Sep
2
Sun
NSO Labor Day Concert @ Capital West Lawn
Sep 2 @ 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), led by guest conductor JoAnn Falletta, performs its annual free Labor Day weekend concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, September 2, at 8:00 p.m. The concert will feature two NSO Principal musicians and former Washington National Opera Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist, Leah Hawkins, as soloists. No tickets are required. Gates open to the public at 3:00 p.m. with an open rehearsal at 3:30 p.m.

The NSO’s Labor Day Weekend Concert has been a NSO tradition since 1979. This year’s program features works by living American composers, including Libby Larsen and Jonathan Bailey Holland, and Americana-themed works, such as Aaron Copland’s Rodeo. Full program details can be found below.

In case of inclement weather, please call the NSO’s Summer Concert Hotline at (202) 416-8114 after 2:30 p.m. on the day of the concert to find out whether the performance will take place at the Capitol, or whether it will move indoors to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. If the concert moves indoors, there will be no open rehearsal.  The concert will be approximately 90 minutes long, with no intermission, at 8 p.m.

Sunday Evening, September 2 at 8:00 p.m.

FREE ADMISSION, NO TICKETS REQUIRED

West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol

Rain Location:  Kennedy Center Concert Hall

 

JoAnn Falletta, conductor

Aaron Goldman, NSO Principal Flute

Craig Mulcahy, NSO Principal Trombone

Leah Hawkins, narrator & vocalist

 

John Stafford SMITH “The Star-Spangled Banner”

Adolphus HAILSTORK “Fanfare on Amazing Grace”

Libby LARSEN “Deep Summer Music”

Jonathan Bailey HOLLAND  “Equality”

Leah Hawkins, narrator

Arturo MÁRQUEZ Danzon No. 2

William BOLCOM “Waltz Clogg” from Lyric Concerto for Flute

Aaron Goldman, flute

Aaron COPLAND  Three Dances from Rodeo

Arthur PRYOR “Blue Bells of Scotland”

Craig Mulcahy, trombone

arr. Carmen DRAGON “Shenandoah”

arr. John WILLIAMS “Hooray for Hollywood”

arr. James KESSLER “Service Medley”

arr. Carmen DRAGON “America, the Beautiful”

Sep
20
Thu
Cosmo Couture 2018 – Fashion & Interior Design Event (9th Annual) @ Washington National Cathedral
Sep 20 @ 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM

The 9th Annual Cosmo Couture will take place on Thursday, September 20th in D.C. at its new location the Washington National Cathedral.

 

Recognized as a top charity events in the DC region, the event fosters a direct collaboration between local Interior Design and Architecture firms and their product manufacturing partners in the Washington D.C. area, and ultimately leads to creating garments reflecting a given theme. Garments are constructed out of interior materials such as tile, carpet, wood, vinyl, glass and rubber –  materials used in the built interior environment. Finding ways to apply them to haute couture fashion, the design teams create, a bridge between fashion and architecture.

 

Each year the show theme changes with past themes ranging from focusing on D.C. area landmarks such as the Smithsonian Museums, Embassies, American Presidents, and the National Zoo, to an Under the Big Top Circus theme, and Exploring Natural Environments.  IIDA MAC is pleased to announce that the 2018 Cosmo Couture theme is ‘Lore’ – A body of traditions and knowledge on a subject or held by a particular group, typically passed from person to person by word of mouth. This year’s event will be co-emceed by 94.7FM The Tommy Show radio hosts Tommy McFly and Kelly Collis.

 

Twenty-four design teams will participate in this year’s event. Designs will be judged by an elite panel of judges, to be announced, and awards will be given in various categories such as:

Best Performance

·       Best Performance

·       Best Use of Materials

·       Best Interpretation of Theme

·       Best Red Carpet Look

·       Best Sketch

·       Audience Favorite (People’s Choice)

A Design Community Rallying to Support a Colleague: Love 4 Livi.  Each year Cosmo Couture selects a charity beneficiary and donates a portion of the event proceeds to their cause. Past recipients have included Rebuilding Together of Washington, DC and My Sisters Place. When an IIDA member and talented DC interior designer Livi Pejo suffered a catastrophic accident in late 2017 that severely injured her spinal cord, the organization decided that the funds from this year’s event should go towards helping her family with her medical expenses. After completing her first triathlon in Dewey Beach, DE, Livi was struck by an inebriated driver while walking along the sidewalk and ultimately left her paralyzed from the neck down. IIDA MAC WMCC is eager to support the Pejo family and hopes to ease the financial burden of her recovery journey moving forward.

