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 ability. At 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.
The National Symphony Orchestra continues its Star Wars series this season with The Empire Strikes Back, in three performances on Tuesday, October 23 at 7 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday, October 24 and 25, at 8 p.m.in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. NSO Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke leads the Orchestra in John Williams’s memorable score to accompany the film as it’s shown on the big screen above the Orchestra.
Throughout the 2018–2019 season, the NSO also performs the scores to accompany other films in the series—Return of the Jedi (January 22–24, 2019) and The Force Awakens (February 21–23, 2019)—as well as other live scores performed to film: Get Out (September 20) and Walt Disney Animation Studios: A Decade in Concert (November 23–25, 2018).
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets ($34–$159) are available at the Kennedy Center Box Office, online at kennedy-center.org, and via phone through Instant Charge, (202) 467-4700; toll-free at (800) 444-1324. For all other ticket-related customer service inquires, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The 2018–2019 season marks the National Symphony Orchestra’s 88th, and Gianandrea Noseda’s second as its music director. The Italian conductor serves as the Orchestra’s seventh music director, joining the NSO’s legacy of such distinguished leaders. Its artistic leadership also includes Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke and Artistic Advisor Ben Folds.
Founded in 1931, the Orchestra has always been committed to artistic excellence and music education. In 1986, the National Symphony became an artistic affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where it performs year-round. The NSO’s community engagement projects are nationally recognized, including NSO In Your Neighborhood, an annual week of approximately 50 performances in schools, churches, community centers, and other unexpected venues; Notes of Honor, which offers free performances for active, veteran, prior service, and retired members of the military and their families; and Sound Health, a collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its affiliated organizations. Career development opportunities for young musicians include the NSO Youth Fellowship Program and its tuition-free Summer Music Institute. For more information, visit nationalsymphony.org.
FUNDING CREDITS:
David M. Rubenstein is the Presenting Underwriter of the NSO
AARP is the presenting sponsor of the NSO Pops Season.
The National Symphony Orchestra continues its Star Wars series this season with The Empire Strikes Back, in three performances on Tuesday, October 23 at 7 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday, October 24 and 25, at 8 p.m.in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. NSO Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke leads the Orchestra in John Williams’s memorable score to accompany the film as it’s shown on the big screen above the Orchestra.
Throughout the 2018–2019 season, the NSO also performs the scores to accompany other films in the series—Return of the Jedi (January 22–24, 2019) and The Force Awakens (February 21–23, 2019)—as well as other live scores performed to film: Get Out (September 20) and Walt Disney Animation Studios: A Decade in Concert (November 23–25, 2018).
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets ($34–$159) are available at the Kennedy Center Box Office, online at kennedy-center.org, and via phone through Instant Charge, (202) 467-4700; toll-free at (800) 444-1324. For all other ticket-related customer service inquires, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The 2018–2019 season marks the National Symphony Orchestra’s 88th, and Gianandrea Noseda’s second as its music director. The Italian conductor serves as the Orchestra’s seventh music director, joining the NSO’s legacy of such distinguished leaders. Its artistic leadership also includes Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke and Artistic Advisor Ben Folds.
Founded in 1931, the Orchestra has always been committed to artistic excellence and music education. In 1986, the National Symphony became an artistic affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where it performs year-round. The NSO’s community engagement projects are nationally recognized, including NSO In Your Neighborhood, an annual week of approximately 50 performances in schools, churches, community centers, and other unexpected venues; Notes of Honor, which offers free performances for active, veteran, prior service, and retired members of the military and their families; and Sound Health, a collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its affiliated organizations. Career development opportunities for young musicians include the NSO Youth Fellowship Program and its tuition-free Summer Music Institute. For more information, visit nationalsymphony.org.
FUNDING CREDITS:
David M. Rubenstein is the Presenting Underwriter of the NSO
AARP is the presenting sponsor of the NSO Pops Season.
Crystal City’s summertime happy hour is back, opening a month early and announcing a new partnership with The Stand bringing food and beverage from local restaurants and an exciting live music lineup. Starting on May 4, each Friday from 5-9 pm, attendees can listen to live music from a variety of bands while enjoying local bites and drink.
