The renowned designer, Donna Karan is going to be in Washington, D.C.  on Tuesday, May 24^th – 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.

Jefferson Awards Foundation’s 44th Annual National Ceremony
Thursday, June 16th, 2016

WHO: Arne Duncan (former United States Secretary of Education), Sean Parker (founder, Napster), Sophia Sanchez-Maes, Kyle Zimmer (President and CEO, First Book) and many more to come…

WHAT:
The Jefferson Awards Foundation,the country’s longest standing and most prestigious organization dedicated to activating and celebrating public service, will host its annual National Ceremony at Mandarin Oriental’s Grand Ballroom to honor the most outstanding achievements in public service. The Jefferson Awards programs train and empower individuals and youth to serve and lead in their communities, amplifying their impact through our vast network of media partners, mentors and volunteers.

This year’s national honorees are: Arne Duncan, Sean Parker, Kyle Zimmer and Sophia Sanchez-Maes

WHEN: Thursday, June 16, 2016
Time: 6-9pm

WHERE: Mandarin Oriental
Grand Ballroom
1330 Maryland Ave, SW

Ticket Pricing: Starts at $500

Website: http://www.jeffersonawards.org/
Link to Buy Ticket: https://app.mobilecause.com/f/rzz/n

Best-selling author Larry Tye will speak about his latest book, “Bobby Kennedy: The Making of a Liberal Icon,” during an event hosted by the Human Rights Campaign, (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, at its national headquarters on Monday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m., 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, DC. Tye will also sign copies of the book.

The event is free and open to the public.

WHAT: A lecture and book signing with Larry Tye featuring his latest book, “Bobby Kennedy: The Making of a Liberal Icon”
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, at 6:30 PM ET
WHERE: HRC Equality Center, 1640 Rhode Island Ave, NW, Washington, D.C.
RSVP: The event is free, followed by a reception with light refreshments. Please RSVP here.

About the book, from the author’s publisher:

History remembers Robert F. Kennedy as the last progressive knight of a bygone era of American politics. But Kennedy’s enshrinement in the liberal pantheon was actually the final stage of a journey that had its beginnings in the conservative 1950s. Tye peels away layers of myth and misconception to paint a complete portrait of this singularly fascinating figure.

To capture the full arc of his subject’s life, Tye draws on rare access granted to him by the Kennedy family, including interviews with Bobby’s widow, Ethel, and his sister Jean, many of whom have never spoken to another biographer.

What: Author Talk and Signing with Dr. Jessica Tracy on her new book TAKE PRIDE: Why the Deadliest Sins Holds the Secret to Human Success

Where: Politics & Prose

When: Tuesday, September 20, 7:00p.m.

Why: Dr. Tracy is the leading expert on the emotion pride, and explains how to harness authentic pride and avoid hubristic pride to increase work performance, nurture relationships, and improve health of body and mind.

P&P Listing: http://www.politics-prose.com/event/book/jessica-tracy-take-pride-why-deadliest-sin-holds-secret-to-human-success

A bearded lady, a contortionist, a snake charmer and a fire eater – just some of the circus inspired acts that will foster the creativity by interior designers when the 7^th Annual Cosmo Couture Fashion & Design event takes place onThursday, September 29^th in Washington, D.C.

The annual event produced by the Washington Metro City Center (WMCC) of the International Interior Design Association Mid-Atlantic Chapter (IIDA-MAC), will pay tribute to the Big Top in grand form in which local architecture and interior design firms and manufacturing partners will create apparel out of interior materials reflecting the given theme. Garments are constructed out of interior materials such as tile, carpet, wood, vinyl, glass and rubber –  materials used in the built environment and finding ways to apply them to haute couture fashion, creating a bridge between fashion and architecture. Each year the theme changes with past themes focusing on D.C. area landmarks, such as the Smithsonian Museums, Embassies, American Presidents and the National Zoo. This year guests of the event will enjoy a fun night under the big top featuring the following circus inspired creations: Acrobat, Bearded Lady, Clown, Contortionist, Dancing Bear, Elephant, Fire Eater, Fortune Teller, Half Man / Half Woman, Harlequin, Horse Dancer, Human Cannonball, Lion Tamer, Magician, Mime, Motorcycle Stunt Driver, Siamese Twins, Snake Charmer, Strong Man, Sword Swallower, Tight-Rope Walker, Trapeze, Uni-cyclist, Ventriloquist and a Ring Master. The event will be co-emceed by WJLA-ABC7’s Meteorologist Steve Rudin and traffic reporter Jamie Sullivan.

