WHAT: SMITHSONIAN at 8 presents “PostSecret Revealed: A Party at the Postal Museum”
WHEN: Friday, July 29, 8 to 11 p.m. (7 to 11 p.m. for VIP ticket-holders)
WHERE: National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave., NE
Nothing spices up a party better than spilling a few secrets—and Frank Warren knows more than a million of them. That’s how many postcards from around the world have filled his mailbox since he started the wildly popular PostSecret project in 2004. The anonymous confessions—silly, moving, surprising, provocative, and sometimes disturbing—have already provided the material for six books. The Postal Museum’s exhibition PostSecret: The Power of a Postcard is the perfect reason for a party.
Guests can join Warren for an inside look at the PostSecret phenomenon, as he speaks exclusively with VIP ticket-holders from 7 to 8 p.m. The celebration continues with opportunities for guests to try their hand at crafting their own mail art, and post or tweet a secret they’ve been wanting to tell. They’ll also enjoy music by DJ Alkimist, cocktails, and more as they wander through some of the museum’s fascinating exhibits after hours.
PostSecret: The Power of a Postcard includes hundreds of thousands of postcards sent to Frank Warren. The exhibition tells a contemporary story of mail and the postal service, highlighting the aesthetics of the artfully decorated cards and the contrast between their anonymity and the shared experiences Warren creates with them. It also demonstrates the timeless yet modern quality of postcards and reflects the overlap amongst personal communication, digital technology, and social media at the heart of the PostSecret phenomenon.
Who knows what secrets might be revealed—or created—during the evening?
Copies of Warren’s six PostSecret books are available for sale and signing.
SPECIAL FEATURES FOR VIP TICKET-HOLDERS: Enjoy an exclusive conversation with Frank Warren from 7 to 8 p.m.
General admission $25
VIP admission $30
All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
Must be 21 years old with valid photo ID to attend.
For tickets and further information the public may call 202-633-3030 or visit www.SMITHSONIANat8.com
Chef Andrew Markert has a huge heart and loathes violence. Like many of us, he is frustrated and sickened by the endless string of gun-induced violence here in America. Chef Markert has observed these atrocities with grief, quietly supporting the advocacy that could help to stop them but unable to participate in the conversation. Not willing to remain silent any longer, he decided to do what the hospitality industry does best—invite your talented friends over to the restaurant and work together to raise money to go toward advocacy and awareness.
On Sunday July 31st, Beuchert’s will host “Forks up, Guns down” at its Capitol Hill location starting at 6:00pm. Joining Andrew will be Chef Anthony Lombardo (his final event in DC) from The Hamilton, Chef Jesse Miller of Bar Pilar,Chef Kyle Bailey of Sixth Engine, and Celebrity Chef Rock Harper. To complement the amazing cuisine, Chef Markert invited top beverage folks including Tyler Hudgens (The Dabney), Nate Mann (Room 11), and Chas Jefferson (Cotton & Reed) to name a few. Cocktails featuring Charm City Mead, Whistle Pig, and other stellar brands will be available all night. Chefs and mixos will have various stations in the open kitchen and behind the bar. Gourmet Symphony will be on sight to provide musical entertainment throughout the evening, as well.
Tickets will be $50 and can be purchased through Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com/e/forks-up-guns-down-tickets-26573045695. The entire ticket price will be donated to The Coalition to Stop Gin Violence. Founded in 1974, the CSVG states on their website “we seek to secure freedom from gun violence through research, strategic engagement and effective policy advocacy.”
In addition to that donation, all servers at Beuchert’s that evening will be volunteering their time. Any tips given to servers or bartenders will be donated to Everytown for Gun Safety. Everytown says it is “…a movement of Americans working together to end gun violence and build safer communities.” They seek to achieve this using “Voices of the Movement” which include Moms, Mayors, and Survivors.
Chef Markert hopes you will join him and his friends for this outstanding event on July 31st.
On Monday, August 15, 1986 Park Hyatt Washington DC first opened its doors to Washingtonians and visitors to the nation’s capital. In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the iconic luxury hotel, located at 1201 24th Street, NW, will display an eye-catching six-foot tall birthday cake, prepared by Pastry Chef David Collier, on the corner of 24 & M St. NW, next to the hotel’s landmark fountain. As an added bonus, guests will have the pleasure of enjoying complimentary cupcakes from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Passersby can partake in over 300 cupcakes, while supplies last, with two tempting flavors, Vanilla Citrus Sponge with cherry blossom buttercream and Chocolate Cake with caramelized milk and chocolate buttercream.
WHEN: Monday, August 15th from 12p.m. To 1 p.m.
