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May 22, 2009
busboys and poets
Yesterday after work, I ended up in the "Greater U Street Historic Ditrict" http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/dc63.htm or the "U Street Corridor." In the first half of the 20th century, as the city grew inceasingly segregated, it became the center of black culture in D.C. Until the 1920s, when Harlem rose to prominence, it was home to the largest urban African-American community. http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/information2550/information.htm?area=2529 It not only became a center for black entertainment, but also for black businesses. Known as "Washington's Black Broadway," it still remains a vibrant hotbed for black culture and jazz. It's in northwest D.C., easily accessible via the green line. Someone I had just met in the building told me about the place and walked me over. It took less than thirty minutes to walk from my work, in Dupont Circle, over to a restaurant/coffee shop/bar/progressive bookstore called "Busboys and Poets." http://www.busboysandpoets.com/ The place is amazing, really young and hip, and the sweet potato fries and summer ale were amazing. They have open mics several times a week. The one that was going on that night - and that I came too late for - was an HIV/AIDS fundraiser. (Note: 3 percent of DC's population is diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, three times that of a "generalized and severe epidemic." In fact, the rate here is the highest in the nation. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/14/AR2009031402176.html)
Posted by dmbenn at May 22, 2009 11:22 AM