theatreWashington announced today that the 32nd annual Helen Hayes Awards will be celebrated at the historic Lincoln Theatre on May 23, with Washington favorites E. Faye Butler and Lawrence Redmond as hosts. A Dance Party follows at the world-renowned 9:30Club, just blocks away. Both events, sponsored by TodayTix, honor 236 Helen Hayes Award nominees drawn from the 202 eligible productions presented in 2015. Included among those productions are a staggering 59 world premieres. Also in the spotlight this year is the inaugural Women’s Voices Theater Festival, with a range of plays and musicals that received 13 nominations. Tickets for the combined Awards Ceremony and Dance Party are $275 for premium seating, $150 for general seating, and can be purchased at theatreWashington.org beginning May 2.
theatreWashington President and CEO Amy Austin commented, “We’re excited to be returning to the Lincoln Theatre because of its amazing history in our city, and we’re thrilled to be taking over the 9:30 Club for a celebratory Dance Party. There’s so much phenomenal work produced every night in area theatres, this is the one night of the year we gather together to toast the excellent work of 2015 and the community as a world-class theatre destination!”
TodayTix sponsorship includes announcements of the Helen Hayes Award recipients in real time through push notifications via their mobile app. Opt-in for the live updates will become available in the coming weeks. “It says a lot that TodayTix has joined us as our sponsors,” Austin commented. “They’ve changed the way theatres do business – and we’re always eager to look ahead.”
Named for actor Helen Hayes – a Washington native and legendary First Lady of the American Theatre – the Helen Hayes Awards honorsexcellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington region. Over the last three decades it has set a standard for artistic accomplishment recognized by theatre makers and theatre lovers far beyond the Beltway. Awards are given in parallel “Helen” or “Hayes” cohorts, depending on the number of Equity members involved in a production, for a total of 47 award categories, plus the John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company
Coordination of the nominations process is a year-round and demanding endeavor. Over the course of 2015, a pool of 40 Helen Hayes Awards Judges submitted a total of 21,936 scores for 2,940 individual pieces of work (design, direction, choreography, etc.). Of those scores, 1,499 were for acting performances alone. The result this year is a roster of 236 nominations drawn from 79 productions at 35 theatres. A complete list of nominees past and present can be found at theatreWashington.org.
On Monday, May 23trd, 38 of the area’s best chefs and mixologists will serve up special tastings of their signature dishes at Chef’s Best: A Taste of Compassion presented by AT&T. Hosted at the historic National Building Museum, Chef’s Best will benefit Food & Friends, a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC serving those living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-challenging illnesses.
Thanks to the efforts of this year’s Celebrity Chef Chair Michael Friedman of The Red Hen & All Purpose, guests will enjoy tastings prepared by some of the region’s most talented chefs including: Victor Albisu, Del Campo & Taco Bamba; Erik Bruner-Yang, Maketto & Toki Underground; Jeff Black, Black Restaurant Group; Patrick Curran,Momofuku; Haidar Karoum, Doi Moi, Estadio & Proof; and Robert Wiedmaier, Mussel Bar, among other notables from the DC dining scene. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to bid on an array of exciting silent and live auction items featuring fantastic trips, one-of-a-kind experiences and private dining opportunities.
Proceeds from Chef’s Best will ensure the delivery of medically-specialized meals and personalized nutrition counseling to Food & Friends’ clients living with cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses. This year, Food & Friends will provide more than 1 million meals to more than 2,800 individuals in Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland.
Food & Friends depends on the support of corporations, foundations and individuals and is grateful for the sponsors who have contributed to Chef’s Best.
“AT&T is proud to be the presenting sponsor of this year’s Chef’s Best: A Taste of Compassion. We are a longstanding supporter of Food & Friends because of its lasting impact on the community — from its service learning education program to its work restoring health and hope in the lives of those facing life-challenging illnesses. AT&T is grateful for what Food & Friends does every day to serve the DMV community,” said Erik Hower, Vice President, Public Affairs for AT&T and Food & Friends Board Member.
