Refugees International will honor former special representative of the United Nations Secretary General for International Migration and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and senior counsel at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Louise Arbour with its highest humanitarian honor, the McCall-Pierpaoli Award, for her lifetime of work in the pursuit of justice and human rights at its 40thAnniversary Dinner on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. The award will also be presented to former president of Portugal H.E. Jorge Branco de Sampaio and President of the Carnegie Corporation Dr. Vartan Gregorian in recognition of their joint efforts to support Syrian students to pursue their higher education with the Global Platform for Syrian Students and the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
“This year’s awardees have demonstrated incredible willingness to take on the most difficult challenges and push the international community to do better in pursuit of justice and human rights,” said Refugees International President Eric Schwartz. “We are humbled to be able to present them with this honor.”
Refugees International will also honor Taller Salud, a humanitarian aid group in Puerto Rico, with its Richard C. Holbrooke Award for providing critical services and unwavering support to the people of Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and María. U.S. Representative Will Hurd of Texas will receive Refugees International’s 2019 Congressional Leadership Award for his commitment to public service and recognition that humanitarian principles must inform policymaking toward those who have been forced to flee their homes. And Mayor Wilmot Collins of Helena, Montana will receive Refugees International’s Exceptional Service Award for his extraordinary advocacy on behalf of refugees not only in Helena but throughout the United States.
This year’s Anniversary Dinner Benefit Committee Chairs are Vali and Darya Nasr. Ambassador to the United States from Costa Rica Dr. Fernando Llorca Castro and Mrs. Evelyn Cermeño will serve as the evening’s Honorary Committee Chairs. Sarah Bovim, Vice President Government Relations at the Whirlpool Corporation, and Jodi Bond, Executive Vice President of Global Government & Industry Affairs at Chubb, will chair the Global Partnership Initiative.
Refugees International’s Anniversary Dinner is its largest fundraising event of the year. The celebration honors individuals and organizations that demonstrate extraordinary leadership and commitment to humanitarian action, changing the lives of refugees and displaced people around the world. Past honorees include Founder and CEO of Chobani Hamdi Ulukaya, Syria’s White Helmets, Sir Richard Branson, Rohingya human rights activist Tun Khin, journalist Maureen Orth, among many others. Attendees of the Anniversary Dinner include Members of Congress, diplomats, representatives of corporations, foundations, and nongovernmental organizations, and individuals whose generous support enables Refugees International to serve as a powerful voice for displaced people around the world.
This year’s event has made possible by corporate sponsorships from Chubb, Gilead Sciences, and
Repsol Oil & Gas, LLC and through generous gifts from our 40th Anniversary Celebratory Circle sponsors Eileen Shields-West and Robin West; our Lifesaving Circle sponsors Maureen White and Steven Rattner and Elizabeth and Michael Galvin; our Humanitarian Circle sponsors Jan Weil and Amos Avgar; our Changemaker sponsors Nina and Dino Saglimbeni and the Kathwari Family Foundation; and our Visionary sponsors George and Frederica Valanos, among others.
Ninja Sauce Release at City Tap Penn Quarter – Wednesday, May 1 @ 4pm
Join the Atlas team for the first DC release of Ninja Sauce at City Tap Penn Quarter (901 9th Street NW). Starting at 4pm, enjoy a mini tap-takeover of Atlas brews like Ninja Sauce, Hop Bot, District Common, Silent Neighbor, and The Shape of Funk to Come while the Atlas team raffles off swag and Wu-Tang Vinyl.
Ninja Sauce Release at City Tap Dupont – Thursday, May 2 @ 5pm
Those unable to make it out to Penn Quarter on Wednesday can join the Atlas team at sister restaurant City Tap Dupont (1250 Connecticut Ave NW) on Thursday for another chance to win Atlas swag and Wu-Tang Vinyl. Sip on the Belgian Pale Ale while talking with Head Brewer Daniel Vilarrubi and other Atlas brewers throughout the evening.
On Thursday, May 2, 2019, Slate Wine Bar + Bistro invites guests to toast the return of spring and rosé season at their annual rosé wine tasting, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Rosé is made by juicing red grapes and allowing the juice to soak with the skins for a very short period. The aromas and flavor of rosés are primarily influenced by the grape used to produce the wine and the method of production also plays an important part. Guests of this special evening will explore rosé wines selected by Chef/Sommelier Daniel Lledó to complement the restaurant’s seasonal a la carte menu. Two rosé wine flights will available: a European rosé wine flight featuring four two-ounce pours for $16 and an American rosé wine flight featuring three two-ounce pours for $18.
