This is to be the registration area for Silverdocs, where attendees will pick up their passes. It used to be a storefront for Pyramid Atlantic to sell its arty tschotchkies, and apparently will be again once Silverdocs is over. But as of late afternoon Sunday, it still resembles a Tschotchky Hut more than a hip festival site. Other than some Silverdocs posters taped to the window, there’s not much in the way of happ’nin’ vibe. Perhaps the space doesn’t need to be anything more than a spot to store boxes of ID badges, but previous Silverdocs’ (Silverdocses?) paid attention to party detail. Not much time left to properly install a DJ booth, is there?

Silverdocs has always provided a “Cinema Lounge,” where all the doc wonks and hangers-on can cool out between screenings and networking. Last year, this Ellsworth Drive building was the lounge spot and it was quite handy, right across from the fountain, a quick jaunt from the Silver Theater and Discovery HQ. This year’s official watering hole has been designated to be the trendy Jackie’s Restaurant. But Jackie’s is nearly a mile north from festival central and all the locations (and competing restaurants) where film wonks will be getting their doc on.

I also recall open bar situations, which was much appreciated. Not sure how that will play out at Jackie’s. A shuttle is reputedly in the works—which will be a good thing should there be open bars. We shall see.

While wandering aimlessly through downtown Silver Spring, I happened upon the following scene. A tech guy said the group was the Battalla Drummers, but even the mighty Google failed to provide confirmation or clarification.

UPDATE: Finally learned the identity of the Mystery Marching Girl Band. It was in fact the Batala Percussion Band (spelled correctly here), part of the “larger Batala family created in 1997 by Giba Gonçalves.” Savvy fellow, Giba. The D.C. branch is the newest of the international organization and the women are called “batallettes.” Watch more videos here.

Shot with my Canon Powershot A590, which is a handy device but doesn’t come close to capturing the chest-rattling intensity of the march. As Sun Tzu said, in a different context, “Make much use of drums and banners; a whole army may be robbed of its spirit.” Truly, the sound was at first rather ominous, but ultimately the spirit was absolutely enthralled.

Note that you will see me quite a bit in the downtown area next week, as I will be blogging (and vlogging!) Silverdocs, which has a very good slate this year—do check them out, won’t you? And, as always, should you enjoy any of this, feel free to click on the “Pay Me!” link and do just that. You are so welcome.