The event will also honor long time Food & Friends Board Member Christopher Wolf with the first annual Compassion in Action award
“There is no more basic charity than feeding sick people, and that is what Food & Friends does every day, providing not only food but compassionate friendship to so many men, women and children in need,” said Christopher Wolf, Food & Friends Board Member. “It’s hard to believe, but I have now served on the Food & Friends Board for more than 20 years. I have gotten so much out of the board experience, especially from the opportunity to see what a difference the staff and volunteers make in people’s lives. To be recognized for that service is ‘icing’ on the cake.”
In addition, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer will be presented with Food & Friends’ Public Servant Spirit of Caring award for his demonstrated commitment to the fight for health care accessibility and his work as a champion for thousands of Food & Friends clients.
Tickets are $350 and sponsorships begin at $1500. Visit www.foodandfriends.org/chefsbest to purchase tickets and see a current list of chefs and sponsors. The President’s Reception for sponsors begins at 5:30pm. Doors open for the main event at 6:30pm, with bidding for live auction starting around 8:15pm.
DC Greens, an organization aimed at supporting food education, food access and food policy in the nation’s capital, will host its second annual “Spring Dig” at Dock 5 at Union Market on May 24, 2016. Top chefs will prepare a seasonal, gourmet meal utilizing local purveyors, paired with Virginia wine and DC-distilled spirits. As with last year’s event, table sponsorships will come with customized, unforgettable culinary experiences in lieu of an auction.
What: DC Greens’ Spring Dig will highlight local food, wine and spirits, while working toward their mission of building a healthy food system in DC that can be a model for the nation. Guests will enjoy a multi-course, family-style dinner prepared by a talented culinary team of chefs from the country’s best restaurants. During the pre-dinner cocktail reception, guests will be treated to drinks from Green Hat Gin, as well as wine from Virginia’s Early Mountain Vineyards, served from their Airstream. Early Mountain will also be providing wine throughout the dinner. The evening will be MCed by chair of the DC Food Policy Council and chef Spike Mendelsohn (Bearnaise/Good Stuff Eatery).
Who: Participating chefs include Bryan Voltaggio of VOLT and Family Meal, Michael Voltaggio of Ink. (LA), Jeremiah Langhorne of The Dabney, Spike Gjerde of Woodberry Kitchen, Dan Giusti of Brigaid (formerly Noma), Rob Weland of Garrison, Ruben Garcia and Rick Billings of ThinkFoodGroup, and Robb Duncan of Dolcezza. Appetizers will be provided by Chaia Tacos, Rappahannock Oysters, EcoFriendly Foods and Righteous Cheese. Wine and spirits from Virginia’s Early Mountain Vineyards and DC’s Green Hat Gin, respectively, will be served.
When: Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The cocktail reception begins at 6:00 p.m. and the dinner will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Dock 5 at Union Market, 1309 5th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Tickets: General admission tickets are $250 per person and include the cocktail reception and dinner. Tickets can be purchased at http://dcgreens.org/springdig/. Dress code is festive attire and valet parking will be available. With three levels of table sponsorships, guests are offered different on and off site experiences, including “Cool Experiences” such as a private shopping party at Salt & Sundry or a bottling party for 15 at Green Hat Gin distillery, or “Unforgettable Events” such as backstage VIP passes for the Sweetlife Festival or a cooking class for 10 with Chef Ruben Garcia.
The renowned designer, Donna Karan is going to be in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, May 24th – 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm for a ‘Conversation with Donna Karan’ at the Smithsonian to promote her memoir, My Journey. She’ll discuss her amazing 40 year career in fashion, as well as, the deeply personal experiences that lead to the creation of her philanthropic Urban Zen lifestyle brand and the Urban Zen Foundation.
