The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW) commemorates its milestone 35thanniversary with Carmina 35 at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall onSunday, May 8, 2016 at 8 p.m., under the direction of Artistic Director Thea Kano. For more information, visit www.GMCW.org.
GMCW partners with New York’s Gallim Dance and 40 members of the New York City Master Chorale to perform a perennial favorite of classical music, Carl Orff’s canonical Carmina Burana. Soloists lending their talent to this performance are soprano Paige Cutrona, tenor Robert Baker, and baritone Young Kwang Yoo. The performance will also feature new choreography by the industrious Andrea Miller, Artistic Director for Gallim Dance.
A leading contemporary dance company based in New York, this collaboration complements the ethos of Gallim Dance, which celebrates the human spirit through works deeply rooted in the human experience of love, struggle and spirituality. Miller created a loose narrative for nine dancers, harnessing the passion and physicality that the music inspires to explore different relationships—same sex and heterosexual, romantic, platonic, and familial. She channels a spectrum of emotions—passion, sexuality, tension, struggle, joy—through characteristically big, bold movement.
This production of Carmina Burana will also be performed at Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.
Orff’s sweeping masterwork is paired with touchstones from GMCW’s history. The second half of the concert will be bookended with significant works commissioned by GMCW— “Build A House” fromAlexander’s House and “This House Shall Stand” from Songs of My Family. The Chorus will also perform favorite selections from past concerts, as well as “This Train,” the first song rehearsed at GMCW’s inaugural rehearsal in 1981, GMCW’s anthem “Make Them Hear You” from Broadway’s Ragtime, and “We Kiss in Shadow,” performed by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus at the Kennedy Center in 1980, which served as the inspiration to start a DC-based gay men’s chorus.
Historical significance
A torchbearer and consistent, unified voice for equality, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC has been a steady presence in its community and at historic events that have impacted LGBT people. In 2013, GMCW sang on the steps of the Supreme Court when the Defense of Marriage Act was struck down, and returned in 2015 to sing jubilantly when the court ruled in favor of marriage equality. That same year, GMCW was the first LGBT chorus invited to perform in Cuba on a 10-day cultural and educational tour, helping to spread awareness about equality. The chorus sang at the Lincoln Memorial in 2008 for the first inauguration of President Barack Obama, performing “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” with Josh Groban and Heather Headley. Additionally, GMCW vocal ensemble Potomac Fever performed at the White House in 2012 for the first-ever LGBT reception honoring rising LGBT leaders.
The chorus has grown from 90 members in its first season to more than 200 singing members today, educating and entertaining more than 10,000 patrons annually.
Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Producer Edgar Dobie are pleased to announce An Evening with Ana Gasteyer, an exclusive celebration that includes the inaugural presentation of the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award, Monday, May 9, 2016 at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St., SW).
Born and raised in D.C., Gasteyer has appeared on Broadway in Wicked and The Threepenny Opera and is widely known for her memorable roles in film and TV, including six seasons on Saturday Night Live. For the benefit cabaret performance, the comedienne will perform hits from her new jazz album “I’m Hip” with members of her band, delivering saucy and fun-loving renditions from the American songbook.
The evening kicks off with a VIP cocktail reception and three-course seated dinner, followed by the performance, after which guests will enjoy a music, wine and dessert reception.
Dinner will feature the presentation of the inaugural award in Arena Stage Board Chair Beth Newburger Schwartz’s honor, for her invaluable work at Arena Stage and throughout her career to promote and recognize women’s roles throughout American history. This will be awarded annually to a female leader who strives to better the community in which she lives through her own unique strengths and talents.
All proceeds from the evening support Arena Stage’s award-winning artistic and community engagement programs. Space is limited.
Complimentary valet parking will be available.
Event Schedule
Monday May 9, 2016
5:30 p.m. Cocktail reception and seated dinner
8:30 p.m. Cabaret performance by Ana Gasteyer
Post-show music, wine and dessert reception following the performance
Individual Tickets
Dinner Ticket – $1,000
Performance Ticket – $500
Young Professional Ticket (35 or under) – $150
For additional event details visit arenastage.org/donate/special-
For information on individual ticket or table purchases please contact Maria Corso at 202-600-4025 or email mcorso@arenastage.org.
For information on corporate sponsorship packages, please contact Char Manlove-Laws at 202-600-4030 or email cmanlove-laws@ArenaStage.org.
An Evening with Ana Gasteyer is sponsored in part by GEICO.
