Events/Things To Do

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 Wright, Anthony 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 Show, Good Morning America, Regis and Kelly, Martha Stewart, A&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 Friday, Noon 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.

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.

On March 24, 2018 Womxn F*ck Shit Up DC will be shaking the patriarchy and the walls of Songbyrd, 2475 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. Doors open at 5pm and womxn movers, shakers and music-makers will be f*cking up privilege until 12am. Pre-sale tickets are $20.

WFSU DC is an extension of the LA-based music and art event Women Fuck Shit Up Fest, founded by a collective of womxn in the music industry on the west coast. Their mission is to use music and art to bridge communities and raise awareness around social justice issues, aiming to create a community of womxn to hone their power and defy the feminine stereotype of “softness.”

On March 24, we at WFSU DC aim to amplify the voices of people of color, the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and all womxn-identifying humans through a night of art, music and solidarity. We want to empower and honor the fortitude of our community. We aim to bring together diverse people, ideas, identities, and works of art in order to foster the collective empowerment of all womxnkind. Being located in the nation’s capital, we have the privilege of existing in the heart of the patriarchy and by extension, oppression. We are witnesses to how toxic masculinity wraps itself in bureaucracy to routinely oppress “otherness.” This fest is a joyful act of resistance to bring the community together.

WFSU DC’s inaugural fest lineup includes: Santa Librada, BOOMscat, The CooLots, Aurora Lloyd, Chelsea Shorte, More Than FM, Sheila, and Lauren Ileana Sotolongo to name a few – and handful of national gems – such as Militia Vox, Michi, WASI, Julia Weldon, and The Txlips. The full lineup can be found here.

This year’s proceeds will benefit Casa Ruby, a local LGBTQ+ organization serving the D.C. area. WFSU DC is proudly sponsored by Tagg Magazine.

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.

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

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.

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.

Washington D.C. philanthropists, lung cancer survivors, scientists and friends will gather and boogie to the hits of disco at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium Friday, April 20, for LUNGevity Foundation’s 7^th Annual Musical Celebration of Hope Gala, Follow the Call of the Disco Ball.

The disco-themed gala benefiting LUNGevity, the nation’s leading lung cancer-focused nonprofit, will celebrate the extraordinary progress in lung cancer research and the improved quality of life patients are now experiencing due to earlier detection and new treatments for lung cancer.

For the first time, the annual event will be chaired by two lung cancer survivors, former ABC7 Anchor Greta Kreuz and King Automotive owner, Larry Aschenbach. Longtime LUNGevity supporter and NBC4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer will return as the emcee for the evening recognizing individuals and organizations who have demonstrated remarkable leadership in the fight against lung cancer.

Dr. Richard Pazdur, director of the FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence and 2015’s Face of Hope Recipient, will present the 2018 Face of Hope Award to Dr. Philip Bonomi, Alice Pirie Wirtz Professor of Medical Oncology at Rush University Medical Center, for his work to improve outcomes in lung cancer and how people live with the disease.

The  2018 Hope Award for Corporate Leadership will be presented to Foundation Medicine for their demonstrated exceptional commitment to the health and well-being of lung cancer communities in the United States and globally.

LUNGevity will also recognize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with the 2018 Public Service Face of Hope Award for their progress in improving access to high-quality care for veterans living with and at risk of lung cancer.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. with a cocktail reception followed by dinner, awards presentations, and dancing.

 For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.lungevity.org/hopegala

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 50^thedition 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, 2018; 6 -10 p.m.

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

WHO:           Willis Thomas, Jr.

Donald Dell