May 2 - May 15, 2008
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Another D.C. Area Black Institution Threatens Closure
Recalling the closure of top-notch, non-traditional Black owned businesses such as Tea Infusions and SIPS, Artmosphere Café’s Dyrell Madison is seeking financial donations
from the community to keep the cafe’s doors open. “We know this is an unusual request but we desperately need your assistance,” he says.
The café models itself after Washington, D.C.’s Blues Alley and Bus Boys and Poets, but is located in Mt. Rainier, MD at the gateway of the developing arts corridor in Prince George’s County along Rhode Island Avenue, just pass the Washington, D.C. border. Madison continues, “Resources offered to us by the State, Prince George's County and other entities have been slow to come. While many rave about Artmosphere being a "drum-major" in the revitalization of the Mt.Rainier, we have been left to struggle alone.”
For nearly two years, Artmosphere has become an upstart institution by hosting live music events featuring nationally recognized acts such as Angie Stone, Raheem Devaughn and Dick Gregory. It has also featured local artists including Port of Harlem’s graphic designer Yvette Benjamin who performs as Free. The café also focuses on selling healthy food such as Hendricks Hummus and Tito Puente Protein sandwiches with homemade raspberry tea and bottled juices. Madison hopes to raise $10,000. "We have reached about a third of our goal," says Madison in a Port of Harlem interview.
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