Mosaic Theater: Celebrating a Decade of Diverse and Thought-Provoking Performances (#13)
Also in this issue is more good news, upcoming events, and promotions on H Street.
In this special interview, Harriet the Hedgehog sits down with the team from Mosaic Theater, a beacon of bold and culturally diverse theater in Washington, D.C. Celebrating their 10th anniversary, Mosaic Theater continues to illuminate critical issues, elevate fresh voices, and foster community connections. Join us as we delve into their mission, upcoming projects, and the significant role they play in the H Street community.
Harriet the Hedgehog (HH): Mosaic Theater is known for its powerful and thought-provoking performances. How do you select the themes and stories that you bring to the stage?
Mosaic Theater (MT): We are led by our mission which is to produce bold, culturally diverse theater that illuminates critical issues, elevates fresh voices, and sparks connections among communities throughout our region and beyond. That is our North Star and leads us to selecting plays and musicals that reflect the diversity of our city and world, make people both think and laugh, and ask bold questions about our past, present, and the future that we imagine for DC – one that reflects a Mosaic of cultures and communities coming together. Our interconnected program areas inform and fuel each other: (1) Productions that engage playwrights, artists, and audiences that represent diverse backgrounds and perspectives; (2) Education and Engagement Programming that uses productions as catalysts to engage the community in meaningful dialogue, learning, and action; (3) Catalyst Series of New Play Development that supports artists whose stories are underrepresented in the theater canon and includes public events and performances.
HH: Looking ahead, are there any new projects or productions that you are particularly excited about and would like to share with our readers?
MT: We are excited to announce that this is our 10th Anniversary Season! We kick it off in September with an immersive production of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill starring DC legend Roz White as Billie Holiday, co-produced by Washington Performing Arts. Roz is an award-winning, native DC’er, and proud Howard alum who has performed around the country. Our production will have unique cabaret-style set design so that audiences are transported into the 1959 nightclub with Billie and her legendary music. This fresh production of Lady Day also celebrates the resilience of Black women throughout history with interesting panels, artist talks, and special events making it an entertaining and enlightening night out at the theater.
HH: Mosaic Theater recently received the John Franzén Award for the Arts from the Capitol Hill Community Foundation. Can you tell us more about this achievement and what it signifies for your theater?
MT: The support of the Capitol Hill Community Foundation has been so impactful for Mosaic Theater, and we are most grateful for their steadfast belief in our work. The John Franzén Award honors our Reflections Series program, which provides opportunities for deep engagement with the themes of our plays through cross-disciplinary partnerships, including free concerts, readings, panels, and symposiums that spark meaningful reflection and foster conversation. We partner with over 40 organizations each year – from schools and senior centers who attend our Intergenerational Matinees to peer cultural organizations like the Hill Center, Capital Pride Alliance, and Howard University. Their investment in this work allows us to build upon these partnerships during Season 10 including our world premiere play The Art of Care, a collaboration with the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University, that will run in November 2024.
HH: Mosaic Theater plays a vital role in the H Street community. How do you see your theater contributing to the cultural and social landscape of the area in the coming years?
MT: We are proud to be a DC Theater Company and serve as an example of the dynamic arts and culture that our city provides. We are honored to perform at the legendary Atlas Performing Arts Center, the artistic anchor of H Street, and aim to contribute years of bold plays and musicals that spark conversation and bring people of different walks of life and different parts of the DMV together for years to come.
As Mosaic Theater marks its 10th anniversary, their commitment to producing bold, thought-provoking performances remains unwavering. Through their diverse programming and community partnerships, they continue to be a vital cultural and social anchor on H Street. We look forward to experiencing their immersive productions, engaging events, and the powerful conversations they will spark for many years to come.
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More Good News
Atlas Brew Works is the new beer sponsor of The Pie Shop green bar.
Veg News featured Pow Pow as one of the best vegan Chinese restaurants in the country!
Maketto team opens Providencia, Asian-Latin cocktail bar, on H Street alleyway.
It’s not too late to get your H Street Bingo card! Register, get your bingo card and start exploring H Street!
SAVE THE DATE: H Street Open supporting Leveling the Playing Field (LPF) is on Saturday, August 31. Join us for a smashing good time as we combine the thrill of tennis with the fun of a bar “volley”! Whether you're a tennis pro or just a fan of the sport, this event is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy great drinks, meet new friends, and explore some of the best bars on H Street. Details coming soon. Sponsorship opportunities are available, email hannahtheharehstreet@gmail.com with interest.