What: Fridays at the Fountain
When: Every Friday May – October from 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Where: Crystal City Water Park – 1751 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202
Live Music Schedule:
May 4 Revelator Hill
May 11 Whiskey Pull
May 18 Zach Cutler & Friends
May 25 Gordon Sterling 3
June 1 Big Bad Juju
June 8 Mary El Band
June 15 Revelator Hill
June 22 Jonathan Sloane Trio
June 29 Holly Montgomery
July 6 The Jogo Project
July 13 The Jon Miller Band
July 20 Gordon Sterling and the People
July 27 Big Bad Juju
**Later dates to be announced**
Admission: 100% Free to enter, listen, and relax; food and drink for purchase (credit cards accepted) – $5 for beer/wine. $20 to join the Mug Club and receive a branded, reusable mug.
Arena Stage will host a silent and live wine auction on Friday, October 26, 2018 at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St., SW). The event is helmed by Arena Stage Trustees Judith N. Batty, Gene Samburg and Beth Newburger Schwartz.
The evening kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a reception and silent auction, followed by a seated dinner, paired with wines donated by Total Wine & More. Event attendees will have the opportunity to bid on exclusive items and experiences throughout the event, including the Bordeaux Experience, valued at $5,000, where two couples traveling together will enjoy a three-night stay in a château in romantic Bordeaux, with VIP treatment, including one-of-a-kind vineyard and winery tours, private wine tastings and an insider’s look at winemaking in France’s most famous wine region. Also available for bid is a one-week stay in a four bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom private residence villa at the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, valued at $20,000, with an infinity edged heated plunge pool, spacious covered terrace and patio, hot tub, panoramic Pacific Ocean view and full kitchen (3,600 feet of indoor space and 3,600 feet of outdoor space). Winners of the Punta Mita package will enjoy full use of the Four Seasons Resort facilities and amenities, including room service. The following wines will also be available for bid:
- 2007 Schrader CCS Cabernet Sauvignon, WS 100; RP 100, valued at $1,000
- 2004 Harlan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, WS 98 ; RP 98, valued at $1,000
- 2008 Penfolds Grange Shiraz, WS 100 ; RP 100,,valued at $750
- 2007 Staglin 25th Anniversary Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, WS 95, RP 96, valued at $750
- 2002 Sloan Cabernet Sauvignon, WS 99; RP 100, valued at $750
Additional auction items will be announced at a later date.
All proceeds from the evening support Arena Stage’s award-winning artistic and community engagement programs.
Individual tickets start at $300. Space is limited. For additional event details, visit arenastage.org/support/
Event: Washington Area Women’s Foundation 20th Anniversary Leadership Luncheon
Logistics: Tuesday, October 30, 2018 | Marriott Marquis | 901 Massachusetts Ave NW | Networking: 11:00am-Noon | Luncheon: Noon-1:30 pm
Details: Be among the over 1,000 attendees representing the Washington area’s most influential businesses, foundations, individuals and legislators using their passion, influence and generosity to create real change for our community. You will experience an inspirational celebration of the power of investing in women and girls in the Washington region. And this year w’ell have a very “special guest!” Come and delight in the surprise.
Tickets: Individual tickets start at $200.
On Wednesday, November 7th, America Abroad Media (AAM) will recognize Haifaa Al-Mansour, the first female filmmaker in Saudi Arabia, along with writer and producer Wahid Hamed and director Marwan Hamed for their commitment to purpose driven content at their annual awards dinner. The sixth annual event will also recognize two documentaries highlighting the Kurdish fight against ISIS Peshmerga and The Battle of Mosul, directed by Bernard Henri Lévy.
The annual awards dinner brings together policy makers, diplomats and the Hollywood creative community to honor the people and organizations who exemplify the power of media to inform, inspire and positively impact society. Past honorees include H.R.H. Princess Rym Ali of Jordan, actress Hend Sabry, award-winning directors Kathryn Bigelow and Paul Greengrass,Showtime’s critically acclaimed series, Homeland, and Bollywood actor Aamir Khan.
