Events/Things To Do

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Producer Edgar Dobie are pleased to announce the presentation of the fourth annual Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to National Public Radio’s Nina Totenberg, with actor and performer Kathleen Turner headlining the 2019 Arena Stage Annual Gala. The Gala will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth Street, SW).

The evening kicks off with a cocktail reception, followed by a performance and a three-course seated dinner. The performance will feature the presentation of the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to Nina Totenberg, in recognition of her ground-breaking reporting in the broadcast world and her continual support of the arts. Totenberg was the first radio journalist to receive the 1998 Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcasting from the National Press Foundation. The award was first presented to Arena Stage board chair Newburger Schwartz in 2016, Arlene Kogod in 2017 and Muriel Bowser in 2018, and celebrates a female leader who strives to better the community in which she lives through her own unique strengths and talents.

“It’s a thrill to present the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to Nina Totenberg in recognition of her superb work as a reporter,” says Smith. “She has been at the forefront of Supreme Court and history-making news for decades. Our decision to present her with the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award was unanimous—her excellent reporting skills and shrewd intellect are at the top of her field.”

“I have spent decades in Washington partaking of the dramatic feast that Arena Stage offers,” Totenberg shares. “Arena has entertained me and made me think; it has taught me about history, science and the human condition and so it is a special honor to receive this award.”

Kathleen Turner is a Golden Globe Award-winning, Academy Award-nominated and Tony Award-nominated actress who has made her mark on both the film and stage scenes. She has appeared at Arena Stage in The Year of Magical Thinking (2016), Mother Courage and Her Children (2014), Red Hot Patriot (2012) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1989). She debuted her first cabaret performance, Finding My Voice, last year, and her new book, Kathleen Turner on Acting was recently published.

All proceeds will benefit all Arena Stage artistic and educational programs.

Event Schedule
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
5:30 p.m. Cocktail reception
6:30 p.m. Award presentation and one night only performance
8:00 p.m. Seated dinner

For additional event details visit arenastage.org/gala

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Producer Edgar Dobie are pleased to announce Lavern Chatman, vice president of business development at EDJ Associates and Arena Board of Trustees member as the chairwoman, and Annie Simonian Totah, Armenian Assembly of America’s Board of Trustees member and recipient of their 2018 Distinguished Humanitarian Award, as the honorary chairwoman of the 2019 Arena Stage Annual Gala. The Gala will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth Street, SW), and will include the presentation of the fourth annual Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to National Public Radio’s Nina Totenberg. Actor and performer Kathleen Turner will headline the Gala, as well as host an intimate reception the evening before for select event sponsors.

“As a trustee of Arena Stage, I am pleased once again to chair this season’s Gala,” says Chatman. “The evening has garnered a reputation for honoring influential women and we are thrilled to continue this tradition, along with our Honorary Chair Annie Simonian Totah, to recognize the extraordinary journalist Nina Totenberg. Gala guests will also have the opportunity to experience the iconic Kathleen Turner in a special one-night only performance at this year’s event.”

The evening kicks off with a cocktail reception, followed by a performance and a three-course seated dinner. The performance will feature the presentation of the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to Nina Totenberg, in recognition of her ground-breaking reporting in the broadcast world and her continuous support of the arts. Totenberg was the first radio journalist to receive the 1998 Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcasting from the National Press Foundation. The award was first presented to Arena Stage board chair Beth Newburger Schwartz in 2016, Arlene Kogod in 2017 and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in 2018, and celebrates a female leader who strives to better the community in which she lives through her own unique strengths and talents.

Kathleen Turner is a Golden Globe Award-winning, Academy Award-nominated and Tony Award-nominated actress who has made her mark on both the film and stage scenes. She has appeared at Arena Stage in The Year of Magical Thinking (2016), Mother Courage and Her Children (2014), Red Hot Patriot (2012) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1989). She debuted her first cabaret performance, Finding My Voice, last year, and her new book, Kathleen Turner on Acting was recently published.

All proceeds will benefit all Arena Stage artistic and educational programs.

