://theparksmainstreet.org/ward-5-commemorative-works-community-engagement-project.
Please let your neighbors know. Flyer for distribution.
Hellbender Record Fair
May 6, 2023
1:00 pm-7:00 pm
5788 2nd Street NE
Hellbender Brewery is hosting a record fair on Saturday, May 6 from 1pm to 7pm. In addition to numerous vinyl vendors, there will be two food trucks, a DJ, and a live band! This is a free, all ages event and fun for the whole family.
Hellbender Brewery is also accepting non-perishable donations for the University of Maryland’s food pantry which works to help eliminate food hardships for University of Maryland students and ensure that all students have a steady source of healthy food.
More information about the event can be found here.
Hellbender Spring Pop-up Market
April 29, 2023
1:00 pm-6:00 pm
Hellbender Brewing Company
57882nd Street NE
This Saturday, April 29th! Come out to Hellbender to shop from local vendors/artists, enjoy live music (4-6pm), two food trucks and hella good beer.
Culture Coffee Too will be closing its doors at 300 Riggs Road NE at the end of March after five years of providing a space for culture, coffee, and conversation in Riggs Park. Owner Veronica (Ms. V) Cooper opened the Riggs Park location after moving from a location on Kennedy Street NW. She stated in her closing note that she has enjoyed building community in Riggs Park over the last five years and now it is time to move on. Build community she did.
A couple of years ago, I wrote a letter in support of the coffee shop for an award. The words are fitting now as I think about how much I will miss Ms. V. I wrote then:
As the owner of Culture Coffee Too, a coffee shop and arts space in the Riggs Park neighborhood in Northeast Washington, DC, since 2017, Veronica Cooper has made it her business to make her business the cultural and community hub of the neighborhood.
Culture Coffee Too is the quintessential neighborhood small business sitting in the heart of the Riggs Park neighborhood’s commercial corridor. In the three years that Culture Coffee Too has been open, I have seen and been part of the overwhelmingly positive impact it has had on the community. When I served as president of the neighborhood civic association, I had the pleasure of speaking at the ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate Culture Coffee Too’s opening in 2017. In 2018, Ms. V spearheaded the Riggs Park Art Crawl, bringing art and patrons to neighborhood businesses in Riggs Park. Another successful art crawl followed in 2019, making the neighborhood a little brighter with placemaking murals at neighborhood businesses.
At the end of 2018, I helped start the neighborhood Main Street. The Parks Main Street supports the commercial corridors of the Riggs Park and Manor Park neighborhoods in Washington, DC. It was only fitting that we launched the Main Street at Culture Coffee Too, inviting neighborhood residents, business owners, and all those interested in seeing the commercial corridor of these neighborhoods thrive to join together to make it happen. With Culture Coffee Too, Ms. V. serves as a connector—connecting small business owners, connecting artists, connecting residents. Any time someone steps inside the shop for a cup of tea, a breakfast sandwich, or maybe a smoothie, taking in the artwork on the walls of that month’s featured artist, it is likely that person will leave having met someone new.
I have been told that the coffee shop may be replaced by a Wingstop, a fast food chicken restaurant. (More about this on-brand decision by JBG later.)
Culture Coffee Too will hold a closing party on March 18 at 7:00 pm. Until then, feel free to stop in to give Ms. V her flowers.
Whether you’re a local resident or just visiting for a few days—stop by The Parks Main Street Holiday Lights to explore, shop, and dine this holiday season.
The businesses of The Parks Main Street will be decked out with holiday lights from November 18 through January 8. Wander the corridor with neighbors and visitors to enjoy amazing holiday events, activities, and promotions throughout the month. Then cast your vote for your favorite light displays between November 18 and December 11.
Where to see lights:
The Parks Main Street Holiday Lights is part of a broader, citywide DC Holiday Lights effort encouraging residents and visitors to shop small and explore the District this holiday season. Starting November 25 you can participate in our citywide Holiday Lights Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win great prizes from local DC businesses! Check back for more details.
Hellbender Holiday Market with The Parks Main Street
December 10, 2022
1:00 pm-7:00 pm
Hellbender
5788 2nd Street NE
Local artists, makers, authors, musicians, food, beer, kittens, & Santa!
Joining The Parks Main Street and Mayor Bowser in recognizing the life of Ms. Vanilla Beane. A life well lived. May she rest in peace.
Edwin Washington and The Parks Main Street did it again, pulling off another great Art All Night for the second year in a row.
The Parks Main Street (TPMS) participated in its inaugural Art All Night in 2021. This year on September 23, under the leadership of Mr. Washington and with the help of a team of volunteers and serveral sponsors, TPMS once again fully activated two distinct neighborhoods–Riggs Park and Manor Park–for Art All Night 2022. No small feat.
Local talent and youth talent were the name of the game in Riggs Park. Lamond-Riggs resident Robynn Mitchell attended the inaugural TPMS Art All Night in 2021. She returned this year as a vendor with her catering company of seven years Elevated Genius Catering & Events, doing brisk business. In addition, Lattimore Funnel Cakes, Cooks & Chefs, Dogs on the Curb, and Lickity Split all answered the call for food at this year’s event setting up shop in front of Troka Insurance. While waiting to pick up food, people could play games, jump double dutch, and check out perennial favorite fire dancer Jordan Seitz (video).
