Posts tagged The District

If you find yourself in the nation’s capital of the United States, and it happens to be the last Sunday of the month, there is a must-see visit to be had that most likely even President Obama does not know about. Operating out of The White Tiger in the northeastern part of the District, Karma Kitchen DC is a volunteer-run initiative who once a month serve up free meals, grounded in generosity and the fact that food does taste better when shared. 

You receive the warmest of welcomes when you first walk through the door, then are invited to join other guests at the “community table” where beautiful fellowship so naturally emerges through the exchange of stories from all walks of life. The Indian cuisine is delightful with an assortment of choices: chickpeas, naan, okra, rice, saag aloo (spinach with potatoes) and vegetarian makhni; it would be impossible for the menu not to grab at your taste buds or for the food not to satisfy your hunger. And at the end of it all, not only are you full, so is your bill!
No fine print; no strings attached.

This circle of giving began when someone else received this same act of kindness, and continues through “pay it forward” contributions. Although everyone is encouraged to gift a montary donation for the next set of guests, it goes deeper than that; it is about the move from transaction to trust and isolation to interconnectedness. An experience such as this reminds you of the magic behind giving graciously, not in price, but value. It is about actively participating and contributing to the possibility of revolutionary change once you leave the table.

Karma Kitchen DC happens the last Sunday of each month at The White Tiger (301 Massachusetts Ave NE). Brunch goes from noon to 3:00 p.m., with last seating at 2:45 p.m. For more information, visit their web site: 
http://www.karmakitchen.org.

DC’s newest home venue iClhalk swung open its doors for the first time a month ago and welcomed local Maryland band kindlewood to the stage.
It was a surreal, intimate evening as beautiful souls congregated under the twinkling lights, having travelled as far north as Connecticut, as far west as Fairfax VA and everywhere in between.

kindlewood is a strikingly simplistic trio, made up of high school sweethearts Galen & Kelci Smith and dear friend, Jamison Lyman. They emerged onto the musical terrain in November 2010 with their debut EP, I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, and have only continued to grow with the release of their full-length album, Desiderium, in May of 2011.

Each song that Saturday night was led by Kelci’s soft yet rich voice and from the moment she opened her mouth to sing, you opened yours as well…in awe. The night began with Mon Ami, an invitation that regardless of whether we’d known each other for weeks, months, years or even just a few hours, 
we are all friends.

Their third song of the night, Wilderness, swept you off your feet, and even in the hussle and bussle of the District, kindlewood’s crisp harmonies combined with a magnificent, yet subtle, accordion hum left you feeling, or rather truly believing, a peak outside the window would reveal a beautiful mountain range and the morning break they so eloquently sang of.

Reverie was definitely the crowd favourite with Kelci’s ukelele playing was elegantly effortless and the audience members were encouraged to clap and sing along; it was an enchanting musical experience that you never wanted to end.

Thanks to everyone who came out that night and be sure to check out kindlewood’s website and buy their album, Desiderium, here.