boise

Boise

chicago

Chicago

denver

Denver

houston

Houston

lasvegas

Las Vegas

madison

Madison

philly

Philly

pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

portland

Portland

saltlake

Salt Lake

We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast DC

We ask local movers and shakers the essential questions.

I hopped on the phone with developer Jonathon Quince to 

learn more about Kite House, a new condo building in Takoma, D.C.

 Kite House is situated on the original site of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center that is now within The Parks community.

How does The Parks community pay tribute to Walter Reed’s history?

“Honoring the history of the site was probably our core design philosophy. It drove every decision that we made before we even commenced designing any of the buildings that were on site. This philosophy extends through to the use of open space to maintain the views of the historic buildings that we’re honoring as the landmarks that they are in the city.”

What are some of the benefits to living in The Parks community?

“The campus is unique in D.C. The Great Lawn, in particular, is a historic element that has survived from the original hospital, and we have really lent that as our event space. There’s year-round programming, including concerts, theatrical performances and holiday celebrations, and smaller-scale events like our complimentary yoga classes offered spring through the fall. We’re only half a mile from Takoma and the Takoma Metro station and the fantastic downtown that is Takoma.

“We have a bunch of really exciting restaurants coming to the campus. I particularly love ramen. I’m very excited for when Junior opens. Then, of course, nothing beats the convenience of having a Whole Foods at your front door.”

Aside from the cool neighborhood, why should City Cast DC listeners choose to buy at Kite House?

“All the residences have particular sophisticated finishes. We have herringbone backsplashes, Bosch appliances, wide-plan flooring. The design element I particularly enjoy is the abundance of natural light. Within the residences we have lofty 6-foot windows, and then most of the residences have either a private terrace or a private balcony.

“Within the building, there's a hospitality-inspired lobby with a separate coworking space. There's a premium fitness studio with a separate yoga and meditation room. There's a club room that's outfitted with some soft seating, cafe tables, library. That club room actually opens up onto our outdoor entertaining terrace, which has its own dining area, grill stations, lounge seating, and a great location for hosting an outdoor party.”

Start here to learn more about Kite House

🎧 And why he's so proud of the garage

Developer Jonathon Quince discusses Kite House, a new condo building in Takoma, D.C. Kite House is situated on the original site of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center that is now within The Parks community.

DC Developer Takes Us Inside Kite House at The Parks

A DC Developer Takes Us Inside Kite House at The Parks

3 Questions With

After being in the works for almost a decade, D.C. is finally getting 

, and it’s going to be just as organic and celebratory as the genre itself. The museum will be located on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Anacostia, but will also have a touring go-go bus. Senior curator Natalie Hopkinson tells us what to expect.

“Right now, they are putting the finishing touches on the mobile museum – a retrofitted metro bus with interactive exhibits inside and room on top for a go-go band to perform. The bus will pop up at different community events, festivals, and demonstrations. For the museum itself, we are shooting for next February.”

“The first one is the royal packet which traces the go-go beat from West Africa to D.C. and around the world. I am working on a collab with Howard University to document the roots of the go-go band Experience Unlimited. We talked to over 150 people who had been part of the band and created an oral history to display. We also have some interactive exhibits that look at the visual language of go-go through glow posters.”

Besides the exhibit, what else will the museum offer?

“The go-go museum will be nothing like other D.C. museums. There will be live music and a recording studio where community members can learn the technical aspects of go-go. There will be space for people to talk about community issues and a café with African and Caribbean food. I think of it as a shrine where people can get the history, but also partake in the living culture that is gogo.”

While you’re waiting for the museum to open, learn a little more about go-go on our 

After being in the works for almost a decade, D.C. is finally getting a go-go museum, and it’s going to be just as organic and celebratory as the genre itself. Senior curator Natalie Hopkinson tells us what to expect.

The Inside Scoop on DC’s New Go-go Museum

This fall, D.C. will open its first new neighborhood high school in decades. Harold McCray, the new principal of MacArthur High School in Ward 3, shared how you set up a new school — from the traditions to the courses.

How do you choose the mascot and colors for a new school?

