🕵️ FBI to take over old USAID building

What's CITY Talking About?

FBI Headquarters To Stay In DC

Trump plans to keep the FBI headquarters in Downtown D.C. after all, ditching the previous plan to move it to the Maryland suburbs. The new HQ will be in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, where USAID used to live. [Washington Post 🔒]

Chinatown Stalwarts Close For Luxury Hotel

Two more long-time Chinatown businesses — Gao Ya Hair Salon and Full Kee Restaurant — closed yesterday to make way for a new luxury hotel. The closures leave only a handful of Chinese-owned businesses in the neighborhood, which activists say is on the “brink of erasure.” [Fox 5]

• Related: Why D.C. needs a “real” Chinatown. [City Cast DC 🎧]

Anacosita Museum Struggles Without Federal Funds

The Anacostia Community Museum is struggling to figure out how to keep its doors open after Trump didn't include any funding for it in his 2026 budget proposal. The museum typically gets $3 million in federal funds each year, which is needed to pay staff. [NBC4]

DCPS Ends Redshirting

D.C is no longer letting parents enroll their kids late into kindergarten, enraging a group of Northwest parents. The practice, called redshirting, let families delay enrollment, especially for kids with developmental concerns. But now, DCPS says it gives kids an unfair advantage. [Axios]

Your DC Local Music Guide For July 2025

Welcome back to our monthly local music guide, where we highlight local artists and upcoming shows to check out! This month we’re spotlighting local indie-pop artist Berra, an up and coming performer in D.C.’s queer-led DIY scene.

🎵 Get To Know the Artist:

Berra is a reverse-engineered indie star. Her writing has the popular appeal of something you might’ve heard on Mix 107.3 back in the day — if you were blasting it through busted speakers and someone ripped a guitar solo over it.

She’s recording with the producers that worked with Solange, using a rig you might find in Ian McKaye’s basement. “I don't have a pedal board. I only have a chorus and an overdrive, and that's all I need,” she said. The result is indicative of D.C. music; all the artistry without the New York or LA-style industry influence.

Berra moved to D.C. at 19 as a student at American University — but she took some roughing up before finding her way into D.C.’s scene. "Because we’re in D.C. I feel like we have to be grittier and rockier," said Berra. Four years later, she carved out her own space in the city’s DIY music scene, capping her rise with an appearance at June’s smash trans punk music festival Liberation Weekend.

Next Local Show:

July 5 | 7 p.m. | $20 | Aunt Katrina Album Release at Songbyrd

Follow:

@mozartisonline

Song to Check Out:

“Guys”

🎟️ Other Upcoming Local Shows To See

• NappyNappa (Opening for Domani) (Hip Hop) | July 6 | $28 | Songbyrd
• Corvo / Pray To Be Saved / Early Grave /Phantom (Punk) | July 6 | $15 | Rhizome
• AV Sessions Open Mic | July 16 | $18 | Pie Shop
• Bluem w/ Fantazma (Rock) | July 17 | $18 | The Pocket
• Dosser, Flowers for the Dead, Spring Silver, Massie (Rock) | July 19 | $15 | The Garage

🎵 New Local Music Mentions

Sparkheem x Nino Paid: Came A Long Way

Nino Paid and “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” producer Sparkheem are proving lil’-old DMV artists can make national waves. Nino’s poignant PG County philosophizing weighs on Sparkheem’s atmospheric instrumental like D.C. humidity clinging to July air.

🎧 Your Local July Playlist

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

What To Do