David Sedaris has leveraged his sardonic wit and incisive social critiques to become one of America’s preeminent humor writers. Beginning with his wildly popular “Santaland Diaries,” the great skill with which Sedaris slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that he is a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition. He visits his D.C. “home away from home,” the Music Center at Strathmore, on Friday, October 17, 2014 at 8 p.m. Says the San Francisco Chronicle: “Sedaris belongs on any list of people writing in English at the moment who are revising our ideas about what’s funny.” For more information or to purchase tickets, call (301) 581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
In addition to “Barrel Fever,” Sedaris is the author of “Holidays on Ice,” as well as collections of personal essays, “Naked,” “Me Talk Pretty One Day,” “Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim,” “When You Are Engulfed in Flames,” and his most recent book, “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls,” each of which became an immediate bestseller. The audio version of “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls” was a 56th Annual Grammy nominee for Best Spoken Word Album. He is the author of the New York Times bestselling collection of fables entitled “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary.”
Sedaris’s pieces appear regularly in The New Yorker and have twice been included in “The Best American Essays.” There are a total of seven million copies of his books in print and they have been translated into 25 languages.
He and his sister Amy Sedaris have collaborated under the name “The Talent Family” and have written half-a-dozen plays which have been produced at La Mama, Lincoln Center, and The Drama Department in New York City. These plays include “Stump the Host,” “Stitches,” “One Woman Shoe,” which received an Obie Award, “Incident at Cobbler’s Knob,” and “The Book of Liz,” which was published in book form by Dramatists Play Service.
David Sedaris’s original radio pieces can often be heard on This American Life. David Sedaris has been nominated for three Grammy awards for Best Spoken Word and Best Comedy Album. His most recent audio recording of new stories (recorded live) is “David Sedaris: Live for Your Listening Pleasure.”
A feature film adaptation of his story “C.O.G.” was released after a premier at the Sundance Film Festival (2013).
Life has been an endless series of adventures for Neil Patrick Harris. He has enthralled fans for nearly three decades in more than 100 wildly varied roles, ranging from the iconic Doogie Howser, M.D., and Barney Stinson to Joss Whedon’s Dr. Horrible and his recent, Tony Award-winning turn as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch.Never one to limit himself, Harris is also a two-time Emmy host, four-time Tony host, an accomplished amateur magician, and a licensed taxidermist (one of those is not true). Exhausted yet? Neil’s not!
In addition to his busy work life, Neil is also raising very energetic twin three-year-olds with his husband, David Burtka. But how did an aspiring child actor from a tiny mountain town in New Mexico turn into an award-winning, jet-setting, A-list performer who is also the most prominent example of gay family life in America? By chance or by choice? Not only will NEIL PATRICK HARRIS: CHOOSE YOUR OWN AUTOBIOGRAPHY (Crown Archetype; On Sale October 14, 2014) tell readers the whole story, Neil invites them to step into his shoes and roll the dice for him at decisive turning points throughout his life. In this affectionate homage to the Choose Your Own Adventure books he loved as a kid, he offers dozens of paths to choose from, some of which lead to the NPH we know and love, and others that end in the type of tragic demise that will be very familiar to fans of the original series. Neil Patrick Harris reinvents the celebrity memoir with an autobiography that puts YOU in charge of his life.
WHO: Neil Patrick Harris
WHAT: Book signing
WHEN: 7:30 PM
WHERE: Sixth & I
600 I Street Northwest
On Thursday, October 30, amid a media storm and public outcry critical of bad behavior by NFL players, Washington-area professional athletes will step out as fashion models and step up as role models at the 6th Annual Walk This Way Charity Fashion Event. DC-based nonprofit organization Becky’s Fund, returns to the Italian Embassy (3000 Whitehaven St. NW) to host its highly anticipated annual fashion show, featuring global luxury clothing brand, GANT. Washington Redskins’ wide receiver Pierre Garçon and Washington Nationals’ pitcher Gio Gonzalez are just a few of the stars confirmed to hit the catwalk in support of this year’s event. Ticket sale proceeds will benefit Becky’s Fund’s “Men of Code” program — training high school athletes to become leaders in the movement to end violence against women. The show will also showcase cocktail and black-tie attire from notable designer, Karen Millen.
Moët Nectar Impérial Rosé and Belvedere will serve as the official spirits for the VIP and Players’ Lounge, adding an air of elegance to the always beautiful main atrium at the embassy.
