Washington, D.C

How Capital One Arena prepares for 9 events in 9 days – WTOP News

Published

12 months ago

November 23, 2023

How Capital One Arena prepares for 9 events in 9 days – WTOP News

Just as athletes may take note of a rivalry game in their hometown before the season starts, some workers at Capital One Arena in downtown D.C. do the same, but for a completely different reason.

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Just as athletes may take note of a rivalry game in their hometown before the season starts, some workers at Capital One Arena in downtown D.C. do the same, but for a completely different reason.

Darius Dunn, the assistant general manager of arena operations at Capital One Arena, said some workers take note when the arena has several different events on back-to-back days. Last month, he said, the arena had what he called a “bucket list item” — hosting five different concerts in five days.

And it’s currently in the middle of another busy stretch.

Capital One Arena is hosting nine games in nine days, a mark that started Nov. 17 and is scheduled to end on Saturday. Over that span, the venue is scheduled to host three Capitals games, three Wizards games and three Georgetown basketball games.

It also includes two doubleheaders — a Georgetown and Capitals game on Nov. 18 and Georgetown and Wizards basketball games on Saturday, Nov. 25.

In total, the arena estimates it will host over 100,000 visitors over the nine-day period.

“It’s a work of art when you see the behind-the-scenes peek behind the curtain, so to speak, of what goes on. Primarily overnight, but a number of logistics,” Dunn said.

The number of people involved in transforming the arena between the events varies, Dunn said, but usually involves 35 to 40 members of the operations crew, and 80 to 100 people on the cleaning crew. There could be another 10 to 15 people who are the “AV, IT and mechanical folks,” he said.

There are some nuances that go into switching between basketball courts, Dunn said, because there are three different variations for Wizards games and one court for Georgetown events.

Dunn said the changes highlight “a lot of moving parts” because seating and other arena configurations are different. It’s a process that sometimes starts as late as 11 p.m. or midnight, once a concert or sporting event ends, concluding at 5 or 6 a.m.

A “basketball footprint sits inside the dasher of a hockey rink. And so there (is) some additional flooring that goes down on top of the ice, an insulated floor, that’s what the basketball court sits on top of,” Dunn said.

When the arena transitions from basketball to hockey, there’s protective netting and glass that also has to be put in place.

“You leave at 11:00 and come back (at) eight in the morning, and it’s a totally different look and configuration from one night to the next,” he said.

When Capital One Arena hosts two events on the same day, Dunn said, extra staff are sometimes called in to help so the switch gets done faster. In those instances, a process that takes six hours overnight takes only about two and a half.

“We kind of move into the fast lane and push the envelope in terms of flipping it over,” Dunn said.

People who linger after the first event on days of doubleheaders could sometimes see forklifts, crews picking up or putting down the basketball court, “probably 175-pound pieces of panel, goes together like a puzzle, with 15 rows” for each court, Dunn said. Then, the TV crew starts to set up.

“National holidays and sporting events kind of go hand in hand,” Dunn said. “When [the public is] home eating turkey for Thanksgiving and watching the NFL, there’s a group of industry professionals that are working that game, and Christmas with NBA, and New Year’s Eve with baseball and college football.

“The role we play, we take pride in that,” he said.

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Washington, D.C

Fuel Up with These Family-Friendly Restaurants After a Day of DC Adventures

Published

3 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Press Room

Fuel Up with These Family-Friendly Restaurants After a Day of DC Adventures

Showing the family around Washington, DC? These family-friendly restaurants are just what you need to kick back, recharge, and savor a great meal after a day of sightseeing.

Capitol Hill

Need to munch after visiting the Capitol, U.S. Botanic Garden, or Eastern Market? Try these spots.

Pacci’s Trattoria

Pacci’s Trattoria is where families can savor pizza and pasta and parents can enjoy a well-deserved glass of wine. 106 13th St. SE, Washington, DC

Ted’s Bulletin

Ted’s Bulletin serves up comfort food and retro vibes, making it a family favorite. Kids can indulge in homemade pop tarts while parents can enjoy a nostalgic hearty meal. 505 Eighth St. SE, Washington, DC

Dupont Circle

Checking out Embassy Row? Exploring The Phillips Collection? Eat here after.

Hank’s Oyster Bar

Hank’s Oyster Bar serves fresh oysters and crispy fish tacos in a casual setting where kids can try new flavors without any fuss. The laid-back atmosphere and seafood options make it a go-to for relaxed family meals. 1624 Q St. NW, Washington, DC

Firefly

Firefly offers farm-to-table dishes and a family-friendly vibe. Kids can dig into grilled cheese or seasonal veggies in a cozy atmosphere that’s welcoming any time of day. 1310 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC

Upper Northwest

When you’re done admiring the National Cathedral, hiking in Rock Creek Park, shopping for antiques at the Georgetown Flea Market, or traversing the National Zoo, these places will satisfy your hunger.

