Salutations, Streetcar Suburbs!
Welcome to the Streetcar Spotlight — May Day | Mother’s Day Edition. Say hello to festival season! In case the recent 90-degree weather wasn’t enough of an indicator, May 1st marked roughly the halfway mark between the spring equinox and summer solstice. For thousands of years, May Day festivals featured blossom-themed revelry celebrating fertility and the “signs that the happy season of warmth and comfort” have returned. A little too warm in our case — I’m guessing the ancients didn’t anticipate 90-degree Aprils and nearly-bare shelves in the allergy section of CVS 😳.
May 1 was also International Workers’ Day! Catch the month-long Labor FilmFest at Silver Spring’s AFI Silver theater for “a selection of films about work, workers and the wider issues affecting workers’ lives” (discount for union members). Whether you’ve spent the week championing the working class or dancing the Maypole (or both!), here’s hoping you’re able to bask in the peak of spring (or at least have an n95 mask lying around for the pollen).
Heads up: Mother’s Day is also on the horizon, and being a mother myself, I’m well aware that the day—much like Thanksgiving—can range anywhere from lovely, to comical, to disastrous. For all you other mothers out there, tell us, what’s the best or most hilarious Mother’s Day you’ve ever spent?—in our related Facebook posts (HL&T, CPH&N, & Laurel)!
Click “view in browser” or HERE to see the full version with UPCOMING EVENTS.
Warm Fuzzies
Shout-out to the City of Hyattsville for its continued focus on neighborhood beautification and pedestrian safety with its forward-thinking street-art initiatives. May 6 is the last chance to add your ideas to the next phase: the alley behind Queens Chapel Town Center in West Hyattsville. I haven’t had a rotten day yet that wasn’t greatly improved by the rainbow art on Jefferson and 40th Ave.
Got a kudos for a local business or government office/employee? Send it to us to potentially be included in the next newsletter!
Local News in a Nutshell: Original Reporting & Analysis
Gun Violence in Greenbelt
On a far more sobering note, as the temperatures have risen and drawn more people out and about, gun violence has also increased in our local communities.
Our hearts go out to the teens and families impacted by the tragic mass shooting two weeks ago in Greenbelt on Senior Skip Day. We’ve updated our initial coverage, courtesy of our colleagues at the Greenbelt News-Review, to include that two teenagers, aged 14 and 16, have been arrested and charged as adults with attempted murder, and that all five victims have reportedly been released from the hospital.
Gun Violence in College Park
There have also been three different shootings in College Park recently, all of which appear to be unrelated, according to police.
Prince George’s County Police (PGPD) have charged a suspect with attempted murder in a shooting that occurred around 4 a.m. on March 12 at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites at 9020 Baltimore Avenue. Separately, a pair of shootings on April 11 and 15 at the Bowlero bowling alley, at 9021 Baltimore Avenue, remain under investigation.
Spanish-translation in College Park
In brighter news, the city of College Park has proposed a line-item in its 2025 fiscal year budget that includes $7,500 for neighborhood associations to pay for translators for their newsletters.
The community of Berwyn has already received grant money from the city to hire a local translator for its 50-year-old newsletter, The Berwyn News (not affiliated with Streetcar Suburbs News), which serves roughly 500 homes and publishes monthly online and quarterly in print.
Reaching Spanish speaking residents with local news is a strategic priority for us at Streetcar Suburbs too — please reach out if you’d like to help us get a Spanish newsletter going!
Hyattsville bookstore alive & kicking
If you’re looking for more eclectic reading material — or just an escape from the black hole of attention that is everything online — this profile on My Dead Aunt’s Books in Hyattsville might convince you to slow down and old-school browse for a while.
The profile offers an interesting look at the history behind both the name and the colorful building inhabited by the bookstore. Personally, I very much enjoyed the recent book launch I attended there and hope to catch their regular live music soon.
Laurel Festivals
Back to the subject of festivals, our final story highlights two in Laurel coming up on May 11, and you could potentially catch them both with some planning. The inaugural (and free) Wild Bee & Flower Festival runs from 10am to 2pm.
The festival takes place at the Patuxent River National Wildlife visitor’s center and will include exhibits and activities, including some led by USGS scientists and representatives from the University of Maryland. Laurel’s 43rd annual Main Street Festival lasts all day, starting with a parade at 9am, then continuing until 4pm with booths from local businesses, live music, and kids’ activities.