Attendees will have the chance to rub elbows with the DMV’s favorite professional athletes, Grammy award winning performers, politicians and elected officials, business leaders and fashion influencers. Tickets for the high profile event start at $150 for general admission and $300 for VIPs, and will include specialty drinks, gourmet food and tasty desserts, as well access to the night’s buzz-worthy feature show.
For more information about Becky’s Fund and the Men of Character and Ownership, Dedicated to leading by Example, please visit www.beckysfund.org.
EVENT DETAILS:
Thursday, October 30, 2014
6:30 p.m.
Embassy of Italy
3000 Whitehaven St. NW
Washington, DC 20008
General Admission Tickets – $150
VIP Tickets – $300
Tables – $1,200 to $5,000
Sponsor Packages – $5,000 to $25,000
Event Chair – Michelle Schoenfeld of Renu Medical Spa
Join CQ Roll Call and Hooks Book Events as they host John Bicknell for a book-signing event Wednesday, November 12th.
6 p.m. EST
LOCATION: Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital
Food & beverages will be served.
Complimentary copies of the book will be distributed on a first come first served basis.
America 1844: Religious Fervor, Westward Expansion, and the Presidential Election That Transformed the Nation
About the book:
The presidential election of 1844 was one of the two or three most momentous elections in American history. Had Henry Clay won instead of James K. Polk, we’d be living in a very different country today. Polk’s victory cemented the westward expansion that brought Texas, California, and Oregon into the union. It also took place amid religious turmoil that included anti-Mormon and anti-Catholic violence, and the “Great Disappointment,” in which thousands of followers of an obscure preacher named William Miller believed Christ would return to earth in October 1844.
Author and journalist John Bicknell details even more compelling, interwoven events that occurred during this momentous year: the murder of Joseph Smith, the religious fermentation of the Second Great Awakening, John C. Frémont’s exploration of the West, Charles Goodyear’s patenting of vulcanized rubber, the near-death of President John Tyler in a freak naval explosion, and much more. All of these elements illustrate the competing visions of the American future—Democrats versus Whigs, Mormons versus Millerites, nativists versus Catholics, those who risked the venture westward versus those who stayed safely behind—and how Polk’s election cemented the vision of a continental nation.
About the author:
John Bicknell is the Executive Editor of @FCWnow in lives in Haymarket, VA. Follow on Twitter: @JohnBick1960
Fashion Group International of Greater Washington, DC, Inc.
presents
Spring/Summer 2015 Trend Presentation at THE ANGELIKA Pop Up At Union Market
Friday, November 14, 2014
*Doors Open at 5:30 PM
*FILM begins promptly at 6PM
All ticket holders will receive EXPEDITED ENTRY to
GILT CITY DC Warehouse Sale & John Varvatos Pop Up
Doors open for private shopping experience at 7 PM
Click HERE or http://
Join Fashion Fights Poverty and Karen Millen at Tysons Galleria for a special brunch and shopping event.
Saturday, November 15, 2014 10AM – 1PM.
10% of sales will be donated to Fashion Fights Poverty.
On Tuesday, November 18, José Andrés and ThinkFoodGroup will host Sean Brock—the James Beard Award-winning Chef of McCrady’s and Husk Restaurants—at America Eats Tavern to celebrate his new cookbook: Heritage. For $60, tickets include a taste from the cookbook courtesy of America Eats Tavern Head Chef Nate Waugaman, local wines from Virginia’s own Trump Winery, and a signed copy of the book.
The reception will take place in the front bar and private dining room in a passed bite/drink format. The restaurant will remain open for business should guests decide to stay for dinner (price not included in ticket).
