Bestselling author of Me Talk Pretty One Day and other satirical gems David Sedaris returns with the acerbic humor, social commentary, and outlandish stories that transfixed a sold-out audience at his last Strathmore show. Sedaris is one of today’s most observant writers addressing the human condition, which he details hilariously in his latest book, Calypso, described as beach reading for people who detest beaches and required reading for those who loathe small talk. Fans will love to hear these stories live as the Grammy-nominee and New York Times best-selling author brings heart and hilarity to the stage.
The 6th Annual Best Buddies PROM – two parties with one purpose – is a dynamic twist on the DC gala that features both student and adult receptions. It will be held Friday, April 5 at The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC. This joyous night of music, friendship, fundraising, and making memories for young people with and without Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) will be the highlight of DC’s spring event season. PROM2019 will treat students of all abilities to a spectacular evening which is also a fundraising event for adults who believe in the mission of inclusion. Best Buddies was founded 30 years ago by Anthony Kennedy Shriver at Georgetown University. Tickets are on sale now at www.BestBuddiesProm.org.
“This year’s PROM will push us to surpass one million dollars in monies raised since we began PROM in DC in 2013… enabling us to open 64 friendship chapters in Virginia and Washington DC schools, support 25 (adult) Jobs participants at integrated workplaces, and facilitate leadership development opportunities for nearly 200 individuals with IDD,” said Karen Glasser, Regional Director of Best Buddies Capital Region. “We can’t wait to celebrate this $1M milestone with our Best Buddies family!”
The lively evening will be hosted by Tommy McFly, Best Buddies Capital Region Advisory Board Chairman and host of The Tommy Show. Music and Entertainment will be provided by crowd favorite, DJ Neekola, and performers from the Pelonkey Agency. The Reagan Building’s beauty will be on display with decor by Design Foundry elevating the PROM goers’ experience.
Students are the stars of the evening. Adults will also enjoy their own celebration, including a complimentary open bar, delicious passed hors d’oeuvres by Reagan Building Executive, Chef Xavier Deshayes, and an exciting live and silent auction. In addition, some of the region’s most celebrated chefs will lend their time and culinary creations to an exclusive VIP reception prior to the event. PROM is the perfect place to witness Best Buddies’ mission of social inclusion first-hand.
Known as the king of the rant, DMV native Lewis Black uses his trademark style of comedic yelling and animated finger-pointing to skewer anything and anyone that gets under his skin. His comedic brilliance lies in his ability to make people laugh at the absurdities of life, with topics that include current events, social media, politics, and anything else that exposes the hypocrisy and madness he sees in the world. “Back in Black,” Black’s regular segment on The Daily Show, is one of the most popular and longest-running segments on the show for both the Jon Stewart era, and now The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. After completing studies in drama, Black’s career began as a playwright-in-residence in New York City’s West Bank Café Downstairs Theater Bar. He also emceed every show, honing his stand-up skills enough to take his show on the road.
Comedian Lewis Black has been added to Strathmore 2018-2019 Season, performing in the Music Center on Sunday, April 14, 2019 at 8 p.m. Known as the king of the rant, Black uses his trademark style of comedic yelling and animated finger-pointing to skewer anything and anyone that gets under his skin. His comedic brilliance lies in his ability to make people laugh at the absurdities of life, with topics that include current events, social media, politics, and anything else that exposes the hypocrisy and madness he sees in the world. For more information call (301) 581-5100 or visitwww.strathmore.org.
Tickets to this show will go on sale to the general public Friday, October 26,2018 at 10 a.m.
Born in Washington, D.C. in 1948, Black was raised in Silver Spring, MD. Colicky as a baby, he was destined to be angry and easily irritated. His mother, a teacher, and his father, a mechanical engineer, instilled the importance of education and the necessity to question authority—lessons that influenced Black throughout his life. He fell in love with the theatre at age 12, which led to pursuing a career in drama. Degrees followed from the University of North Carolina and Yale Drama School, with a stint in Colorado owning a theatre with a group of friends in the interim. During his tenure at UNC, Black ventured into stand-up, which was a steady presence as he pursued his career in theatre.
Black eventually settled in New York and became the playwright-in-residence at the West Bank Café’s Downstairs Theatre Bar. He oversaw the development of more than 1,000 plays, including works by West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin and American Beautywriter Alan Ball, as well as his own original works. In addition to overseeing the works on stage, Black emceed every show. As the West Bank grew, so did Black’s stand-up skills. He left the West Bank in the late 1980s to pursue stand-up full time.
In 1996, Black was tapped to create a weekly segment for Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. The segment, a three-minute rant about whatever was bothering him at the moment, evolved into Back in Black, becoming one of the most popular and longest-running segments on the show for both the Jon Stewart era, and now The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. Black has also taped four specials for the Comedy Central Presents series, co-created Last Laugh with Lewis Black, and presided over Lewis Black’s The Root of All Evil.
