Just in time for this fall’s political cycle, piano-playing political satirist Mark Russell returns to Ford’s Theatre (511 Tenth Street NW) for one night only, Monday, September 19, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. With impeccable timing, twinkling eyes and shock-of-recognition insights into American politics, Russell draws from material ripped from daily headlines. Russell’s unique brand of comedy earned him the Mark Twain Award for political comedy and made him a popular favorite on PBS.
Tickets for An Evening with Mark Russell: I’m So Mad I Could Sing! range $18 to $67, and are available atwww.fords.org. This performance is recommended for ages 16 and older.
MARK RUSSELL
Long before Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, Mark Russell dared to joke and sing about the often-absurd political process. Though he actually knew little about politics when he began performing, his ability to find humor in anything made him an immediate hit. After serving in the Marines, Russell began playing at a piano bar on Capitol Hill before he earned a 20-year stint at the Shoreham Hotel. Russell’s television credits include nearly 30 years on public television on the eponymous Mark Russell Comedy Specials. His composing credits include two children’s musicals for the Kennedy Center: Teddy Roosevelt and the Ghostly Mistletoe (premiered December 2009) and Teddy Roosevelt and the Treasure of Ursa Major (2006).
Reading three or four newspapers a day allows him to constantly update his material. The result is that no two shows are ever identical. “I thrive on newspapers,” he frequently states. “And it looks like I’ll be thriving longer than them.” Russell performs annually at colleges, conventions and theatres, including frequent visits to Ford’s Theatre. He and his wife live in Washington. Russell is the father of three and the grandfather of seven.
Ford’s Theatre Society
One of the most visited sites in the nation’s capital, Ford’s Theatre reopened its doors in 1968, more than a hundred years after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Operated through a partnership between Ford’s Theatre Society and the National Park Service, Ford’s Theatre is the premier destination in the nation’s capital to explore and celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s ideals and leadership principles: courage, integrity, tolerance, equality and creative expression.
The Ford’s Theatre Society was founded under the guidance of executive producer Frankie Hewitt, who, during her 35-year tenure, established Ford’s as a living, working theatre producing performances that highlighted the diversity of the American experience. Since the arrival of Paul R. Tetreault as Director, critics and the theatregoing public have recognized Ford’s for the superior quality of its artistic programming. With works from the nationally acclaimed “Big River” to the world premieres of “Meet John Doe,” “The Heavens Are Hung In Black,” “Liberty Smith,” “Necessary Sacrifices,” “The Widow Lincoln” and “The Guard,” Ford’s Theatre is making its mark on the American theatre landscape. In the last decade, the mission of Ford’s Theatre Society expanded to include education as a central pillar. This expansion led to the creation and construction of the Center for Education and Leadership, which opened in February 2012. Currently, under the leadership of Board of Trustees Chairman Eric A. Spiegel, the Society is building Ford’s Theatre into a national destination for exploring Lincoln’s ideas and leadership principles and finding new ways to bring Lincoln’s legacy to life for the 21st-century learner.
Washington National Opera (WNO) celebrates the return of free opera simulcasts to Nationals Park with title sponsor Mars, Incorporated with the M&M’S Opera in the Outfield performance of Mozart’s classic romantic comedy The Marriage of Figaro on Saturday, September 24, 2016. Gates open at 5 p.m. for “pregame” activities, and the opera will be broadcast live from the Kennedy Center Opera House to the high-definition NatsHD scoreboard at the ballpark at 7 p.m. Free seating will be available in the stands, while access to the outfield grass will be limited on a first-come, first-served basis when gates open at 5 p.m.
The Marriage of Figaro tells an upstairs/downstairs story of love, lust, seduction, infidelity, and ultimately, forgiveness, all set to some of the most sublime and memorable music ever written. The vibrant production, adapted from The Glimmerglass Festival, is directed by Peter Kazaras, whose La bohème was a hit of WNO’s 2014–2015 season. The opera is performed in Italian with English captions, making it easy to follow along with the story and music.
