On Thursday, April 23rd, diners across the Washington metro region will stand up against HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses by sitting down at restaurants participating in this year’s Dining Out for Life® fundraiser (www.foodandfriends.org/dol).
Now in its 19th year in Washington, DC, Food & Friends enlists the benevolence of area eateries – from Hyattsville to Shirlington, from Dupont Circle to Georgetown – in support of children and adults facing life-challenging illnesses who benefit from the organization’s nutrition services. More than 90 area restaurants have pledged to contribute 25% to 100% of that day’s proceeds to directly benefit Food & Friends’ programs and clients in the National Capital Region.
“Diners can easily make a huge impact on the lives of so many in need in our community simply by going out to dinner on April 23rd,” says Food & Friends’ Executive Director Craig Shniderman. “Funds raised by big events during the year like Dining Out for Life® make it possible for us to serve thousands of meals each day to those living with the challenges of HIV/AIDS, cancer and other debilitating illnesses.”
Founded in 1988, Food & Friends is the only organization providing specialized meals, nutrition counseling and friendship to people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illness within a 5,346 square mile service area. The nonprofit’s staff of professional chefs and registered dietitians designs meals that meet the special dietary needs of persons living with a broad range of illnesses. Since its inception, Food & Friends has provided more than 18 million meals to more 26,000 individuals, and has helped family members, friends, and loved ones provide care and support. Food & Friends fulfills its mission through a partnership with 10,000 volunteers and a dedicated staff of 52. Their confidential services are free of charge to individuals and families living throughout Washington, DC, and 14 counties of Maryland and Virginia.
Last year, Dining Out for Life®, raised more than $200,000. In 2015, Food & Friends is thrilled to have more than 90 restaurants on board, including those that are donating their entire evening’s proceeds to Food & Friends – Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant (100%), Annie’s Paramount Steak House (100%) and Ristorante Tosca (100%).
Please visitwww.foodandfriends.org/dol for a complete listing of participating restaurants.
In this 10th anniversary week of opening its hallmark Music Center, Strathmore announces that iconic actressJulie Andrews will celebrate A Dazzling Decade by speaking at the art center’s 10th Anniversary Spring Gala on Saturday, April 25, 2015.With a career that has spanned decades, traversed a myriad of artistic disciplines, imbued fans with fond memories, and inspired millions, there’s no one better to headline this celebration of the past decade, while looking ambitiously toward the future. Gala guests will begin the evening at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails, followed by a sumptuous dinner, program with Julie Andrews, and an after party with Big Ray and the Kool Kats.
An Evening with Julie Andrews will include a Q&A with the audience and discussion moderated by Washington Post Theater Critic Peter Marks. She will share clips, stories, and conversation about her illustrious, history-making career. Music will be performed by the Strathmore Children’s Chorus. Andrews will not be singing.
The 10th Anniversary Spring Gala symbolizes a major milestone in Strathmore’s history, and will be the stage for announcements of future initiatives for the organization, which has become a touchstone for life and culture in Montgomery County and the greater Washington metropolitan region. Since it opened in 2005, over 1.8 Million people have attended a performance in the Music Center at Strathmore. Many more have come through for education programs, special events, free community concerts, and festivals. There have been nearly 2,000 performances in the Music Center since its opening, including those by founding partner the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and resident partner organizations The National Philharmonic and Washington Performing Arts.
Strathmore is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. An agency of the Department of Business & Economic Development, MSAC provides financial support and technical assistance to non-profit organizations, units of government, colleges and universities for arts activities.
Strathmore is also supported in part by the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County.
Strathmore Presents
10th Anniversary Spring Gala
An Evening with Julie Andrews
Conversation, Stories & Clips
with Peter Marks, moderator
& music by Strathmore Children’s Chorus
Saturday, April 25, 2015
5:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception
7 p.m. Dinner
9 p.m. An Evening with Julie Andrews and music from the Strathmore Children’s Chorus
10:30 p.m. After Party with Big Ray and the Kool Kats
Tickets (for concert only) $65 – $175 (limited single tickets available for purchase)
Dinner ticket packages include:
$600 Individual Supporter: One ticket to Gala dinner in Music Center, Performance with Julie Andrews, admission to after party with Big Ray and the Kool Kats.
