On July 13, 2026, Food & Friends broke ground on their building expansion. NBC4 Washington covered the event. We discussed the planned expansion in this post. Food & Friends has a dedicated site for updates related to the expansion at expansion.foodandfriends.org.
Category Archives: Neighborhood Development
Cancelled: July 17 – Fridays at Fort Totten Concert; July 18 – Art Place Pop Up Market & Guided Art Walk
Sadly, the poor air quality is impacting the lineup of fun neighborhood activities today and tomorrow.
Tonight’s Fridays at Fort Totten concert with Justin Trawick is cancelled.
Tomorrow’s Art Place Pop Up Vendor Market and the guided Riggs Park Art Walk are cancelled as well.
There may still be indoor activities for the Art Crawl at the Lamond-Riggs Library tomorrow. I will update the post when I learn more about these pending activities.
Update 5:00 pm, 7/17/2026: Indoor activities for the Riggs Park Art Crawl will take place at Lamond-Riggs Library on July 18 starting at 11am. Featuring music by DJ Super Sid, face painting 12-2pm, live artist painting activities, and an ANC 4B art table.
In addition, the grand opening celebration of Tz’ikin Cafe pop-up is still on July 18. From 9am-2pm, find them at their new home at 475 Ingraham Street NE. Enjoy a special opening day celebration brunch collab with Hijos del Maiz.
July 18: Riggs Park Art Crawl, Art Place Vendor Pop-Up Market, & Tz’ikin Cafe Official Pop Up Grand Opening
This Saturday, spend a little time supporting the arts and local businesses in the neighborhood. From 11am-3pm, check out the Riggs Park Art Crawl. Pick up your crawl passport at the Lamond-Riggs Library. Then from 12pm-4pm, visit the Art Place Vendor Market Pop-Up. Be sure to stop in at Tz’ikin Cafe for their official pop-up grand opening celebration to enjoy coffee, tea, and a special opening day brunch.
Riggs Park Art Walk
July 18, 2026
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 interactive workshops, handmade crafts, and engaging activities for all ages.
Art Place Pop Up Market
July 18, 2026
12pm-4pm
5198 South Dakota Avenue NE
Join Art Place for their next vendor market pop up celebrating local creativity and community. Explore a curated selection of vendors and artists showcasing handmade goods, artwork, and unique finds. Enjoy offerings from Tz’ikin Café while experiencing live music throughout the event.
Tz’ikin Cafe Official Pop-Up Grand Opening
July 18, 2026
9am-2pm
475 Ingraham Street NE
Celebrate the official grand opening of Tz’ikin Cafe’s pop-up coffee shop at their new location.
* Single-sourced coffee beans – carefully selected from Finca San Rafael, Alegria, Usulutan
* Premium loose-leaf teas crafted for the perfect sip, hot or iced selected from Guatemala
* Special opening day brunch collab with Hijos Del Maíz
Hours
Mon – Fri | 7am-2pm
Sat & Sun | 9am-2pm
Social Justice School APFT Construction Notice 7/13/2026
CANCELLED – July 3: Fridays at Fort Totten
Tomorrow’s Fridays at Fort Totten concert with Too Much Talent Band is cancelled due to extreme heat. The music series will resume next Friday July 10, 2026.
Social Justice School APFT Construction Notice 6/29/2026
June 26: Tonight’s Fridays at Fort Totten Event Cancelled Due to Weather
Tonight’s Fridays at Fort Totten performance with The BREAKAWAYS is cancelled due to expected inclement weather.
Tz’ikin Cafe Pop-Up Coffee Shop Open 7 Days A Week at Art Place
Tz’ikin Cafe Pop-Up is now open 7 days a week at their new location at 475 Ingraham Street NE.
Hours
Monday-Friday 7am-2pm
Saturday & Sunday 9am-2pm
Tz’ikin Cafe offers small batch specialty coffee sourced directly from one family farm in El Salvador. The team is still settling into their new space. They will be getting new furniture in the shop over the next few weeks. Tea products will be available in the next few weeks as well. Wi-fi available this week or pretty soon.