An Evening with Ana Gasteyer:
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St., SW)
Monday, May 9, 2016
5:30 p.m. VIP Cocktail Reception
6:30 p.m. Dinner and the inaugural presentation of the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award
8:30 p.m. One-night-only performance starring Ana Gasteyer
Sips and Sweets post-show party with desserts and dancing immediately following
Complimentary valet parking will be available
Cocktail Attire
Sponsorship Levels
Producer Sponsor: $50,000
Star Sponsor: $25,000
Director Sponsor: $10,000
Playwright Sponsor: $5,000
Individual Tickets
Ensemble Sponsor: $1,000 (VIP Cocktail Reception, dinner/award presentation, performance and post-show party)
Patron Sponsor: $500 (Performance and post-show party)
Young Professional Ticket: $150 (Ages 35 and under, performance and post-show party)
The David Lynch Foundation hosts the SUPER MIND CONVERSATION featuring veteran political correspondent Candy Crowley and renowned DC-based psychiatrist and NIH researcher Norman E. Rosenthal, MD
WHEN: Thursday, May 19, 8:00 pm
WHERE: Avalon Theater 5612 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20015. The event is free and open to the public and media
THE STORY: Dr. Rosenthal, the New York Times and Washington Post bestselling author of Transcendence, will speak with TV news icon Candy Crowley about his new book, Super Mind: How to Boost Performance and Live a Richer and Happier Life Through Transcendental Meditation(TarcherPenguin, May 17). He explains that far from being a fad from the past, Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a powerful tool for overcoming stress—even severe PTSD—and enriching all areas of life. Rosenthal weaves the latest clinical research together with the results of over 600 personal interviews he conducted to define the SUPER MIND state, which is achieved by meditators through their regular practice.
“I thought I’d shared all I had to say about TM in Transcendence, but I was very wrong. The personal growth continues to unfold in terms of success and synchronistic good luck accompanied by inner happiness and peace. It feels like the perfect antidote for the craziness that’s all around us!”
–Dr. Norman Rosenthal
theatreWashington announced today that the 32nd annual Helen Hayes Awards will be celebrated at the historic Lincoln Theatre on May 23, with Washington favorites E. Faye Butler and Lawrence Redmond as hosts. A Dance Party follows at the world-renowned 9:30Club, just blocks away. Both events, sponsored by TodayTix, honor 236 Helen Hayes Award nominees drawn from the 202 eligible productions presented in 2015. Included among those productions are a staggering 59 world premieres. Also in the spotlight this year is the inaugural Women’s Voices Theater Festival, with a range of plays and musicals that received 13 nominations. Tickets for the combined Awards Ceremony and Dance Party are $275 for premium seating, $150 for general seating, and can be purchased at theatreWashington.org beginning May 2.
theatreWashington President and CEO Amy Austin commented, “We’re excited to be returning to the Lincoln Theatre because of its amazing history in our city, and we’re thrilled to be taking over the 9:30 Club for a celebratory Dance Party. There’s so much phenomenal work produced every night in area theatres, this is the one night of the year we gather together to toast the excellent work of 2015 and the community as a world-class theatre destination!”
TodayTix sponsorship includes announcements of the Helen Hayes Award recipients in real time through push notifications via their mobile app. Opt-in for the live updates will become available in the coming weeks. “It says a lot that TodayTix has joined us as our sponsors,” Austin commented. “They’ve changed the way theatres do business – and we’re always eager to look ahead.”
Named for actor Helen Hayes – a Washington native and legendary First Lady of the American Theatre – the Helen Hayes Awards honorsexcellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington region. Over the last three decades it has set a standard for artistic accomplishment recognized by theatre makers and theatre lovers far beyond the Beltway. Awards are given in parallel “Helen” or “Hayes” cohorts, depending on the number of Equity members involved in a production, for a total of 47 award categories, plus the John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company
Coordination of the nominations process is a year-round and demanding endeavor. Over the course of 2015, a pool of 40 Helen Hayes Awards Judges submitted a total of 21,936 scores for 2,940 individual pieces of work (design, direction, choreography, etc.). Of those scores, 1,499 were for acting performances alone. The result this year is a roster of 236 nominations drawn from 79 productions at 35 theatres. A complete list of nominees past and present can be found at theatreWashington.org.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016 | 6-8 pm
Beuchert’s Saloon (623 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Tickets at gourmetsymphony.org/events
Ticket includes: beer tastings, passed small plates & live chamber music.