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Atlas (atlasarts.org)
Atlas Performing Arts Center has a thrilling fall line-up including jazz, theater, dance, and more! Support local artists! Check out all the performances here: atlasarts.org/events
August 8: Free Screening “All Stories Matter: Building Community Through the Arts”
August 8 -10: The Theatre Lab presents “Footloose The Musical”
Bingo at Ben’s
August 29 from 7-9 pm: There will be 3 rounds and an H Street Swag bag as a prize for each round. Limited space. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bingo-at-bens-tickets-963747654177
Binge Bar
August 11 from 12 pm: Binge and Vintage Shop, celebrating 18 months anniversary and exclusive vintage pop-up.
Bronze (bronzedc.com)
Every Sunday from 6-9 pm: Sounds of Bronze, Live Jazz
H Street, Sweet H Street (hstreetsweethstreet.com)
Saturday, August 31 starting at 1 pm: H Street Open
H Street, Sweet H Street w/ Binge Bar (hstreetsweethstreet.com)
Saturday, August 24 from 9-11 am: H Street Heroes Clean-up.
Pie Shop (pieshopdc.com)
Thursday, August 8 from 7:30 pm: Wu & Friends
Monday, August 12 from 7:30 pm: Future Crib w/ Skate Stance
Wednesday, August 14 from 7:30 pm: The Courettes w/ Cinema Hearts
SolidState Books (solidstateboosdc.com)
Thursday, August 8 from 6 - 8 pm: Knits n' Yarns - Come join us while we craft (knit, crochet, etc) while talking about what we’re reading, or want to read.
Sunday, August 11 from 4 - 5 pm: Retellings Book Club - Dragonfruit
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Ben’s Chili Bowl (benschilibowl.com)
Burger with fries and fountain drink for only $14.49
Bronze (bronzedc.com)
Saturday and Sundays: Brunch from 11 am – 2:30 pm
Chupacabra (chupacabrahst.com)
Weekdays 4-7 pm- Happy Hour
Mondays - Quesadilla & Margarita or Beer $15
Wednesdays - Loaded Nachos with a deep Eddy Cocktail $16
Thursdays - Torta Thursday: Torte & Margarita or Beer $18
Sundays - Sunday Funday: Chips & Salsa with a shot of Jamo $11
Daru (darudc.com)
Bar Happy Hour Everyday from 5-6:30 pm - $10 Snacks and Cocktails
Granville Moores (granvillemoores.com)
Mussels Monday - $13 Mussels from 5 pm to 9 pm
Hiraya (hirayadc.com)
Happy Hour Tuesday – Thursday from 5 -7 pm
Happy Hour Friday – Sunday from 3 – 6 pm
Brunch Plate, Drink, and Pastry for $25
Irregardless (irregardlessdc.com)
Mid-Atlantic Wine Summer Showcase - One Featured Entree, One Paired Glass of Wine, and Dessert for $55
Kids Night on Tuesdays 5-7 pm – special kids menu
Wine Wednesdays 5:30 pm – 10% off glasses and bottles, happy hour excluded
Lydia on H Street (lydiaonhdc.com)
Buy 1 lunch item get 1 free frozen cocktail from 12-2 pm.
Ladies Night: Jazz & Dinner Wednesdays. $10 martinis, $6 Champagne, and $20 select wine bottles all night.
Restaurant Week H Street Guide
August 12 - 18
Bronze, Cane, Ethiopic, Hiraya, Irregardless, Maketto, Milk & Honey, and The Little Grand
Sol Mexican Grill DC (solmexicangrilldc.com)
Taco Tuesday: $2.75 tacos all day!
SWEAT DC (sweatdc.com)
Free week of group fitness classes at SWEAT DC. Click link to redeem your free week pass.
The Haymaker Bar (thehaymakerbar.com)
Taco Tuesday: Shrimp tacos (2 for $12 or 3 for $17); Carnitas tacos (2 for $111 or 3 for $15); and Watermelon margaritas ($11). Specials from 5 - 10 pm.
Tiki Garden Thai (tikigardendc.com)
Happy Hour 5pm-7pm everyday
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BLOG POST: Discovering The Little Grand: A Hidden Gem in D.C.
If you’re looking for a dining experience that combines a cool atmosphere with delicious food, look no further than The Little Grand in D.C. This spot has quickly become a favorite place to unwind and enjoy a great meal, and here's why. (Read Full Post)
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