BlackRock Center for the Arts will hold its annual gala on Friday, May 6 from 6:00pm–10:00pm. The gala theme is “An Evening of Wonder: Celebrating the Magic of the Arts at BlackRock.” In recent years, BlackRock has emerged as a noteworthy community asset, establishing Upper Montgomery County as a sought-after destination to live, work, and play, with its stellar performances, professional quality, and diverse offerings. Though it may seem the Center’s success happened overnight—like magic—it is instead a result of years of hard work and civic leadership in a forward-thinking community, one whose residents value the arts, their impact on the human spirit and their role in creating vibrant communities. Members of the public are invited to attend the event and celebrate the arts in Upper Montgomery County. Individual tickets to “An Evening of Wonder” cost $195 and can be purchased online at
The evening’s schedule for “An Evening of Wonder: Celebrating the Magic of the Arts at BlackRock” includes cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, silent and live auctions, a three-course dinner, live entertainment, fund-a-need, dessert, and an after-party with dancing. In addition, there will be an awards celebration honoring Therrien Waddell and Jean Casey for their outstanding dedication to the arts in our community. The gala is co-chaired by Jennifer Russel and Chester Anderson and this year’s Honorary Co-Chairs are the Honorable Isiah Leggett and Mrs. Catherine Leggett.
Gala sponsors as of February 9, 2016 include: Lauren Kay Pollin; Dataprise; Adventist Health Care; Hughes, an Echostar Company; John and Sheila Compton; Montgomery College; Shops at Town Center; Sugarloaf Trails; Clarksburg Premium Outlets; Bethesda Magazine; Black Hill, a project of Lerner; Minkoff Development; Matan; Sugarplum Tent Company; Wegmans; &pizza; Elm Street Developments; Jade Solutions, LLC; M&T Bank; Melane and Tom Hoffmann; Margie and Tom Quelet; Zoes Kitchen; and wine sponsorship by Randy and Kathy Scritchfield. Jean Casey, Beth Daly, and Hammet Hough are Individual Sponsors of the event.
Calvary Women’s Services 15th Annual Hope Awards Dinner
When: May 18, 2016 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Where: Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20004
Cost: $250.00
Calvary Women’s Services will host the 15th Annual Hope Awards Dinner on May 18 in celebration of women who are overcoming homelessness and changing their lives. Join Calvary for an uplifting event that includes a cocktail reception, silent and live auction, dinner and inspirational stories shared by women who are impacted by Calvary’s programs.
This year we are delighted to present the Hope Award to Erica May-Scherzer for her active engagement in nonprofit issues and causes including women’s empowerment, education and at-risk youth.
Proceeds from the Hope Awards Dinner will support Calvary’s housing, health, education and employment programs for women who are homeless.
Yogis Christy Skarulis and Ashley Braun, co-founders of pop-up yoga brand Grip The Mat, will be leading an open yoga session for the centennial celebration of the United States National Park Service hosted by National Geographic on Saturday, May 21 at 9 am in the Constitution Garden as part of the Biodiversity Festival. Join GTM as they explore one of the most notable National Parks, the Mall, and connect with each other with a light-hearted yoga session followed by a brunch by Peet’s Coffee. We would love for you to inform your readers so they can participate in this yoga event! Admission is free but participants can RSVP here. Make sure to bring a yoga mat!
About Grip The Mat:
While struggling to balance an overly demanding work life, Christy and Ashley realized they were compromising happiness, health, and interpersonal connections for unfulfilling job titles. They decided to take life into their own hands and quit their 9-5’s to build what they were craving, thus Grip the Mat was founded. The brand hosts pop-up events featuring mixed-level “feel-good” yoga paired with social experiences inside fun, unique spaces. By fostering fitness, mindfulness, and togetherness, GTM events offer a unique environment for mind-body and social connection while building a tight knit community of like-minded people. Setting Grip the Mat apart from any other yoga concept, participants do an hour-long session followed by a social component, such as wine tasting or brunch.
About Biodiversity Festival:
This two-day Biodiversity Festival is part of the cornerstone BioBlitz in the Washington, D.C. region. The National Mall at Constitution Gardens will feature hands-on science exhibits, food and art, as well as family-friendly entertainment and activities. Constitution Gardens will also serve as base camp for the National Capital Parks BioBlitz and as a connection to all the other BioBlitzes taking place at national parks that weekend.
