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Groovin' at the Gallery
88 degrees boosts Silver Spring's
hip factor with daylight dub sessions
by Robin Tierney
Photos by David Fogel |
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 Tanc Dickens nods approvingly, sun glinting off his summertime shades. "I'm a huge fan of underground electronic music," says the DC resident, referring to the pulsing sounds coming from the DJ station across the patio. "This is more of the ambient left-field abstract side of electronic music that doesn't get played outside of clubs, doesn't get played during the day."
 And didn't really get played in Silver Spring, or suburbia for that matter, until the new Gallery Restaurant Lounge introduced a New York-Miami club vibe to the redeveloping South Silver Spring/Gateway Georgia Avenue district--and offered space to a new independent music-art-social fusion venture.
It's 88 degrees--and not just meteorologicallyspeaking. 88 was recently launched by South Silver Spring arts and entertainment proponent David Fogel and partner Albert Sohn.
"It's the golf course of the creative class!" says Fogel as he surveys the sun- and fun-drenched scene on Gallery's spacious terrace. A resident of Eastern Village, the arts entrepreneur loves the energy of this up-and-coming part of Silver Spring, which he calls SoPo, short for "South Point." New York City has SoHo; we have SoPo.
People bring their chess boards, sketch books and sometimes, even kids to 88 events. "There's something for everyone," says Fogel. As the music pumps, an artist adds color to the terrace fence's mural while "assembly line" portrait artists sketch visitors nearby. Observes Fogel: "this is by far the most unique summer experience in the DC metropolitan area."
This Saturday in mid-June, the Gallery terrace teems with hipsters who don't seem the type to normally spend their free time in Silver Spring. They hail from Logan Circle, Dupont Circle, Petworth, Mount Pleasant. Dickens, a denizen of McLean Gardens, tried to coax seven friends to join him, but they objected: "Silver Spring--that's too far." Not for long, believes Dickens; gigs like 88 will draw crowds once they gain traction.
"It's a great way to relax on a Saturday afternoon," says Dickens, who played chess on the terrace during previous Gallery visits.
As Silver Spring's hip new hotspot, Gallery offers an ideal setting for 88. In this trendy two-level, indoor-outdoor post-industrial space, a 20- and 30-something crowd gathers for contemporary Latin cuisine, drinks in semi-intimate lounges, live jazz and international DJ mixes. At night, dining gives way to dancing.
"88 is about presenting 'wow' products," says Fogel. 88 music's alternative vibe rocks the crowd each Saturday, while the 88 degrees daytime dub party's music+transient art events take over the terrace every three weeks or so.
"Gallery's terrace was the perfect place to activate our concept, which was to curate a creative amalgamation that presented a variety of cutting edge artistic experiences, created on-site."
The name 88 has deep roots. Fogel explains that in Buddhism, there's an eight-fold path leading to the right way to live. In the Bible, 8 equates the start of a new order or era. In symbology, the number represents infinite possibilities. Two 8's were chosen to represent Fogel and Sohn. "We try to be conscious about our actions and products," says Fogel, whose goal is an environment that inspires thinkers and creatives." A place not only to unwind and mingle, but also to dream up ideas and brainstorm.
"I loved the concept of something different for Saturday afternoons in the summertime - not only for Silver Spring, but the entire DC area," says Gallery general manager Chris Senese. "Great people come out for this. Casual, laid-back folk who are here to enjoy the vibes over mojitos."
Senese plans to continue 88 happenings into the fall "as long as the weather holds."
Gallery offers visual enticement in every direction. Gazing down, you see rooftops and clusters of old buildings from the district's past life as a gritty industrial center that are slowly transforming into new enterprises.
Rimming part of the 10,000 square foot terrace is a wall of wood being covered with urban art as part of the 88 series - another element reflecting 88's collaborative spirit.
Informed by his fine arts, graphic design and street art background, Joseph Rosser combines striking imagery with materials unique to the newly revitalized neighborhood-in-progress.
"In every city across the world, the urban environment is changing drastically. The odd thing to me is that every city seems to be turning in to the same collection of cookie-cutter loft and condo buildings, high-end stores and modern architecture." Rosser sees the downside of progress as loss of urban heritage and character. His Gallery wall scheme projects urban personality back into the scene. Key to the evolving group graffiti venture, notes Rosser, is "the imagery and materials from this rapidly dissolving world." While having serious underpinnings, the bright colors and movement resonating from the fence add to the upbeat ambience.
Though having started only a few weeks ago, 88 is already gaining traction for its refreshing groovology - giving you one more reason to make Gallery a destination on your itinerary.
The temporary fence outside Gallery 88 before it was made amazing with the spray paint art installation inspired by Gallery 88. The photo at the top of this article shows the fence after completion.
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