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Friendship Heights: New Art Pop-ups & Pinballs This Fall

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

Friendship Heights: New Art Pop-ups & Pinballs This Fall

WASHINGTON, DC, September 26, 2024 — The Friendship Heights Alliance is hosting three pop-ups in fall 2024, including an interactive LED installation by artist Robin Bell; the area’s largest pinball collection; and a popular two-block-long Holiday Market on November 2. 

Pop-ups have been a core component of the organization’s placemaking efforts since it began programming in 2022. “Part of our mission is to energize Friendship Heights and make space for creative ideas and activities generated by community partners,” said Alliance Executive Director Natalie Avery.

VÜK Pinball: 

When the Alliance heard that MOM’s Organic Market founder Scott Nash had lost his pinball space in College Park, Maryland, they reached out to the owners of Chevy Chase Pavilion.  Chevy Chase Pavilion is undergoing a repositioning with a new specialty grocery store to be located on Wisconsin Avenue, which will anchor the Pavilion and is slated to open in 2025. The Metro level of the Pavilion features large spaces with great accessibility that makes it stand out from other buildings in the neighborhood. 

“Friendship Heights is a perfect spot for this pop-up: right next to the Metro, on dozens of bus lines, and with no other on-site pinball games in the vicinity. And I love the idea that it’s a ‘mall arcade’ — just like we had back in the 1980’s — with hours from 7 am to 11 pm!” Nash said. 

“This pinball space is such a fun and unique way to bring new life to Chevy Chase Pavilion,” said Harris Markowitz, an asset manager with property owner Clarion Partners. “It’s a low-cost entertainment option that we hope people of all ages will enjoy.” Clarion has partnered with the Alliance on prior arts activations and is working on a new pop-up installation for the lobby that will launch later this year. 

VÜK Pinball features approximately 40 highly maintained pinball machines and classic video games spanning from 1970's-era games to the most recent high-tech releases. To encourage obsessive play, the pinball machines are set to only 50 cents per game. The mall arcade follows the hours of the Chevy Chase Pavillion, 7 am to 11 pm. Details here. 

Milk Tree: A Creative Space by Robin Bell:

After their first lauded exhibit in Friendship Heights (at Chevy Chase Pavilion in 2023), Robin Bell and partner Sorane Yamahira looked for another spot to create something unique. The Alliance connected them with Grosvenor, which hosted a bookstore pop-up at 5221 Wisconsin Avenue NW last year. Centered around lighting, video, and the unique tropical plant Milk Tree, Bell Visuals has transformed the storefront retail shop into a workspace, display location, and exhibit. 

Robin opened the installation earlier this month and is planning two more events on October 10 and November 15 (6-8 pm). "I am excited about the synergy between my work and the mission of the Friendship Height Alliance, and I see this project as an extension of that. I believe this project will help support local business by bringing in audiences to see the work," Bell said. 

Learn more and RSVP for the events. On October 10, Robin will give a brief overview of the installation and the importance of the Milk Trees. The installation is a seated experience and guests will be invited to come in and watch the piece. The experience is under 15 minutes, and there will  be seating in front of the venue to wait and hang out before and after you view the show.

Third Thursday: Education + Building Community

The Friendship Heights Alliance has two more Third Thursday events this year. These intimate gatherings are for neighbors, friends, and coworkers to learn something new, such as documenting DC’s music history or engaging with native plants. The October 17th Third Thursday event will focus on artificial intelligence, and the November 21st event will feature a cooking demo from Chef Dario of El Saoco. Details here

Holiday Market: November 2, 12-4 pm

Back by popular demand, the Friendship Heights Makers Market is returning November 2 with a special holiday edition to kick off the season of giving. With nearly 40 makers, artisans, food purveyors, and arts organizations, come to shop, enjoy, engage, create, and generally have fun.  Come well dressed to take a family portrait (details coming soon) and for giveaways, including Friendship Heights-branded fleece blankets just in time for sweater weather. Details here.

The Alliance has created a robust events calendar that highlights 100+ free community events each year in the neighborhood. 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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