About BioBlitz:
The 2016 National Parks BioBlitz is the culmination of a 10-year series of BioBlitzes co-hosted by the National Park Service and the National Geographic Society at different national parks across the country, leading up the centennial of the National Park Service. The first in the series took place at Rock Creek Park in 2007. Other BioBlitz locations have included Biscayne National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. This year, 13 parks in Greater Washington and more than 100 national parks across the country will host BioBlitz events. A longtime partner of the National Park Service, the National Geographic Society helped draft legislation to establish the NPS in 1916. The Society has given many grants to create and sustain national parks across the United States, and has extensively covered the parks in its media for nearly a century.
Jefferson Awards Foundation’s 44th Annual National Ceremony
Thursday, June 16th, 2016
WHO: Arne Duncan (former United States Secretary of Education), Sean Parker (founder, Napster), Sophia Sanchez-Maes, Kyle Zimmer (President and CEO, First Book) and many more to come…
WHAT:
The Jefferson Awards Foundation,the country’s longest standing and most prestigious organization dedicated to activating and celebrating public service, will host its annual National Ceremony at Mandarin Oriental’s Grand Ballroom to honor the most outstanding achievements in public service. The Jefferson Awards programs train and empower individuals and youth to serve and lead in their communities, amplifying their impact through our vast network of media partners, mentors and volunteers.
This year’s national honorees are: Arne Duncan, Sean Parker, Kyle Zimmer and Sophia Sanchez-Maes
WHEN: Thursday, June 16, 2016
Time: 6-9pm
WHERE: Mandarin Oriental
Grand Ballroom
1330 Maryland Ave, SW
Ticket Pricing: Starts at $500
Website: http://www.
Link to Buy Ticket: https://app.
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Bicycle Ride with the U.S. Park Police
Established by President George Washington and continuously on duty in the Nation’s Capital
since 1791, the United States Park Police protect the monuments and memorials of the National
Mall. Join Park Police officers and park rangers on a three-mile ride to Hains Point and back, and
learn about the history of East Potomac Park. Younger riders can try out an orange-cone obstacle
course and a half mile loop around the Park Police headquarters. Meet at 1100 Ohio Drive, SW.
A bearded lady, a contortionist, a snake charmer and a fire eater – just some of the circus inspired acts that will foster the creativity by interior designers when the 7th Annual Cosmo Couture Fashion & Design event takes place onThursday, September 29th in Washington, D.C.
The annual event produced by the Washington Metro City Center (WMCC) of the International Interior Design Association Mid-Atlantic Chapter (IIDA-MAC), will pay tribute to the Big Top in grand form in which local architecture and interior design firms and manufacturing partners will create apparel out of interior materials reflecting the given theme. Garments are constructed out of interior materials such as tile, carpet, wood, vinyl, glass and rubber – materials used in the built environment and finding ways to apply them to haute couture fashion, creating a bridge between fashion and architecture. Each year the theme changes with past themes focusing on D.C. area landmarks, such as the Smithsonian Museums, Embassies, American Presidents and the National Zoo. This year guests of the event will enjoy a fun night under the big top featuring the following circus inspired creations: Acrobat, Bearded Lady, Clown, Contortionist, Dancing Bear, Elephant, Fire Eater, Fortune Teller, Half Man / Half Woman, Harlequin, Horse Dancer, Human Cannonball, Lion Tamer, Magician, Mime, Motorcycle Stunt Driver, Siamese Twins, Snake Charmer, Strong Man, Sword Swallower, Tight-Rope Walker, Trapeze, Uni-cyclist, Ventriloquist and a Ring Master. The event will be co-emceed by WJLA-ABC7’s Meteorologist Steve Rudin and traffic reporter Jamie Sullivan.