Next month Ms. Karan will receive the CFDA’s Eleanor Lambert Founders Award in New York as an acknowledgement of her undeniable contribution to the fashion landscape, from successfully taking over the reins of the sportswear company, Anne Klein, after the death of its founder to her signature 7 easy pieces in 1985 that changed the way that women around the world dress, dressing former First Lady, Hillary Clinton, President Clinton, Barbra Streisand, Demi Moore, Jeremy Irons and more, to her current philanthropic projects in Haiti – this is a can’t miss opportunity to hear from one of the fashion world’s true icons.
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 9 pm to Midnight Join us for live music by Beatles cover band British Mania, open bar, late night snacks, lawn games, a DJ spinning tunes, and dancing until midnight. Bring your friends for an incredible evening. The theme is fun, the attire is garden party. Dress up and help support a good cause. All proceeds raised by our annual gala and the after party help support the innovative exhibitions and education programs of the National Building Museum. |
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
9 pm to Midnight
At the historic National Building Museum
$50 per person
Join us for live music by Beatles cover band British Mania, open bar, late night snacks, lawn games, a DJ spinning tunes, and dancing until midnight. Bring your friends for an incredible evening. The theme is fun, the attire is garden party. Dress up and help support a good cause.
All proceeds raised by our annual gala and the after party help support the innovative exhibitions and education programs of the National Building Museum.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016 | 6-8 pm
Beuchert’s Saloon (623 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Tickets at gourmetsymphony.org/events
Ticket includes: beer tastings, passed small plates & live chamber music.
2ND ANNUAL REBLOOM ON THE ROOF, MAY 26, 6-8:30 PM AT THE GRAHAM GEORGETOWN
Join Room to Rebloom, a 501c(3) organization centered on the restorative impact of interior design, and Co-Hosts Barry Dixon, award-winning interior designer and principal of Barry Dixon, Inc., and Will Thomas, Emmy-winning journalist and news anchor, for Room to Rebloom’s 2nd Annual Rebloom on the Roof on Thursday, May 26, 2016 from 6–8:30 p.m. at The Graham Georgetown, 1075 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW, Washington, DC. The night of celebration focuses on the power of design to change lives for survivors of domestic violence. Tickets are $125 each and can be purchased at www.roomtorebloom.org.
Silent auction items include a signature Thos. Moser Continuous Arm Chair, Framebridge custom frames, True Syrups gift basket, Southwest Airlines tickets, and original artwork.
The Gala’s Host Committee includes Gretchen Everett, Ann Lambeth, Sherry Moeller, and Sally Roche with Board of Directors Liz Levin, Lyn McGann, Enid McKitrick, Victoria Sanchez, Christie Stute, and Kia Weatherspoon.
Room to Rebloom’s mission is to design and create healing environments for survivors of domestic violence in the National Capital Area. Confidence and hope are crucial to women who are starting over, and a home that promotes healing and growth should be available to everyone. Interior designers recognize the connection of environment to personal well-being and often participate in projects to redesign shelters for homeless and battered women and families, with Room to Rebloom being the only organization in the region whose mission is to serve domestic violence survivors in independent housing.
For more information about Room to Rebloom’s 2nd Annual Rebloom on the Roof and to learn more about the nonprofit, go to www.roomtorebloom.org.
Espita Mezcaleria, the newly opened Southern Mexican-inspired restaurant located in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, DC, will co-host a charity art show fundraiser with Swatchroom, a multi-disciplinary design + art + fabrication firm, on Monday, May 30th. Yescka, an internationally renowned Oaxacan street artist and founder of the political art collection ASARO (Assembly of Revolutionary Artists of Oaxaca), will be on hand along with fellow artist and active ASARO member, César Chávez, for this one-of-a-kind event. Yescka created the eye-catching, colorful murals at Espita Mezcaleria and Chávez design the T-shirts and menus for the restaurant, which opened in early March 2016.
