Apr
4
Thu
The Arts, Identity and Societal Inclusivity” Pop-up exhibit @ Fridge Arts Gallery
Apr 4 @ 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

“The Arts, Identity and Societal Inclusivity” Pop-up exhibit and conversations organized by the Arts for Global Development, Inc aims at facilitating an open, safe and creative environment to talk about identity, diversity as well as those issues that communities tackle on a day to-day basis especially in the context of voluntary and involuntary mobility of millions of people who are scattered across the globe.

The arts provoke thoughts and encourage people to embark upon issues that are sometimes hard to come to terms with. Contemporary artists often examine their identities by using themselves or aspects of themselves as a starting point to tell a story or address a larger issue like “acceptance or belonging”. During this event, one such contemporary designer and a multidisciplinary researcher Neba will showcase her fashion-art pieces that introduce unique and spiritual methods and folk pieces from her ancestry and upbringing.

Along with Neba’s one day/pop up exhibition called “Feast”, the Sandy Spring Museum Director, Allison Weiss and Cameron Okeke from Urban Institute will be sharing their experiences of how they’ve used the arts, from communicating the stories of displaced people to building creative and safe places in broken communities around the US.

We certainly live in interesting times where social tension is rising in this ongoing “us and them” discourse. With this event we aim tobring our community together and use creativity as a means to broaden our perspectives. We do hope the works and discussions will inspire and encourage everyone in taking actions that support inclusion, ” said Nil Navaie,  the founder and president of Arts for Global Development, Inc.

“The Arts, Identity and Societal Inclusivity” Pop-up exhibit and conversations event will be held at the Fridge Arts Gallery (516 8th Street SE, Washington DC) on April 4th from 5:30 – 8 pm.

The event is free, however RSVPs are recommended via http://www.art4development.net/.

Apr
5
Fri
6th Annual Best Buddies Prom @ Ronald Reagan Building
Apr 5 @ 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM

The 6th Annual Best Buddies PROM – two parties with one purpose – is a dynamic twist on the DC gala that features both student and adult receptions. It will be held Friday, April 5 at The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC. This joyous night of music, friendship, fundraising, and making memories for young people with and without Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) will be the highlight of DC’s spring event season.  PROM2019 will treat students of all abilities to a spectacular evening which is also a fundraising event for adults who believe in the mission of inclusion. Best Buddies was founded 30 years ago by Anthony Kennedy Shriver at Georgetown University. Tickets are on sale now at www.BestBuddiesProm.org.

“This year’s PROM will push us to surpass one million dollars in monies raised since we began PROM in DC in 2013… enabling us to open 64 friendship chapters in Virginia and Washington DC schools, support 25 (adult) Jobs participants at integrated workplaces, and facilitate leadership development opportunities for nearly 200 individuals with IDD,” said Karen Glasser, Regional Director of Best Buddies Capital Region. “We can’t wait to celebrate this $1M milestone with our Best Buddies family!”

The lively evening will be hosted by Tommy McFly, Best Buddies Capital Region Advisory Board Chairman and host of The Tommy Show. Music and Entertainment will be provided by crowd favorite, DJ Neekola, and performers from the Pelonkey Agency. The Reagan Building’s beauty will be on display with decor by Design Foundry elevating the PROM goers’ experience.

Students are the stars of the evening. Adults will also enjoy their own celebration, including a complimentary open bar, delicious passed hors d’oeuvres by Reagan Building Executive, Chef Xavier Deshayes, and an exciting live and silent auction. In addition, some of the region’s most celebrated chefs will lend their time and culinary creations to an exclusive VIP reception prior to the event. PROM is the perfect place to witness Best Buddies’ mission of social inclusion first-hand. 

Apr
8
Mon
Taste of the Nation @ National Building Museum
Apr 8 @ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign invites Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia residents to sip and sample creations from area’s most celebrated restaurants to help kids in need at this year’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry on Monday, April 8, 2019Hosted at the National Building Museum, the annual tasting event will feature gourmet cuisine and libations crafted by the city’s hottest chefs, sommeliers and mixologists, uniting to raise funds to ensure all children in America have access to the healthy food they need, every day. One-hundred-percent of proceeds from the event benefit No Kid Hungry’s work to end childhood hunger in America.

Led by Chef Chair Mike Friedman (The Red Hen, All-Purpose), Pastry Chair Tiffany MacIsaac (Buttercream Bakeshop), Mixology Chair Gina Chersevani (Buffalo and Bergen, Suburbia), and Sommelier Chair Nadine Brown (Society Fair), D.C.’s culinary tastemakers will provide guests with scrumptious bite-size fare, craft cocktails and delectable desserts. Guests will also have a chance to participate in an intimate tasting with Chef Kwame Onwuachi (Kith and Kin, Philly Wing Fry) and Chef Tae Strain (Momofuku CCDC), and score hot items at the silent auction and “Giving Tree”. 

