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.
The Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center (EDCJCC) is re-opening on September 5. After an extensive 10-month renovation, the EDCJCC will be holding an evening reception for all ages to come back and explore. Attendees are encouraged to tour the new spaces and places that make up the EDCJCC.
While there are many new details, large and small, to discover, the transformation of the space will allow the building to better serve the mission of the EDCJCC with more space for programs, service projects and performances including the new Cafritz Hall with retractable seating that allows for different configurations. The historic Sixteenth Street entrance and lobby have also been preserved, providing a connection to the building’s history. This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the EDCJCC’s history, and the EDCJCC is excited to welcome back its diverse, vibrant, growing community.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2019. Please enter through the Q Street Entrance.
La Cosecha, EDENS’ upcoming contemporary Latin market (1270 4th Street NE) in the Union Market District, will celebrate its opening preview celebration with a festive block party and special concert, presented by title partner Events DC and headlined by Grammy-winning Latin fusion band Ozomatli on Saturday, September 7 from 11am-7pm.
Local pop singer-dancer Jason Cerda will also perform during the free, open-to-the-public event, which will serve as a Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff event and is being curated in collaboration with local music production group All Things Go. Additional musical acts include Salt Cathedral, Mario + Jose, Jonathan Acosta, DJ Bembona, DJ Renzo, DJ Nicolas Losada and Batalá.
The Calle Latina block party’s family-friendly activities include a special Latin-inspired face painting menu created by Colombia-born local muralist MasPaz, Con Sabor kids’ dance classes, chef demos and a flash mob led by Cerda.
Guests will also get a sneak peek at all of the La Cosecha partners: El Cielo, NOVA BOSSA, Amparo, Ali Pacha, Grand Cata, Serenata, Café Unido, Filos Bakery, Zona E Home, La Casita and Peruvian Brothers.
In partnership with sponsors the D.C. Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment, Carlos Rosario School, and Bacardi, the block party will feature additional pop ups by New Latin Wave, Se Habla Español, The Future is Latina, Andeana Hats, Adelante Shoes, Arcay Chocolates, Piña & Coco, Wonder for People and Politics & Prose, Arepa Zone, Ilegal Mezcal and Bacardi.
“After considerable time spent planning and curating La Cosecha, we’re excited and proud to invite all to our preview block party, Calle Latina, where we’ll be celebrating the colors, textures and sounds of Latin America. The ongoing insights and assistance from Latin embassy partners and the city’s cultural tastemakers have been invaluable in the creation of this new marketplace,” says EDENS CEO Jodie W. McLean. “Inclusivity and cultural appreciation are the foundation of any strong community and seem more important now than ever. We hope that by showcasing these dynamic cultures, we can spark conversations and relationships across diverse cultures.”
Ozomatli, known as much for their music as their activism, are two-time Grammy winners with a one-of-a-kind sound that encompasses a wide array of musical styles, including salsa, jazz, funk, reggae, rap and more. Since their inception in 1995, Ozomatli has performed all over the world in places like China, Tunisia, Jordan and Burma, serving both as cultural ambassadors and advocates for farm workers’ rights and immigration reform.
D.C.-area native Cerda is a double-threat singer and dancer, boasting Billboard-charting singles Al Lado Mio, Color Favorito and Un Poco Mas, as well as a 3,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art dance studio in northern Virginia.
La Cosecha’s partnerships with Latin embassies, cultural and diplomatic leaders and strategic stakeholders from the Latin community will solidify the new marketplace as a national platform for Latin culture and cuisine. Cultural opportunities for the larger community will include art exhibits, film screenings, live performances, media lab space and outdoor activations throughout the year.
To RSVP for La Cosecha’s Calle Latina block party, please visit www.lacosechadc.com/callelatina.
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
Bring the whole family—including pets!—to support Smithsonian conservation efforts all over the world at The Fast & the Fierce 5K, sponsored by Aegis Project Controls. Friends of the National Zoo will host its second annual race for wildlife at Freedom Plaza in downtown Washington, D.C., Saturday, Sept. 14.
Like the inaugural run, the event focuses on a Conservation Nation rhino project. This year, the race will raise funds for black rhinos in South Africa, where researchers hope to learn critical information about how the species’ diet impacts its immune system and ability to reproduce as its numbers dwindle in the wild.
Costumes are encouraged, but not required, and the 5K will be followed by a short afterparty featuring an award ceremony honoring winners in all categories, including top runners by age group, stand-out pups and stellar outfits.
“Run or walk, fundraise, wear a fun costume or just cheer on fellow conservationists from the sidelines—support wildlife conservation however you can. Your pet can even register for their own fundraising page,” said Lynn Mento, Executive Director of Friends of the National Zoo.
Though race day might be months away, conservationists don’t have to wait to make a difference for animals. Participants can create their own page now atwww.fonz.org/5k to fundraise for Conservation Nation, a Friends of the National Zoo initiative that supports global wildlife projects to save endangered animals.
In addition to creating their own pages, supporters can set goals and win prizes for reaching milestones. Those who can’t attend can still sign up for free as a virtual runner, fundraising and helping to save rhinos from the comfort of their own couch.
