On Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 3:30pm, German-born composer, vocalist, and internationally renowned theremin virtuoso Carolina Eyck and the American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) will perform presented by the National Gallery of Art in the West Building, West Garden Court (entrance at Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue). Doors open to the public at 3pm, and admission is free.
Eyck and ACME will give the Washington, DC premiere of Eyck’s Fantasias for theremin and string quartet, and Eyck will perform her solo songs Music on a Painting and Delphic. The program includes composer and The National guitarist Bryce Dessner’s Little Blue Something for string quartet, performed by ACME, and will feature improvised selections by Eyck and ACME cellist and artistic director Clarice Jensen. In addition to Jensen, the ACME players for this concert are Ben Russell, violin; Keats Dieffenbach, violin; and Isabel Hagen, viola.
Fantasias was released to critical acclaim on Butterscotch Records in 2016. For the project, Eyck composed six minimalist-inspired string quartet pieces, over which she improvises a solo theremin part. With these pieces, Eyck strives to “sonically investigate the interplay between nature and human imagination.” Eyck’s musically daring and physically challenging compositions defy easy classification, while her uncanny mastery of the theremin and use of electronic effects bring an authentically fresh sonic pallet to the forefront. Her Fantasias range from slow-evolving arpeggiations reminiscent of Reich and Glass, to alternative bowing and fingering techniques that achieve an ethereal ambience, to athletic explorations reminiscent of Bartók’s String Quartets.
Eyck’s striking theremin performances showcase her dead-aim intonation, her command of microtonality, her fluid melodicism, and her lack of self-consciousness as an improvisor. This latter quality is no accident, as Eyck has practiced improvisation for years, and has even studied techniques typically aimed at athletes for entering flow-states and shutting down critical inner dialogue.
Since making her debut in the Berlin Philharmonie, Carolina Eyck has been invited to perform all over the world. The BBC World Service proclaims, “Carolina Eyck is one of the world’s leading theremin players … and is a pioneer of this relatively new instrument,” and Cicero calls her the “queen of the theremin.” She was a winner of the 2015 ECHO-Classic prize in Germany for Concert Recording of the Year (Music 20./21.Century), and her book The Art of Playing the Theremin (written when she was 17) teaches the theremin technique she developed at age 14.
Let your cocktails and your yoga practice flow this holiday season with VIDA Fitness. On Tuesday, December 11 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., VIDA Fitness will host a public Chaturanga & Cocktails event at District Distilling to benefit Thrive DC – a local nonprofit dedicated to ending and preventing homelessness in DC. For the first hour of the night, VIDA instructor Alexandra Chili will lead a yoga flow. After the yoga session, guests will try skinny versions of District Distillery cocktails, as well as a special VIDA cocktail menu that features health-conscience beverages. The money raised that night will benefit Thrive DC, who can provide much-needed clothing and supplies to DC’s homeless community. To reserve your place at VIDA’s Chaturanga & Cocktails, make at least a $5 donation to Thrive DC by visiting http://www.thrivedc.org/vidayoga.
WHO: VIDA Fitness, District Distillery & Thrive DC
WHAT: Chaturanga & Cocktails
VIDA Instructor Alexandra Chili will lead yoga flow
Sample healthy cocktail samples and special VIDA cocktail menu
$5 dollar or greater donation to Thrive DC holds your spot and benefits those in need
Please bring your own mat
Reserve your spot here: http://www.thrivedc.org/vidayoga
WHEN: Tuesday, December 11
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: District Distillery
1414 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
St. Regis Washington, D.C. hosts RodarTEA, a fashionista afternoon tea, in partnership with the Rodarte exhibition at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. There will be a Champagne sabering in the lobby, poured for guests along with elaborate pastries inspired by Rodarte fashion pieces. The tea includes round-trip luxury transportation for guests to explore the Rodarte exhibition. The cost is $80 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity.
WHAT: “We Choose to Go to the Moon” performance
WHEN: Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 15, 18
6:30–7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery
Eighth and G streets N.W.
WHO: Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company
The National Portrait Gallery will present “We Choose to Go to the Moon,” a performance by the museum’s resident Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. Inspired by the Portrait Gallery’s “One Year: 1968, An American Odyssey” exhibition, which notably displays a portrait of the Apollo 8 astronauts, the performance reflects on America’s idealism around the space race, the mystery of the cosmos and the fragility of life.
“We Choose to Go to the Moon” was created in collaboration with NASA and includes sound bites from leading scientists and astronauts in addition to selections of pop culture music including “Stairway to Heaven” and “Fly Me to the Moon.” The title of the dance refers to a line from the 1962 speech by President John F. Kennedy about the national effort to land a man on the moon. This work was recently performed at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
WHAT: “We Choose to Go to the Moon” performance
WHEN: Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 15, 18
6:30–7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery
Eighth and G streets N.W.
WHO: Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company
The National Portrait Gallery will present “We Choose to Go to the Moon,” a performance by the museum’s resident Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. Inspired by the Portrait Gallery’s “One Year: 1968, An American Odyssey” exhibition, which notably displays a portrait of the Apollo 8 astronauts, the performance reflects on America’s idealism around the space race, the mystery of the cosmos and the fragility of life.
