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
On Saturday, May 12, the award-winning Hay-Adams, located steps from the White House at 800 16th Street, NW, 20006, will launch its Stylish Entertaining Series, at the legendary Top of The Hay, a historic setting directly overlooking the White House. Participants will enjoy a seasonal selection of pastries from Pastry Chef Elizabeth Weinberg and indulge in Domaine La Rocalière Tavel Rosé and Scharffenberger Brut while learning about emerging trends in floral design and composing a spring arrangement to take home. Tickets are priced at $65 per person (all inclusive), which includes flowers, vase and afternoon tea. Reservations may be made here: https://www.hayadams.com/
This quarterly series of events will feature industry experts sharing ever-evolving insights about entertaining with ease, in a way that reflects each host’s personal style and creativity, in order to make guests feel treasured whatever the occasion. Next up is a Champagne tasting class in September, details may be found at www.hayadams.com in the coming months.
WHO: Sidra Foreman (www.sidraforman.com) is a florist, chef and gardener who plans, sources and arranges flowers for weddings and other events large and small. Her work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and Foreman was named one of the top floral designers in the United States by this national publication as well. As a former restaurant chef, she approaches arrangements the same way she cooks: by seeking out the best sources, gathering ingredients and pairing seasonal and organic items, that she either grows or has supplied by local producers, most of whom she has known for decades.
WHEN: The afternoon tea will be held on Top of The Hay on Saturday, May 12, 2018, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.(doors open at 12:45)
WHERE: The Hay-Adams is located at 800 16th Street, NW, Washington DC, 20006, across Lafayette Square from the White House. The historic Hay-Adams offers guests Washington’s most prestigious address with views overlooking the White House, Lafayette Square and St. John’s Church, the “Church of the Presidents.” Ranked the No. 1 Top Hotel in Washington, DC and the No. 5 Best Hotel in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards in 2017, the hotel is just minutes from the Smithsonian, the Museums, the Washington Monument, the National Mall, as well as convenient to Metro stations and the convention center. For reservations or more information call (202) 638-6600 or visit their website at www.hayadams.com.
Career Contessa, the only career site built specifically for women, and Trunk Club, a personal styling service, are teaming up for the second time on an epic event series, “Women Who Mean Business,” with this year’s focus on female leadership.
The events will take place Trunk Club Washington D.C. (May 16), and and will feature empowered women celebrating their careers through a night of panel discussions, networking, and other career focused advice.
Last year’s inspiring panel speakers included female leaders from some of the country’s most
buzzworthy and influential brands, including Instagram, Cupcakes and Cashmere and Dollar
Shave Club. This year, the panel will feature powerful women from Google, Beauty Bioscience,
Joss & Main and, of course, Career Contessa, who will explore topics such as how to build
resilience as a leader, serve as a mentor to other women, and cultivate effective teams through
insight from real women’s experiences.
Beyond the panel discussion, the night will be an ideal opportunity for attendees to connect with
likeminded women through curated networking sessions and mutual inspiration. Guests can expect professional photographers on hand to take LinkedIn headshots, as well plenty of foodie-
friendly treats, delicious drinks, and a surprise gift for the first 50 attendees.
“Last year, we met countless, inspiring women with powerful stories to tell so we’re beyond
thrilled to bring back this in-person experience focused on female leadership with our partner,
Trunk Club” said Lauren McGoodwin, CEO & founder of Career Contessa.
“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Career Contessa, working toward our common
goal of inspiring and empowering female leaders” said Jill Lynn of Trunk Club. “Last year brought
about a wave of positive conversation, and we look forward to continuing the dialogue again this
year with the Women Who Mean Business series.”
“Women Who Mean Business: A Night for Women Leaders—And
Leaders to Be,” will take place at Trunk Club’s Washington D.C. Clubhouse (525 9th St NW
#700, Washington, DC 20004) on May 16, 2018.
What: Join Co-Hosts Barry Dixon and Will Thomas for the Fourth Annual Rebloom on the Roof cocktail fundraiser at Fathom Gallery. Help us celebrate the power of design to change lives for survivors of domestic violence. Cocktails from DC magazine and light fare from Casa Luca by renowned DC Chef Fabio Trabocchi.