What: Sean Brock cookbook party at America Eats Tavern
When: Tuesday, Nov 18 from 6:30—8:30pm
Where: America Eats Tavern (1700 Tysons Blvd inside the Ritz Carlton at Tysons Corner; McLean, VA) *By Metro – Silver Line to Tysons Corner
How: To purchase tickets, visit https://nvite.com/BrockatAmericaEats/brockatamericaeats
WHAT: Approach the holiday season with style and grace courtesy of härth Restaurant and Saks Fifth Avenue! Filled with plenty of good cheer, this day of pampering offers some of the finest holiday shopping and dining in Tysons Corner. Kicking off at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, guests are treated to complimentary parking and an elegant champagne toast in the warm and inviting härth bar. After the festive bubbly, Hilton McLean will provide private shuttle service to Saks Fifth Avenue for a holiday-themed Master Make-up Class with Laura Mercier’s top, make-up artists. Artists will share tricks of the trade for perfecting the quintessential holiday look before presenting a special gift bag of Saks Fifth Avenue goodies and a $50 gift card towards any Saks Fifth Avenue purchase. Following the make-up class, each guest will have an hour of shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue before shuttling back to härth for a private, three course dinner. Highlighting Executive Chef Luc Dendievel’s hearty, seasonal fare, the prix-fixe menu will be served in the intimate private dining room surrounded by the restaurant’s signature, glass-encased fireplaces. This ultimate holiday shopping event concludes with one last surprise: a gift bag of delicious goodies from Chef Luc and his talented team!
WHEN: Saturday, December 13, 2014
2:00pm – 8:00pm
2:00pm: Arrive at Hilton McLean for complimentary parking and champagne toast
3:00pm: Take Hilton shuttle to Saks Fifth Avenue Tysons Galleria
3:15-4:45pm: Laura Mercier Holiday Master Make-up Class, presentation of Saks Fifth Avenue gift bags and gift certificate
4:45- 5:45pm: Holiday shopping
5:45pm: Take Hilton shuttle back to härth
6:00-8:00pm: Private dinner at härth, presentation of härth gift bags
WHERE: härth Restaurant
Hilton McLean Tysons Corner – Overnight accommodations can be secured for $89!
7920 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, VA 22102
COST: $100 ticket includes the following:
· Champagne toast
· Laura Mercier Master Make-up Class at Saks Fifth Avenue
· $50 Saks Fifth Avenue gift card
· Saks Fifth Avenue gift bag
· Three course dinner at härth
· härth gift bag
HOW: To purchase tickets, contact Tracy Thomas or Candice Tinner at (703) 761-5200 on weekdays between 8:00am and 5:00pm.
THE 63rd ANNUAL MISS DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA USA PAGEANTS
“GODDESS OF THE THROWN”
WHO: Miss District of Columbia USA and Miss District of Columbia Teen USA
WHAT: The 63rd Annual Miss District of Columbia USA pageants will showcase 39 of the most elegant, poised and professional women in the District of Columbia as they compete for the coveted titles of Miss DC USA & Miss DC Teen USA 2015. In commemoration of the beauty and strength of our Nation’s Capitol the pageant will be honoring several service men and women throughout the weekend. The Grecian Goddess theme pageant will also feature a special performance by a local artist during the final show on December 21st. Miss Teen USA 2010, Kamie Crawford and Chris Saltalmacchio, owner and operator of “Pageantry by Chris” will be returning hosts
WHEN: Preliminary Show Saturday, December 20th 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 PM)
Final Show & Crowning Sunday, December 21st 3:30 p.m. (doors open at 3 PM)
WHERE: The Renaissance Hotel, 999 9th Street NW, Washington D.C 20001
The 2015 Miss District of Columbia USA & Miss District of Columbia Teen USA titleholders will be available throughout the evening of December 21st for press interviews.
2015 Miss DC USA & Miss DC Teen USA Ticketing Information
December 20th and 21st
The Renaissance Hotel
Washington D.C
Preliminary Show: Saturday, December 20, 2014 General Admission $30
Final Show and Crowning: Sunday, December 21, 2014 General Admission $40
VIP: Diamond Circle Tickets: Two Day Event Passes $95
Tickets now available on Eventbrite!
Click the link: Eventbrite: 63rd Annual Miss District of Columbia Tickets
About Miss District of Columbia USA Pageant
Since 1952, the Miss District of Columbia USA & Miss District of Columbia Teen USA pageant has served as a platform for young women to pursue their goals and dreams with the support of educational scholarships and career development opportunities. Miss District of Columbia USA is a subsidiary of the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants, a joint venture of Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal. For more information visit www.missdcusa.com.
Ford Evening Book Talk
January 8, 7 p.m.
Mount Vernon welcomes author Turk McCleskey to the Rubenstein Leadership Hall at the Fred W. Smith National Library to discuss his book, “The Road to Black Ned’s Forge: A Story of Race, Sex, and Trade on the Colonial American Frontier,” on January 8. This event is free, however registration is required. Please visit mountvernon.org for more details.
