Apr
12
Thu
Dining Out for Life @ Various
Apr 12 @ 5:30 PM – 11:30 PM

On Thursday, April 12th, diners across the Washington metro region will stand up against HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses by dining out at restaurants participating in this year’s Dining Out For Life® fundraiser (www.foodandfriends.org/diningout<http://www.foodandfriends.org/diningout>), benefitting Food & Friends.

Now in its 30th year serving the Washington community, Food & Friends enlists the benevolence of area eateries – from Hyattsville to Shirlington, from Georgetown to Brookland – in support of adults and children facing life-challenging illnesses who benefit from the organization’s nutrition services. More than 60 area restaurants<https://www.diningoutforlife.com/washingtondc/restaurants> (and counting!) have pledged to contribute 25% to 110% of lunch and/or dinner proceeds to directly benefit Food & Friends’ programs and clients in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

“It’s a fantastic night. With one great meal out with his or her friends, each diner is making a significant and lasting impact on their community members in greatest need,” says Food & Friends’ Executive Director Craig Shniderman. “The restaurant community has long supported the work of Food & Friends and we’re incredibly grateful. The funds raised through Dining Out For Life® make it possible for us to serve thousands of meals each day to those living with the challenges of HIV/AIDS, cancer and other debilitating illnesses.”

Last year, Dining Out for Life®, raised more than $150,000. This year, Food & Friends is thrilled to have more than 60 restaurants on board, including those that are donating their entire evening’s proceeds, or more, to Food & Friends – Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant (110%) and Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse (100%). Please visit www.foodandfriends.org/diningout<http://www.foodandfriends.org/diningout> for a complete listing of participating restaurants.

ABOUT FOOD & FRIENDS: Food & Friends is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that provides home-delivered, medically-tailored meals and nutrition counseling to people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses. Food & Friends’ services are free of charge to recipients who qualify solely based on their health status and nutritional need. With the help of over 9,000 volunteers each year, we deliver to 5,300 square miles of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Since 1988, Food & Friends has delivered more than 21 million meals to 31,000 individuals.

 

Toast of the Tour @ Mess Hall
Apr 12 @ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Chef Jess” Jessica Swift and Karen Hoefener of Nomad Dumplings will be among the women entrepreneurs giving talks and tastings at the Junior League of Washington’s (JLW) Toast of the Tour cocktail reception at Mess Hall, a business incubator and event space in Northeast Washington, on Thursday, April 12.

JLW is proud to partner with leading female chefs and entrepreneurs for this event. Chef Jess is a registered dietician and classically trained chef whose meal delivery business caters to her clients’ individual needs. Hoefener’s Nomad Dumplings are regionally inspired, colorful dumplings with all-natural ingredients recently featured in Washington City Paper.

The evening reception will also feature tastings from other Mess Hall members and alumni businesses, including Prescription Chicken and Farm to Feast. Barefoot Wine and Bubbly will provide wine, and  attendees will be able to enter a drawing for prizes including an overnight stay at the Jefferson Hotel, reservations at Rose’s Luxury, two free hours of cleaning from Maids in Black, and gift cards to restaurants and bars including Founding Farmers, Mission, Iron Gate, Momofuku, Boqueria, and more.

This event benefits the Junior League of Washington, an educational, charitable organization committed to developing exceptionally qualified female civic leaders who are prepared to address the ever-evolving needs of the Washington, DC, community through volunteer service, meaningful programs and initiatives, and innovative solutions.

Toast of the Tour is the kickoff event for JLW’s 7th annual Kitchen Tour, a walking tour that will spotlight nearby Brookland’s unique homes and food scene on Saturday, April 21. Tickets for Toast of the Tour and Kitchen Tour are available at JLW.org/KTtickets. For Toast of the Tour, general admission tickets are $55, and VIP tickets, which include specialty cocktail tastings and a souvenir oven mitt, are $65.

What: Toast of the Tour, a cocktail reception and kickoff event for Kitchen Tour

When: Thursday, April 12 from 6-9 p.m.

