Events/Things To Do

The Shakespeare Theatre Company presents Women of Will: An Evening with Tina Packer, featuring leading Shakespearean actor/director/dramaturg Tina Packer in a performance that deconstructs and conjures Shakespeare’s famous female characters. This one-night-only event will play the Lansburgh Theatre (450 7th Street NW) on Wednesday, April 8, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The evening will include a special post-show reception launching her new book, Women of Will: Following the Feminine in Shakespeare’s Plays.

Shakespeare’s creative knowledge and sense of a larger spiritual good come together in his late plays, making clear that when women and men are equal in status and sexual passion, they can—and do—change the world. Founder of Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA, Tina Packer celebrates the release of her long-awaited bookWomen of Will: Following the Feminine in Shakespeare’s Plays with a special engagement at the Shakespeare Theatre Company that encompasses her more than 40 years of experience in acting and directing the Bard. The evening begins with excerpts from Packer’s performance piece, Women of Will, which explores Shakespeare’s imagination through his female characters, uncovering a theme and progression within the women’s voices. Women of Will also features actor Nigel Gore and is directed by Eric Tucker (Bedlam Theater Artistic Director).

Following the performance, Packer will sign copies of Women of Will: Following the Feminine in Shakespeare’s Plays in a post-show reception in the Lansburgh Theatre Lobby. This new book follows Shakespeare’s development from youth to enlightened maturity and charts the playwright’s evolution across the years through his increasingly empathetic and nuanced portrayal of his female characters. Women of Will: Following the Feminine in Shakespeare’s Plays is available in bookstores starting April 7, 2015.

Tickets for this special event are now on sale. To purchase tickets or learn more, patrons can call the Box Office at 202.547.122 or visit ShakespeareTheatre.org/WomenofWill.

Over the past weeks, Washington City Paper readers have voted for their favorites in more than 300 categories ranging from “Best Place to Take a Foodie” to “Best Cultural Festival” to favorite “Place to Buy Vinyl.” The results of this year’s poll will be revealed in theApril 9th issue of the paper, with winners feted during the annual Best of D.C. Celebration later that evening at the Carnegie Library (801 K Street NW).

“With thousands of votes cast each year in our Reader’s Poll, the Best of D.C. issue is always one of our most popular issues,” says publisher Amy Austin. “We’re excited to toast all the winners at the celebration on April 9th and invite the public to join us!”

The Best of D.C. Celebration will feature bites from 50 area restaurants, a beer tent, cocktails from 10 of the region’s best mixologists, food trucks, live music on multiple stages and puppies! VIP ($100) and General Admission ($65) tickets for the cocktail affair are available for purchase online at http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/events/bestofdc.

On Friday, April 10, 2015, the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA), under the gracious patronage of His Excellency the Ambassador of Italy and Mrs. Laura Denise Bisogniero along with NMWA’s Board of Trustees, will celebrate its Annual Spring Gala in celebration of the special exhibition Picturing Mary: Woman, Mother, Idea.

Upon arrival, guests will have the opportunity to view Picturing Mary, which explores the concept of womanhood represented by the Virgin Mary as well as the social and sacred functions her image has served through time. This landmark exhibition organized by NMWA brings together more than 60 Renaissance- and Baroque-era works from the Vatican Museums, Uffizi Gallery and other museums, churches and private collections in Europe and the United States.

The annual black-tie gala will continue with cocktails in the galleries and an exciting auction followed by dinner and dancing in the elegant Great Hall. The 2015 Gala Auction Chairs are Jacqui Michel, Frances Usher and Debra Latiolais.

WHEN
Friday, April 10, 2015
Cocktails and Silent Auction: 6:30 p.m.
Dinner and Dancing: 8 p.m. to midnight

WHERE
National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
Valet parking available

DETAILS
The spring gala is the museum’s largest annual fundraising event attended by more than 400 luminaries from Washington’s diplomatic, governmental and social communities. Proceeds from the Spring Gala support the museum’s exhibitions, educational programming and the groundbreaking exhibition Picturing Mary: Woman, Mother, Idea.

TICKETS
Individuals $650; Gala Host Committee, Individuals $1,000 and Couples $1,500 (both include premium seating and recognition in the program); Sponsored Tables $10,000 and up

On Friday, April 10, 2015, the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA), will celebrate its Annual Spring Gala chaired by Bertha Soto Braddock and Janice Obuchowski. Under the gracious patronage of His Excellency the Ambassador of Italy, Claudio Bisogniero and Mrs. Laura Denise Bisogniero along with NMWA’s Board of Trustees, the event celebrates the special exhibition Picturing Mary: Woman, Mother, Idea.

Upon arrival, guests will have the opportunity to view Picturing Mary: Woman, Mother, Idea, which explores the concept of womanhood represented by the Virgin Mary as well as the social and sacred functions her image has served through time. This landmark exhibition organized by NMWA brings together more than 60 Renaissance- and Baroque-era works from the Vatican Museums, Uffizi Gallery and other museums, churches and private collections in Europe and the United States.

The annual black-tie gala will continue with cocktails in the galleries and an exciting auction followed by dinner and dancing in the elegant Great Hall. The 2015 Gala Auction Chairs are Jacqui Michel, Frances Usher and Debra Latiolais.

