Events/Things To Do

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.

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

An impressive collection by world-renowned artist Romero Britto will be on exhibition and available for acquisition at Wentworth Gallery in    The exhibition presents Saturday, April 21^st  2018 with a live Artist Appearance at both Wentworth Gallery Metro DC locations:  Westfield Montgomery Mall  from Noon-3pm and an evening event at Tysons Galleria from 6:00 pm-9:00 pm.   The galleries will host this public exhibition, which is complimentary and RSVPs are strongly suggested.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Video Bio for All Platforms:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/zyixy1uuvdsksl2/BrittoLife1.mov?dl=0

With an iconic style that The New York Times described, “exudes warmth, optimism and love,”, Romero Britto is an international artist that uses vibrant, bold and colorful patterns to reflect his optimistic view of the world around him. His playful themes and hard‐edged compositions, combined with his unique talent, unshakable resolve and belief in his art, have granted him worldwide recognition, with exhibition in galleries and museums in over 100 countries and counting. The artist’s pop sensibility has leant itself to collaborations with global brands such as Audi, Bentley, Coca‐Cola, Walt Disney, Evian, Hublot, and Mattel, to name a few. Britto’s work evokes happiness and hope using a visual language all its own and is, simply, relatable to all.

Romero Britto was born in Recife, Brazil in 1963. Self-taught at an early age, he painted on surfaces such as newspapers. In 1983, he traveled to Paris where he was introduced to the work of Matisse and Picasso. He combined influences from cubism with pop, to create a vibrant, iconic style that The New York Times describes, “exudes warmth, optimism and love.”

In 1988, Britto moved to Miami and emerged as an international artist. In the following year, he was selected alongside Andy Warhol and Keith Haring for Absolut Vodka’s “Absolut Art” campaign. Britto’s pop sensibility has since leant itself to many collaborations with such brands as Audi, Bentley, Disney, Technomarine, Evian and FIFA, for whom he created an official poster for the 2010 World Cup.

pop art

päp ˌärt/

noun

noun: pop art

art based on modern popular culture and the mass media, especially as a critical or ironic

comment on traditional fine art values.

Photo Caption:  In Love     Sculpture

 Britto considers the role of an artist to be an agent of positive change. He serves as a benefactor, donating time, art and resources to over 250 charitable organizations and several boards such as Best Buddies International, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. He was recently named a founding inaugural benefactor of Harvard’s “International Negotiation Program,” by Dr. Daniel Shapiro, in his quest for peaceful conflict resolution.

Britto has also spoken at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and at countless schools and institutions. In early 2011 the President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, invited Britto to create the logo for Rede Cegonha, a project to reach over 61 million pre-and post-natal mothers and babies.

WHEN:   Saturday, April 21^st  , 2018

12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Westfield Montgomery Mall

7101 Democracy Blvd.

Bethesda, Maryland

For more information about this event, contact Ms. Holly Hendrickson via e-mail atmontgomery@wentworthgallery.com.  To reach the gallery directly, or to RSVP, call 301.365.3270

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Wentworth Gallery @ Tysons Galleria

1807 U. International Drive

McLean, Virginia 22102

20 local artists in a variety of disciplines will be exhibiting over 100 pieces all priced under $750 at “Real Art on a Shoestring” at SR/A La Collection in downtown Bethesda. This notable event aims to show the average consumer that owning original art is not out of their budget.

The opening reception will occur on April 26 from 6:00 – 8:30pm. “Real Art on a Shoestring” will be on display through summer 2018.

SR/A La Collection is the retail gallery arm of SR/A Interior Design, a boutique commercial interior design firm. SR/A showcases a revolving collection of artists and antiques in the 3500 SF gallery space that fronts their office-space in downtown Bethesda. Unlike typical art galleries, SR/A believes art shows best as it would in a person’s home – surrounded by furniture, accessories and antique treasures. As original art has a reputation for being too expensive, for this show SR/A has partnered with 20 local artists to bring the public affordable, yet exquisite pieces – all for $750 or below.

This event plays on the well-known phrase, “on a shoestring,” to prove that creative pieces can be found on a smaller budget. The list of participating artists includes local favorites such as Linda Cafritz, Mark Schwenk, Fabiano Amin, Stefanie Stark, and more!

“I think this show is a great way for people to buy affordable, real works of art from local artists. There are so many different styles, mediums, and artists participating in this show; it’s a great opportunity to see, admire, and add art to your life” – Fabiano Amin, Participating Local Artist

You can catch these remarkable artists and their creations, as well as complimentary food and drinks, on April 26^th, 2018 at SR/A La Collection (7020 Wisconsin Ave.)

Crystal City’s summertime happy hour is back, opening a month early and announcing a new partnership with The Stand  bringing food and beverage from local restaurants and an exciting live music lineup. Starting on May 4, each Friday from 5-9 pm, attendees can listen to live music from a variety of bands while enjoying local bites and drink.

As part of its ReDiscovery Reading Series, the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) will stage a free reading of David Ives new play, The Panties, The Partner and The Profit: Scenes from the Heroic Life of the Middle Class, on Monday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lansburgh Theatre. A discussion with David Ives will take place after the reading, providing the audience with the opportunity to learn more about the play before the full production arrives onstage at STC in the 2018–2019 Season.

Following the success of The Liar, The Heir Apparent, The Metromaniacs (currently playing at Red Bull Theater) and last season’s The School for Lies, David Ives gives his “translaptation” treatment to Carl Sternheim’s epic trilogy, Scenes from the Heroic Life of the Middle Class—transforming three full-length plays into a single brisk evening filled with panties falling, parents visiting, vast fortunes being made, and other signs of the looming near-apocalypse.