My Top 5 Local Twitter Tidbits (okay, “X”)
1. The Prince George’s County Council passed a resolution on May 1 that will allow commercial property owners in the county to request curfew zones for children under 17. This resolution is separate from the proposed county-wide juvenile curfew bill under consideration and the recent National Harbor emergency juvenile curfew. @DCNewsNow
2. Mount Rainier’s Era Wine Bar was recently nominated for a prestigious restaurant award in the greater D.C. area. It is one of five finalists for the “Wine Program of the Year” at the 2024 Rammy Awards. @HyattsvilleWire
3. The Prince George’s County Council is discussing a bill that aims to promote safe interactions between first responders and individuals with special needs and mental health diagnoses. If passed, the voluntary 911 registry would alert first responders of registered individuals’ mental health risks and special needs when responding to a call. @thedbk (The Diamondback)
4. Prince George’s County police are seeking to identify a car in connection with a hit-and-run in Laurel that left a man dead on April 21. A preliminary investigation revealed the driver of a dark blue 2018-2019 Hyundai Sonata Sedan was traveling eastbound on Contee Road when he hit the victim, identified as Barry Mitchell, 55, of Laurel. @7newsDC
5. Join the County Council May 7 as they continue to seek the public’s input on the County’s FY 2025 budget. The topics will be the County Budget, Board of Ed. Budget, and Constant Yield Tax Rate. @PGCCouncilMedia
One last thing — early voting for the 2024 Presidential Primary Election starts today in Prince George’s County at any of the 13 early voting centers, open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM through Thursday, May 9. Here are our two exclusive election guides for Maryland District 4 and local judges, plus the nonpartisan League of Women Voters guide to county and national races.
May the Fourth be with you! Keep sending your lovely emails with questions or comments on the newsletter.
Cheers,
Heather Marléne Zadig, Newsletter Editor
he******@st**************.news
Upcoming Events
Unless marked with an “$,” events listed do not charge admission.
Thurs. May 2, 12-1pm. $ Stacy’s Blues at Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel. Stacy Brooks has been “D.C.’s Queen of the Blues” by her peers and fans in the area, but she also has a dedicated international following. Ages 60 and better welcome.
Sat. May 4
8-10am. $ The Azalea Classic in University Park: a 5K race (9am), a 1-mile race (8:45am) and a 1K race (8:30am). Fundraiser benefiting the University Park Elementary School PTA on the residential streets of University Park. All streets are closed to traffic during the races.
8am-4pm. Berwyn Heights Day. Annual fun run, and free pancake breakfast, bake sale, parade starting at noon, and festivities starting at 1pm at Sports Park including a DJ, live concert by The Wild Anacostias, food and craft vendors.
10am-12pm. 3rd Annual City of College Park Parade: A cosmic celebration of community that will transcend galaxies! From seasoned Jedis to baby Yodas, it’s time to gather for a Star Wars parade that will be out of this world! The parade will travel down Rhode Island Avenue, starting at the Hollywood Shopping Center and ending at Duvall Field (roads closed during the parade).
11am-2pm. The HY-Swap at the City of Hyattsville Municipal Building. A free exchange of infant, children’s and maternity clothing, gear and toys, presented by a group of local parents. Register for a window to “shop” the swap to pick out new-to-you items! Please do not bring donations on-site the day of the swap. (4310 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, MD 20781).
1-2pm. Filipino Culture Through Arts & Crafts, Dances, & Stories at Beltsville Branch Library. Step into the vibrant world of Filipino culture with this immersive event. Celebrate the colorful traditions of the Flores de Mayo festival as you get creative with flower crown-making and woven paper flag crafting, plus folk dances, from the graceful Cariñosa to the dynamic Tinikling. (for kids of all ages)
8-10pm. $ The Kennedys perform at Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel. Husband-and-wife duo, vocalists/guitarists Pete and Maura Kennedy have traveled the U.S., Canada, and Europe for three decades. Higher energy than a folk act, but not as loud as a rock band, they mix passionate songwriting with a flair for entertainment and a repertoire of classic songs.
8-11pm. $$ 2024 Hy-Ball: Pyramid Galactic. Set phasers to “fun” for Pyramid Atlantic’s party-slash-fundraiser, an out-of-this-world night. Choose between The Empire or Rebel Alliance in our letterpress studio, awaken your force in our printshop, fend off an attack of the clones in screenprinting, and experience The Dark Side … of papermaking. Use your extra parsecs to kick back with a drink in the cantina, test your moon walk on the dancefloor, and pick up some stellar finds in our silent auction (there is no sound in space). 21+
Sun. May 5
12-3pm. Bluegrass Cinco de Mayo with Gabby & Nick at Maryland Meadworks in Hyattsville. Husband-and-wife folk duo interprets traditional bluegrass songs through contemporary folk harmonies and feel. The couple joins forces in song to celebrate the rich canons of Standard American Vernacular music. AND in keeping with the spirit of Cinco de Mayo, the meadery will be serving its frozen “meadaritas” all day.
