Open Streets Wisconsin
Open Streets was a huge success on Wisconsin Avenue l! The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) held Open Streets in Ward 3 on Saturday, November 5, 2022, from 9 am to 1 pm along Wisconsin Avenue, from Tenley Circle to Western Avenue. Wisconsin Avenue closed to traffic and became a pedestrian-only experience.
This was a great opportunity for Friendship Heights businesses to spill out into the street and interact with the community! Open Streets is a global initiative that offers communities the opportunity to experience their city streets in a whole new way by temporarily closing roadways to vehicles to reimagine public space, prioritize people over cars, provide easy access to recreation and health-oriented programming, and promote local economic development by helping support businesses.
Weekend of Love Pop-Up Market
On February 20 & 21, a pop-up market was held on the Maryland side of Friendship Heights. 15+ artisans and makers converged at The Shops at Wisconsin Place for a fun-filled afternoon of browsing, mingling, eating, and drinking with complimentary wine and food for purchase.
Robin Bell Studio Exhibit
The second show in the pop-up gallery at Chevy Chase Pavilion featured award-winning visual and projection artist Robin Bell. Robin recreated his Mount Pleasant studio of 18 years. The show was an immersive installation that will include a salon wall showing the work he has collected and created over the last two decades. There were also be pieces of ephemera from the projections he is most known for. Opening and closing ceremonies and an artists talk drew many art lovers across the community.
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Fort Reno Historic Exhibit Tour
The Fort Reno exhibit was researched, organized, and written by students involved in the Community Coalition of Change club (CCC) at Jackson-Reed High School (formerly Wilson High School). Research was conducted to explore the deep and varied history of Fort Reno from the Civil War era to the present in an effort to better understand how our community evolved and changed. The CCC is dedicated to sharing the full history with the ultimate goal of presenting the many facets of Reno in a proposed permanent exhibit to be placed at the Chesapeake House at the corner of Belt & Chesapeake Streets NW.
We held 2 tours of the exhibit in the Pepco substation windows with historian Neil Flanagan. The tour was a deep-dive into neighborhood history of Fort Reno, Reno City, and the Chesapeake House on Saturday, April 1, 10-11 am and Saturday, May 6, 2023 10-11 am.
Spring Maker's Market
The Friendship Heights Makers Market brought together two dozen creative vendors, prepared foods and neighborhood small businesses on May 20 to knock out summer gift shopping while supporting local artisans and makers. There were giveaways for kids, dance lessons, and interactive fun.
Turning The Page Bookstore Pop-Up
Volunteers from the community helped patrons find books to love, entertained, or just encouraged friends to shop, including local high school students. Book readings, bands, and ice cream could often be held right outside the door.
Community Mixers
Neighbors, friends, and stakeholders in the Friendship Heights Community came out to mix and mingle at local restaurants Alley Cat and Junction Bistro. This was a great opportunity for Friendship Heights residents to meet neighbors, coworkers, and Friendship Heights Alliance Board Members.
Movie Night in Friendship Heights
Friendship Heights Alliance hosted a "Films for Movie Lovers" series outdoors with 3 movie nights in the Fall of 2023. "Back To The Future" was shown with an ice cream social before the film, "Casablanca" with an adult mixer, and "Wall-E" with s'mores.
Holiday Maker's Market
In November 2023 The Maker's Market returned to Friendship Heights. The market presented vendors with local handmade goods for holiday shopping, tables for local businesses, and entertainment for shoppers.