Espita Mezcaleria, the newly opened Southern Mexican-inspired restaurant located in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, DC, will co-host a charity art show fundraiser with Swatchroom, a multi-disciplinary design + art + fabrication firm, on Monday, May 30th. Yescka, an internationally renowned Oaxacan street artist and founder of the political art collection ASARO (Assembly of Revolutionary Artists of Oaxaca), will be on hand along with fellow artist and active ASARO member, César Chávez, for this one-of-a-kind event. Yescka created the eye-catching, colorful murals at Espita Mezcaleria and Chávez design the T-shirts and menus for the restaurant, which opened in early March 2016.
On this particular evening, art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to purchase limited edition, signed prints from both highly acclaimed artists. 35 works on paper will be available, in a variety of sizes, with prices ranging from $80 to $500 each. Available prints include: “Autodefensa”, “The Last Supper a la Mexicana”, “The Rebels”, and “Punk Frida”. 100% of the sales from these prints will be donated to the charity student committee of the Raúl Isidro Burgos Rural Teachers’ College of Ayotzinapa based in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico. Complimentary appetizers and beverages courtesy of Espita Mezcaleria will also be available. The event is free to attend, but interested parties are encouraged to RSVP at: kelly@espitadc.com.
WHEN: Monday, May 30th, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Swatchroom is located at 1527 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001. The multi-disciplinary design + art + fabrication firm is located four blocks from the Shaw-Howard Metro Station and four blocks from the Mt Vernon Square, 7th St-Convention Center Metro Station accessible on the Green and Yellow Lines. For additional information, please visit http://swatchroom.com. Additional information about Yescka can be found at: http://guerilla-art.mx/yescka/
WHY: On September 26, 2014, 43 male students from the Raúl Isidro Burgos Rural Teachers’ College of Ayotzinapa went missing in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico. According to official reports, the students commandeered several buses and traveled to Iguala that day to hold a protest at a conference led by the mayor’s wife. During the journey local police intercepted them and a confrontation ensued. Details of what happened during and after the clash remain unclear, but the official investigation concluded that once the students were in custody, they were handed over to the local Guerreros Unidos (“United Warriors”) crime syndicate and presumably killed. Mexican authorities claimed Iguala’s mayor, José Luis Abarca Velázquez (es) and his wife María de los Ándeles Pineda Villa, masterminded the abduction. Over the past year, Yescka has created several public pieces to bring the tragedy of these 43 students to public light.
Espita Mezcaleria, the newly opened Southern Mexican-inspired restaurant located in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, DC, will co-host a charity art show fundraiser with Swatchroom, a multi-disciplinary design + art + fabrication firm, on Monday, May 30th. Yescka, an internationally renowned Oaxacan street artist and founder of the political art collection ASARO (Assembly of Revolutionary Artists of Oaxaca), will be on hand along with fellow artist and active ASARO member, César Chávez, for this one-of-a-kind event. Yescka created the eye-catching, colorful murals at Espita Mezcaleria and Chávez design the T-shirts and menus for the restaurant, which opened in early March 2016.
On this particular evening, art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to purchase limited edition, signed prints from both highly acclaimed artists. 35 works on paper will be available, in a variety of sizes, with prices ranging from $80 to $500 each. Available prints include: “Autodefensa”, “The Last Supper a la Mexicana”, “The Rebels”, and “Punk Frida”. 100% of the sales from these prints will be donated to the charity student committee of the Raúl Isidro Burgos Rural Teachers’ College of Ayotzinapa based in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico. Complimentary appetizers and beverages courtesy of Espita Mezcaleria will also be available. The event is free to attend, but interested parties are encouraged to RSVP at: kelly@espitadc.com.
WHEN: Monday, May 30th, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Swatchroom is located at 1527 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001. The multi-disciplinary design + art + fabrication firm is located four blocks from the Shaw-Howard Metro Station and four blocks from the Mt Vernon Square, 7th St-Convention Center Metro Station accessible on the Green and Yellow Lines. For additional information, please visit http://swatchroom.com. Additional information about Yescka can be found at: http://guerilla-art.mx/yescka/
WHY: On September 26, 2014, 43 male students from the Raúl Isidro Burgos Rural Teachers’ College of Ayotzinapa went missing in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico. According to official reports, the students commandeered several buses and traveled to Iguala that day to hold a protest at a conference led by the mayor’s wife. During the journey local police intercepted them and a confrontation ensued. Details of what happened during and after the clash remain unclear, but the official investigation concluded that once the students were in custody, they were handed over to the local Guerreros Unidos (“United Warriors”) crime syndicate and presumably killed. Mexican authorities claimed Iguala’s mayor, José Luis Abarca Velázquez (es) and his wife María de los Ándeles Pineda Villa, masterminded the abduction. Over the past year, Yescka has created several public pieces to bring the tragedy of these 43 students to public light.