Where: Mess Hall, 703 Edgewood Street NE, Washington, DC

About the Junior League of Washington:
The Junior League of Washington (www.jlw.org) is a nonprofit organization of more than 2,300 women who annually donate thousands of dollars and volunteer hours to the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. JLW is committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. JLW focuses its financial and volunteer resources on the issues of literacy – adult, child, and cultural – and works with a diverse group of community partners. Since 1912, JLW has donated more than five million hours of direct volunteer service and more than $5.8 million to the Washington, DC, community.

Washington City Paper’s 10th Annual Best of DC @ Organization of American States
Apr 12 @ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

The Washington City Paper invites you to join in to salute the best of the best in DC at its 10th annual Best of D.C. Celebration at the Organization of the American States Headquarters and Art Museum of the Americas beginning at 6pm. More than 50 restaurants, mixologists, local breweries distilleries, entertainment, rare art exhibitions, and many more surprises will leave guests
mesmerized.

The event will benefit one of our city’s hidden gems, the beautiful OAS Art Museum of the Americas.

What: Washington City Paper’s 10 th Annual Best of D.C. Celebration
Date: Thursday, April 12, 2017
Times: VIP 6:00pm; General Admission 7-10pm
Location: The Organization of the American States Headquarters and the Art Museum of the Americas (Constitution and 17 th St. NW and 201 18 th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20006)

Price: VIP – $110; General Admission – $70
Tickets: http://www.xorbia.com/events/wcp/10th-annual- best-of- dc-celebration-

Artisanal Food, Bars & Restaurants: District Doughnut, ANXO, Cuba Libre Restaurant; Rum
Bar, Spark at Engine Company 12, Pow Pow, Blue 44, and many more to be announced
soon.

Brews & Spirits: Right Proper Brewing Company, Port City Brewing Company, 3 Stars
Brewing Company, Edrington Group, Belle Isle Craft Spirits, Virginia Distillery Company,
Catoctin Creek, One Eight Distilling, KO Distilling, Jos. A. Magnus & Co. and many more to be
announced soon.

VIP tickets include a swag bag, plus access to the VIP hour with tastings from specialty
bottles, signature cocktails, and savory bites from some of D.C.’s hottest restaurants.
Information about this year’s beneficiary: OAS Art Museum of the Americas (AMA)
The Art Museum of the Americas (AMA) (museum.oas.org) was the first museum of
modern and contemporary Latin American and Caribbean art in the United States. It is the
center of cultural diplomacy of the Organization of American States (OAS), a multilateral
diplomatic forum for the Western Hemisphere whose aim is to promote democracy, peace,
justice and prosperity (www.oas.org).

AMA’s origins are in the Visual Arts program of the Pan-American Union which pre-dates
the founding of the OAS in 1948.  This early commitment to promoting the art of Latin
America and the Caribbean helped to launch the international careers of artists who are
now regarded as masters of mid-20 th  century artistic trends of new figuration, geometric
and lyrical abstraction, and conceptual, optical and kinetic art.  Today, this valuable collection has more than two thousand works of art, including from Canada and the United
States, and is renowned as a premier collection within the international art community.

This year, the OAS will celebrate its 70 th  anniversary with a variety of initiatives to tell its
story of diplomacy in the Americas.  In service to the OAS and its mission, the Art Museum
of the Americas is gathering support to upgrade the preservation and presentation of it art
collection, bring in new exhibits and promote new artists, bring art to a broader
community through digital media and educational outreach, improve access to the art
galleries for peoples with disabilities and, in general, use this cultural diplomacy asset to
promote more rights for more people in the Americas.

The Art Museum of the Americas welcomes on-going patrons and new audiences to join us
in the celebration of the arts and diplomacy.

Apr
17
Tue
WhiskyFest @ Marriott Marquis
Apr 17 @ 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Presented by Whisky Advocate magazine, WhiskyFest, the leading whisky festival in North America, returns to Washington D.C. for the third year in a row! Celebrating its 21st anniversary, WhiskyFest, which made its D.C. debut in 2016 following events held in New York, Chicago and San Francisco, offers the opportunity to sample nearly 300 whiskies from around the world—including single malt and blended Scotch, Irish, bourbon, rye, Tennessee, Japanese, Canadian, and craft-distilled whiskies, plus high-end rum, cognac, and other spirits—and learn firsthand from the experts.

