The Ambassador’s Ball raises vital funds to support multiple sclerosis research, as well as local rpograms and services that benefit those affected by MS in our community
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History‘s Raise a Glass Star-Spangled Banner Gala Event will be held September 12, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. This cocktail showcase honoring the Star Spangled Banner will support the American Food History Project at the National Museum of American History. The event will be emceed by Simon Majumdar from the Food Network and feature music by the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Quartet. Guests will learn how to mix their own cocktails at home, participate in mixology demonstrations, hear from cocktail historian David Wondrich, and see collections objects out of storage.
On September 22, culinary personalities from around the country will gather in Washington for a first-of-its kind charity roast of D.C. chef and pioneering restaurateur, Nora Pouillon. The night of food, comedy and philanthropy will be held at Dock 5 in Union Market, and honor Nora’s legacy, while poking some fun at her occasional foibles. All proceeds from the inaugural Chef’s Roast will benefit the Chef Action Network, an organization dedicated to building the next generation of chefs advocating for policies that support health, nutrition and sustainability.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the event will feature a series of roasters who will offer anecdotes and commentary on Pouillon’s storied culinary career, which saw the Austrian-born chef open Restaurant Nora in 1979 in Washington’s Dupont Circle neighborhood, and eventually turn it into America’s first certified organic restaurant.
The list of roasters is a who’s who of food world personalities, environmental and food issue advocates, including:
- Chef Rick Bayless – Frontera Grill, Toplobompo and Xoco
- Chef Carla Hall – Co-host of ABC’s The Chew
- Chef Michel Nischan – Wholesome Wave and Chef Action Network
- Chef Mary Sue Milliken – Border Grill Restaurants and James Beard Foundation trustee
- Chef Patrick O’Connell – The Inn at Little Washington
- Chef Ann Cooper – “The Renegade Lunch Lady”
- Ken Cook – President, Environmental Working Group
- Jim Crawford – Owner, New Morning Farm, Founding Member, Tuscarora Organic Growers
- Robert Egger – Founder and President, LA Kitchen, Former President, DC Central Kitchen
The inaugural Chef’s Roast is the brainchild of Arabella Advisors founder and managing director, Eric Kessler, and his wife, Sharapat Kessler, who also serve as event chairs on the host committee. “The Chef Action Network does a remarkable job helping chefs shine a spotlight on important culinary and environmental issues,” said Eric, “and we are thrilled to be able to support it while also paying tribute to Nora, a truly remarkable talent who has had a major, if often underappreciated, influence on American dining.”
During the proceedings, guests will enjoy a Nora-inspired feast prepared by culinary luminaries:
- Cathal Armstrong (Restaurant Eve, Eamonn’s, PX, The Majestic and Society Fair)
- Scott Drewno (The Source by Wolfgang Puck)
- Mike Isabella (Graffiato, Kapnos and G)
- Kate Jansen (Pastry Chef at Willow)
- Haidar Karoum (Proof, Estadio, Doi Moi)
- Mary Sue Milliken (Border Grill Restaurants)
- John Mooney (Bidwell, Bell, Book & Candle)
- Tracy O’Grady (Willow)
- Mikaela Reuben (Private Chef, Vancouver, BC)
- Andrea Reusing (The Lantern)
- Christian Thornton (Atria)
- Sherry Yard (Helms Bakery)
Individual tickets to the Chef’s Roast are $300, while tables for 10 can be reserved for $7,000-$30,000 inclusive of unique opportunities, including a meet and greet with chefs and celebrity roasters. All tickets are available through Eventrbite.
About the Chef Action Network
The Chef Action Network (CAN) is a non-profit organization that connects chefs to tools and resources that will help them create significant and lasting change in their communities, the country and the world. CAN is focused on harnessing the power of America’s preeminent chefs in support of a strong, sustainable, just and healthy food system. www.chefactionnetwork.com
Seinfeld writer Peter Mehlman’s will launch his debut novel at Kramer Books & Afterwords in D.C. on September 23, 6:30 pm in K Street Magazine. Known for most memorableSeinfeld-isms like “Yada Yada”, “sponge-worthy” and “double-dipping”, he is a graduate of the University of Maryland and wrote for theWashington Post before his engagement on Seinfeld throughout which he continued to write for top publications, including New York TimesMagazine, Huffington Post, Los Angeles Times, Esquire as well as contributing to NPR’s “Day to Day” and “All Things Considered”.
