On Saturday, February 24, 2024, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic will host its annual Wish Ball at the elegantly restored Waldorf Astoria, Washington, D.C. This annual event, which attracts more than 650 guests each year, raises awareness & funds for life-changing wishes for local children in the Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and Maryland region who are battling critical illnesses. Founded in 1983, the Mid-Atlantic chapter has granted over 11,000 since its inception. Wish kids face any number of critical illnesses such as cancer, pediatric AIDS, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Duchene’s muscular dystrophy, kidney and heart disease. Every year, 450 local children are expected to receive a diagnosis that makes them eligible for a wish, and no child is turned away. For every wish granted, at least one more local child is waiting.
Join for a fun and inspirational night of great food and wine, entertainment by Lucy Black Gold, live & silent auctions, and inspirational wish stories. Tickets are priced at $500 per person with sponsorship packages ranging in price from $5,000 to $50,000. Tickets & sponsorship packages are available for purchase at About Wish Ball (wishballmidatlantic.org)
WHEN: Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 12 Midnight.
WHERE: The Waldorf Astoria, Washington, D.C. is located at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004. Room reservations for Wish Ball attendees can be made here.
WHO: Co-Chairs for 2024 Wish Ball: Katherine & Benjamin Berman and Sophie & Stephen LaMontagne, Georgetown Cupcake and Laura Szlavin Niamien & Joel Niamien, Wish Parents, Szinc Consulting LLC | Walton Enterprises
Honoring Peter Shields & Ace Werner
The 8th Annual National Cannabis Festival returns to The Festival Grounds at RFK Campus on April 19 & 20 headlined by Wu-Tang Clan with Redman and Thundercat.
In addition to the concert, NCF ticket holders can explore sweet and savory eats, check out the epic Exhibitor Fair featuring more than 100 brands, enjoy demos, comedy, panel discussions, eating contests, and more in the Education Pavilions, visit sponsor activations and grab swag site-wide, all while checking out the talent rocking out the main stage on both days.
The 8th Annual National Cannabis Festival returns to The Festival Grounds at RFK Campus on April 19 & 20 headlined by Wu-Tang Clan with Redman and Thundercat.
In addition to the concert, NCF ticket holders can explore sweet and savory eats, check out the epic Exhibitor Fair featuring more than 100 brands, enjoy demos, comedy, panel discussions, eating contests, and more in the Education Pavilions, visit sponsor activations and grab swag site-wide, all while checking out the talent rocking out the main stage on both days.
Capital Harvest Market (CHoP), a weekly downtown market, opens for a 16th season. Explore a vibrant array of specialty foods, take a culinary tour around the world, and indulge in locally produced, small-batch and handcrafted products along with seasonal offerings from over 25 vendors. Visitors can also indulge in artistic expressions while enjoying delicious food and vibrant community spirit when the Capital Arts Collective joins CHoP on the Woodrow Wilson Plaza.
WHEN: Every Wednesday, May 1 to October 20, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Capital Harvest Market (CHoP), a weekly downtown market, opens for a 16th season. Explore a vibrant array of specialty foods, take a culinary tour around the world, and indulge in locally produced, small-batch and handcrafted products along with seasonal offerings from over 25 vendors. Visitors can also indulge in artistic expressions while enjoying delicious food and vibrant community spirit when the Capital Arts Collective joins CHoP on the Woodrow Wilson Plaza.
WHEN: Every Wednesday, May 1 to October 20, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Capital Harvest Market (CHoP), a weekly downtown market, opens for a 16th season. Explore a vibrant array of specialty foods, take a culinary tour around the world, and indulge in locally produced, small-batch and handcrafted products along with seasonal offerings from over 25 vendors. Visitors can also indulge in artistic expressions while enjoying delicious food and vibrant community spirit when the Capital Arts Collective joins CHoP on the Woodrow Wilson Plaza.