“When I first got started, I went on a promotional tour to different students. I would always ask them, what [do] you want as a school mascot and for your school colors. Then, we put those answers into a survey and sent it out to students and families. So the official colors are navy blue and teal, and they have chosen the mammoth as a mascot.”

Will the curriculum be different from other D.C. high schools?

“I wanted to cater towards the community and the needs of the students to make sure that they were not only going to get into college, but prepare them to actually get through college and graduate. So, something that is different is we have no general education courses. Everything will either be an honors course, a pre-AP course, or an advanced placement course.”

What are the pros and cons you see for students starting at MacArthur?

“I do see the distance as a con for students who don't live within walking distance. Having a 40 to 50-minute bus ride can be daunting. But I also see it as an opportunity because you're actually getting to go to a high school that's unique.

"A pro is that we’re starting from the ground up. It's offering the highest set of courses that you can offer in a much smaller setting. They actually have the opportunity to develop some of the clubs and activities. Also, the traditions that would already be in place at other high schools, these kids get to start here.”

What Goes Into Building a New DC High School

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a top D.C. chef? Danny Lledó is the chef and owner of Xiquet in Glover Park which just won the 

. He grew up in Silver Spring, and his food blends traditional Spanish cuisine with Chesapeake Bay ingredients. He tells us what makes the D.C. restaurant scene special and what it’s REALLY like to be a top chef.

What do you think makes the D.C. culinary scene unique?

“Being the capital means D.C. brings in a lot of people internationally. It’s a nice melting pot of different cultures. There is something for everyone here, from Michelin-starred joints to everyday restaurants. The scene has transformed in the last 10 - 20 years from a gastronomical perspective. More restaurants are focusing on the quality of the products, and there are simply more dining options.”

“We want to take traditional flavors and present them in the best way possible. Sometimes, things get deconstructed or repositioned, but the original flavor is there. So, if your grandma came and ate it, she would love it and say ‘wow that was fancy’.”

You grew up in Silver Spring and live in Georgetown. How did that influence your culinary work?

“It influences our menu quite a bit. We had Maryland blue crab on our menu last season. It was a rice dish where we married paella and blue crab. During the summer, we’ll use local produce and what’s in season. For example, right now, we have a nice grilled eggplant dish with grilled local peaches and almonds to go with it.”

Besides your own, what are your favorite restaurants in D.C.?

“For special occasions, my favorite restaurants are Bresca and Fiola Mare. For something more casual, like a date night, I’d go to Jônt or Sushi Nakazawa.”

What’s your day-to-day routine like as a chef/owner?

“You’d think I’d have more opportunity to cook and prep, but most of the time, I’m behind a laptop running the business. You get full control, but you don’t always get to do the cooking. I save the mornings for administration and the afternoon for cooking. I love being a part of service.”

What advice would you give someone starting in the DC culinary scene?

“Do what you love, do your research, and have a good market perspective. Really, the biggest focus for me is to do what makes you happy. Come into the restaurant with passion. That’s where the true talent comes out. Stay on course in terms of what you want to do. Whether it is a specific style or cuisine, learn as much as you can about it. Then, see how it can become part of the community.”

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a top D.C. chef? Danny Lledó, the chef and owner of Xiquet in Glover Park, tells us what makes the D.C. restaurant scene special and what it’s REALLY like to be a top chef.

The Man Behind DC’s Finest Dining

The first-ever Kids World is coming to Franklin Square this weekend with an array of food, installations, and activities meant for kids 3 -15. Though I’m hoping they won’t turn me away at the stuff-your-own-bear station.

The festival runs from noon to 8 p.m. today through Sunday. We asked Melanie Nwosu, DowntownDC BID’s Director of Events how to make the most of it.

What are the must-see exhibits at Kids World?

“There are too many to number, but we hope everyone has the chance to read along with, and meet, our special guests: the Lorax, Curious George, or the Cat in the Hat. There’s also an engineering and building activation with our friends from the National Children’s Museum. Don’t forget to get in a workout with Black Panther, Wonder Woman, Spiderman, or Supergirl.”

What inspired the city to start this new festival?

“Kids! We have so many festivals in the District geared toward adults and almost none like this, dedicated solely to children. We wanted to do the same for them, but better! More exciting, more learning, more fun — and did we mention the cotton candy?”