Event Schedule
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
5:30 p.m. Cocktail reception
6:30 p.m. Award presentation and one night only performance
8:00 p.m. Seated dinner

Event sponsors of $15,000 or more are invited to attend an intimate reception with Kathleen Turner on Monday, May 20.

For additional event details visit arenastage.org/gala.

Lavern Chatman (Gala Chair) A tireless advocate, staunch supporter, dedicated community leader, and firm believer in giving back to others, Ms. Chatman has been involved with philanthropic efforts in the Washington, D.C. region for more than two decades. Ms. Chatman is currently vice president of business development at EDJ, a leading national professional and technical services consulting firm, responsible for guiding EDJ across all markets, further strengthening their growing portfolio of Federal, private, and nonprofit clients. Prior to joining EDJ, Ms. Chatman served in senior leadership positions in marketing and business/fund development for non-profit and community organizations. She worked for decades as an advocate and promoter for minority and small businesses, developing strategic partnerships, fostering community engagement and advancing diversity and inclusionary initiatives. Ms. Chatman was also a former candidate for the United States Congress 8^th District of Virginia. Ms. Chatman served as the pulse of the Northern Virginia Urban League (NOVAUL) for almost a decade, first as a volunteer, then as a member of the board of directors, serving as the president and CEO of NOVAUL from 2003 to 2011, leaving a legacy of excellence and empowerment for generations to come. Under Ms. Chatman’s leadership, NOVAUL became one of the preeminent organizations in Northern Virginia, addressing issues of youth empowerment, financial literacy, affordable housing, closing the education achievement gap, and social justice. While there are myriad highlights from her tenure at the NOVAUL, one of her lasting contributions was her steadfast development of the Freedom House Museum. Out of commitment to her community and a dedication to its history, Ms. Chatman spearheaded a development campaign for this two-year project, raising over $400,000 to build, design and create a permanent memorial that tells the story of the domestic slave trade in Alexandria, VA. Today, this historic memorial is the headquarters of NOVAUL. Her efforts have been recognized on the local and national level with a series of awards, including the 2009 National Urban League Woman of Power Award for distinguished leadership. Ms. Chatman has served on the board of directors for Archbishop Carroll High School, Washington, D.C.; The Campagna Center, Alexandria, VA; Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce; INOVA Alexandria Hospital; The Community Foundation of Northern Virginia; and WETA Public Broadcasting; and chaired the Diversity Council for AARP Virginia. In 2008 Ms. Chatman convened over thirty-two grass roots organizations to form the Nova Coalition to lead voter education and empowerment efforts throughout Northern Virginia and promote civic engagement on nonpartisan issues in the community. Ms. Chatman served on The National League of Cities, Council on Youth, Education & Families, the World Bank’s D.C. Community Outreach Grants Committee, and the Cardinals Circle for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C, and is the immediate past president of the Arlington chapter of Links, Incorporated and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Annie Simonian Totah (Honorary Gala Chair) For more than 40 years, Annie Simonian Totah has been recognized for her effective leadership, philanthropy and untiring commitment on behalf of many important political, cultural, and academic, health, women- and children- related and religious causes. Her many contributions and accomplishments have helped organizations and communities on the local, national, and international level. Ms. Totah is often spotted at the District’s many charitable functions, likely because she is involved in so many of them. She and her late husband Sami have been instrumental in donating and expanding the Magen David Sephardic Congregation. Ms. Totah is a major donor, mover and shaker in the nationwide Armenian Community. Through her fundraising and advocacy efforts, she has helped raise, in the last two decades, more than $3 billion in foreign aid for Armenia, her ancestral homeland. She is a breast cancer survivor and a supporter of Sibley Hospital. Through the Totahs’ generosity of $1.0 million, the Sibley Hospital has dedicated the Executive Wing of the Hospital in the name of the Sami & Annie Totah Family Foundation. A major donor and supporter of the Democratic Party, Ms. Totah has hosted in her beautiful home several fundraisers for Democratic candidates on the county, state, gubernatorial, federal and presidential levels. Ms. Totah’s fame and success have not been only in her charitable giving but in her ability to mastermind and produce spectacular and unique events for dozens and dozens of charitable causes. She donates, networks, elevates the cause of the organization and raises millions of dollars for organizations and events such as Israel Bonds Ambassadors’ Gala, Sibley Hospital Gala, Susan G. Komen Honoring the Promise Gala, Best Buddies with Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Washington Performing Arts Society, and the list goes on. Ms. Totah serves on the boards of many non-profit organizations including the Armenian Assembly of American, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Marshall Legacy Institute, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Magen David Sephardic Congregation, Washington Performing Arts Society, Washington Ballet, National Rehabilitation Hospital, Sibley Hospital, CARE Humanitarian Organization, Young Concert Artists, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, Heifitz International Music Institute, Post Classical Ensemble, Hope of Light Foundation, Phillips Collection, Strathmore Hall Foundation, and more. She is the recipient of many honors and awards, including the Medal of Appreciation from the President of the Republic of Armenia, the Armenian Assembly of America’s Distinguished Humanitarian Award, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Sibley Memorial Hospital’s Shining Star Award, and the Medal of Appreciation from the President of Nagorno Karabagh Republic, among others.

