Audrey Fix Schaefer was sitting in the dentist’s chair on the morning of March 11 when she received a text saying Mayor Bowser was about to declare a state of emergency in the District. She skipped her afternoon plans and went straight to meet with her team at I.M.P., the independent concert promotion and production… Read more »
Read Our Winter 2020 Issue
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
2020 has been a year of many surprises for our magazine, chief among them rebranding at the start of a pandemic and transforming a lifestyle and entertainment publication previewing happenings around D.C. into an outlet for supporting our community during such a tumultuous time. We feel an immense amount of gratitude toward the local voices who’ve shared their stories with us, and to our readers for trusting us and the content we create.
Because we’re living in unprecedented times in so many ways this year, we’ve had the opportunity to feature some of the talented District denizens who often stay behind the scenes and offer the spotlight to others. The perfect example of this is our cover subject for the winter issue, Audrey Fix Schaefer. A dear friend of the magazine and someone who has been on our bucket list to interview, she finally agreed to being on our cover because of the importance of the current issues she is shedding light on.
Fix Schaefer, who runs communications for I.M.P. venues (9:30 Club, The Anthem, Merriweather Post Pavilion and Lincoln Theatre) and NIVA (the National Independent Venue Association), has worked tirelessly since April to get legislation passed to save independent music venues. She’s a local hero, and we delve into her impact on the music industry, both in D.C. and nationally, in our cover story.
Our final issue of 2020 is meant to highlight so much of the good our community is doing, from the Kennedy Center’s social impact initiatives to the myriad of nonprofits doing unique work to the local artists, makers and business owners striving to stay connected while restructuring their creative approaches.
Thank you to our community and our readers for giving us the gift of content we never imagined we’d be able to create this year. We look forward to returning in 2021 to continue telling your stories.
With gratitude,
Monica Alford
Editor-in-Chief
FEATURED
The Kennedy Center’s Social Impact Initiatives Resonate + Reverberate
“Like an orchid, I felt myself slowly bending my body in half. The top of my head was like an antenna that pointed toward the drums. I realized how much I missed that feeling of someone getting free in front of you, and what that does.” Marc Bamuthi Joseph is waxing poetic about how fiercely… Read more »
Same Voice, Different Stage: Morning Edition’s Esther Ciammachilli
A decade ago, Esther Ciammachilli was piloting passengers down a makeshift canal running through Las Vegas’ kitschy Venetian hotel. In between belting out Italian classics like “‘O sole mio,” she riffed on her alter ego, Francesca the gondolier, striking up conversation with guests and listening to their stories. Fast-forward to October 2020 and Ciammachilli has… Read more »
PLAY
A D.C. Beginner’s Guide to Working Out in Winter
Braving Winter Weather for Outdoor Exercise When the cold winter winds start blowing, exercising outside seems like one of the worst ways to spend your morning – or any other part of your day. However, with most gyms closed or heavily restricted for in-person services due to Covid-19, outside or at-home workouts are the best… Read more »
LIFE
Small for All: A DMV Gift Guide for Everyone on Your List
If you didn’t already look to local makers for your holiday gifting needs, 2020 is the year to make the switch. No matter who is on your list, there’s something from an amazing shop or artisan in the DMV to make their holiday merry. Shop small this winter and give a gift to your community,… Read more »
The Season of Giving: 28 D.C. Area Nonprofits to Support
It’s always important to remember those less fortunate, and to find ways to give back and lift up your community in need. But in light of the ongoing hardships caused by the pandemic both in D.C. and nationally, never has there been a more crucial time to donate your time, money or resources to help… Read more »
D.C.-Based Meme Maker + Podcast Host Dave Tarnowski
The District’s own Dave Tarnowski is the man behind one of the most honest and entertaining pages on Instagram. As @nickcaveandthebadmemes, Tarnowski tackles topics like mental health, relationships and the absurdity of everyday life with the help of music and pop culture icons including the eponymous musician Nick Cave, David Bowie, Robert Smith of The… Read more »
EAT
Two Beating Hearts: D.C.’s Immigrant Food Combines Gastronomy + Advocacy
The concept for Immigrant Food was a long time coming. Peter Schechter, co-founder of the restaurant, had been working in politics, enterprises and startups for 25 years, while also serving on the board of José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup, which is a collective of more than 30 restaurants located throughout the country ranging in a variety of… Read more »
D.C. Battles Growing Food Insecurity
In a time when resources are seemingly exhausted, problems that existed pre-Covid have become more apparent and visible. When a virus alters everyday life for an entire population, an already uphill battle can begin to feel like an impossible climb up a vertical wall while wearing slippers. But this doesn’t mean you pack it up… Read more »
DRINK
Zero-Proof in D.C.
Whether you’ve been in the DMV for 15 years or are brand new to town, one thing is certain: D.C. has become a wellspring of booze-free sips. But it wasn’t always this way. I started my time in Washington fresh out of college in 2005, bar-hopping, rabble-rousing and getting lit regularly. But two years into… Read more »
D.C.’s St. Vincent Wine Creates Covid-Conscious Experience
Opening a business under normal circumstances can be a daunting venture, but doing so during Covid is a challenge unlike any other. Despite the obstacles, a pandemic was not going to keep Frederick Uku and Peyton Sherwood from opening their dream wine bar: St. Vincent Wine. Located in the District’s Park View neighborhood, St. Vincent… Read more »
CULTURE
The Kennedy Center’s Social Impact Initiatives Resonate + Reverberate
“Like an orchid, I felt myself slowly bending my body in half. The top of my head was like an antenna that pointed toward the drums. I realized how much I missed that feeling of someone getting free in front of you, and what that does.” Marc Bamuthi Joseph is waxing poetic about how fiercely… Read more »
Paper Routes to Reclamation: Women in the Arts Mid-Pandemic
Growing up in the ‘90s, paper routes – along with hundreds of other roles and occupations – were for the boys. The ‘90s wasn’t that long ago, but we’ll chalk at least one up for 2020 because we’ve finally cracked that glass ceiling a hundred ways to Sunday. And so, “Paper Routes” is an apropos… Read more »
Evoking the Senses with D.C. Gallery Transformer’s FlatFile
Transformer has worked tirelessly to support artists and make art accessible to all for the past 18 years. From those just beginning their own collection to established collectors from around the globe, the Logan Circle-based gallery creates a symbiotic relationship consisting of diverse, affordable art that when showcased, allows its creators to be championed. This… Read more »
MUSIC
A Voice for Venues: The Fight to Save Our Stages
Audrey Fix Schaefer was sitting in the dentist’s chair on the morning of March 11 when she received a text saying Mayor Bowser was about to declare a state of emergency in the District. She skipped her afternoon plans and went straight to meet with her team at I.M.P., the independent concert promotion and production… Read more »
The Year in Review: Voices in D.C.’s Music Scene Reflect on 2020
As we reflect on the passing year and all the challenges it’s brought – especially in the realm of music – District Fray turned to D.C.-based musicians, venue owners and industry professionals to share their year in music. Read on for their personal best-ofs celebrating their own accomplishments in an especially tough year, and the… Read more »
Save Our Stages Illustration
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