🗳️ Last-minute election prep

What's CITY Talking About?

Towed and Booted

DC has towed or booted over 800 cars in the first two months of its new pilot program targeting scofflaws, or vehicles that have racked up unpaid fines. Vehicles with two or more unpaid parking or photo enforcement tickets are eligible for towing or booting. [WUSA9]

Wet, Hot, DC Summer

This could be DC’s hottest summer since 2020! We’ll be seeing long stretches of 90-degree weather and it could even exceed 100 degrees for the first time since 2016. Time to ditch that natural deodorant 🤢 [Washington Post 🔒, City Cast DC 🎧]

Andrés Steps Down as CEO

Chef José Andrés has stepped down as CEO of the José Andrés Group, handing the reins over to former president Sam Bakhshandehpour. Andrés will remain the founder and executive chairman of the group, which plans to continue expanding its collection of restaurants, particularly its fast-casual options. [Washington Business Journal]

Bridging the Gap

The 11th Street Bridge Park is scheduled to open in late 2026. The park project will boast green space, free wifi, and community programs. It will connect Capitol Hill and Navy Yard with the Anacostia and Fairlawn neighborhoods and aims to encourage affordable housing, workforce training, arts, and culture. [City Cast DC 🎧]

Your June Local Music Guide

Welcome to another edition of our monthly music newsletter feature, where we highlight a local artist and upcoming shows from local acts. The warmer months have finally arrived. It’s time to roll down the windows and crank the music up on I-495’s bumper-to-bumper traffic. Here’s your guide.

🎙️ Spotlight: James Poet of FutureBandDC

Self-Described Sound:

Cross-genre, with influences from go-go, R&B, hip hop, and Afrobeats.

Get To Know the Artist:

Born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, James Poet was introduced to go-go as a freshman at North Carolina A&T when Backyard Band and Junkyard Band performed at a college concert. Poet was enamored by go-go’s signature “pocket” syncopation. As a music business major, he started learning about D.C.’s music of choice.

He then joined a band where most of the members were from the DMV and learned about go-go’s sound and the culture that fostered it. By 2008, Poet was committed to living and creating music in D.C. Now, with the 11 other members of FutureBandDC, Poet is taking go-go abroad through his cultural exchange program to educate and entertain the global masses.

Next Local Show:

• June 8 | 8 p.m. | Free | Lydia on H Presents Monthly Residency
• July 6 | TBD | $37.50+ | DC Black Wine & Food Festival

Follow:

@futurebanddc

Song to Check Out:

“Let Go”

🎟️ Other Upcoming Local Shows To See

1. Flowers for the Dead (Alt. Rock)| June 6 | 8 p.m. | $16+ | Songbyrd
2. Catherine Savage (opening for Pomme) (Folk) | June 13 | 8 p.m. | $25+ | Union Stage
3. Flowerbomb, Pinky Lemon, Ammonite (Alt. Rock) | June 14 | 8 p.m. | $15+ | Comet Ping Pong
4. SHAED, ViRG (Indie Pop) | June 22 | 8 p.m. | $30 |The Atlantis

🎵 New Local Music Mentions

Flowerbomb: “Cool”

Fresh off their Wammie wins for “Best Rock Song” and “Best Rock Artist” of 2024, Flowerbomb is dropping a new EP "Gloom Scroll Vol. 2” on June 13. One of the four new songs, “Cool,” blends ‘90s grunge and dream pop to create a somber, upbeat track. The introspective lyrics, paired with Rachel Kline’s hazy vocals and guitar-driven melody, create a perfect background when you need a moment to wallow and ruminate.

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

Where Is It?

First, Where Was Last Week’s Photo?

Yep! This is the James Buchanan Memorial in Malcolm X Park. The memorial consists of a bronze seated statue of President Buchanan with two figures representing law and diplomacy on the sides. The one pictured here is law.

Congress debated the controversial statue for over 15 years, finally accepting the bequest by Buchanan’s niece in 1918. Many opposed the memorial's construction because of questions concerning Buchanan’s loyalty to the Union. People also thought it was improper to honor Buchanan before presidents like John Adams or Thomas Jefferson.

The memorial was finally unveiled privately in 1930 to a group of government officials.

🏆 Congratulations to Julie K., Norman S., and Peggy E. for guessing correctly first!

Now, Onto This Week’s Challenge:

Can you tell me where this drinking establishment is?

What To Do

Today on City Cast

How the 11th Street Bridge Will Change DC

The 11th Street Bridge Park will link Capitol Hill and Navy Yard with the Anacostia and Fairlawn neighborhoods. We spoke with Ronald Moten from Don’t Mute DC and Scott Kratz of the 11th Street Bridge Park Project about what to expect from this mega project.