Patriotism and American Pride will take to the runway when the 5th Annual Cosmo Couture Fashion & Design Event returns to Artisphere on Thursday, September 18th. The popular event where interior and exterior collide is produced by theWashington Metro City Center (WMCC) of the International Interior Design Association Mid-Atlantic Chapter (IIDA-MAC).
Cosmo Couture 2014 fosters a direct collaboration between local Architecture and Interior Design firms and their manufacturing partners in the Washington DC area, to create garments reflecting a given theme. Imagine garments made out of interior materials such as tile, carpet, wood, vinyl, glass and rubber – materials used in the built environment and finding ways to apply them to haute couture fashion, creating a bridge between fashion and architecture.
The garments are judged by a talented panel of DC and design industry notables (to be announced soon) during a runway show with awards given to design teams in different categories. Twenty-five design teams will participate in this year’s event.
Each year WMCC selects the theme from which the design teams create creations out of interior materials. This year Cosmo Couture pays tribute to the image that most embodies Washington, D.C. — the President of the United States. Nothing exemplifies Washington, D.C. more than its chief resident.
Washington, D.C., however, was not the first residence of the President. In April 1789, following his inauguration as the first President of the United States, George Washington occupied two executive mansions in New York City. In 1790, Congress enacted the Residence Act which officially established Washington, D.C. as the permanent seat of government for the United States and accordingly, as the new residence of the President. In that same year, the capital moved temporarily to Philadelphia where the President resided for 10 years while the new “Federal City” was under construction. On November 1, 1800, President John Adams became the first president to live in the White House. Since then, Washington, D.C. has been the residence of every U.S. President.
Each design team randomly selected one of the 44 U.S. Presidents at the Cosmo Couture 2014 kick-off party held in May. The design of each haute couture garment will be inspired by the period in which that President served. Design teams are currently exploring the political status during those years, social issues, fashion trends or even global events that marked each era.
For the fifth consecutive year, the beneficiary for the event is My Sister’s Place – DC’s oldest domestic violence shelter providing comprehensive programs and services that holistically address domestic violence and the unique challenges survivors face.
Cosmo Couture attracts approximately 800 attendees each year.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Cosmo Couture 2014 – Fashion & Interior Design Event (5th Annual)
Presented by: Washington Metro City Center of the International Interior Design Association – Mid Atlantic Chapter
Beneficiary: My Sister’s Place
When: Thursday, September 18, 2014
Where: Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA
Time: 5:00-10:00PM
VIP Reception 5:00-6:00PM, Cocktails 6:00-7:30PM, Runway Show 7:30-9:00PM, Desserts 9:00-10:00PM
Website: www.cosmocouture.org
Social: Twitter: @cosmocoutureDC Facebook: https://www.
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or veg-curious, DC VegFest (www.dcvegfest.com) is the place to be on September 20th from 11-6pm. More than 15,000 people from the Washington, DC area are expected to attend this yearly celebration of the best of everything vegetarian in and around the nation’s capital.
“From free vegan food samples and cooking demos to a kids activity area and live music, DC VegFest has something for everyone,” says Erica Meier, Executive Director of Compassion Over Killing, the event organizer. “Now in its sixth year, this free outdoor event is the perfect way to spend a beautiful fall afternoon with your family and friends – including your furry four-legged friends who can enjoy free treats in our new Barking Lot.”
During this day-long celebration, more than 100 exhibitors, partners, and sponsors will showcase a wide range of products, services and resources to help Washington, DC-area consumers learn more about why eating a plant-based diet and choosing vegetarian foods is one of the best ways to help protect our health, the planet and animals. VegFest will take place at Yards Park, 355 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003.
Speakers include:
- Robin Quivers — Co-host of the Howard Stern show and author of The Vegucation of Robin
- Doron Petersan – Owner of the award-winning Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats
- Joe Yonan — Washington Post Food Editor and cookbook author
- Lesley Parker-Rollins — Vegan mom and host of Ask a Vegan Family
- Bryant Terry – Eco-chef and author of The Inspired Vegan and Afro-Vegan
- Dr. Neal Barnard – President of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
- Alexis Fox and Micah Risk of Lighter Nutrition Coaching and Community
- Dr. Betty Smith — 73-year old ultra-marathon runner
- John Schlimm — activist, artist, and international award-winning cookbook author
DC VegFest highlights the many benefits and flavors of vegetarian eating and shows how easy and delicious it is to choose healthier, more sustainable, and kinder foods. Attendees will enjoy free food samples from So Delicious, Tofurky, Larabar, Way Better Snacks, Relay Foods, along with nearly two dozen food vendors including Vegan Treats, Bread & Brew, Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats, Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza, Dama Ethiopian and more.