WHO: America Abroad Media Founder & President Aaron Lobel, Co-Chairs Former Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, General Michael V. Hayden, Former Chairman of MGM Studios and Paramount Pictures Frank Mancuso, Sr., Former Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, Motion Picture Association of American (MPAA) CEOCharles H. Rivkin and former Michigan representative The Honorable Mike Rogers and honorees including Haifaa Al-Mansour, Wahid Hamed, Marwan Hamed and Bernard Henry Lévy.Members of AAM’s Hollywood-Middle East Initiative including Bill Macdonald, writer and executive producer, Rome and Rough Riders, Mark Goffman, writer and producer, The West Wing and Sleepy Hollow, Jessica Mecklenburg, writer and producer, Stranger Things and Gypsy and more will also be in attendance.
WHAT: The evening will include photo-ops with honorees and other VIPs in attendance
WHEN: Wednesday, November 7th, 2018 at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
HOW: Please e-mail Thomas Walter at twalter@mww.com to attend.
Bubbles, Bites & Beats will go on at Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown on Wednesday evening, November 7th. From 7:00 to 11:00 p.m., Thiénot Champagne will flow as guests relish complimentary hors d’oeuvres, network with new friends and dance to the many beats of a live DJ in the hotel’s stunning lobby.
Specially priced glasses and bottles of Thiénot Champagne and Rosé will be available all night long…
Thiénot Champagne – $6 per glass or $30 per bottle
Thiénot Rosé – $10 per glass or $50 per bottle
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres including chicken croquetas, open faced lobster sliders and salmon tartine will be passed from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., and the regular bar menu will be available throughout the evening.
Guests will be delighted as the elegant Mrs. Garance Thiénot, owner of Thiénot Champagne, makes a special appearance to enjoy Bubbles, Bites & Beats with all.
Guests are encouraged to dress appropriately for a champagne celebration, no ripped jeans, t-shirts, caps or sneakers please.
There is no fee required for Bubbles, Bites & Beats. Reservations can be made through Eventbrite at https://goo.gl/Jci9Lp. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to Horton’s Kids.
WHO: Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP)
WHAT: YPFP’s Affairs of State Awards Gala and Fundraiser
WHEN: Saturday, November 10 at 8PM
WHERE: Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
WHY: YPFP is bursting bubbles and broadening minds at this year’s Annual Affairs of State Awards Gala and Fundraiser, where hundreds of DC’s young professionals will mix and mingle at the hottest foreign policy event of the year. Two awards will be presented to outstanding leaders in foreign policy. This year’s gala is also part of the ongoing “Burst Your Bubble” initiative that challenges traditional approaches to foreign policy conversations. YPFP is hosting events that bring diverse topics, people, and places to the foreign policy space.
ABOUT YPFP
YPFP is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to building the leaders the world needs. Headquartered in Washington, DC with locations in New York City, Brussels, and London, the YPFP network consists of 20,000 rising leaders from 80 countries across the globe.
The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, will give a free concert on Veterans Day—Monday, November 12—at 1 p.m. at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. The concert, part of the NSO’s ongoing Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military initiative, will feature guest vocalist Nikki Renée Daniels and a program of music related to space, as well as American tunes and patriotic marches to honor veterans and all members of the U.S. Armed Forces past and present.
The NSO’s Notes of Honor initiative offers free programming for veterans, active duty, and retired service members and their families throughout the year at the Kennedy Center and at venues around Washington, D.C. The NSO also reaches audiences worldwide on major holidays through its Memorial Day and Independence Day concerts on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol, which are nationally televised and broadcast on the Armed Forces Network.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Monday, November 12, 2018, at 1 p.m.
National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
14390 Air and Space Parkway, Chantilly, VA 20151
National Symphony Orchestra
Steven Reineke, conductor
Nikki Renée Daniels, vocalist
Various/
arr. Jim Stephensen World War I Medley
Kenneth Alford Colonel Bogey March
Bart Howard/
arr. John Bachalis “Fly Me to the Moon”
James Horner/
arr. John Moss Music from Apollo 13
Stephen Flaherty/Lynn Aherns
arr. William David Brohn “Back to Before” from Ragtime
John Williams Liberty Fanfare
Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal/
arr. S. Reineke “I’ll Be Seeing You”
John Williams “Hymn to the Fallen” from Saving Private Ryan
Richard Hayman/
arr. Jim Kessler Salute to the Armed Forces
Samuel Augustus Ward
arr. Carmen Dragon “America the Beautiful”
Concert and Museum entry are free. $15 parking fee applies.
