Events/Things To Do

Christopher Tin’s To Shiver the Sky: An Inside Look
Saturday August 29, 2020 • 7 p.m. ET • YouTube Live

An online event exploring the call of the heavens, the history of flight, exploration, courage, and the birth of an oratorio: To Shiver the Sky

Danielle de Niese

soprano
Christopher Tin

conductor
The United States Air Force Band
Colonel Don Schofield, Commander and Conductor

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson

Launch Director, John F. Kennedy Space Center

Dr. Michelle Thaller

Astrophysicist and Astronomer – NASA

Jenny Bilfield

President & CEO, Washington Performing Arts

Originally scheduled as a live, world premiere concert in Washington, D.C. in May 2020, the event has been re-imagined and re-shaped into a new online format of music, interviews and live Q&A. No payment or advance registration is required for the event on Saturday, August 29 at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT, 6 p.m. CT). Viewers can bookmark and watch it here.

To Shiver the Sky is an oratorio about humankind’s quest to conquer the heavens and the history of flight. Told through the words of 11 of our greatest astronomers, inventors, visionaries and pilots, the work offers the chance to hear from Christopher Tin (in words, music and film) his inspiration for setting to music our relentless need to explore the universe, defy our earthly bonds and ultimately claim our place among the stars.

Tin joins forces with soprano Danielle de Niese and the United States Air Force Band in a world-premiere performance of “Courage”—a filmed movement from To Shiver the Sky created especially for this event—setting to music the words of Amelia Earhart, American aviation pioneer, author, and equal-rights advocate.

The program also includes contributions from two major figures in aviation and exploration: Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Launch Director (NASA) at John F. Kennedy Space Center; and Dr Michelle Thaller, Astrophysicist and Astronomer (NASA), Goddard Space Flight Center.

The event continues with a live interview between Tin and Washington Performing Arts President & CEO Jenny Bilfield, reflecting on the themes of To Shiver the Sky and the reimagining of this event from a traditional concert to a novel online experience, and concludes with a live Q&A.

“I’d like this music, and the album, to be a reminder of an era when humanity could pull together to achieve the incredible. We believed in our own greatness. We believed in our ability to solve the scourge of World Wars, to cure diseases, and to break the bonds of Earth. We were once great, and we can be great again.

“It’s awful that live music isn’t possible at the moment but, true to our nature, we find ways to overcome obstacles. And we hope that the internet can democratize the viewing experience for all to share.” (Christopher Tin)

The Tea: Tamika Love Jones
In this new online series, women musicians perform original work on the first Friday of the month. Each session includes a short interview, conducted over a cup of tea, which explores the artist’s creative process. The series kicks off with Tamika Love Jones, a versatile vocalist, actress, mother of two and a sought after Teaching Artist in Washington, D.C. She has released three albums of original music incorporating soul, hip-hop, jazz, funk, blues and classical influences. Jones’s dramatic stage presence, acrobatic vocals and fluidity between genres has put her in a class of her own.

WHERE
Online, streaming on Facebook and nmwa.org  

WHEN
Friday, September 4, 12–1 p.m. 

PRICE
Free. No reservations required. Add to your calendar here.

In celebration of Labor Day, more than 30 musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) will perform a safe, physically distant concert on the Kennedy Center Concert Hall stage to be livestreamed at Event’s DC’s Park Up DC, a pop-up drive-in movie and entertainment experience at the RFK Campus. The performance, which is in place of the NSO’s annual Labor Day Capital Concerts performance, is FREE to attend and is open up to 350 cars. Each car will need to be registered via the Park Up DC site in order to attend. This event also marks the first concert simulcast at Park Up DC.

The full program, featuring all American composers, is located below. The performance will also be recorded and broadcast on Labor Day (September 7) via the Kennedy Center’s Social Media channels at 12 noon.

WHO: Members of the National Symphony Orchestra

WHEN:  Sunday, September 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Park Up DC located at the historic RFK Campus Lot 5 (2400 East Capitol St NE, Washington, D.C. 20003)

Full Program (with Composers)

Strum………………………………………………………………….………..Jessie Montgomery

Lyric for Strings……………………………………………………..………………George Walker

Danzas de Panama, “Tamborito”…………………………………………………….William Grant Still

Mother and Child………..……………………………………………..………….…..William Grant Still

Danzas de Panama, “Cumbia y Congo”…………………….………………………William Grant Still

“Coquetos” from An Andean Walkabout ………………………………………….Gabriela Lena Frank

Appalachian Spring ………………………………………………………………Aaron Copland

“America the Beautiful”…………………………………………………………………………….Arr. Kessler

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is excited to announce The 38th Annual RAMMY Awards will return to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Sunday, July 26, 2020. A centerpiece of the summer, The RAMMYS are presented in collaboration with top sponsor Events DC, and bring together culinary artists and hospitality professionals from across the region for one of the top black-tie events of the season. The long-standing awards honor the ability and accomplishments of the hard-working individuals and organizations that make the region’s restaurants and foodservice community thrive.

