From the Music Americana Foto Files:

Washington, DC played an important role in the career of John Denver.  It was the first city in which he appeared as Chad Mitchell's replacement in the Mitchell Trio in 1965.

When the trio had a Sunday off, John would sometimes come to town and try out a few songs on a Music Americana Hootenanny, broadcast live on WAVA every Sunday night from the Cellar Door in Georgetown.

These pictures cover two visits to Washington by John circa 1966-67.

Visit #1: John brought Bob Heffren, Mitchell Trio accompanist, for a
Music Americana Hootenanny appearance.
 
Visit #2: John brought his new wife, Annie, to Washington for a
Mitchell Trio appearance at the Cellar Door. 

We got together for a cookout at chez Cerri in Camp Springs, Md.,
followed by an interview at the home of Roy Homer in Clinton, Md.
Mitchell Trio members at the time were Mike Kobluk, the only original
member, John and David Boise, who replaced Joe Frazier.

John Denver with Dick Cerri
outside the Cellar Door

John Denver on Cellar Door stage for a Music Americana Hootenanny appearance.  Bob Heffren on right.
 
It was at a Hootenanny appearance that John first sang a song he had just written the night before and
wanted to try out.
 
He called it:
"Oh Babe, I Hate to Go."

John with chef Cerri at cookout

John Denver at the salad bowl with Annie at table.

Mitchell Trio being interviewed.
Seated L-R, Annie, David Boise, Bob Heffren, Dick Cerri, Mike Kobluk,
John Denver.