WHEN:
Friday, April 10, 2015
Cocktails and Silent Auction: 6:30 p.m.
Dinner and Dancing: 8:30 p.m. to midnight

WHERE:
National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
Valet parking available

DETAILS:
The spring gala is the museum’s largest annual fundraising event attended by more than 400 luminaries from Washington’s diplomatic, governmental and social communities. Proceeds from the Spring Gala support the museum’s exhibitions, educational programming and the groundbreaking exhibition Picturing Mary: Woman, Mother, Idea.

TICKETS:
Individuals $650; Gala Host Committee, Individuals $1,000 and Couples $1,500 (both include premium seating and recognition in the program);

industree’s popular series, Launchology, returns on April 13th from 11AM to 4:30PM at Penn Social, located at 801 E Street NW, Washington, DC, 20004. Moderated by heavy hitters such as Jeff Black of Black Restaurant Group, Bonnie Benwick of The Washington Post and Mark Haidet of Orderly, this multi-panel event will feature candid conversations, real stories and unfiltered advice needed to be successful in the food & beverage industry.

Hear from the #bestinthebiz on restaurant operations, the business behind the food, construction and design, top trends in technology and the looming topic on everyone’s mind… Media. For the first time this year, learn how to handle bad reviews, cultivate healthy press relations and use social media to your restaurant’s advantage.

Panelists include Shannon Jones (Idea Sandbox), Brian Miller (Edit Lab by Streetsense), Jag Bansal (Improvonia), Nick Mautone (CohnReznick), Tom Dailey (Potomac Construction Services), Kosta Dionisopoulos (Delta Produce), Ayeshah Abuelhiga (Mason Dixie Biscuit Co.), Kim Roth (Studley-Savills), John Valentine (Swipely), Sara Hill Isacson (Bullfrog Bagels), Dave Hansen (Hansen-Daye, LLC), Riley Lagesen (Davis, Wright, Tremaine, LLP), Johnna Rowe (Johnna Knows Good Food), Jill Collins (Jill Collins PR), Kimberly-Mae Van (Yelp), Ian Gleason (NCR/Aloha), Noelle McEntee (Square) and more.

Half day and full day tickets range from $30-75 and current students are invited to purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $15-25. A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door. For full day attendees, registration begins at 11AM with La Colombe coffee and Bullfrog Bagels, and boxed meals packed with the District’s tastiest local eats will be provided at lunchtime. For half day attendees, registration begins at 1:30PM. Cocktails and mocktails will be flowing throughout the event. Check out the full schedule and purchase tickets here: http://theindustreegroup.com/event/dc-launchology-2015/.

April 14, 2015, at 9:00 p.m.

Ford’s Theatre (511 Tenth Street NW)

Live streamed online and at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in the

  Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard

Ford’s Theatre marks 150 years since Abraham Lincoln’s assassination with a moving commemorative event. Performance to include readings of Lincoln’s words and stories, Civil War-era music, excerpts from Lincoln’s favorite operas, and more. The event seeks to remind us that we not only lost a president; we lost a man who treasured his family, his friends and his country with a love so strong it could hold the Union together. Note: Event is at capacity within Ford’s Theatre.

Break out those Walkmans and mood rings, we’re celebrating cove K St–1990’s style!

25^th Annual FONA Garden Fair and Plant Sale

At the US National Arboretum in the New York Avenue Parking Lot

3501 New York Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002

April 24-25, 2015

April 24

10 am – 1 pm : Members Only Hours

1 pm – 4 pm : Garden Fair and Plant Sale opens to the public

Food Options – Dirty South Deli

April 25

9 am – 4 pm: Garden Fair and Plant Sale open to the public

Food Options – D.C. Taco Truck

Music from Washington Revels

Strawberry Planting Craft for Children

Admission is free to both the Garden Fair and Plant Sale and the US National Arboretum. For more information, visitwww.fona.org/gardenfair/.

The 12th annual Georgetown French Market, held in the Book Hill neighborhood, is a D.C. tradition that marks the arrival of spring. The Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) announces that the popular shopping weekend—perfect for shoppers, foodies and families—will return Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Book Hill boutiques, antique stores, restaurants, salons and galleries display their discounted wares in an inviting open-air market, evoking the outdoor markets of Paris. Neighborhood restaurants will also offer specials and French fare, including sweet and savory crepes, grilled merguez sausages, pastries and macarons.

Located a few blocks north of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street NW, Book Hill—named after nearby Book Hill Park, at Reservoir Road NW—is known for its historic charm. “The buildings along this stretch of Wisconsin Avenue were built in the late nineteenth century and now house some of the most unique local shops in the city,” said Georgetown BID Vice President Nancy Miyahira. “The French Market is a time to buy items you can’t find anywhere else, at incredible prices, and to explore what makes Georgetown such a special place.”

On Saturday, the TD Bank parking lot at 1611 Wisconsin Avenue becomes a community gathering spot from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., and families are encouraged to bring the kids and enjoy live music, strolling mimes, face painting and more.

What:  12^th annual Georgetown French Market

When:  Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where:  Book Hill neighborhood; Wisconsin Avenue between P Street and Reservoir Road

For more information, visit http://www.georgetowndc.com/events/french_market/.

Parking & Getting There

In true European style, visitors are encouraged to leave their cars behind and travel to Georgetown using alternate modes of transport. Capital Bikeshare Stations are located throughout Georgetown; closest stations are at O Street at Wisconsin Avenue near the CVS and in the 1800 block of Wisconsin Avenue, across from the Georgetown Safeway. For additional transportation ideas, visit http://www.georgetowndc.com/getting_here/.