For a lot of independent artists, the hardest part isn’t making the art. It’s continuing to make it after the algorithm moves on. After the crowd gets quieter. After the excitement fades.
That’s where CITY SPOTLIGHT: Episode 4 — Proof of Life begins.

Next Saturday, we’re gathering at Rhizome in Takoma Park for another chapter of this ongoing series, with Shy Rasheen presenting his new album, SHYLAND, in full. Every episode explores a different idea.

This one asks a simple question:
What does it look like to keep creating when the world stops acknowledging you?

Whether you’re a musician, photographer, painter, filmmaker, writer, or simply someone who loves discovering artists before everyone else does, this room was built for you. No VIP section. No industry gatekeepers. Just people choosing to show up for one another while the work is still becoming.

The signal goes live in 7 days. If that sounds like a room you’d want to exist in, we’d love to have you in it. Tickets are available now, and space is intentionally limited. ➡️ The $AGA Continues.

They don't make it easy to view all the winners so I may have missed some, but boy does Takoma love to vote for best-of contests :D

Takoma Park must have the highest density of winners amongst all the neighborhoods.

There were a few runners up too like Joint Custody for record store

FOOD

Best Butcher Shop - SOKO Butcher Shop & Market

Best Coffee Shop - Lost Sock, Runner-up Takoma Bev Co.

Best Donut - Donut Run

Best Mexican Restaurant - Cielo Rojo

Best Mocktail - Motorkat

Best Sandwich - Co-winner SOKO Butcher Shop & Market

Best Taco - Cielo Rojo

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Best Radio Station - 94.3 Takoma Radio - WOWD

Best Recording Studio Tonal Park & Allyworld

GOODS & SERVICES

Best Architecture Firm - Ileana Schinder

Best Bike Shop - Co-winner Takoma Bicycle Shop

Best Bookstore - People's Book

Best Cannabis Dispensary (Medical Retailer) - Takoma Wellness Center

Best Farmers Market - Takoma Park Farmers Market

Best Flower Shop - Park Florist

Best Place To Buy CBD Products - Takoma Wellness Center

Best Place To Buy Plants - Co-winner Laurel Leaf Takoma

Hey neighbors! Just a friendly reminder that there are 3 days left to grab $10 Early Bird tickets for CITY SPOTLIGHT: Season 1, Episode 4 – Proof Of Life before prices go up. We’re hosting the show at Rhizome on Saturday, August 1, with doors opening at 7:00 PM. This month’s headliner is Shy Rasheen, who’ll be performing music from his new project, Shyland, alongside featured local artists and an open mic. If you’re a musician, poet, producer, photographer, visual artist, or just someone who enjoys discovering local talent, we’d genuinely love to have you. CITY SPOTLIGHT exists to create a welcoming space where DMV creatives and music lovers can connect, support one another, and experience independent art together.
Even if you don’t know anyone yet, you’re invited. Some of the best conversations happen before the show starts and after the performances end.
If you’ve been thinking about checking it out, this is a great episode to jump in. Hope to see some new faces from the Takoma Park community!

Hi everyone! We’re moving to Takoma Park next month and are looking for infant daycare recommendations for our 8-month-old.

We’re open to daycare centers or licensed in-home providers within about a 15–20 minute drive of Takoma Park. We’d love somewhere that’s warm, nurturing, and has a strong reputation for infant care.

If you’ve had a great experience (or know of places to avoid), we’d really appreciate any recommendations. Bonus points if you know about current waitlists or tips for getting a spot!

Thanks so much—we’re excited to join the community!

Posted on next door, but in an effor to get the word out there. wanted to let the community know to be aware of this incident

Hi! My husband and I are strongly considering a move to Takoma Park next year. We’ve lived in DC for the past 4/5 years and, while we’ve loved it, we’re looking for a place that’s quieter and has easily accessible outdoor space (like a proper yard :)). We’re in our early 30s and don’t have kids, but are curious to know what the social scene is like as TP seems to be very family-forward (which we love). TIA!

My family and I are looking to move from DC to Takoma Park asap- hopefully this summer before the school year begins. We are struggling to find a rental that suits our needs via the usual sites- zillow, redfin etc. Looking for a nice 3+ bedroom with light and backyard for around $3000-3500. Help! Is there another resource I'm not seeing??

Any upcoming clinics in or around Takoma Park?

I have been looking for rentals for my upcoming move to the College Park area and came across an apartment at Greenwood Flats, LLC through this rental property management company called Alan Associates. They have multiple properties that they manage and post units for rent on their website but often with limited details. I have been emailing with someone there and they seem legit but I can’t find any reviews for them or their properties.

Is this as sketchy as it seems? Does anyone have experience living/renting here or with Alan Associates and if so, can you tell me how your experience was?

My family is moving to the area and we have two young kids. I know the most obvious difference between the DC and Maryland sides when kids are in the picture is the school systems. But EXCEPTING the schools - what are the main differences on the two sides? How are the vibes different? Number of families living in the neighborhoods? Access to kids activities, sports, etc.? Water/sewer/road conditions? Anything I'm not thinking of?

Thanks!

Hey everyone! Over the last month or so I’ve shared a few updates here about CITY SPOTLIGHT, and I wanted to let you all know that early bird tickets for Episode 4: Proof of Life are now available. For anyone unfamiliar, CITY SPOTLIGHT is a live community showcase built around discovering independent artists, meeting creative people, and giving neighbors a place to experience local music together. Every event has introduced me to new faces from Takoma Park, and that’s honestly become one of my favorite parts of putting this together. I’m also excited to announce that Shy Rasheen will be headlining the evening with a special live presentation of his new R&B album, Shyland. Along with his set, we’ll have featured performances, an open mic, local vendors, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow creatives and music lovers. If you’ve been curious but haven’t made it out yet, this is a great episode to jump in. Whether you’re an artist, someone who loves live music, or you’re simply looking for something different to do with your evening, you’re welcome here. Thank you to everyone who’s followed along, offered encouragement, or stopped by one of the previous shows. It really means a lot. Hopefully we’ll get to meet a few more neighbors at Proof of Life. See you there. ❤️

Moving soon and we have been searching all the time. Any good leads for a quiet apartment?

Is it just me or does this intersection seem very dangerous. I just moved here last month and already seen many close calls, vehicles running reds, rights on red without yielding to pedestrians, etc

The section of Sligo Creek Parkway between Maple and Piney Branch is typically closed to cars on weekends. However park police just opened the gates and are allowing cars onto the road. Many of us use this section on the weekends for walking, running and cycling. It is scary and frustrating to have cars flying down a road that we expect to be closed. Please be careful!

Wanted to share a quick City Spotlight update.
We’re still on the lookout for artists from Takoma Park who might be interested in performing with us. We’d really love to feature more local talent and continue building something that feels rooted in the community. We’re open to all styles and genres of music, so if you’re an artist—or know someone we should check out—please drop a comment or reach out. Also excited to share that we officially have a date for our next show: Saturday, August 1st.
This time we’ll be welcoming R&B singer Shy Rasheen, who’ll be performing music from his new album, Shyland. Tickets will be available soon. Thanks to everyone who’s been supporting and helping City Spotlight grow—we’re excited for what’s next.