D.C.’s popular—and free—nighttime arts festival returns to Northeast on Sept. 23. Technically, Art All Night pops up in 22 neighborhoods throughout the city, but the event centered around the Benning/Dorothy I. Height Library has captured our attention. Organized and curated by a collective of community leaders—Terell Barnes, Mary Blackford, Samantha Archibald, Wuiping Yap, and Larry “Elway” Scott—this year’s theme is Celebrate Minnesota Avenue. The festival features local visual artists and creatives exhibiting their work and performing at public venues and local businesses. Aside from the library, the main activity locations are the Women of Arts Stage at the Chase Bank parking lot, the Fashion Stage at the Tsunami Hair Studio (4248 Benning Rd. NE), the Hip-Hop Stage at Shoe City (3935 Minnesota Ave. NE), and the Comedy Stage at Sala Thai (4020 Minnesota Ave. NE). A highlight of the event is a fashion and hair show on the aforementioned Fashion Stage, and performances by femcees Pinky Killacorn and Mia Sparrow on the Women of Arts Stage. There will also be a kids activity zone at the library along with a “Kids Snack and Paint” sponsored by the East River Family Strengthening Collaborative and an adult sip and paint, not to mention plenty of food trucks and vendors. Art All Night is presented by Mayor Muriel Bowser in partnership with DC Main Streets, the DC Business Improvement Districts Council, and the D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities. Art All Night Minnesota Avenue starts at 6 p.m. on Sept. 23 and is centered around the Benning/Dorothy I. Height Library. minnesotaavemainstreet.org. Free.
For more museum and gallery recommendations, check out our calendar.