Events/Things To Do

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.

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.

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Director Edgar Dobie are pleased to announce the presentation of the third annual Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, as well as recognize Jessica Stafford Davis as an Emerging Leader at the 2018 Arena Stage Annual Gala. The Gala is helmed by event chairs and Arena Stage Trustees Lavern Chatman and Maggie FitzPatrick, and will be held on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St., SW).

The evening kicks off with a cocktail reception, followed by a performance and a three-course seated dinner. The performance will feature 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. Performers to be announced at a later date.

Event Schedule
Thursday, May 10, 2018
5:30 p.m. Cocktail reception
6:30 p.m. Award presentation and one night only 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.

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.

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/meetings-events/stylish-entertaining-series

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.

We Will Survive Cancer Non-Profit Organization Requests The Pleasure of Your Company for The 5th Annual “Celebration Of Life” Black Tie Gala Honoring Steven Gaffney, Saturday The 12th of May Two Thousand And Eighteen At Half Past Six In The Evening At The Prestigious National Press Club Ballroom in Washington DC.

Details

6:30-7:30 Cocktail Hour (Live Classical Music) (Meet Steven Gaffney)

7:45:-9:00 3 Course Dinner (Location: Ballroom) With Live Entertainment (Jazz and Contemporary Music with Stephen Czarkowski and Neil Brown)

9:00- 11:00 Desserts and Awards Program

Steven Gaffney is We Will Survive Cancer’s 2018 “Celebration of Life” honoree and will be presented the Don’t Waste My Canceraward at the National Press Club. Steven is a leading expert on honest, interpersonal communication, with a focus on performance and change success. A prolific writer on an array of professional and self-improvement topics. Steven’s books include: Just Be Honest, Honesty Sells, Honesty Works and Be A Change Champion. Steven had a bout with cancer in 2009 and he is subsequently cancer free since. His response to his shocking diagnosis and the ensuing treatment regimen was to “keep the right perspective and appreciate life.” His outlook clearly reflects the spirit of hope that is the essence of We Will Survive Cancer. In honoring Steven Gaffney, we celebrate his life and work and offer an inspirational message from which we all will benefit.

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.

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.

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.