WHAT: SMITHSONIAN at 8 presents “PostSecret Revealed: A Party at the Postal Museum”
WHEN: Friday, July 29, 8 to 11 p.m. (7 to 11 p.m. for VIP ticket-holders)
WHERE: National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave., NE
Nothing spices up a party better than spilling a few secrets—and Frank Warren knows more than a million of them. That’s how many postcards from around the world have filled his mailbox since he started the wildly popular PostSecret project in 2004. The anonymous confessions—silly, moving, surprising, provocative, and sometimes disturbing—have already provided the material for six books. The Postal Museum’s exhibition PostSecret: The Power of a Postcard is the perfect reason for a party.
Guests can join Warren for an inside look at the PostSecret phenomenon, as he speaks exclusively with VIP ticket-holders from 7 to 8 p.m. The celebration continues with opportunities for guests to try their hand at crafting their own mail art, and post or tweet a secret they’ve been wanting to tell. They’ll also enjoy music by DJ Alkimist, cocktails, and more as they wander through some of the museum’s fascinating exhibits after hours.
PostSecret: The Power of a Postcard includes hundreds of thousands of postcards sent to Frank Warren. The exhibition tells a contemporary story of mail and the postal service, highlighting the aesthetics of the artfully decorated cards and the contrast between their anonymity and the shared experiences Warren creates with them. It also demonstrates the timeless yet modern quality of postcards and reflects the overlap amongst personal communication, digital technology, and social media at the heart of the PostSecret phenomenon.
Who knows what secrets might be revealed—or created—during the evening?
Copies of Warren’s six PostSecret books are available for sale and signing.
SPECIAL FEATURES FOR VIP TICKET-HOLDERS: Enjoy an exclusive conversation with Frank Warren from 7 to 8 p.m.
General admission $25
VIP admission $30
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
7 a.m., 8 a.m. Lattes with Lincoln
Get caffeinated with the 16th commander-in-chief and learn how legislation signed by Abraham
Lincoln during the Civil War is considered by many to be the birth of the National Park System!
Meet the park ranger at the kiosk at 10 Henry Bacon Drive (north of the memorial).
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Living National Park Service Emblem
Be a part of the world’s largest National Park Service emblem created on the grounds of the
Washington Monument on our 100th birthday! More than 1,000 participants will be assembled
into a living Arrowhead using brown, green and white umbrellas; once the Arrowhead is formed,
an aerial photograph will be taken and shared with participants on the National Mall and
Memorial Parks website and social media pages. The first 1,000 participants to check-in will
receive a t-shirt commemorating their participation in this historic event, as well as get to keep
their umbrella. Assemble at 9 a.m. on the west side of the Washington Monument grounds.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Rangerpalooza
The green and gray uniform and ranger’s “flat hat” are among the most recognized features of
the National Park Service. Celebrate 100 years of the National Park Service by learning about
the men and women who care for the national parks. Children of all ages can try on National
Park Service uniforms, see how the uniform has evolved through the years, earn a junior ranger
badge, and learn about the many jobs in National Park Service that protect America’s scenic
wonders and historic sites. Lincoln Memorial
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. America’s Front Yard Family Festival
Featuring live music, storytelling and other activities, this festival looks forward to the next
century of the National Park Service, highlighting today’s youth as the future stewards of our
national parks. Grammy-nominated rock band for kids Milkshake headlines an entertainment
lineup that also includes acoustic guitar and vocals by Ellis Woodward; Uncle Devon; lively
children’s sing-alongs with Yosi & the Superdads, the Great American Indian Dancers;
magic, music and juggling with the Wes Holly Balloon Magic Show; vocalist Erica Wheeler,
and YAP, who delivers national park themes through hip-hop music and culture. Constitution
Gardens
The festival also includes face painting, juggling, a corn maze and lots of other fun activities for
kids of all ages. Exhibits by more than 20 National Park Service partners will include Lego
models of national parks, virtual reality park tours, 3-D printing of National Mall monuments
and memorials, natural flora and fauna found in urban parks, and much more!
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
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
Josh Phillips and his team at Espita Mezcaleria, the Southern Mexican-inspired restaurant located in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, DC, invite guests to take part in one of Mexico’s great traditions, The Day of the Dead. On Tuesday, November 1st, Espita Mezcaleria will offer an honorary cocktail, Los Siete Misterios mezcal tasting and specialty dishes, available exclusively during dinner service. Face painting and custom temporary tattoos featuring designs from Espita artists will also be available for guests. Standout dishes available for this exclusive night of celebration include Morcilla Tlayuda, house-made Morcilla blood sausage, served on a crisp oversized tortilla with queso Oaxaca; Cochinita Cookies, pig-shaped cookies with piloncillo and cinnamon, as well as Mole Negro, lamb belly with hoja santa, piloncillo, Mexican oregano, chili ash with heirloom corn tortillas. The Day of the Dead menu items will range in price from $5 to $25 each.
For the perfect pairing, guests will have the opportunity to sample several varieties of Los Siete Misterios mezcal, along with an innovative cocktail called Flor de Muerto, or Death’s Flower. Priced at $13, the libation is made from a combination of mezcal, Cruzan Black Strap Rum, pineapple ash, lime juice and coconut syrup, garnished with an edible flower. “I wanted to find a way to combine life and death into one drink,” says Beverage Director/Partner Megan Barnes. “The edible flower represents life and the pineapple ash makes the drink completely black, representing death. This concoction is fairly balanced, leaning on the sweeter side as Day of the Dead is meant to be a day of celebration paying tribute to loved ones who have passed on.”
WHEN: Tuesday, November 1st, exclusively during dinner service, from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
WHERE: Espita Mezcaleria is located at 1250 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001. The restaurant is located two blocks from the Mt Vernon Square, 7th St-Convention Center Metro Station accessible on the Green and Yellow Lines. For reservations or additional information, please visit http://espitadc.com.
WHY: Of pre-Hispanic and pre-Christian origin, the Day of The Dead is one of the most important holidays in Mexican culture. In rural Mexico, people visit the cemetery where their loved ones are buried, bringing marigold flowers and candles to decorate gravesites. Toys for dead children and bottles of tequila to adults are also incorporated. Families sit on picnic blankets next to gravesites and eat the favorite food of their loved ones. Some families build altars in their homes, dedicating them to the dead. Altars are set up October 31st through November 2nd and are covered with offerings to the dead including flowers, fruits, vegetables, candles, incense, statues of saints, and photos of the deceased.