We spotted this new Shepard Fairey mural on 14th Street NW between U and V Streets last night, on the side wall of popular restaurant/bar Marvin. The artist put up another one yesterday on P Street in Logan Circle. Unfortunately, the view of the mural is a bit obstructed by construction fences and accompanying banners, but it's definitely cool nonetheless. This mural is actually a made of many posters pasted up on the wall. Word on the street is that this mural went up Wednesday night, and that there may be many more around town. Has anyone spotted any other new Fairey works?
Second Shepard Fairey Mural at Marvin
Chewing the Fat: Copper Fox Distillery's Rick Wasmund
Last week, we caught up with Rick Wasmund, CEO and Master Distiller at the Copper Fox Distillery in Sperryville, VA. Their Wasmund's Single-Malt Whisky is the only spirit of its kind in the world, and it was great to get inside the head of the guy who makes it. To meet the distiller in person, Wasmund is doing an event at Marvin tonight at 5:30 p.m. He'll be pouring samples of Wasmund's Batch 20 and, hopefully, the Shenandoah Lemonade cocktail mentioned down in the interview.
Help Us Decide -- Is U Street in Shaw?
Named for the “Sexual Healing” crooner, Marvin is a new Belgian bistro and lounge in the Shaw neighborhood where Gaye was born. Those taking an evening off from the darts-and-Dockers bar scenes in Georgetown or Adams Morgan say it feels more than a few Metro stops away from their usual haunts.Wait, Shaw? Yes, Shaw. But the Times isn't alone in making this claim -- the Washingtonian similarly lists Busboys and Poets, which is less than a block north of Marvin, as being in Shaw.
Marvin May Get Grahamstanding of a Lifetime
We've become used to the routine -- violence breaks out at/near District bar; Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) publicly demands that bar's liquor license be pulled in the name of public safety/the children/puppy dogs; bar goes under. So reliable has Ward 1's representative on the D.C. Council become in his ability to appear before the cameras after a violent incident at a local bar that the City Paper has even coined a term for it -- Grahamstanding.
Video of Mural Installation at Marvin
Several people forwarded us this link to local graphic design firm ToolboxDC's blog, where they've posted a nifty time-lapsed video of the creation and installation of the large mixed media mural of Marvin Gaye that's hanging up in the dining room of the popular new U Street eatery Marvin. Owner Eric Hilton (of Thievery Corporation) commissioned the 6 ft. by 10 ft. work to be the centerpiece of the restaurant, but now he's putting the artwork is up for sale. If you're interested in purchasing it, you can contact ToolboxDC directly.