Over the past eight years, the IIDA Mid-Atlantic Chapter has donated over $100,000 to previously selected charities from Cosmo Couture proceeds.

Attracting over 800 attendees each year, this year’s Cosmo Couture event is helped made possible by our Chapter’s Visionary Sponsors: Cenero, Mohawk Group and Teknion.

Event tickets range from $125-225 and value packages of tickets are available. Event tickets can be purchased online at www.cosmocouture.org.

 

EVENT DETAILS
What:  Cosmo Couture 2018 – Fashion & Interior Design Event (9th Annual)
Presented by:  Washington Metro City Center of the International Interior Design Association – Mid Atlantic Chapter
Beneficiary: Love4Livi

When: Thursday, September 20, 2018
Where:  Washington National Cathedral
Time:  5:30-10:00PM
Cocktails 5:30-7:30PM

Runway Show 7:30-9:00PM

Desserts 9:00-10:00PM

Website: www.cosmocouture.org 

Sep
22
Sat
Art League Ice Cream Bowl Fundraiser @ Market Square (corner of King and N. Fairfax Streets)
Sep 22 @ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Where: King Street Art Festival, Market Square (corner of King and N. Fairfax Streets)

When: The King Street Arts Festival has been postponed due to Hurricane Florence and will now be held September 22 & 23.Saturday, September 15, 10:00 am-4:00 pm & Sunday, September 16, 11:00 am-4:00 pm

How: $15 buys you a bowl and a scoop of ice cream

The Art League’s popular Ice Cream Bowl Fundraiser returns to the King Street Art Festival in 2018. Purchase one (or many) of 1,400+ handmade bowls created by the talented and prolific artists of The Art League’s Ceramics Department and enjoy a scoop of ice cream – all for only $15 per bowl!

Proceeds go to benefit The Art League’s Ceramics department. Participants in the Ice Cream Bowl Fundraiser may enter a free drawing to win ceramic artwork and an Art League gift certificate.

‘You’ve Got a Friend: A Singer-Songwriter Celebration’ w/ American Pops Orchestra @ Arena Stage
Sep 22 @ 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

She’s acted as everything from a dazzling diva to a sultry vixen and knows Washington from her impactful congressional testimony, but Morgan Fairchild will take the nation’s capital by storm when she presents her newest role — singing with the American Pops Orchestra (APO).

TV viewers also recognize Fairchild from her participation in the reality show “But Can They Sing?” Fans old and new will be able to hear for themselves the answer to that question on Saturday, Sept. 22 as Fairchild joins APO for “You’ve Got a Friend: A Singer-Songwriter Celebration,” featuring the music of the greatest American singer-songwriters, including James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez and others.

“We love Morgan for her Texas-sized personality that is accepting, affirming and a celebration of life. Morgan is an artist with a commitment to social justice and bringing communities together. We are honored to feature such a well-respected icon to bring life to this timeless music. We’ve got a friend, indeed,” says Luke Frazier, APO’s conductor and co-founder.

Other singers for the performance will be:

  • Mariand Torres, a Broadway veteran known for originating the role of Elphaba in “Wicked”
  • Ari Shapiro, host of NPR’s “All Things Considered”
  • Rayshun LaMarr from the most recent season of NBC’s “The Voice”
  • Yasmin Williams, an acoustic fingerstyle guitarist and finalist in Rolling Stone magazine’s Next Young Gun guitarist competition

The concert will begin at 8 p.m. at the Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, 1101 6th St., SW, Washington, D.C.

Sep
23
Sun
Art League Ice Cream Bowl Fundraiser @ Market Square (corner of King and N. Fairfax Streets)
Sep 23 @ 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Where: King Street Art Festival, Market Square (corner of King and N. Fairfax Streets)

When: The King Street Arts Festival has been postponed due to Hurricane Florence and will now be held September 22 & 23.Saturday, September 15, 10:00 am-4:00 pm & Sunday, September 16, 11:00 am-4:00 pm

How: $15 buys you a bowl and a scoop of ice cream

The Art League’s popular Ice Cream Bowl Fundraiser returns to the King Street Art Festival in 2018. Purchase one (or many) of 1,400+ handmade bowls created by the talented and prolific artists of The Art League’s Ceramics Department and enjoy a scoop of ice cream – all for only $15 per bowl!

