Events/Things To Do

Heurich House Museum to host second annual spring family festival

The Heurich House Museum invites the public to celebrate the beginning of spring at their annual Frühlingsfest on Saturday, May 2, 2015 from 1-4 pm. This family friendly garden event will feature activities for all ages including face painting, maypole dancing, ice cream making, craft activities, and garden games. The museum will be open for guests to explore with scavenger hunts for younger guests included.

Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company will provide a full pig roast with side dishes. Two beers will be on tap courtesy of Virginia-based Old Ox Brewery. Authentic German butter cookies will be available for dessert courtesy of Heidelberg Pasty Shoppe. Ticket price is $20 for guests 12 and older, $5 for children 2-12, and free for children under 2. Admission includes unlimited food and fun! Adults 21 and over will receive two beer tickets. Additional information and tickets available at www.heurichhouse.org/events.

Frühlingsfest is translated as ‘Spring Festival’ and is known as ‘Oktoberfest’s little sister’ in Germany. It celebrates the end of a cold winter and beginning of spring, and it typically occurs from mid-April to the beginning of May. Stuttgart and Munich have some of the largest Frühlingsfests in Germany, and now the Heurich House is bringing the age-old traditional to Washington, DC!

About the Heurich House Museum: The Heurich House Museum preserves the legacy of Christian Heurich and enriches the cultural life of Washington, DC. The mansion was built from 1892-4 by German immigrant, local brewer, and philanthropist Christian Heurich (1842-1945). Recognized as Washington, D.C.’s most successful brewer, he ran the Chr. Heurich Brewing Co. until his death at 102.  The mansion is notable for its technological innovations, original interiors, and rich archival collection of one of the most important local families.

Run for the Roses with Garden & Gun!

Don your Derby best, sip on mint juleps, and feast on Southern fare, as the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” is televised live from Churchill Downs at Washington, D.C. hotspot, Jack Rose Dining Saloon.

There will be prizes for the best dressed, a cigar lounge, live music, and more.

Take 10% off with code DCDERBY10 at checkout. 

Tickets include food and alcoholic beverages. 

Libations provided by BULLEIT FRONTIER WHISKEY

Note: Guests must be 21 years of age or older. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. Bulleit Frontier Whiskey. 45%-45.6% alc/vol. ©2015 Bulleit Distilling Co., Louisville, KY.

DC wine institution Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar will transform into a wine-centric movie theater showing the critically acclaimed documentary Somm on Monday, May 4 at 6pm.Accompanied by a panel of DC wine experts, DC’s original wine bar will invite guests to its cozy Sonoma Avenue Lounge for a full movie theater experience, with a wine flight tasting and an unlimited popcorn bar featuring fun house made varieties, like Classic Butter, Ranch, Dill Pickle-Spiced and Truffle, for $30 a person.

As Somm follows four sommelier hopefuls on their journey to compete against the best in the business and pass the test to become Masters, Sonoma will be hosting its own local wine tasting competition. Sonoma Beverage Director and sommelier Woong Chang will be joined by sommeliers Elli Benchimol ofRange and Andrew Stover of Oya and Sei to conduct a guided wine tasting with guests-and then compete against one another in a blind wine tasting, just as is done in the film.

In addition to the fun popcorn bar, guests can also select from Chef de Cuisine James Marroquin’s a la carte menu house made movie snacks, like Popcorn-Marshmallow clusters, Old Bay-Spiced Candied Nuts, Soft Pretzel Twists with mustard or bacon peanut butter, and Crispy Chickpeaswith coriander & cumin.

Space is limited and tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite For more information, please visit www.sonomadc.com or call 202.544.8088.

Who:   Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar

Sonoma Chef de Cuisine James Marroquin

Sonoma Beverage Director Woong Chang

Range Sommelier Elli Benchimol

Oya and Sei Sommelier Andrew Stover

Tourists may think of it as a town of monuments, but those of us who live here really know why Washington is such a vibrant place: Its character and history make this a city like no other. Add the burgeoning home-grown beer and cocktail scene, and you’ve got one more reason to celebrate. Tonight, raise a toast to D.C.’s unique local flavor and home-town pride at a party that salutes its distinctive collection of neighborhoods—and the newest generation of brewers and distillers to make the city their home.

Enjoy after-hours access to the elegant 1902 Carnegie Library on Mount Vernon Square, home to the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. (The sweeping central staircase is the ideal place to make an Instagram-worthy grand entrance.) Taste samples from Atlas Brew Works, Port City Brewing Company, DC Brau, New Columbia Distillers/Green Hat Gin, and Catoctin Creek Distilling Company.

Take in the Historical Society’s newest exhibition, For the Record: Artfully Historic D.C., which captures architectural portraits of Washington sites tagged as among the most-endangered places by the DC Preservation League. Find your neighborhood on the map of the District that covers one of the floors, pose with friends in the photo booth, explore exhibits on a digital scavenger hunt, and dance to music mixed by DJ As-One. The evening is a great way to meet your city neighbors and trade stories with other party-goers about what makes your Washington special.

