The DC COVID Alert Notice (DC CAN) is the official COVID-19 exposure notification system for DC. Using Bluetooth technology, the system lets you know if you’ve come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. To learn more, visit coronavirus.dc.gov/dccan.

In collaboration with the Congressional Award Foundation (CAF) and Eliot-Hine Middle School, DC Radio 96.3HD4 presents Café Radio. The podcast is hosted by CAF Alumni Dr. MarTeze Hammonds and features 8th grade students from the Eliot-Hine Middle School's Media Program. Each episode provides District students the opportunity to gain hosting skills and producing experience.  These programs are intended to help guide DC students through the opportunities that the CAF program offers and provide information on how to explore CAF's pathways to career goals.

The Café Radio Podcast will air Saturdays at 11:30 am EST starting August 21 on DC Radio 96.3HD4, DCRADIO.GOV, on the the DC Radio app for iPhone and Android, Tunein.com, Alexa and all major on-demand platforms.

The 36th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards is coming! The awards are the most prestigious honor conferred by the city to individual artists, arts educators, nonprofit organizations, the creative community, and patrons of the arts.

The Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) in conjunction with the DC Creative Affairs Office, will produce the 36th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards where creatives, artists and organizations will be recognized across fourteen categories, celebrating everything from visual arts, fashion, beauty, and the humanities.

Visit  DCMayorsArtsAwards.com for more information!

The Lizzie Award is the highest honor that Covenant House bestows on an individual who has done significant philanthropic work and made noteworthy contributions to individuals, families and communities. Each year, this award is presented at Covenant House Greater Washington's Night of Stars Gala.

We are proud to announce that #EntertainDC's own Director #AngieGates is the 2021 Lizzie Award recipient.  Stay tuned to DCN Channel 16 this month for special coverage of the 2021 Night of Stars Gala.

#EntertainDC congratulates local fashion designer and sustainability activist Nikki Hendricks on successfully completing her Down to Earth artist residency. The Down to Earth program (a Capital Fringe, Friends of Kenilworth Gardens, and Caandor Labs partnership) provides DC-based artists the opportunity to create artwork based on the Kenilworth neighborhood and Gardens past, present, and future, with a sharp focus on the climate emergency and its intersectionality with systemic racism.

Nikki is a DC native who grew up creating her own fashion magazines and got her first sewing machine at the age of 12. She is MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) graduate, whose collections have been seen at New York, Paris, and Milan fashion weeks. Nikki was the Designer in Residence at the DC Fashion Foundation Incubator program at Macy’s.

Nikki draws inspiration from the futurism genre and emphasizes underlying content about race, religion, gender, and sexuality. During the Down to Earth spring season, DC fashion designer Nikki Hendricks created a fashion design collection based on the Kenilworth area's plant life out of sustainable materials. You can learn more about Nikki and view her work at NikkiHendricks.com and an introduction to Nikki profile on YouTube.

Reggie Van Lee now serves as the Chair of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser.  He previously served for 32 years as an executive at Booz Allen Hamilton. He also served on the boards of local arts organizations such as The Washington Ballet, Washington Performing Arts, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Reggie is currently on the Board of Washington National Philanthropies and Coalition For African Americans on the Performing Arts.

'It truly is an honor to be appointed chairperson of the arts commission by Mayor Bowser,' said Chairperson Van Lee. 'Every DC resident should have the opportunity to access the full spectrum of arts and cultural offerings available in the District, and I look forward to helping the Commission continue its work to make that a reality.'

Congratulations Reggie!

On "DC Radio: Four & More", 30-year radio industry veteran and general manager of DCRadio96.3HD4, Maxx Myrick, looks back on this milestone and the achievements over the last four years.

He reflects on DC Radio's growth and expansion, making it a unique voice in national and local information and entertainment. Maxx also shares his singular perspective on the unique partnership between DC Radio and urban radio powerhouse, WHUR. He shares his hope for the future of the station, Maxx will also take viewers back to the very special, exciting night that launched DC Radio featuring comments from Mayor Bowser and Director Gates and highlighting some of the amazing programming that aligns with their vision to support and expand access for District creatives.

"DC Radio: Four & More" aired on September 19 on DKN, DCE and DC Radio 96.3HD4.

#EntertainDC's own Director of Programming, Karen Tolson, was recently re-elected to serve another two-year term on the Board of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA).