Who: Whisky Advocate Executive Editor Jeffrey Lindenmuth and the rest of the publication’s editorial team welcome guests to meet an array of master blenders and other notable whisky experts presenting rare whiskies from around the world. Distillery representatives will be on hand at their pouring booths, while educational seminars, featuring their own tastings, run throughout the evening.

Where: Washington, DC Marriott Marquis, 901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C.

When: Tuesday, April 17

  • VIP Entrance: 5:30 PM
  • Grand Tasting:  6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
  • Seminars: 7:00 PM7:45 PM8:30 PM

Tickets: Regular admission tickets are available at Early Bird prices for $275 and can be purchased online. Tickets include a one-year subscription to Whisky Advocate magazine, a commemorative crystal glass, an event program and pen, the latest copy of Whisky Advocatemagazine, a gift bag, entrance to all seminars on a first come first served basis, a gourmet buffet throughout the evening and nearly 300 whiskies from around the world to sample.

Impact of Advertising Workshop @ Canvas
Apr 17 @ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Purchase your ticket today to secure your spot at FGIDC’s next workshop, Impact of Advertising. Set up your brand for success with the newest, most impactful advertising tools.

Panelists:
Kerri Larkin, Director of Marketing at Saks Fifth Avenue
Stephanie David, Founder of POPNOD

Moderator: Jen Walawender, Media Buyer/Planner at JRA Advertising Agency

Date: April 17, 2018
Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Location: Canvas
1203 19th Street NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20036

FGIDC Members – $15
Non-Members – $25
At the Door – $30

Apr
18
Wed
America’s Promise Gala @ Newseum
Apr 18 @ 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM

America’s Promise Alliance, the nation’s largest network dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth, will honor six exceptional leaders with its Promise of America and Promise Hero Awards on April 18.  The awards will be presented by General Colin Powell and Alma Powell, the founding chair and chair of America’s Promise, at the fourth annual Promise Night Gala which will be held at the Newseum in Washington, DC.

The Promise of America award, the organization’s highest honor, recognizes extraordinary individuals who have made an exceptional difference in the lives of young people and, through their work, have demonstrated the power of the Five Promises – caring adults, safe places, a healthy and safe start, an effective education, and opportunities to serve – to change the odds, transform lives, and build positive futures.

“Our honorees are extraordinary leaders, working diligently to make the promise of America real for every child,” said Alma J. Powell, chair, America’s Promise. “As we enter our third decade of work on behalf of young people in this country, these individuals remind us of the impact we can have if we use our time, talents and influence to make life better for the next generation.”

“Promise Night is an opportunity for us to celebrate the successes of our honorees while being inspired by their community and national impact,” said John Gomperts, president & CEO of America’s Promise. “Their commitment to the advancement of young people is essential to keeping youth on the path to adult success. America’s Promise is proud to recognize such a dedicated group.”

2018 Promise of America Honorees

  • Katherine and David Bradley are co-founders of the CityBridge Foundation, a private family foundation based in Washington, D.C. In 2000, CityBridge began investigating successful practices for combating entrenched, multigenerational poverty—all with the intention of launching a new, signature program in Washington, D.C. CityBridge Education, a nonprofit enterprise dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity for all children, was launched out of CityBridge Foundation as an education incubator that seeks out the teachers, leaders, and school teams with the ideas and the drive to create new, better models of school in Washington, D.C.
  • Dr. Michael Lomax is president and CEO of UNCF, the nation’s largest private provider of scholarships and other educational support to African American students and a leading advocate of college readiness: students’ need for an education, from pre-school through high school, that prepares them for college success. Under his leadership, UNCF has raised more than $2.5 billion and helped more than 92,000 students earn college degrees and launch careers.
  • Sondra Samuels is the president & CEO of Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), a collaborative of over 40 partner non-profits and schools. Along with parents, students, partners, and staff, Ms. Samuels is leading a revolutionary culture shift in North Minneapolis that is focused on ending multigenerational poverty through education and family stability. The NAZ collaborative is working toward a single goal—to prepare low-income North Minneapolis children to graduate from high school college and career-ready.
  • Jeff Weiner is the CEO of LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network with more than 546 million users in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Under his leadership, LinkedIn for Good has reached more than 1 million underserved youth, veterans, refugees, employees and nonprofits, connecting them to greater economic opportunities. Most recently, they’ve introduced LinkedIn Coaches, their signature program to connect underserved young adults and other underrepresented communities to the mentors, networks, and jobs they need to succeed.