3pm. The Muses Full Length Production at UMD’s Clarice Performing Arts Center, Cafritz Theater. “The Muses” is a theatre group dedicated to artistic activism, empowering women and those who identify as such through the arts.
Mon. May 6, 7-9pm. Independent Film Series at Hyattsville Branch Library: The Great 14th: Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama in His Own Words (2022). A screening and discussion of the film that captures the essence of the 14th Dalai Lama – a man whose life has been filled with extraordinary loss, resilience, and achievement—and whose philosophy of kindness continues to inspire millions of people around the world, regardless of faith or political persuasion.
Wed. May 8, 7-9pm. Madwitch at New Deal Café in Greenbelt. Haunting, high-energy tunes with lush two-fiddle harmony and a rockin rhythm section, Madwitch draws on Irish, Scottish, Scandinavian, and Eastern European traditions to present a blend of new and old music.
Thurs. May 9, 8pm. An Auction with the Phantom of the Opera at Clarice Performing Arts Center. Venture into the “haunted” corridors of the Paris Opera House as the University Orchestra brings one of the most iconic musicals to the concert hall for their final performance of the year. The longest-running show on Broadway, the musical is presented here by full orchestra and narration.
Fri. May 10
7-10pm. Jay Byrd Trio at Maryland Meadworks in Hyattsville. Jason (Jay) Byrd has been a professional guitarist, singer, and songwriter since his late teens. Throughout the years, Jay performed with Grateful Dead Cover Band Wavy Train, South Rail, and as a solo artist. Jay’s latest album, “At Home Again,” was released in August of 2022.
8-10pm. $ Ari Voxx and the Sad Lads at Brentwood Arts Exchange. Ari Voxx is Washington, D.C.’s Dreamy Pop Princess. Well-versed in many different music worlds, she focuses on writing music that is eclectic and authentically her transcending genres. Voxx’s sound is heavily inspired by the moods of 80s/90s new-wave & pop artists, like Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush, and The Cure to The Eurythmics, Soundgarden, & Imogen Heap.
Sat. May 11
1-3pm. Join the Neighborhood Design Center at Driskell Park in Hyattsville, for a family-friendly scavenger hunt of items connected to David Driskell and his artistic legacy! The event will also have a weaving loom, cyanotype printing, kid-friendly arts & crafts, a prize drawing, and an opportunity to share ideas for the next phase of the park master planning process.
2-6pm. University Park PorchFest 2024. Family-friendly community music event with a variety of musical acts ranging from acoustic to electric, solo to ensemble. All are welcome.
12-5pm. Gateway Open Studios Tour. The DC region’s largest one-day visual arts event! (+ more events all week). Come visit hundreds of working artist studios in the Gateway Arts District, along Route 1 from the DC line/ Mount Rainier up to Hyattsville, MD. See Facebook page for route map.
7-9pm. Unring the Bell: live music at Streetcar 82 brewery in Hyattsville.
May 11-12, all day. 19th Annual Greenbelt Green Man Festival. A two day vibrant festival full of live music, vendors, drum circles, crafts, environmental awareness, food, and fun for the whole family in the beautiful Roosevelt Center in Greenbelt.
Sun. May 12
11-1pm. Mom’s Day Out, The Station at Riverdale Park. The first 50 guests will receive a free mini bouquet from the locally-owned Calluna Flower Truck. Get groovin’ and movin’ with your mama with a live DJ and stop by the craft table to design your own Mother’s Day cards and picture frames. Grab matching glitter tattoos with your kiddos to rock the day in style. Capture the special day at the Mommy and Me photo booth.
12-2pm. Mother’s Day Tours at Riversdale House Mansion: Celebrate mom, grandma, or another special lady with a free tour of the historic home. Hear about some of the mothers who lived and labored at Riversdale, take a stroll through the garden, and stop in the open-hearth kitchen where Kitchen Guild members will be preparing Mother’s Day specialties.
2pm & 7pm. Gamer Symphony Orchestra Spring 2024 concert at UMD. This performance includes pieces from Pokemon, Zelda, Genshin Impact and more. Join them on a foray into the incredible world of video game music! Dekelboum Hall at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.
