The year was 1990. I was working as a paralegal at a downtown law firm. I was living at home with my parents (due to some dubious financial decisions made a few months prior) and struggling to establish some kind of social life after being handed a pink slip by a woman who wanted a boyfriend who didn't take her for granted. I was at a boring house party with a couple of my mates when someone suggested we go to Adams Morgan for a change of scenery. I had lived in DC for only a brief period at that point, so I had no idea where or what my boy was talking about. Still, because of the dearth of cute girls at the party, I quickly agreed with the suggestion to go to Adams Morgan to check things out.

After waiting 20 minutes to catch a cab (FYI: always have at least one person with “light” skin present when trying to catch a cab, I'm not trying to be political just being honest) we were picked up by a nice Nigerian fellow and on our way. 10 minutes later we were in the midst of a vibrant, fast paced environment, surrounded by charismatic and compelling looking folks and faced with multiple choices for food, music and ambiance. It was love at first sight. We spent the next few hours carousing, bar hopping and getting ourselves into the kind of mischief that 23 year old single guys get into when they don’t have to get up and go to work the next day. I went home that night with the phone number of pretty young thing written down on the back of a coaster and a new found affection and appreciation for Adams Morgan.

Damn near 20 years later I still remember what an impression this geographically small yet global in reach neighborhood made on me. It gives me great joy to have the opportunity to shine a light on such a wonderful spot that has given me so many nice memories. Tops on my list of great nights in Adams Morgan: dancing with my future wife the first night we met at Chief Ike's Mambo Room; watching the DC Drag Race from the rooftop of a townhouse; and getting my glasses accidentally knocked off by an exuberant Bootsy Collins during a show at Kiliminjaro's. My hope is that this movie will resonate with those who know and love Adams Morgan and will attract those who aren't familiar but are perhaps curious about this diverse place with the cool sounding name.

Paul DeVeaux – November 2009