Tour - Before Harlem, There Was U Street
Location
Phone: 202-484-1565
Explore the neighborhood that was shared by African American intellectuals, business leaders, and families of all economic levels. The businesses they owned and the houses they lived in are featured on this walk. U Street was dubbed “Black Broadway” for the numerous movie theaters, nightclubs and ballrooms frequented by jazz musicians like Cab Calloway, Pearl Bailey, Jelly Roll Morton, and Duke Ellington himself. You’ll see a theater and club where these performances took place. The first full service YMCA for African Americans; one of the few hotels that welcomed a black clientele; and the first memorial to African American soldiers who fought in the U.S. Civil War are on the walk route, as are homes occupied by the Ellington family as Duke grew up. You'll stand on the corner where riots started that extinguished the heyday of the area--but only temporarily. U Street has rebounded to become a must-see corridor for out-of-town visitors and locals alike.(Sponsored by Washington Walks and Cultural Tourism DC).
Led by Amy, Charlene, or David.
When: Saturday 10:30 a.m. through October 29, 2011. Not offered: Saturday, October 8.
Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
Weather: Walks are given rain or shine.
Where: Embarks from outside the U Street / Cardozo Metrorail station [13th Street exit].
Who: Your guide will be wearing a blue and green Washington Walks badge.
Cost: $15 per person (kids 3 and younger free). No reservations necessary. Simply show up! Pay for the walk in cash when you arrive. (Groups of 25 or more should notify us in advance.)
About Washington Walks:
Since 1999, Washington Walks guides have been leading visitors and locals alike along the streets of America’s capital city, revealing the stories and sites that abound on the National Mall and beyond. Our walking tours require no reservations, take place rain or shine, and are reasonably priced. Most of our walk routes are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit our website at www.washingtonwalks.com
Contact Information
Phone: 202-484-1565
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“The DC Jazz Jam is a wonderful opportunity for jazz lovers to join together and celebrate this great American art form. Musicians and appreciators young and old alike come out to Dahlak to listen, create and improve. It’s a great, friendly atmosphere."