Category Archives: Neighborhood Development

May 2026 Events at Explore!

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten, Uncategorized

Check out the events calendar for May 2026 events at Explore!

Location: 395 Ingraham Street NE

* Tz’ikin Coffee Pop-Up

Hours: Monday – Friday 7am – 2pm, Sunday 9am – 2pm

* Dance Loft Youth Classes & Summer Dance Camp (Register at the link).

  • Pre-Ballet
  • Baby & Me
  • Bilingual Creative Movement

Explore! Activities: Mixed Materials Studio | May 5, 4pm-6pm

Explore! Activities: Cardboard Building Lab | May 7, 4pm-6pm

Candle Making Workshop | May 7, 6pm

Explore! Activities: Clay Open Studio | May 12, 4pm-6pm

Explore! Activities: Paper & Texture | May 14, 4pm-6pm

Explore! Activities: Paint Studio | May 19, 4pm-6pm

Explore! Activities: Tile Design | May 21, 4pm-6pm

Explore! Activities: Clay & Form | May 26, 4pm-6pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Open Art Studio | May 28, 4pm-6pm

Support Tz’ikin Cafe Pop-Up Coffee Cart at Art Place

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

Tz’ikin had a strong opening day on May 3. Thank you to all of the neighbors who came out. Continue to support the pop-up coffee cart at Art Place.

Location: 395 Ingraham Street NE

Hours

Mon–Fri: 7 AM – 2 PM

Sun: 9 AM – 2 PM

—

Pick up coffee on your way to work or, if you are home during the day, stop in for a brew. Let your coffee-drinking neighbors know!

From Art Place at Fort Totten

On Sunday, May 3 at 9am, local concept Tz’ikin Cafe will open a coffee cart pop-up, marking the first dedicated coffee purveyor at Art Place.

Founded by a husband-and-wife team hailing from El Salvador and Guatemala, respectively, the DMV-based cafe focuses on Central American coffee traditions and direct sourcing, with beans coming from a family-run farm in El Salvador. The menu features drinks like the Horchata Latte, an espresso made with horchata-infused milk, alongside seasonal flavors like honey lavender.

You can find the cart inside Explore! Children’s Museum

395 Ingraham St. NE

Hours:

Mon–Fri: 7 AM – 2 PM

Sun: 9 AM – 2 PM

Tz’ikin Cafe Pop-Up Coffee Cart Opens at Art Place on May 3, 2026

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

Pick up coffee on your way to work or, if you are home during the day, stop in for a brew. Let your coffee-drinking neighbors know!

From Art Place at Fort Totten

On Sunday, May 3 at 9am, local concept Tz’ikin Cafe will open a coffee cart pop-up, marking the first dedicated coffee purveyor at Art Place.

Founded by a husband-and-wife team hailing from El Salvador and Guatemala, respectively, the DMV-based cafe focuses on Central American coffee traditions and direct sourcing, with beans coming from a family-run farm in El Salvador. The menu features drinks like the Horchata Latte, an espresso made with horchata-infused milk, alongside seasonal flavors like honey lavender.

You can find the cart inside Explore! Children’s Museum

395 Ingraham St. NE

Hours:

Mon–Fri: 7 AM – 2 PM

Sun: 9 AM – 2 PM

Help Shape the Future of Explore! Museum at Art Place

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten

Explore! Museum began offering pilot programming at Art Place at Fort Totten in summer 2025. Now they are inviting artists, educators, parents, and neighbors to get involved to help develop a long-term vision for the permanent community institution. They are looking for:

  • Volunteer instructors
    • Lead a workshop, share a skill, or test an idea
  • Artists & makers
    • Help shape the creative direction of the space
  • Parent advisory board
    • Provide feedback to guide programming and priorities
  • Part-time staff
    • Support operations and community engagement

To get involved, complete the Explore! Museum Community Interest Form.

Share with neighbors: Help Shape Explore! Museum Flyer

April 2026 Events at Explore!

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten, Uncategorized

Check out Explore!’s April 2026 activities lineup.