2018 Promise Hero Honoree

In addition, this year America’s Promise will also recognize one individual who has made a sustained commitment and unheralded contributions to young people.

  • Dr. Wintley Phipps is founder and CEO of US Dream Academy, an organization dedicated to helping  the nation’s children reach for their dreams through academic, social, and values enrichment; empowering young people most at risk of incarceration to believe in themselves and to succeed.  In addition to his role with the US Dream Academy, Dr. Phipps is a world-renowned vocal artist, education activist, motivational speaker, pastor.  For his work at the U.S. Dream Academy he has received numerous service awards, among them: The Excellence in Mentoring for Program Leadership Award from MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnerships; the Oprah Winfrey Angel Network Use Your Life Award; and Philanthropist of the Year Award from The National Center for Black Philanthropy, Inc.

Last year’s Promise of America Award recipients included Kenneth I. Chenault, former chairman and CEO of American Express Company; Common, hip-hop artist, actor, and founder of the Common Ground Foundation; Arne Duncan, managing partner of Emerson Collective; Bryan Stevenson, executive director of Equal Justice Initiative; and Dorothy Stoneman, founder of YouthBuild.

In 2017, the Promise Hero Award was given to singer and songwriter Andra Day, and New England Patriot Malcolm Mitchell.

The title sponsor for the 2018 Promise Night Gala is the Ford Foundation. This year’s platinum sponsor is Salesforce. Gold sponsors include Kenneth and Kathryn Chenault, College Board, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, Say Yes to Education, State Farm and the Walton Family Foundation.

Apr
20
Fri
LUNGevity Foundation’s 7th Annual Musical Celebration of Hope Gala @ Mellon Auditorium
Apr 20 @ 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Washington D.C. philanthropists, lung cancer survivors, scientists and friends will gather and boogie to the hits of disco at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium Friday, April 20, for LUNGevity Foundation’s 7th Annual Musical Celebration of Hope Gala, Follow the Call of the Disco Ball.

The disco-themed gala benefiting LUNGevity, the nation’s leading lung cancer-focused nonprofit, will celebrate the extraordinary progress in lung cancer research and the improved quality of life patients are now experiencing due to earlier detection and new treatments for lung cancer.

For the first time, the annual event will be chaired by two lung cancer survivors, former ABC7 Anchor Greta Kreuz and King Automotive owner, Larry Aschenbach. Longtime LUNGevity supporter and NBC4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer will return as the emcee for the evening recognizing individuals and organizations who have demonstrated remarkable leadership in the fight against lung cancer.

Dr. Richard Pazdur, director of the FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence and 2015’s Face of Hope Recipient, will present the 2018 Face of Hope Award to Dr. Philip Bonomi, Alice Pirie Wirtz Professor of Medical Oncology at Rush University Medical Center, for his work to improve outcomes in lung cancer and how people live with the disease.

The  2018 Hope Award for Corporate Leadership will be presented to Foundation Medicine for their demonstrated exceptional commitment to the health and well-being of lung cancer communities in the United States and globally.

LUNGevity will also recognize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with the 2018 Public Service Face of Hope Award for their progress in improving access to high-quality care for veterans living with and at risk of lung cancer.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. with a cocktail reception followed by dinner, awards presentations, and dancing.

 For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.lungevity.org/hopegala

Wine Spectator’s Grand Tour @ Ronald Reagan Building
Apr 20 @ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Wine Spectator’s Grand Tour Washington D.C. is an unforgettable wine tasting experience that features more than 200 of the world’s finest wineries pouring their best bottles. Sample exceptional wines and discover new favorites—all while in the nation’s capital.  

Who:

Meet and mingle with top winemakers and estate owners from the world’s best wine-growing regions.

Where:

Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW 

When:

Friday, April 20, 2018, from 7-10 PM; VIP ticketholders admitted at 6 PM

Program Highlights:

  • All wines have been rated 90 points or higher by Wine Spectator.
  • Enjoy a delicious buffet to complement your wine.
  • All attendees will receive a souvenir RiedelTM tasting glass.

Cost:

General admission tickets are $225, while VIP tickets are $325. Purchase here. 