Notable participating Washington, D.C. area culinary talent and eateries include:

All-Purpose | Al Dente | Art & Soul | Barrel | Beuchert’s Saloon | Buffalo and Bergen | Bombay Street Food | Buttercream Bakeshop | Captain Cookie and the Milkman | Cava Mezze | Coconut Club | Colada Shop | Compass Rose | Espita Mezcaleria | Estadio | Farmers & Distillers | Firefly | Georgetown Cupcake | The Green Zone | Hank’s Oyster Bar | I’m Eddie Cano | Jack Rose Dining Saloon | Junction Bakery & Bistro | Kith and Kin | Kuya Ja’s | McClellan’s Retreat | Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro | Mi Vida | Milkbar | Momo Yakitori | Momofuku CCDC| Nama Sushi | Osteria Morini | Ottoman Taverna | Oyamel | Pisco y Nasca Ceviche Gastrobar | Radiator | Rappahannock Oyster Bar | RARE Steakhouse | RASA | Royal | Shake Shack | Society Fair Spoken English | Stellina Pizzeria | Succotash Penn Quarter | Sweet Lobby | The Delegate | The Pub and the People | The Source | Tico |  Truxton Inn

One in six children in America struggles with hunger, including nearly 27,000 kids in the District of Columbia. No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger nationwide by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. Since the campaign’s launch, No Kid Hungry and its partners have connected kids struggling with hunger to more than one billion meals.

In 2018, D.C.’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry raised enough to connect hungry kids in need with up to 2.5 million healthy meals. Local beneficiaries include Capital Area Food Bank, DC Hunger Solutions, and Mary’s Center.

D.C.’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry is supported by national co-presenting sponsors Citi and Sysco®, national media sponsor Food Network, and national sponsor OpenTable. Whole Foods Market is the Official Grocer Sponsor of D.C.’s 2019 Taste of the Nation and will be providing samples alongside their local vendors. This event is also made possible by the following local sponsors: Caledonia Spirits, Catoctin Creek, Chrysler Pacifica, Ecolab, Flying Dog Brewery, MacRostie Winery and Vineyards, Rémy Cointreau and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry tickets start at $100, with prices increasing a month prior to the event on March 8, 2019. For additional information and to purchase tickets, please visit: https://www.nokidhungry.org/tastedc.

Apr
13
Sat
‘Guess I’m a Ghost’ at WebFest @ Make Offices Glover Park
Apr 13 @ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

WHAT: The world premiere of the new series ‘Guess I’m a Ghost’ at DC Webfest as part of their American Web Series Watch Party block.

Guess I’m a Ghost is a comedy web series in eight episodes that explores coming to terms with your past mistakes, making amends, and how we both perform ourselves and find out about death through social media. Tonally, the series is a mix between High Maintenance and The Good Place. Using both naturalistic and absurd comedy, the show looks to see how we grieve over imperfect people we think we knew, but maybe didn’t at all. Diane…wasn’t the best friend. She liked to bend the truth and look out for number one. After embarrassing herself at a party, she’s killed in a ride-share accident when climbing into the front seat to charge her phone. Then, because of a mistake in the afterlife, she’s sent back to earth and forced to haunt those she could’ve treated a little better, and might owe her an apology themselves. The series features an original score by Leslie Hong of Haybaby, and will be released in full online on April 29th, following a screening in Los Angeles on April 27th.

WHEN: Saturday, April 13th at 6:00pm

WHERE: MakeOffices Glover Park – 2201 Wisconsin Ave. Suite #200 Washington DC 20007

HOW: Festival programming passes start at $45

Apr
20
Sat
Earth Day Plogging @ Raymond Recreation Center
Apr 20 @ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

VIDA Fitness is teaming up with DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to clean up the District while breaking a sweat for Earth Day. D.C residents are invited to join in the second annual Plogging event, picking up trash while jogging, as they run a preset two mile course beginning at Raymond Recreation Center.

Ploggers will be provided with trash bags and gloves to use as they run and pick up litter. VIDA Fitness and DPR will ensure appropriate disposal of all trash collected during the plogging event. This event is free and open to the public. 

After plogging VIDA Fitness will provide snacks and drinks for all participants. Sign up is requested to ensure enough supplies are on hand for all ploggers.

WHEN:             Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 10 a.m.

WHERE:           Starting at Raymond Recreation Center VIDA Fitness and DPR will lead joggers on a designated two mile route through Northwest DC.

WHY:               To clean up the trash and litter in the District in honor of Earth Day

HOW:              Sign up at https://vidafitness.com/plogging and also receive a free workout at VIDA Fitness

Apr
27
Sat
1st Annual Meow DC @ Dock 5 at Union Market
Apr 27 @ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

With the rise of cat celebs like Grumpy Cat and Moshow the Rapper, combined  with cat videos in  every corner of  the internet —  it’s about time Washingtonians have an outlet to share their feline fervor with their neighbors. That’s why DC’s animal welfare organization, Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA), is hosting the 1st Annual Meow DC this coming spring.

