U Street Movie Series gives back to community through celebration of its diversity

Mural of famous DC resident and jazz musician, Duke
Ellington on the side of the True Reformer Building on
U Street.  The True Reformer Building was the site of
Ellington's very first show.  Photo credit: Krystal Iaeger

DC’s U Street Corridor has had a long history of dealing with economic and social struggle since its heydays in the 1920s as the Black Broadway.

This year, the Friends of the Harrison Recreation Center decided to start the U Street Movie Series as a project that would celebrate the diversity of the musical and cultural roots of the Greater U Street Neighborhood.

Thanks to support from local DC organizations U Street Neighborhood Association, Meridian Hill Neighborhood Association, ANC 1B and MidCity Business Association, the DC series project has come to fruition. So far, it’s been a great success with around 500 people showed up for the series’ first screening, Michael Jackson’s This Is It.

The movie series is held on the first Tuesday of every month from June through September and takes place on the field at the Harrison Recreation Center. Gates are opened at 7pm and free popcorn is given away to the first 100 attendees. The movie is typically started around 8:30pm.

While admission to the screenings is free, donations are gladly accepted to help support the Harrison Recreation Center and projects such as the U Street Movie Series. If you’re a business looking to help the DC community, it should be noted that sponsorships for the project are also gladly accepted. More information about sponsorships can be found on the U Street Movie Series’ website.

The series is a great way to meet your neighbors while supporting the neighborhood. With such a rich and varied culture, both in the past and the present, one is sure to have a great time sharing stories and relating to community members while waiting for the movie to begin. If you’re not a resident of the Greater U Street Neighborhood then this series is the perfect opportunity to dive into the culture and personality of the area to make new connections and learn about another part of DC.

Buena Vista Social Club will be the next film shown in the U Street Movie Series, on July 13th. The schedule will be rounded out with The Soloist on August 10th and Duke Ellington’s Washington and Soul Power will be the series finale on September 14th.

Make sure to stay connected with organizers of the event through their Facebook page for all the up-to-date information regarding the U Street Movie Series, especially for any cancellations or relocations due to weather.

The Harrison Recreation Center is located on V Street Northwest between 13th and 14th Streets. On-street parking is available within the surrounding streets but spaces are usually full by the time the gates open at 7pm so be prepared to hunt for a space. If you’re looking for convenience, it’s easiest to take the Green line Metro to the U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial stop.

For more information about the U Street Movie Series please see their website or visit the website of the U Street Neighborhood Association.

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