Events/Things To Do

An Evening Benefit with Concert and Cabaret Star Karen Akers
Concert and cabaret star Karen Akers will receive the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts at an evening benefitevent. Akers’s voice has been lauded by the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner as “…great…an instrument with the power of Streisand’s, the dark passion of Piaf’s and the lean irony of Dietrich’s, but a voice uniquely her own, because it’s coupled with an intelligence that creates moments of riveting theatricality.” She has performed all over the world and has won a Theatre World Award as well as a Tony Award nomination.

The cabaret-themed evening will feature a cocktail reception, a seated dinner by Occasions Catering and a performance by Akers. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser support the Shenson Chamber Music Concerts, led by Artistic Director Gilan Tocco Corn, education programming, and the groundbreaking exhibition, Picturing Mary: Woman, Mother, Idea.
 
CO-CHAIRS:
Sally L. Jones and Irene Natividad

WHEN:
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Cocktails 6:30 p.m.; Performance 7:15 p.m.; Dinner 8 p.m.

WHERE:
National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Avenue, NW
Two blocks north of Metro Center (13th Street entrance)
Valet parking available

TICKETS:
Individual: $350
Tables: $5,000 and up
Dress: Business attire

Noche de Pasión: The Tango Soirée

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Organization of American States

Join me, the members of The Washington Ballet’s Women’s Committee, Jeté Society and Latino Dance Fund Host Committee for Noche de Pasión: The Tango Soirée on Saturday, November 8, 2014. This inaugural event will benefit TWB’s scholarship programs and the Latino Dance Fund as well as celebrate TWB’s fall repertory program “Masterworks,” showcasing 5 Tangos by world-renowned choreographer, Hans van Manen, among other works.

Noche de Pasión: The Tango Soirée will take place at the stunning Organization of American States, which will be transformed into a sultry Buenos Aires Tango club, full of drama, passion and intrigue. At the VIP reception hosted by TWB’s Artistic Director Septime Webre and members of the diplomatic community, patrons will sip signature “Evita” champagne cocktails and have an opportunity to mix and mingle with dancers who have benefited from the Latino Dance Fund. Following the VIP reception, guests attending the main party will enjoy an exclusive performance by The Washington Ballet, sample the finest in South American wines and spirits, savor delectable Argentine-inspired cuisine, bid on “Super Silent Auction” items and be part of the best dance party to hit Washington, DC in decades. The event will bring together a dynamic group of hundreds of leaders across business, arts, politics, community and culture.

To purchase tickets, click here: http://www.washingtonballet.org/contribute/special-events/noche-de-pasion-the-tango-soiree_copy

Her Aim Is True tells the incredible story of Jini Dellaccio, the first woman photographer of rock ‘n’ roll in its early years. For the first time in 50 years, Dellaccio shares her story and stunning archive, reuniting with musicians and rock photographers for a riveting voyage tracing the roots of her avant-garde artistry and fearless life. Screening and discussion with filmmaker Karen Whitehead.

“Jini’s photos are the template for cool. Any rock band since Jini’s photos were released has wanted to look exactly like that.”
—Bon Von Wheelie (Girl Trouble)

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

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

On Thursday November 20, at 7:30 at Gala Theater (3333 14th St NW), join local filmmakers, boxing stars and musicians for a benefit film screening and after party featuring stories from the world of Lime Lite Boxing and Fitness, a Columbia Heights based non-profit gym and youth program that trains champions and mentors young people.

Into the Lime Lite follows two-time USA Boxing National Champion Malik Jackson as he prepares for a tough match in the Belfast Beltway Classic. Out of the Basement follows Greg Newby as he embarks on a pro-boxing career after a fall from grace. Jackson and Newby train at Lime Lite Boxing and Fitness, a small gym in the heart of Columbia Heights DC that is 100% fueled by local volunteers, grassroots fundraisers and community support. Both films (documentary shorts) feature music from local musicians including Brendan Canty (Fugazi, DeathFix) The Evens and Buildings. The films were made by possible by the Documentary Center at GW and The DC Arts and Humanities Commission.

The after party features food generously donated by The Coupe (Lime Lite Boxing’s neighbor) and music from local DJs. Doors at 7:30. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds will benefit Lime Lite’s boxing and mentoring program.

Artfête Open House & Holiday Party
Free Admission!
When: Friday, December 5, 6:00-9:00 pm
Where: The Art League’s Madison Annex, 305 Madison Street, Alexandria, VA

Artfête is the grand finale to our 60th Anniversary year! Join us at our Madison Annex as we kick-off the holiday season with live music, great artwork, artist demos, and more.
Featuring:

• Unveiling the 60th Anniversary Community Canvas
• Ceramic and Jewelry sales
• Exhibit of instructor artwork
• Demos by Art League instructors
• Live music by Redline Graffiti
• Wearable art runway show
• Food and drinks

Check out where exciting classes like ceramics, jewelry making, photography, sculpture, the fiber arts, and drawing and painting are taught throughout the year and do a little holiday shopping. Admission is FREE.

Born from the sumptuous elegance of the Edwardian era only to be shaken by a world war and landing in a modern Eden. The Roaring 20’s marked history with iconic images of personal expression. Hyper charged fashion and style were all the rage. Think Chanel’s streamlined column shape, Charles Worth’s luxurious beading, or Fortuny silk dresses; the functionality of shorter skirts and the powerful alluring lines of men’s suiting.  The twenties had everything! The decade left us with youthful elegance, vice influenced trends, and rhythmic style.

The women truly explored personal style an expression with higher hemlines to due to the convenience women experienced during the previous war, in which hemlines fell above the ankle in an effort to conserve fabric for uniforms and supplies. The body was a slim long line with a swan like neck topped with a sharp yet effortless bob hair cut.
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Men’s Fashion streamlined and peacocked at the same time. With bright new colors for day suits and skinny black tie Tuxedos for night. Gatsby cool boy chic filled the stores and their expensive shiny cars filled the streets.

“The Great Roar” is a fashion and art event opening December 20th at The Manor in downtown DC for a night of exploration into an exuberant era. VIP guests will be treated to a Yesteryear photo exhibition by Jay Snap, stunning living fashion installation of period clothes provided by collectors Jessamyn Goshorn and Randy Green; black and white silent  film, and a live burlesque performance.