The complete list of featured wines are listed below: 2018 Arrumaco, Garnacha, Valencia, Spain; 2018 Genio Espanol, Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain; 2018 Mont Gravet, Cinsault, Languedoc, France; 2018 Gueissard, Mourvèdre, Bandol, France; 2018 Wölffer Estate, 8 Grape Blend, Long Island, New York; 2018 Stolpman, Grenache-Sangiovese, Sta. Barbara, California; 2018 Brooks, Pinot Noir, Willamette, Oregon.
For the perfect pairing, guests can enjoy Slate Wine Bar + Bistro’s Mediterranean-inspired menu which showcases the best of the season with bold flavors. Menu highlights include Grass Over Clouds withricotta gnocchi, asparagus spears and asparagus purée with parmesan; Charred Octopus with marble potatoes & cherry tomato salad with chimichurri; Super Steak Cheeseburger with chipotle aioli, tomato, lettuce, gruyere cheese on a brioche bun with skinny fries; Lamb Chops with rosemary red wine sauce and potato cake, and Lledó’s award winning paella: Fideua de Gandia with crawfish, red prawn, shrimp, cuttlefish, n°4 fideua noodle. Dishes are priced from $9 to $32.
Jonathan Drori, author and environmentalist
From India’s sacred banyan to the fragrant cedar of Lebanon, trees offer us sanctuary, inspiration and companionship – not to mention sustenance and raw materials – and forests have surprising parallels with human communities. In this fascinating and beautifully illustrated talk, Jonathan Drori, author and trustee of The Eden Project in Cornwall, and former BBC documentary film-maker and board member of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, uses plant science to illuminate how trees play a role in every part of our lives, from the romantic to the regrettable, and how they are capable of the most bizarre antics. An unmissable event for tree and nature lovers. Please note: Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Program begins at 7 p.m.
DATE: Thursday, May 2
TIME: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Conservatory Garden Court
FREE: Pre-registration required, visit www.USBG.gov/Learn
This program sponsored by the Friends of the U.S. Botanic Garden.
Official Tap Room Release at Atlas Brew Works – Friday, May 3
Celebrate the official Tap Room release at Atlas Brew Works (2052 West Virginia Ave NE) on Friday, May 3. Beginning at 4pm, the flavorful beer will be available for purchase on draft and by the six-pack to go.
Dwight Grimm, Owner and Head Mixologist of the Projectionists Club at the Greenville Drive-In, Greenville, NY
Lamiaceae, commonly known as the mint family, contains over 7,000 species found around the globe. Many of the species contain distinctive medicinal and flavor properties that humans have been utilizing for centuries. In addition to providing the flair in such classic cocktails as the mojito and the mint julep, members of the family like lemon balm, hyssop, lavender, and marjoram are often secret ingredients in the production of historic spirits. Join us on a unique sensory adventure as we smell, touch and, yes, drink, samples in a discussion of this important botanical family. Please note: Program is intended for those 21 years of age and older. Small bites and beverage samples will be provided. Doors open at 6 p.m.
DATE: Friday, May 3
TIME: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Conservatory Garden Court
FRIENDS: $35
NON-MEMBERS: $45
Pre-registration required, visit www.USBG.gov/Learn
This program sponsored by the Friends of the U.S. Botanic Garden.
The DC Chocolate Festival is back this Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 10:00 am till 5:00 pm.
This event brings together over 30 chocolate vendors and thousands of chocolate lovers for a day of tasting, talking and learning.
A celebration of artisan and fine chocolate from the Mid-Atlantic and beyond, the DC Chocolate Festival is at La Maison Francaise, Embassy of France (4101 Reservoir Road NW).
And it will bring together both chocolate makers and chocolate enthusiasts for a day of tastings and educational micro workshops.
The DC Chocolate Festival features over 30 chocolate vendors with incredible chocolate confections, treats, beverages, and craft chocolate bars from across the local area and the world!
In addition to delectable tastings, the DC Chocolate Festival offers chocolate documentaries & film screenings, books signing, talks, workshops for kids and adults and many more!
Click here for tickets.
Melrose Georgetown Hotel’s Annual Derby Day Viewing Party. Guests are invited to experience the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” in Jardenea Lounge on Saturday, May 4, from 3-7 p.m., offering partygoers and racing enthusiasts an authentic Derby Day program including classic Derby cocktails and dining options.
Immerse yourself in all things Derby with a classic Mint Julep or indulgent Bacon Bourbon cocktail. A variety of themed light-bites will be offered during the viewing ranging from Country Ham & Biscuits, Bourbon Pecan Pie and a play on the traditional Kentucky Hot Brown with crisp tater-tots.
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.