What are some great year-round sites for kids in DC?

“Planet Word, right next to Franklin Park, is a must! Other fantastic places include the National Children’s Museum, the Museum of Illusions, the National Building Museum, and the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden.”

The first-ever Kids World is coming to Franklin Square this weekend with an array of food, installations, and activities meant for kids 3 -15.

Everything You Need To Know About Kids World

From 1971 to 1972, a serial killer who called themselves the Freeway Phantom killed at least six Black girls in D.C. and terrorized their communities. They were never caught, but journalist Celeste Headlee thinks someone out there knows something. 

Why do you think so few people have heard of the Freeway Phantom?

“There are so many movies about other serial killers who have killed fewer victims and yet no one’s heard about the Freeway Phantom. Why? Firstly, we are talking about a period of time that was pretty chaotic. It was about the same time the Vietnam War protests were beginning. But, mainly, it's because these were young Black girls, and they were lower in socioeconomic status.”

Was there anything that connected the victims?

“They were all young Black girls, many were in a school uniform, they were all petite, they were all from the same lower-middle class area of D.C. Also, several of them had a green fiber on their bodies somewhere. The police ended up thinking it may have come from the person's trunk. So, there are quite a few things that connect them, it just took them a long time to realize that they were all killed by the same person.”

“One of the biggest suspects was Robert Atkins who ended up dying in detention. But there were a lot of assumptions made about the Freeway Phantom that ended up being inaccurate when we got an actual scientific profiler to take a look. I think there's somebody else out there. I know there is still somebody alive who knows something, and they may not realize they know something. I think we could solve this, and I think we could bring some justice to these families.”

From 1971 to 1972, a serial killer who called themselves the Freeway Phantom killed at least six Black girls in D.C. and terrorized their communities. They were never caught, but journalist Celeste Headlee thinks someone out there knows something.

The DC Serial Killer Who Deserves a Netflix Series

The D.C. rats are BAD, and it’s only getting worse with the summer heat. We’ve all heard not to leave your trash out, but Bomani Mtume and his neighbors are taking rat control to another level. His dog Barto hunts and kill rats in Adams Morgan. We had to ask how … and why.

How did you and Barto start hunting rats in D.C.?

“I heard about a society that hunted rats with dogs in New York, and I thought maybe Barto could do that. I found out there was a similar group in Georgetown. So, I got in touch with them and we've been hunting with them since September of last year. Barto is a terrier, so rat hunting came natural to him, no training was necessary.”

“We got in touch with the Executive Director of the Adams Morgan BID before starting there, and she was all for it. Overall, the response has been good. People recognize the dogs right away and will come up and thank us for what we're doing. However, some people think we're abusing our dogs or that they're going to get seriously sick because of the rats.”

How do you keep your dog healthy and make sure everything is humane?

“We take precautions against leptospirosis, which the dogs can get from coming in contact with rat urine. Rats don't carry rabies, so that's not a concern. And since the dogs don't eat the rats, there's no chance of them being poisoned. Some people also say that killing rats this way is cruel, but poison causes a rat to hemorrhage internally, and it can take five days for the rat to die. A dog can shake and kill a rat in 10 seconds.”

Think your dog could be a good rat killer? 

Here's How You Train Them!

We’ve all heard not to leave your trash out, but Bomani Mtume and his neighbors are taking rat control to another level. His dog Barto hunts and kill rats in Adams Morgan. We had to ask how … and why. 

Meet Washington, DC's Rat-Hunting Dog Society 

Meet DC's Rat-Hunting Dog Society 

 is coming back to Georgetown from July 12 - 23 with over 40 shows and 300 artists. From shadow puppetry to one-woman burlesque shows, there is truly something for everyone. We asked its founding director Julianne Brienza what we can expect this year and what shows to see.

Each performance is $15 and runs for 50 – 75 minutes.

There are SO MANY shows. How would you recommend people find the right ones for them?

“Search by genre on the Fringe site. If you like funny things – comedy is a good bet. If musicals are your thing – search musicals. For serious things – drama. If you just want to listen to music – the music genre is for you!”

Why is Fringe Festival important to D.C.'s theater scene, and what types of shows can we expect?