“Our diverse and vibrant restaurant scene across the region continues to flourish and we’ve added so many exciting new restaurants and new talents to the mix,” said Kathy E. Hollinger, President and CEO of Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. “The July 26^th RAMMYS will be, as always, a perfect way to showcase all of the incredible chefs and restaurants and throw them a celebration to remember!”

Nominations for 20 awards categories will open in early January, with finalists announced in April. For more information on The 38th Annual RAMMY Awards, email therammys@ramw.org or call 202-331-5990.

WHEN:            Sunday, July 26, 2020

                        5pm to 6pm Reception

                        6pm to 7pm Awards Ceremony

                        7pm to 11pm Dinner & Party

WHERE:           Walter E. Washington Convention Center

                        801 Mt Vernon Pl NW

                        Washington, DC 20001

Walt Wilkins and Marc Douglas Berardo On-line Benefit Concert

Reserve: omuseum.org/wilkins

Tickets: $15 per person

Date: September 27, 2020 at 6:00 pm

Presented by Susie’s Virtual Songwriter Series

Relax in your own home and join us for some great music and storytelling at this live, on-line intimate music experience with Walt Wilkins & Marc Douglas Berardo.

ABOUT WALT WILKINS (www.waltwilkins.com):

Songwriter, singer, traveler, troubadour – the calling I answered, the life I chose, the way I make my way. ​I chose to go full time on this road 25 years ago. Its been a spiritual quest, an amazing trip, at turns heartbreaking & transcendent.

In that time I’ve made 9 solo records, 4 records with The Mighty Mystiqueros, 1 with my wife Tina, and there’s a new live record with my friend Kevin Welch. I’ve had 100 or more songs recorded by other artists, traveled a fair part of the world, and had some very, very large times.I get to work with some inspiring artists on their records, most often with the coolest cat on the field, Ron Flynt, at his Jumping Dog Studio in Austin.

ABOUT MARC DOUGLAS BERARDO (www.marcdouglas.com):
Rhode Island based Marc Douglas Berardo is a hardworking, fast moving, adventure seeking, keen observer who lives for the story and the song. No Depression Magazine called his latest CD Whalebone: “a highly polished personal collection with songs that are on the delicate trapeze of poignancy.” He has been nationally recognized for his music and performances (Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Song contest, Telluride Troubadour Contest, Sisters Folk Festival, 2013 Rams Head Onstage Rammie for Show of the Year).

He has opened for the stage with heavyweights such as The Doobie Brothers, The Pousette Dart Band, Jimmy Lafave, Martin Sexton, 10,000 Maniacs, Red Molly, John Hiatt, The New Riders of the Purple Sage, The Buffalo Springfield, Kevin Welch, Lucy Kaplansky, David Olney, Kim Richey, Will Kimbrough and Livingston Taylor. As a member of Chris Berardo and The DesBerardo Band with his brother Chris, Marc has been a part of shows with classic rock acts including Little Feat, The Marshall Tucker Band, Foreigner, Badfinger, Reckless Kelly, America, David Allen Coe, Levon Helm, Dickey Betts and Great Southern and others.

Don’t miss these great singer, songwriters perform right in your own home.

All proceeds will benefit O Museum, a nonprofit organization that celebrates the works of people who have devoted themselves to bettering the lives of others. Our mission is to empower people to do what they love — dare to be different — and have fun. We inspire creativity, diversity, and imagination through the fusion of the arts, science, and sports.

The Tea: Tashera
In this new online series, women musicians perform original work on the first Friday of the month. Conducted over a cup of tea, each session includes a short interview exploring the artist’s creative process. Join us and local singer and songwriter Tashera.

Tashera was born and raised in the heart of Baltimore City. She sees the city as a place full of talented and creative minds, which led to her pursuit of music. After discovering her love for harmony and songwriting, Tashera released the singles “Fall Alone” (2018) and “Get Up” (2019). She is currently working on the release of her first EP.

WHERE:
Online, streaming on Facebook and nmwa.org

WHEN:
Friday, October 2, 12–1 p.m.

PRICE:
Free. No reservations required.