VIDA Fitness will host its second annual VIDA Fitness Fashion Show on June 19 to benefit N Street Village, the largest service provider for homeless and at risk women in Washington D.C.  The event will be hosted by Drag Queen Ba’Naka Deveraux, actress, performer and five time winner of D.C.’s Best Drag Queen Award. Bonobos and Modcloth clothing will provide a spectacular selection of evening and swim wear worn by VIDA Fitness models.

The event’s goal is to raise a minimum of $10k for N Street Village, who welcomes approximately 200,000 homeless and low income women each year. VIDA Fitness employees have volunteered to model and Bang Salon will transform them from personal trainers to high-fashion runway models with their talented hair and makeup stylist. Bonobos will dress the men in stylish evening attire and trendy swimsuits, while Modcloth outfits the ladies in stunning evening wear and sexy bathing suits. Ba’Naka Deveraux will host and emcee the evening of glamor showcasing each outfit and model while engaging the audience with her cutting wit and charm.

The Fashion Show, a ticketed event, will also offer a variety of exciting raffle items. All funds raised will be donated directly to N Street Village.

After the models have tripped the light fantastic on the catwalk Ba’Naka will entertain guests with an exclusive performance that is sure to dazzle and shine.

More details below:

Date & Time:     June 19, 2019 from 6-9 p.m.

Location:             VIDA Fitness, 1612 U St. NW at the Penthouse Pool & Lounge

Ticket Pricing:   $30 per person and includes drink coupon and light fare from Eat Well

$10 raffle tickets available onsite day of event

$300 cabana rental up to six people and includes three bottles of sparkling wine

Tickets are available online at http://www.nstreetvillage.org/vida

The Del Ray Business Association will host its 6^th Annual Well Ray Festival on Saturday, June 22^nd in the heart of Del Ray.  The free, family-friendly event will take on Mt. Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray section of Alexandria, a neighborhood just outside of Washington, D.C. “where Main Street still exists,” and will be a celebration of the health and wellness lifestyle movement. This year, the City of Alexandria was recognized as one of the top healthiest in America by the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, an annual ranking that provides a revealing snapshot of how health is influenced by where we live, learn, work and play (link).

Over 75 health and lifestyle inspired vendors will provide a variety of activities to allow festival-goers the opportunity to explore, heal, taste and move in achieving a healthy life. Wellness and holistic health practitioners will offer services ranging from therapeutic treatments such as massages to acupuncture, physical therapy and nutritional counseling, health screenings, meditation, and more.

Festival attendees can bring their own mat and be prepared to move during free yoga, pilates, CrossFit, spin, barre, and dance classes on the streets led by local fitness instructors. There are also a variety of kid fit fun activities for the whole family to enjoy such as dance lessons, martial arts, parkour and HITT training. Pet lovers can bring their furry friends for pet-friendly fitness activities such as training tips and obstacle work. The festival each year draws thousands from across the region who want to explore the latest and greatest the world of health and wellness has to offer.  The event is sponsored and presented by The Jen Walker Team (Platinum Sponsor), Core Wellness and Physical Therapy, and the Chiro Group (Gold Sponsors). The full event schedule and participating vendors are located at WellRayDelRay.com.