“Fringe is often the first job many have when they move to DC and work in technical theater. It is a way to meet others in the community and is a place where local and touring performers get to try out new ideas in a non-gate-keeping environment.

This year’s productions explore everything from drama grappling with dementia to the comedic relief of stand-up performances. There is a new two-person Romeo & Juliet, stories influenced by Indigenous, Black, Queer, and Femme perspectives, and a musical deep dive into bluegrass music.”

Any advice for making the most of the experience?

“Don’t be too judgy! Which can be hard in D.C. Know that the show you see might not be the most polished. Being polished is not the point of Fringe! The show(s) you choose will offer you ideas and stories that are raw and authentic. Be sure to chat with others in the audience. Fringe is a great, relaxed environment to meet new and old friends. Also, all the music is free at Powerhouse!”

3 Questions With: The Founder of DC Fringe Festival 

Frank O. Agrbo, aka Frankojazz, aka the “Mayor” of Mt. Pleasant, is a neighborhood legend. For the past three years, Frank’s been putting on weekly live music shows outside his home. We chatted with the musician-turned-community leader about his influence on the neighborhood.

It’s a family-friendly community with vibrant street life, diversity of race and culture, and a growing art and live music scene. I love the proximity to Rock Creek Park, where one can find serenity, exercise, and meditate. There are also multiple restaurants, bars, and other places where neighbors can gather.

How did you get the title of the “unofficial mayor of Mt. Pleasant”?

My only official role as an elected official was serving as the Chair of the Mt. Pleasant Advisory Neighborhood Commission. Friends started calling me “Mr. Pleasant,” or the “Mayor of Mt. Pleasant.” My ability to communicate in Spanish and French may also have something to do with it. I see the title as a kind of community support of my work and ideas over the years, especially during the pandemic, when I created music shows on my front porch when other establishments were closed.

Can you tell us more about the community events you put on?

I created “6ft. Aparty” to make people feel comfortable and practice safe distancing during the pandemic. These shows inspired various musical and artistic collaborations like the Mt. Pleasant artist’s collective. The shows are still ongoing on my porch at 17th Street NW and Kilbourne Place.

I also facilitate Children’s Hour Famjam every Saturday during the farmers market, where kids and parents can jam and sing along. Purple Patch donates breakfast after the show. Also, for the past 23 years, my family has hosted the Annual Kilbourne Place Block Party with a moonbounce, live music, potluck food, and games!

Meet The Unofficial Mayor of DC's Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood

Meet The Unofficial Mayor of Mt. Pleasant

 — formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights — has perfected the art of traveling for cheap. Lucky for us, he used to live in D.C. and agreed to walk us through his secret strategies of Dulles, National, and BWI.

What’s the difference between the three DMV airports? Is one cheaper?

I would say that at BWI, flights on average are a little bit cheaper than the other two, in large part because Southwest has a hub at BWI, and they have cheaper routes around the country. DCA and Dulles are similar to each other. The main difference is that from Dulles, you can get a lot of non-stop long-haul flights to Europe or Asia, whereas DCA almost always has connecting flights.

Especially in D.C., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and to a lesser extent, Saturdays see airfare that's 30 or 40% cheaper than other days of the week. Airlines know if you're flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you're probably flying for leisure and will actually offer cheaper tickets during those dates. Also, August is a good time as it’s dead in D.C. and there isn’t much business travel. So, if you're hoping to travel soon, target that end of summer period for the cheapest fares.

What are the cheapest/coolest places to visit from D.C. right now?

You're seeing a big increase in new nonstop flights to Africa. There's also a great new airline called Play out of Iceland that is flying non-stop to Reykjavik, a manageable four-and-a-half hour flight that’s very cheap. It's a budget airline, so although it’s $250 roundtrip, it won’t include seat selection or bags. But it’s still a great deal to Iceland!

Wondering what airport has the best food? How to hack a carry on? Or if you should stay loyal to one airline? Scott answers all these questions on 

Scott Keyes, the founder of Going — formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights — has perfected the art of traveling for cheap. Lucky for us, he used to live in D.C. and agreed to walk us through his secret strategies of Dulles, National, and BWI.