Video: Eatonville restaurant and Zora Neale Hurston murals opening party in DC

A new restaurant in DC serving southern American cuisine will honor legendary writer Zora Neale Hurston and her hometown Eatonville, FL, the nation's first incorporated black township.

Zora Neale Hurston was a recognized African American author, contemporary of the Harlem Renaissance and a graduate of DC’s own Howard University, where she confounded the Hill Top newspaper.

Last Saturday March 14, dozens of visual artists, painters, curious, neighbors, performing artists, art lovers and friends of owner Andy Shallal met for the opening party of a series of murals exhibit dedicated to Hurston.

The murals at Eatonville are well done, very bright colors and different from each other, and with much character indeed. I liked most of them but I have a couple of favorites.

I spoke to Andy Shallal who owns the Busboys and Poets’ three locations in Shaw and Gallery Place in DC and Shirlington, Virginia; as well as the Luna Grill in Dupont Circle and northern Virginia.

This event was organized with the effort of a group of local artists, one of whom is Chanel Compton, who also works at Busboys and Poets. They did an excellent job!

You can see that conversation in this video which includes views of the amazing location with its murals, and live performances from Jessica Gabrielle Chambliss and Noon:30 as well:

For info about the artists featured in this video check out Jessica Gabrielle Chambliss website and Noon:30 MySpace.

The Eatonville restaurant will be located at the The Flats at Union Row, at 2021 14th St. NW and across the street from Busboys and Poets, and it should be open by April or May 2009, and the space will also serve as a community meeting space for the arts, politics and culture.

The interesting story behind the name of this place is that Busboys and Poets is dedicated to poet and writer Langston Hughes, who was friend with Hurston until she copyrighted a play they both wrote together, without his consent!

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Read more about Zora Neale Hurston here. about and also check the Busboys and Poets website, with their interesting daily events.

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