The 2014 Opera Ball will be hosted by His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan and Mrs. Kenichiro Sasae
at their official residence on Nebraska Avenue, N.W., one of the most prestigious diplomatic
residences in the city. The Opera Ball will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2014 and is a highlight of
the city’s cultural, philanthropic, and social season.
Dr. Sachiko Kuno and Phebe N. Novakovic will be the Co-Chairmen of this season’s
Opera Ball. Dr. Kuno, a prominent scientist and biomedical researcher, is a longtime supporter of
Washington National Opera and the co-founder of the S&R Foundation, which recognizes
talented young scientists and artists for their distinguished work in fields of science and fine arts,
especially those who contribute to U.S.-Japanese understanding. Ms. Novakovic is Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of General Dynamics Corporation, a leading aerospace and defense
company based in Falls Church, Virginia. General Dynamics is a longstanding supporter of WNO
and is currently a major sponsor of its 2013-2014 season.
Constance Milstein de La Haye St. Hilaire, who chaired last season’s Opera Ball at the
Embassy of Italy’s Villa Firenze, will serve as this season’s Honorary Chair.
“We are very proud to host the 2014 Opera Ball at our residence,” said Ambassador
Sasae. “With WNO’s new production of The Magic Flute designed by the Japanese artist Jun
Kaneko and with Opera Ball at our home, we look forward to seeing the Opera take on a
decidedly Japanese flavor next spring.”
As in previous years, the elegant black-tie event will include intimate dinners hosted by
many ambassadors at their embassies or residences throughout the city. Following these private
dinners, guests will gather at the residence of Ambassador and Mrs. Sasae for a festive evening
of dancing, dessert, and music that will highlight the Japanese tradition of hospitality.
The Opera Ball is WNO’s largest fundraiser and one of Washington’s most anticipated
events of the year. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Opera Ball support the Opera’s
award-winning artistic, educational, and outreach programs. Recent Opera Balls have been
hosted by the embassies of Italy (2013), the United Arab Emirates (2012), the People’s Republic
of China (2011), the Russian Federation (2010), Germany (2009), and France (2008). Japan last
hosted the Opera Ball in 2000.
TICKET INFORMATION:
Reservations for embassy dinners and the 2014 Opera Ball will be available in the coming
months. For more information about attending the Opera Ball, or to receive an invitation, guests
should contact the Special Events office at (202) 416-8496 or operaball@kennedy-center.org.
visit www.kennedy-center.org/operaball.
The Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery will host “Asia After Dark: Bollywood and Beyond,” the 10th in its series of popular afterhours parties, on Saturday, June 7, featuring the sights and sounds of classic Bollywood films, ancient Indian artwork and modern Indian American culture. The event, which highlights the contemporary art exhibition “Perspectives: Rina Banerjee” at the Sackler and “Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation” at the National Museum of Natural History, will celebrate Indian culture while following the Asia After Dark mantra: “Art, Drink, and Be Happy.”
From 8 p.m. to midnight, the subterranean Sackler Gallery will transform
into a dance floor for beats by world-renowned Basement Bhangra pioneer DJ Rekha and live dance performances by the South Asian Performing Arts Network and Institute. Guests can mingle while enjoying lessons in Bharata Natyam and Bollywood dance and creating amusing photo booth memories with Booth-o-Rama. Inspired by the tiara of Miss America 2014, Indian American Nina Davuluri, and embellished figures from ancient Indian art, guests can create and adorn themselves with hand-made crowns. Throughout the evening, Bollywood-themed refreshments by Ping Pong Dim Sum and delicious bites from food trucks will be available for purchase.
Contemporary art curator Carol Huh will also lead talks of the site-specific installation “A World Lost” by Indian American artist Rina Banerjee in its final weekend on view, and associate curator of South and Southeast Asian will be on hand to explore the Sackler’s collections of South Asian and Himalayan Art.
