Black Jack will host an inaugural Capital Cocktail Competition on Mardi Gras, an evening benefitting the Black’s Family Foundation that will pit eight teams of top bartenders from across the city against each other in a secret ingredient style challenge. The judging panel will be comprised of Duane Sylvestre, lead bartender, Bourbon Steak DC, Svetlana Legetic, founder, BrightestYoungThings.com and Scott Drewno, regional executive chef, The Source by Wolfgang Puck. In addition to having the opportunity to sample auctioned drinks from each competing bar team, guests will enjoy a welcome cocktail, Mardi Gras-inspired passed bites including freshly shucked Barren Island oysters compliments of Congressional Seafood, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches on Addie’s rolls, crawfish hushpuppies, Black Jack’s signature duck nachos, and shrimp campeche from chef Colleen Conrad. Drink specials such as $2 pours of Abita Amber and Flying Dog, and $2 Bacardi hurricanes, both frozen and on the rocks, will also be available for purchase, in addition to Black Jack’s full bar menu.
Each bar team will be shown a secret ingredient, given two minutes to plan a cocktail and five minutes to execute two identical drinks. One cocktail will be judged by appearance, flavor and technique/creativity, while the other will be auctioned off to the crowd for charity. Drinks will be scored and a winner will be chosen to move to the next round until the 2015 Capital Cocktail Competition winner is crowned.
The line up of competing bar teams includes:
D.J. Suan & Frank Manganiello, Black Jack/Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
Noah Broaddus & Pete Sit, Café Saint Ex/Bar Pilar
Torrence Swain & Rachel Vistica, Founding Farmers/Farmers Fishers & Bakers
Jo-Jo Valenzuela& Bryan Tetorakis, Gypsy Soul
Jason Strich & Mike Saccone, Hank’s on the Hill
Trevor Frye & Justin Hampton, Jack Rose
Taha Ismail, Mike Isabella Concepts & Scotty Holland, Kapnos
Christine Kim & Anthony Marlowe, TICO
All ticket purchases include entrance to Black Jack, which will be closed to non-ticket holders, drink specials, and complimentary passed bites. DJ Brandon Duff will be spinning for the duration of the event and bar manager E. Jay Apaga will emcee the festivities.
WHAT : The 10thAnnual Turn Up the Heat: A Celebration of Women Chefs celebrates the talents of renowned women chefs and supports the work of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. Attendees enjoy a live auction, and a tasting from the top women in the industry, featuring nearly 60 women chefs, restaurant owners and mixologists.
Attendees include cancer survivors, supporters of the Alliance, corporations and leaders in business, health care and oncology. This year the gala celebrates its 10th Anniversary: ten years of delicious food, celebration, and support to those touched by ovarian cancer.
WHERE: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20004
WHEN: Wednesday, February 18, 2015 6:00 PM
WHY: Turn Up the Heat is an important fundraiser for the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and allows us to continue our vital work on behalf of ovarian cancer survivors. Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers for women, and is the deadliest gynecologic cancer. This gala allows the Alliance to provide support to women who are diagnosed, educate the public about ovarian cancer and speak up for our community on Capitol Hill and throughout the country.
WHO: 60+ WOMEN CHEFS, RESTAURANTEURS & MIXOLOGISTS
Our participating chefs come from every corner of the DMV. From food trucks to fine dining, they represent the wealth of women working in our region’s restaurant industry. As we mark our 10th Anniversary, our number of chefs taking part reaches a record high. Several chefs are themselves ovarian cancer survivors or have personal connections to this cause. Visit our gala website or contact the Alliance for the most recent list of participating chefs.
CONTACT: For more information about the Gala, to view a list of participating chefs and to purchase tickets, visit www.ovariancancer.org/gala .
As part of his new 20+ city national tour, Harry Connick, Jr. will perform two shows in the Music Center at Strathmore on Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 8 p.m.—making Strathmore the only venue hosting back-to-back concerts during this tour. The shows will feature music from Connick’s vast musical catalog, including songs from his most recent releases Smokey Mary and Every Man Should Know. To date, Connick has released 29 albums, won three Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards, and garnered sales of 28 million. Tickets are currently on sale to Strathmore Stars, and will be available to the general public on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at 10 a.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (301) 581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
With Every Man Should Know, Connick triumphs once again with a depth of feeling that signals another milestone for one of the music world’s most multi-faceted artists. Critics have been quick to agree with People Magazine calling it “impressive,” and the Boston Globe saying the album features “his most thoughtful and personal songs to date” and says it’s “an album that every Harry Connick, Jr. fan should own.”
