Friendship Heights: Busy May Events & Retail Openings

WASHINGTON, DC, May 9, 2024 — The Friendship Heights Alliance is kicking off summer with a series of creative events next week to support small businesses and celebrate history and biking. The popular Makers Market & Sidewalk Festival returns May 18, after a busy week of daily events:

May 16: Giorgetti Furniture Store grand opening
May 16, 6-8 pm: Third Thursday: History Exhibit Discussion
May 17, 6:30-9 am: Bike to Work Day
May 18, 3-7 pm: Spring Makers Market
May 18, 6:30 pm: Wonka outdoor film at The Collection

Since its inception in 2021, the Alliance has focused on activating the public realm with events; building community amongst the residents in the neighborhood; bringing arts and creative pop-ups; and supporting retailers, businesses, and property owners.

Giorgetti Furniture Store Grand Opening, May 16, 6-9 pm

Italian design store Giorgetti recently opened with its partner Salus Homes at The Chevy Chase Collection, 5471 Wisconsin Avenue. Stop by the grand opening to envision iconic furniture in your own space and meet the Italian ambassador to the US, Mariangela Zappia, and the Giorgetti CEO, Giovanni Del Vecchio.

RSVP info@salus-homes.com

Third Thursday: History Discussion About Broad Branch and Belmont, May 16, 6-8 pmIn December, the Alliance installed a comprehensive exhibit about Broad Branch and Belmont, two stories in which Black developers or families were forced to leave or lose their land to make way for the developing all-white neighborhood of Chevy Chase DC. (The exhibit is visible 24 hours a day in the windows of the Pepco Harrison Substation.) The history panel will feature the team members who helped create the exhibit for a compelling discussion about these stories, which many residents are not familiar with.

This event is outdoors at the Pepco Harrison Substation, 5210 Wisconsin Avenue NW. Light bites provided. Details and RSVP here.

Additional dates and topics are as follows:

June 20: Native Plant & Seedling Workshop
July - August (no events)
September 19: Social Isolation & Loneliness
October 17: Real Life AI
November 21: An Immigrant Food Story: With Cooking Demo

Bike to Work Day, May 17, 6:30 am to 9 am

Bike to Work Day returns Friday, May 17, 2024, and the Friendship Heights pit stop at Wisconsin Place will offer the ubiquitous t-shirt, along with two bike raffles from Griffin Cycle. Happy Go Bikes will be offering free tune-ups, and other vendors will offer water, giveaways, snacks, music, and more. We might even see the GEICO gecko! It’s not too late to register here. Location: Plaza at 5310 Western Avenue (at Wisconsin).

Spring Makers Market: Dance Theme! May 18, 3-7 pm

The Spring Makers Market intentionally activates an empty stretch of sidewalk with 40+ entrepreneurs and artisans, local food purveyors, tastings, crafts, and plenty of seating areas for hanging out and playing with an oversized checkers board. Food includes Polish pierogies, backyard barbecue, and Turkish boreks, for a culinary journey around the world, plus plenty of baked goods, coffee, and flavorful teas to feast on or take home. Come at 5 pm for a belly dancing exhibition, or enjoy a flamenco dancer/singer duo. Rodman’s will be offering tastings. Full list of vendors and details here. The event takes place on the sidewalk on the west side of Wisconsin Avenue from Jenifer to Garrison Streets NW. Additional dates this year are August 24 and November 2.

Community Film Night at The Collection: Wonka, May 18, 6:30 pm

The spring outdoor film series at The Collection continues with a showing of the popular 2023 film Wonka (PG). The events take place at the Tiered Plaza, with a card-making activity for veterans sponsored by Red Panda Art Studio. Location: 5471 Wisconsin Avenue, Maryland. Details here.

The Alliance has created a robust events calendar that is already highlighting 75+ free community events in the neighborhood, including June summer concerts at the Shops at Wisconsin Place, neighborhood art exhibits, and a film series at The Collection. More events are added each week!

About the Friendship Heights Alliance

The Friendship Heights Alliance envisions a more vibrant, dynamic, and inclusive future for Friendship Heights, with diversity in housing opportunities and retail experiences, and a people-friendly public realm. This place-focused nonprofit coordinates the community building needed to reinvigorate Friendship Heights, focusing on the commercial corridor along Wisconsin Avenue from Oliver Street in Montgomery County, Maryland, to Fessenden Street NW in Washington, DC. The Alliance is a 501(c)6 nonprofit created in 2021 to focus on public space management and coordination; increase collaboration amongst property owners in both Maryland and Washington, DC, as development continues; promote the neighborhood; and engage with residents and businesses. For more information or to get involved, contact hello@friendshipheights.com, visit friendshipheights.com, or follow the organization on Instagram @FriendshipHeightsAlliance.

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For Immediate Release
Media Contact
Rachel L. Davis
rachel@friendshipheights.com
202-510-1450