Feb
27
Tue
Lounge Takeover with Chefs Mike Rafidi and Kevin Tien and Pit Master Joe Neuman @ The Source by Wolfgang Puck
Feb 27 @ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Lounge Takeover with Chefs Mike Rafidi and Kevin Tien and Pit Master Joe Neuman

Chef Russell Smith and team will host a lounge takeover from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27th, with guest chefs Mike Rafidi from Arroz and Requin, Joe Neuman from Sloppy Mama’s BBQ, and Kevin Tien from Himitsu. Multiple dishes from Chefs Smith, Rafidi, and Tien will be available and Pit Master Joe Neuman will be on site with his smoker. Beer will be provided by 3 Stars Brewing and unlimited Wolfgang Puck wines will also be included. Tickets are $50 and available here.

Mar
23
Fri
Smithsonian at 8’s La Grande Fete @ La Maison Francaise
Mar 23 @ 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

WHAT:  SMITHSONIAN at 8, in collaboration with Francophonie DC and the Embassy of France, presents La Grande Fête, the closing celebration of the 2018 DC Francophonie Cultural Festival.

WHEN: Friday, March 23, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

WHERE: La Maison Francaise at the Embassy of France, 4101 Reservoir Road, Washington, DC

Get ready for a spectacular party with a French accent. The annual Francophonie Cultural Festival spotlights the music, art, literature, film, cuisine, and customs of French-speaking countries and regions from across the globe. Its closing celebration, La Grande Fête, is always magnifique, and this year’s bash is no exception.

Beginning at 7 p.m., guests will launch into a world tour of francophone cultures. They’ll sample food and drink from more than 30 embassies as they explore each nation’s unique attractions and traditions. DJ Princess Slaya spins music from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and plenty of destinations in between. Experience the best of the French-speaking world—all without leaving home. 

General admission $40

Tickets must be purchased in advance (no sales at the door).

For tickets and further information the public may call 202-633-3030 or visit http://s.si.edu/2ocUayg.

Apr
14
Sat
Park Hyatt Masters of Food & Wine Seasonal Culinary & Beverage Experience @ Park Hyatt Tea Cellar
Apr 14 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. will host a spring 2018 Park Hyatt Masters of Food & Wine, a seasonal culinary & beverage experience on Saturday, April 14, focused on Japanese treasures.  Spring is cherry blossom season, merging two cultures, as these magnificent trees were a gift from Japan to the nation’s capital.  It is the ideal time for Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. to present the art of the Japanese tea ceremony with the seasonal bounty of the mid-Atlantic region.  On this particular afternoon, guests will have the unique opportunity to savor a “Washoku” inspired food menu prepared by Executive Chef Troy Knapp featuring American rice, Chesapeake seafood, and locally sourced vegetables, followed by a traditional tea ceremony, also known as Chano-yu, conducted by Sobin Koizumi, a Urasenke professor from Japan.  The Urasenke tea school teaches the history, importance, and practical knowledge behind this centuries-old tradition.

As a tenured senior professor of the Urasenke tea school, Koizumi has traveled the world teaching non-Japanese people about the heart and soul of Chano-yu.  Learning about Matcha and the tea ceremony with Sobin Koizumi is a unique and rare opportunity, both here and in Japan.  Tickets for this special event are priced at $100 per person, and available for purchase on Eventbite.  Guests will enjoy a presentation covering the history and proper manners for Chano-yu, followed by a tasting of two different rare Matcha teas from the same grower that have limited availability in the United States paired with seasonal confections from Kyoto.  Space is limited and reservations are required.

Additionally, guests of the event will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase 30 grams of Kyoto Uji Matcha, a high-end green tea powder, prepared from young first flush green tea leaves at Uji in Kyoto, the birthplace of the Japanese tea ceremony.  

HOW:             Tickets are available for purchase at: https://parkhyattmasters-tea.eventbrite.com. Seating is limited for this one-of-a-kind event and advance reservations are required.

 

Apr
21
Sat
Washington Tennis Ball @ Ritz Carlton
Apr 21 @ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

The Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF)is hosting its annual Tennis Ball on Saturday, April 21 at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. to support underserved DC youth becoming champions on and off the court.

