Feb
24
Sat
Savion Glover’s All FuNKD’ Up, The ConCert @ National Theatre
Feb 24 @ 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Acclaimed dancer and choreographer Savion Glover launches the North American Tour of Savion Glover’s All FuNKD’ Up, The ConCert at Washington, D.C.’s National Theatre with performances on Friday, February 23 and Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 8pm.

 

Tickets may be purchased online at TheNationalDC.com, in person at the National Theatre Box Office (Monday thru Friday fromNoon to 6:00 PM), or by calling 800-514-3849. The National Theatre is located at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW in downtown Washington, D.C.

 

This thrilling new show highlights tap dance superstar Savion Glover’s mesmerizing interplay of percussive genius as he and his six-piece band and a company of dancers illumnate original grooves and compositions as only a tap dance master could. All FuNKD’ Up marks the newest innovative expression from Tony® Award-winning choreographer and dancer Savion Glover(Broadway’s BRING IN ’DA NOISE, BRING IN ’DA FUNK).

 

The New York Times hailed Savion Glover as “the greatest tap dancer who has ever lived” while Huffington Post called him “energetic and uplifting.” NBC News said that Savion Glover is what happens when you allow passion, creativity, and drive to take over.” Discover Hollywood described him as “absolutely sensational” with “brilliant dancing.”

 

SAVION GLOVER

Celebrating his 35th year as a performing artist in show business, Tony Award-winning tap dancer, choreographer, and Producer Savion Glover’s Broadway and film credits include THE TAP DANCE KID, BLACK & BLUE, JELLY’S LAST JAM, BRING IN ‘DA NOISE BRING IN ‘DA FUNK, the movie TAP with Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis, Jr., Spike Lee’s BAMBOOZLED and HAPPY FEET and HAPPY FEET 2, which he choreographed. Most recently recognized for his award-winning choreography in the acclaimed Broadway musical SHUFFLE ALONG, Mr., Glover continues to focus on bringing attention to the artform of Tap Dance as an instrumental component as maintaining a highly entertaining visual. Mr. Glover enjoys dancing on concert stages around the world with legendary jazz musicians such as Jack DeJohnette, Roy Haynes, and McCoy Tyner.

 

In his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, Savion Glover holds the honor of being on the Board of Directors at the NJPAC where he also serves as NJPAC’s Dance Ambassador. Also in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, Savion Glover established The HooFeRzCLuB School For Tap as well as Savion Glover Productions – a production entity highlighting the tradition of tap dancing and sound, and also serves as a team-based organization that seeks to provide quality production and project management services for dancers. Credits for Savion Glover Productions include Classical Savion®, Savion Glover’s Bare Soundz, Visions of a Bible, Savion Glover’s SOLO IN TIME, Savion Glover’s SoLE Sanctuary, Invitations to a Dancer, Savion Glover’s STePz, Savion Glover and The Otherz and Assistant Segment Producer of Savion Glover’s Bare Soundz appearance on DANCING WITH THE STARS.

 

CALENDAR INFORMATION

Savion Glover’s All FuNKD’ Up, The ConCert

 

PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES:

2 performances only: Friday, February 23 and Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 8pm

 

LOCATION

The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

 

Metro: Metro Center, Federal Triangle

 

For parking information, visit thenationaldc.org/directions-parking/

 

TICKETS

Tickets for Savion Glover’s All FuNKD’ Up, The ConCert may be purchased online at TheNationalDC.com, by calling 800-514-3849, or in person at the National Theatre Box Office (Monday thru FridayNoon to 6:00 PM). On show days, including weekends, the box office is open 2 hours prior to the performance start time, and closes 30 minutes after the show begins.