The reading features an impressive cast including: Greg Hildreth, who is currently playing Olaf in Frozenon Broadway; Kelly Hutchinson, recently seen Off-Broadway in The Government Inspector; Helen Cespedes currently in The Age of Innocence at Hartford Stage and, D.C. favorites Michael Glenn, Dorea Schmidt and Gregory Wooddell, who all appeared in David Ives’s The School for Lies at STC last season.

Now in its 25^th season, the ReDiscovery Series aims to introduce audiences to new adaptations of great but lesser-known classic plays under consideration for STC’s mainstage seasons, and the readings are often the first step in bringing a new adaptation or an under-produced classic back into the spotlight.

“I’ve taken three full-length plays and condensed them into a single evening, moving early 20^th-century German family life into America today, with what I hope is comparable comic and satiric effect,” says David Ives. “My aim is to bring to life on a modern stage the message, if not the warning that Sternheim was shouting from his era, right into our collective ear. We are looking at Sternheim’s comedy anew, through contemporary eyes, so it seems fitting that it should premiere as part of STC’s ReDiscovery Reading Series.”

Sternheim (1878-1942), a successful social satirist, is best known for a series of plays that he titled “From The Heroic Life of the Middle Class.” They tell the story of the Mask family, which moves from lower middle class to middle class to filthy rich over three generations of German society. In Ives new version, the series now begins in Boston in 1950 (“The Panties”), goes on to New York and Wall Street in 1986 (“The Partner”) and brings the Mask family up to date in our own day with the Mask grandchildren now rich in Malibu (“The Profit”).

The reading will be directed by STC Associate Artistic Director Alan Paul. The main stage production next season will be directed by Artistic Director Michael Kahn, in his final season leading STC.

Audiences wishing to hear Ives’ work can reserve their spot at http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/events/panties-partner-profit-scenes-heroic-life-middle-class/ or call the Box Office at 202.547.1122.

For more information about the ReDiscovery series, visit ShakespeareTheatre.org/Rediscovery.

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Director Edgar Dobie are pleased to announce that Broadway legend Maurice Hines will serve as the Master of Ceremonies and international touring artist and global humanitarian Mary McBride will headline the 2018 Arena Stage Gala honoring Mayor Muriel Bowser on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St., SW). As previously announced, the Gala features the presentation of the third annual Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and will recognize Jessica Stafford Davis as an Emerging Leader. The Gala is helmed by event chairs and Arena Stage Trustees Lavern Chatman and Maggie FitzPatrick.

Maurice Hines, an actor, director, singer and choreographer, returns to Arena Stage to emcee the 2018, and will perform a couple of numbers. At Arena, he has performed in Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life, Sophisticated Ladies and Guys and Dolls. Launching his career at the age of five, his Broadway credits include Eubie!, Bring Back Birdie with Chita Rivera and Donald O’Connor, Sophisticated Ladies, conceived/directed/choreographed/starred in Uptown…It’s Hot (1986 Tony Award Best Actor nomination) and collaborated with Maurice White to choreograph/direct the hip-hop musical Hot Feet featuring the music of Earth, Wind, and Fire.

Singer Mary McBride and her band have performed in more than 30 countries, taking audiences on a roller coaster ride with their fiery blend of blues, gospel, country and old school rock ’n roll. The Washington Post described her voice as a “rugged, force-of-nature voice [that] unpacks the old spiritual like some distant relative of gospel legend Marion Williams.” McBride is also the Founder of The Home Tour, which brings high energy, high impact, live shows to audiences where they least expect it, including orphanages in Pakistan, disability centers in Vietnam, senior centers on the Estonian-Russian border and women’s prisons in Albania. CNN acknowledged McBride’s contribution to the global community: “McBride is on a mission. She is performing and touching hearts, reaching out and connecting people through music.” A native Washingtonian, she recently sang the National Anthem at Nationals Park. She appeared on both the soundtrack and in the film, Brokeback Mountain; released four albums; and has been profiled by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

“I launched the Home Tour as a way to reinforce the fact that people, no matter who they are or where they are living, have a right to live music, and to be surrounded by art,” McBride says. “I am honored to be performing in my hometown in Washington at Arena Stage, which, through its tremendous performances and generous spirit, makes every single person who walks through its doors feel instantly at home.”

“I am thrilled to honor Mayor Bowser at the Gala,” says Newburger Schwartz. “She exemplifies the best qualities of leadership in the ways she has brought disparate groups of citizens together to move our city forward. From her groundbreaking work that has given new life to the Southwest Waterfront, to her thoughtful policies that produce better schools and housing for our children and their families, she has created the vibrant community that is Washington today and it is my pleasure to present her with this award.”

The evening kicks off with a cocktail reception, followed by a performance and a three-course seated dinner. The performance will feature the presentation of the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to Mayor Muriel Bowser, in recognition of her unparalleled commitment to and support of the arts throughout Washington, D.C. The award was first presented to Arena Stage board chair Newburger Schwartz in 2016, and Arlene Kogod in 2017, and celebrates a female leader who strives to better the community in which she lives through her own unique strengths and talents. In addition, Jessica Stafford Davis will be honored as an Emerging Leader in recognition of her passion and entrepreneurial support of the arts. Davis is the founder and CEO of The Agora Culture, a multi-cultural arts platform that connects emerging and well-known artists with collectors.

All proceeds from the evening support Arena Stage’s award-winning artistic and community engagement programs.

Space is limited.

Event Schedule
Thursday, May 10, 2018
5:30 p.m. Cocktail reception
6:30 p.m. Award presentation and performance
8:00 p.m. Seated dinner

Individual Tickets
Dinner Ticket – $1,000
Young Professional Ticket (35 or under) – $300

For additional event details visit arenastage.org/donate/special-events/1718benefit/index.shtml.