Tickets can be purchased at asia.si.edu/asiaafterdark, and are $15 in advance, $25 at the door, or free for members of the Silk Road Society — the galleries’ dynamic membership group for young professionals. Guests can upgrade for an additional $10 to skip the entrance lines, enjoy a VIP-only bartender and get an invite to an exclusive future Silk Road Society tour of “Beyond Bollywood” and curator meet-and-greet.
Guests must be 21 years old with valid photo ID to attend.
“Asia After Dark: Bollywood and Beyond” is presented in conjunction with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. For a full listing of the Freer and Sackler galleries’ programs for young professionals, visit asia.si.edu/youngvisionary.
Where: Pennsylvania Ave. between 3rd and 7th Streets
Date: Sunday, June 8, 2014
Time: 12:00 noon – 7:00 PM
Webpage: www.capitalpride.org/fesitval
WHAT: Rock out at Corcoran Uncorked: Heavy Metal! Experience the Corcoran’s latest exhibition, American Metal: The Art of Albert Paley (opening June 28, 2014), and see how this master metalsmith pushes the limits of what can be done with steel, iron, and bronze. Grab some drinks and check out a welding demonstration as your favorite heavy metal classics play throughout the night.
American Metal is a retrospective survey of the art of Albert Paley, one of the world’s most distinguished metalsmiths. With dozens of objects in a variety of media, from clay, paper, and cardboard, to steel, glass, and bronze, exhibition visitors will see how Paley’s art has evolved over his innovative 50-year career. For more information about the exhibition, visithttp://www.corcoran.org/
ABOUT UNCORKED: On the third Wednesday of every month, Corcoran Uncorked brings you a themed evening full of creative art making activities, playful and enlightening gallery talks, tours & games, lively music, a cash bar, and much more. For more information, visit www.corcoran.org/corcoran-
WHEN: Wednesday, July 16; 5-9 p.m.
WHERE: Corcoran Gallery of Art
500 Seventeenth Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20006
TICKETS: Admission to Corcoran Uncorked is $12 and includes museum admission; pre-registration is recommended. Corcoran Members receive free entry and special offers each month. More details and online registration are available at www.corcoran.org/events/
37th Annual C.O.W.P.I.E.
Saturday July 19, 2014
8:00PM – Midnight
Eastern Market North Hall Building, Washington, D.C. NE
Tickets
$35 IN ADVANCE via PayPal through July 17th
$50 AT THE DOOR FOR ENTRY AND DRINKS
COWPIE, a shortened moniker for Committee of Wyoming People in the East, is held in Washington, D.C. during the opening weekend of Cheyenne Frontier Days. For those who don’t know, Cheyenne, Wyoming is home to the largest rodeo in North America – the “Daddy of ’em All”.® Festivities include everything from muttin busting to bull riding, and nightly boot scoot’n concerts.
The first COWPIE, held in 1977, began the longest living tradition of the Wyoming State Society. Wyoming folk get cowboyed-up in their best boots, hats and big belt buckles for the night of country dancing and western revelry. Dedication to COWPIE among the Wyoming folk is legendary.
Monday, July 28th, fans of El Centro D.F. are invited to attend a National Tequila Month party in Georgetown or at 14thStreet, from
5 PM to 8 PM. The event is priced at $39 per person. Guests will receive three drink tickets, and the opportunity to indulge in a variety of dishes on an extensive buffet including Carnitas, Brisket and Nopal Tacos with molcajete, verde, and morita salsa, pico de gallo, crema and lettuce; Refried Beans; Mexican Rice; Chips with salsa and guacamole; Mini Chorizo Empanadas; Chicken Tinga Flautas; Mini Mushroom Quesadillas, as well as Mini Open-Face Tortas. Additionally, the restaurants will have DJs spinning music throughout the restaurant from 5 PM to close. Regular dinner service will resume at both locations at 8 PM.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12: FALL ART WALK
WHAT: Tour through the largest concentration of fine art galleries in the city at the Fall Art Walk in Georgetown’s charming Book Hill neighborhood. Expect the debut of new exhibitions at all galleries, as well as wine and light refreshments.
