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A newfound appreciation for Columbia at 50
Gen X and Millennial Blade staffers recall formative years in innovative town
An aerial shot of Columbia, Md., taken in the 1970s. For a list of anniversary activities, visit columbiamd50.com. (Photo courtesy the Columbia Archives)
Growing up as a Columbia ‘pioneer’
By KEVIN NAFF
Blade Editor Kevin Naff in 1970s Columbia. (Photo courtesy of Naff)
The reputation of Columbia, Md., as a racially integrated place was tested early, just after its founding in June 1967.
It was one year later in June of 1968 that segregationist Alabama Gov. George Wallace held a rally at Merriweather Post Pavilion in support of his presidential campaign. New Columbia residents, including some African Americans enticed to move there because of founder James Rouse’s promise of integrated housing, were upset. Some called for the rally to be cancelled.
But not Rouse.
“I am convinced that the fabric of our country is so true that we have the capability of weathering demagogues,” Rouse said, according to the Baltimore Sun. “Only through exposure have they been suffocated.”
Rouse wanted to “capitalize on the contrast between Wallace and Columbia,” the Sun reported at the time. He asked, ”Might not this be a creative experience for Columbia?”
Ultimately, Wallace spoke to a crowd of his Confederate flag-waving supporters, as Columbia residents organized a counter rally across town. The community response — passionate, informed, open — reflects my experience growing up in the new city sandwiched between Baltimore and Washington.
My parents moved to Columbia in 1974; early residents were called “pioneers” lured by Rouse’s grand dream of a new American city that would be a “garden for growing people.” His vision included racial integration during a tumultuous time in the civil rights movement. It included all, regardless of income or social status or religion. In fact, many Columbia residents worshipped in “interfaith centers,” in which a Catholic Mass might be held down the hall from a Jewish service at the same time. Even our mailboxes were designed to bring people together — communal boxes that became daily destinations and places for neighbors to meet.
Rouse’s dream included a deep respect for the environment and an appreciation for fitness and the outdoors. Columbia residents enjoyed access to parks, endless miles of paved bike paths, health clubs, neighborhood swimming pools and more. The town’s schools would be the envy of the country and, to this day, Howard County’s public schools are still ranked among the best.
I edited our monthly newspaper at my high school, Hammond High’s “Bear Press.” We tackled controversial and sensitive subjects like teen suicide. We studied foreign languages, reading French authors in the original text and chatting with foreign exchange students over progressive dinners. It was an academically challenging curriculum, before the days of demonizing education and dismissing curious students as “elitist.” Teachers constantly pushed and challenged us. My teachers at Hammond — Sherry Conklin for English and journalism; Karen Dunlop for French; and Kathleen Nawrocki for government and history — were the best I ever encountered.
There were even a few openly gay and bisexual students, which was brave and rare given the fear and hatred unleashed by the growing AIDS epidemic. When my decidedly alternative friends and I delivered a choreographed performance of “Kung Fu Fighting” at the high school talent show complete with a drag component, no one batted an eye. I graduated from high school in 1988, long before the days of Gay-Straight Alliances.
Still, those of us who grew up in Columbia had friends of all backgrounds from the beginning of first grade — different religions and races and economic situations. Subsidized apartments and upscale single-family homes were built within a stone’s throw of each other. And those streets were named after works of literature, odd names like “Greco Garth” and “Deep Smoke.” Neighborhoods were, in turn, named after the authors behind the street names, hence Longfellow, Dickinson and Hawthorne.
In our cynical times, polluted with the crass cruelty of social media attacks, all of this nostalgia sounds naive and Pollyanna. But it wasn’t that way for those of us who lived it and can now look back and appreciate the laudable goals that Rouse set out for himself and the residents of his city.
Was it perfect? Of course not. But after moving away to attend college at Penn State and encountering a roommate who had never met a black person, I quickly realized how lucky I was to have grown up in Columbia.
As Columbia celebrates 50 years, I hope its current residents remember James Rouse and his vision. As Rouse put it, “the only valid ultimate purpose of any civilization is to grow better people; more creative, more productive, more inspired, more loving people.”
