We decided to walk the dogs along the National Mall this weekend. It was Veterans’ Day, so the monuments were packed with all sorts of tourists and servicemen.
As we made our way through the crowds of veterans and tour buses, we heard the thump thump of house music. It seemed like an unusual choice for a Veterans’ Day celebration, so we decided to drift towards the beat.
First we saw a kickball team associated with Cobalt, a local gay bar. But the music was actually coming from a massive dragon-shaped DJ stage behind the kickball game. The DJs were hosting a random women’s dance party in front of the Washington Monument.
A dance party at Decorated helmets at Catharsis on the Mall in Washington. D.C. (right in front of the Washington Monument.)
A school bus-turned dragon at Catharsis on the Mall in Washington. D.C.
The event is called Catharsis on the Mall
Catharsis on the Mall is a burning-man-inspired festival that’s held every year on the National Mall. In addition to the dance party, there was yoga, a panel discussion, and several lounges throughout the area which looked like psychedelic Dothraki tents.
Apparently the organizers also wanted have a 47-foot-tall statute of a naked woman as part of the event, but that permit was ultimately rejected. Instead, there was a printed silk-screen of a woman on a large piece of scaffolding. Whatever works.
A large flyer of a woman at Catharsis on the Mall in Washington. D.C.
Decorated helmets at Catharsis on the Mall in Washington. D.C.
A dance party at Decorated helmets at Catharsis on the Mall in Washington. D.C. (right in front of the Washington Monument.)
We didn’t stay at the event too long (because of the dogs) but it was an unexpected find on an otherwise solemn holiday. 🔥
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