Proceeds go to benefit The Art League’s Ceramics department. Participants in the Ice Cream Bowl Fundraiser may enter a free drawing to win ceramic artwork and an Art League gift certificate.

Sep
25
Tue
Cook & Crunch Fitness and Nutritional Cooking Workshop @ Vida Fitness City Vista
Sep 25 @ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

VIDA Fitness is mixing things up and taking National Coking Day to the next level. On Tuesday, September 25 from 6:00-7:30 p.m., VIDA’s City Vista location will host Cook & Crunch – a free 30-minute full body workout followed by a 30-minture healthy cooking seminar led by in-house dietitian Rachel Sheahan. Mighty Meals is providing healthy bites and Grape Intentions is offering wine sips. The complimentary fitness and cooking workshop is open to the public.

The National Cooking Day celebration was established to honor and commemorate the joys of home cooking with the purpose to experience something new and enjoyable in the kitchen, while preparing extraordinary and delicious food for loved ones. Embracing healthy lifestyles, VIDA Fitness decided to expand upon National Cooking Day with nutrition and wellness educational tips.

To reserve your spot, please register at www.vidafitness.com/cookcrunch.

WHO:       VIDA Fitness City Vista              

WHAT:     Free Cook & Crunch Fitness and Nutritional Cooking Workshop

                  Bites from Mighty Meals

                  Wine from Grape Intentions

WHEN:     National Cooking Day

                  Tuesday, September 25

                   6:00-7:30 p.m.