It Won’t Always Be This Great is a literary debut that perfectly captures Peter’s satirical genius in a uniquely conceived crime story, set in East Coast suburbia, that offers timely social commentary about religion, marriage, and the politics of life. Distinguished advance praise includes:
“Anyone who writes for television gets frustrated that they can’t write like Peter Mehlman. Now he’s going to make novelists mad too. Mehlman’s writing style is completely unique, and creates an intimate bond between the narrator and the reader. You finish the book feeling as though you’ve made a new friend.” ––Academy award winning writer Aaron Sorkin (A Few Good Men, The Social Network)
“Peter Mehlman wrote a brilliantly funny, effortlessly insightful and unexpectedly moving book.” ––Academy award winning writer/directorSteven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven, Erin Brockovich, Traffic)
“Peter has an uncanny knack for pin-pointing the absurdities of our petty bourgeoisie. Funny and astute and disarmingly humane.” ―Madeleine Brand, American broadcast journalist and radio personality
For more on Peter Mehlman, please visit: www.pmehlman.com.
Tuesday, September 23 at 7:00 pm
In Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future, the co-founder of PayPal draws on his experience investing in hundreds of start-ups and shares what he has learned about how to build companies that create new things.
with Politics & Prose
The Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation will host its annual Blue Hope Bash to raise colon cancer awareness on Thursday, October 16, from 6:00-10:00PM at the Four Seasons Hotel, in Washington, D.C. The theme this year is “Beyond The Limits” – elevating the awareness and need to talk about colorectal cancer, the prevention measures and research advancements. An evening of hope, inspiration and celebration will feature live entertainment by Sound Impact, speeches from notable VIP’s, dinner, signature cocktails, silent auction, local business leaders, celebrities and inspirational stories from colon cancer survivors.
Honorary Co-Chairs and special guest that will be in attendance include U.S. Congressman Mark Warner (D-VA), Congressman Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ), Delegate Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA), Dr. John Marshall (Chief of Hematology/Oncology at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center), Dr. Louis Weiner (Director of Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center), Dr. Patrick G. Jackson (Chief of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital), Dr. Sandra Swain (Medical Director Washington Cancer Institute at MedStar Washington), Michael Jakaitis (Morning Drive Editor, WTOP News), andMichelle Money (ABC’s Bachelor in Paradise).
The event will be emceed by Dan Shapiro, Ph.D. the Garner James Kline Professor of Humanities in Medicine and the Chair of the Department of Humanities at Penn State College of Medicine. Shapiro has written three books, Moms Marijuana, about his personal cancer experience, and a second memoir, Delivering Doctor Amelia, which focused on his psychological treatment of a physician. His third book, And in Health, focuses on thriving as a couple in the face of cancer was released in May, 2013 and featured in the New York Times soon after.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation, which is dedicated to finding a cure for colon cancer by funding and facilitating cutting edge research programs across the nation.
2014 Blue Hope Bash sponsors include Genentech, Medstar Georgetown Hospital, Sanofi, ABC7/WJLA-TV, News Channel 8, WTOP News 103.5FM, Bisnow, Covidien GI Solutions, Barrick Gold, Boston Biomedical, The Sampson Foundation and Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation – 4th Annual Blue Hope Bash
Presented by: Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation
When: October 16, 2014
Where: Four Seasons Hotel, 2800 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, D.C.
Time: 6:00-10:30 PM (6PM Cocktail Reception, 7:30PM Dinner, Auctions, Presentations & Entertainment
Website: http://www.chris4life.org/bluehopebash/
Social: @chris4cure #bluehopebash #loveyourbutt
Event Tickets: Range from $250-$1,000. Sponsorship opportunities also available.
Attire: ‘Something Blue’ Cocktail Attire
David Sedaris has leveraged his sardonic wit and incisive social critiques to become one of America’s preeminent humor writers. Beginning with his wildly popular “Santaland Diaries,” the great skill with which Sedaris slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that he is a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition. He visits his D.C. “home away from home,” the Music Center at Strathmore, on Friday, October 17, 2014 at 8 p.m. Says the San Francisco Chronicle: “Sedaris belongs on any list of people writing in English at the moment who are revising our ideas about what’s funny.” For more information or to purchase tickets, call (301) 581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
In addition to “Barrel Fever,” Sedaris is the author of “Holidays on Ice,” as well as collections of personal essays, “Naked,” “Me Talk Pretty One Day,” “Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim,” “When You Are Engulfed in Flames,” and his most recent book, “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls,” each of which became an immediate bestseller. The audio version of “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls” was a 56th Annual Grammy nominee for Best Spoken Word Album. He is the author of the New York Times bestselling collection of fables entitled “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary.”
Sedaris’s pieces appear regularly in The New Yorker and have twice been included in “The Best American Essays.” There are a total of seven million copies of his books in print and they have been translated into 25 languages.
He and his sister Amy Sedaris have collaborated under the name “The Talent Family” and have written half-a-dozen plays which have been produced at La Mama, Lincoln Center, and The Drama Department in New York City. These plays include “Stump the Host,” “Stitches,” “One Woman Shoe,” which received an Obie Award, “Incident at Cobbler’s Knob,” and “The Book of Liz,” which was published in book form by Dramatists Play Service.