This Millennial realized hometown’s appeal after she left
By RASHANNA LEE
Rashanna Lee (right) with her sister in 1990s Columbia. Lee is a 2017 Blade summer intern in its editorial department. (Photo courtesy of Lee)
My parents moved to Columbia in 1993. My mother had just graduated from Howard University and was expecting my older sister. The choice to raise children in Columbia was a deliberate, and arguably difficult, choice for my parents. My father lived all over the world, but has deep roots in Boston while my mother is from the Bronx.
They struggled between the idea of raising city kids like they were, or taking advantage of the opportunities the suburbs offered. One of the things that Columbia is known for is its school system. My mom was a first-generation college graduate and for that reason she made education the determining factor in where she decided to raise her kids.
When I was young, I wasn’t aware of the history or the notoriety associated with Columbia, but I certainly took advantage of the benefits. My elementary school was Phelps Luck and it was such an enriching and diverse place to get my formative education. I had friends of all races and religions and my teachers were diverse as well. This taught me from an early age about being tolerant and I learned that all people are worthy of respect, regardless of what they look like.
As I moved on to middle and high school, the emphasis on tolerance and respect only intensified. I graduated from Howard High School in 2014 and one of the things that sticks out to me about my high school experience was how nice (generally) everyone was to each other. There were strict, zero-tolerance policies on bullying, and support groups like the Gay-Straight Alliance and black female empowerment groups. The kids weren’t perfect, but I would say we accepted and encouraged individuality at the very least.
My relationship with my hometown, like many relationships, had ups and downs. As I got older, the repetitive and seemingly predictable nature of Columbia combined with classic teen angst caused me to resent the upbringing that my parents worked so hard to give me. I hated the familiar feeling of Columbia. I started going to New York City and exploring D.C. on weekends and I wanted a taste of metropolitan life. I wanted to be edgier.
It wasn’t until the first weekend I came home from college at Penn State in central Pennsylvania that I really valued what I had growing up. I remember getting off Route 100 and feeling relieved that I entered the bubble of familiarity I had grown to hate so much before. As I drove into my neighborhood and saw all the different faces and types of people that were able to exist in such a relatively small city, I was thankful.
When James Rouse founded Columbia in 1967 he had a vision. He wanted Columbia to be a place where people of all religions, races, socioeconomic statuses and ethnicities could live in harmony. As I walk the quiet streets of Columbia I realize that I am proof of the success of his vision. Growing up here has allowed me a certain sensibility and sensitivity that my friends from other towns and cities don’t have or don’t quite understand.
Columbia has grown exponentially since I was growing up. I can remember picking pumpkins and riding horses on various local farms that are now townhouses or shopping centers. Although the size of the city has changed, the spirit of it has not. I see bumper stickers, flags and advertisements for community groups pledging support for people of all walks of life.
As the world has become more open minded and tolerant, so has Columbia. It’s a place that grounds me when my world has become too big and I need to come back down to earth. When I’m home, I see the good in people as it is exemplified in the genial and community-oriented spirits of the people around me. That is a powerful thing.
(Photo courtesy of the Columbia Archives)
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Rainbows in Revolt on a mission to make LGBTQ artists’ voices heard
Rainbows in Revolt on a mission to make LGBTQ artists’ voices heard
Last month’s Pride celebration in D.C. was so fun. Walking around my first Capital Pride with a $15 lemonade I was loving the madness and the color. Artists and small businesses battling banks you’ve never heard of collecting your personal information so you can spin a wheel to snag free merch. Great music blaring, people actually smiling and enjoying themselves, the “Great” American State Fair could never!
The Monument Stage was on Pennsylvania Avenue, directly in front of the National Gallery of Art and I can’t think of a better venue to see live music. How does someone get on the lineup for Pride? How do we accelerate the visibility of the most talented voices in our community to perform in places like this?
There is certainly not a talent gap, but there is a visibility gap. Chappell Roan went from playing for two people in a parking lot to owning the main stage at Coachella in one year. Whether it is shadowbanning or bias in AI, algorithms have been shown to suppress queer artists. In a digital age, how can queer people break through and show the world how talented they are?
Allison and Matt of Rainbows in Revolt are on a mission to make openly LGBTQ+ artists’ voices heard. Their goal is to find “musicians whose queerness is central to their identity as an artist,” and accelerate them to a place where they can actually reach fans.