Eventbrite: Explore! Fort Totten Events. RSVP encouraged.

Location: 395 Ingraham Street NE

Dance Loft Youth Classes at Explore! (Register at the link).

  • Pre-Ballet
  • Baby & Me
  • Bilingual Creative Movement

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Cardboard Building Lab | April 7, 4pm-6pm

Candle Making Workshop | April 9, 6pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Clay Open Studio | April 14, 4pm-6pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Paper & Texture | April 16, 4pm-6pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Paint Studio | April 21, 4pm-6pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Tile Design | April 23, 4pm-6pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Clay & Form | April 28, 4pm-6pm

Bingo Day | April 29, 2pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Open Art Studio | April 30, 4pm-6pm

The best way to learn about Explore! events is to follow them on eventbrite and visit the Art Place Events Page.

April 3: UDC Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market Opening/Vendor Call

Posted by nextstoprp in Backus Urban Food Hub, UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus & Expansion (formerly Bertie Backus Campus)

From UDC CAUSES

Vendor Call: UDC CAUSES Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market
Location: 5171 South Dakota Ave NE, Washington, D.C., Ward 5

UDC College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences proudly presents the return of the Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market at UDC Community College campus where fresh produce, artisan goods, live entertainment, and community connection.

Farmers Market—where fresh produce, artisan goods, live entertainment, and community connection come together every Friday from 4 pm – 8 pm.

Season Opens: April 3, 2026

Interested vendors may apply at the link: UDC 2026 Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market Vendor Interest Application.

For more information, contact causesfarmersmarkets@udc.edu or (202) 274-7124.

Download: UDC 2026 Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market Vendor Flyer.

Download: UDC 2026 Lamond-Riggs Farmers Market Public Flyer.

March 2026 Events at Explore!

Posted by nextstoprp in Cafritz Art Place at Fort Totten, Uncategorized

Check out Explore!’s March 2026 activities lineup.

Eventbrite: Explore! Fort Totten Events. RSVP encouraged.

Location: 395 Ingraham Street NE

Dance Loft Youth Classes at Explore! (Register at the link).

  • Pre-Ballet
  • Baby & Me
  • Bilingual Creative Movement

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Mixed Materials Studio | March 5, 4pm-7pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Cardboard Building Lab | March 10, 4pm-7pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Clay Open Studio | March 12, 4pm-7pm

Candle Making Workshop | March 12, 6pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Paper & Texture | March 17, 4pm-7pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Paint Studio | March 19, 4pm-7pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Tile Design | March 24, 4pm-7pm

Bingo Day | March 25, 2pm

Kid’s Maker Space Activities: Clay & Form | March 26, 4pm-7pm

The best way to learn about Explore! events is to follow them on eventbrite and visit the Art Place Events Page.

Happy Violet DC Nail Salon is Open

Posted by nextstoprp in Riggs Crossing Senior Residences

Happy Violet DC natural nail salon is officially open at 305 Riggs Road NE in Riggs Park! Owner Renee Blair is a local Riggs Park resident who opened the business in homage to her grandmother whose favorite flowers were African violets.

Business hours are 10am-7pm Monday through Friday, and 9am-7pm on Saturday.

The salon focuses on providing a waterless manicure and pedicure experience featuring low tox nail products. I had a great pedicure experience on opening day on February 24. Instead of soaking nails in water, the salon uses warm towel wraps that feel heavenly. I am sensitive to strong fragrances so I am always a little worried about entering spaces that have an overpowering smell of chemicals and scents. No need to worry here. A clean interior with tall ceilings, artwork by local artists, and friendly staff made for a relaxing experience.

The day before the official grand opening, the salon provided manicures and pedicures for the residents of the senior building. As a local resident, Mrs. Blair is committed to serving her community and DC.

Check out pricing and services on Happy Violet DC’s website. A grand opening special is available. Purchase a $120 gift card for only $100 by clicking on “Book now” on the website & support local!

Happy Violet DC Owner Renee Blair
Modern interior
Vegan & low tox nail products available
Private room available
Local artwork featured
Large interior with high ceilings