Feb
28
Wed
10th Annual DC CAPital Stars Talent Competition @ Eisenhower Theater at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Feb 28 @ 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

The 10th Annual DC CAPital Stars Talent Competition is an annual fundraiser event for DC CAP (College Access Program). The theme for this year’s event is “A Harlem Renaissance Revival”. The Top 10 Finalists will compete across the categories of vocal, instrumental and dance at the talent competition for a chance to win a DC CAP scholarship to go towards the student’s first year of college. Celebrity judges and the audience will select the winners. Visit www.dccap.org/gala for more information.

Mar
4
Sun
Cathedral Choral Society: Solitude & Joy @ Washington National Cathedral
Mar 4 @ 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

The Cathedral Choral Society continues its 2017.18 season with
Solitude and Joy on Sunday, March 4, 4:00 pm at Washington National Cathedral.
Guest conductor Donald Nally leads the chorus, joined by cellist Thomas Mesa and
organist Scott Dettra.

The program features a diverse selection of contemporary and 20 th century music,
including two new commissions for choir: Ēriks Ešenvalds’ 85 and Alex Berko’s
Lincoln. Latvian Ēriks Ešenvalds is one of the most sought-after composers working
today. His compositions have been premiered by the Boston Symphony, The King’s
Singers, Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, and more. Alex Berko is an American
composer currently attending Indiana University. His music has been performed by
members of The Crossing Choir, Del Sol String Quartet, and the Cape Cod Symphony.
His piece, Lincoln, uses the text from the dedication plaque that accompanies the statue
of Abraham Lincoln in Washington National Cathedral.

Completing the program: Gabriel Jackson’s Creator of the Stars of Night; Sebastian
Currier’s Sanctus from Night Mass; Herbert Howells’ Behold, O God Our Defender; I
Would Be True; and O Pray; John Tavener’s Svyati; James MacMillan’s A New Song;
Pēteris Vasks’ Grãmata čellam (for solo cello); Arvo Pärt’s Salve Regina; and Maurice
Duruflé’s Notre Père.

The arc of the program is inspired by a piece of lyrical prose written by French writer
Pascal Quignard from his 2002 book The Roving Shadows: “Without solitude, without
the test of time, without the passion for silence, without the excitation and retention of
the whole body, without a frightened stumbling, without wandering into a region of shade
and invisibility, without memory of animality, without melancholy, without isolation in
melancholy, there is no joy.”

Mar
10
Sat
Leukemia Ball @ Washington Convention Center
Mar 10 @ 6:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Celebrating more than three decades as one of the Washington area’s most prominent charity events, the Leukemia Ball is scheduled for Saturday, March 10, 2018, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The event is dedicated to raising money for life-saving cancer research and patient programs funded by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Since the first Leukemia Ball in 1988, the event has raised nearly $60 million toward finding cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and efforts to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

 

Guests at the 2018 gala will enjoy entertainment from Grammy Award nominee, bestselling author, radio host, and comedian Jeff Foxworthy, known best for his blue-collar humor and comedic storytelling style that has been compared to Mark Twain’s. In addition to hosting numerous television programs including the FOX game show “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader” and the CBS reality series “The American Baking Competition,” Foxworthy has his own comedy channel, “Jeff and Larry’s Comedy Roundup” on SIRIUSXM, showcasing some of the best in American comedy.

The crowd will also dance the night away to the sounds of Phil Vassar, one of only a handful of musicians to have multiple hits as a songwriter and as an artist. His country chart toppers include “Just Another Day in Paradise”, “Carlene”, “Six Pack Summer”, and others performed by Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, and Jodee Messina.

 

“LLS is changing the landscape of cancer research now more than ever, as the FDA has approved 13 new blood cancer treatments in 2017. LLS has supported nearly all of them,” said Beth Gorman, National Capital Area Chapter Executive Director. “Fundraising events such as the Leukemia Ball make that research possible, are critical to raising awareness, and directly impact the lives of blood cancer patients everywhere.”

 

The 2018 Leukemia Ball is co-chaired by Rob Copito, Vice Chairman, CBRE, Inc., and David DiLuigi, Market President, Greater Washington & Central Virginia for Wilmington Trust, N.A. They lead an esteemed volunteer Executive Committee of more than 45 high-ranking executives representing major organizations across the Washington, D.C. area who volunteer their time and efforts to create a memorable evening and raise millions of dollars in support of LLS’s mission.