“We Choose to Go to the Moon” was created in collaboration with NASA and includes sound bites from leading scientists and astronauts in addition to selections of pop culture music including “Stairway to Heaven” and “Fly Me to the Moon.” The title of the dance refers to a line from the 1962 speech by President John F. Kennedy about the national effort to land a man on the moon. This work was recently performed at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Light Up The Season is a family-friendly community fundraising event to benefit Children’s National to be held on Sunday, December 16, 2018 from 12 – 4 p.m. at Four Season’s Hotel in Washington, DC. It is co-hosted by Children’s Health Board and Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC.
Who: Light Up The Season’s Second Annual Event
What: This event highlights collaborations between Children’s National patients and notable area designers and artists – 23 in all from Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia, see list below and in attached press release. Together, they will create holiday trees, mantelpieces, wreaths, menorahs and artwork – all available for purchase. Proceeds benefit Children’s National. Activities for all ages include holiday cookie decorating, ornament making, musical performances and visits from Santa and Dr. Bear. Entertainment expert Penny Lyons of Lyonslifestyle will offer an exclusive presentation focused on her “making the ordinary extraordinary” approach to entertaining at home.
April McClain-Delaney, regulatory attorney and Washington Director of Common Sense Media, will serve as this year’s Light Up The Season Honorary Chair. McClain-Delaney is a longtime advocate for children. She has served on the Children’s Hospital Foundation Board, was named an outstanding woman alumnae by Georgetown Law Center, is a John Carroll Society Awardee and is married to Maryland Congressman John Delaney.
Event Co-Chairs Shannon Burkhart, Susan Hayes-Long and Muffin Lynham are working closely with design advisors Barry Dixon, Lauren Liess and Frank Babb Randolph. High res images from last year’s inaugural event as well images of this year’s designers and patients are available upon request.
Where: The Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC
2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20007
When: Sunday, December 16, 2018 from 12- 4 p.m.
Tickets: Click here to purchase tickets
Designers, florists and artists participating:
Jeff Akseizer, Akseizer Design Group
Jose Solis Betancourt and Paul Sherrill, Solis Betancourt
Molly Bruno, Molly Bruno Interiors, Molly Bruno
Susan Burke, Susan Burke Style
Iantha Carley, Iantha Carley Interiors
Suzie Clayton, Dalton Brody
Wendy Danziger, Danziger Design
Miriam Dillon and Hannah Bock, Barnes Vanze
Laura Dowling, Laura Dowling
Eve Faye, Farrow & Ball
Yvette Freeman, District Designers
Rachel and Charles Gang, Helen Olivia Flowers
Ashley Greer, Atelier Ashley Flowers
Sarah Hayes, Sarah Hayes Design
Liz Levin and Tess Finnegan, Liz Levin Interiors
Lauren and David Liess, Lauren Liess
Lanie Mann, Lanie Mann Art
Anna Mathews, Anna Mathews Interiors
Marika Meyer, Marika Meyer Interiors & Textiles
Claire Niermann and Eleanor Niermann, Niermann Weeks
Maggie O’Neill, Maggie O’Neill Fine Art
Sascha Roth, Urban Country
Roger Whyte, RJ Whyte Events
Entertainment/Pop-Up Shops:
Metropolitan School of the Arts (Dance), The Georgetown Saxatones Acapella Group, Rhythmaya Dance (Bollywood Fusion) and Reggie Rice Comedy Illusionist. Popup shops include Dalton Brody, Julia Farr Boutique, Suzanne Designs, Whyte House Monograms, Christi Perez Designs, Sonya Flanagan, Mary Making Design, and Georgetown Paperie. The décor coordinator is Quintece Hill-Mattauszek.
Patriot Harley-Davidson, 9739 Fairfax Boulevard, will host a special Redskins viewing party on Sunday, December 16, from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., and meet & greet with former Redskin and Hall of Famer, Darrell Green. The event is FREE and open to the public.
Watch the 1 p.m. Redskins/Jaguars game on a big screen while you check out the Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Darrell Green will be available for pictures throughout the event and will take part in a half-time Q&A session.
Additionally, photos that can be autographed, will be available in exchange for a new, unused, unwrapped toy donation for the Sheehy Toys for Tots toy drive, or $25 in Harley-Davidson merchandise purchased that day. These photos are the only items Green will autograph.
Sports memorabilia including Green’s Hall of Fame Bust and Jacket will also be on display, along with Green’s custom Redskins-themed Harley-Davidson. The TEAM 980 Street Team will also be on-hand to keep the party going.
For more information visit www.patriothd.com or call 703-352-5400.
WHAT: “We Choose to Go to the Moon” performance
WHEN: Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 15, 18
6:30–7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery
Eighth and G streets N.W.
WHO: Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company
The National Portrait Gallery will present “We Choose to Go to the Moon,” a performance by the museum’s resident Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. Inspired by the Portrait Gallery’s “One Year: 1968, An American Odyssey” exhibition, which notably displays a portrait of the Apollo 8 astronauts, the performance reflects on America’s idealism around the space race, the mystery of the cosmos and the fragility of life.
“We Choose to Go to the Moon” was created in collaboration with NASA and includes sound bites from leading scientists and astronauts in addition to selections of pop culture music including “Stairway to Heaven” and “Fly Me to the Moon.” The title of the dance refers to a line from the 1962 speech by President John F. Kennedy about the national effort to land a man on the moon. This work was recently performed at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Paint Nite @ City Tap Dupont – Tuesday, December 18
Cozy up with a drink and learn how to paint your own work of art at City Tap Dupont’s Paint Nite on December 18. From 7pm to 9pm, guests can sip drinks while an instructor guides a class guiding how to paint a snowy forest scene.