Twenty-five design teams will participate in this year’s event. Designs will be judged by an elite panel of judges and awards will be given in various categories such as Most Creative, Audience Favorite, Best Performance, Most Unique Material, Best Interpretation of Theme andHaute Couture to name a few. IIDA-MAC is pleased to announce this year’s panel of judges which will include Michael McCarthy (Editor-in-Chief of DC Magazine), Jennifer Sergent (Freelance Design Writer & Founder of DC by Design Blog), Maggy Francois (Founder of Fashion Design Firm Maggy Francois LLC), Ashleigh Axios (Former White House Creative Director) and Marty Smith (Momentum Group Director of Northeast Sales).
The 2016 Cosmo Couture beneficiary is Rebuilding Together of Washington, DC (RTDC). RTDC’s mission is to preserve and revitalize low-income homes and community facilities in our Nation’s Capital. RTDC makes free home repairs for low-income DC homeowners who are Veterans, elderly, disabled or caring for young children in seriously deteriorating conditions and for nonprofit community centers that serve DC’s most vulnerable citizens of all ages. RTDC’s home repairs enable low-income homeowners to remain in their homes, where they can live in warmth and safety with independence and dignity. To date, the IIDA Mid-Atlantic Chapter has donated over $100,000 to previously selected charities from Cosmo Couture proceeds during the past six years.
Cosmo Couture attracts approximately 800 attendees each year. Event tickets range from $85-185 and sponsorship and table opportunities are also available online at http://www.cosmocouture.org/tickets.shtml.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Cosmo Couture 2016 – Fashion & Interior Design Event (7th Annual)
Presented by: Washington Metro City Center of the International Interior Design Association – Mid Atlantic Chapter
Beneficiary: Rebuilding Together of Washington, DC
When: Thursday, September 29, 2016
Where: The Howard Theater, 620 T Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
Time: 5:30-10:00PM
Cocktails 5:30-7:30PM, Runway Show 7:30-9:00PM,
Desserts 9:00-10:00PM
Website: www.cosmocouture.org
2015 Event Video Highlight: http://www.cosmocouture.org/eventphotos.shtml
Shoppers are invited to their nearest Bloomingdale’s location on Saturday, October 8th to kick off Bloomingdale’s October Pink campaign with a morning yoga class by Corepower Yoga. A reservation fee of $10 will benefit The Marisa Acocella Marchetto Foundation and The Carey Foundation which support survivors and their families with cancer-related costs such as transportation, child care, and treatment. Attendees will receive a branded pink yoga mat and goodie bag of beauty samples and healthy treats. To reserve a mat, visit bloomingdalesyoga.eventbrite.com.
This is the 12 th year that Bloomingdale’s continues its commitment to breast cancer awareness and treatment during the month of October. This year the retailer will continue to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®, the Marisa Acocella Marchetto Foundation, and The Carey Foundation by inviting its loyal shoppers to join in the fight with exclusive merchandise and exciting events that help to raise awareness and funds for a cure, in stores nationwide and on bloomingdales.com.
When: Saturday October 8th
Check-in: 8:30 AM
Class: 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Where: Bloomingdale’s Chevy Chase
5300 Western Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner
8100 Tysons Corner Center, McLean, VA 22102
The Insane Inflatable 5K, a dynamic fun run series made up of inflatable obstacles and taking place in over 115 cities across the United States, is coming to Washington D.C. on October 15th, it was announced today by Stuart Kaul, Director of Events,Insane Inflatable 5K.
The Insane Inflatable 5K is designed to be accessible to everybody – from competitive runners looking for a different type of challenge, to weekend warriors looking for the next great obstacle run, and even those armchair athletes looking to try something fun and new. The course is approximately 3.1 miles long and incorporates 11+ extreme inflatable obstacles throughout the unique terrain of the Prince William County Fair.
The 11+ obstacles combine imagination, creativity, and most importantly a large dose of fun, coupled with a touch of insanity. The signature inflatables (including six new obstacles added for 2016!) range in size and complexity, including “Mad House,” where runners climb, weave, and maneuver their way through this intricate and challenging new inflatable, “Jump Around,” a fan favorite and the largest inflatable of its kind with more than 70 feet of bounce pad, and “Finish Line,” the most awe-inspiring inflatable of the event where participants dodge wrecking balls, make their way past the tipsy towers, climb the rope ladder, and slide their way to victory.
Beyond the obstacles and the race, the Insane Inflatable 5k will also have a “Midway” where participants can enjoy games, food, beverages, merchandise, and swag from local vendors and sponsors.