A portion of net proceeds from the event benefits the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation, which supports scholarships and grants to students pursuing careers in the wine industry.

Apr
21
Sat
Third Annual National Cannabis Festival @ RFK Stadium Festival Grounds
Apr 21 @ 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

The National Cannabis Festival welcomes Backyard BandSee-I and the legendary hip-hop group Cypress Hill to the third-annual music, art and advocacy festival celebrating the legalization of cannabis in Washington, D.C. The one-day festival takes place on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the RFK Stadium Festival Grounds.

In early 2015, a group of cannabis policy advocates, business leaders, and enthusiasts joined together around the idea to host the National Cannabis Festival (NCF), an event celebrating progress on legalization in DC and across the nation. They envisioned creating an event recognizing the spirit of the cannabis movement and the non-profit groups that have worked to influence state and federal legislators, paving the way for growth of the legal cannabis industry and repeal of prohibition policies. In 2016, 5,000 people from 30 states and Washington, DC attended the festival. In 2017, more than 7,000 attendees participated in a second year of peaceful celebration. NCF is very excited to be hosting the third festival and expects even greater attendance this year.

The 2018 NCF music line-up includes hip-hop royalty Cypress Hill and reggae artists See-I of Thievery Corporation alongside local DC legends Backyard Band, hot up-and-coming artist Beau Young PrinceDJ Ayes Cold, and local favorites Oh He DeadNames, and MARLEE. The concert is hosted by DC-favorites Samy K. and Reesa Renee.

The 2018 Education Pavilion will feature a variety of panel discussions, demonstrations, and awards ceremonies. During the CannaTank Contest, aspiring canna-business owners present their ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win $1000 in start-up assistance. Judges for the contest have been announced, and you can learn more about our featured judges for round 1 and 2 of CannaTank here. The schedule and lineup has been announced for the EducationWellness, and Grow School Pavilions.

The Change Makers Award recognizes policymakers on the state of federal level who have advocated for ending cannabis prohibition in the interest of fiscal policy, personal liberty, medical alternatives, and/or equal justice. Vote for your favorite policymaker in this year’s Change Makers Award here.

The National Cannabis Festival is presented in conjunction with the National Cannabis Policy Summit on Friday, April 20, which will take place at the Newseum and features a wide array of speakers and panelists discussing current cannabis policy issues and the next steps to end prohibition.

What: Third Annual National Cannabis Festival bringing together cannabis policy and culture in an all-day advocacy and music festival

When: Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET

Where: RFK Stadium Festival Grounds – Lots 6/7 adjacent to RFK Stadium at 2400 East Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Who:
Cypress Hill
Backyard Band
See-I
Beau Young Prince
Oh He Dead
Names
MARLEE.
DJ Ayes Cold
NCF’s Advocacy Partners
Local artists and exhibitors

Social Media: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natlcannafest/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NatlCannaFest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natlcannabisfest/
Hashtags: #420Summit, #420one

Tickets available via Front GateGeneral admission $42+ taxes and fees.

Washington Tennis Ball @ Ritz Carlton
Apr 21 @ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

The Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF)is hosting its annual Tennis Ball on Saturday, April 21 at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. to support underserved DC youth becoming champions on and off the court.

This premiere event will kick off with a VIP Round Robin Tennis Tournament at WTEF’s East Capitol Campus, 200 Stoddert Place, SE and will culminate with an elegant evening of silent and live auctions, dinner and an awards program. This gala supports WTEF’s academic and athletic enrichment programs for youth in need in the District.

Willis Thomas Jr., a founding father of WTEF and the first African-American tennis talent from the DC area, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for his life’s work of coaching and mentoring WTEF scholars and building tennis programs in the community. Donald Dell, co-founder of the Washington Tournament now known as the Citi Open, will also receive the Champion of Tennis Award. As the Washington Tournament celebrates its 50thedition this year, the WTEF honors Dell for his contributions to tennis, and his foresight of giving the tournament’s charter to the Foundation to help DC-area children learn to love tennis while excelling in school.

This year’s gala is generously presented by Citi.

 

WHAT:          2018 Tennis Ball

 

WHEN:          April 21, 20186 -10 p.m.

 

WHERE:       Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. – 1150 22ndSt. NW

 

WHO:           Willis Thomas, Jr.

Donald Dell