The Shakespeare Theatre Company, recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award®, presents its Annual Dinner and Mock Trial at Sidney Harman Hall(610 F Street NW) on Monday, May 11, 2015. This marks the 20th year that Shakespeare Theatre Company has put on the Mock Trial. The evening begins with dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the Forum, followed by the Trial at 7:30 p.m. in the theatre. A special session of the Supreme Court of La Mancha will review the decisions of the Family Court to declare Don Quixote mentally incompetent and his subsequent placement under the guardianship of his niece, Antonia.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will preside and will be accompanied by Justice Stephen Breyer, as well as Chief Judge Merrick Garland and Judge Patricia Millett, both of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Tom Goldstein of Goldstein & Russell P.C. andCarter Phillips of Sidley Austin LLP will argue the case. The Trial will be moderated byAbbe D. Lowell of Chadbourne & Parke LLP, chair of the STC Bard Association and STC Board of Trustees member.
Michael Kahn, Artistic Director of Shakespeare Theatre Company says of Mock Trial, “As I’ve often said, Shakespeare doesn’t tell us what to think, he tells us what to think about. This is what Mock Trial does so stunningly, it uses these classic stories as lenses to look at seemingly old issues and bring them to our modern, and legal, world.”
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Mock Trial is sponsored by the Bard Association, STC’s affinity group for Washington’s legal community.
Since 1994, the Shakespeare Theatre Company has hosted a Mock Trial based on a play from STC’s mainstage season. The fictional court case poses a legal question, or questions, and the audience must act as the jury to decide the fate of the characters. The Trial aims to examine the links between classic works and contemporary legal theory in a way that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. Past Mock Trials have explored whether Malvolio (Twelfth Night) was entitled to damages for wrongful imprisonment; Iago (Othello) was guilty of the murders of Desdemona and Othello; Hamlet (Hamlet) was insane when he murdered Polonius; and if Sir John Falstaff (Henry IV) should have been compensated for his services to Prince Hal and reinstated as a member of the royal court. Last year’s Mock Trial concentrated on the characters in William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure and argued whether the Duke of Vienna should be held responsible for abuses of power perpetuated by his appointed representative, and debated issues of illegal secret surveillance, false imprisonment, negligent appointment of an unfit deputy, and disrespect of commitment to religious vows.
This season’s Mock Trial focuses on the characters in Dale Wasserman’s Man of La Mancha and asks the question: Did the Family Court commit reversible errors of law and fact in determining that Don Quixote was mentally incompetent, and should the Family Court have appointed Sancho Panza, Don Quixote’s loyal friend, as his guardian, rather than his niece Antonia?
SCENARIO
As word spread of Alonso Quixana’s (self-named and known to the world as Don Quixote) exhibited signs of mental illness or incompetence, his niece Antonia petitioned the Family Court to appoint her to be his guardian to protect his financial interests and to make medical decisions for him. In support of her petition, Antonia described Don Quixote’s hallucinations, his instigation of ill-conceived and ill-fated battles, his unwitting contribution to the brutal treatment of Aldonza, and his persistent inability to separate reality from illusion. Antonia stated that Don Quixote was unable to manage his assets, pay his medical expenses, or make financial decisions in his own best interests, and that he had been the victim of financial exploitation without even realizing others were taking advantage of him. Antonia’s fiancé, Dr. Carrasco, provided a petition of incompetency claiming to be Don Quixote’s treating physician and asserting that Don Quixote’s mental disability was permanent and that he had no ability to understand the nature of the proceedings or reasons for appointment of a guardian.
The Family Court heard extensive testimony about Don Quixote’s ill-fated escapades during his career as a knight errant, about his discussion of his “dreams,” his tendency to burst into song, and his claims of being a knight. His friends testified about Don Quixote’s idealism, courtesy, generosity, gallantry, and nobility. Sancho Panza said Don Quixote knew he was not really a knight, but simply liked to conceive of a nobler world inspired by courtesy and bravery. Don Quixote’s attorney argued that he did not need a guardian, but that if the Court disagreed, it should appoint Sancho Panza, not Antonia.
The Family Court appointed Antonia as Don Quixote’s guardian. On petition for review by the Supreme Court of La Mancha, Don Quixote has asked the Court to decide two questions:
1. Did the Family Court commit reversible errors of law and fact in determining that Don Quixote was mentally incompetent within the meaning of the laws governing appointment of guardians of property and persons?
2. Assuming Don Quixote was not fully competent to manage his affairs or make decisions about his medical treatment, should the Family Court have rejected Antonia’s petition as motivated by fraud and self-interest, and instead have appointed Sancho Panza, Don Quixote’s loyal friend, as his guardian?