Connick recently returned for a second year as judge on “American Idol,” with season 14 of the show premiering in January 2015. Since his addition to the judges’ panel, critics and fans alike have praised Connick’s contributions to the show, with Variety proclaiming that Connick “brings fun back to American Idol,” and Entertainment Weekly raving that he brings a “frank honesty but also lighthearted energy” to the show, “offering thoughtful critiques” resulting in a “fun, rollicking viewing experience.” Regarding his debut as a judge in season 13, USA Today stated that “Connick deserves most of the praise for what promises to be a creative turnaround for Idol… While Connick can be as tough as he needs to be, he’s also charming, engaging and, when he wants to be, hysterically funny.”
As part of his new 20+ city national tour, Harry Connick, Jr. will perform two shows in the Music Center at Strathmore on Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 8 p.m.—making Strathmore the only venue hosting back-to-back concerts during this tour. The shows will feature music from Connick’s vast musical catalog, including songs from his most recent releases Smokey Mary and Every Man Should Know. To date, Connick has released 29 albums, won three Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards, and garnered sales of 28 million. Tickets are currently on sale to Strathmore Stars, and will be available to the general public on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at 10 a.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (301) 581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
With Every Man Should Know, Connick triumphs once again with a depth of feeling that signals another milestone for one of the music world’s most multi-faceted artists. Critics have been quick to agree with People Magazine calling it “impressive,” and the Boston Globe saying the album features “his most thoughtful and personal songs to date” and says it’s “an album that every Harry Connick, Jr. fan should own.”
Connick recently returned for a second year as judge on “American Idol,” with season 14 of the show premiering in January 2015. Since his addition to the judges’ panel, critics and fans alike have praised Connick’s contributions to the show, with Variety proclaiming that Connick “brings fun back to American Idol,” and Entertainment Weekly raving that he brings a “frank honesty but also lighthearted energy” to the show, “offering thoughtful critiques” resulting in a “fun, rollicking viewing experience.” Regarding his debut as a judge in season 13, USA Today stated that “Connick deserves most of the praise for what promises to be a creative turnaround for Idol… While Connick can be as tough as he needs to be, he’s also charming, engaging and, when he wants to be, hysterically funny.”
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Washington Project for the Arts & Forest City Present LASER CAT at The Yards with support from The JBG Companies
DATES: Friday & Saturday, February 20 & 21, 8-11pm Saturday, February 21, 12-4pm PRESS PREVIEW: Friday, February 20, 5:30-6:30 LOCATION: 200 Tingey Street SE, Washington DC 20003
January 14, 2014 (Washington, DC) – Washington Project for the Arts (WPA) and Forest City present an event unlike anything seen in Washington! The Yards welcomes Laser Cat, a 20-foot tall inflatable cat head that projects lasers and art from its eyes.
Friday evening will feature live DJ’s fueling the Laser Cat party, led by Thievery Corporation’s Eric Hilton. Saturday evening’s party will project images produced by local artists, accompanied by beats from Laser Cat. On Saturday afternoon, Laser Cat will be open from 12 – 4pm for families to experience a mellower side of the inflatable feline. A heated tent with a beer garden and other program components will be adjacent to the historic industrial building in which Laser Cat will be staged. |
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ABOUT LASER CAT & HUNGRY CASTLE
______________________________
Commissioned by ADC and conceived by Hungry Castle, this interactive installation debuted at the ADC Festival of Art + Craft in Advertising and Design held in Miami Beach. As its name suggests, Laser Cat is a giant cat with lasers for eyes that uses high-powered projectors to beam people’s personal art onto public buildings. Laser Cat curates the art submitted, but it’s the public that fires it into public space. The viewer controls the content by pressing a giant button to change the art, lasers, and music. So far, Laser Cat has received over 15,000 personal art submissions.
Based in Barcelona, Hungry Castle is the creative studio featuring Dave Glass and Killian Cooper that specialize in creating public art and fashion, which they call Cool Shit. Working collectively since 2011 their goal has always been to make big, playful things of cultural impact and use design thinking in a way that truly engages people. Influenced by Shepard Fairey’s prolific use of public space with the “Obey Giant” campaign, the artists combine unique, 3-dimensional pieces with large-scale production a la Jeff Koons, but with an added interactive ingredient to create a fully immersive experience between audience and art.