As for music, at event headquarters at Culture Coffee Too, the night started out with a bang with super talented sister rap duo Live to Love Family. They brought the energy that I knew I needed on a Friday night. Local favorite Cecily also blessed the crowd with her vocals.
I do not know if it was intentional to showcase the talent of a lot of young people, but it was great to see and I was only too happy to support. Sixteen-year-old Duke Ellington High School visual arts student Skylar Ogunshakin sold paintings, journals, and other art under her brand Marie Sky Art with her mom Cece by her side. Check out her work on facebook and instagram.
At the soHBCU table, one could shop for unique gifts and support scholarships for students at historically Black colleges and universities.
Riggs Park resident Alta Koer returned for this year’s event with live painting and artwork.
Princess Riddick, a dance teacher at Rocketship’s Riggs Park campus, set up shop selling her Official Royal Watch jewelry. Unitees, a local Riggs Park business and supplier for this year’s Art All Night t-shirts, was a popular stop for their unique Native Tongue apparel.
A few DJs kept the energy and good vibes flowing throughout the night.
More artists and vendors were on hand that I did not get to check out at Hellbender Brewing Co. or Riggs Wine & Liquor.
In all, Art All Night 2022 by The Parks Main Street delivered, bringing out residents by bringing fire, energy, and talent to Riggs Park.
Look & See: Help Envision a Community Park in Our Neighborhood
September 24, 2022
11:00 am-1:00 pm
Food & Friends
219 Riggs Road NE (southwest corner of Riggs Road & South Dakota Avenue NE)
Sponsored by the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) Development Task Force
Hosted by Food & Friends
Our neighborhood has an area development plan that was initiated by the LRCA, completed by the DC Office of Planning in 2008, approved by the DC Council in 2009, and fully incorporated into the DC Comprehensive Plan in 2021.
One element of the plan envisions “parks and open space” for the District-owned green space (“District Green”) on the southwest corner of South Dakota Avenue & Riggs Road NE near Food & Friends.
This Saturday September 24, 2022, the LRCA invites neighbors to the District Green to Look & SEE.
“SEE” stands for “Site Experience Event.”
At your own pace and in no particular order, walk the land, see information displays, talk with your neighbors, have light refreshments, and envision what you would like to see in this community open space.
Come as you are & come-and-go as you please any time between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
Note: To enter the Food & Friends facility, you must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Masks are optional.
From The Parks Main Street
Art All Night Hosted by The Parks Main Street
Art All Night showcases the visual and performing art talents of DC’s creative community, while supporting local businesses!
About this event
The Parks Main Street (TPMS) is excited to bring to the communities of Riggs Park and Manor Park a live, in-person end of year celebration during Art All Night. Private spaces throughout our business corridors transform into galleries, vending booths and performances for an evening of art in all its forms.
Grab your lawn chair and hang out with us all night (well most of the night)!
Come 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.
Art All Night is the perfect stimulant for Art, Community, and Commerce!
All registrants will automatically be entered in drawing for gift certificates from local small businesses in Riggs Park and Manor Park! Registrants must check-in at a TPMS WELCOME CENTER to confirm eligibility.
Venue #1 – TPMS WELCOME CENTER / RIGGS PARK
Culture Coffee Too – 300 Riggs Road NE 20011
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm DJ Oxygen
7:00 pm Live to Love Family (Family Friendly Sister Rap Duo)
8:00 pm Rhythm Visions presents Rhymez and Rhythmz
8:30 pm Cecily (Soul / Jazz /90’s R&B /Folk Music)
9:30 pm Rhythm Visions presents Rhymez and Rhythmz
10:00 pm Black Root
Venue #2 – RIGGS PARK
Riggs Wine & Liquor – 5581 South Dakota Avenue NE
7:00 pm -11:00 pm DJ Arturo
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Spirit / Wine Tastings – Riggs Wine & Liquor
7:00 pm Jordan Seitz – Fire Dancer
8:30 pm Jonathan Acosta (Latin Vocals & Guitar)
Venue #3 – RIGGS PARK
Troka Insurance – 208- 212 Riggs Road NE
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm Damu The Fudgemunk
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm Culinary Arts – Food & Fun!
Venue #4 – RIGGS PARK
Hellbender Brewery – 5788 2nd Street NE
7:00 pm Open Mic – Cash Prize
9:00 pm Vendor Introductions
9:30 pm Comedy Show – Four Corners Entertainment
Venue #5 – TPMS WELCOME CENTER / MANOR PARK
The V.I.P. Room – 6201 3rd Street NW
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm DJ
7:00 pm Shirleta Settles (Jazz)
8:00 pm Lovely Lady Boutique – Fashion Show
8:30 pm Christopher Prince & Band (Jazz)
9:30 pm Jordan Seitz – Aerial Acrobatics
10:00 pm Oren Levine & Friends (Jazz)
Venue #6 – MANOR PARK
The Learning Curve – 6226 3rd Street NW
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm Music
7:00 pm Puppet Workshop – Yolanda Sampson
8:30 pm Art Workshop (Youth) – Rain Young
10:00 pm Art Workshop (Adult) – Rain Young
Venue performances subject to change
Check back for updates until September 23, 2022
For information email artallnight@theparksmainstreet.org
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