$1,500 Gala Patron: One ticket to Gala dinner, preferred seating for An Evening with Julie Andrews, admission to after party with Big Ray and the Kool Kats, listing on evening’s video recognition, valet parking pass.
$10,000 Sponsor: Table for eight at Gala dinner, preferred seating for An Evening with Julie Andrews, valet parking passes for all eight guests, listing in evening’s video recognition, acknowledgment on Strathmore’s donor wall, newsletter and annual report.
Ticket packages can be purchased by contacting The Sorelle Group at (202) 248-1930 or Strathmore@sorellegroup.com.
Music Center at Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman Lane
North Bethesda, MD 20852
For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.strathmore.org or call (301) 581-5100
DC wine institution Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar will transform into a wine-centric movie theater showing the critically acclaimed documentary Somm on Monday, May 4 at 6pm.Accompanied by a panel of DC wine experts, DC’s original wine bar will invite guests to its cozy Sonoma Avenue Lounge for a full movie theater experience, with a wine flight tasting and an unlimited popcorn bar featuring fun house made varieties, like Classic Butter, Ranch, Dill Pickle-Spiced and Truffle, for $30 a person.
As Somm follows four sommelier hopefuls on their journey to compete against the best in the business and pass the test to become Masters, Sonoma will be hosting its own local wine tasting competition. Sonoma Beverage Director and sommelier Woong Chang will be joined by sommeliers Elli Benchimol ofRange and Andrew Stover of Oya and Sei to conduct a guided wine tasting with guests-and then compete against one another in a blind wine tasting, just as is done in the film.
In addition to the fun popcorn bar, guests can also select from Chef de Cuisine James Marroquin’s a la carte menu house made movie snacks, like Popcorn-Marshmallow clusters, Old Bay-Spiced Candied Nuts, Soft Pretzel Twists with mustard or bacon peanut butter, and Crispy Chickpeaswith coriander & cumin.
Space is limited and tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite For more information, please visit www.sonomadc.com or call 202.544.8088.
Who: Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar
Sonoma Chef de Cuisine James Marroquin
Sonoma Beverage Director Woong Chang
Range Sommelier Elli Benchimol
Oya and Sei Sommelier Andrew Stover
The Campagna Center is pleased to announce 2015 will mark 70 years of commitment and service to the Alexandria community. Toasting to this milestone, The Campagna Center, in collaboration with Platinum Presenting Sponsor Passport Auto Group and other area business sponsors, will host The Platinum Gala on Saturday, May 9th, 2015 in the evening at The Westin Alexandria. The gala will honor the legacy of service that The Campagna Center volunteers and staff have brought to the children and families of Alexandria over the past seven decades. The evening will include a cocktail reception, dinner and dancing with live entertainment provided by Prime Time Band.
About The Campagna Center
“The history of The Campagna Center is inextricably linked to the history of Alexandria itself,” says Dr. Tammy Mann, President & CEO. “As I have had the pleasure of meeting many people who knew and worked with one of our most beloved Executive Directors, Ms. Elizabeth Ann Campagna, I have come to understand her as a leader who embodied a deep commitment to confronting social justice issues with courage and compassion. She understood that a community rich in resources had a responsibility to use those resources to help improve the lives of others, especially children. As the merits of Head Start were being debated nationwide, Elizabeth Ann and the late Vola Lawson worked together to secure funding needed to run Alexandria’s first Head Start program.”
“One of the organization’s original goals—to provide leadership in the creative resolution of critical social problems—remains a guiding beacon for the work we perform so passionately today. Serving nearly 2,000 people from cradle to career in 52 classrooms throughout Alexandria, The Campagna Center provides high quality early learning experiences through preschool programs, and enrichment learning and guidance through high school. Through eight levels of English Language Learning classes, immigrant and refugee adults learn to survive and thrive. It is vitally important to reflect on the progress made in this fine city and to use it as our springboard into the future.”
