Not long after I started writing this intro, I ended up in some r/Architechs weeds trying to get a handle on the actual construction of the phrase, or, the conventional wisdom about the connection between Form and Function.
From my research I’m understanding that the more prevailing construction is “Form follows function,” or to say, that the design of a thing is overwhelmingly dictated by what that thing will be used to accomplish. Understand the goal, then let it guide the manifestation of the thing. There’s A (function) that directly leads to B (form).
I never liked the idea of an inherent hierarchy between these two parts of design. Form, in an incredibly noisy world, is the one thing we have to use as a signal to find the people and ideas we care about beyond everyday regular business. For example, when I see an AI-generated event flyer (form), I’m betting that my values and interests don’t align with that organizer, and that the function is gonna be just as careless (sorry!)
This project shares thoughtful, singular events (the functions), but what’s central to that are the independent organizers who care to make things beautiful for us.
Every edition of this newsletter will share community-first events worth leaving the house for while acknowledging the work it takes from D.C.’s smartest, most interesting people to design that kind of experience.
From the first newsletter on May 1 to now, this list reach has grown exponentially, and I don’t take that for granted! Thank you to everyone who shared our calendar, posted on Instagram, compelled friends to subscribe, and sent good energy. This is all for you.
In this letter, you’ve got
The interview: With D.C. darling and professional gatherer Mahadi Lawal about his monthly late night happy hour
The hookup: The first (!!) F+F exclusive ticket discount offer for an upcoming function
The rundown: A preview of the beautiful events still to come in May
See you at the function,
Alexya ☆
Mahadi Lawal is a writer, editor, multi-year awardee for Best Dressed in D.C., and the “silliest somm.” He and I used to work together at a now-closed wine-centric restaurant in D.C. I’ve since pivoted to daytime wine work but it’s always so sick to see Mahadi thriving behind the bar or floating around the room at Reveler’s Hour, the Adams Morgan wine and pasta spot where he leads front of house. A couple months ago he and the team launched a once-a-month late night happy hour that has genuinely been a bright spot in my calendar ever since. The next Saideira is coming up on May 31, btw.
Mahadi and I chatted about how the late night thing came to be, as well as his uncanny talent for gathering people from all walks of life together. Interview edited lightly. Photos from the March 2026 Saideira by the impossibly talented Nick Albano.
Alexya: Tell me what Saideira is all about.
Mahadi: It was birthed from this need to just create a space for our friends in the [restaurant] industry to let loose and relax at the end of a weekend, you know?
A: Yes, absolutely.
M: Sunday night has always been really quiet [at Reveler’s Hour]. So I wanted to bring together the different things that make this restaurant special, and use that to bring people here.
A: And there are so many special things.
M: There’s the Brazilian funk aspect to [the restaurant], you know? [Executive Chef] Mari Kolchraiber is Brazilian. She’s amazing. She’s been bringing a lot of Brazilian culture to the restaurant, which inspired the name of the event. Saideira is a Brazilian word for a nightcap, or like an after-dinner drink. It’s the last round; one for the road. It’s not an all-night party.
A: You know, Saideira reminds me of an event that I followed you to a few times and that you loved: industry karaoke at Compass Rose on the last Sunday of the month.
M: I’m so glad you brought that up. That was a part of my inspiration, you know? I thought it was a really special moment. My friend Angela Walden who ran that thing…she did that, it was her baby. Compass closed, which sucks, but she came to the first Saideira and I got to tell her, “You know? You inspired me to do this thing.”
A: Yes!
M: And that’s why I’m doing this, because we industry people … we love to go to a fucking dive bar and just like, hang out … drink shitty beers and take shots all night. But sometimes we wanna go somewhere really nice … and still drink shitty beer but maybe have some cool snacks and fun wine to go with it. Why not?
A: Literally why not? And are you curating the music at Saideira, too? Who’s on vibes curation?
M: That’s exactly it. I have been curating the music but I’m really looking forward to bringing more folks in. We want to get a DJ to do a vinyl set with Brazilian and international records. But right now, it’s just me expressing my love for Baile Funk and Latin music of all kinds. Because I love them.