The only time queer events seem to be in the spotlight is June, but this should be year round, according to Allison and Matt. Rainbows in Revolt wants to act as a “nucleus” for different sub-communities, finding common ground in the universal language of music.
Matt and Allison founded Rainbows as a way to make cheaper, higher quality merchandise for queer artists. While Rainbows has already pledged 20% of their profits to the LGBTQ+ community, with 10% to Whitman-Walker Health and 10% to LGBTQ+ organizations in need, this is just the beginning of the work that they do.
Rainbows “does the dirty work” that artists normally struggle to do on their own with limited resources. Interviews, artist profiles, social promotion, playlist discovery, radio outreach, and merch-funded support. This work is normally expensive, time consuming, and requires lots of different skills. Musicians don’t want to be editing clips to post online. Standup comedians don’t want to make graphics for their tour dates. They want to write more. They want to focus on their craft.
In addition to helping artists find their audience, Rainbows has built other digital tools to help queer people connect, including an interactive Safe Space Map for most major cities. It is hard to know which places are truly safe and supportive just from a simple Google search. Attitudes and actions change, and there should be a simple way for queer people to find other places that align with them. The Safe Spaces Maps are all up to date, and are tagged and filterable. Instead of relying on forums and word of mouth, Rainbows has created a centralized way to find authentic community quickly.
I had a chance to talk with Allison and Matt at Pride where Lily Erin, one of their signature artists, was performing on the Monument stage. Lily Erin is a folk singer who is familiar and forging her own path. Her bittersweet sound echoes through Acadia, and her garb mirrors the New England athletes I grew up with. Gorp Core meets streetwear. A graphic tee, hiking shorts, and creamsicle Jordans.
Her debut single, “Bus Stop,” tells a sad story about unconditional love, and the conditions that still seem to come with it. Graduating into lockdown, Erin needed a new way to connect with herself and others. Lily made “Bus Stop” without an intention to share it, but doing so was a liberation. People have been responding to her honesty around queer-ness, family, and the “ghosts which haunt us” even in the daytime.
Rainbows in Revolt has helped Lily Erin go from bars and backyards to The Monument Stage at Pride. This is a meteoric rise, and a testament to both Erin’s talent and the work of Rainbows to promote her. “A little encouragement goes a long way with early artists,” and by “planting a seed” Rainbows is already seeing their artist garden grow. Community is power, and Erin is a perfect example of how effective simple modern techniques of promotion can be.
A next step for Rainbows is putting on shows themselves. On Oct. 3, Rainbows in Revolt will host an Evening with Ray Boltz at the National City Christian Church. Boltz grew up in the Catholic Church and for many years was the soundtrack to many services, youth camps, and church groups. He was celebrated by millions until he came out in 2008. Allison remembers her community “never playing his music again.”
Rainbows in Revolt is helping him to return to the church, and proving that identity does not need to be exclusive. We live in a complicated world with complicated lines being drawn. Boltz proves that these lines don’t exist, and will be breaking down barriers to bring together communities. To Allison, “a trans woman standing next to a straight white man in church is a powerful teacher.”
The Safe Space maps bridge all types of spaces, and one of the unlikely ones is, perhaps, churches. Matt said that “BYU has only nine safe spaces around their campus and seven of them are churches.” Not all churches are anti-gay, and many times they are the only place for people to find community.
Rainbows in Revolt is just getting started bridging gaps and building community.
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Summer in the City: Free exhibits, movies, more fill D.C.’s calendar
America 250 celebrations continue
From late-night museum visits and outdoor jazz concerts to free movie screenings and America250 exhibitions, Washington’s summer calendar is packed with events that don’t charge admission. Here’s a look at some of the free activities happening across the District through September and beyond.
Museum exhibitions
The Renwick Gallery is presenting State Fairs: Growing American Craft, an exhibition that looks at unique and unconventional crafts from the 19th century to the present. It will run until Sept. 7, and admission is free.
The Arts and Industries Building, located next to the Smithsonian Castle, is presenting the exhibition Voices and Votes: Exploring Democracy Across America. The exhibition features the development of American independence and what that has meant over time, beginning with the Revolutionary War. Admission to the museum is free, and the exhibition runs until Sept. 7.