 

Seventy-four cents of every dollar spent by LLS funds its mission, and LLS’s commitment to funding innovative research projects has contributed to an unprecedented rise in survival rates over recent years. For example, today, the five-year survival rate for the most common form of childhood leukemia is more than 90 percent, up from 3 percent in 1964.

 

“LLS has been on the forefront of advances in blood cancer treatment since 1949, with nearly 40 percent of all cancer drugs approved by the FDA since 2000 first approved to treat blood cancers,” said Copito. “However, the fight is not over. Nearly one-third of all blood cancer patients still do not survive five years past diagnosis. As 2018 Leukemia Ball Co-Chairs, Dave DiLuigi and I are honored to lead the charge as we aim to raise $3.2 million for this very important cause.”

 

In addition to top-notch entertainment, the Leukemia Ball also features an unparalleled silent auction and Mercedes-Benz raffle. The silent auction, which raised nearly $250,000 in 2017, is one of the area’s largest, featuring a variety of travel packages courtesy of hotel partners and the Official Airline of the Leukemia Ball, American Airlines. The Mercedes-Benz raffle features a grand prize of a 2018 GLC300 Coupe 4Matic Sedan (MSRP $46,600) and a first prize of 2 spots at AMG Driving Academy at Laguna Seca Raceway in Salinas, CA including hotel and airfare (Value: $6,300).  Tickets are $100, and only 5,000 are printed.

The Irish Tenors at National Theatre @ National Theatre
Mar 10 @ 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

THE IRISH TENORS kick off Washington, D.C.’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities a week early as they celebrate all things Irish with a special concert performance at the National Theatre on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 8:00pm.

Tickets may be purchased online at TheNationalDC.com, in person at the National Theatre box office (Monday thru Friday fromNoon to 6:00pm), or by calling 800-514-3849. The National Theatre is located at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.

With the ‘gift of the gab’ they already share in abundance on full display, THE IRISH TENORS will, with a full orchestra, bring their special magic to the legendary treasury of Irish music that is loved the world over. They have performed this glorious music in their own inimitable style to millions of listeners around the world and their TV broadcasts on American television, particularly PBS, have continuously topped the viewing charts, just like their numerous platinum recordings.

THE IRISH TENORS, as honorary ambassadors of Ireland and its legendary music, invite you to come along and indulge yourself, family and friends with a richly orchestrated performance of the greatest music of all time with three of the finest tenors of all time.

THE IRISH TENORS

Finbar WrightAnthony Kearns, and Ronan Tynan have been touring together as THE IRISH TENORS since 1998, with sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall, Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, The Hollywood Bowl, and major concert halls throughout the world. Their faces and voices are familiar to PBS audiences through several specials, including the “Ellis Island” recordings that sold a million CDs and DVDs. In the words of the great Irish-American actor Martin Sheen, who hosted their performance on Ellis Island, “once they’ve started, you can’t shut these guys up!”

Since they first joined voices in 1998, THE IRISH TENORS have made countless traditional treasures breathe with new life. Moreover, they’ve proven themselves gifted interpreters of a wide range of material, with such songs as “My Heart Will Go On” (from Titanic), “Fairytale Of New York” (previously recorded by Kirsty MacColl and The Pogues) and even Jimmy Kennedy’s “South Of The Border (Down Mexico Way)”. These songs live comfortably in their repertoire alongside “Danny Boy,” “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Fields Of Athenry”. Among their best-selling albums, Heritage ranks as one of the finest with classic recordings of many of the most beautiful Irish songs. We Three Kings is their best-selling Christmas Album and includes all the superb Christmas gems they feature year after year in their legendary Christmas Tour. Attending that Christmas Tour has become a tradition for many families who love their music and the special sparkle that marks their holiday program.

