We've written before about the MuralsDC program; last October they unveiled seven new murals around the city. This partnership between the D.C. Commission on Arts and Humanities and the Department of Public Works recruits local artists and youth as "a graffiti prevention program that replaces illegally tagged spaces with beautiful murals." more ›

Dish of the Week: Doro Wat more ›

Last month, we let you know that DCist would be getting a facelift, part of some changes to the look and feel around the Gothamist network of blogs. Those of you who have moseyed over to Gothamist over the past few weeks have a good idea of what to expect: a redesigned home page with a enhanced focus on featured stories and images and better performance from site elements like photo galleries, among other improvements. We're pretty excited about the new duds, and I'm pleased to announce that the redesign will arrive at DCist this weekend. more ›

There's only a mere weekend and a day between you and your chance to ogle some art at the DCist Exposed Photography Show's opening receptions on March 15 and 16 at Long View Gallery. Do you have your tickets yet? more ›

Say what you want about Pogues fans, but after overhearing those comments, we can say that they definitely aren’t deluded. Admittedly, Pogues’ lead singer Shane MacGowan wasn’t in the piss poor form of legend (no chair was needed to hold him up this time), but he still looked lost as he staggered haggardly onstage in his sunglasses, trench coat and Mardi Gras beads, as if forward movement was an epic struggle. However, one fan’s comment of “As long as he’s standing and singing, we’re fine,” seemed to be the prevailing sentiment amongst the audience. more ›

Few musical experiences are as energizing as seeing a hot Latin jazz band live in concert. The combination of infectious rhythms with a strong improvisational component puts both the head and feet in that happy place. Few groups have struck this balance as well and as long as Poncho Sanchez & his band. The veteran conguero is the consummate road warrior, having toured for nearly 40 years. Psychedelic Blues, the bandleader's most recent studio release -- his 24th -- received a 2011 Grammy nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album, proving Sanchez's artistic vitality. more ›

In February, we heard about the next television show featuring life in the District. Georgetown is slated to be a "primetime soap about young people behind the power brokers of D.C." We have a little update now, via this reader-submitted image of a letter that went out to Georgetown residents a couple weeks ago. more ›

Good morning, Washington. Just as a recent report found that the District government was buying cars its not legally allowed to own, a report released yesterday by Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) found that eight senior Gray aides and agency heads are being paid more than D.C. Council legislation allows. According to the report, Gray's chief of staff Gerri Mason Hall and the City Administrator Allen Lew's chief of staff make more than a $193,125 council cap, while six agency heads make more than a $179,000 cap. The report also found that salaries in Gray and Lew's offices had increased more than 10 percent from September 2010 to March 2011, and generally claimed that only two cases of nepotism had been documented. The City Paper has the full report, the Post has good coverage of the heated debate that ensued between Cheh and Councilmember David Catania (I-At Large), who called the report a "whitewash." Councilmember Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) sided with Catania, while Councilmember Harry Thomas (D-Ward 5) generally played into the report's conclusions that Gray either adjust the salaries or request a council exemption. The report only adds weight to what Post columnist Robert McCartney said yesterday -- maybe it's time for some resignations. more ›

• All of us Washingtonians, with our noses buried in our iPhones and Blackberries have made our city the "USA's Most Socially Networked City," according to some poll by some magazine. One person thinks it's because of voting? Another says she tweets "to infect the public conversation with data," which, ew, unfollow. And here I thought we all just had a shared fetish for kitten videos.
• And Now, Anacostia writes about a new radio station, React Radio (WPWC 1480AM), "a DC-based, globally-minded progressive music and talk radio station" that's moving into the former Mama Cole's space at 1918 MLK Avenue SE.
• The organizers behind the annual Columbia Heights Day are putting together a neighborhood spring yard sale on April 2. Get more info and add your place to the map here.

DCist's highly subjective and hardly comprehensive guide to the most interesting movies playing around town in the coming week. more ›

One of the goals we've developed for the DCist Exposed Photography Show is creating a casual venue to explore art. This is both for new artists who are finding their footing as photographers, as well as new art enthusiasts, who feel comfortable enjoying the classics in D.C.'s many museum collections, but may be unsure where to start when it comes to supporting the arts locally. We want Exposed to be a great avenue to start your art collection – by offering artwork featuring something you love (a piece of D.C.) at a relatively low price point, allowing new patrons to support new artists. more ›