NATOA's mission is to support and serve the communications interests and needs of local governments. First elected to the Board in 2019, Karen's responsibilities include supporting the organization's budgeting, determining the organization’s stance on various telecommunication legislation, planning for the national conference, identifying sources of revenue, and serving on committees. She is currently the co-chair of the video production committee and serves on the Government Programming Awards (GPA) committee. 

 Congratulations Karen!

The District of Columbia Entertainment Network (DCE) delivers FREE lifestyle and entertainment programming from the nation’s capital. Watch award-winning entertainment programming produced in Washington DC. DCE provides a global audience a viewing opportunity that features DC’s multi-cultural lifestyle and talent. DCE represents OCTFME’S mission to support and elevate the creative community.

The 24-hour on-demand network delivers – FREE – lifestyle, music, live events, sports, arts, variety shows, talk shows, educational and entertainment programming from the nation’s capital into homes via ROKU, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. The content is also available on iPhone and Android mobile devices by downloading the DCE Network app as well as Samsung TV via the DCE app and at DCENetwork.com.

For more information on DCE go to dcenetwork.com.

OCTFME will highlight the achievements of District of Columbia residents who exemplify excellence in the area of creativity, education, creative entrepreneurship, economic revitalization of creative businesses, social justice, or racial equity.

OCTFME is delighted to recognize Chef Kwame Onwuachi as the inaugural recipient of this distinction. Onwuachi trained at the Culinary Institute of America and opened five restaurants before turning thirty. A former Top Chef contestant, he has also been named one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs, and a 30 Under 30 honoree by both Zagat and Forbes. The incredible story of Kwame’s rise in the culinary world is chronicled in an inspiring memoir; about the intersection of race, fame, and food, “Notes from a Young Black Chef.” Chef Kwame will be part of Top Chef’s special new competition, when the show returns for Season 18 in 2021. Check out our 202Creates Masterclass with Onwuachi. 

Congratulations Chef Kwame!

 The #EntertainDC Office has curated a special YouTube playlist of Go-Go hits from the 80s to present day that will be sure to have you busting loose.  Tell us what you think on social media by using the hashtag #KeepTheBeatGoing

From June 28 through July 2, join us for conversations about mental health, the relationship between money and music, how to collaborate with District government and what it takes to run a successful partnership. There will also be writing rooms and offering one-on-one support with coaches.

RSVP now to save your spot.

Urban Beauty TV is a 5-episode series created and executive produced by BET Programming Executive Jon Marc Sandifer in collaboration with OCTFME. It will be distributed nationally and internationally on OCTFME platforms, BET HER, BET and CaribVision.

The program will air each Saturday evening at 10:30PM on BET HER, through April 24, 2021.

The Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) have a long history of promoting gender equality, spearheading initiatives to support inclusion and highlighting women’s stories. The Nordic embassies in the United States, Women in Film and Television International, and Women in Film & Video Washington, DC are proud to present a digital screening series of Nordic cinema. For five consecutive weeks, every Tuesday-Thursday from February 2 to March 3, audiences will have the chance to watch contemporary Nordic films followed by intimate panel discussions with groundbreaking female Nordic and American filmmakers.

Visit WIFTI.net for more information

That’s right, we're getting ready to jingle those holiday bells! In 2020, DC Radio’s host of “Raiding the Crates”, John Avery, lifted everyone's "Holiday Spirit" by raiding the DCN holiday performances vault and putting together the greatest sounds of the season from some of the best recording artists around the DMV and beyond. It was such a huge hit, we're going to do it again -- and you can be part of this holiday extravaganza!

We're looking for great holiday music performances to include in this year’s "Holiday Spirit" special. All submissions must be original compositions or public domain holiday songs. Our favorite musical elf, John Avery, will once again produce and host the special.

So whatever the genre, however you celebrate the season, get in the holiday spirit now by sending your video submissions to john.avery@dc.gov by July 1, 2021.

 The DC Shorts International Film Festival, also known as DC Shorts, is a hybrid film festival screening 95 short films of all genres in 18 showcases online, available in North America for the duration of the festival, and screening five in-person showcases in partnership with Edlavitch JCC’s JxJ Theater including the audience favorite “Animation Domination” Showcase and “Cinema 10% LGBTQ” Showcase. 

Two additional in-person screenings were held at the Goethe-Institut Washington. This year’s films were selected from more than 900 submissions, with the 95 final Official Selections including four World Premieres.

On Wednesday, September 15, Mayor Bowser will kick off the 4th Annual National Maternal & Infant Health Summit. The two-day event will bring together residents, healthcare officials, healthcare professionals, service providers, and more to explore, strategize, and share solutions to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in the District and beyond.