This premiere event will kick off with a VIP Round Robin Tennis Tournament at WTEF’s East Capitol Campus, 200 Stoddert Place, SE and will culminate with an elegant evening of silent and live auctions, dinner and an awards program. This gala supports WTEF’s academic and athletic enrichment programs for youth in need in the District.

Willis Thomas Jr., a founding father of WTEF and the first African-American tennis talent from the DC area, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for his life’s work of coaching and mentoring WTEF scholars and building tennis programs in the community. Donald Dell, co-founder of the Washington Tournament now known as the Citi Open, will also receive the Champion of Tennis Award. As the Washington Tournament celebrates its 50thedition this year, the WTEF honors Dell for his contributions to tennis, and his foresight of giving the tournament’s charter to the Foundation to help DC-area children learn to love tennis while excelling in school.

This year’s gala is generously presented by Citi.

 

WHAT:          2018 Tennis Ball

 

WHEN:          April 21, 20186 -10 p.m.

 

WHERE:       Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. – 1150 22ndSt. NW

 

WHO:           Willis Thomas, Jr.

Donald Dell

Apr
25
Wed
Smithsonian Craft Show Preview Night Benefit @ National Building Museum
Apr 25 @ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
ABOUT THE PREVIEW NIGHT AND SHOW
Preview Night
Wednesday April 25, 6pm-9pm
Meet the artists, enjoy cocktails and a delicious buffet and benefit the Smithsonian (tickets $250).
Show Hours 
Thursday 10:30am-8pm
Friday and Saturday 10:30am-5:30pm
Sunday 11am-5pm
(advanced online purchase $17 or $20 at the door)
The Smithsonian Craft Show is organized and presented by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee. Proceeds support Smithsonian projects that open knowledge, adventure and discovery to the world.
Learn more about the artists, show hours, and daily special events at www.smithsoniancraftshow.org
May
5
Sat
11th Annual Around the World Embassy Tour @ Various
May 5 @ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

 In its 11th year, Cultural Tourism DC will produce the hugely popular Around the World Embassy Tour, part of Passport DC, a month-long celebration of worldwide cultures.

Both visitors and local residents can travel the world in one day, visiting more than 40 embassies to learn about culture, food, fashion and more during the Around the World Embassy Tour open houses. In the past, embassies have treated visitors to karate demonstrations, dance performances, sari wrapping lessons, police dog training, henna art and more.

 

WHEN:            Saturday, May 5

                        All participating embassies will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted

                        Admission is free, but some embassies may ask to see a government-issued ID. There is also a smart phone app and web-based phone app available to help visitors better plan their day. More information:https://www.culturaltourismdc.org/portal/signature-events

WHERE:           Embassies will celebrate their cultures’ food, fashion, arts and artisans, music, and dance by hosting DC residents and visitors inside their embassies. Embassies participating to date include Angola, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Gabon, Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Thailand, and Uganda.

HOW:              “So far, we received commitments from more than 40 embassies to open their gates and doors to participate in this year’s Around the World Embassy Tour,” says Steve Shulman, Executive Director, Cultural Tourism DC. “Now in its 11th year, we expect nearly 30,000 people to visit embassies during a single day to learn about countries from across the globe. It is a wonderful, uniquely Washington experience for families, individuals and groups.”

Melrose Georgetown Hotel’s Annual Derby Day Viewing Party @ Jardenea Lounge
May 5 @ 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Guests are invited to experience the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” tradition in Jardenea Lounge on Saturday, May 5, from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., offering partygoers and racing enthusiasts an authentic Derby Day program including:

  • A live screening of the Kentucky Derby race
  • Chance to place their bets on this year’s top thoroughbreds at no cover charge
  • Classic derby cocktails including:
    • Mint Juleps
    • Bacon Old Fashioned’s with in-house bacon infused whiskey
Jug & Table Kentucky Derby HH & Watch Party @ Jug & Table
May 5 @ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

In celebration of the 144th Kentucky Derby, relaxed Adams Morgan wine bar Jug & Table will be hosting a happy hour watch party from 5:00pm-7:00pm on May 5, 2018. While donning their most fashionable hats and seersucker suits, guests can enjoy 25% off rosé bottles and Distillery Lane Ciderworks Woodberry cider bottles, as well as $7 Kentucky Punch cocktails. Walk-ins to Jug & Table at 2446 18th St NW are welcome, although guests inquiring about seating availability can call 202-232-7663.