An official pop-up grand opening is scheduled for July 18. This is still very much a pop-up, so continue to support to help them make Riggs Park their long-term home.
Follow Tz’ikin Cafe on instagram for the most up-to-date information.
Social Justice School APFT Construction Notice 6/22/2026
June 20: Art Place Vendor Market Pop Up
Updated 6/18/2026 with list of vendors
Art Place Pop Up Market
June 20, 2026
12pm-4pm
5198 South Dakota Avenue NE
Join Art Place for their very first Art Place Pop Up Market celebrating local creativity and community. Explore a curated selection of vendors and artists showcasing handmade goods, artwork, and unique finds. Enjoy offerings from Tz’ikin Café while experiencing live music throughout the event.
Featured Vendors
@tzikincafe
@ethiocraft
@oohlayumscents
@loopswithluvbyterkeyshia
@jnj_jewelry_artistry
@florasea.creations
@by.beezy
@ae.__.studios
@1120ceramics
@BlackSquirrelCompany
@ttcozythreads26
@tatakuabakery
@louisecroninart
@estarpottery
@dandelionbreathco
@CreatedByYasmine
@Charmm.tea
Curioso Payaso
Social Justice School APFT Construction Notice 6/15/2026
Food & Friends Expansion Groundbreaking Scheduled for July 2026
In July, Food & Friends plans to break ground on an expansion of its home at 219 Riggs Road NE. Residents may have noticed markings and construction equipment being placed on the property last week.
The new 17,000 square foot two-story extension will allow the organization to continue their important work and serve even more individuals around the region. The new addition will be added to the east side of the existing building giving them more of a presence on South Dakota Avenue NE. The extension will have both brick and metal paneling treatment. The site will have metal fencing and concrete retaining walls.
Recall that the expansion requires construction of a new 33-foot curb cut on South Dakota Avenue NE just north of Kennedy Street, providing loading access via South Dakota. Food & Friends kept a lot of information about the project close to the vest as they were submitting plans to District agencies for review for several months before releasing any information to the public about one week ago.
Link: Food & Friends Expansion Project One-Pager.
Link: Food & Friends Expansion Project Website.
Project Timeline
Public Phase: June 8, 2026
Groundbreaking: July 13, 2026
Construction: July 2026-2027
The interior renovation (Phase II) will be completed by early 2028.
There are a few FAQs on the project website related to construction. Construction work will be done Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Food & Friends plans to publish construction updates on the project website.
I have asked Food & Friends for a contact name and number/email for a construction supervisor, which is typically provided for projects in case of construction emergencies. I am still working on that. For now, Food & Friends is asking residents to contact them at expansion@foodandfriends.org with any issues.
Edited to add 6/15/2026: As an aside, on June 2, 2026, the DC Council voted to approve PR 26-0670 to authorize and provide up to $15 million in bond revenue on behalf of Food & Friends to assist with the financing for this expansion. Food & Friends is responsible for repayment of the bonds. The committee report notes that no comments were received from ANC 5A. The ANC did not notify anyone about this resolution, and it is unclear if they were aware of it.
Find Tz’ikin Cafe Coffee Pop-Up at 475 Ingraham Street NE
Tz’ikin Cafe Coffee Pop-Up has moved a couple spaces down the street to 475 Ingraham Street NE.
Same hours, same kiddo-friendly vibe.
Hours: 7am-2pm Monday-Friday and 9am-2pm on Sunday.
Tz’ikin was recently featured on WUSA9. Follow them on instagram and continue to support the pop-up if you want them to stay in the neighborhood!