To learn more about the Summit and to RSVP, visit dcmaternalhealth.com.

DC Art All Night will take place from 7:00 PM to 3:00 AM the following morning on two nights—September 24 and 25. The festival will take place in sixteen (16) neighborhoods with different activations on each night. Art All Night brings visual and performing arts, including painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, fashion, music, dance, theater, film, and poetry, to indoor and outdoor public and private spaces, including local businesses and restaurants.

Visit DCArtAllNight.org for more information.

The March on Washington Film Festival will be comprised of virtual and in-person events based primarily at Union Market and Eaton Workshop in Washington, D.C.  The theme, “A Single Garment of Destiny: Civil Rights and Environmental Justice” spotlights the ongoing climate crisis and its disproportionate impact on communities of color.

The March on Washington Film Festival kicks off its 9th annual festival September 30 and runs through October 4, 2021.

WORKING IN DC is a public celebration of the working class through the lens of history, labor, justice, and the arts.

With a celebratory performance at BLM Plaza, Working In DC brought the spirit of the legendary Studs Terkel to life for the Washington, DC community. Proudly presented in collaboration with Labor Heritage Foundation, this project uplifts during our pivotal time of racial justice reckoning, COVID-19, and political unrest.

For more information, visit WorkingInDC.org

The 202Creates Residency Program provides DC creative & artistic entrepreneurs with the resources and support to start and scale their businesses. Applications are currently being accepted until 11:59 pm on March 18, 2021.

Visit 202Creates.com to apply, learn more about the Residency Program and meet our residency classes.

Join us for a new Mayor Muriel Bowser Presents 202Creates Masterclass. Meet DC’s favorite DJ, in a conversation focused on her experiences and how she navigated the changing music landscape. Mark your calendars to join us, June 17 at 12:30PM to listen in.

Subscribe to @Entertain_DC on YouTube to receive alerts and check out the rest of the Masterclass series.

OCTFME will highlight the achievements of District of Columbia residents who exemplify excellence in the area of creativity, education, creative entrepreneurship, economic revitalization of creative businesses, social justice, or racial equity.

DC Native and saxophonist extraordinaire, Herb Scott is a rising star on the Washington, DC. Jazz scene. While studying at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts under the award-winning educator Davey Yarborough, he performed with renowned trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and Jazz pianist Herbie Hancock. Herb studied Jazz Studies at Michigan State University under Jazz legend Rodney Whitaker and Professor Diego Rivera and toured with the MSU Jazz Band.

Congratulations Herb!

On April 11, celebrate the Past, Present, & Future of Anacostia Park with a virtual experience. This year's festival will share the history of GoGo,  feature a live band performance from Pure Elegance and much more. The Anacostia River Festival is a collaboration between the 11th Street Bridge Park, the National Park Service and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. 

Visit the festival's website for more information.

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) is administered by The Small Business Administration (SBA) and provides $15 billion in GRANTS. The grants will be available to live performance venues, promoters, theatrical producers, or live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theatre operators, and talent representatives.

For more information sign up on CAO's SVOG page and visit the SBA website.

OCTFME continues to highlight the achievements of District of Columbia residents who exemplify excellence in the area of creativity, education, creative entrepreneurship, economic revitalization of creative businesses, social justice, or racial equity.

OCTFME is delighted to recognize Princess Mhoon as the newest OCTFME Star. Princess Mhoon is the Founder and CEO of The Princess Mhoon Dance Institute, an acclaimed dance institute located in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area. Having served thousands of families through in-studio and off-­site programs, PMDI’s mission is to educate, unite, transform and heal our community through the power of dance. 

Congratulations Princess Mhoon!

For the first time ever, the 35th Annual Mayor’s Arts Award is going virtual and heading to a screen near you on September 30th at 7 pm EST! The VOTING ROUND is open now through September 14th. Stay plugged in for more information on all things Mayor’s Arts Awards. To RSVP visit www.dcmayorsartsawards.com and follow @Entertain_DC

The DC Creative Affairs Office will be celebrating DC's creative entrepreneurs during Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), November 16-20, 2020. This week will be a celebration of innovators who dream big and launch startups that bring ideas to life. Each November, GEW reaches millions of people of all ages and backgrounds through local, national and global events and activities. Check out the lineup below:

 
Monday, November 16 - Care for Creatives Community Conversation: Mental Health Equity
Tuesday, November 17 - BUILDing our Future Entrepreneurs: A Conversation on Youth Entrepreneurship 
Wednesday, November 18 - Policy and the People: A Conversation on How Advocacy Leads to Policy Change
Thursday, November 19 - DSLBD District Connect: Live Conversation on Mental Health and Small Business

Visit CreativeAffairsDC.com/gew for more information and to sign up!

