Compassion Over Killing (COK) is proud to present the DC VegFest on Sunday, August 11 in a brand new location: Nationals Park! The DC VegFest is a free fun-filled festival of food, music, education, and inspiration with more than 20,000 attendees who join the celebration each year.
Featuring over 120 vendors and exhibitors, thousands of festival-goers – vegans and pre-vegans alike – will experience plant-based eating’s many flavors, and learn how each of us can protect the planet, our health, and animals simply by enjoying vegan meals.
On the main stage, emceed by DC comedian Sean Savoy, celebrity speakers will share inspiring talks and expert chefs will dazzle the crowd with their culinary creations.
This year’s DC VegFest keynote speakers include:
- Tracye McQuirter, author of By Any Greens Necessary
- Neil Barnard, author and founding president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
- Brenda Sanders, food activist and Executive Director of Afro-Vegan Society
- Plus, cooking demos from Joe Yonan of the Washington Post, and plant-based chef Bev Kumari
A new TryVeg Tasting Booth will be hosted by Jessica Carter, COK’s talented Vegan Food & Lifestyle Coach, seen often on DC morning shows. The Kid’s Zone includes a built in playground plus we’ll be featuring activities like face painting, and an interactive cartooning demonstration with Eric Lindstrom, COK’s Director of Marketing.
The festival will also feature an exciting new VIP Lounge where wristband holders will receive a loaded commemorative tote bag, mingle with VegFest speakers and chefs, and enjoy exclusive food and product samples, including a selection from Vegan Treats.
Since 2009, DC VegFest has been bringing the community together for a day of compassionate celebration that everyone can enjoy. This year’s exciting new location at Nats Park means even more fun: built-in shade, indoor restrooms, an awesome kids playground, and misting fans to beat the summer heat. More information on this year’s new venue can be found at DCVegFest.com.
“As we embark on another year hosting the DC VegFest, expecting 25,000 to join us, Compassion Over Killing is thrilled that Washington, DC is home to an abundance of delicious and nutritious plant-based food and is setting a positive tone for a much-needed national dialogue about the far-reaching impact of our food choices on the planet, our health, and animals,” says Erica Meier, Executive Director of Compassion Over Killing.
Vegan food will be served by dozens of vendors including Vegan Treats, Amsterdam Falafelshop, Brewing Good Coffee, Bakeshop DC, Ben & Jerry’s, and YogiDog.
Over 100 nonprofit and commercial exhibitors will set up shop for the day: Dr. Bronner’s, A Well-Fed World, Roots Market, Barnard Medical Center, TryVeg.com, and many more.
Drawing a line of 2,000 people before the start of the festival, free commemorative tote bags, stocked with gifts and samples from our sponsors, will be given out to the first 1,000 attendees. VegFest-goers will also be able to donate to receive exciting bonuses like a reserved tote bag or a chance to skip the line at the popular Vegan Treats booth.
For more information, visit DCVegFest.com
Downtown DC’s newest pop up arts market launches as Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (RRB/ITC) hosts Capital Arts Collective. The series kicks off on June 20 and continues through September every third Thursday of the month from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Locals and passersby can shop and explore a curated selection of items by the area’s most talented creatives, including everything from jewelry, paintings, candles, custom designed items, home goods, and more.
Capital Arts Collective aims to celebrate and support the local art scene. The RRB/ITC is excited to welcome homegrown artisans to Wilson Plaza; with plenty of seating and eateries it’s the perfect place for art enthusiasts of all ages, to grab lunch, browse and shop from the best creators in the DMV area. Capital Arts Collective is a program of RRB/ITC and is sponsored by TCMA (A Drew Company).
View this summer’s artists: https://itcdc.com/capital-
What: Capital Arts Collective (#CapitalArtsCollective)
When: June 20, July 18, August 15, & September 19, from 10 am- 2 pm.
Where: Wilson Plaza at Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Metro: Federal Triangle Station
Who: Free and open to the public
SMITHSONIAN at 8, in collaboration with the National Museum of African Art and the Freer | Sackler Galleries presents A Garden Party: From Africa to Asia
WHEN: Fri., Aug. 16, 8–11 p.m. (7–11 p.m. for VIP ticket-holders)
WHERE: Smithsonian’s Enid A. Haupt Garden, National Museum of African Art, and Sackler Gallery (Entrances at 1000 Independence Ave. and 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington, DC)
There’s no better place to celebrate summer than the Enid A. Haupt Garden, flanked on either side by the National Museum of African Art and the Sackler Gallery. Spend a late-summer evening in the dramatically lit garden and enjoy exclusive late-night access to galleries featuring art from the African and Asian continents.
Take in two exciting new exhibitions spotlighting the work of women: I Am…Contemporary Women Artists of Africa at the African Art Museum and My Iran: Six Women Photographers at the Sackler.
Add music by DJ Alkimist, specialty cocktails, and curators’ talks, and you’ve got an artful garden party you just can’t miss.
More of the evening’s features include:
- A GIF photo booth courtesy of OM Digital
- A cash bar provided by Geppetto Catering
- Food for sale by Geppetto Catering, Teaism, and Ruby Scoops
- A scavenger hunt throughout both museums
Come dressed in your global garden-party best!
Garden party guests have two outstanding Smithsonian museums all to themselves, featuring exhibits focusing on everything from the breathtaking gold jewelry of Senegalese women to a look at artwork that explores Asia’s rich Buddhist heritage. Explore what’s on view at the African Art Museum and the Sackler Gallery. Channel your inner curator as you investigate the influence of women on the Smithsonian collections.
The party goes on rain or shine! In case of rain, the event will take place inside the S. Dillon Ripley Center, which connects to both museums underground.