Registration closes at noon on Friday, Sept. 13. Fundraising proceeds will directly benefit rhinos and Conservation Nation projects across the globe, including those that focus on marine mammals in Peru, tapirs in Paraguay, Meadowlarks in North America and elephants in Myanmar.
Go to www.fonz.org/5k for more information or to register.
Safe Space NOVA to Host Inaugural Fundraiser Brunch Event
Who: Safe Space NOVA
WUSA9’s Lorenzo Hall to serve as MC
What: Inaugural Fundraiser Brunch Event
When: Saturday, September 14, 2019
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: The Garden
5380 Eisenhower Avenue (Suite C)
Alexandria, VA 22304
Tickets: $50 includes admission into the event and one drink ticket
Additional drinks can be purchased at the event
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/safe-space-nova-2019-brunch-fundraiser-tickets-67073006167
Safe Space NOVA, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization serving LGBT+ youth in the Northern Virginia area, will host its first ever Brunch Fundraiser on Saturday, September 14, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at The Garden, located at 5380 Eisenhower Avenue (Suite C) in Alexandria. WUSA9 reporter/anchor Lorenzo Hall will serve as MC for the event. The purpose for the brunch fundraiser is multifaceted. Safe Space NOVA wants to educate the community on the issues LGBT+ youth face, tell the story of why and how the organization exists, and ask for support to continue programming.
First, one of the most important goals of this event is to bring awareness to the intolerance the LGBT+ youth experience in this troubling socioeconomic and political climate. Did you know that 10% of students who identify as LGBT+ were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property? Or that 34% were bullied on school property? If you didn’t know that, you are not alone. Those stats come from the Center for Disease control in 2015 which surveys the state of physical and mental health of LGBT+ youth.
One approach to combat bullying and ridicule is to foster safe, accepting and supportive environment with other youth that are experiencing the same challenges along with adults who identify as LGBT. It is for that reason Safe Space NOVA was created. Founding Executive Director, Jordan L. Costen, realized that there was no place for LGBT+ youth who were feeling unloved and possibly rejected by society simply because of their gender identity or sexual orientation to feel safe. To that point he made a space for that to occur.
Safe Space NOVA was founded in 2016 with the goal of inviting LGBT+ youth across Northern Virginia to include the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County and Loudoun County, to participate in social activities that are inviting, fun and most of all safe. To date the organization has hosted numerous activities to include movie socials, laser tag, miniature golf and dances to name a few.
Hispanic Heritage Month Concert: New Inca Son
Saturday, Sept. 14, 2 p.m.
Begin the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month a day early this year with a free concert by New Inca Son at the National Museum of the American Indian. Acclaimed throughout the world for their performances of traditional Andean melodies and dances, the musicians of New Inca Son are committed to cultivating understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures, especially among children and young people.
The award-winning band is joined by scissors dancers Danzante Maldición and Supay Wayra. Traditionally danced in Quechua communities of south-central Peru, the Danza de Tijeras, or Scissors Dance, calls on dancers to outdo each other in acrobatic skill while striking scissors blades together to the changing rhythm and tempo of the music. No two scissors dances are ever the same, and every dance is a jaw-dropping experience.
Fairmont Washington, D.C. Georgetown is adding a Paella Fest to its renowned Paella Night Wednesdays with some of DC’s most renowned and talented chefs to benefit Horton’s Kids.
On Wednesday, September 18th from 5 pm to 7 pm, Fairmont’s Executive Chef Jordi Gallardo welcomes Chefs Cinthia Bonilla from Mola Restaurant and Carlos Gomez Segovia from Taberna del Alabardero to join him in preparing and serving their own version of Spanish Paella.
Guests will love tasting delicioso varieties of Paella in the hotel’s courtyard:
Chef Cinthia Bonilla – Paella de Mariscos
Chef Jordi Gallardo – Mediterranean Paella, O Paella Mixta
Chef Carlos Gomez Segovia – Black Paella
While sipping sangria guests will be entertained in Spanish style with a live Flamenco guitarist.
Lush landscaping, cozy fire pits and ample seating creates the perfect venue for Chefs Gallardo, Bonilla and Segovia’s live paella stations. Using their own recipes they will prepare and serve their own authentic Paella made authentic ingredients including shrimp, chicken, mussels and secret ingredients in their giant pans.
An array of gazpacho, pan con tomate, anchego cheese, serrano ham, tortilla de patatas, olives, anchovies and flan de caramel will accompany the chefs Paella.
Specially priced glasses of red and white sangria will be available along with the regular happy hour cocktail menu. Flamenco music will entertain guests in Spanish style. A percentage of the proceeds will go directly to Horton’s Kids Horton’s Kids empowers children growing up in one of Washington, DC’s most under-resourced communities so that they graduate from high school ready for success in college, career, and life. https://www.hortonskids.org/
Fairmont’s Paella Fest is $15 per person, reservations are available on Eventbrite at: https://fairmontwashingtonpaellafest.eventbrite.com