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Helix Lounge to Host Oscars Happy Hour with Academy Award-inspired Cocktails
Kimpton’s Helix Lounge is rolling out the red carpet for Washingtonians on Academy Awards night, Sunday, February 22, with its annualOscars Happy Hour featuring a lineup of award-worthy libations. Best known for giving patrons their “15 Minutes of Fame,” Helix Lounge invites locals and hotel guests alike to celebrate Hollywood’s biggest night in the heart of the District. Patrons can watch the glitz and glam of red carpet on Helix Lounge’s 46” flat-screen TV and feel like a celeb themselves while enjoying themed specialty cocktails and burger sliders throughout the evening. Available from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., the menu includes:
- Red Carpet Cosmo: D.C. fashionistas can critique the A-listers’ gowns throughout the night, while sipping on this house specialty. ($8)
- The Code Breaker: After a long day breaking the enemy’s code, relax with this “The Imitation Game” inspired spin on English tea featuring Broker’s Gin, Earl Grey tea, and simple syrup. ($8)
- Mendl’s Cocktail au Chocolat: Check in to “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and experience every chocolate lover’s dream. Inspired by Mendl’s trademark sweet, this cocktail includes Godiva Chocolate liqueur, vodka crème de cacao, and half & half. ($8)
- Angus Beef Sliders: No red carpet diets here! These tasty burgers will have Oscar fans begging for more. Enjoy gourmet beef sliders topped with bacon jam, cheddar, and garlic aioli. ($3 each)
- Black Bean Quesadilla: Guests don’t need to battle a giant to get their hands on these magic beans. Share a gooey cheese quesadilla with black beans, pico de gallo, and cilantro sour cream. ($6)
SCHEDULE:
7:00pm
Doors Open / Red Carpet Report
8:30pm
Awards Broadcast Begins
We’re rolling out the RED CARPET, so please join us for a Party at the elegant Malmaison in Georgetown to watch the Awards live on Sunday February 22, 2015! Glam it up, and join us as we rally behind our favorite movies of 2014!
REGISTER NOW:
We will sell out.
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Washington Project for the Arts & Forest City Present LASER CAT at The Yards with support from The JBG Companies
DATES: Friday & Saturday, February 20 & 21, 8-11pm Saturday, February 21, 12-4pm PRESS PREVIEW: Friday, February 20, 5:30-6:30 LOCATION: 200 Tingey Street SE, Washington DC 20003
January 14, 2014 (Washington, DC) – Washington Project for the Arts (WPA) and Forest City present an event unlike anything seen in Washington! The Yards welcomes Laser Cat, a 20-foot tall inflatable cat head that projects lasers and art from its eyes.
Friday evening will feature live DJ’s fueling the Laser Cat party, led by Thievery Corporation’s Eric Hilton. Saturday evening’s party will project images produced by local artists, accompanied by beats from Laser Cat. On Saturday afternoon, Laser Cat will be open from 12 – 4pm for families to experience a mellower side of the inflatable feline. A heated tent with a beer garden and other program components will be adjacent to the historic industrial building in which Laser Cat will be staged. |
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ABOUT LASER CAT & HUNGRY CASTLE
______________________________
Commissioned by ADC and conceived by Hungry Castle, this interactive installation debuted at the ADC Festival of Art + Craft in Advertising and Design held in Miami Beach. As its name suggests, Laser Cat is a giant cat with lasers for eyes that uses high-powered projectors to beam people’s personal art onto public buildings. Laser Cat curates the art submitted, but it’s the public that fires it into public space. The viewer controls the content by pressing a giant button to change the art, lasers, and music. So far, Laser Cat has received over 15,000 personal art submissions.
Based in Barcelona, Hungry Castle is the creative studio featuring Dave Glass and Killian Cooper that specialize in creating public art and fashion, which they call Cool Shit. Working collectively since 2011 their goal has always been to make big, playful things of cultural impact and use design thinking in a way that truly engages people. Influenced by Shepard Fairey’s prolific use of public space with the “Obey Giant” campaign, the artists combine unique, 3-dimensional pieces with large-scale production a la Jeff Koons, but with an added interactive ingredient to create a fully immersive experience between audience and art.
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Dr. Joyce Harts Hurley conducts this science-focused workshop about how brain function aids in wine pairing. Guests will learn how to identify and assess the six essential elements in wine that make a difference when pairing wine with food. There will be taste examples of eight key food elements alongside different wine styles, and individual palates can decide how closely it gets to making food and wine magic happen. This fun learning experience includes a smattering of neuroscience, chemistry, anatomy and of course, drinking.
When: Saturday February 28, 2015 | 3:00-5:00pm
followed by an Oregon Wine dinner (details and tickets for wine dinner here)
Where: RIS | 2275 L St, NW Washington DC | 202.730.2500
Cost: $35 per person For more information and to purchase tickets, click this link.