June 29-July 31: Free Bilingual Summer Dance Camp at Explore! – Limited Spots/Advance Registration Required
Message from Explore! & Dance Loft
MOVEIUS BALLET + DANCE LOFT ON 14
FREE BILINGUAL SUMMER DANCE CAMP
June 29 – July 31, 2026
Monday–Friday | 9:00 AM–5:30 PM
Explore! Children’s Museum, 395 Ingraham St. NE, Washington DC 20011
Ages 7–9
Dance Loft OST Letter to Families
ONLY 20 SPACES AVAILABLE
Dear Families,
Dance Loft + Moveius Ballet is excited to offer a FREE five-week Bilingual Summer Dance Camp for the first 20 children to register ages 7–9 this summer at the Explore! Children’s Museum in Fort Totten.
This full-day bilingual summer program is designed to provide your children with a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where they can stay active, build friendships, develop confidence, and explore their creativity through dance, creative movement, arts and crafts, and other hands-on enrichment experiences.
PROGRAM DETAILS
• Dates: June 29 – July 31, 2026
• Days: Monday–Friday
• Time: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
• Location: Explore! Children’s Museum, 395 Ingraham St. NE, Washington DC 20011
• Cost: FREE
• Ages: 7–9 years old
Activities will include:
• Dance and creative movement
• Arts and crafts
• Team-building activities
• Social-emotional learning
• Recreation and games
• Field trips
• End of camp showcase for families
Free lunch and snacks are included.
This program is funded through the District of Columbia Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes (OST Office) and is intended to provide high-quality summer opportunities for DC youth at no cost to families.
Priority enrollment will be given to students who meet one or more of the following criteria:
• Eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Meals
• Have an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
• Are English Learners
• Live in Wards 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8
HOW TO APPLY
Interested families should contact us as soon as possible to reserve a space and receive registration instructions. We encourage you to reach out soon as the camp is filling quickly. You can sign up online now at: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/f5d682e2/?appointmentTypeIds[]=93686763.
All participants must be registered through the CitySpan OST portal before enrollment can be finalized. Dance Loft staff can help assist you with this process once you have registered through our website through the link above.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Etta Hulcher
Chief Operations and Programs Officer & Chief of Staff
office@danceloft14.org
Kami McCracken
Senior Education Manager
kami@danceloft14.org
Main Office: 202-621-3670
We welcome inquiries in both English and Spanish. Families who prefer to communicate in Spanish may email us in Spanish, and we will gladly assist with translation and registration support.
We look forward to welcoming your child to a fun, enriching, and memorable summer experience.
Sincerely,
Etta Hulcher, COO & Chief of Staff
Dance Loft + Moveius Ballet
MOVEIUS BALLET + DANCE LOFT ON 14
CAMPAMENTO BILINGÜE GRATUITO DE DANZA DE VERANO
29 de junio – 31 de julio de 2026
Lunes a viernes | 9:00 a. m. – 5:30 p. m.
Explore! Children’s Museum
395 Ingraham St. NE
Washington, DC 20011
Para niños de 7 a 9 años
¡SOLO 20 CUPOS DISPONIBLES!
Estimadas familias:
Dance Loft + Moveius Ballet se complace en ofrecer un Campamento Bilingüe Gratuito de Danza de Verano de cinco semanas para los primeros 20 niños de entre 7 y 9 años que se inscriban este verano en el Explore! Children’s Museum de Fort Totten.
Este programa bilingüe de verano de día completo está diseñado para brindar a los niños un entorno seguro, acogedor y enriquecedor donde puedan mantenerse activos, hacer nuevas amistades, desarrollar confianza en sí mismos y explorar su creatividad a través de la danza, el movimiento creativo, las artes y manualidades, y otras experiencias prácticas de enriquecimiento.
DETALLES DEL PROGRAMA
• Fechas: 29 de junio – 31 de julio de 2026
• Días: Lunes a viernes
• Horario: 9:00 a. m. – 5:30 p. m.
• Lugar: Explore! Children’s Museum, 395 Ingraham St. NE, Washington, DC 20011
• Costo: GRATUITO
• Edades: 7–9 años
Las actividades incluirán:
• Danza y movimiento creativo
• Artes y manualidades
• Actividades de trabajo en equipo
• Aprendizaje socioemocional
• Juegos y recreación
• Excursiones
• Presentación y demostración final para las familias
Se incluye almuerzo y meriendas gratuitas.