David Sedaris’s original radio pieces can often be heard on This American Life. David Sedaris has been nominated for three Grammy awards for Best Spoken Word and Best Comedy Album. His most recent audio recording of new stories (recorded live) is “David Sedaris: Live for Your Listening Pleasure.”
A feature film adaptation of his story “C.O.G.” was released after a premier at the Sundance Film Festival (2013).
Life has been an endless series of adventures for Neil Patrick Harris. He has enthralled fans for nearly three decades in more than 100 wildly varied roles, ranging from the iconic Doogie Howser, M.D., and Barney Stinson to Joss Whedon’s Dr. Horrible and his recent, Tony Award-winning turn as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch.Never one to limit himself, Harris is also a two-time Emmy host, four-time Tony host, an accomplished amateur magician, and a licensed taxidermist (one of those is not true). Exhausted yet? Neil’s not!
In addition to his busy work life, Neil is also raising very energetic twin three-year-olds with his husband, David Burtka. But how did an aspiring child actor from a tiny mountain town in New Mexico turn into an award-winning, jet-setting, A-list performer who is also the most prominent example of gay family life in America? By chance or by choice? Not only will NEIL PATRICK HARRIS: CHOOSE YOUR OWN AUTOBIOGRAPHY (Crown Archetype; On Sale October 14, 2014) tell readers the whole story, Neil invites them to step into his shoes and roll the dice for him at decisive turning points throughout his life. In this affectionate homage to the Choose Your Own Adventure books he loved as a kid, he offers dozens of paths to choose from, some of which lead to the NPH we know and love, and others that end in the type of tragic demise that will be very familiar to fans of the original series. Neil Patrick Harris reinvents the celebrity memoir with an autobiography that puts YOU in charge of his life.
WHO: Neil Patrick Harris
WHAT: Book signing
WHEN: 7:30 PM
WHERE: Sixth & I
600 I Street Northwest
What: Go Formal for Justice Gala
When: Saturday, October 18th; 8 pm to 12 pm
Where: Mayer Brown, LLP, 1999 K Street, NW, Washington DC 20006
Who: DC Bar Foundation Young Lawyers Network
Why: To support civil legal services
Purchase Tickets: http://goformalforjustice14.eventbrite.com
Questions? goformal@dcbarfoundation.org
Back for its second year after the sell-out success of last year’s inaugural event, and kicking off National Pro Bono Week, the DC Bar Foundation Young Lawyers Network presents Go Formal for Justice 2014, the hottest ticket in town for DC’s young lawyers. A fantastic excuse for a date night, or a chance to mix, mingle, and have a fun night out, this year’s Go Formal will feature an open bar, dancing to music from Crazy in Stereo, light hors d’oeuvres and desserts, auction, photo booth, tarot card reader, liquor tasting, and more!
Proceeds from the event will go to the DC Bar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the leading private funder of civil legal services in the District of Columbia, and contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. For questions or information about a public interest price, contact goformal@dcbarfoundation.org.
The 2014 Georgetown Gala, the annual black tie Citizens Association of Georgetown (CAG) event that brings together over 400 residents, organizations, businesses, and politicos to celebrate Georgetown and CAG’s mission of historic preservation and improving the life of the community, will be held on Friday, October 24.
The event will be held at the stunning Italian Embassy on Whitehaven Street. Ambassador and Mrs. Claudio Bisogniero will be Honorary Chairs. The “Fly Me to the Moon” theme will give the gala a cool Rat Pack/Mad Men vibe in its cocktails, gourmet Italian dinner buffet, fabulous entertainment, unique live auction items, and hip After Party.
The honorees, Jack and Michele Evans are long-time Georgetown residents and activists. Jack Evans, is D.C Council’s longest serving councilmember having representing Ward 2 since 1991. Jack serves as chair of the Committee on Finance and Revenue, which oversees the District’s finances, including tax policy. In addition to earning a reputation as one of DC’s toughest budget and tax stewards, Jack has used this committee to secure approval of many major legislative tax reforms including: reducing tax rates, simplifying DC’s antiquated tax code and establishing incentives for businesses.
Co-Chairs Jennifer Altemus, Colleen Girouard and Robin Jones along with their committee, are putting together the evening’s entertainment to include crooner Danny Meyers and his DC Love band playing dance music during cocktails and dinner, a live auction featuring FOX News Commentator, Griff Jenkins , followed by DJ Trophy Brothers upping the tempo for more
The Gala’s honorary chairs are: Ambassador and Mrs. Claudio Bisogniero, The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, The Honorable Selwa “Lucky” Roosevelt, Senator and Mrs. Joseph Lieberman, and John J. DeGioia, President of Georgetown University.
Back by popular demand, the Gala will extend into the night with an After Party at the Embassy, starting at 10:30 PM. The host committee is busy planning a soiree that riffs on the Gala’s mid- century theme: expect good music, good dancing, a well-stocked open bar, and lots of late night