M&M’S Opera in the Outfield will take place rain or shine—in case of inclement weather, some covered seating is available. Regular concessions will be available throughout the ballpark.
More information about the free M&M’S Opera in the Outfield simulcast of The Marriage of Figaro at Nationals Park is available atOperaintheOutfield.org. A full press release is attached.
Play ball! Or Play Mozart!
Shoppers are invited to their nearest Bloomingdale’s location on Saturday, October 8th to kick off Bloomingdale’s October Pink campaign with a morning yoga class by Corepower Yoga. A reservation fee of $10 will benefit The Marisa Acocella Marchetto Foundation and The Carey Foundation which support survivors and their families with cancer-related costs such as transportation, child care, and treatment. Attendees will receive a branded pink yoga mat and goodie bag of beauty samples and healthy treats. To reserve a mat, visit bloomingdalesyoga.eventbrite.com.
This is the 12 th year that Bloomingdale’s continues its commitment to breast cancer awareness and treatment during the month of October. This year the retailer will continue to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®, the Marisa Acocella Marchetto Foundation, and The Carey Foundation by inviting its loyal shoppers to join in the fight with exclusive merchandise and exciting events that help to raise awareness and funds for a cure, in stores nationwide and on bloomingdales.com.
When: Saturday October 8th
Check-in: 8:30 AM
Class: 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Where: Bloomingdale’s Chevy Chase
5300 Western Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner
8100 Tysons Corner Center, McLean, VA 22102
The Insane Inflatable 5K, a dynamic fun run series made up of inflatable obstacles and taking place in over 115 cities across the United States, is coming to Washington D.C. on October 15th, it was announced today by Stuart Kaul, Director of Events,Insane Inflatable 5K.
The Insane Inflatable 5K is designed to be accessible to everybody – from competitive runners looking for a different type of challenge, to weekend warriors looking for the next great obstacle run, and even those armchair athletes looking to try something fun and new. The course is approximately 3.1 miles long and incorporates 11+ extreme inflatable obstacles throughout the unique terrain of the Prince William County Fair.
The 11+ obstacles combine imagination, creativity, and most importantly a large dose of fun, coupled with a touch of insanity. The signature inflatables (including six new obstacles added for 2016!) range in size and complexity, including “Mad House,” where runners climb, weave, and maneuver their way through this intricate and challenging new inflatable, “Jump Around,” a fan favorite and the largest inflatable of its kind with more than 70 feet of bounce pad, and “Finish Line,” the most awe-inspiring inflatable of the event where participants dodge wrecking balls, make their way past the tipsy towers, climb the rope ladder, and slide their way to victory.
Beyond the obstacles and the race, the Insane Inflatable 5k will also have a “Midway” where participants can enjoy games, food, beverages, merchandise, and swag from local vendors and sponsors.
Runners 21 and older can enjoy refreshing, cold craft beer from the Traveler Beer Company at the official Insane Inflatable 5k Beer Garden and kick back on inflatable couches with friends, family, and fellow bouncers. There will be plenty of varieties to sample, like Traveler Grapefruit Shandy, as well as seasonal offerings like Curious Traveler Lemon Shandy or Jack-O Traveler Pumpkin Shandy.
Additionally, the event will give back to the community, designating a portion of the proceeds from the race to benefit the American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement. The Relay For Life movement is the world’s largest fundraising event to fight every cancer in every community, with over 6,000 events worldwide. Dollars raised help the American Cancer Society save lives by funding groundbreaking cancer research, providing free information and critical services for people with cancer, and supporting education and prevention programs.
The Washington D.C. event, taking place at the Prince William County Fair on Saturday, October 15th, will kick off at approximately 8:30 a.m. with the first wave, and additional waves will run concurrently until noon or 1:00 p.m.
“The Insane Inflatable 5k is the fastest-growing and largest obstacle run in the country, and 2016 is going to be Insane Inflatable 5K’s biggest, best, and bounciest year yet,” said Mr. Kaul. “We’ve listened to the feedback from our fans and updated our inflatable obstacles with crazy new designs. We’re taking the obstacle world to a whole new level with this insanity! Not only will there be new obstacles, but the Insane Inflatable 5K is excited to offer over 40 new locations and over 120 locations throughout the country in 2016.”
