Events/Things To Do

On Saturday, May 19^th, from 11:00AM to 12:30PM, devout dumpling lovers and fans of Q by Peter Chang (4500 East West Highway #100, Bethesda, MD 20814; www.QbyPeterChang.com; (240) 800-3722; IG @q_by_peter_chang_) will have the opportunity to learn how to make some of the celebrated Chinese restaurant’s signature dumplings at ‘Pinched’ – a hands-on dumpling making and cooking class led by legendary husband and wife chef duo Peter Chang and Lisa Chang. This class will serve as the first in-house cooking class to take place at Q by Peter Chang, but the team has plans to continue creating and offering additional interactive culinary classes and events in the coming months with the hopes of further educating fans on the beauty, history, and diversity behind authentic Chinese cuisine.

Priced at $40 per person, this hands-on dumpling experience is open to all ages and will begin with a 10-15 minute demonstration by Chefs Peter and Lisa Chang focusing on the techniques behind dough making and wrapping. The class will proceed providing participants with 20-30 minutes for the hands-on portion inviting attendees to make their own dumplings followed by the cooking of their dumplings handled on-site by restaurant staff, and a 30-40 minute seated lunch experience. An assortment of both meat and vegetarian dumpling fillings will be available for all class participants to choose from.

“This is an exciting and engaging way for myself, my wife Chef Lisa Chang, and the team at Q by Peter Chang to interact more with our wonderful customers and community and to help educate them as much as possible on the beauty of authentic Chinese cuisine”, said celebrated Chef and restaurateur Peter Chang. “Following ‘Pinched’, we have plans to offer many more unique and interactive classes and events in the coming months to our devoted friends and fans, especially those that have yet to experience Q by Peter Chang. As our flagship restaurant, we hope to use this space as a way to truly unite Chinese food lovers and educate them on the diversity of our versatile cuisine.:

Reservations are required and can be made by calling (240) 800-3722 or emailing info@qbypeterchang.com.

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.

The Capitol Hill Film Classic is the nation’s most daring new film festival in Washington, DC; a unique knockout style short film competition where local entries compete against the best in the world. All submissions will be divided into two brackets– Best of the DMV and Best of the Rest of the World — which will compete for eight slots, with the final films being screened in front of a live audience at the historic Miracle Theatre. Crowning one short as the Best in Competition.

Made in D.C. pre-party will be held Wednesday, May 30 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Trusty’s (1420 Pennsylvania Ave SE). Come pick-up your ticket and Film Classic packet and mingle with local D.C. vendors who will be showcasing their products and services. The event is intended to gather people together, talk film, get excited for the Film Classic and enjoy the best of D.C. Location coming shortly.

SMITHSONIAN at 8 presents Invoke Your Pride: A Night at the African Art Museum

WHEN: Friday, June 1, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. (7 p.m. to 11 p.m. for VIP ticket-holders)

WHERE: National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC

Kick-off the annual Capital Pride Festival at this exclusive after-hours event at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art. Get special access to spectacular exhibitions, including Jim Chuchu’s stunning Invocations, and enjoy curators’ talks, music, dancing, cocktails, and more.

In his deeply personal and visually mesmerizing videos Invocation: The Severance of Ties and Invocation: Release, versatile Nairobi-based artist Jim Chuchu draws on the language of rituals and the divine imagery of world religions to commemorate his journey to self-definition as an adult and as a gay man, while envisioning a more inclusive African future.

Chuchu’s torso creates powerful graphic patterns as it spins, splits, multiplies, and morphs to the track of house beats composed by the artist. A singer, songwriter, and music producer, Chuchu has created a special playlist for the event.

General admission $30

VIP admission $50

At the door (if available):

General Admission $35

VIP Admission $60

For tickets and further information the public may call 202-633-3030 or visit www.SMITHSONIANat8.org

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.

• Ocean’s 8 movie ticket
• Food and drinks included
• Fun photo ops with an Ocean’s 8 themed backdrop and props. 
• Live performance from Perfekt Blends playing songs from the Ocean’s 8 soundtrack.