Juliet Eilperin, the Senior National Affairs Correspondent for The Washington Post has been chosen by the Environmental Film Festival (DCEFF) for their inaugural “Excellence in Journalism” award. Eilperin, a DC native, and author of two books, has worked at The Washington Post’s national desk for 20 years, covering the White House, Congress and a host of domestic and international policies. Her work has often centered on environmental issues.
“We are pleased to honor Juliet and to present her with our first ever Excellence in Journalism Award,” said, Christopher Head, the Executive Director of the Environmental Film Festival. “The theme of the this year’s festival is “The Fierce Urgency of Now” and Juliet Eilperin’s excellent journalism has helped to pave the way for understanding what’s at stake and what our government is or isn’t doing at this moment of environmental crisis.”
The Annual benefit will take place on February 7, 2019 at the Austrian Embassy (3524 International Court, NW) and will be hosted by Ambassador H.E. Doctor Wolfgang Waldner.
“Austria is strongly committed to environmental protection and sustainable energy,” said Ambassador Wolfgang Waldner. “We are very honored to host this year’s Environmental Film Festival Benefit Reception at the Austrian Embassy.”
Many of the benefit’s co-chairs, host committee and honorary host committee will be on hand for the evening and the Austrian Cultural Forum will also be a presenter. The DCEFF will run from March 14-24, 2019 and will present more than 120 films from around the globe. Tickets for the reception can be purchased here.
The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF) is the world’s premier showcase of environmentally themed films. Since 1993, our mission has been to celebrate Earth and inspire understanding and stewardship of the environment through the power of film. Each March in Washington, D.C., we host the largest environmental film festival in the world, presenting 100+ films to audiences of more than 20,000 and collaborating with over 110 partners, including museums, embassies, universities, and theaters. The festival is one of the leading annual cultural events in Washington, D.C., winning the 2017 DC Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Creative Industries.
Chocolate Festival
Saturday, Feb. 9, and Sunday, Feb. 10; 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian holds its annual Chocolate Festival in February. From the blossoms of the cacao tree which grows in Mesoamerica, the Maya culture developed chocolate. This program will introduce visitors to indigenous symbols and images representing cacao throughout pre-Columbian history and invite participants to make an art-inspired piece. Participants will enjoy the music of Guatemalan Marimba with Marimba AWAL and join Grupo Los Tecuanes (Mixtec) as they share the process of turning cacao into chocolate. Executive Chef, Mitsitam Native Foods Café, Freddie Bitsoie (Diné), will demonstrate various recipes inspired by chocolate. Limited tastings will be available during the demonstrations. Families and children can participate in different activities in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center, including make-and-take a cacao pendant using the Mayan glyph for cacao (chocolate).
Crêpe Day: Celebrate La Chandeleur!
Saturday, February 9, 2019, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Enjoy crêpes, storytelling, art projects, and more amidst Hillwood’s spectacular gardens, magnificent mansion, and exquisite French treasures.
4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Chocolate Festival
Saturday, Feb. 9, and Sunday, Feb. 10; 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian holds its annual Chocolate Festival in February. From the blossoms of the cacao tree which grows in Mesoamerica, the Maya culture developed chocolate. This program will introduce visitors to indigenous symbols and images representing cacao throughout pre-Columbian history and invite participants to make an art-inspired piece. Participants will enjoy the music of Guatemalan Marimba with Marimba AWAL and join Grupo Los Tecuanes (Mixtec) as they share the process of turning cacao into chocolate. Executive Chef, Mitsitam Native Foods Café, Freddie Bitsoie (Diné), will demonstrate various recipes inspired by chocolate. Limited tastings will be available during the demonstrations. Families and children can participate in different activities in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center, including make-and-take a cacao pendant using the Mayan glyph for cacao (chocolate).
On February 18 at 7 pm, Chef Todd Gray will host the first annual Not Wasted Dinner, a tribute to the organizer’s collective mission to eradicate food waste in the hospitality industry. The dinner is a collaboration of diverse yet like-minded chefs who will create a four-course dinner made from “trash ingredients” like roots, stems and cuttings.
“As we celebrate our 20th year in business, we’re more committed than ever to taking dramatic steps to decrease the restaurant’s carbon footprint. The dinner will be both educational and delicious–showcasing how you can utilize otherwise wasted ingredients and have a sumptuous dining experience at the same time,” said Ellen Kassoff, co-owner of Equinox Restaurant.