This event is designed for everyone from the devoted cat lover to the fly-by feline fan.  Kitty aficionados from all over the metro area can don their cat ears and themed outfits, purchase kitty-themed goods from the many local vendors, attend talks about everything from community cats to confusing kitty behavior, and even meet internet sensation Sunglass Cat! There also will be adorable kittens and sassy adult cats alike on hand for cuddles and adoption throughout the day. Plus, it doesn’t end there. Keep your cat ears on and attend the Meow DC After Party at The Pub & The People from 5-8pm where a percentage of sales will benefit HRA, as well as $1 from every Tito’s beverage. Oh, and did we mention there will be awesome giveaways!

And if that weren’t enough, the real attraction (the catnip, if you will) is that all proceeds benefit the amazing work HRA does year round for local DC cats, both indoor and outdoor. Each month, HRA helps nearly 400 local homeless animals get adopted and 565 animals get spayed or neutered.  HRA field officers respond to 1,600 calls monthly, and HRA volunteers donate 2,400 hours every month.  While HRA does incredible work for the vulnerable animals in our community, they still rely on the generosity of individuals and organizations throughout the DC metro area.

This event is generously sponsored by Nardi Media, LLC and Design Foundry. A full list of participating booth vendors is available on the event website.

Tickets are $40 and on sale now at www.meowdc.org. Meet & Greet Tickets for Sunglass Cat are $15 and available at www.meowdc.org.

  • WHO: In-studio interviews are available with HRA representatives to discuss the importance of supporting our local furry friends through events like Meow DC. Adoptable animals can be available in-studio upon request.
  • WHERE: Dock 5 at Union Market – 1309 5th Street NE, Washington DC 20002
  • WHEN: Saturday April 27, 2019 from 10:00AM EST until 5:00PM EST
  • AFTER PARTY: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (The Pub & The People; 1648 North Capitol St NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Walters Art Museum Presents Second-Annual Community Youth Arts Celebration @ Walters Art Museum
Apr 27 @ 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Learn how the next generation of Baltimore’s artists and leaders are harnessing the power of creativity to tell their stories. As part of the day’s activities, attendees can create their own museum memes, buttons, and custom banners, learn how to screen print with Jubilee Arts: Youth in Business, and make a personalized zine with Baltimore Youth Arts. Special guests include the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore Ceasefire, and Open Works. Performances include screenings with Wide Angle Youth Media, musical ensembles with two Arts Every Day schools, and the Lethal Ladies of Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women step team.

The day’s festivities include Behind the Façade, a program of original monologues by Baltimore School for the Arts theater students. Performed in 1 West Mount Vernon Place, this performance brings to life the range of people, enslaved and free, who made Mount Vernon their home in the years before and after the Civil War.

Presented in collaboration with Arts Every Day. Special thanks to MECU of Baltimore and the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts.

WHERE:

Walters Art Museum

600 North Charles Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

WHEN:

Saturday, April 27, 2019

11 a.m.–4 p.m.

 

May
4
Sat
Collector’s Night – Washington Project for the Arts
May 4 @ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Proceeds from Collector’s Night Art Sales are split 50/50 between the artists and WPA, whose share goes to supporting its artist driven programs through artist honoraria, travel, artwork production, and other direct program costs.

Eighties Dream Night @ The Airedale
May 4 @ 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Party with a cause and come support one of the District’s newest non-profits, the DMP,  and their mission to provide affordable music education to adults! Come as you are or dressed to the nines, but be ready for a night of all things ’80s! Themed drinks and snacks, karaoke, live music, ’80s games, and a costume contest are all on deck, plus you’ll be treated to a very special performance by the District Music Project Chorus!

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 8-11 pm (7 pm VIP access)

WHERE: The Airedale, 3605 14th Street NW

WHY: Benefit for The District Music Project, a local non-profit supporting affordable adult education

COST: $40 advance/$45 door/$60 VIP (includes a private concert and prosecco before the party gets going!)

WHO: Open to the public and press is welcome

All proceeds benefit the District Music Project and help us continue to provide music education to adults in the District.

May
8
Wed
18th Calvary Women’s Services Hope Awards Dinner @ Capital Hilton
May 8 @ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Date: Wednesday, May 8th

·         Time: 6:00pm to 9:00pm

·         Location: The Capital Hilton – 1001 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

·         Ticket Price: $250

·         Ticket Sales Link: bit.ly/18th-hope-awards

Join Calvary Women’s Services for a fun and inspirational evening as we celebrate women who are achieving their goals and making lasting changes in their lives. Enjoy a delicious cocktail reception while mingling with community leaders, bid on incredible items and unique packages during the exciting live and silent auctions, and hear uplifting stories about Calvary’s impact and the women we serve.

We’ll come together to honor leaders who inspire and empower women, and celebrate the successes of women at Calvary who are ending their homelessness for good.

Calvary Women’s Services empowers homeless women in Washington, DC to transform their lives through housing, health, education, and employment programs.