When: Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Fathom Gallery – 1333 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005
Tickets: Tickets are $100.00 via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rebloom-on-the-roof-cocktail-fundraiser-tickets-44805969862
Website: http://www.roomtorebloom.org/
About Room to Rebloom: About Room to Rebloom: Room to Rebloom is a 501c(3) organization centered on the restorative impact of interior design. Our mission is to design and create healing environments for survivors of domestic violence in the National Capital Area. Confidence and hope are crucial to women who are starting over, and a home that promotes healing and growth should be available to everyone.
Nearly 100 of Washington, D.C.’s best restaurants will descend upon the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for ZooFari: Dine for Wildlife, the area’s biggest and longest-running food and drink tasting event hosted by Friends of the National Zoo. At ZooFari you’ll be able to sample delicious food, wine, and beer, participate in a silent auction (featuring exclusive animal-made artwork) meet a naked mole-rat, and much more—all while supporting conservation work around the globe. Save the date for May 17, 2018 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. to celebrate and save species.
In addition to extraordinary food and fine wines, ZooFari also offers a night of unforgettable entertainment. The chef that rocks, DJ Chef—champion of the Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen—will be preparing eats while spinning beats!
Guests will also dance under the stars with live music by renowned dance band DC Fusion and classically trained violinist Ben Hoyt. There will also be exotic animal encounters, food sculptors, a cake decorating contest by the Art Institute of Washington, and a silent auction featuring exclusive paintings made by D.C.’s famous panda family Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Bei Bei.
“ZooFari is our premier dining and fundraising event, and the longest-running food and drink event in the nation’s capital. Many of the restaurants have been featured on Food Network, Travel Channel and Cooking Channel,” said Lynn Mento, Executive Director of FONZ. “Best of all, the proceeds from this fabulous evening support the Zoo’s mission to save species.”
Tickets are available now at fonz.org/zoofari. Ticket prices are $160 for FONZ members and $200 for nonmembers. Exclusive VIP packages are also available. Some of these packages offer all-access tickets, valet parking, and a private VIP pre-party, as well as behind-the-scenes animal tours.
The ZooFari online auction offers a lively way to support the Zoo’s programs. Bidding begins Thursday, May 10 at 501auctions.com/fonz. Vacation getaways, private Zoo tours, exclusive parties with top area chefs, and animal art are just a few of the hundreds of coveted items available in the auction.
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.
What: Fridays at the Fountain
When: Every Friday May – October from 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Where: Crystal City Water Park – 1751 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202
Live Music Schedule:
May 4 Revelator Hill
May 11 Whiskey Pull
May 18 Zach Cutler & Friends
May 25 Gordon Sterling 3
June 1 Big Bad Juju
June 8 Mary El Band
June 15 Revelator Hill
June 22 Jonathan Sloane Trio
June 29 Holly Montgomery
July 6 The Jogo Project
July 13 The Jon Miller Band
July 20 Gordon Sterling and the People
July 27 Big Bad Juju
**Later dates to be announced**
Admission: 100% Free to enter, listen, and relax; food and drink for purchase (credit cards accepted) – $5 for beer/wine. $20 to join the Mug Club and receive a branded, reusable mug.
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
Tickets are available at https://www.womenshistory.
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.
What: Fridays at the Fountain
When: Every Friday May – October from 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Where: Crystal City Water Park – 1751 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202
Live Music Schedule:
May 4 Revelator Hill
May 11 Whiskey Pull
May 18 Zach Cutler & Friends
May 25 Gordon Sterling 3
June 1 Big Bad Juju
June 8 Mary El Band
June 15 Revelator Hill
June 22 Jonathan Sloane Trio
June 29 Holly Montgomery
July 6 The Jogo Project
July 13 The Jon Miller Band
July 20 Gordon Sterling and the People
July 27 Big Bad Juju
**Later dates to be announced**
Admission: 100% Free to enter, listen, and relax; food and drink for purchase (credit cards accepted) – $5 for beer/wine. $20 to join the Mug Club and receive a branded, reusable mug.