THE IRISH TENORS powerful vocal line-up of Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan are unquestionably the leading brand of this genre. All classically trained singers, each having performed in leading concert halls across the world, together they combine to produce a sound and concert experience which touches hearts and stirs the emotions. Happy songs of celebration and humour, mixed with touching melodies and songs that warm the heart.

They are surely versatile, but for many, Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, and Ronan Tynan are synonymous with Irish music. There is an aching bittersweet quality to much of Ireland’s musical heritage, a melodic loveliness and emotional intensity that brings a tingle to the spine and a tear to the eye. The dazzling technique and depth of feeling that defines this musical genre, amplified to the third power, is the hallmark of THE IRISH TENORS.

The magic they’ve captured on previous releases has resulted in millions of albums sold and the upper reaches of Billboard’s music charts. THE IRISH TENORS have appeared on several incredibly successful and highly rated PBS specials including Ellis Island and Live from Belfast as well as The Today ShowGood Morning AmericaRegis and KellyMartha StewartA&E Breakfast with the Arts, and are one of the best-selling acts to appear on QVC.

THE IRISH TENORS continue to tour constantly, thrilling old fans and winning new ones all around the globe. In North America, they are one of the most successful Irish touring acts ever, second only to U2. Whether as the powerful vocal trio in full flight, or in their cameo solo spots, a concert performance by THE IRISH TENORS is an experience that never fails to excite and bears witness to the power of great music when performed by true artists.

For more information, visit www.theirishtenorsmusic.com.

CALENDAR INFORMATION

THE IRISH TENORS

PERFORMANCE DATE & TIME:

Saturday, March 10 at 8:00pm

LOCATION

The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

Metro: Metro Center, Federal Triangle

For parking information, visit thenationaldc.org/directions-parking/

TICKETS

Tickets for THE IRISH TENORS may be purchased online at TheNationalDC.com, by calling 800-514-3849, or in person at the National Theatre box office (Monday thru FridayNoon to 6:00pm).

On show days, including weekends, the box office is open 2 hours prior to the performance start time, and closes 30 minutes after the show begins.

Mar
15
Thu
FGI DC Cocktails & Conversation @ Chicken & Whiskey
Mar 15 @ 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Cocktails & Conversation – Spring 2018

Come welcome our new board members & network the DC’s fashion and beauty influencers

Monette Corrigan

Retail Director, Tiny Jewel Box


Barnette Holston

Fashion & Lifestyle Blogger, The DCFashion Foo

Joy Kingsley-Ibeh

Founder, Kingsley Model + Talent Management


Baille Gelwicks
Founder, Cadence Event Planning

Chicken + Whiskey

1738 14th St NW, Washington DC

Thursday, March 15, 2018

6:30pm – 8:30pm

FGIDC Members: Free/Non-Members: $10
* Membership will be validated

Apr
12
Thu
Washington City Paper’s 10th Annual Best of DC @ Organization of American States
Apr 12 @ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

The Washington City Paper invites you to join in to salute the best of the best in DC at its 10th annual Best of D.C. Celebration at the Organization of the American States Headquarters and Art Museum of the Americas beginning at 6pm. More than 50 restaurants, mixologists, local breweries distilleries, entertainment, rare art exhibitions, and many more surprises will leave guests
mesmerized.

The event will benefit one of our city’s hidden gems, the beautiful OAS Art Museum of the Americas.

What: Washington City Paper’s 10 th Annual Best of D.C. Celebration
Date: Thursday, April 12, 2017
Times: VIP 6:00pm; General Admission 7-10pm
Location: The Organization of the American States Headquarters and the Art Museum of the Americas (Constitution and 17 th St. NW and 201 18 th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20006)

Price: VIP – $110; General Admission – $70
Tickets: http://www.xorbia.com/events/wcp/10th-annual- best-of- dc-celebration-

Artisanal Food, Bars & Restaurants: District Doughnut, ANXO, Cuba Libre Restaurant; Rum
Bar, Spark at Engine Company 12, Pow Pow, Blue 44, and many more to be announced
soon.