Registration fees, which include an event T-shirt and medal upon completion, range from $49 for advance registration to $75 for day of event registration. Children are welcome to participate, with a minimum height requirement of 42”.
For more information about the Insane Inflatable 5K and to register, visit www.insaneinflatable5k.com.
The Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC) will mark its 25th Anniversary with the 7th Annual National Race to End Women’s Cancer, featuring a 5K Run and a 1 Mile Walk, on Sunday, Nov. 6, in downtown Washington, DC, on Freedom Plaza. The National Race to End Women’s Cancer is the Foundation’s major annual awareness and fundraising event, supporting the full slate of the organization’s efforts. Registration is open at endwomenscancer.org, with a $45 entry fee.
Every five minutes, a woman is diagnosed with a reproductive cancer – cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal or vulvar – impacting more than 98,000 women each year. That’s another mother, daughter, sister, friend or colleague every five minutes. Too many are diagnosed in the late stages, and nearly a third will die. Far too few women – or men – know how to recognize the symptoms of these cancers, and the importance of getting treatment from a gynecologic oncologist for the best outcomes. Risks rise with age, weight and other factors. The FWC supports survivors and works to raise awareness and research funding to defeat gynecologic cancers.
The pre-race program will begin at 8:15 a.m. at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, with the race beginning at 9 a.m. The event is led by National Race Chair Camille Grammer, an endometrial cancer survivor and star on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” who will walk the route with her team, “Camille’s Crusaders.” All participants (survivors, family, friends, loved ones, surgeons, caregivers, colleagues, and sponsors) are encouraged to “Join the Movement” whether as a runner, walker or supporter. Even if you can’t join us in Washington, your registration fee and donation are greatly appreciated.
“It’s such an honor and privilege to once again play a part in such a worthy cause as the National Race to End Women’s Cancer. I’m very much looking forward to returning to Washington and reuniting with our team – Camille’s Crusaders – as we spread awareness and help raise funds for the Foundation for Women’s Cancer,” says Grammer, who is participating in her third walk. “And this year will be extra special for me as my mother [Maureen, an ovarian cancer survivor] and my daughter [Mason] will be ‘Joining the Movement’ too by walking alongside me down Pennsylvania Avenue!”
Since FWC was founded by the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) 25 years ago, it was discovered that cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable. The Foundation was one of the organizations leading the charge to create public awareness linking the human papillomavirus (HPV) to cervical cancer. More recently, HPV has been linked to both vaginal and vulvar cancers. FWC alerted women to the fact that a cluster of symptoms is associated with ovarian cancer, the most deadly gynecologic cancer, and has worked with other advocacy organizations to make women more knowledgeable about an individual’s risk of developing ovarian cancer. Taken together, this information can and has led to earlier detection of this cancer, when a cure is more likely.
For more information on risks, prevention and treatment of gynecologic cancers, please see How to Maintain Your Gynecologic Health on the FWC website.
Those interested in participating in the race, as an individual, with a team, or as a volunteer, can visit endwomenscancer.org for additional information and registration.
The Columbia Heights Initiative will host its first annual Columbia Heights Night on Friday, December 2nd 2016 from 7pm to Midnight. The inaugural event will celebrate the neighborhood’s diverse businesses and residents, as well as raise money for initiatives that greater enhance and promote commerce within Columbia Heights.
Highlights throughout Columbia Heights Night include ‘A Taste of Columbia Heights’, which will feature a bevy of popular cuisines from some of the corridor’s most beloved restaurants and food vendors. Seasonal cocktails will flow and the dancing will commence with live entertainment and music featuring The Harry Bells. A silent auction loaded with tailored gifts, spa treatments, dining destinations, and more will also be held during the evening. The annual Columbia Heights Tree Lighting Extravaganza will be held the following day, Saturday, December 3rd, 2016 at 6:30pm in the Columbia Heights Civic Plaza.