WHERE:   VIDA Fitness City Vista

                  445 K Street, NW

                  Washington, DC 20001 

Sep
29
Sat
Opera in the Outfield: Barber of Seville @ Nationals Park
Sep 29 @ 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Washington National Opera (WNO) celebrates the eleventh season of free opera broadcasts at Nationals Park with Opera in the Outfield® on Saturday, September 29, 2018. Gates open at 5 p.m. for pre-show activities with the highlight of the evening, Rossini’s comic masterpiece, The Barber of Seville, broadcast on the high-definition Nationals Park scoreboard at 7 p.m. This popular free event is guaranteed to have fans belt out, “Figaro, Figaro, Figaro!” The opera is performed in Italian, with easy-to-follow English captions shown on the scoreboard. The approximate running time of the opera is three hours, including one 25-minute intermission.
Ample free seating will be available in the stands and access to seating on the outfield grass will be limited on a first-come, first-served basis. Patrons wishing to sit on the outfield grass will receive a free wristband, which will be distributed near the Family Picnic Area (at sections 141–143) beginning at 5 p.m. Accessible seating is available throughout Nationals Park, and assistive listening devices are also available. The event will be fully captioned. More information is available atOperaintheOutfield.org.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy the festive family-friendly atmosphere. The special pre-show entertainment will include:
  • Performances by student artists, including the annual return of vocal students from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Opera Program, starring the winner of their Virginia Williams Opera Prize as one of the featured singers.
  • A meet-and-greet with M&M’S® Brand Chief Chocolate Officer, Ms. Brown.
  • AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate demonstrations and lessons in chocolate history.
  • A screening of the Warner Bros. cartoon “Rabbit of Seville” starring Bugs Bunny. Highlighting Rossini’s celebrated overture from The Barber of Seville, this parody of the opera features frenemies Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd in break-neck chases, gags and laughs.
  • Photo opportunities for kids of all ages with a living statue of Babe Ruth as well as roaming opera characters.
  • Kids can enjoy the playground, dress up with items from the Washington National Opera costume trunk, visit the craft table, have their faces painted, and experience the National Symphony Orchestra’s instrument meet & greet.
  • Chances to win prizes, including a family fun pack of four tickets to an event at the Kennedy Center, tickets to the Kennedy Center’s 21st Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor honoring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, a prize from M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies, a subscription to the Washington National Opera 2018-2019 season, a pair of tickets to a 2019 Nationals home game, and more.
Hosted by WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, this family community event features an outdoor broadcast of The Barber of Seville, a rapid-fire romp known to audiences for its instantly recognizable overture. The hilarious WNO production, directed by Peter Kazaras (2014’s La bohème and 2016’s The Marriage of Figaro), stars audience favorite Isabel Leonard (2015’s Cinderella), dashing American tenor Taylor Stayton in his WNO debut, and thrilling Moldovan baritone Andrey Zhilikhovsky in his U.S. debut. Hailed by Washington Classical Review as “an excellent cast and production,” and Broadway World called the production, “in a word, fantastic.” This performance of The Barber of Seville was recorded during its production run at the Kennedy Center Opera House.
Opera in the Outfield® will take place rain or shine—in case of inclement weather, covered seating is available. Regular concessions will be available throughout the ballpark­. RSVP’s are not required for admission into Nationals Park for this event; walk-ins are welcome.
“Our goal at Washington National Opera has always been to make opera more accessible to the District, and what better way than to welcome opera lovers and new friends to Opera in the Outfield,” says Francesca Zambello, WNO Artistic Director. “Our signature community event offers something for everyone where friends and families can enjoy games, food, beer, and of course, one of our favorite productions under a starry sky on the big screen. We guarantee a good time for all with The Barber of Seville. Who doesn’t love happy endings?”
“We’re proud our partnership with the Kennedy Center and Washington National Opera provides free family activities and access to thousands of adults and children who will experience a magnificent performance at Opera in the Outfield,” said Geoffrey Galant, Director, Mars Wrigley Confectionery. “Creating mutual benefits and stronger relationships exemplifies the Mars principles, which guides the company’s social and business decisions. It is our hope the happy memories shared this day will make this an annual ‘must-do’ event for all attendees.”
Due to the popularity of Opera in the Outfield®patrons wishing to sit on the outfield grass will need to pick up a free wristband when they enter Nationals Park, beginning at 5 p.m. The wristbands (one per person) will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be distributed at a table to the left of Center Field Plaza near the Family Picnic Area (at sections 141–143). Once all of the available wristbands have been claimed, an announcement will be made over the stadium sound system and field access will be closed to those without a wristband. Guests who plan to sit on the outfield grass may bring blankets, however chairs are not permitted on the grass. Ample free seating will be available in the stands throughout the evening. For more information on seating options, patrons can visitOperaintheOutfield.org.
Oct
13
Sat
4th Annual VIDA/Thrive 5k @ East Potomac Park at Hains Point
Oct 13 @ 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Runners, head to the starting line! VIDA Fitness is hosting its fourth annual 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, October 13 at East Potomac Park. The local fitness club will donate proceeds from the event to Thrive DC – a local non-profit organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the D.C. area. Local radio personalities Kelly Collis and Jen Richer, co-hosts of 94.7 Fresh FM’s The Tommy Showwill emcee the race and awards ceremony. The 5K Run/Walk is open to the public and participants can submit their event registrations at: www.vidathrive5k.com.

Nicknamed Hains Point by locals, East Potomac Park’s flat running course, which circles the Potomac River, will again serve as the backdrop for the event. Both dog and stroller friendly, the VIDA Thrive 5K Run/Walk is geared toward families, kids, weekend athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike. There will be special race heats for both children and pets.

Events and prizes for the race include:

  • VIDA memberships, personal training sessions and guest passes. 
  • Gift cards from SweatBox, Aura Spa and Bang Salon.

2018 Packet Pick-Up will take place at VIDA Fitness-Gallery Place on Thursday, October 11 from 9 a.m. — 6p.m. and U-Street on Friday, October 12 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Parking space is extremely limited at East Potomac Park, so VIDA encourages race participants to leave their cars at home. Convenient methods of transportation include: walking, Capital Bikeshare, DC Metro, Uber, Lyft or taxicab.

Continuing a race tradition, VIDA Fitness is again hosting a sock drive to benefit Thrive DC, which runs now right up to race day. Runners and spectators are encouraged to bring new socks of all sizes and styles to all VIDA locations or on race day where donation boxes will be located. VIDA Fitness is doubling the efforts and will match each pair of new socks donated to Thrive DC. Since their partnership began in 2015, VIDA Fitness has raised more than $50,000 for Thrive DC.

To purchase your race entry and receive more information on the VIDA 5K Run/Walk, please visit:www.vidathrive5k.com or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/442012079595140/. Registration costs $45 per person.    

