Events/Things To Do

Please join Suspicious Package and friends on Friday March 1 at premiere dc music venue THE BLACK CAT, for Journopalooza V battle of the bands!  The Black Cat stage has seen the likes of Foo Fighters, the Killers, Radiohead, the Roots and many others..

Well, those guys are booked elsewhere 3/1…but we hope you’ll come rock out with SP and five other great bands for fun times to benefit two good causes- Writopia Lab for student creative writing workshops in DC, and REACH to improve adolescent literacy in DC schools.  Ballot-stuffing for Suspicious Package highly encouraged – we would love to see you there!  Tickets will likely sell out, get ’em $20 in advance at www.journopalooza.com.

The oldest symphonic choral ensemble in Washington, D.C., the Cathedral Choral Society (CCS), is holding its Angel of the Arts Award Gala on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at the Embassy of Italy at 6:00 p.m.  Named for arts philanthropist, Laura E. Phillips, the Angel of the Arts Award honors a deserving man or woman who has dedicated their career and brought their passion for the arts to the Washington community.  This year’s recipient is Douglas H. Wheeler, president emeritus of the Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS).  This is the first time the Angel of the Arts award has been given in four years.

The 2013 Angel of the Arts Award honoree is the distinguished Douglas H. Wheeler, president emeritus of the Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS). WPAS and CCS have a long history dating back to the 1980s.

Mr. Wheeler’s historic career spans nearly five decades of incubating local talent and bringing national and international artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Midori, Yo-Yo Ma and Luciano Pavarotti to Washington audiences.
In addition to more than 60 performances each year, WPAS, an independent, nonprofit professional arts organization, forges community partnerships through educational projects with schoolchildren and develops innovative art forms with emerging artists.  Today, as president emeritus of WPAS, Mr. Wheeler is developing WPAS’s Legacy Society, works on special projects with nonprofit organizations, and serves on several national boards.

CCS is the resident symphonic chorus of Washington National Cathedral. Founded in 1941 by Paul Callaway who served as music director until 1984, the 130-voice chorus is the oldest symphonic choral ensemble in Washington. Since 1985, J. Reilly Lewis has conducted the Society in musical masterpieces from plainsong to the classics to contemporary works.  CCS has presented numerous world premieres; many of them commissioned by the Society, and has maintained a tradition of showcasing both promising young soloists and internationally known artists.

Gala attendees will include community, business, philanthropic and arts leaders and patrons from the D.C. region. 

24th Annual Casino Night Benefiting the National Kidney Foundation Serving the National Capital Area

Honorary Chairs:
Lorenzo Alexander, Washington Redskins Linebacker & Pro Bowler
& wife Manjanique

Special Guests:
Reed Doughty, Washington Redskins Safety & wife Katie, kidney donor
Anthony Armstrong, Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver
Rick “Doc” Walker, Former Super Bowl Champion, Co-host of “Inside the Locker
Room” on ESPN 980

Masters of Ceremonies:
Jummy Olabanji, Reporter, “Good Morning Washington” on ABC7, kidney patient
Scott Jackson, Co-host, “Inside the Locker Room” on ESPN 980, kidney patient

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Casino Night is an exciting black-tie optional event that raises funds for the
National Kidney Foundation Serving the National Capital Area. The event attracts
a diverse and affluent group of more than 500 guests and volunteers from the
business, medical and philanthropic communities in the National Capital Area.

Casino Night 2013, with a feature:
• Casino-style Gaming (Blackjack, Craps, Roulette)
• Premier Silent Auction Items
• Complimentary Beer & Wine
• Hourly Spirit Tastings
• Hors d’oeuvres and Desserts
• Dance Music
• Photo Booth

The Washington, DC area has the highest prevalence of kidney disease in the
nation. Proceeds from Casino Night support medical research, patient and
community services, professional education and organ donation awareness in the
DC region.

PRICE:

Early Bird Special (January 2-January 13): $85
Standard Ticket (January 14-February 17): $100
I’m Feeling Lucky (February 18-March 2): $125
Corporate sponsorships begin at $2,500

This dashing Canadian pianist is acclaimed as a “hero” (Los Angeles Times), a “spectacular pianist” (Fanfare) and a “smashing performer” (The Washington Post). A top-selling, award-winning recording artist as well as a concert performer, his discography covers a vast repertoire, and his signature performances of composers as varied as Liszt and John Corigliano have been hailed by critics as touchstone interpretations. In his Strathmore debut, LeFèvre will perform the Washington premiere of Francois Dompierre’s “24 Preludes,” written for and dedicated to the pianist by the composer.

Fans can observe this master artist at work, and hear young performers on the brink of their careers during a free master class on Saturday, March 2, 2013 from 10:30–11:30 a.m. Attendees can observe as LeFévre coaches high-level piano students on technique, interpretation and musicianship. Free, but tickets are required. Reservations can be made www.strathmore.org

Description: STEMS of Success will convene professionals from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), government and non-profit sectors to create a prime networking affair. This posh event will be held at the Goethe Art Institut, a trendy art gallery in the heart of Washington D.C.  Guests will have a chance to mingle with honorees from NASA, Teach for America & The Department of Energy. Philanthropist and entrepreneur Edie Fraser will host this networking event.
The featured event for the evening will be a luxury silent auction to directly benefit the Brilliant & Beautiful Foundation. Brilliant & Beautiful Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that supports the aspirations of women in scientific research and scientific enterprise. Their mission is to provide educational support, leadership, and opportunities for women pursuing careers in science.

