Story Time Gala

The DC Public Library Foundation (DCPLF) will host the second annual “Story Time” Gala Reception on Thursday, March 16 at 6:30pm. The celebration, which benefits the DC Public Library’s early childhood literacy programs, will take place in the Great Hall of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. The theme of this year’s event is “A Book is a Dream” and, appropriately enough, the Great Hall of the library will be transformed into a wondrous dreamscape. The evening will be the last large event held in the MLK branch of the library, as it will close soon thereafter for a 3-year modernization project. Tickets, which start at $150, are available here.

The evening will feature some of the District’s most exciting chefs and bartenders, brought together by Derek Brown, DCPLF Board member and co-owner of several acclaimed District bars.  Erik Bruner-Yang (Maketto), Johnny Spero (Columbia Room), Evan Scarlatelli (Eat the Rich) and Scott Drewno (The Source) will create inspired food for the event. Cocktails will be crafted exclusively for the evening by JP Fetherston (Columbia Room), Paul Taylor (Southern Efficiency) and Duane Sylvestre, (Collectif 1806).

“Books are the gateway to understanding the world we live in and enchanting places both imaginary and real,” said Bonnie Cohen, President of the DC Public Library Foundation. “We look forward to hosting yet another ‘Story Time Gala’ full of delight and magic.”

“I’m honored to be a part of an event that is bringing so many talented people together in support of such a worthy cause,” shares Derek Brown. “Many of our chefs and bartenders and their families use our D.C. public libraries every day. They want to give back to help other families across the city.”

In addition to the food and cocktails, there will be short performances and live music at the gala.

Proceeds from the “Story Time” Gala Reception will support the DC Public Library Foundation and the Library’s critical children’s programs that serve more than 25,000 children a month in every Ward throughout the District.

“Our programs are critical to families throughout Washington, D.C.,” said Richard Reyes-Gavilan, Executive Director of the DC Public Library. “The DC Public Library Foundation supports a myriad of library programs, from story times at all of our neighborhood libraries, to our Sing, Talk & Read (STAR) early literacy training, author talks and more.”

Individual tickets for the “Story Time” Gala Reception are $150. The event has already attracted corporate support , including lead sponsors Smoot/Gilbane and Pepco Holdings, Inc., and sponsors EastBanc/JBG/Clark, Blue Skye Construction Group, Graham Holdings, SAXON Collaborative, Quadrangle Development Corp, Reset Public Affairs  and others. Sponsorships are available for $5,000 and $10,000. An array of individual Washingtonians have also signed on to host the event ($2,000), including former Mayor Anthony Williams, DC Public Library former and present Trustees, DC Public Library Foundation board members, and others.

For more information and a full list of performers, hosts and sponsors please visit the DCPLF webpage.

PRESENTING SPONSORS:

Pepco Holdings Inc.

Smoot/Gilbane

SPONSORS:

Bill & Sunny Alsup

Blue Skye Construction Group

Bonnie & Lou Cohen

EastBanc/JBG/Clark

Graham Holdings

Susan Haight

Quadrangle Development Corp.

Reset Public Affairs

Saxon Collaborative

HOSTS:

Anonymous

Arent Fox

Jenny Backus & Ed Pagano

Brookfield Properties

Derek Brown

Eli & Virginia Grace Cohen

Sara Cormeny & Pete Miller

EHT Traceries

Federation of Friends of DCPL

Erin Harkless & Charles Moore

Gail & John Harmon

Austen and Chloe Holderness

The JBG Companies

Haley Kaufman & Jeff Alpher

Barbara Krumsiek

Amanda Leiter & Sambhav Sankar

James W. Lewis

Irma & Dan Maldonado

Martinez + Johnson

Mecanoo

The Ritzy Ladies Book Club

Marquett Smith

Uber

Widmeyer Communications, a Finn Partners Company

William C. Smith and Company