SPECIAL FEATURES FOR VIP TICKET-HOLDERS: Enjoy exclusive early access to the event from 7 to 8 p.m., as well as Chesapeake Bay oysters from Virginia’s Rappahannock Oyster Company and War Shore Oyster Company, drink samples, light hors d’oeuvres, and a special commemorative pint glass to hold your local brew.

General admission $40

VIP admission $65 (includes early access from 7 to 8 p.m., drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and a commemorative pint glass)

All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.

Must be 21 years old with valid photo ID to attend.

For tickets and further information the public may call 202-633-3030 or visit www.SMITHSONIANat8.com

WHAT:  SMITHSONIAN at 8, in partnership with the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., presents “A Toast to D.C.”

WHEN: Friday, May 8, 8 to 11 p.m.

WHERE: Carnegie Library, 801 K St NW, Washington, DC

Tourists may think of it as a town of monuments, but those of us who live here really know why Washington is such a vibrant place: Its character and history make this a city like no other. Add the burgeoning home-grown beer and cocktail scene, and you’ve got one more reason to celebrate. Tonight, raise a toast to D.C.’s unique local flavor and home-town pride at a party that salutes its distinctive collection of neighborhoods—and the newest generation of brewers and distillers to make the city their home.

Enjoy after-hours access to the elegant 1902 Carnegie Library on Mount Vernon Square, home to the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. (The sweeping central staircase is the ideal place to make an Instagram-worthy grand entrance.) Taste samples from Atlas Brew Works, Port City Brewing Company, DC Brau, New Columbia Distillers/Green Hat Gin, and Catoctin Creek Distilling Company.

Take in the Historical Society’s newest exhibition, For the Record: Artfully Historic D.C., which captures architectural portraits of Washington sites tagged as among the most-endangered places by the DC Preservation League. Find your neighborhood on the map of the District that covers one of the floors, pose with friends in the photo booth, explore exhibits on a digital scavenger hunt, and dance to music mixed by DJ As-One. The evening is a great way to meet your city neighbors and trade stories with other party-goers about what makes your Washington special.

SPECIAL FEATURES FOR VIP TICKET-HOLDERS: Enjoy exclusive early access to the event from 7 to 8 p.m., as well as Chesapeake Bay oysters from Virginia’s Rappahannock Oyster Company and War Shore Oyster Company, drink samples, light hors d’oeuvres, and a special commemorative pint glass to hold your local brew.

General admission $40

VIP admission $65 (includes early access from 7 to 8 p.m., drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and a commemorative pint glass)

All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.

Must be 21 years old with valid photo ID to attend. 

For tickets and further information the public may call 202-633-3030 or visit www.SMITHSONIANat8.com

About SMITHSONIAN at 8

Inspired by the world of the Smithsonian, the SMITHSONIAN at 8 event series offers one-of-a-kind experiences for guests 21+. With themes from the local to the global, these after-hours gatherings combine music, food and drink, and unique settings to create evenings that are smart, adventurous, and memorably entertaining.

The Campagna Center is pleased to announce 2015 will mark 70 years of commitment and service to the Alexandria community. Toasting to this milestone, The Campagna Center, in collaboration with Platinum Presenting Sponsor Passport Auto Group and other area business sponsors, will host The Platinum Gala on Saturday, May 9^th, 2015 in the evening at The Westin Alexandria.  The gala will honor the legacy of service that The Campagna Center volunteers and staff have brought to the children and families of Alexandria over the past seven decades.  The evening will include a cocktail reception, dinner and dancing with live entertainment provided by Prime Time Band.

About The Campagna Center

“The history of The Campagna Center is inextricably linked to the history of Alexandria itself,” says Dr. Tammy Mann, President & CEO. “As I have had the pleasure of meeting many people who knew and worked with one of our most beloved Executive Directors, Ms. Elizabeth Ann Campagna, I have come to understand her as a leader who embodied a deep commitment to confronting social justice issues with courage and compassion.  She understood that a community rich in resources had a responsibility to use those resources to help improve the lives of others, especially children.  As the merits of Head Start were being debated nationwide, Elizabeth Ann and the late Vola Lawson worked together to secure funding needed to run Alexandria’s first Head Start program.”

“One of the organization’s original goals—to provide leadership in the creative resolution of critical social problems—remains a guiding beacon for the work we perform so passionately today.  Serving nearly 2,000 people from cradle to career in 52 classrooms throughout Alexandria, The Campagna Center provides high quality early learning experiences through preschool programs, and enrichment learning and guidance through high school.  Through eight levels of English Language Learning classes, immigrant and refugee adults learn to survive and thrive.  It is vitally important to reflect on the progress made in this fine city and to use it as our springboard into the future.”

Event Details:
Saturday, May 9^th, 2015 in the evening
The Westin Alexandria

Alexandria, VA

Tickets:

General Admission Tickets are $200 each.

Host Committee Tickets are $500 each or $1000 per couple.