The evening will also feature an interactive discussion with an enlightened group of esteemed panelists to discuss and guide us all in ways we can reduce, reuse, and recycle for a brighter, more promising environmental future.
Confirmed panelists include:
- Amanda Stone, World Wildlife Fund
- Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Together We Bake
- Hilary Landa, Ad Council
- Laura Monto, Sodexo
Panel moderator: Lesly Baesens, DC Food Recovery Working Group
Guest Chefs
- Todd Gray, Equinox Restaurant
- Michelle Brown, Teaism
- Gregory Payne, Sodexo
- Robert Wood, SuperFd Catering
Special “Trashed” cocktails — using forgotten bits of bar fruit in syrups, garnishes, and mixers — will be crafted by Peter Grimm, Equinox Restaurant’s Bar Manager and Mixologist.
Tickets are $65 and may be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Get Snowed Inn with The Children’s Inn at NIH on Feb. 23, 2019. Join the perfect DC après-ski party and dance the night away with a live DJ or finish unwinding from the holiday rush by relaxing in a ski lodge setting, with friends old and new. What else? Enjoy unlimited drinks created by the area’s best mixologists, plus a wide range of appetizers and bites, bid on unique experiences offered through a silent auction, play games or create a small gift to lift the spirits of a child staying at The Children’s Inn. It’s great to get Snowed Inn!
Website: www.childrensinn.org/
Mardi Gras Extravaganza DC will be coming to The Showroom [March 5, 2019] on Fat Tuesday from 6PM-10PM. Join the co-chairs – N’awlins native chef David Guas and chef Spike Mendelsohn, along with Gina Chersevani, one of the most beloved mixologists in the DC area, and Bruce Pike of Pike Productions known for elaborate event productions. The all-you-can-
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Colleen Murphy of Blue Duck Tavern
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Tracy O’Grady of 1789 Restaurant
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Lauren Matthews of Urbana
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Kelsey Burack of DBGB Kitchen & Bar by Daniel Boulud
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Chef Ruth Gresser of Pizzeria Paradiso
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Georgetown Cupcake
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Hank’s Oyster Bar
Chance for Life was created in 2005 in honor of Kennedy Snyder, who was diagnosed with an aggressive spinal cord tumor at age two. What began as a small get-together has become an established 501(c)3 non-profit that holds one of metropolitan Washington’s top charity events. The annual fundraiser features a Texas Hold ’Em style poker tournament, top chef taste experience, and a glamorous Vegas-style after party. Its 14th annual celebration is presented by The Boeing Company, hosted by MGM National Harbor, and powered by RedPeg, providing 100% of net proceeds to help fund vital pediatric cancer research at Children’s National Health System and through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
The Charity Poker Tournament is a Texas Hold ’Em style tournament with over 700 participating amateur players. Prizes are awarded for the top 30 winners with a grand prize of a $10,000 seat at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. The event features a top-shelf open bar, sprawling buffet, silent auction, celebrities, and more throughout the day. Poker players also have complimentary access to the Taste Experience.
The Taste Experience features uniquely curated food from renowned chefs who cook throughout metropolitan Washington. Dance the night away with an incredible line up of live performances, capped off with a surprise celebrity headliner. The night continues with a vibrant after party featuring VIP lounges, a top DJ and even more entertainment.
WHEN: Saturday, March 9, 2019
Charity Poker Tournament | 11:30am
Poker registration opens – 10am
Poker doors open – 11am
Taste Experience & Party | 6:30pm
WHERE: MGM National Harbor
MGM Grand Ballroom
101 MGM National Avenue
Oxon Hill, MD 20745
TICKETS: Individual tickets and sponsorships for both events now available at https://e.givesmart.com/events/buX/.
About Chance for Life
Less than 4% of the federal government’s total funding for cancer research is dedicated to childhood cancers each year. Chance for Life takes direct aim to fill this gap, providing 100% of net proceeds to help fund vital pediatric cancer research at Children’s National Health System and through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. The non-profit’s major charity poker tournament and taste experience has historically raised over $4.2 million to directly support those on the forefront of local cancer research and care. For more information, please visit chanceforlife.net or follow the 501(c)(3) on Facebook and Twitter.