His first CD, The White Album, was released in 2000 to critical acclaim. Black followed with eight more albums—six under the Comedy Central Records label. He has received five Grammy nominations and two wins for his work; he won Best Comedy Album in 2007 for The Carnegie Hall Performance and again in 2011 for Stark Raving Black.
In 2009 Black filmed his first feature-length concert film, Stark Raving Black, at the Fillmore Theatre in Detroit. In 2011, he produced his second full-length concert, In God We Rust. In August 2013, Black recorded his ninth stand-up special, Old Yeller: Live At The Borgata.
Black has appeared on Larry King Live, Piers Morgan Tonight, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’ Brian, and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Black has also had numerous appearances on CNN and MSNBC and has occasionally done the weather with Al Roker.
Black has also written three New York Times best-selling books and penned more than 40 plays, many of which have been produced around the country.
In 2006, he had a break-out year as an actor, co-starring with Robin Williams in Barry Levinson’s Man of the Year (Universal Pictures). He also appeared as “the fake dean of a fake college” in Steve Pink’s Accepted (Universal Pictures), and as the harried airport manager in Paul Feig’s Unaccompanied Minors (Warner Bros.). He lent his voice to Jimmy in Bob Saget’s parody, Farce of the Penguins (Thinkfilm).
In 2015, Black notably voiced the character “Anger” in the Academy Award winning animated film from Pixar, Inside Out, about an 11-year-old-girl who is wrestling with the emotions inside her head.
As a longtime mentor with the 52nd Street Project, Black was roasted in Charred Black 2007, which drew the largest fundraising numbers in the Project’s history. He’s a member of their advisory board, is co-chair of their capital campaign, and in 2000, the Ron Black Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in memory of his late brother. Black is also committed to raising funds for the Rusty Magee Clinic for Families and Health. He’s a strong supporter of both the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Autism Speaks, and was honored by The Brady Center for his commitment to ending gun violence. In 2012, he was honored by the ACLU of Georgia with their National Civil Liberties Award. At the Williamstown Theatre Festival, he established the William Foeller Fellowship, having taught and performed at the festival for more than a decade. Black also supports our military personnel and has performed in three tours with the USO.
Black resides in both Manhattan and Chapel Hill, NC. Still loyal to his alma mater, he’s worked with UNC students to create the Carolina Comedy Festival, a yearly festival that highlights performances and provides workshops and lectures for budding comics, writers, and performers.
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Brewing in the City: A Look at DC and Chicago 19th Century Brewing History
What: In partnership with Chicago Brewseum a panel of historians including Heurich House Museum Executive Director, Kimberly Bender, Liz Garibay, Founder and Executive Director of the Chicago Brewseum, and Brian Alberts, Beer Historian and member of the National Advisory Board of the Chicago Brewseum, will discuss how breweries shape their cities. The discussion will be moderated by Jamaal Lemon of The Wayfarer Study, a project that looks at brewery impact on gentrification and immigration, as well as how ethnic identity was shaped by and contributed to the brewing industry.
When: Thursday, April 18th, 2019 from 6:00-8:00pm. The discussion with begin at 6:30 and conclude at 7:30, leaving time for guests to mingle with the speakers
Tickets: Free, Registration Recommended
Additional Details: Drinks and snacks available for purchase.
More information: http://bit.ly/BrewingintheCity
ALAN CUMMING
LEGAL IMMIGRANT
The set list for Tony Award-winner Alan Cumming’s provocative new concert show is as eclectic and idiosyncratic as Cumming himself. Legal Immigrant, a collection of musings on his 10 years as a US citizen, growing older, and what it feels like to be an immigrant in today’s America (regardless of your prefix) is a true, old-fashioned cabaret featuring a smorgasbord of genres. Ever wanted to hear Schubert and Peggy Lee together in one song? You will! Hits by Scottish treasures The Proclaimers also make an appearance, and there might even be a Disney Princess medley sung without a drop of irony.
With the rise of cat celebs like Grumpy Cat and Moshow the Rapper, combined with cat videos in every corner of the internet — it’s about time Washingtonians have an outlet to share their feline fervor with their neighbors. That’s why DC’s animal welfare organization, Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA), is hosting the 1st Annual Meow DC this coming spring.
This event is designed for everyone from the devoted cat lover to the fly-by feline fan. Kitty aficionados from all over the metro area can don their cat ears and themed outfits, purchase kitty-themed goods from the many local vendors, attend talks about everything from community cats to confusing kitty behavior, and even meet internet sensation Sunglass Cat! There also will be adorable kittens and sassy adult cats alike on hand for cuddles and adoption throughout the day. Plus, it doesn’t end there. Keep your cat ears on and attend the Meow DC After Party at The Pub & The People from 5-8pm where a percentage of sales will benefit HRA, as well as $1 from every Tito’s beverage. Oh, and did we mention there will be awesome giveaways!
