📰 What DCist's closure means for local news

What's CITY Talking About?

WAMU Cuts DCist

Public radio station WAMU closed its news site DCist on Friday, laying off 15 staffers. Employees were sent a foreboding email late Thursday, before being informed that WAMU is shuttering the digital outlet to expand its audio offerings instead (a claim lots of observers find dubious). DCist’s closure follows a national trend of local journalism layoffs, including major cuts in the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post’s D.C. teams. [X (formerly known as Twitter), City Cast DC 🎧]

Man Self-Immolates Outside Israeli Embassy

An active duty U.S. airman is in critical condition after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy on Sunday afternoon. The man said he would "no longer be complicit in genocide" and shouted "free Palestine" during what he described as an "extreme act of protest." [New York Times]

Jackpot! Or Not?

A local is suing D.C. for $340 million after he was told that his winning lottery numbers were posted by mistake. The defendant says the numbers were accidentally posted as a part of a quality assurance test. [NPR]

Smithsonian Told to Repatriate Remains

An investigation into the Museum of Natural History has recommended that the Smithsonian return over 30,700 human remains that were taken without consent. According to the task force’s findings, the collection prolongs a “racist legacy” that “burdens” the museum. [Washington Post 🔒]

March Local Music Guide

Welcome to another edition of our monthly music feature, where we highlight a local artist and upcoming shows from local acts. As we transition from the NFL Super Bowl to D.C.’s Super Bowl – cherry blossom season – we decided to cover an artist who has strong ties to both the DMV and cherry blossoms.

🎙️ Spotlight: Ari Voxx

Self-Described Sound:

Dreamy Indie Pop *currently

Background:

Voxx has never ascribed to one sound or genre, and we’re all better for it. She grew up in the DMV studying classical guitar and building a local presence as a jazz vocalist. Over the years, she’s performed with the swing and blues band The Gin Rickys while starting her neo-soul project Sweet Something.

Still in her twenties, Voxx dedicates her sound to authenticity rather than trying to fit a mold. She credits new wave, ‘90s grunge, and Motown artists as her influences.

Last summer, she partnered with the band The Sad Lads and released her debut album with the tongue-in-cheek title, “I’m Okay, Please Stop Asking.” The melodies are influenced by ‘80s-tinged synth-pop and modern dreamy dance pop. Voxx’s ethereal vocals shine through on each track, with the occasional flare of theatrics, like in the song “Flamingo.”

At its core, Voxx’s music expresses a dichotomy between a fun upbeat sound and introspective, darker lyrics. Known for her cherry blossom aesthetic (she loves pink), Voxx also openly battles depression and finds solace in creating music.

Read our full interview with Ari Voxx here.

Song To Check Out:

“Stardust”

Next Shows:

March 1 | 8 p.m. | $27 | Eaton House

March 30 | 7 p.m. | $15 | Atlas Brew Works

Plus, Voxx will perform at this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival!

Follow:

@ari.voxx

🎟️ Other Upcoming Local Shows To See:

• Bad Moves (opening for Protex) (Punk) | March 6 | 9 p.m. | $21.02 | Comet Ping Pong
• Bam Alexander, Sukami (Hip Hop) | March 8 | 8 p.m. | $15+ | The Pocket
• Dorinda, Outerloop (Indie Rock) | March 14 | 8 p.m. | $19.32 | Songbyrd
• Sunstoney (opening for Psymon Spine) (Psych Pop)| March 21 |8 p.m. | $15 |Pie Shop
• Makeup Girl (Indie) | March 30 | 8 p.m. | $15+ | The Pocket

🎵 New Local Music Mentions:

Mystery Friends, “match”

Mystery Friends’ latest album “Utopia” carries the nostalgic synth-pop torch with their first track “match,” igniting a sound fit for a modern club or a John Hughes film. The song features a saxophone solo, a funky bass beat, and an ASMR-like sound of a match repeatedly extinguishing for a current twist.

🎧 Listen Now:

Check out this Spotify playlist we made, featuring Ari Voxx’s songs and inspirations, plus music by the other local bands above.

Where Is It?

First, where was last week’s photo?

This is the “light yards” art installation that was in Navy Yard. Each bow held a swing that lit up and played music.

Sadly, the installation is no longer, but check out the events page for more upcoming community events.

🏅Nice work, Katie A., Tiffani D., John M. for guessing correctly first!

Now, onto this week’s challenge:

Where are these gem-like pyramids? Bonus points if you can share any fun tidbits about the institution they’re part of.

What To Do

Today on City Cast

What DCist's Closure Means for Local News

WAMU is killing its local news site DCist and laying off 15 staffers, adding to a growing list of local reporter casualties. Reporter Martin Austermuhle, who spent more than a decade with WAMU and DCist, is here to tell us what happened, and what it means for D.C.