Doxa 
Reporting from OPENkitch’n in DC
OPENkitch’n is a collaboration between Rebar and the D.C. Office of Planning (DCOP), curator Justine Topfer, the 14th Uptown Business Association (14-UBA), neighborhood residents, local restaurant owners, D.C.-based artists, and funded by an ArtPlace grant. Rebar worked with these partners to produce a progressive dinner and culture crawl that represented the diverse restaurants and businesses of Central 14th Street NW.
The crawl made stops at three gathering points along 14th from Shepherd Street NW to Spring Street NW, sampling local flavors and accompanied by performance art, live music, and mural painting. This event, open to the public, was an intimate neighborhood tour that brought out both local residents and visitors from all over the city, drawing attention to the existing businesses of the corridor. Revenue from event ticket sales will be reinvested back into the corridor, managed by the 14-UBA, to support local business development and seed economic initiatives.
If you’re in the D.C. area, be sure to check out the incredible restaurants, businesses and artists that participated in this event:
MUSIC & ART
International Capoeira-Angola Foundation
DECOY and Chanel Compton from Albus Cavus
RESTUARANTS & BUSINESSES
The Red Derby - 3718 14th Street NW
Rib Pit – 3905 14th Street NW
Washington Pizza – 1353 Randolph St NW
Sisy’s Restaurant – 3911 14th St NW
Susana’s Pupuseria – 3801 14th St NW
Carolina Restaurant – 3700 14th St NW
14th Mini Market – 3904 14th Street, NW
D.C. Barber Center – 3817 14th St NW
OPENkitch’n was the third event of Rebar’s collaboration, following Public Art: It’s a Verb! back in April and the recent Street Furniture Design Build. These events and interventions support DCOP’s long-term Small Area Plan by prototyping experiences such as outdoor gathering, sociability and street life while testing specific designs for streetscapes and sidewalk furniture.
