Throughout September, Celebrate the District’s Creative Vibe with 202Creates

Growing up in Louisiana as the daughter of a musician, I experienced a rich culture of 2nd line dance and brass band music. This fueled my creative passions to become a film specialist for the city of New Orleans, then General Manager of the District’s historic Warner Theatre and now Director of the District’s Office of Cable, Television, Film, Entertainment and Music (OCTFME).

Throughout my career, I’ve seen first-hand the impact the creative community plays in our economy.

That’s why I am pleased to help launch the second annual Mayor Muriel Bowser Presents 202Creates initiative, a citywide effort to showcase the District’s diverse and vibrant creative community.  Throughout the month of September, we highlight the artists, makers, and entrepreneurs who contribute to the economic impact of the creative industries in our Nation’s capital.

During 202Creates, we’re excited to support thousands of events across the city — in concert with our public and private partners — that will showcase the District’s creativity.

The creative industry in the District has a multi-billion dollar economic impact with an estimated $2.9 billion spending by nonprofit arts and culture!  The District of Columbia is also the home of approximately 2,400 arts-related businesses that employ almost 23,000 people; with an array of entrepreneurs and dedicated professionals in television, film, music, arts, fashion, cosmetology, culinary, tech, and many more.

I am also thrilled to be a part of monumental achievements such as launching DC Radio and providing original programming on DCN, DCC, and DKN which affords District residents of all 8 Wards access to an open and transparent government.

And filmmaking in D.C. is in full swing again this year — our Agency assisted with an overall film industry economic impact of $10.1 million for the city.

In D.C., we “Go-Go” hard!  In front of the camera or behind the scenes, we’re united to benefit the District’s over 680,000 residents.

We invite you to experience all D.C. has to offer. Join us for an array of events including:

* September 1-3: 2017 Labor Day Weekend Music Festival, The Historic Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street, NW, 7 pm nightly

* September 7: Hispanic Heritage Month Kick Off, Columbia Heights Civic Plaza, 5:30 pm-7 pm

* September 9: 202 Arts & Music Festival, 4th and M Streets, SW Waterfront, Randall Field, SW, 9 am-9 pm

* September 14: Mayor’s Arts Awards, The Historic Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street NW, 7 pm

* September 15-16: Red Bull Reign World Basketball Championship (Goodman League), 1230 Sumner Road, SE

* September 16: H Street Festival, H Street Main Street, 12 pm-7 pm

* September 18: Entrée DC, Walter E Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW, 8 am-12 pm

* September 19: Launch of DC Radio, in partnership with WHUR-FM 96.3HD4, Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME), 1899 9th Street, NE, 6 pm-8 pm

* September 23-24: Art All Night: Made in DC, six participating neighborhoods have prepared an exciting lineup of visual and performing arts: Congress Heights, Dupont Circle, H Street, North Capitol, Shaw, Tenleytown, 7 pm-3 am

* September 30: Department of Parks and Recreation Rec Day, Randall Recreation Center, South Capitol & I Streets SW, 11 am-4 pm

Find more events on our website at 202creates.com. Come see and feel the creative love and respect for the capital of creativity!