Special features for VIP ticket-holders: Exclusive early access to the event from 7 to 8 p.m., including an open bar featuring beer, wine, and specialty cocktails and small bites, courtesy of Nando’s, Teaism, JRINK, and Sweet Teensy Bakery. (Please note that these VIP benefits are available only between 7 and 8 p.m.)
Advance sale: $30 /VIP $55
At the door: General Admission: $35 /VIP $60
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater kicks off the 2019/20 Season with a free Community Day and Props Sale on Saturday, August 24, 2019 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Mead Center (1101 Sixth Street, SW). The day will feature an Arena Stage Prop Sale with beautiful pieces from Arena Stage productions up for sale; performances from award nominated tap dancer Leo Manzari (Arena Stage’s Sophisticated Ladies, Tappin Thru Life and Hoizer’s music video for “Almost (Sweet Music)”); and a behind-the-scenes Q&A with our Arena Stage Production Team to discuss some of Arena’s most exciting productions!
Filled with activities for all ages, this full day of programming celebrates Arena Stage’s 2019/20 Season. Feel the rhythm of Southwest D.C. through dynamic, live music, face painting, storytelling, great food, pony rides and dance performances that reflect the sounds and themes of the upcoming Arena Stage season. Traditional and contemporary Cuban rhythms will be brought to life by the DC Cuban All-Stars; the jazz, blues and soul vocalist Akua Allrich will give audiences a feel for the music in August Wilson’s Seven Guitars; and the DC Casineros Dance Company will offer classes and performances that can make anyone a dancer. Community Day is FREE and open to the public. No reservations are required.
Other scheduled activities include live music from Americana band Justin Trawick and the Common Good; fantastic aerial performances from Wings Aerial Entertainment; music by trumpeter, singer and lyricist Jared “MK Zulu” Bailey; face painting; and great food from restaurants in Southwest D.C. including Masala Art and Station 4.
Arena Stage’s Props Sale beginning at 1 p.m., features select prop items from historic productions including Carousel, Anything Goes, South Pacific, Kleptocracy, Disgraced, Smart People, Mother Courage and Junk. Items range from $1-$900 and include full dining room table sets, lounge chairs, and specially-priced handmade prop and set pieces that will be perfect in any living or office space. Both cash and credit cards are accepted.
Beginning at 2 p.m. Arena’s Grape Stand will open. This wine and beer garden will offer guests 21 and over the opportunity to relax on Arena’s terrace with a glass of wine or a cold beer while playing a variety of lawn games.
For additional details about Community Day on August 24, visit arenastage.org/communityday.
Join us for an exhilarating dance performance!
Step Afrika!, the world’s first professional dance company dedicated to the tradition of stepping, celebrates its 25th anniversary season with the energetic and exciting 7th annual Step Xplosion tour of all eight wards in Washington, D.C. This free tour includes performances and workshops for all ages. NMWA hosts the Ward 2 lunchtime performance. Enjoy this interactive experience and then grab a bite at the museum’s Mezzanine Café. For more information about other tour performances, visit www.stepafrika.org.
PRICE: Free. Registration not required.
Cultural Capital: Step Afrika!
Friday, Aug. 30, 12–1 p.m.
Step Afrika!, the world’s first professional dance company dedicated to the tradition of stepping, celebrates its 25th anniversary season with the energetic and exciting 7th annual Step Xplosion tour of all eight wards in Washington, D.C. This free tour includes performances and workshops for all ages. NMWA hosts the Ward 2 lunchtime performance. Enjoy this interactive experience and then grab a bite at the museum’s Mezzanine Café. For more information about other tour performances, visit www.stepafrika.org. Free. No reservations required.
8 p.m. Eisenhower Theater
What the Constitution Means to Me
Heidi Schreck’s timely and galvanizing play, directed by Oliver Butler, became a sensation off-Broadway last fall before transferring to Broadway this spring and receiving two Tony Award® nominations (Best Play, Best Actress in Leading Role in a Play)and two Drama Desk Award nominations (Outstanding Play, Outstanding Actress in a Play).
Tickets: $45-129
Tickets are on sale now for the Friends of the National Zoo’s annual wine fest, and this year, the event boasts an impressive selection of bottles, all rated 90 points or above. Zoo Uncorked returns to the heart of Washington, D.C. and the beautiful setting of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Thursday, Sept. 12 from 6-9 p.m.
Professionals will pour wine ranging from a berry-rich Bordeaux, to an Italian chardonnay with notes of pineapple, to a honey-tinged pinot gris from a sustainable vineyard in Oregon.
“We’re so excited about Zoo Uncorked this year—the wine will be truly exceptional, so the tastings will be fun and delicious. And it’s so great to be at the Zoo under the stars for this event, enjoying wine and supporting conservation work, here and around the globe,” said Lynn Mento, Executive Director at Friends of the National Zoo.
As attendees explore the Zoo grounds after hours, they’ll have the opportunity to see all sorts of incredible animals—and even meet an African penguin. Big Cats Circle will be open for the duration of the event, and from 6-8:30 p.m., attendees are welcome to explore the Think Tank, where they might catch a glimpse of young orangutan Redd.
Food trucks will sell award-winning crepes, gourmet popcorn and authentic handmade dumplings, while keyboardist and pianist Marcus Johnson will perform his contemporary jazz hits for crowds. The D.C. staple and NAACP-Image award winner will bring wines from his own collection, FLO Wine, for guests to sample.
VIP guests can look forward to delicious cuisine from local restaurants, a dessert bar and exclusive animal encounters at Conservation Pavilion. They also will receive a surprise complimentary animal-themed gift courtesy of TrueZoo.
Go to www.fonz.org/uncorked for more information or to buy tickets.
Ticket prices:
GA: $55 | Non-member: $70
VIP: $99 | Non-member: $115
Sober: $30 GA | $95 VIP