WGirls DC Go Bananas for DC Farm to School Network
After epic rains, flash floods, and endless days of rubber boots, WGirls DC got lucky—the sun came out just in time for their Happy Hour—Shots and Seeds. The evening included drinks specials, the opportunity to support a good cause, a planting of seedlings, and killer music videos.
A crowd of Petworth locals, Blue Banana regulars, music fans, volunteers, and supporters of the DC Farm to School Network, filled the bar area.
Guests met Andrea Northup, Manager of DC Farm to School Network, and learned about the Network’s visionary work to improve the food served to kids in DC public schools. Proceeds for this event will help cover the cost of purchasing seeds for the kid’s kitchen gardens, because as Northup pointed out, “DC Farm to School Network is doing everything we can to teach kids where food comes from…We have a city wide push to feature local foods in schools and engage students in the farm to school process.”
Ms. Northrup stressed that in addition, “We are working to get more healthy foods served in schools.” Her organization is also helping parents learn how to reduce the number of processed foods eaten in the home to improve their children’s diet and health.
A few years ago, if you had called Petworth “hip” people would have laughed at you. But, things are changing in this “soon to be trendy” part of DC. Blue Banana’s laid-back atmosphere is matched by its décor, which is sleek warehouse grunge. Exposed brick walls are juxtaposed against polished wood ceiling soffits and a long narrow bar. Chalkboards hung on two walls include hand written lists of weekly drink specials, in this case $5 rails and shots, and the upcoming calendar of bands.
Comfortable sectional seating in the front window still lets you view a few of the 10 Flat Screen TV’s that ring with perimeter and bar, and there are 12 artisanal beers on tap, with lots more choices by the bottle. If you want to hang out in the fresh air, there is a huge patio in the back where the bar hosts outdoor barbeques from time to time.
The brainchild of Bill Dean, Martin Corboy, and Jamie Hess, Blue Banana regularly hosts charitable events. “It’s all part of becoming part of the community,” said owner Jamie Hess. He and his partners opened Blue Banana because they saw a need, “We are the only place for fun cover bands—other than Virginia—in DC.” He also thinks locating in Petworth is smart because “It’s the next cool neighborhood.”
At around 9:30, if you weren’t there, you missed some kickin’ music video sets from DJ John Bowen of Video Killers. A DC local, John Bowen has been working as a DJ for 15 years and making a big splash as a producer and video mixer for the last three years. He spins videos that include Reggae, Electro, Latin, Hip Hop, Latin, and Top 40.
What’s Next? September 16-17 Get involved with DC Farm to School Network and volunteer to help kids get active and eat more healthy food. Join Action for Healthy Kids and help build indoor and outdoor PE spaces and school gardens, or lead taste tests of healthy foods, and more. Register to volunteer here.
Every Friday at 10:00 PM Blue Banana features a rock cover band. Next Friday, September 17, the band will be Dominion Way. See Blue Banana’s September calendar for listings of the bands here.
WGirls DC “provides underprivileged women and children with the support and resources necessary to achieve health, happiness, and the ability to lead productive and successful adult lives.” Excerpted from WGirls’ website.
DC Farm to School Network is a coalition of parents, teachers, farmers, and volunteers that works to get healthy, locally sourced food into the public schools and to show children where their food comes from by offering cooking classes, seedlings for kitchen gardens, and field trips to the educational farm at Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture.
Photo Credit: Summer Whitford
Category: BAR EVENTS, EAT N' DRINK, RESTAURANT EVENTS, WHAT YOU MISSED