TICKET INFORMATION
Interested in Premium Seating and Dining with the Participants before the Trial?Tickets to the Dinner and Trial ($350) are available now. To purchase tickets please call 202.547.3230 ext. 2330 or contact MockTrial@ShakespeareTheatre.
Trial-only Ticket Prices
A Price: $75
B Price: $50 (limited availability)
Student: $20 (valid student ID required when picking up tickets)
Tickets on sale for STC donors and season subscribers on March 18 at noon.
Tickets for the general public on sale March 23 at noon.
For more information please contact MockTrial@ShakespeareTheatre.
Treat yourself to some of the best cuisine available from over 100 of the area’s finest restaurants and wineries, while contributing to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s conservation and education programs. Food aficionados are invited to unleash their taste buds and sample delicious dishes from the area’s finest restaurants and vintners. The event, hosted by Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ), will take place on Thursday, May 14, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
In addition to extraordinary food and fine wines, ZooFari also offers a night of unforgettable entertainment. Throughout the evening guests will be surrounded by live music, exotic animal encounters, a silent auction, and new this year, Battle of the Bartenders where local bartenders will compete to create the best tasting original signature cocktail using a mystery ingredient from the Zoo’s Animal Kitchen. Celebrity chef’s Todd Gray (Equinox), Bart Vandaele (Belga Cafe), and Haidar Karoum (Proof) will be in attendance and joining in on the festivities throughout the evening.
Tickets for this annual fundraiser are available on the Zoo’s website at http://nationalzoo.si.edu/activitiesandevents/celebrations/zoofari/. Prices are $160 for FONZ members and $200 for nonmembers.
Exclusive VIP group packages also are available. These packages offer all-access tickets to the Premier Pavilion, valet parking passes, an exclusive VIP pre-party and the LivingSocial Lion Lounge, as well as behind-the-scenes animal tours.
The ZooFari online auction offers a lively way to support the Zoo’s programs. Bidding will be live on Sunday, April 26 through the online site Bidding For Good. Vacation getaways, private Zoo tours, cooking lessons with top area chefs, and animal art are just a few of the hundreds of items available in the auction. Proceeds benefit the National Zoo’s animal care, science, education, and conservation programs.
ZooFari is presented by GEICO® and sponsored by 94.7 Fresh FM, Big Bus Tours, Capital One Bank®, The Coca-Cola Company, Comcast, Manhattan Auto of Bethesda, MD, Rosenthal Jaguar/Land Rover, LivingSocial, NBC4, Washingtonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Widmer Brothers, WTOP and WTOP.com.
Twenty-three single-passenger electric vehicles built by high school students from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia will compete in the 2015 Washington DC Electric Vehicle Grand Prix (EV Grand Prix) at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Fairgrounds on Saturday May 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) and Pepco are co-sponsors of this year’s event, which is organized by Global EEE (Education, Energy, and Environment). DDOE is hosting the competition in Washington, DC in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) and the District of Columbia Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU). Local high school competitors include Dunbar, Friendship Collegiate Academy, Friendship Tech Prep Academy, McKinley Tech, Phelps, Roosevelt, School Without Walls, Sidwell Friends School, and Wilson in the District along with Wheaton, Clarksburg, Sandy Spring Friends, and High Point high schools in suburban Maryland. Hereford High School, Chesapeake High School, and Perry Hall from Baltimore County will be in the race, as will schools from Virginia.
This innovative, hands-on educational program teaches students to apply engineering, science, mathematics, and strategy as they construct and race their battery-powered electric cars. EV Grand Prix cars are specifically designed and must meet stringent safety regulations. The single-person, lightweight, aerodynamic, high-efficiency vehicles are coming to test their mettle in an hour-long race, on a challenging formula-style race course, using only energy stored in their batteries.
“We are thrilled to host the third annual DC EV Grand Prix,” said District Department of the Environment Director, Tommy Wells. “This program exposes students to energy conservation and technology and provides important educational and training opportunities. The DC EV Grand Prix engages our youth in the innovation economy, preparing them for the future by providing a green pathway to the middle class.”
“We are proud to support the District’s students in this regional competition that requires skill and creativity—attributes essential to their success in Saturday’s race and in the future,” said Ted Trabue, DCSEU Managing Director.
“As students are making informed decisions about higher education and future opportunities, it’s important that we support the efforts of the local schools and families we serve,” said Donna Cooper, Pepco Region President. “These young engineers and scientists will use the competition to test and refine their creations, and the results of their experiments will help determine future applications of renewable energy. We appreciate the opportunity to give back to the communities we serve.”