Surfside

Surfside brings a laid-back beach vibe to the city with tacos, burritos, and bowls that are as fun to eat as they are flavorful. It’s a great spot for families to enjoy a casual meal together, with options that let diners build their own tasty dish. 4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC

Comet Ping Pong

Comet combines great pizza with an energetic vibe that keeps families coming back. Kids can dive into a delicious meal and burn off some energy with a friendly game of ping pong. 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC

Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza

Pete’s serves up classic New Haven-style pies that are perfect for families craving a slice of something different. The casual atmosphere and tasty toppings make it an easy choice for a laid-back meal with the whole crew. 4940 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC

2Amys Neapolitan Pizza

2Amys is a neighborhood staple for Neapolitan-style pizza that’s sure to please everyone in the family. The simple, flavorful pies and relaxed ambiance make it popular for a no-fuss meal that’s both satisfying and delicious. 3715 Macomb St. NW, Ste. 201, Washington, DC

Cactus Cantina

Families can dive into generous portions of Mexican classics like burritos, fajitas, and tacos at Cactus Cantina. The colorful atmosphere and flavorful dishes make it a fun, easy choice for a family meal that’s full of flavor. 3300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC

Open City

Open City is a relaxed, all-day diner where families can enjoy everything from hearty breakfasts to burgers. With a menu full of comfort food, it’s a neighborhood go-to for casual meals that everyone can enjoy. 2331 Calvert St. NW, Washington, DC

Downtown

Walking the National Mall? These family-friendly restaurants will help you keep your stamina up.

Old Ebbitt Grill

Old Ebbitt Grill is a timeless eatery where families can enjoy classic American seafood dishes. The extensive menu offers something for everyone, all served just feet from the National Mall. 675 15th St. NW, Washington, DC

Founding Farmers

Founding Farmers serves up hearty American comfort food with a farm-to-table twist. The spacious dining area and diverse menu make it a reliable choice for families looking to enjoy traditional dishes made with fresh, local ingredients. 1924 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC

Feature image courtesy Founding Farmers

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Washington, D.C

The Whitmires are going to Washington

Published

11 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Press Room

This is an opinion column.

Sometimes, the universe winks.

From above me came a noise I had heard only in movies — a shrill high-pitched announcement alerting onlookers below that the show was on.

“Here I am!” it seemed to say.

It couldn’t be, could it? Here? Now? No, way! But then I looked up, and there it was.

“Is that a %#*ing eagle?” I said, hoping someone nearby would tell me I wasn’t the only one seeing this.

And not just any old eagle, but a bald eagle coasting on the wind high above the U.S. Capitol.

It was the first time in my life I had seen one. And that it should happen the first time in my life I set foot in that place seemed a little too on the nose. Perhaps I was still in my hotel bed and didn’t know it, sleeping through the hearing I was there to cover.

I tried to take a picture of the thing. I captured a tiny silhouette — enough to show folks back home I hadn’t made this up — and then it glided away.

Well, that was weird, I thought.

I went back to the business I was there for, but I never quite put that bird out of my mind. I’ve had a feeling ever since then I would be going back there someday to look for it.

As it turns out, someday will be early next year.

Recently, my wife accepted a job in D.C. We’re packing our things and tidying up our home for someone else to live in. The Whitmires are going to Washington.

This, however, is not goodbye.

Beginning in January, I’ll be what we’re calling the Washington watchdog columnist.

But I’ll be leaving the place I’ve called home since I was six months old.

Alabamian for life

Where are you from? In the South, that question means three things.

Where were you born?
Where did you grow up?
Where do you live?

I was born in Georgia — a fact my mother reminded me of every time Alabama acted out in some embarrassing, national-news sort of way.

I grew up in Thomasville, Ala., where my family moved when I was three. It was two hours from the nearest movie-plex and a great place to do a lot of reading.

Nearly 30 years ago, I moved to Birmingham to attend a small college that sadly no longer exists. This city is where I met my wife. It’s where my children were born. It’s where I covered the mad foibles of a lunatic mayor and chronicled the once-largest municipal bankruptcy in the history of the United States. And it’s from here that I watched the poisonous politics of my home state seep into the national bloodstream.

Alabama has been good to me, although not so much for others. I’ll be sad to leave it.

Alabama has been and always will be my home.

Alabamafication of D.C.

There’s a great change happening in our nation — that thing I’ve nicknamed the Alabamafication of America. The epicenter of that shift, however, was never Montgomery, but Washington, D.C.

Hating on Washington has become a national pastime and a gimmick charlatans use to win public trust they never earned. What George Wallace started, long before I was born, now threatens our national character, our stability and our standing in the world. When a president-elect chooses a Fox News TV personality to lead the Defense Department, you know something has gone an Alabama sort of way. When Matt Gaetz could be our next attorney general or Tulsi Gabbard the director of national intelligence, the universe isn’t winking anymore. It’s pulling the fire alarm.

My wife and I made the decision to move to D.C. before we knew the outcome of the election, and since then, friends have asked if we were certain this was the right thing for us. I’ve never been more certain of anything.

If someone is going to cover the Alabamafication of America, who else but an Alabamian?

There, I will follow around Alabama’s elected officials, sit through their meetings, get my nose up in their business, and let folks back home know what they’re up to. What I once did at Birmingham City Hall, and then did for Alabama state lawmakers, I’ll do on Capitol Hill.

Alabama has prepared me for this as only she could. For that and so much more, I am grateful.

I’m excited to explore, examine and report back what I see there — not writing about Washington for Washington, but for Alabamians.

And just maybe, I’ll find that damn bird.

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Washington, D.C

Monumental Sports & Entertainment ; Harry Benson Washington DC : Iconic Photographs for the Nation’s Capital – The Eye of Photography Magazine

Published

18 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Press Room

Harry Benson Washington DC: Iconic Photographs for the Nation’s Capital, is the title of the exhibition presented for 6 months by Monumental Sports & Entertainment and Ted and Lynn Leonsis.

Located next door to Capital One Arena at 707-709 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, the gallery spans two floors and over 10,000 square feet. The exhibit, which is free and, features over 150 photographs including every president and first lady since Dwight Eisenhower, iconic photographs of athletes including Muhammad Ali, musicians, including a behind the scenes look at The Beatles arrival to the United States, a historic chronicling of the civil rights movement in America.

www.monumentalsports.com

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