Event Details:
Saturday, May 9th, 2015 in the evening
The Westin Alexandria
Alexandria, VA
Tickets:
General Admission Tickets are $200 each.
Host Committee Tickets are $500 each or $1000 per couple.
Tickets will be available for purchase at http://www.campagnacenter.org/platinumgala.
ROCK ME AMADEUS!
SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE @ Embassy of Austria
Friday, May 15, 2015
7:00 PM
3524 International Ct. NW
Washington, DC 20008
Austria Rocks! Join the party to celebrate Austrian – US friendship with an evening of rock music and dancing, featuring Suspicious Package, three-time winner of theJournopalooza battle of the DC media bands. Suspicious Package may also be Washington’s only rock band containing three Pulitzer prizes. Welcoming remarks by Ambassador Hans Peter Manz, followed by cocktail reception with Austrian specialties and live concert.
Reserve Free Tickets http://acfdc.org/upcoming-events
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rock-concert-i-suspicious-package-austria-rocks-tickets-16323289398
The contents of Suspicious Package are:
Tim Burger * Bryan Greene * Josh Meyer* Christina Sevilla * Tom Toles
www.facebook.com/SusPackage @ SusPackage
The Navy Safe Harbor Foundation (NSHF) presents the first annual Fashion for Fighters Gala Saturday, May 16 at The Army Navy Club. The event, held from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. is being held to raise critically needed funds for wounded, ill and injured U.S. Navy, Coast Guardsmen and their families. NSHF is dedicated to supporting the recovery of these service men and women by assisting them with resources not currently provided by government or through their general community.
The chicest black tie (dress uniform optional) event of the season, Fashion for Fighters is a night for comradery, support and giving back. Guests will enjoy fashion shows by four local women’s and menswear designers, all American-made and run brands, including: Christopher Schafer, Kim Elleen and Sophie Blake Jewelry.
VIP tickets are available, which include an exclusive pre-event fashion presentation starting at 6:00 p.m., open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, and treated to a swag bag full of products from gala sponsors. General admission ticket holders are welcome to partake in passed hors d’oeuvres and cash bar beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Inspired by the growing needs of the military community, Navy Safe Harbor Foundation (NSHF) was created to efficiently identify and meet the needs of wounded, ill and injured Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, Marines and their families. NSHF fills in the gaps of current non-medical provisions through collaboration with federal and civic resources. Through its efforts, every service member is given an opportunity for full recovery by providing financial assistance, respite care, special equipment, transportation, recreational opportunities, and other services.
The Navy Safe Harbor Foundation (NSHF) is an IRS recognized 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization and is not affiliated with the United States Navy, Coast Guard or Department of Defense.
WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 2015 | 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Army and Navy Club | 901 17th St NW | Washington, DC 20006
RSVP: Tickets must be purchased in advance – media passes are available. Click here to register.
Navy Safe Harbor Foundation is fortunate to have the support of families, friends, military members, and community. The organization asks that we as Americans, all do our part to help the seriously wounded, ill, and injured Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and their families by volunteering, participating in a fundraising event, or making a donation . . . your support is greatly appreciated!
The Cathedral Choral Society will present the final concert of its 2014/15 season, Great Opera Choruses, on Sunday, May 17 at 4:00 p.m. The program of well-loved opera arias and choruses includes works by Wagner, Bellini, Gounod, Verdi, Puccini, Mascagni, and Boito. The Cathedral Choral Society, conducted by Music Director J. Reilly Lewis, will be joined by Jessica Julin, soprano; Ben Wager, bass; and the Washington National Opera Children’s Chorus.
“This concert will feature magnificent opera music, sacred and profane, perfect for the Cathedral,” said J. Reilly Lewis. “This is my first time programming opera for this chorus, and these gorgeous works capture all the emotions of great opera.”