Twenty-five design teams will participate in this year’s event. Designs will be judged by an elite panel of judges and awards will be given in various categories such as Most Creative, Audience Favorite, Best Performance, Most Unique Material, Best Interpretation of Theme andHaute Couture to name a few.  IIDA-MAC is pleased to announce this year’s panel of judges which will include Michael McCarthy (Editor-in-Chief of DC Magazine), Jennifer Sergent (Freelance Design Writer & Founder of DC by Design Blog), Maggy Francois (Founder of Fashion Design Firm Maggy Francois LLC), Ashleigh Axios (Former White House Creative Director) and Marty Smith (Momentum Group Director of Northeast Sales).

The 2016 Cosmo Couture beneficiary is Rebuilding Together of Washington, DC (RTDC).  RTDC’s mission is to preserve and revitalize low-income homes and community facilities in our Nation’s Capital.  RTDC makes free home repairs for low-income DC homeowners who are Veterans, elderly, disabled or caring for young children in seriously deteriorating conditions and for nonprofit community centers that serve DC’s most vulnerable citizens of all ages. RTDC’s home repairs enable low-income homeowners to remain in their homes, where they can live in warmth and safety with independence and dignity. To date, the IIDA Mid-Atlantic Chapter has donated over $100,000 to previously selected charities from Cosmo Couture proceeds during the past six years.

Cosmo Couture attracts approximately 800 attendees each year.  Event tickets range from $85-185 and sponsorship and table opportunities are also available online at http://www.cosmocouture.org/tickets.shtml.

EVENT DETAILS
What:  Cosmo Couture 2016 – Fashion & Interior Design Event (7^th Annual)
Presented by:  Washington Metro City Center of the International Interior Design Association – Mid Atlantic Chapter
Beneficiary: Rebuilding Together of Washington, DC

When: Thursday, September 29, 2016
Where:  The Howard Theater, 620 T Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
Time:  5:30-10:00PM
Cocktails 5:30-7:30PM, Runway Show 7:30-9:00PM,

Desserts 9:00-10:00PM

Website: www.cosmocouture.org

2015 Event Video Highlight: http://www.cosmocouture.org/eventphotos.shtml

James Beard Award-winning British author of A Bird in the Hand and Sunday Telegraph food columnist Diana Henry returns to La Cuisine in Alexandria, VA to promote her new book, SIMPLE: Effortless Food, Big Flavor – a gorgeous collection of 150 no fuss, flavor-packed recipes with influences from around the globe.

“The dishes in Simple are the kind I cook every day. They’re interesting – from all over the globe – and have lots of flavour, but they’re not taxing. There are recipes for Wednesday night suppers for the family and Sunday lunches – the lazy sort! – for friends. What we’re really short of when it comes to every day cooking is ideas – and that’s what I’ve given in Simple. Lots of them.”

The Colon Cancer Alliance will host the 6th Annual Blue Hope Bash to raise awareness about colon cancer on Thursday, October 20, from 5:30-10:00 p.m. at the Fairmont Hotel, in Washington, D.C.  In January, the Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation, the creator of this event, and the Colon Cancer Alliance merged to create the nation’s largest colon cancer nonprofit. This union helps accelerate a joint mission focused on increasing screening, and supporting patients and survivors of this disease. This year’s celebration will focus on the non-profit’s new vision around patient support, prevention and research, while elevating awareness and the importance of talking about colorectal cancer.  

This evening of hope, inspiration and celebration will feature a welcome reception, notable VIP’s, dinner, live and silent auctions, and the chance to win a new 2017 Mercedes Benz CLA.   

Through the Blue Hope Bash, the Colon Cancer Alliance aims to raise $750,000 to provide critical funds to support their mission, programs, and the 1.5 million individuals the organization helps each year.

EVENT DETAILS
What:  Colon Cancer Alliance – 6th Annual Blue Hope Bash
Presented by:  Colon Cancer Alliance
When: October 20, 2016
Where:  Fairmont Hotel, 2401 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
Time:  5:30-10:00 PM (6:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception, 8:00 p.m. Dinner & Program)

Website: www.ccalliance.org/bluehopebash

Social: @ccalliance #bluehopebash

Event Tickets:  Range from $350-$1,000.  Sponsorship opportunities also available.
Attire:  ‘Something Blue’ Cocktail Attire

Culinary Council Chef Marcus Samuelsson is coming to Macy’s Metro Center Wednesday, October 26^th at 5:30pm.  Join Chef Samuelsson for an evening of food, fun, and music – all in celebration of his new cookbook, The Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem!

Samuelsson will share stories and secrets on how to prepare some of his favorite award-winning dishes from his latest book.  There will be Harlem-inspired food and entertainment from W.A.F.F.L.E. (We Are Family For Life Entertainment), an internationally recognized dance group that performs a new hip-hop style and The Rakiem Walker Project, performing their signature style of music- a mix of blues, jazz, hip-hop, and Latin.

RSVP here to receive a $10 Macy’s gift card upon arrival.  Plus, with any purchase of $35 or more in the Home department, guests will receive a copy of The Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem, which chef Samuelsson will sign.