Capital Fringe is offering four paid artists’ residencies under the theme Down to Earth to provide an outlet for DC, Maryland, and Virginia artists and creatives. The experience will provide an opportunity to create artwork or experiences that examine our ability and fortitude as human beings to tackle the climate emergency and systemic racism. Projects developed through the residency will engage the landscape and wildlife of the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, utilizing them for inspiration or as a metaphorical or literal canvas.

The DC Creative Affairs Office has launched Care for Creatives Community Conversations, a webinar series that highlights mental wellness within the District's creative community. Visit CreativeAffairsDC.com/partnerships to watch the conversations on-demand.

The Care for Creatives program is available to help all creatives, artists and entrepreneurs! This partnership between the DC Creative Affairs Office and the George Washington University, Community Counseling Services Center (CCSC) provides pay-what-you-can mental health services to area creatives. 

To receive care, email CCSCFoggyBottom@gwu.edu and the Care for Creatives team will follow up with more information. You will be asked a couple of questions and then paired with a clinician for support.

The Wammie Awards is The MusicianShip's 33-year-old awards show aimed at recognizing DC, MD & VA area artists and musicians for their artistic works and impact across the metropolitan region each year.

The 2021 Virtual Wammie Awards will feature a Pre-Show, Red Carpet (Sponsored by OCTFME), Awards Show, and After Party! Hosted by WKYS' Chey Parker & DJ Mim, you'll catch interviews with the 2021 Finalists, 2021 Award Winners and musical performances throughout the night!

Visit WammiesDC.org for more information.

Visit WammiesDC.org for more information.

Visit WammiesDC.org for more information.

Visit WammiesDC.org for more information.

We invite you to join us as we celebrate 202Creates Month and highlight DC’s creators. Our month long programming kicks off with a virtual  celebration, includes featured fireside chats with notable business leaders driving innovation in the creative economy. RSVP for our events below.

Join us online as we host a virtual kickoff with special performances to celebrate the city's creative community at our annual launch.

 Check out the recordings of our incredible sessions on Facebook.

Strategies for Launch: Equipment, Tools, and Techniques with Selcuk Karaoglan

Digital Strategies to Grow Your Reach with Andrew Nguyen

Content is King: Tips for Creating Powerful Scripts and Interviews with Demetria Lucas

Getting to the Money: Monetizing Your Podcast with Gary Coichy

See this amazing session discussing the changing dynamic of film and production along with strategies emerging and established content creators can leverage to launch and complete new projects. Click here to watch the recording on Facebook or YouTube.

Watch industry leaders for a conversation on the future of music on YouTube.

Join us for a conversation with renowned innovator Steve Case, for a featured fireside discussion on leading innovation to build a world class economy.

DC Radio 96.3 HD4 is turning 3 years old on September 19th!  The radio station, operated by OCTFME, is the District of Columbia’s first and official government radio station, in partnership with Howard University’s WHUR. The station's programming enhances the quality-of-life for District residents by broadcasting vital information, sharing programming on emergency and non-emergency services and alerts, and providing community and government affairs programming. In addition, DC Radio 96.3 HD4 provides a media literacy training platform for DC residents and students.

Stay tuned to  @DCRadioHD for more updates on its 3rd year anniversary celebration.

Filmfest DC will be presenting a virtual Private Screening Festival event through October 11, 2020. Access and screen some of the best domestic and international films from the last several years from the safety and comfort of your home. For more information go to www.filmfestdc.org #FilmfestDC

Women In Film & Video presents ScriptDC, the premier conference for Mid-Atlantic filmmakers including writers, directors, producers, editors, and talent to connect with accomplished teachers, consultants and industry professionals. WIFV is currently working to bring the amazing workshops to a virtual platform that will provide the high-quality information and presenters. The organization will be taking over Tuesday evenings for several months to share 20 or so workshops in a format that is engaging and empowering.

See the October workshops in the Upcoming Events section. For more information visit the WIFV website

Our mission is to produce and broadcast programming for the District of Columbia’s public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable channels and digital radio station; regulate the District of Columbia’s cable television service providers; provide customer service for cable subscribers; and support a sustainable creative economy and labor market the District of Columbia.