Tickets for the evening are $75 and are 100% tax deductible. A ticket gains access to the event, four (4) drink tickets, an amazing dinner buffet served up by some of Columbia Heights’ best restaurants, silent auction access, and a swag bag full of goodies.
Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/columbia-heights-night-tickets-28345969558
The Columbia Heights/Mount Pleasant Main Street will join eleven other DC Main Streets programs that have been accredited through DC Main Streets and the National Main Street Center, Inc. As a DC Main Street designee, Columbia Heights Initiative will implement programs and services to support the growth and development of neighborhood businesses and the revitalization of the commercial corridors of Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant.
When: December 2, 2016
7pm-Midnight
Where: All Souls Unitarian Church, Pierce Hall
1500 Harvard Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
What: Official Main Streets Award Announcement, a “Taste of Columbia Heights,” Silent Auction, Live Entertainment.
Who: One Eight Distilling, El Buho Mezcal. Acre 121, Lou’s City Bar, Maple, &Pizza, El Tio, El Chucho. Kangaroo Boxing Club, The Heights, Chick Fil-A, Chipotle, The Coup, The Harry Bells, Columbia Heights Initiative
The Columbia Heights Initiative will host its first annual Columbia Heights Night on Friday, December 2nd 2016 from 7pm to Midnight. The inaugural event will celebrate the neighborhood’s diverse businesses and residents, as well as raise money for initiatives that greater enhance and promote commerce within Columbia Heights. Expect a festive evening of food, dancing, live music and entertainment for one of DC’s oldest and most popular neighborhoods.
Columbia Heights Night follows the decade-long success of The Columbia Heights Initiative’s signature event: Columbia Heights Day. Columbia Heights Day draws tens of thousands of DMV residents to the community, while shining a light on local businesses and services. Much like Columbia Heights Day, Columbia Heights Night invites the entire region to explore the best of the neighborhood in one venue, on one evening.
“We’re here to celebrate our incredible partners, residents, businesses, board members, and the many volunteers who help make it all possible. We’ll be raising a glass to some of this past year’s achievements, which include implementing community clean-ups, monthly networking events, and growing the overall support and voice of our local businesses.” Says Brianne Dornbush, Executive Director of the Columbia Heights Initiative. “With the success of Columbia Heights Day, our goal is to use Columbia Heights Night as an opportunity to once again brings our neighborhood together to join us as we cast a vision for the future of our organization and the neighborhood of Columbia Heights.”
Highlights throughout Columbia Heights Night include ‘A Taste of Columbia Heights’, which will feature a bevy of popular cuisines from some of the corridor’s most beloved restaurants and food vendors. Cocktails will flow and the dancing will commence with live entertainment and music featuring The Harry Bells. A silent auction loaded with tailored gifts, spa treatments, dining destinations, and more will also be held during the evening. The annual Columbia Heights Tree Lighting Extravaganza will be held the following day, Saturday, December 3rd, 2016 at 6:30pm in the Columbia Heights Civic Plaza.
Tickets for the evening are $75 and are 100% tax deductible. A ticket gains access to the event, four (4) drink tickets, an amazing dinner buffet served up by some of Columbia Heights’ best restaurants, silent auction access, and a swag bag full of goodies.
Guests can register and purchase tickets for Columbia Heights Night via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
WHAT: Little Chefs’ Pizza Making Class
WHO: James Beard Award-Winning Chef, Jeff Michaud and his daughter, Gaia
WHEN: December 4th @ 2:00pm
WHERE: Pizzeria Vetri D.C.
HOW: Call (202) 794-9057 or visit the website to reserve seats; tickets are $50/ guardian and child, additional attendees are $25
Saturday, February 4, 2017, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Celebrate La Chandeleur, also known as Crêpe Day, in festive French fashion. Enjoy crêpes, storytelling, art projects and more amidst Hillwood’s spectacular gardens, magnificent mansion, and exquisite French treasures.
$18, $15 senior, $12 Hillwood member, $10 student, $5 child (ages 3-18), free for children under 3
4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008