WHERE: The Park Hyatt Washington is located at 24th and M Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20037. For additional information please call 800 778 7477 or visit www.parkhyattwashington.com
7 a.m., 8 a.m. Lattes with Lincoln
Get caffeinated with the 16th commander-in-chief and learn how legislation signed by Abraham
Lincoln during the Civil War is considered by many to be the birth of the National Park System!
Meet the park ranger at the kiosk at 10 Henry Bacon Drive (north of the memorial).
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Living National Park Service Emblem
Be a part of the world’s largest National Park Service emblem created on the grounds of the
Washington Monument on our 100th birthday! More than 1,000 participants will be assembled
into a living Arrowhead using brown, green and white umbrellas; once the Arrowhead is formed,
an aerial photograph will be taken and shared with participants on the National Mall and
Memorial Parks website and social media pages. The first 1,000 participants to check-in will
receive a t-shirt commemorating their participation in this historic event, as well as get to keep
their umbrella. Assemble at 9 a.m. on the west side of the Washington Monument grounds.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Rangerpalooza
The green and gray uniform and ranger’s “flat hat” are among the most recognized features of
the National Park Service. Celebrate 100 years of the National Park Service by learning about
the men and women who care for the national parks. Children of all ages can try on National
Park Service uniforms, see how the uniform has evolved through the years, earn a junior ranger
badge, and learn about the many jobs in National Park Service that protect America’s scenic
wonders and historic sites. Lincoln Memorial
Join Art and Soul and the Liaison Capitol Hill DC on their Rooftop Pool & Lounge Friday, August 26 for a taco extravaganza hosted by Executive Chef Douglas Alexander (who’ll be manning the grill) and DC Brau. Guests can also bring their bathing suits if they want to take a dip between bites.
- Any combination of three tacos. Chef’s selections include: Cochinita Pibil, Al Pastor, Grilled Chicken, Carne Asada, and Braised Chicken Mole
- An unlimited toppings bar
- A DC Brau
- Tacos a la carte – $5
- Chips & Guacamole – $5
- Chips and Three Salsas – $3
- DC Brau – $6/can and $8/draft.
- Margaritas on tap – $9
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. America’s Front Yard Family Festival
Featuring live music, storytelling and other activities, this festival looks forward to the next
century of the National Park Service, highlighting today’s youth as the future stewards of our
national parks. Grammy-nominated rock band for kids Milkshake headlines an entertainment
lineup that also includes acoustic guitar and vocals by Ellis Woodward; Uncle Devon; lively
children’s sing-alongs with Yosi & the Superdads, the Great American Indian Dancers;
magic, music and juggling with the Wes Holly Balloon Magic Show; vocalist Erica Wheeler,
and YAP, who delivers national park themes through hip-hop music and culture. Constitution
Gardens
The festival also includes face painting, juggling, a corn maze and lots of other fun activities for
kids of all ages. Exhibits by more than 20 National Park Service partners will include Lego
models of national parks, virtual reality park tours, 3-D printing of National Mall monuments
and memorials, natural flora and fauna found in urban parks, and much more!
The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (www.goldentriangledc.com) will host Chef Kazuhiro “Kaz” Okochi, the head chef at the award-winning KAZ Sushi Bistro at 1915 I Street NW, for an outdoor cooking demonstration, Fri., Sept. 16, from Noon–2 p.m., during Farragut Fridays at Farragut Square Park (at the intersection of K St. and Connecticut Ave. NW). Attendees will learn from Chef Kaz as he prepares a twist on okonomiyaki – a popular Japanese dish, sometimes referred to as “Japanese pizza.”
Okonomiyaki, which is more like a crepe than a pizza, is made from a rich savory cabbage pancake in an egg and flour batter with pork belly, red ginger, smoky dried bonito flakes, Japanese mayonnaise, and a special sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. Samples will be available on a first come, first served basis.
The chef demonstration is part of Farragut Fridays, a weekly outdoor activation of one of the city’s most well-known national parks, which draws more than 39,000 visitors over the summer. Throughout the day, the Golden Triangle BID invites people to use the free Wi-Fi at Outdoor Office and enjoy a variety of pop-up events including adoptable puppies, scavenger hunts and music during lunch. The programming serves as an additional amenity for workers and tourists, as it’s occurring a block from the White House. The complete schedule of activities can be found at goldentriangledc.com/farragutfridays.
“Just one month before the release of Washington, D.C.’s first Michelin Guide, the city’s attention is sure to be on the food scene. These chef demonstrations will give everyone a taste of the creativity and vibrancy of our neighborhood and the more than 32 restaurants here,” says Leona Agouridis, executive director, Golden Triangle BID. “The fact that Michelin decided to bring on of the new guides here doesn’t surprise me. With the diversity and stature of our region, Washington offers unique dining options for workers, tourists, and residents.”