During the day-long festival, attendees can peruse exhibitor booths from such animal-friendly organizations and companies as Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap, the Humane Society of the United States, Conscious Corner, A Well-Fed World, Animal Rescue Bar, Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness, and many more.
In addition to this event being free and open to everyone, the first 1,000 attendees will also get a free 2014 commemorative DC VegFest tote bag loaded with veg-friendly products, coupons and more!
The DC VegFest was originally founded by the Vegetarian Society of DC and has been organized by Compassion Over Killing since 2009.
Please use #DCVegFest14 to follow along with us on social media.
The Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District (MVT CID) announces “Color the K”, an inaugural art explosion event to be held at 5th and K Streets, NW on Saturday, September 27th. Designed for full community participation and interaction, the free activities will include creation of a temporary mural led by local artist Rose Jaffe, chalk art demonstrations and areas for kids and adults to participate, a hardware art show hosted by 5th Street Ace Hardware and more. Activities will be held alongside the Saturday morning Mount Vernon Triangle FRESHFARM Market from 10 am to 1 pm.
“Involving our community in artistic expression is one of the ways we can connect to each other and celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of the Mount Vernon Triangle community,” said MVT CID President, Claire Schaefer Oleksiak. “We look forward to the Color the K mural, led by Rose Jaffe, and the chalk art expression adding colorful imagery to the corner of 5th & K.”
Color the K joins Art4All DC, presented by Cultural Tourism DC, in celebrating art in the city.
WHAT: FIGMENT DC – Free Participatory Art Phenomenon
WHEN: Saturday September 27, 11am-5pm, Sunday September 28, 11am-5pm
WHERE: Anacostia Park, Section E at the Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion, WDC
A “Leave No Trace” event, FIGMENT DC features local artists whose art submerges participants in interactive co-creation. The event is totally free and open to the public, and provides a much-needed platform for emerging artists to engage with a diverse audience, and share their artistic visions. In a culture where passive spectatorship often prevails over active engagement, FIGMENT DC builds community among urban residents and suburbanites alike, as we all collaborate together in generating our collective FIGMENT experience. Family-friendly and completely non-commercial, FIGMENT transforms the beautiful outdoor space of Anacostia Park into a magical, colorful playground that everyone can enjoy.
“FIGMENT is an opportunity for our DC community to come together and enjoy art in all its forms,” says Patty Simonton, director of FIGMENT DC 2014. “Unlike most art galleries in Washington, FIGMENT erases the lines between those who create and those who view art so that everyone can become an artist. DC really does have a thriving, creative arts community and this event brings that artistic energy out to a broad audience.”
Concurrent with the announcement of FIGMENT DC 2014 dates, organizers have launched a crowdfunding campaign, “Your Creativity, Your Participation, Your FIGMENT” to raise $9,200 to provide logistics and services such as water, security, equipment and other associated costs. Strictly non-commercial and not for profit, FIGMENT DC accepts no corporate funding or advertising, and hence relies entirely upon individual donations and support. Consistent with the FIGMENT ethos of participation and personal creativity, “perks,” or gifts given in gratitude for donations, include interactive experiences such as singing lessons. Local DC area artists have also made their artworks available as gifts, to help the campaign meet its goal. The campaign, along with a new video about why FIGMENT is such a special part of the creative community in the Greater Washington area can be found at: http://startsomegood.com/
WHAT: FIGMENT DC – Free Participatory Art Phenomenon
WHEN: Saturday September 27, 11am-5pm, Sunday September 28, 11am-5pm
WHERE: Anacostia Park, Section E at the Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion, WDC
A “Leave No Trace” event, FIGMENT DC features local artists whose art submerges participants in interactive co-creation. The event is totally free and open to the public, and provides a much-needed platform for emerging artists to engage with a diverse audience, and share their artistic visions. In a culture where passive spectatorship often prevails over active engagement, FIGMENT DC builds community among urban residents and suburbanites alike, as we all collaborate together in generating our collective FIGMENT experience. Family-friendly and completely non-commercial, FIGMENT transforms the beautiful outdoor space of Anacostia Park into a magical, colorful playground that everyone can enjoy.