Brews & Spirits: Right Proper Brewing Company, Port City Brewing Company, 3 Stars
Brewing Company, Edrington Group, Belle Isle Craft Spirits, Virginia Distillery Company,
Catoctin Creek, One Eight Distilling, KO Distilling, Jos. A. Magnus & Co. and many more to be
announced soon.

VIP tickets include a swag bag, plus access to the VIP hour with tastings from specialty
bottles, signature cocktails, and savory bites from some of D.C.’s hottest restaurants.
Information about this year’s beneficiary: OAS Art Museum of the Americas (AMA)
The Art Museum of the Americas (AMA) (museum.oas.org) was the first museum of
modern and contemporary Latin American and Caribbean art in the United States. It is the
center of cultural diplomacy of the Organization of American States (OAS), a multilateral
diplomatic forum for the Western Hemisphere whose aim is to promote democracy, peace,
justice and prosperity (www.oas.org).

AMA’s origins are in the Visual Arts program of the Pan-American Union which pre-dates
the founding of the OAS in 1948.  This early commitment to promoting the art of Latin
America and the Caribbean helped to launch the international careers of artists who are
now regarded as masters of mid-20 th  century artistic trends of new figuration, geometric
and lyrical abstraction, and conceptual, optical and kinetic art.  Today, this valuable collection has more than two thousand works of art, including from Canada and the United
States, and is renowned as a premier collection within the international art community.

This year, the OAS will celebrate its 70 th  anniversary with a variety of initiatives to tell its
story of diplomacy in the Americas.  In service to the OAS and its mission, the Art Museum
of the Americas is gathering support to upgrade the preservation and presentation of it art
collection, bring in new exhibits and promote new artists, bring art to a broader
community through digital media and educational outreach, improve access to the art
galleries for peoples with disabilities and, in general, use this cultural diplomacy asset to
promote more rights for more people in the Americas.

The Art Museum of the Americas welcomes on-going patrons and new audiences to join us
in the celebration of the arts and diplomacy.

Apr
14
Sat
Let It Be: A Celebration of the Music of the Beatles @ National Theatre
Apr 14 @ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

What if the Beatles had reunited 10 years after their break-up? This revamped production of LET IT BE: A CELEBRATION OF THE MUSIC OF THE BEATLES answers that question, and brings you the show that you never got to see. While the first half of the theatrical performance is comprised of favorites from the Beatles career, the all new second half imagines a world in which the Beatles re-united. 

LET IT BE: A CELEBRATION OF THE MUSIC OF THE BEATLES comes to Washington, D.C.’s National Theatre on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Tickets for the 8:00pm performance on that day sold out within hours after going on sale. Due to popular demand, a second performance has been added on April 14 at 3:00pm. 

Tickets may be purchased at TheNationalDC.com, in person at the National Theatre Box Office (Monday thru Friday from Noon to 6pm), or by calling 800-514-3849. The National Theatre is located at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW in downtown Washington, D.C.

Relive the past from Ed Sullivan to Abbey Road, with favorite hits including “Hard Day’s Night,” “Day Tripper,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Twist and Shout,” “Get Back,” “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” “Strawberry Fields,” and then imagine the reunion that never was.

The end of the Beatles era was not thought to be in sight when the group played their last show on the roof of the Apple Offices in 1969. Imagine what would have been if The Beatles had continued their journey. Travel back to what would have been John Lennon’s 40th Birthday – October 9, 1980. For one night, the Fab Four reunite on stage after a decade apart performing hits like “Back in the USSR,” “Live and Let Die,” “Got to Get You Into My Life,” “My Sweet Lord,” “Hey Jude,” and many more they had never before performed live, along with other classics.

