the sanctuary

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lifted from deep house page. . .

washingtonpost.com

Finding Sanctuary

By Fritz Hahn

Special to The Washington Post

Friday, August 22, 2003; Page WE06

Every weekend at the D.C. Sanctuary, music and art intersect in dramatic fashion. Under blue lights and a disco ball, dancers shimmy to the thump of soulful house music. A painter in one corner of the room fills a canvas with colorful streaks and swirls, nodding his head in time. Upstairs, patrons take a break in couch-filled lounges and gaze at works that range from a portrait of Count Basie to dense, abstract images. "We're on the cutting edge of an arts district," owner Dorian Smith says proudly.

He's not talking about Logan Circle, Shaw or Eastern Market. On Friday and Saturday nights, the D.C. Sanctuary (1355 H St. NE; 202-399-4033) is one of the only signs of life along the H Street Arts District in Northeast Washington -- quite a change from the club's former home in the bustling U Street corridor.

Smith and partner Shadrach Gill (known to regulars as DJ Shadrach) looked at properties in Columbia Heights, Brookland and along North Capitol Street before deciding on the two-level building, formerly a barbershop and beauty salon. "We were conscious of the fact we were pioneering," he says. Although the neighborhood is part of a government-sponsored revitalization plan, much of the designated Arts District remains empty. The H Street Playhouse, a black-box theater and gallery space, opened last year. The art deco Atlas Theater is scheduled to reopen as a performing arts center in late 2004. Still, Smith says, the neighborhood's potential reminds him of "U Street in the early '90s."

The Sanctuary was born in early 2000. Smith, who became hooked on underground disco in high school in the early '70s, was making regular pilgrimages to the legendary Shelter nightclub in New York City. He fell in love with the "uplifting" house music and the friendly crowds who danced until well after the sun came up. But the traveling began to take its toll. "I thought, 'I shouldn't have to drive to New York to experience this,' " Smith says.

Joining forces with DJ Oji, who spun house music on Morgan State University's WEAA-FM, the Sanctuary took over Friday nights at Vicki's, a hole in the wall near 11th and U streets NW. The club built a steady crowd of dancers, black and white, straight and gay, who appreciated its welcoming atmosphere, excellent DJ lineup and lack of posturing or attitude.

Eventually, the founders decided to find a different, larger venue. But after a blink-and-you-missed-it stint at Club Bintunami on 14th Street NW last summer, the Sanctuary went dark until the end of April 2003. It was, the owners explain, a matter of finding the perfect fit.

The club's return got local house fans talking. Legendary DJs and producers Ron Trent and Larry Heard -- famous for his mid-'80s releases as Mr. Fingers -- have graced the decks this summer, and resident DJs include local favorites Sam "The Man" Burns, Brett Dancer, Pope and Oji. "We used the out-of-town DJs to get people here," Smith says. "And once they found the vibe, they'll keep coming back."

Modeled after venues such as Shelter or the Paradise Garage, the Sanctuary lacks dress codes, burly bouncers and obvious pickup action. Instead, the focus is on soulful house and garage, laid-back forms of electronic dance music that generally meld deep bass grooves, lush keyboards and positive, soaring vocals. "I see a similarity in this music and the message music that emerged in the early '70s, like Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind and Fire," Smith says.

But the owners also stress that the club is about more than music; besides displaying the work of resident artist Jeffery Henriquez -- usually found painting near the DJ booth -- new exhibits open each month. Outside of club hours (11 p.m. to 5 a.m.), gallery viewings are by appointment only.

Throughout the night, the crowd ebbs and flows; new faces are still arriving at 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. While the club is far from any Metro stop, Smith has struck deals with a few cab companies that will send taxis for those who need them -- just speak to the doorman. The club is off the beaten path, but Smith is undeterred. "Our clientele is loyal," he says. "They're not daunted by transitional neighborhoods."

Aside from the couches, the numerous paintings and a large dance floor, the club is a bare-bones space, but that's how Smith and Shadrach like it. "It's not for everyone," Smith admits. "There's not enough glamour or glitz here for everyone. That's okay . . . We're committed to keeping this party underground."

© 2003 The Washington Post Company