Events/Things To Do

Washingtonians rising early to watch Prince Harry marry Meghan Markle on TV or online on Sat., May 19 can now end this romantic day by enjoying some of loveliest and sometimes over-the-top songs composed and written by the legendary Cole Porter.

“Let’s Misbehave: Cole Porter After Dark,” will feature pop star Betty Who in her orchestral debut. Who, who is a native of the British Commonwealth of Australia, is best known for the chart-topping song “I Love You Always Forever.”

APO, in keeping with its mission to disrupt the status quo, will intersperse Porter’s works with dramatic readings of cheeky and outrageous online dating profiles.

Joining Who in bringing the musical works to life will be:

• Liz Callaway: Tony Award nominee, voice of Disney’s Princess Jasmine and Anastasia
• Ali Ewoldt: Phantom of the Opera, Broadway cast
• Bobby Smith: Crazy for You, Broadway cast, Helen Hayes Award winner
• Vishal Vaidya: Groundhog Day, Broadway cast
• Luke Hawkins: Star tap dancer from “America’s Got Talent”

“Cole Porter was so ahead of his time — he’d probably be overjoyed that we have this idea to celebrate the wedding of the Queen’s grandson with great singers and musicians and also mix in the creative ways people try to find love in the 21st century,” says Maestro Luke Frazier.

Frazier has won a following for his ability to connect the APO with modern audiences. According to The New York Times, “As much as any individual singer, what warmed the evening was the sumptuous lilt of the American Pops Orchestra, conducted by Luke Frazier.”

The program will include Porter’s mischievous, and sometimes bawdy, play on words and situations that resonate more than ever in today’s complex meeting and dating scene. These songs include “Anything Goes,” “You’re the Top,” and “Love for Sale.”

Tickets are available at www.TheAmericanPops.org for “Let’s Misbehave: Cole Porter After Dark” at Arena Stage at The Mead Center for American Theater at 1101 6th St., SW, Washington, D.C. on Sat., May 19 at 8 p.m.

The Cole Porter production will conclude the third season for APO that has featured acclaimed events such as a performance by singer Marilyn Maye and an Aretha Franklin tribute.

Penn Branch resident and SE Porchfest volunteer organizer, Ayanna Smith announced today the first Porchfest to be held East of the Anacostia River, Sunday, May 20, 2018, from 1pm-6pm in Penn Branch. Porchfests are mini-concerts on front porches. Local Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) in other DC neighborhoods have hosted annual Porchfests, including Adams Morgan and Rhode Island Avenue. However, there has not been a music festival of its kind East of the River.

“Penn Branch and Hillcrest have beautiful stately homes with front yards and large porches, mixed with a rich history and tons of hidden talent,” said Porchfest organizer, Ayanna Smith. “We have all of the elements of a perfect Porchfest. It is also a great way for undiscovered talent to garner visibility.”

The goal is to have six-to-eight bands perform three-to-five songs each, throughout the day.

Other DC Porchfests have been supported by local BIDS, however, the SE Porchfest is being organized by volunteers, solely.  For more information, email porchfestdc@gmail.com. Updates can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @porchfestdc.

On Tuesday, May 22, 2018, The National Women’s History Museum will host its Women Making History Awards in Washington, D.C. The annual event commemorates the achievements of women and the importance of preserving women’s history and highlights the need for a national women’s history museum on the National Mall.

This year’s event honors award-winning journalist and author Cokie Roberts, and #MeToo movement founder Tarana Burke. CNN’s chief political correspondent, Dana Bash, PBS Contributing Correspondent, Alison Stewart, will also participate in the program.

WHO: National Women’s History Museum Women

WHAT: Women Making History Awards

WHEN: Tuesday, May 22, 2018

6:00pmET Reception

7:00pmET Program

WHERE: Carnegie Institution for Science

1530 P Street, NW

Washington, DC

Tickets are available at https://www.womenshistory.org/2018-women-making-history-awards.

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.

Heart of America celebrates 20 years in Washington, DC

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.

Friday June 1, 2018

**Suspicious Package 10^th Anniversary Party**

Tropicalia

2001 14th St NW

Washington DC

Metro: U Street

7pm bar

8pm show

No cover

The contents of Suspicious Package 2008-2018 are:

Tim Burger * Bryan Greene* Josh Meyer * Christina Sevilla *Tom Toles

• 8:00 a.m. Race Start
• 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Post Run Village

• Jamie Vespa Cooking Light Editor, nutrition and culinary expert demonstrates fresh, healthy recipes on the culinary stage.

• Runners participate in a heart-pumping dance warm up with Mark Jones.

• Irene Kaznachey of YogaWorks leads a post-run stretch and Hannah Preston from Zweet Sport, offers an exciting body sculpt demonstration.

• Post Run Food & Fitness Festival filled with chef demonstrations, beer garden tastings, and giveaways!

• Jamie Vespa, Cooking Light Magazine Editor
• Owner and Inspired Chef Taria Ramos, of Inspired Cravings

• Tickets are priced at $45 (Prices increase June 1), and can be purchased at www.fitfoodierun.com.
• Pets are welcome.
• All events are rain or shine.

Washington Redskins teammates — cornerback Josh Norman and tight end Vernon Davis — announce that they will co-host the fifth annual White Party benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) and Norman’s Starz24 Foundation.

The highly anticipated summer soiree, originated by former Redskins player Pierre Garçon and with a head-to-toe all-white dress code, is taking place on Saturday, June 2 at Decades (1219 Connecticut Avenue NW). The sleekly-decorated rooftop boasts palm trees, tropical plants and greenery-covered privacy walls across the 2,500-square foot space, making for the perfect backdrop for the evening.

Local pro athletes, NFL executives, community leaders and Washington VIPs will rub elbows for a good cause, helping to raise money for BGCGW and Starz24 that will foster a new generation of innovative and talented future leaders nationwide.

“As a native Washingtonian, I have always wanted the best for my city, so giving back in this way is personally important for me,” says Davis. “It feels amazing knowing that our event will help make dreams come true for some of Washington’s best and brightest kids.”

“My Starz24 Foundation is all about developing future skills in our young people and the White Party will help us widen that reach,” adds Norman. “When Vernon and I talked about teaming up to make this event a reality, I knew we could have a real impact by working together.”

The White Party will feature a premium open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres donated by Barcode and a live auction.