Tickets will be available for purchase at  http://www.campagnacenter.org/platinumgala.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company, recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award^®, presents its Annual Dinner and Mock Trial at Sidney Harman Hall(610 F Street NW) on Monday, May 11, 2015. This marks the 20^th year that Shakespeare Theatre Company has put on the Mock Trial. The evening begins with dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the Forum,  followed by the Trial at 7:30 p.m. in the theatre. A special session of the Supreme Court of La Mancha will review the decisions of the Family Court to declare Don Quixote mentally incompetent and his subsequent placement under the guardianship of his niece, Antonia.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will preside and will be accompanied by Justice Stephen Breyer, as well as Chief Judge Merrick Garland and Judge Patricia Millett, both of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Tom Goldstein of Goldstein & Russell P.C. andCarter Phillips of Sidley Austin LLP will argue the case. The Trial will be moderated byAbbe D. Lowell of Chadbourne & Parke LLP, chair of the STC Bard Association and STC Board of Trustees member.

Michael Kahn, Artistic Director of Shakespeare Theatre Company says of Mock Trial, “As I’ve often said, Shakespeare doesn’t tell us what to think, he tells us what to think about. This is what Mock Trial does so stunningly, it uses these classic stories as lenses to look at seemingly old issues and bring them to our modern, and legal, world.”

Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Mock Trial is sponsored by the Bard Association, STC’s affinity group for Washington’s legal community.

Since 1994, the Shakespeare Theatre Company has hosted a Mock Trial based on a play from STC’s mainstage season. The fictional court case poses a legal question, or questions, and the audience must act as the jury to decide the fate of the characters. The Trial aims to examine the links between classic works and contemporary legal theory in a way that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. Past Mock Trials have explored whether Malvolio (Twelfth Night) was entitled to damages for wrongful imprisonment; Iago (Othello) was guilty of the murders of Desdemona and Othello; Hamlet (Hamlet) was insane when he murdered Polonius; and if Sir John Falstaff (Henry IV) should have been compensated for his services to Prince Hal and reinstated as a member of the royal court. Last year’s Mock Trial concentrated on the characters in William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure and argued whether the Duke of Vienna should be held responsible for abuses of power perpetuated by his appointed representative, and debated issues of illegal secret surveillance, false imprisonment, negligent appointment of an unfit deputy, and disrespect of commitment to religious vows.

This season’s Mock Trial focuses on the characters in Dale Wasserman’s Man of La Mancha and asks the question: Did the Family Court commit reversible errors of law and fact in determining that Don Quixote was mentally incompetent, and should the Family Court have appointed Sancho Panza, Don Quixote’s loyal friend, as his guardian, rather than his niece Antonia? 

SCENARIO

As word spread of Alonso Quixana’s (self-named and known to the world as Don Quixote) exhibited signs of mental illness or incompetence, his niece Antonia petitioned the Family Court to appoint her to be his guardian to protect his financial interests and to make medical decisions for him. In support of her petition, Antonia described Don Quixote’s hallucinations, his instigation of ill-conceived and ill-fated battles, his unwitting contribution to the brutal treatment of Aldonza, and his persistent inability to separate reality from illusion. Antonia stated that Don Quixote was unable to manage his assets, pay his medical expenses, or make financial decisions in his own best interests, and that he had been the victim of financial exploitation without even realizing others were taking advantage of him. Antonia’s fiancé, Dr. Carrasco, provided a petition of incompetency claiming to be Don Quixote’s treating physician and asserting that Don Quixote’s mental disability was permanent and that he had no ability to understand the nature of the proceedings or reasons for appointment of a guardian.

The Family Court heard extensive testimony about Don Quixote’s ill-fated escapades during his career as a knight errant, about his discussion of his “dreams,” his tendency to burst into song, and his claims of being a knight. His friends testified about Don Quixote’s idealism, courtesy, generosity, gallantry, and nobility. Sancho Panza said Don Quixote knew he was not really a knight, but simply liked to conceive of a nobler world inspired by courtesy and bravery. Don Quixote’s attorney argued that he did not need a guardian, but that if the Court disagreed, it should appoint Sancho Panza, not Antonia.

The Family Court appointed Antonia as Don Quixote’s guardian. On petition for review by the Supreme Court of La Mancha, Don Quixote has asked the Court to decide two questions:

1.  Did the Family Court commit reversible errors of law and fact in determining that Don Quixote was mentally incompetent within the meaning of the laws governing appointment of guardians of property and persons?

2.  Assuming Don Quixote was not fully competent to manage his affairs or make decisions about his medical treatment, should the Family Court have rejected Antonia’s petition as motivated by fraud and self-interest, and instead have appointed Sancho Panza, Don Quixote’s loyal friend, as his guardian?

TICKET INFORMATION

Interested in Premium Seating and Dining with the Participants before the Trial?Tickets to the Dinner and Trial ($350) are available now. To purchase tickets please call 202.547.3230 ext. 2330 or contact MockTrial@ShakespeareTheatre.org.

Trial-only Ticket Prices
A Price: $75
B Price: $50 (limited availability)
Student: $20 (valid student ID required when picking up tickets)

Tickets on sale for STC donors and season subscribers on March 18 at noon.

Tickets for the general public on sale March 23 at noon.

For more information please contact MockTrial@ShakespeareTheatre.org or call 202-547-3230 x2312.