Growing cultural scene dispels DC ‘swamp’ label

While Washington, D.C.’s culture is often reduced to that of lobbyists and government officials, locals have started to push back against this characterization to show off the vibrant life of the area.

The area’s theatre, music and food cultures have developed beyond expectations and remain underrated, according to Rachel Nania and Jason Fraley, cohosts of the Capital Culture podcast.

“We really cover a little bit of everything—music, theatre, food, what’s happening at the museums, latest books,” said Nania.

“There are so many great options around town,” Fraley added. It’s a culture that comes as a surprise to people outside the area, but not locals.

“I think people who have lived in D.C. have always known there’s a creative culture here. I mean, at one time it was the epicenter of the punk scene,” Nania said.

She said the creative culture has expanded dramatically in the past few years “whether those are people at local theatres, or whether it’s artists painting the town with these crazy murals, or people starting up really unique restaurants.”

Their podcast, Capital Culture, is a way to “capture all of that, and shine a spotlight on some other great things going on in this city, besides gridlock,” Nania told What’s Working in Washington..

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“It’s interesting—the fact that this is the nation’s capital, I think brings a lot of great people and artists,” said Fraley. Especially important are the national awards such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, attracting stars like Michael Jordan, Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross.

D.C.’s restaurant scene is no exception. “In 2016, D.C. was named that best restaurant city in America” by food magazine Bon Appétit, said Nania.

It, too, has experienced a recent resurgence: “Five hundred new restaurants in the past two years have opened up in the D.C. area.It’s insane right now,” she said.

With the vibrant culture evident in the area, D.C.’s stuffy perception is understandably frustrating formany. “D.C.’s a real town, and people live here. This isn’t a swamp,” said Nania.

And the region doesn’t deserve its label as “transient” anymore, either, says Nania.

“This is home for so many people, and more and more people are staying,” she said. “I think the city is changing and growing and adapting to that. You see more kid-friendly events, and neighborhoods that are being redeveloped that have families in mind.”

“I almost get offended at the notion that it’s only the swamp. Obviously that’s a real problem, but it … [is limited to] a block down on Capitol Hill! The rest of the town thrives all around it,” said Fraley.

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