“This high school competition is in its third year, and we are already beginning to see the positive impact it is having on local students in their career decisions and college placements,” said Dr. Nabih Bedewi, Managing Director of Global EEE and the competition director. “We are pleased to partner with DDOE, DCSEU, USDOE, and Pepco this year and look forward to a successful and exciting race at RFK Stadium.”
For more information on the 2015 Washington DC EV Grand Prix, visit http://ddoe.dc.gov/event/dc-electric-vehicle-grand-prix-2015
A mentoring relationship is a powerful one, and if both parties clearly define their goals, tangible success can be achieved.
Hosted by Living Vicky and Pivot Point Communications, this unique and interactive workshop is designed for leaders and future leaders alike. After all, women with mentors are more likely to achieve higher paying roles with more responsibilities, and become mentors in turn.
What: Mentoring Success Workshop
Where: The Agency 950 – 950 N Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314
When: 5:00 pm-7:00 pm
Cost: $25, includes appetizers and drinks
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/
Forget Cinco de Mayo. Thursday the 21st is officially Margarita Day in Washington, DC, this month as 18 mixologists from across the DMV shake, squeeze and salt their way to the top of the pack during Washington City Paper’s 3rd Annual Margarita Wars (#MargaritaWarsWCP). This year’s battle, sponsored by El Jimador Tequila, the Yards and Bud Light Lime Ritas, will take place near the riverfront at Yards Park.
What: 3rd Annual Margarita Wars
Where: Yards Park – 301 Water Street SE, Washington, DC
When: Thursday, May 21st starting at 6:30pm
Tickets: $25 per person (21+ only)
Includes unlimited margarita tastings. Food is available for purchase.
Participants: El Centro DF Chaplin’s Del Campo
Masa 14 Graffiato Agua 301
El Chucho Chuy’s Tex-Mex Guajillo
Art & Soul Brine (Jo-Jo Valenzuela) El Camino
Jack Rose El Rey CoCo Sala
The Gibson Mate Lounge Highline RxR
Judging: Guests will be empowered to vote for their favorite in a winner-takes-all battle for ‘rita supremacy.
A percentage of all event sales will be donated directly to the ballet on behalf of the Capella.
The Jete Society of The Washington Ballet invites you to join us on May 27 for an evening of rooftop cocktails and hor d’oeuvres at the Capella in Georgetown. Come on out to mingle with Washington Ballet dancers and fellow Jete Society members as we toast another successful season of performances, including ALICE in Wonderland, all while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Canal and Potomac.
Registration will be required for entry.
Please RSVP at http://madhatterscocktailparty.splashthat.com/ to purchase your ticket (includes red wine, white wine, and hors d’oeuvres).
On Thursday, May 28, seven top DC chefs will gather at Stanton & Green, Capitol Hill’s newest restaurant, for the return of Chefs Behind Bars, a cocktail event to benefit No Kid Hungry’s work to end childhood hunger in America. From 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Washingtonians can enjoy signature drinks concocted by the city’s most renowned culinary talent, all while helping No Kid Hungry make sure all kids have the healthy food they need, every day.
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2015
Location: Stanton & Greene, 319 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Admission: $45 in advance; $50 at the door
Throughout the evening, chefs Kyle Bailey (Birch & Barley), Hamilton Johnson (Vidalia), Adrian Salazar (Mango Tree), Louis Goral (Rural Society), Doron Petersan (FareWell and Sticky Fingers Eats & Sweets), Russell Jones (Jack Rose) and Mariah Tysz (Juniper at The Fairmont Washington, D.C.), will mix their favorite libations in support of No Kid Hungry. In addition to one-of-a-kind cocktails, guests will enjoy small bites from Stanton & Greene.
The Chefs Behind Bars happy hour will be hosted by DC’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry volunteer committee, hot off the heels of the April 2015 tasting benefit that raised more than $230,000 to help feed children in need more than two million healthy meals.
All Chefs Behind Bars guests will receive first access to tickets for next year’s DC’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry (coming April 2016) with a special discount code. One hundred percent of ticket proceeds from Taste of the Nation events support No Kid Hungry thanks to generous support from national presenting sponsors Citi and Sysco®, national media sponsor Food Network and national sponsor OpenTable.
Every Kid, Healthy Food, Every Day
One in five children in this country struggles with hunger, including nearly 31,000 kids in DC. No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger in this nation by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and have healthy meals in the summer. Since the campaign’s launch, No Kid Hungry and its partners have connected kids struggling with hunger with more than 345 million healthy meals.
Tickets to the Chefs Behind Bars event can be purchased at join.nokidhungry.org/ChefsBehindBars
Attire: Startup Chic