Jug & Table

2446 18th Street NW

Washington, DC

www.jugandtable.com

May
12
Sat
 British Embassy Open House Day @ British Embassy
May 12 @ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

The British Embassy will open its gates to the public for our 11th annual Open House Day on Saturday 12 May. Media are invited to cover the event, which offers visitors a rare look inside the Embassy as well as other unique activities celebrating British culture.

The Open House Day is special this year, as it is exactly one week before the Royal Wedding. During the event, visitors will be able to congratulate Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle on their upcoming wedding by creating a card and placing it in the mailbox to be sent to Kensington Palace.

During Open House Day, visitors will get a rare look inside the embassy and access to the Ambassador’s Residence and Gardens, home to several trees planted by members of the Royal Family. The Residence ballroom will be set up as it would be prepared for a State Dinner with Her Majesty the Queen.

Other highlights of the day include:

  • Special appearances by the Superbowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders, Eagles Drumline and Eagles mascot, SWOOP, ahead of their NFL game in London
  • A fleet of British luxury vehicles from Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover, Lotus and Rolls-Royce
  • British food and drink, including whiskey and wine
  • Performances from Shakespearian players and the British International School of Washington
  • A tennis serve cage to see how fast you can serve at the Residence tennis court
  • Displays of the most iconic British scenery for selfies
May
18
Fri
SerbFest DC Spring 2018 Festival @ Saint Luke Serbian Orthodox Church
May 18 @ 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
SerbFest DC’s upcoming Spring 2018 Festival kicks off Friday, May 18th through Sunday, May 20th, bringing authentic Serbian food, culture, crafts and entertainment to the greater Washington, DC area.
 

Presented by  Saint Luke Serbian Orthodox Church of Potomac, MD—the epicenter for Serbian culture in and around Washington, DC—the three-day festival has something for everyone, including traditional Serbian dishes, beverages, dance and music performances, gifts and boutique items and family-friendly activities.  In addition, admission and parking are free, an indoor setup has been arranged in case of inclement weather and all a la carte food item proceeds benefit Saint Luke Serbian Orthodox Church.

Dates:
Friday, May 18th (11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
Saturday, May 19th (11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
Sunday, May 20th (12:00 noon – 6:00 p.m.)
Parking: Located in rear of St. Luke property and next door at St. Peter & Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church

Entertainment Schedule:

Friday, May 18thKalca Band & Maestro Petar Marić from 6-9:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 19th‘Sviraj’ Tamburitza Orchestra (Steelton, PA) from 2-5:00 p.m. and 6-9:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 19thMaestro Petar Marić from 5-6:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 19th: St. Luke Serbian Orthodox Church’s
Serbian Folklore Ensemble–Adult and Children’s Group (Washington, DC) at 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 20th‘Sviraj’ Tamburitza Orchestra (Steelton, PA) from 1-5:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 20th: Serbian Folklore Ensemble ‘Ravna Gora’ (Hamilton, Ontario – Canada) at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 20thAcademy of Serbian Folk Dancing Association (Toronto, Ontario – Canada) at 3:00 p.m.
Menu: 
Traditional Serbian dishes: 
Pita sa mesom (baked ground beef layered in phyllo dough)
Zeljanica (baked spinach & cheese in phyllo dough)
Gibanica (baked cheese in phyllo dough)
Kupus salata (cabbage salad)
Šopska salata (tomato, cucumber & onion salad with feta cheese)
From the Grill: 
Ćevapčići (grilled skinless ground meat sausages)
Jagnjetina (spit-roasted lamb)
Svinjetina (spit-roasted pig)

 

Desserts: 
Krofna (deep-fried donut)
Palačinka (crepe)
Serbian nut rolls
Poppy seed rolls
Kolači (cookies) 

 

Serbian beersJelen, LAV, Nikšićko and BiP beers from Serbia & the former Yugoslavia 
Serbian liquorRakija, which is Serbian brandy made from fruit—the most famous is Slivovitz, which is made from plums