“FIGMENT is an opportunity for our DC community to come together and enjoy art in all its forms,” says Patty Simonton, director of FIGMENT DC 2014. “Unlike most art galleries in Washington, FIGMENT erases the lines between those who create and those who view art so that everyone can become an artist. DC really does have a thriving, creative arts community and this event brings that artistic energy out to a broad audience.”
Concurrent with the announcement of FIGMENT DC 2014 dates, organizers have launched a crowdfunding campaign, “Your Creativity, Your Participation, Your FIGMENT” to raise $9,200 to provide logistics and services such as water, security, equipment and other associated costs. Strictly non-commercial and not for profit, FIGMENT DC accepts no corporate funding or advertising, and hence relies entirely upon individual donations and support. Consistent with the FIGMENT ethos of participation and personal creativity, “perks,” or gifts given in gratitude for donations, include interactive experiences such as singing lessons. Local DC area artists have also made their artworks available as gifts, to help the campaign meet its goal. The campaign, along with a new video about why FIGMENT is such a special part of the creative community in the Greater Washington area can be found at: http://startsomegood.com/
Adrienne Arsht Chair
Honorary Chairs: Representative Kevin McCarthy and Representative Steny Hoyer
Invite You To A Gala Evening
KEVIN SPACEY IN CONCERT
To Benefit The Kevin Spacey Foundation and Youth Arts Programs
Monday September 29, 2014
Shakespeare Theatre in the Harman Center
This exclusive one-night-only concert will be an entertaining evening of stories and song by the two-time Academy Award winner and star of the Netflix hit series, House of Cards, Kevin Spacey. It is a unique opportunity to hear this gifted artist perform standards from the swing era, and popular classics from the Great American Songbook accompanied by the Kevin Spacey Orchestra.
[Current $104 ticket allocations have now sold out. Further tickets will be released shortly. VIP tickets are still available. Email info@kevinspaceyfoundation.com to receive future updates.]
Tickets are available via the following link: http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/events/details.aspx?id=384&source=l
The Bentzen Ball Comedy Festival
Opening Night
Oct 1st, 7pm Doors
@ Lincoln Theatre
1215 U Street NW
$30 tickets
On Sale Now
Featuring
Tig Notaro
(Conan / This American Life / The Sarah Silverman Program / In A World… / Professor Blastoff)
Jeff Garlin
(Curb Your Enthusiasm / The Goldbergs / WALL-E)
Kyle Kinane
(Comedy Central Presents / Drunk History)
Kate Berlant
(IFC Comedy Drop / Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival)
Ben Kronberg
(Ted & Gracie / Last Comic Standing)
& your Host
Brandon Wetherbee
(BYT / YMTE)
+ more TBA
The Fourth Annual Taste of DC will take over Pennsylvania Avenue Saturday, October 11 and Sunday October 12, 2014. The largest Mid-Atlantic culinary festival will bring to the Nation’s Capital two days of the region’s very best food, drink and entertainment. WHAT: Attendees will be able to sample food from more than 70 of the region’s most popular restaurants, food trucks, caterers and purveyors; taste over 50 beers in the Stella Artois Beer Garden; sample more than 100 wines on the Taste of DC Wine Walk and enjoy nonstop entertainment on three different stages.
Saturday, October 11 – 3 PM: The 4th Annual Ben’s Chili Bowl World Chili Eating Championship. Contestants include some of the world’s most famous professional eaters including Joey “Jaws” Chestnut and Sonya “The Black Widow” vying for the World Championship title. The competition takes place on the Taste of DC Main Stage.
Sunday, October 12 – 4-8 pm: Heritage BBQ Cochon 555 Five local superstar chefs will create their version of a globally-influenced menu featuring whole heritage bred pigs. Each will make 6 dishes. Competing chefs: Scott Drewno (The Source by Wolfgang Puck), Erik Bruner-Yang (Maketto), Kyle Bailey (Birch & Barley), Joe Palma (Bourbon Steak), George Pagonis (Kapnos). Ten other chefs also will prepare BBQ items.
This event is ticketed: General admission: $100, VIP Early Admission $200. WHERE: Pennsylvania Ave. between 9th – 14th Streets NW
WHEN: Saturday, October 11 and Sunday October 12 – Noon to 7 p.m. each day. Special ticketing packages will be available for every Taste, including Beer Lovers, Wine Lovers and Heritage BBQ Cochon 555: Information at www.thetasteofdc.org/tickets. PRICE: General admission: $10; Children 6-12 yrs $5; children under 5 free.