Selections will be performed from Wagner, Die Meistersinger; Bellini, Norma; Gounod, Faust; Verdi, Nabucco; Puccini, Tosca; Mascagni, Cavalleria Rusticana; Puccini, Manon Lescaut; and Boito, Mefistofele.
“We are thrilled to be performing opera in the Cathedral for the first time,” said Genevieve Twomey, Executive Director of the Cathedral Choral Society. “This music is rich, exciting, dramatic, and engaging – and to experience this in such a grand space will be a unique and memorable experience.”
The Cathedral Choral Society is pleased to feature soloists Jessica Julin, soprano and Ben Wager, bass, and to welcome the Washington National Opera Children’s Chorus as guest choir on Boito’s Mefistofele. Jessica Julin, soprano has been praised for her “commanding voice,” and is a 2009 Grand Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Grand Auditions. She received her masters from Indiana University, studied at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, and currently resides in Maryland. She won first prize awards in the J.P. Parkinson Competition, Lois Alba Aria Competition, and the Giagiari Bel Canto Competition.
Ben Wager, bass is a 2009 graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. This season, he debuted in Oslo with Den Norske Opera as Escamillo in Carmen and performed two roles with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Previous engagements include with the Nashville Opera, Deutsche Opera Berlin, Minnesota Opera, and Los Angeles Philharmonic. In 2012, The Washington Times praised him for his “perfect balance of graciousness [and] forthrightness” in a concert opera performance.
The Washington National Opera Children’s Chorus is comprised of many of the finest young singers, ages 8-14, from Washington, DC; Virginia; and Maryland. They appear frequently in WNO productions at the Kennedy Center. Recent performances include the world premiere of Jeanine Tesori’s The Lion, The Unicorn, and Me (2013) and the WNO premier of Rachel Portman’s The Little Prince (2014). They are directed by Will Breytspraak, Children’s Chorus Master, who is the Chair of Performing Arts at Maret School in Washington, DC.
A pre-concert talk by Peter Russell will be presented at 3:00 p.m. in Perry Auditorium (in the Cathedral tower). Peter Russell is a leading figure in the DC opera scene, having served as General Director of the Wolf Trap Opera Company and founding Washington Concert Opera before later taking on his current role as General Director of Vocal Arts DC.
About the Cathedral Choral Society: The Cathedral Choral Society is the resident symphonic chorus of Washington National Cathedral. Now in its 73rd season, the 140-voice chorus presents an inspiring concert season at the Cathedral and shares the joy of choral singing throughout the Greater Washington, DC Area through its community engagement programs. Its 2015/16 season will be announced the week of May 17.
For Tickets: Regularly priced tickets begin at $25. Tickets for children and students with valid ID under the age of 25 are $15. Seniors, veteran, and military may receive 10% off (excludes Premium Nave). Complimentary parking is included with ticket purchase in the Cathedral’s underground parking garage courtesy of the Cathedral Choral Society. To purchase tickets, or for additional information, please call (202) 537-2228 | (877) 537-2228 or visit the website, www.cathedralchoralsociety.org
Gourmet Symphony Presents The Saloon Concert Series: Woodworking 101
Wednesday, May 20, 2015 | 6-8 pm
Beuchert’s Saloon (623 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Join Gourmet Symphony al fresco at Beuchert’s Saloon‘s garden patio to explore the mastercraft of woodworking and its influence on music, whiskey production, and open-flame culinary arts. Hear how woods from specific forests can shape the tonalities of instruments – from the bass to the marimba; learn from Jeff Wells, veteran of DC’s craft beverage scene, how American whiskey producer Michter’s chooses its barrels when aging its bourbons; and taste the best fare of the season grilled up by Chef Andrew Markert.
Your ticket includes tastings of 3 exclusive spirits paired with 4-5 custom small plates and live chamber music performances.Tickets are $35 per person and available for purchase via Eventbrite: bit.ly/1EQdF0A.