EVENT DETAILS
What:  Well Ray – Health & Wellness Festival
When: Saturday, June 22, 2019
Where: Mt. Vernon Ave in the heart of Del Ray 
Presented by: Del Ray Business Association
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Website: https://www.wellraydelray.com/
Cost: Free
Weather Plan: Rain or shine

On Saturday, August 10, join The Graham Rooftop team for a complimentary 305 Fitness popup class at 11:30am. The studio will bring a live DJ, talented instructors, and all of the good vibes for your outdoor cardio dance party.

Guests are invited to retox after the detox and purchase an optional brunch buffet ticket for $30, which includes a create your own toast station, seasonal fresh fruit display, and one mimosa with additional beverages available for purchase.

Space is limited. For more information or to reserve your complimentary spot, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/305-fitness-brunch-x-the-graham-rooftop-tickets-66571197243.

 District Hemp Botanicals announces  its Grand Opening Happy Hour and Wellness Pop-Up to celebrate its third location at 1323 Connecticut Avenue (2nd Floor) on Friday, September 6, 2019 from 6-8 pm. 

“We are thrilled to have a new location of District Hemp Botanicals in the heart of DC’s vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood and we are looking forward to bringing the highest quality CBD products, wellness workshops, and events to the surrounding community,” said owner Barbara Biddle. “Our grand opening celebration will showcase a variety of our favorite wellness brands and we invite the whole community to join in the fun.”

The grand opening will feature music, product demos, giveaways, free CBD massages, CBD-infused mocktails, swag bags, samples, tastings, and food from HipCityVeg. As part of the evening’s grand opening festivities, District Hemp will host a wellness pop-up in the adjacent Epic Yoga space featuring:

• District Herbs 
• Georgetown Massage & Bodywork
• Aethera Beauty
• Rose Glow Tea Room
• Hemp Kettle Tea
• Kazooted Chocolates
• Extreme Terpz
• i and i Botanicals
• National Holistic Healing Center
• Klean by Kerensa
• And more!

The first 30 customers will receive a free 250 mg CBD tincture with RSVP and purchase.

Bring the whole family—including pets!—to support Smithsonian conservation efforts all over the world at The Fast & the Fierce 5K, sponsored by Aegis Project Controls. Friends of the National Zoo will host its second annual race for wildlife at Freedom Plaza in downtown Washington, D.C., Saturday, Sept. 14.

Like the inaugural run, the event focuses on a Conservation Nation rhino project. This year, the race will raise funds for black rhinos in South Africa, where researchers hope to learn critical information about how the species’ diet impacts its immune system and ability to reproduce as its numbers dwindle in the wild.

Costumes are encouraged, but not required, and the 5K will be followed by a short afterparty featuring an award ceremony honoring winners in all categories, including top runners by age group, stand-out pups and stellar outfits.

“Run or walk, fundraise, wear a fun costume or just cheer on fellow conservationists from the sidelines—support wildlife conservation however you can. Your pet can even register for their own fundraising page,” said Lynn Mento, Executive Director of Friends of the National Zoo.

Though race day might be months away, conservationists don’t have to wait to make a difference for animals. Participants can create their own page now atwww.fonz.org/5k to fundraise for Conservation Nation, a Friends of the National Zoo initiative that supports global wildlife projects to save endangered animals.

In addition to creating their own pages, supporters can set goals and win prizes for reaching milestones. Those who can’t attend can still sign up for free as a virtual runner, fundraising and helping to save rhinos from the comfort of their own couch.

Registration closes at noon on Friday, Sept. 13. Fundraising proceeds will directly benefit rhinos and Conservation Nation projects across the globe, including those that focus on marine mammals in Peru, tapirs in Paraguay, Meadowlarks in North America and elephants in Myanmar.

Go to www.fonz.org/5k for more information or to register.