Fort Dupont Park: Old Skool Saturday Nites In DC
Washington, D.C. has many attractions that are east of the river. Wait. I should clarify by saying that this is east of the Anacostia River. Specifically, east of the river in DC means the gentrified remains of George Clinton’s version of “Chocolate City” (i.e. The Hood). Some of you may not realize that DC had/has a thriving Black community that has been here since the turn of the 20th Century. My family has been here for about four generations. The city is changing now that some poor blacks are being forced to leave because of new developments (condos, cafes, etc.) and others are choosing to leave for more yard space in the suburbs. Besides, we do love our BBQ’s and family gatherings. Then, there is Fort Dupont Park, The rock on the ridge located in the heart of Southeast Washington. For the past 30 years, Fort Dupont has been a place where family, friends and lovers can go to listen to the best in Jazz, Blues, Soul, and R&B. The best thing about it is that it’s FREE!!!! Yes, FREE and sponsored by the National Park Service. We had a nice spot not too far from the stage. I was accompanied by my wife, aunt, uncle, and extended South African Family. We had plenty of fruit, chips, water, and juice between us. We had a great time and the weather was nice once that hot azz sun began to set.
Highlight: The best musical moment of the show (besides my wife shouting “Yes!” to one of the performers on stage) was the performance by DC’s own William DeVaughn. You should have seen him! He was dressed to the T with a sky (hat) to match. He looked like a straight up “Mack.” He sang his now ghetto anthem, “Be Thankful.”
You know the words, “…Diamond in the back sun roof top…digging the scene with gangsta lean Hooo Hoooooo oooh!!!”
The entire crowd was singing along and dancing. I love Fort Dupont Park! It’s one of the few remnants of the DC that I remember growing up in old DC (A.K.A Chocolate City).
This is the remaining line up for Summer 2006:
Fort Dupont Park
CONCERT TIME - 8:00 P.M.
July 8
Regina Belle
Opening: Exquisite
July 15
WPFW Night “D.C. Juke Box Review”
Featuring Al Johnson, William DeVaughn, Sir Joe Quarterman, Mark Green & Captain Fly & Friends Opening : Hardway Connection
July 22
The Impressions
Opening: Style Band
July 29
Midnight Star
Opening: Clones of Funk
August 5
Enchantment
Opening: Jeffrey Walker Band
August 12
Blue Magic
Opening: Phaze 2
Click the following link for Fort Dupont's Summer Schedule and other concerts in the Washington Metro Area
Comments
It has become a DC tradition for those that grew up in the area surrounding the park. If you get a chance to attend it is best to go about an hour before the show. It's a nice time and there's never any trouble. Where did you move from?
Dayum...dayum...dayum...looks like I'm gonna have to continue to live vicariously through you.
Yes, it was a nice, but hot night out. :)
michelle-
Haa haaa! I'll keep up the posting for your sake. :) I had a nice time.
that's one of the things i miss about living in NYC. in the summer time there are so many free events, concerts (Summer Stage/Celebrate Brooklyn/Harlem Week), etc. LA is definitely lacking some....culture. i guess it's because we are a commuter culture & so spread out. there is no "center" of our city, just a bunch of wild branches doing their own thing.
Yeah, you know the NYC is always going to have something happening. I've never been to LA. I'd like to visit one day.
bougie-
I need to check. I ususally don't know what I'm going to do until I check with Mrs. Bess. Sometimes I'll make plans and then she'll say, "Don't you remember that we have to..." :)
I'll get back.
Thank you for sharing you talent with us :)
I'm from Williamston, NC. Have you heard of it?
Xavier-
Yes, it's a good time on a comfortable Sat night. I love classic soul music so I'm in soul heaven.
Yes, I love this time of year despite the humidity and heat. It's alright when sunsets though. I'm sure that I'll have another post on this before Summers end. Thanks