On this particular evening, art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to purchase limited edition, signed prints from both highly acclaimed artists. 35 works on paper will be available, in a variety of sizes, with prices ranging from $80 to $500 each. Available prints include: “Autodefensa”, “The Last Supper a la Mexicana”, “The Rebels”, and “Punk Frida”. 100% of the sales from these prints will be donated to the charity student committee of the Raúl Isidro Burgos Rural Teachers’ College of Ayotzinapa based in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico. Complimentary appetizers and beverages courtesy of Espita Mezcaleria will also be available. The event is free to attend, but interested parties are encouraged to RSVP at: kelly@espitadc.com.
WHEN: Monday, May 30th, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Swatchroom is located at 1527 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001. The multi-disciplinary design + art + fabrication firm is located four blocks from the Shaw-Howard Metro Station and four blocks from the Mt Vernon Square, 7th St-Convention Center Metro Station accessible on the Green and Yellow Lines. For additional information, please visit http://swatchroom.com. Additional information about Yescka can be found at: http://guerilla-art.mx/yescka/
WHY: On September 26, 2014, 43 male students from the Raúl Isidro Burgos Rural Teachers’ College of Ayotzinapa went missing in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico. According to official reports, the students commandeered several buses and traveled to Iguala that day to hold a protest at a conference led by the mayor’s wife. During the journey local police intercepted them and a confrontation ensued. Details of what happened during and after the clash remain unclear, but the official investigation concluded that once the students were in custody, they were handed over to the local Guerreros Unidos (“United Warriors”) crime syndicate and presumably killed. Mexican authorities claimed Iguala’s mayor, José Luis Abarca Velázquez (es) and his wife María de los Ándeles Pineda Villa, masterminded the abduction. Over the past year, Yescka has created several public pieces to bring the tragedy of these 43 students to public light.
Espita Mezcaleria, the newly opened Southern Mexican-inspired restaurant located in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, DC, will co-host a charity art show fundraiser with Swatchroom, a multi-disciplinary design + art + fabrication firm, on Monday, May 30th. Yescka, an internationally renowned Oaxacan street artist and founder of the political art collection ASARO (Assembly of Revolutionary Artists of Oaxaca), will be on hand along with fellow artist and active ASARO member, César Chávez, for this one-of-a-kind event. Yescka created the eye-catching, colorful murals at Espita Mezcaleria and Chávez design the T-shirts and menus for the restaurant, which opened in early March 2016.
On this particular evening, art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to purchase limited edition, signed prints from both highly acclaimed artists. 35 works on paper will be available, in a variety of sizes, with prices ranging from $80 to $500 each. Available prints include: “Autodefensa”, “The Last Supper a la Mexicana”, “The Rebels”, and “Punk Frida”. 100% of the sales from these prints will be donated to the charity student committee of the Raúl Isidro Burgos Rural Teachers’ College of Ayotzinapa based in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico. Complimentary appetizers and beverages courtesy of Espita Mezcaleria will also be available. The event is free to attend, but interested parties are encouraged to RSVP at: kelly@espitadc.com.
WHEN: Monday, May 30th, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Swatchroom is located at 1527 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001. The multi-disciplinary design + art + fabrication firm is located four blocks from the Shaw-Howard Metro Station and four blocks from the Mt Vernon Square, 7th St-Convention Center Metro Station accessible on the Green and Yellow Lines. For additional information, please visit http://swatchroom.com. Additional information about Yescka can be found at: http://guerilla-art.mx/yescka/
WHY: On September 26, 2014, 43 male students from the Raúl Isidro Burgos Rural Teachers’ College of Ayotzinapa went missing in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico. According to official reports, the students commandeered several buses and traveled to Iguala that day to hold a protest at a conference led by the mayor’s wife. During the journey local police intercepted them and a confrontation ensued. Details of what happened during and after the clash remain unclear, but the official investigation concluded that once the students were in custody, they were handed over to the local Guerreros Unidos (“United Warriors”) crime syndicate and presumably killed. Mexican authorities claimed Iguala’s mayor, José Luis Abarca Velázquez (es) and his wife María de los Ándeles Pineda Villa, masterminded the abduction. Over the past year, Yescka has created several public pieces to bring the tragedy of these 43 students to public light.
