By Southwester Staff The Southwester is proud to highlight artists, writers, and creators that live in the neighborhood and make our vibrant DC quadrant what it is. In this issue, we highlight Southwest resident Adom M. Cooper and congratulate him for the December 2023 publishing of a children’s cybersecurity book […]
Arena Stage Brings DC History to Life with New Show
Tempestuous Elements director Psalmayene 24. Courtesy Scott Suchman By Southwester Staff The life of Anna Julia Cooper, spanning over a century from 1858, when she was born into slavery in Raleigh, North Carolina to her death in 1964 in Washington DC, is one filled with dramatic moments. Tempestuous Elements, opening February […]
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi Visits Jefferson Middle School Academy
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Jidé George, Sanaa Wilson, and Kimberly-Celeste “K.C.” Boyd. Courtesy of the Author. By Matthew Koehler In January, Jefferson Middle School Academy welcomed guest author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. Kendi’s new book, Barracoon: Adapted for Young Readers, tells the story of Oluale Kossola, who was a survivor of […]
Young Readers: Put Those Gift Cards to Good Use
By Kitty Felde It’s likely that among your children’s holiday gifts this year, there were more than a few gift cards. Left to their own devices, kids will head straight to the electronics store. But if there’s flexibility in what kids can spend their gift card money on, take them […]
Arena Stage Presents Diverse Lineup for Second Half of 2023-24 Season
Step Afrika! performs “The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence.” Photo by Jati Lindsay. Courtesy of Arena Stage By Southwester Staff January brings a new calendar year for making resolutions and trendy lists of what’s in and what’s out. It’s still the middle of the planned theater year, however, and Arena […]
Young Readers: Kids Can’t Keep their Hands Off these Giftable Books
By Kitty Felde Kids are reading less. A lot less. Just one in three children read every day for pleasure. According to the National Literacy Trust, daily reading by kids between ages eight and 18 has dropped 26 percent over the past two decades. Librarian Rebecca Opalka says she’s been […]
Stunning Retrospective Brings Simone Leigh Full Circle at the Hirshhorn
Simone Leigh, 2021. Photo by Shaniqwa Jarvis. Courtesy of the artist. By Sheila Wickouski A remarkable new exhibit at the Hirshhorn Museum, the first museum retrospective of the work of Simone Leigh, is akin to walking through a memoir of the renowned sculptor’s life. The exhibit, on view through March […]