While those of us fortunate to spend a good deal of our lives involved with the epic drama/comedy/tragedy/soap opera that is H Street NE would agree that the neighborhood, including both it’s major and bit players, would indeed make for some popcorn-worthy TV, no one has yet taken us, okay maybe only me, up on the idea… (I am currently accepting offers and they must include a producer’s credit!) However reality television did find its way to H recently in the form of an open audition for the Fox television series “So You Think You Can Dance?” (Or SYTYCD for those who communicate primarily through text.)

Following in the mold of the program turned worldwide cultural phenomena that is “American Idol,” “So You Think You Can Dance” follows a similar format. Thousands of would-be stars line up at open cattle call auditions for the slimmest of chances to be on TV. I confess, when I was told that my employer, the Atlas Performing Arts Center, would be playing host to the auditions, I was unaware of the show’s existence, my television viewing habits falling into the more “out-of- it-old person who thinks HBO is edgy” realm. Immediately shamed by both the reality television fans and dancers in my life, I learned the show was about to begin auditions for its fourth season; Washington being one stop in a series that would include Charleston, Atlanta, Milwaukee and Salt Lake City.

As the day of the audition neared, I began to field questions from friends and family. “Would Nigel be there?” “Was Cat going to be there?” and of course, “Can we watch the auditions??” The answers were Yes, Not Sure and No WAY. Fox required the auditions be closed to the public. Normally we, at the Atlas, deal with small to medium-sized arts organizations, so the world of TV with its security concerns, egos and money was a bit out of the ordinary. But a gig is a gig, and our professional staff was prepared.

But for what, exactly? Fox could not know for sure how many dancers to expect. There is no signing up prior to audition day, so we could only guess. Since there were no auditions scheduled for New York, Philadelphia or Boston, I assumed there would be a crowd.

I had no idea. When I walked my bleary-eyed self over at 6 a.m. the morning of the auditions, the line was already halfway down 13th Street. The frozen line-leaders had come from sunny Florida and began the line at 11 p.m. Wednesday evening.  By 8 a.m. Thursday the line was down G headed for 14th Street.

The dancers practiced moves both to keep warm and for the Fox crews who came by avec camera to excite the crowd. The intrepid dancers, many of whom had brought along parents and friends for support, came from Rochester, New York; Delaware; New Jersey; Richmond; Raleigh; Ohio; Maryland; and of course, DC. To keep the elements at bay, they were wrapped in sleeping bags and blankets.

All was smooth as could be expected, the local Fox affiliate sent over a crew to do the morning-show routine, new coffee shop SOVA did record-breaking business, and I learned how much trash dancers can produce. (Lots.) And then my eye caught a glimpse of that golden-made-for-TV-blonde hair that meant host Cat Deeley had made it to H Street. Deeley was charming, British and only there for a few hours. But her sunny presence warmed the crowd and enabled them to carry on.

The auditions went on until nearly 9 p.m. that evening. Most hopefuls were told, “Thank you.” But many were given a golden ticket entitling them to a callback the following day at the Warner Theatre downtown. Those auditions would be filmed for TV, critiques and all. Those of us who were able to sneak a peek took note that the very good were given the golden ticket as expected. But the judges also gave a pass to the very bad and the very weird because of course crazy makes for good TV.

The episode will be seen this summer when “So You Think You Can Dance” enters its fourth season.

Streetscape Update
Reality of a different sort was presented to the H Street business owners at an early morning meeting organized by Councilmember Tommy Well’s office Feb. 22 at the H Street Playhouse. The objective of the meeting was to clarify aspects of the upcoming streetscape improvement project slated to begin at the end of March. Members of DDOT and the mayor’s office were on hand to assure business owners that although the upcoming work would be inconvenient, the city would do its best to anticipate problems and deal with glitches in a timely manner.

Many of the business owners from the eastern end of the corridor were pleased to be informed that plans had been changed. In January, DDOT said the project would start at Third and H on the northern side and head towards 14th, cross the street and head back. This would have meant that the arts and entertainment district would be under construction on one side or the other for eight months to a year. After making their concerns heard, the plans have now been changed. The project will still begin at Third and H, and after finishing the north side, work on the south side will again begin at Third. This means that the entertainment district will be the last part completed but will have many months in between to recover from the disruption.

The city representatives were followed by a panel of business owners from other parts of the city which have already survived the streetscape project. Mark Medley, co-owner of Mark and Orlando’s on P Street NW was a voice of practicality, advising business owners to plan and budget for now at least a 20 percent reduction in revenue. He encouraged the owners to begin preparing their customers and staff now and let our neighbors know that the businesses will need to rely on them to survive the ordeal which, in the long run, will benefit everyone.

What’s New?

New Wine Bar
Beginning March 3 SOVA Espresso at 1359 H St. NE officially becomes SOVA Espresso AND Wine. Owner Frank Hankins will begin serving an eclectic selection of wines. A small-plates menu will follow shortly.

Brunch
Early risers on H Street have long had to look to Pennsylvania Avenue for brunch options.  Not anymore. Napa 1015 at 1015 H St. NE will begin serving a Sunday brunch menu March 9.  

And it looks like the Atlas is not the only reality TV venue on H Street. The Food Network will be making a stop to shoot an episode at one of our newest restaurants in mid-March. Rumors are flying as to which Foot Network star will be here. Look for an update here in the April issue.

See you on H Street!