WHEN: Every Wednesday, May 1 to October 20, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Joseph de Bologne, Chevalier de Saint Georges — Sonata for Two Violins No. 1 in B flat Major
Felix Mendelssohn — Violin Concerto in E Minor Op.64
Ludwig van Beethoven — Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor” Op.73
The Artists
Violinist Leonid Sushansky, celebrated for his “gorgeous tone” and “passionate intensity” by The Washington Post and The New York Times, made his Carnegie Hall recital debut in 2005 and has performed globally with orchestras, and as a recitalist, and chamber musician. He has garnered acclaim for performances with prestigious orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic and the Berlin Chamber Orchestra.
Carlos César Rodríguez, hailed for his brilliance and versatility, is renowned as a virtuoso pianist excelling in Hispanic and Spanish repertoire as well as Mozart and romantic works. Rodríguez continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his exceptional performances and leadership in music education.
Najin Kim, Assistant Principal Second Violin of the Washington National Opera Orchestra/ Kennedy Center Opera House, previously served as Associate Concertmaster of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. Kim’s distinguished career includes performances at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center.
Hanbing Jia, Assistant Concertmaster of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and section first violinist in both the National Philharmonic and the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, has performed extensively across the US, Europe, and China. Jia holds a Master of Music degree and Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University.
Uri Wassertzug, a versatile violist, has performed globally with chamber music ensembles and as a guest artist, notably in New Zealand and Alaska. A member of the Washington National Opera/Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, he frequently serves as Guest Principal Violist with the National Philharmonic.
Steven Honigberg is a member of the National Symphony Orchestra. He has showcased his talent in recitals in Washington DC, New York, and across the US. He has appeared as a soloist with esteemed orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra.
The 40th Helen Hayes Awards will take place on Monday, May 20, 2024 at The Anthem, on the District Wharf, with a celebratory party to follow. Esteemed Washington theatre artists Felicia Curry, Rayanne Gonzales, Maria Rizzo, and Tom Story will host an evening showcasing the vibrant and diverse community of professional theatre artists in the Washington region. They will be joined by an ensemble of DC-based performers, including Quadry Brown, Carolyn Burke, Victoria Gomez, Sarah Anne Sillers, and Wood Van Meter.
Tickets for the event are $75 for general admission seats and $350 for a seated dinner. Information on all tickets and sponsorships is available here.
“The contributions of DC-area theatre makers extend far beyond the stage. The Helen Hayes Awards recognize the impact theatre has on our region, country, and globe. Shared experience, understanding, empathy, and insight are some of the ways that theatre changes us and makes us better citizens,” said Amy Austin, Theatre Washington President and CEO. “This is a night to celebrate the expansive creative local industry professionals who create and produce plays and musicals on stages seven days a week, 365 days a year.”
The event will recognize work from 151 eligible productions presented in the 2023 calendar year, with nominations made in 41 categories. Productions under consideration in 2023 included 44 musicals, 107 plays, and 36 world premieres.
The 2024 Helen Hayes Tribute will honor Peter Marks, former Theater Critic at the Washington Post. Marks stepped down in late 2023 after serving in this role for 21 years. This award recognizes Marks’ decades of knowledgeable and thoughtful writing about the DC-area, national, and international theatre landscape. He offered nuanced theatre criticism and reporting and he contributed immensely to the recognition of the artistic vibrancy of our region.
Named for actor Helen Hayes – a Washington native and legendary First Lady of the American Theatre – the Helen Hayes Awards has honored excellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington region, now celebrating forty years. Nominations are grouped in “Helen” or “Hayes” cohorts, depending on the number of Equity members involved in the production.
Capital Harvest Market (CHoP), a weekly downtown market, opens for a 16th season. Explore a vibrant array of specialty foods, take a culinary tour around the world, and indulge in locally produced, small-batch and handcrafted products along with seasonal offerings from over 25 vendors. Visitors can also indulge in artistic expressions while enjoying delicious food and vibrant community spirit when the Capital Arts Collective joins CHoP on the Woodrow Wilson Plaza.
WHEN: Every Wednesday, May 1 to October 20, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