Seen by more than two million people worldwide, LET IT BE: A CELEBRATION OF THE MUSIC OF THE BEATLES made its North American debut in 2015 across the U.S. and Canada. Audiences can now enjoy the new, revamped “part two,” based on the Broadway show praised as “by far the best Beatles show yet” by the New York Times.

The original production established itself as one of the West End’s most popular shows when it opened in London in 2012. Showcasing the music of the world’s most successful rock’n’roll band, it charted The Beatles meteoric rise from their humble beginnings in Liverpool’s Cavern Club, through the height of Beatlemania, to their later studio masterpieces.

Praise for LET IT BE:

  • “The Beatles are back sending theatre audiences dancing into the aisles” — Reuters, New York
  • “Winning over an Empire full of Liverpudlians (including, last night, John Lennon’s sister Julia) is no mean feat. But one that Let It Be happily achieves” — Liverpool Echo
  • “Fab for all the family” — The Times of London
  • “Pure Beatles magic back on stage” — The Public Reviews, Liverpool
  • “Does everything and more to recreate that magic era” — Manchester’s Finest, Manchester

Apr
18
Wed
America’s Promise Gala @ Newseum
Apr 18 @ 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM

America’s Promise Alliance, the nation’s largest network dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth, will honor six exceptional leaders with its Promise of America and Promise Hero Awards on April 18.  The awards will be presented by General Colin Powell and Alma Powell, the founding chair and chair of America’s Promise, at the fourth annual Promise Night Gala which will be held at the Newseum in Washington, DC.

The Promise of America award, the organization’s highest honor, recognizes extraordinary individuals who have made an exceptional difference in the lives of young people and, through their work, have demonstrated the power of the Five Promises – caring adults, safe places, a healthy and safe start, an effective education, and opportunities to serve – to change the odds, transform lives, and build positive futures.

“Our honorees are extraordinary leaders, working diligently to make the promise of America real for every child,” said Alma J. Powell, chair, America’s Promise. “As we enter our third decade of work on behalf of young people in this country, these individuals remind us of the impact we can have if we use our time, talents and influence to make life better for the next generation.”

“Promise Night is an opportunity for us to celebrate the successes of our honorees while being inspired by their community and national impact,” said John Gomperts, president & CEO of America’s Promise. “Their commitment to the advancement of young people is essential to keeping youth on the path to adult success. America’s Promise is proud to recognize such a dedicated group.”

2018 Promise of America Honorees

  • Katherine and David Bradley are co-founders of the CityBridge Foundation, a private family foundation based in Washington, D.C. In 2000, CityBridge began investigating successful practices for combating entrenched, multigenerational poverty—all with the intention of launching a new, signature program in Washington, D.C. CityBridge Education, a nonprofit enterprise dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity for all children, was launched out of CityBridge Foundation as an education incubator that seeks out the teachers, leaders, and school teams with the ideas and the drive to create new, better models of school in Washington, D.C.
  • Dr. Michael Lomax is president and CEO of UNCF, the nation’s largest private provider of scholarships and other educational support to African American students and a leading advocate of college readiness: students’ need for an education, from pre-school through high school, that prepares them for college success. Under his leadership, UNCF has raised more than $2.5 billion and helped more than 92,000 students earn college degrees and launch careers.
  • Sondra Samuels is the president & CEO of Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), a collaborative of over 40 partner non-profits and schools. Along with parents, students, partners, and staff, Ms. Samuels is leading a revolutionary culture shift in North Minneapolis that is focused on ending multigenerational poverty through education and family stability. The NAZ collaborative is working toward a single goal—to prepare low-income North Minneapolis children to graduate from high school college and career-ready.
  • Jeff Weiner is the CEO of LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network with more than 546 million users in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Under his leadership, LinkedIn for Good has reached more than 1 million underserved youth, veterans, refugees, employees and nonprofits, connecting them to greater economic opportunities. Most recently, they’ve introduced LinkedIn Coaches, their signature program to connect underserved young adults and other underrepresented communities to the mentors, networks, and jobs they need to succeed.

