City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
DC recovers from Saturday’s parade
June 16, 2025 · 💌 Kaela
Hey, neighbor. The D.C. Council is less than a month out from their first vote on the controversial 2026 budget proposed by Mayor Bowser. We chatted with her budget director, Jenny Reed, to see if she can convince us that the Mayor’s business-first plan is actually what D.C. needs.
What's CITY Talking About?
Low Energy At Army Parade
President Trump's military parade on Saturday was described by attendees as "listless and low-energy." While there are no official numbers, it is estimated crowds were well below the expected 250,000. We visited ourselves and will have more in tomorrow's episode. [Newsweek]
- Meanwhile, protesters around the DMV took to the streets for the nationwide No Kings protest. D.C. itself did not have one, but there was a separate march to the White House organized by Refuse Fascism. [Washingtonian]
DC Aims To Redo Rock Creek Tennis Center
D.C. wants to take over the federally owned Rock Creek Tennis Center to expand it into a sports complex, arguing the facility desperately needs an upgrade. Citi Open officials even threatened to move the tournament elsewhere if the facilities aren’t improved. [WAMU]
WorldPride Crowds Disappoint
Early reports show D.C.’s WorldPride celebrations drew fewer people than anticipated, with hotel bookings on par with previous years. Destination D.C.’s chief executive said this was primarily because people were concerned about coming to the U.S. [Washington Business Journal 🔒]
PG Superintendent Agrees To Resign
Prince George’s County school superintendent Millard House is stepping down after the teachers union passed a vote of no confidence in his leadership last week. His resignation will be effective June 18. [Washington Post 🔒]
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What To Do
Monday, June 16
- 📚 DC History Book Talk: “Empanadas, Pupusas, and Greens on the Side” at MLK Library (Downtown)
- 🎵 Musicology Club at West End Library
- 🎺 Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis (Kennedy Center)
- 🎭 Pub Choir “Something To Do Tour” at Howard Theater (Shaw)
Tuesday, June 17
- 💘 Book Talk with Matchmaker Maria Avgitidis at Sixth & I (Chinatown)
- 🧛 Profs & Pints: Nosferatu Versus Dracula at Penn Social (Penn Quarter)
- 🎵 Tunes: Kahil El'Zabar & David Murray at The Rhizome (Takoma Park)
- ✈️ Travel Fiction Book Club at Northeast Library (Capitol Hill)
Wednesday, June 18
- 🎶 Local Tunes: Jahnel Daliya in Milian Park (Mt. Vernon)
- 🕵️ Book Talk: “Wife, Mother, Spy” at Northeast Library (Capitol Hill)
- 🍻 Juneteenth Kickoff with Mélange Foods (Shaw)
- 👠 Outdoor Movie: “Barbie” at Alethia Tanner Park (NoMa)
- 📚 Juneteenth Literary Jubilee & Black Author Book Fest at Planet Word (Downtown)
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Come to GALA Theatre's Columbia Heights Bolero Bar, an immersive cabaret-style musical that takes audiences on a nostalgic journey through love, breakup, and self-love. Join this musical adventure where patrons and performers share their heartache and longing for long ago lovers as they sing and dance to classic boleros such as Bésame mucho and Mi viejo San Juan.
June 11 - 29
World Premiere Adaptation
In Spanish with English surtitles
⭐ Editor’s event pick: Planet Word is hosting its annual Juneteenth Literary Jubilee & Black Author Book Fest this Wednesday that highlights DMV storytellers. I highly recommend it!
Free · 5 days a week