The National Gallery of Art presents Dear America, an exhibit featuring more than 100 pieces of work, including letters, photographs, and drawings that depict American landscapes and depictions of freedom. The exhibition will run until Sept. 20.
The National Museum of Women in the Arts is exhibiting Burnished: Pueblo Pottery until Sept. 27. The exhibit features pottery from the Southwest, and while most of the pottery belongs to women artists, a few also reflect those who have advocated for women.
Extending past this summer, the exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa will be at the National Museum of the American Latino until July 2028. The exhibition shows how Afro-Cuban music has become a staple in the U.S. Admission is free.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will feature the exhibition District Vibes / American Pride: How DC Changed American Culture, which will highlight all of the ways D.C. has impacted American life. The exhibit will run until Sept. 27.
At the Folger Shakespeare Library, the exhibit Imagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era will be on view through Aug. 2. All the portraits on display come from the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery in London.
The United States Botanic Garden will be open until 8 p.m. on Aug. 20 and Sept. 17, as part of America’s State Flowers: An America250 Celebration. The evenings will include live music, mocktails, ice cream, and snacks.
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden will have extended hours, staying open until 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday until Sept. 3.
Live performances
On Aug. 7, the postgame Nationals concert series will continue with Jordan Davis performing. To see the concert, guests just need to buy tickets to the Nationals game.
Jazz in the Garden will run each Friday until Aug. 14. The event has free admission, but those interested have to enter a lottery due to the high demand for the event.
From May to October, Capital Harvest Market occurs every Wednesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The market features fresh foods, crafts, and recipes for unique dishes. A full list of vendors is available on Capital Harvest’s website.
Live! Concert Series on the Plaza will feature live performances at Woodrow Wilson Plaza until Sept. 25. The performances run Monday to Friday from 12-1 p.m. Admission is free to the performances.
DowntownDC Live! at Anthem Row is running until July 30, with free performances every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The final performance will feature HUE and a vintage flea market hosted by Get Flee Marketplace.
Located in Adams Morgan, AdMo Vibe will present live performances every Thursday at 6 p.m. in Kalorama Park. Guests are encouraged to check out Adams Morgan before and after shows, and it is an event for all ages.
Other events
Union Market is hosting drive-in movies on Aug. 8, featuring “Monsters, Inc.”, and Sept. 12, featuring “Wicked.” On Aug. 8, the parking lot will open at 7:30 p.m., with the movie starting at 8:25 p.m. On Sept. 12, the parking lot will open at 6:35 p.m., and the movie will start at 7:30 p.m.
Sunset Cinema at the Wharf will also be available one day a month. On Aug. 12, “10 Things I Hate About You” will premiere, and on Aug. 26, “Project Hail Mary.” No tickets are necessary.
The Library of Congress will also show movies. On Aug. 6, guests are invited to watch “Apollo 13.” The movie will be shown at 8 p.m., with additional live performances beginning at 7 p.m.
For fans of Asian media, the Okaton convention will be at Walter E. Washington Convention Center from July 31-Aug. 2. Festivities will include cosplay contests, skits, live music, and panel discussions.
Washington Spirit’s season also begins in August. The Spirit is Washington’s National Women’s League, with matchups occurring between the San Diego Wave, the North Carolina Courage, the Orlando Pride, and the Bay FC.
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Summer in D.C. brings sports, Restaurant Week, festivals, and more
Summer in D.C. just hits different. Congress is out, school is out, the sun is out, thighs are out. With the skies clearing from Canadian smoke, here are a few ways to stay entertained.
Dining
Summer restaurant week: The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is once again hosting Summer Restaurant Week, Aug. 18-24. This weeklong dining experience showcases the dynamic dining scene of the DMV, including 2026 RAMMY Award-winning favorites (the annual D.C. food awards show that took place June 29). Participating restaurants will offer three-course brunch and lunch selections for $25 or $35 per person, and three-course dinners for $40, $55 and $65 per person.
New Restaurants: A handful of new spots have opened, so the summer is a great time to check them out:
- Oribu: A new Mediterranean-Japanese restaurant in the Grand Hyatt hotel, which just underwent a remodeling effort. The sleek restaurant brings upscale charm, with dishes like Wagyu beef tartare with potato pavé and caviar.