2018 Promise Hero Honoree

In addition, this year America’s Promise will also recognize one individual who has made a sustained commitment and unheralded contributions to young people.

  • Dr. Wintley Phipps is founder and CEO of US Dream Academy, an organization dedicated to helping  the nation’s children reach for their dreams through academic, social, and values enrichment; empowering young people most at risk of incarceration to believe in themselves and to succeed.  In addition to his role with the US Dream Academy, Dr. Phipps is a world-renowned vocal artist, education activist, motivational speaker, pastor.  For his work at the U.S. Dream Academy he has received numerous service awards, among them: The Excellence in Mentoring for Program Leadership Award from MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnerships; the Oprah Winfrey Angel Network Use Your Life Award; and Philanthropist of the Year Award from The National Center for Black Philanthropy, Inc.

Last year’s Promise of America Award recipients included Kenneth I. Chenault, former chairman and CEO of American Express Company; Common, hip-hop artist, actor, and founder of the Common Ground Foundation; Arne Duncan, managing partner of Emerson Collective; Bryan Stevenson, executive director of Equal Justice Initiative; and Dorothy Stoneman, founder of YouthBuild.

In 2017, the Promise Hero Award was given to singer and songwriter Andra Day, and New England Patriot Malcolm Mitchell.

The title sponsor for the 2018 Promise Night Gala is the Ford Foundation. This year’s platinum sponsor is Salesforce. Gold sponsors include Kenneth and Kathryn Chenault, College Board, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, Say Yes to Education, State Farm and the Walton Family Foundation.

A Taste of Shaw Gala @ Howard Theatre
Apr 18 @ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Shaw Main Streets will host its annual A Taste of Shaw Gala on Thursday April 18, 2018, from 7pm to 9pm. The annual event celebrates the neighborhood’s status as a nationally-recognized dining and drinking destination and is a fundraiser for initiatives that enhance and promote commerce within the Shaw neighborhood, such as the two neighborhood-wide open house events and Art All Night in Shaw.

A Taste of Shaw returns to the Howard Theatre which will be the backdrop for live music by internally-renowned Ethiopian artist Yehuni Belay ad his band, libations and delicious bites from some of DC’s best bars and restaurants. Proceeds from the event support Shaw Main Streets’ economic revitalization and historic preservation activities in the Shaw neighborhood of DC, which have helped bring about the transformation of central Shaw since 2003. Shaw’s hashtag #LoveShaw, represents the comradery of Shaw’s business owners and the citywide support and accolades the neighborhood continues to receive. Yehuni Belay

A hospitality renaissance led by top chefs and mixologists has been under way in recent years, bringing fresh concepts and perspectives in cuisine and beverage, as well as a host of new talent, making Shaw the city’s top dining and imbibing destination. This year’s A Taste of Shaw welcomes new arrivals Gaslight Tavern by the Hilton Brothers, an expansion of Po Boy Jim from H Street, the District’s only Georgian cuisine restaurant; Supra and the latest additions to the Convention Center, The Morris American Cocktail Bar and Unconventional Diner.

Shaw Main Streets invites the entire region to explore some of the best the neighborhood has to offer at one venue, on one special evening. The full list of 2018 A Taste of Shaw host committee members providing sips and noshes include the following bars and restaurants: Beau Thai & BKK Cookshop Espita Mezcaleria Sugar Shack Donuts & Coffee Chercher Ethiopian Cuisine Etete Supra Declaration Gaslight Tavern The Dabney & Dabney Cellar Dino’s Grotto La Jambe Farmers & Distillers Drink Company Pop Up Bar PoBoy Jim Fish Scale Dolci Gelati Service Bar DC The Morris American Bar Seylou Bakery & Mill Unconventional Diner

Tickets are $80 in advance and can be ordered online at www.smsgala18.eventbrite.com. On the day of the event, tickets will be $100. Tickets include unlimited food and cocktail tastings, beer and wine, and complimentary valet parking.