Events/Things To Do

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.

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.

On Saturday, May 19^th, from 11:00AM to 12:30PM, devout dumpling lovers and fans of Q by Peter Chang (4500 East West Highway #100, Bethesda, MD 20814; www.QbyPeterChang.com; (240) 800-3722; IG @q_by_peter_chang_) will have the opportunity to learn how to make some of the celebrated Chinese restaurant’s signature dumplings at ‘Pinched’ – a hands-on dumpling making and cooking class led by legendary husband and wife chef duo Peter Chang and Lisa Chang. This class will serve as the first in-house cooking class to take place at Q by Peter Chang, but the team has plans to continue creating and offering additional interactive culinary classes and events in the coming months with the hopes of further educating fans on the beauty, history, and diversity behind authentic Chinese cuisine.

Priced at $40 per person, this hands-on dumpling experience is open to all ages and will begin with a 10-15 minute demonstration by Chefs Peter and Lisa Chang focusing on the techniques behind dough making and wrapping. The class will proceed providing participants with 20-30 minutes for the hands-on portion inviting attendees to make their own dumplings followed by the cooking of their dumplings handled on-site by restaurant staff, and a 30-40 minute seated lunch experience. An assortment of both meat and vegetarian dumpling fillings will be available for all class participants to choose from.

“This is an exciting and engaging way for myself, my wife Chef Lisa Chang, and the team at Q by Peter Chang to interact more with our wonderful customers and community and to help educate them as much as possible on the beauty of authentic Chinese cuisine”, said celebrated Chef and restaurateur Peter Chang. “Following ‘Pinched’, we have plans to offer many more unique and interactive classes and events in the coming months to our devoted friends and fans, especially those that have yet to experience Q by Peter Chang. As our flagship restaurant, we hope to use this space as a way to truly unite Chinese food lovers and educate them on the diversity of our versatile cuisine.:

Reservations are required and can be made by calling (240) 800-3722 or emailing info@qbypeterchang.com.

Memorial Day Pig Roast: To celebrate Memorial Day, Jackson 20 will be hosting a pig roast on Sunday, May 27^th from 3pm to 7pm. For $29 per person, guests enjoy servings of this delicacy, prepared by Executive Chef James Hudson, as live music rings in the background. Beer and Rosé specials are available throughout the afternoon as well. To attend, please RSVP using the link here.

• Date/Time: Sunday, May 27^th from 3pm to 7pm
• Price: $29 per person, including food and access to beer and cocktail specials

• 8:00 a.m. Race Start
• 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Post Run Village

• Jamie Vespa Cooking Light Editor, nutrition and culinary expert demonstrates fresh, healthy recipes on the culinary stage.

• Runners participate in a heart-pumping dance warm up with Mark Jones.

• Irene Kaznachey of YogaWorks leads a post-run stretch and Hannah Preston from Zweet Sport, offers an exciting body sculpt demonstration.

• Post Run Food & Fitness Festival filled with chef demonstrations, beer garden tastings, and giveaways!

• Jamie Vespa, Cooking Light Magazine Editor
• Owner and Inspired Chef Taria Ramos, of Inspired Cravings

• Tickets are priced at $45 (Prices increase June 1), and can be purchased at www.fitfoodierun.com.
• Pets are welcome.
• All events are rain or shine.

URBANA’S “PRIDE + SHINE” BRUNCH

Perfectly situated at the start of the Capital Pride Parade route, Urbana is hosting its annual “Pride + Shine” party on Saturday, June 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The restaurant will be transformed into a lively Pride celebration complete with food, libations, and a fierce dance party with DJ Trayze. Special guest Mike Hot-Pence will be at the all-day brunch for the second year in a row. Sporting his signature hot pants, the “Vice President” will be chatting with guests, taking photos, and collecting donations to benefit The Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth. 

“Pride + Shine” Bar Package

Urbana is opening the bar from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a special drink package for its “Pride + Shine” brunch party. For $50, guests have the option to choose select beer, wine, or their favorite mixed cocktail. Guests may purchase this bar package in advance at PrideAndShine2018.Eventbrite.com or at the door.

There is no entry fee to attend Urbana’s “Pride + Shine” brunch party. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 202-956-6650 or visiting www.urbanadc.com. Patio seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests may inquire about patio reservations to guarantee front-row seating and a direct view of the Capital Pride Parade. The parade starts at Urbana, giving all “Pride + Shine” party-goers the opportunity to see everything first!

In celebration of the official start of summer, Dupont Circle restaurant Firefly and local brewery DC Brau are bringing together the finest flavors of the season with their first-ever ‘Summer Solstice Beer Dinner.’ This festive occasion will pair a quartet of unlimited beers with four courses showcasing ingredients from local growers and farmers and Firefly’s very own rooftop garden!

On Thursday, June 21, DC Brau will be taking over Firefly’s beer taps with a selection of locally made beers ranging from light to sour to heavy. While enjoying healthy four-once pours, guests will learn the ins and outs of beer production and experience the tasting notes first-hand. As an added bonus, Firely has secured exclusive samples of Turbo Boost Multiball, a new premium double IPA from DC Brau. The full line-up of brews includes:

• First: El Hefe German Wheat
• Second: Public Belgian Ale
• Third: Rosé du Gose
• Fourth: Penn Quarter Porter
• Bonus: Turbo Boost MultiBall

Firefly’s Executive Chef Rich Falbo has crafted a summer harvest menu highlighting Mid-Atlantic ingredients to complement each DC Brau beer. Chef Rich will share anecdotes about Firefly’s rooftop garden, commitment to sustainability, and support of local purveyors. Guests will discover the inspiration behind every dish while savoring enhanced flavor profiles provided by the food and beer pairings. The amuse bouche and four courses planned for the special dinner include:

• Amuse: Yellow tomato gazpacho with marcona almonds and parsley gremolata
• First: Duck confit with fresh cherries, bitter greens, chevre, and garden basil
• Second: Fluke a la plancha with garden-fresh tomatoes, watermelon, fennel, and green chiles
• Third: Braised rabbit with lupin beans, garden herbs, and sweet anise
• Fourth: Lemon crème fraiche semifreddo, espresso syrup, and cocoa nibs

The ‘Summer Solstice Beer Dinner’ will be held on Thursday, June 21 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Firefly’s main dining room. Guests must be 21+ to attend. Tickets are $49 on Eventbrite, and $55 at the door plus tax. Gratuity is included in the ticket price.