- The Oak Room: A snazzy old-school American grill has just opened in Georgetown, alongside its sister upstairs supper club (Bernadette’s) restaurant, in the old El Centro space.
- Uchi: This showy Japanese sushi-forward chain has landed in Dupont with a chef’s tasting menu of favorites like fatty tuna.
- Kathmandu: Recalling the capital of Nepal, this warm, buzzy subterranean restaurant right in the heart of U Street brings spice, flair, and rare ingredients to its dishes (see: buffalo burgers) and drinks.
Sports
- Washington Spirit Pride Night OUT: On Sunday, Aug. 23, head to Audi Field for a massive, high-energy game following the exciting month of World Cup. The designated Pride Night OUT game promises boisterous crowds plus pre- and post-game community engagements.
- Washington Tennis Open – Now called the Mubadala DC Open, this annual tournament is only combined mens’ and womens’ 500-level tennis tournament in the world. The open is one of D.C.’s longest-standing sports traditions, and will take place at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center July 25-Aug. 2. Naomi Osaka, Venus Williams, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and others are expected to play.
Festivals
- Afro Plus Fest: This huge, three-day Afro-Caribbean Hip-Hop Festival brings together headliners Davido, Alkaline, and Wizkid, plus Tems and Ayra Starr. The event moves from RFK to the Northwest Stadium Complex for three days, Sept. 4-6.
- Capital Fringe Festival: Running from July 11-21, this massive celebration features dozens of live theater, comedy, dance, and boundary-pushing nighttime performances across multiple DC neighborhoods.
- The National Book Festival returns, with headliners like Cynthia Erivo, and Martin Scorsese. The one-day festival, Saturday, Aug. 22, brings together bookworms and word nerds under the theme “America 250: It’s Your Story.” There are talks, workshops, musical sessions and more.
- All Things Go: A three-day festival Sept. 25-27 at Merriweather Post Pavilion featuring Mitski, Hayley Williams, Brandi Carlile, MUNA, Zara Larsson, Ethel Cain, and many, many more artists. There are single-day and three-day tickets. Featuring and highlighting female artists, the festival has turned into a must-see for many LGBTQ audience members.
- Fuchsia Fest: The inaugural Fuchsia Fest is a new multi-day celebration created to celebrate LGBTQ community and expression, bringing together a mix of community gatherings, entertainment, and nightlife. The event takes place Sept. 18-20 and is hosted by Capital Pride.
Art and Music
- United We Dance: A high-energy rave with house, techno, bass, and festival music, on Aug. 1 at the 9:30 Club.
- The Fray. On Aug. 14, this American rock band famous for How To Save A Life is at Merriweather Post Pavilion.
- Kesha: Kesha’s high-energy The Freedom Tour comes to the D.C. area on Aug. 14 at Jiffy Lube Live.
- ALOK: On Sept. 3 at Lincoln Theater, ALOK (they/them) performs. The poet, comedian, and actor is putting on a new comedy show.
- 2charm, the emerging Australian electronic club-pop duo popular with the queer community, which blends hyperpop and dance music, comes to the Atlantis.
- Sapphic Dance Party: a vibrant, inclusive nightlife and social event designed specifically for queer women, lesbians, bisexuals, trans individuals, and nonbinary folks, at Atlantis on Aug. 21.
- Jazz in the Garden: The most quintessential of D.C. activities returns Friday evenings through Aug. 14. This season’s theme, “American Sounds,” is a nod to the nation’s 250th anniversary. Tunes themes range from Appalachian and Americana to Creole jazz, Hill Country blues, contemporary jazz, and more. Tickets are available through a lottery system a week before each event.
Don’t miss summer productions at Clear Space in Rehoboth Beach
New LGBTQ visitor center slated for Wilmington, Del.
PHOTOS: World Pride March
Tens of thousands take part in World Pride March
PHOTOS: Daddy Issues at Kiki
Continue to engage in community after Pride month
D.C.’s Mary’s House For Older Adults names new executive director
Suzanne Goode is not good for Rehoboth Beach
Calendar: August 7-13