WHO:        VIDA Fitness, Thrive DC and The Tommy Show

WHAT:      5K Run/Walk benefiting Thrive DC, with Tommy Show Hosts, Grand Prizes including PT sessions, massages and free month of membership

                    Tickets: $45

Schedule of Events on Saturday, October 13: 

    • 7:00 AM – Packet Pick-Up Opens
    • 7:00 AM – Bag Drop Opens
    • 7:40 AM – Warm-Up & Stretch
    • 7:55 AM – National Anthem
    • 8:00 AM – Race Begins
    • 9:00 AM – Awards Ceremony
    • 9:30 AM – Course Closes

WHEN:       October 13, 2018 at 8:00 a.m.

WHERE:    East Potomac Park at Hains Point

                  14th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024

Walters Art Museum Gala & Party @ Walters Art Museum
Oct 13 @ 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM

The Walters Art Museum celebrates a year of transformation at its annual Gala & Party, a memorable event unlike any other in Baltimore. This year’s theme, Metamorphosis, unites depictions of growth and renewal in the Walters’ collection with the fashion of today, and commemorates the exciting events of 2018, including the opening of 1 West Mount Vernon Place.

Guests start the evening with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. on the Sculpture Court, followed by a three-course gourmet dinner served in the galleries. At the Party, which begins at 9 p.m., guests enjoy an open bar, light fare and desserts, and dancing on the Sculpture Court.

WHERE:

Walters Art Museum

600 North Charles Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

 

WHEN:

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Gala: 6–9 p.m.
Party: 9 p.m.–midnight

 

WHY:

The Gala & Party provides major funding for the Walters’ education and exhibition programming and supports free admission for all. Every year, the Walters benefits over 148,000 people, including over 75,000 visitors who participate in education programs and 38,000 PreK–12 students and teachers.

Oct
21
Sun
Music and Mindfulness @ Dupont Underground
Oct 21 @ 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: A maestro, a yogi, and an orchestra walk into a tunnel. There’s no punchline, just an amazing and unique one-night experience awaiting fans of live music and yoga on Sunday, Oct. 21st, as the American Pops Orchestra and yogi Michael Peterson will host their first Music and Mindfulness practice and concert at Dupont Underground.

Here’s what to expect:

Will there really be a live orchestra at a yoga class?

Yes — the American Pops Orchestra is versatile and nimble in size and musical stylings. To fit the space and vibe of this event, APO Founder and Musical Director Luke Frazier will conduct and play piano along with the Pops’ Chamber Ensemble: four cellos and one percussionist. APO’s principal percussionist Jeremy Yaddaw co-wrote the original score of an interwoven soundscape of classic Broadway melodies arranged in an eastern meditative style. Playing this music live in Dupont Underground lends an acoustic sound similar to a cathedral or the Paris catacombs.

What’s it like to do yoga in Dupont Underground?

Instructor Michael Peterson will guide participants on a journey through mindfulness and flexibility as the orchestra plays. This practice is open to all, no matter their level of abilityAt last year’s event, there were people doing yoga for the first time and some simply sitting to enjoy the music and meditation without being physically engaged. Seating will be available for those seeking a calming experience.

Dupont Underground is a 15,000 square foot space that can accommodate up to 250 people for this event. Previous shows have sold out, and tickets are available here. Water, tea, juice and other snacks will be available for purchase, and participants should bring their own mats and towels. It is advisable to dress in layers to keep warm during the relaxation part of the session. The session will last 75 minutes.

How did this collaboration happen?

Frazier began practicing yoga a few years ago and was instantly enamored with the focus, strength and meditation yoga brings.

“As I spent more time doing yoga, I also spent more time thinking about how live music would enhance the experience,” says Frazier. “So I decided to combine these two loves into something different and exciting that allows us to explore the parallels between yoga and live music in real time.”

Before finding his calling as a yoga teacher, Michael Peterson studied dance and theater, and even played the drums.

“Sometimes in yoga we get so focused on technique, we don’t really let it be a fun and creative process,” says Peterson. “The atmosphere of a yoga class is so central to the practice, and live music has a way of creating a more artistic and creative atmosphere that rejuvenates the soul. It’s this communal experience where we all come together to create and experience something that only happens right in that moment.”

The practice on October 21 is the first in a series. The other practices will take place at Dupont Underground on April 13 and May 8, 2019 at 6pm.