Runners 21 and older can enjoy refreshing, cold craft beer from the Traveler Beer Company at the official Insane Inflatable 5k Beer Garden and kick back on inflatable couches with friends, family, and fellow bouncers. There will be plenty of varieties to sample, like Traveler Grapefruit Shandy, as well as seasonal offerings like Curious Traveler Lemon Shandy or Jack-O Traveler Pumpkin Shandy.
Additionally, the event will give back to the community, designating a portion of the proceeds from the race to benefit the American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement. The Relay For Life movement is the world’s largest fundraising event to fight every cancer in every community, with over 6,000 events worldwide. Dollars raised help the American Cancer Society save lives by funding groundbreaking cancer research, providing free information and critical services for people with cancer, and supporting education and prevention programs.
The Washington D.C. event, taking place at the Prince William County Fair on Saturday, October 15th, will kick off at approximately 8:30 a.m. with the first wave, and additional waves will run concurrently until noon or 1:00 p.m.
“The Insane Inflatable 5k is the fastest-growing and largest obstacle run in the country, and 2016 is going to be Insane Inflatable 5K’s biggest, best, and bounciest year yet,” said Mr. Kaul. “We’ve listened to the feedback from our fans and updated our inflatable obstacles with crazy new designs. We’re taking the obstacle world to a whole new level with this insanity! Not only will there be new obstacles, but the Insane Inflatable 5K is excited to offer over 40 new locations and over 120 locations throughout the country in 2016.”
Registration fees, which include an event T-shirt and medal upon completion, range from $49 for advance registration to $75 for day of event registration. Children are welcome to participate, with a minimum height requirement of 42”.
For more information about the Insane Inflatable 5K and to register, visit www.insaneinflatable5k.com.
The Colon Cancer Alliance will host the 6th Annual Blue Hope Bash to raise awareness about colon cancer on Thursday, October 20, from 5:30-10:00 p.m. at the Fairmont Hotel, in Washington, D.C. In January, the Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation, the creator of this event, and the Colon Cancer Alliance merged to create the nation’s largest colon cancer nonprofit. This union helps accelerate a joint mission focused on increasing screening, and supporting patients and survivors of this disease. This year’s celebration will focus on the non-profit’s new vision around patient support, prevention and research, while elevating awareness and the importance of talking about colorectal cancer.
This evening of hope, inspiration and celebration will feature a welcome reception, notable VIP’s, dinner, live and silent auctions, and the chance to win a new 2017 Mercedes Benz CLA.
Through the Blue Hope Bash, the Colon Cancer Alliance aims to raise $750,000 to provide critical funds to support their mission, programs, and the 1.5 million individuals the organization helps each year.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Colon Cancer Alliance – 6th Annual Blue Hope Bash
Presented by: Colon Cancer Alliance
When: October 20, 2016
Where: Fairmont Hotel, 2401 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
Time: 5:30-10:00 PM (6:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception, 8:00 p.m. Dinner & Program)
Website: www.ccalliance.org/bluehopebas
Social: @ccalliance #bluehopebash
Event Tickets: Range from $350-$1,000. Sponsorship opportunities also available.
Attire: ‘Something Blue’ Cocktail Attire
An evening of culinary excellence
Signature Chefs Auction – Washington, D.C.
LOCATION: Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. Hotel
ADDRESS: 1150 22nd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037
For more information please contact Kate Leib (571)-257-2309
EVENT DETAILS
You are invited to the March of Dimes 20th Annual Signature Chefs Gala of Washington, D.C. Signature Chefs is one of D.C.’s premier social events highlighting the city’s culinary masters brought together for an elegant evening of wine, cocktails and dining. You or your company can join approximately 400 affluent society members and business professionals as they support our mission while enjoying over 40 of the area’s celebrated chefs, mixologists, bartenders and vintners. What could be sweeter? The evening will also include auctions with unique dining, entertainment, travel and leisure packages.
Other Washington notables include the 2016 Honorary Chef Victor Albisu, chef/owner of Del Campo and Taco Bamba, and ABC7/WJLA-TV anchor Leon Harris as the emcee.