Featured items include:
·      a “staycation” getaway at the Gaylord National Resort
·      Google NEXUS tablet
·      Odyssey dinner cruise for two

GENERAL ADMISSION INCLUDES:Wine Tasting | Light Appetizers | Red Velvet Cupcakery

• Ten fabulous women cancer survivors who will work the ‘catwalk’ in fashions provided by Bloomingdales Chevy Chase,
• Ten equally adorable critters who will be decked out in outfits provided by Bone Jour.
• Delectable snackatizers provided by Bertucci’s, Cava, Clyde’s Rockville, Not Your Average Joe’s, Windows Catering and Zoe’s Kitchen.
• Flowing Champagne, thanks to Barefoot (Wine and Bubbly).
• Yummy cupcakes provided by Lilly Magilly’s.
• Limitless chocolate by Sarah Dwyer Chocolatiere
• Win awesome Raffle and Silent Auction items.Examples: Bark, Capital Grille, Daisey’s Pet Service, La Tasca, Vasilis, Landmark Theatre, Potomac River Running, Pet spay/neuter, Buca di Beppo, Olney Theatre, pet photo session. airbrush make-up sessionand so many more.

Please join Samaritan Ministry to celebrate the Next Step Program and to honor the life and ministry of The Right Reverend Jane Holmes Dixon.

Saturday, March 9

6:30 – 9:30 PM

Silent Auction

Live Auction w/ Maureen Bunyan (Lead co-anchor at WJLA-TV_

Music by the Next Step Band

Festive Drinks

Heavy Hors d’Ouevres

Pianist Dan Tepfer has been hailed as “brilliant” by the Boston Globe; saxophonist Wendel is a must-hear for “jazz fans who want to hear the keen forward-leaning edge of jazz’s modern mainstream” (Ottawa Citizen). This concert will celebrate the release of their new duo CD, Small Constructions, on the Sunnyside label. After hearing the pair, The New York Timesheralded concert as: “a summit meeting of sorts between two steadily rising talents…”

Audience members can get a fresh take on where jazz is heading from these gifted young artists in Young Lions: Fresh Ideas in Jazz with WPFW’s Rusty Hassan at 6:30 p.m. in the Mansion. Free with concert ticket.

Celebrating Women’s History Month

Eleanor Roosevelt: Courage for the Journey

Charity Lunch and Learn at The National Press Club presented by We Will Survive Cancer

Guest Speaker: Ann Atkins, author of: “Eleanor Roosevelt’s Life of Soul Searching and Self Discovery”

12:00-12:30PM meet and mingle, 12:30-1:30PM lunch and program

Proceeds Assist Families Affected by Cancer

Thanks to our sponsor: Howard Fletcher from TTR|Sotheby’s International Realty

Tickets are $50 per person, and will be available for purchase in advance online until 11:00AM on Sunday, March 10, 2013, and then at the door.

Thank you for supporting We Will Survive Cancer!

The Embassy Chef challenge is like no other DC gala. Sample the same cuisine served to heads of state and regional delicacies from around the world. Embrace your inner foodie while sipping a cocktail from the top shelf open bar.

This is your chance to be served by more than a dozen chefs who will vie for your votes. A panel of celebrity chefs and food critics select the winner of the Judge’s Choice Award, while you cast a ballot for the People’s Choice winner. Rounding out the evening is a live and silent auction, featuring world-class items steeped in international flavor, including private embassy experiences. It’s an evening like none other!

Embassy Chef Challenge began behind closed doors with Challenge Hungary—a private preliminary competition. This cook-off – held on February 10, 2013 at Occasions Catering – was a Top Chef-style competition that challenged each chef to create a main course in two hours with one common ingredient and a basket of surprise ingredients determined by 2012 Embassy Chef Winner and 2013 judge, Hungarian Chef Viktor Merényi. The judging panel has reserved the name of the winner to be announced the night of the Embassy Chef Challenge gala.

The Embassy Chef Challenge reconvenes the night of the gala on March 14, 2013 when all chefs offer their best hors d’oeuvres for a second round of judging at the Ronald Reagan Building. The scores from the preliminary cook-off and the gala hors d’oeuvres battle determine the Judge’s Choice Award winner. Guests at the gala will vote for the People’s Choice Award.

The gala includes:

• Silent and live auctions showcasing culturally diverse food and adventure packages, with proceeds benefitting the free programs and events offered by Cultural Tourism DC
• Exciting, diverse and fabulous cuisine prepared by embassy chefs from various countries
• Top shelf open bar for all guests
• Judging by celebrity chefs and food critics
• People’s Choice winner selected by guests of the gala
• Mingle with the largest diplomatic community in the world