WHO: Nine galleries, including Addison/Ripley Fine Art, All We Art, Artist’s Proof, Cross MacKenzie, Maurine Littleton Gallery, Neptune Fine Art, Robert Brown Gallery, Susan Calloway Fine Arts, and Washington Printmakers Gallery.
WHY: Each gallery will open a new exhibition; contemporary art gallery Artist’s Proof will celebrate its grand opening at its new Wisconsin Avenue location (moved from Cady’s Alley, also in Georgetown).
WHEN & WHERE: 6-8 p.m., visit link for locations along 1500-1600 blocks of Wisconsin Avenue, NW in Georgetown.
COST: FREE; visit www.georgetowngalleries.com
Washington, D.C.’s most anticipated epicurean festival, the annual Taste of Georgetown, celebrates its 21st year on Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 12 noon-5pm with creative tastes from more than 35 of the neighborhood’s best restaurants, as well as an expansive Craft Beer and Wine Pavilion and live entertainment. For the first time in the event’s history, the Taste will move from Wisconsin Avenue to K Street, along the scenic Georgetown Waterfront. This longstanding event in Georgetown is hosted by the Georgetown BID and benefits the Georgetown Ministry Center’s services supporting the homeless. The event began 20 years ago by Grace Episcopal Church in Georgetown and its former Rector David Bird and member Robert Egger, who went on to found DC Central Kitchen. The BID has been involved since 2004.
This year’s Taste of Georgetown entices attendees to Eat, Drink, Play with a new location, later hours, and experiences to keep the fun going. The only opportunity to taste one’s way through Georgetown in an afternoon, Taste of Georgetown 2014 will offer the opportunity to sample more than 70 signature dishes from more than 35 popular Georgetown dining spots—more than ever. For the second year, teams led by some of Georgetown’s hottest chefs will face off in the Georgetown Chef Showdown, testing their culinary skills during the Iron Chef-style Competition judged by D.C.’s top food experts and media.
The annual tasting festival will take advantage of its new Waterfront location to offer family-friendly entertainment hosted by Pinstripes that will include bocce ball courts, hula-hooping, face-painting and balloon-animal-making with help from a number of Georgetown’s historical attractions. Attendees are encouraged to relax, picnic-style, with their Tastes in the scenic Georgetown Waterfront Park. This year’s event will for the first time include Taste Marketplace, featuring Georgetown-based stores. The event will also feature a live music stage with bluegrass and country bands curated by Gypsy Sally’s. Following the event, attendees can keep the energy and deals going at After Taste Happy Hour events taking place at select restaurants throughout Georgetown.
Tickets are $5 for one tasting and $20 for five tastings (presale only), and can be purchased in advance online at the newly rebranded website, http://www.tasteofgeorgetown.
Getting There
Attendees can access the event via a number of public transportation options, including nearby Metro stations, the DC Circulator, MetroBus, and Capital Bikeshare. For more information on getting to Georgetown, visit http://www.georgetowndc.com/
There is ample parking in Georgetown, including a number of below-ground garages located near the Taste. To view parking garages, visit http://www.georgetowndc.com/
For more information and advanced ticket purchases, please visit www.TasteOfGeorgetown.com.
The Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District (MVT CID) announces “Color the K”, an inaugural art explosion event to be held at 5th and K Streets, NW on Saturday, September 27th. Designed for full community participation and interaction, the free activities will include creation of a temporary mural led by local artist Rose Jaffe, chalk art demonstrations and areas for kids and adults to participate, a hardware art show hosted by 5th Street Ace Hardware and more. Activities will be held alongside the Saturday morning Mount Vernon Triangle FRESHFARM Market from 10 am to 1 pm.
“Involving our community in artistic expression is one of the ways we can connect to each other and celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of the Mount Vernon Triangle community,” said MVT CID President, Claire Schaefer Oleksiak. “We look forward to the Color the K mural, led by Rose Jaffe, and the chalk art expression adding colorful imagery to the corner of 5th & K.”
Color the K joins Art4All DC, presented by Cultural Tourism DC, in celebrating art in the city.
