DC Public Library is currently in the desi gn process for a fully funded new library in Congress Heights with the des ign-build team Perkins + Will Architects and Turner Construction. The new full-service\, 20\,000-square-foot plus library will be built next to the Congress Heights Metro Station at 1290 Alabama Ave SE. This library will r eplace the store-front Parklands-Turner Library\, located at 1547 Alabama Ave. SE.
\nSycamore &\; Oak is hosting DC Public Library for a sp ecial Congress Heights Design Reveal Gallery and Meeting where participant s can tour the design gallery and provide direct feedback to the design-bu ild team followed by remarks and a FREE concert by beloved Go-Go legends J unkyard Band and DJ Big John. \;
\nWe look forward to seeing you there - your participation is essential to help us ensure your new library is a reflection of you an d your neighbors!
\nThis will be one of two opportunities to see the new designs. If you cannot make this in-person meeting\, a second\, virtu al meeting\, will be held the week prior on Wednesday\, July 10 at 6 p.m. Click the link to get details on how to join the virtual meeting.
\nMetro
We strongly recomm
end utilizing public transit when visiting Sycamore &\; Oak. The retail
village sits directly adjacent to Congress Heights Metro Station on the G
reen Line\, a mere 3-minute stroll away. Follow directional signs through
the Kiss &\; Ride parking lot\, passing the Blue Lot\, then turn right
onto Oak Dr. SE. For detailed metro maps and schedules\, visit WMATA.com o
r call (202) 637-7000.
Bicycle
Outside The Entertain
ment &\; Sports Arena\, adjacent to us\, bike racks await. The closest
Capital Bikeshare station stands at Congress Heights Metro Station\, just
a 3-minute walk from the retail village.
Car
Sycamor
e &\; Oak is conveniently accessible from I-295\, I-395\, and the Capit
al Beltway. If you're arriving via rideshare\, head to the designated drop
-off/pick-up area near the retail village's front step entrance\, across f
rom The Entertainment &\; Sports Arena\, on Oak Drive. Google Maps offe
rs assistance for navigation.
Parking
Limited paid o
n-site parking is offered in the Green Lot (at Malcolm X Ave. &\; 8th S
t. SE) and the new parking garage behind The Entertainment &\; Sports A
rena. Pricing varies by event\, and both cash and credit are accepted at b
oth locations. On-street parking is available on the St. Elizabeths campus
on a first-come-first-served basis.
Parking Garage
Access the garage by entering at Cypress Avenue and following it until it
intersects with Pecan St. SE. Paid parking is available on event days.
Junkyard band began in 1980 as a group of kids playing in a lot wit
h plastic buckets\, soda cans and other found objects\, emulating the soun
ds of some of their favorite go-go bands who performed in their Southeast\
, DC neighborhood \;Barry Farms \;also known as "the projects". Th
e band began to play talent shows and street performances throughout DC\,
taking audiences by storm - playing from the grounds of the Smithsonian an
d Washington Monument\, to the streets of Georgetown.
The band bec ame a novelty act across the District\, Maryland and Virginia areas (DMV). Their popularity led to a TV commercial with one of the area's most popul ar retailers - Cavaliers Men&rsquo\;s Clothing Store. Shortly thereafter i n 1983\, the band landed an appearance in the movie "D.C. Cab" because it had quickly become a tourist attraction and Washington\, DC institution.\n
In 1985\, \;Junkyard \;caught the attention of \;Def Ja m Records \;and was signed that same year to a multi-year recording de al. The band worked closely with producer Rick Rubin\, recording and relea sing the national hit "Sardines" and an underground favorite "The WORD". A fter release of the songs\, Junkyard began to tour in the United States an d played major venues such as \;Capital Centre\, \;Richmond Colise um \;and the \;Apollo Theater. The tour included dates with a vari ety of groups such as \;Slayer\, \;Fishbone \;and the \;Be astie Boys. Following that\, in 1986 Junkyard appeared in the \;Def Ja m \;produced movie "Tougher Than Leather" alongside \;Run-DMC.
\nBecause of the unique beginnings of the band\, it has performed on al l types of stages\, in all types of situations from street corners\, to cl ubs\, to weddings\, to the \;John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The band has opened for and performed with/backed-up numerous artis ts such as \;Tupac\, \;Ice Cube\, \;Salt-N-Pepa\, \;Doug E . Fresh\, \;Lauryn Hill\, \;Chuck Brown \;and so many others. As the band started when the members were pre-teens\, \;Junkyard \ ;has been going strong for more than three decades.
\nAdding to the band's many accomplishments\, special honors\, awards\, and accolades\, Mu riel Bowser\, mayor of Washington\, D.C.\, proclaimed Jan. 15\, 2018 as Ju nkyard Band Day!
\n\n
A phenomenal DJ who highlights EVERY corporate event\, party\, o
r function! He goes by the name of DJ BIG JOHN ~ DAT BAMMA BE CRANKIN! Joh
n Royster\, professional known as &ldquo\;DJ Big John&rdquo\; is a native
Washingtonian. He was raised in Southeast\, DC and graduated from North Ca
rolina Central University. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in P
ublic Administration.