A: Do you imagine that people who aren’t in the industry can enjoy Saideira? Obviously the primary audience are our comrades in service, but can anyone pull up?
M: I absolutely think that it’s for everyone. Reveler’s Hour is a neighborhood restaurant, and the same way I want our comrades to get off work at 10PM on a Sunday and still have somewhere they can have a nice time and relax, I want our neighbors to be on their couch at 9:30PM and say, “Hey, I want a little snack. Good thing Reveler’s is open late tonight.” We’re just providing something different to bring us out of the mundaneness of life.
A: Saideira feels like a nice mix of people I know, who bring people they know. Some are industry, maybe work at Reveler’s Hour. Some are artists, or community organizers. What do you make of the fact that all of these people from different walks are in one place?
M: It’s about community building. Something like this brings people together that share one common thread but come from all walks. And they’re sharing a glass or some snacks. I think that’s really cool.
I consider myself the glue that brings people of different backgrounds together. There’s nothing, nothing, nothing I love more than introducing two people that share something random.
A: You do that really well.
M: It’s so fun. It’s also a great party trick if you want to get out of a conversation. It’s just like, “Hey have you met my friend so-and-so? They love Star Wars, just like you. Ok, see you later.” I just created two new friends while escaping a scenario I didn’t want to be in.
ASTORIA
“Forever in my heart. There’s nowhere you can get amazing food and cocktails up until midnight. Everyone that works there is so special. And good at their jobs. And deserve a kiss on the forehead.”
EEBEE’S
“This feels like a cop-out but it’s like, the truest answer at the moment. That place is so sick. I keep finding myself there. I keep finding myself there. I keep finding myself there.”
SNAPPY’S
“That frozen espresso martini, yes please!”
Mahadi’s my consigliere.
FOR FRIENDS OF F+F: DISCOUNTED TIX TO ANY WINE NOW
Still need a ticket for the wine festival of the season? This is a time where good things DO come to those who wait.
For FoF+F (Friends of Form + Function) we’ve got super-hot discounted tickets to ANY WINE NOW, the second annual wine fest from the team at Any Day Now in Navy Yard during MDW. If you like drinking good (”yea”) and eating even better (”hell yea”), there’s nowhere else to be: unlimited pours and snacks from Laoban Dumplings + more (”yerrr!!!”)
Email Sarah to get the hookup for $25 off your ticket price at [email protected].
A LITTLE LATE, STILL GREAT
For the second newsletter of each month, I’ll share some either recently announced events or things I missed that didn’t make it to the calendar. Late but still great.
THE CHOCOLATE CITY EXPERIENCE AT THE ANACOSTIA MURAL FESTIVAL — SAT. MAY 16 AT 4PM
The Anacostia Mural Festival kicked off on May 1, and this weekend we finally have our next chance at snagging some of the most world-famous pro-D.C. merch. Dee Dwyer’s Chocolate City Experience links up with The Pack truck. You know the Mr. Goodbar styled “Chocolate City’s Best” shirts/hats/totes? That same design team is popping up at what is slated to be a genuine community block party on Minnesota Ave NE.
THE MORNING SPIN AT CREATIVE GROUNDS — MAY 22 STARTING AT 11AM
I’ve been begging for someone to do Friday AM DJ sets at a local coffee shop, so I’m glad Asmara at Creative Grounds heard my pleas. This is the first edition of the event — totally free entry with selections by DJ XSA. I’ll see you there.
ACQUIRED TASTE ART AUCTION — MAY 29 + 30
The Art Shopping Network is linking up with Homme DC to bring a gorgeous accessible art auction. The works are beautiful and urgent, and each sale at the auction benefits local nonprofits like Martha’s Table and the Anacostia Arts Center. Art Heauxs, run free.
FORM + FUNCTION FEEDS OFF YOUR EVENTS. Send me notes about what you’re planning or where you’ll be — email me at [email protected] or find us on Instagram.