Este programa está financiado por la Oficina de Subsidios para Programas Fuera del Horario Escolar y Resultados para la Juventud del Distrito de Columbia (OST Office) y tiene como objetivo brindar oportunidades de verano de alta calidad para los jóvenes de DC sin costo para las familias.
Se dará prioridad a estudiantes que cumplan con uno o más de los siguientes criterios:
• Son elegibles para comidas gratuitas o de precio reducido
• Tienen un Programa de Educación Individualizada (IEP)
• Son estudiantes de inglés (English Learners)
• Residen en los Distritos (Wards) 4, 5, 6, 7 u 8
CÓMO INSCRIBIRSE
Las familias interesadas deben comunicarse con nosotros lo antes posible para reservar un espacio y recibir instrucciones de inscripción. Les recomendamos hacerlo pronto, ya que los cupos se están llenando rápidamente.
También puede inscribirse en línea ahora en:
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/f5d682e2/?appointmentTypeIds[]=93686763
Todos los participantes deben completar su registro a través del portal CitySpan de OST antes de que su inscripción pueda ser confirmada. El personal de Dance Loft estará encantado de ayudarle con este proceso una vez que se haya registrado a través de nuestro sitio web utilizando el enlace anterior.
INFORMACIÓN DE CONTACTO
Etta Hulcher
Directora de Operaciones y Programas y Jefa de Gabinete
office@danceloft14.org
Kami McCracken
Gerente Sénior de Educación
kami@danceloft14.org
Teléfono de la oficina: 202-621-3670
Aceptamos consultas tanto en inglés como en español. Las familias que prefieran comunicarse en español pueden enviarnos un correo electrónico en español y con gusto les ayudaremos con traducción y apoyo durante el proceso de inscripción.
Esperamos dar la bienvenida a su hijo(a) para una experiencia de verano divertida, enriquecedora e inolvidable.
Atentamente,
Etta Hulcher
Directora de Operaciones y Programas y Jefa de Gabinete
Dance Loft + Moveius Ballet
Social Justice School APFT Construction Notice 6/8/2026
Fridays at Fort Totten Concert Series Kicks Off June 5, 2026
The Fridays at Fort Totten summer concert series kicks off Friday, June 5, 2026. The series, sponsored by The Modern at Art Place & DC Fray, features a different artist 6pm to 8pm every Friday through August 28.
Bring a chair, hang out with neighbors, and enjoy live music and games.
Fridays at Fort Totten Free Concert Series
June 5 – August 28, 2026
6:00 pm-8:00 pm
The Modern (corner of South Dakota Avenue NE & Galloway Street NE)
2026 Lineup
June 5 – Run For Cover
June 12 – Bansy
June 19 – Rock Creek Kings
June 26 – THE BREAKAWAYS
July 3 – Too Much Talent Band
July 17 – Justin Trawick
July 24 – Love Joy Group
August 21 – Fearless Eras (Taylor Swift Tribute)
August 28 – La Unica
Social Justice School APFT Construction Notice 6/1/2026
May 28: Happy Violet DC Grand Open House
You’re invited to the Happy Violet DC Grand Open House – a celebration & ribbon cutting to welcome Happy Violet DC, Riggs Park’s locally owned, waterless luxury nail salon, co-located at True Ground Housing Partners’ Riggs Crossing.
Location: Happy Violet DC, 305 Riggs Road NE
Stop by anytime on Thursday, May 28 (10:00 AM–6:00 PM) – and join the team at 10 AM for the ribbon cutting. After that, drop in for walk-in services (no appointment needed).
Grand Open House guests can enjoy:
- Special walk-in “Go-Go” manicure or pedicure options
- Custom bites & treats
- 10% off your next service
Today May 22: UDC Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market Cancelled
The UDC Lamond-Riggs farmers market is cancelled for today May 22, 2026, due to the weather.
The market will return to the campus at 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE next Friday and every Friday, 4pm-8pm, through November.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 