And if that weren’t enough, the real attraction (the catnip, if you will) is that all proceeds benefit the amazing work HRA does year round for local DC cats, both indoor and outdoor. Each month, HRA helps nearly 400 local homeless animals get adopted and 565 animals get spayed or neutered. HRA field officers respond to 1,600 calls monthly, and HRA volunteers donate 2,400 hours every month. While HRA does incredible work for the vulnerable animals in our community, they still rely on the generosity of individuals and organizations throughout the DC metro area.
This event is generously sponsored by Nardi Media, LLC and Design Foundry. A full list of participating booth vendors is available on the event website.
Tickets are $40 and on sale now at www.meowdc.org. Meet & Greet Tickets for Sunglass Cat are $15 and available at www.meowdc.org.
- WHO: In-studio interviews are available with HRA representatives to discuss the importance of supporting our local furry friends through events like Meow DC. Adoptable animals can be available in-studio upon request.
- WHERE: Dock 5 at Union Market – 1309 5th Street NE, Washington DC 20002
- WHEN: Saturday April 27, 2019 from 10:00AM EST until 5:00PM EST
- AFTER PARTY: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (The Pub & The People; 1648 North Capitol St NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Frühlingsfest
What: Enjoy the spring blooms in the museum’s Castle Garden full of local beer and Rockland’s BBQ. Get your hands dirty with a gardening project, complete a craft project led by local artists and artisans including Marni Manning and Urban Jungle, and take a flower-themed tour of the historic home of DC brewmaster Christian Heurich.
When: Saturday, April 27th from 12:00-4:00pm
Tickets: Entrance is $15 for adults (11+), $5 for children (2-10), and includes the gardening activities and tour. Food and craft activities are additional costs.
Additional Details: Details about the festival will be released through the museum’s Instagram with the hashtag #CastleBlooms.
More information: http://bit.ly/Frühlingsfest2019
Refugees International will honor former special representative of the United Nations Secretary General for International Migration and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and senior counsel at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Louise Arbour with its highest humanitarian honor, the McCall-Pierpaoli Award, for her lifetime of work in the pursuit of justice and human rights at its 40thAnniversary Dinner on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. The award will also be presented to former president of Portugal H.E. Jorge Branco de Sampaio and President of the Carnegie Corporation Dr. Vartan Gregorian in recognition of their joint efforts to support Syrian students to pursue their higher education with the Global Platform for Syrian Students and the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
“This year’s awardees have demonstrated incredible willingness to take on the most difficult challenges and push the international community to do better in pursuit of justice and human rights,” said Refugees International President Eric Schwartz. “We are humbled to be able to present them with this honor.”
Refugees International will also honor Taller Salud, a humanitarian aid group in Puerto Rico, with its Richard C. Holbrooke Award for providing critical services and unwavering support to the people of Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and María. U.S. Representative Will Hurd of Texas will receive Refugees International’s 2019 Congressional Leadership Award for his commitment to public service and recognition that humanitarian principles must inform policymaking toward those who have been forced to flee their homes. And Mayor Wilmot Collins of Helena, Montana will receive Refugees International’s Exceptional Service Award for his extraordinary advocacy on behalf of refugees not only in Helena but throughout the United States.
This year’s Anniversary Dinner Benefit Committee Chairs are Vali and Darya Nasr. Ambassador to the United States from Costa Rica Dr. Fernando Llorca Castro and Mrs. Evelyn Cermeño will serve as the evening’s Honorary Committee Chairs. Sarah Bovim, Vice President Government Relations at the Whirlpool Corporation, and Jodi Bond, Executive Vice President of Global Government & Industry Affairs at Chubb, will chair the Global Partnership Initiative.
Refugees International’s Anniversary Dinner is its largest fundraising event of the year. The celebration honors individuals and organizations that demonstrate extraordinary leadership and commitment to humanitarian action, changing the lives of refugees and displaced people around the world. Past honorees include Founder and CEO of Chobani Hamdi Ulukaya, Syria’s White Helmets, Sir Richard Branson, Rohingya human rights activist Tun Khin, journalist Maureen Orth, among many others. Attendees of the Anniversary Dinner include Members of Congress, diplomats, representatives of corporations, foundations, and nongovernmental organizations, and individuals whose generous support enables Refugees International to serve as a powerful voice for displaced people around the world.
This year’s event has made possible by corporate sponsorships from Chubb, Gilead Sciences, and
Repsol Oil & Gas, LLC and through generous gifts from our 40th Anniversary Celebratory Circle sponsors Eileen Shields-West and Robin West; our Lifesaving Circle sponsors Maureen White and Steven Rattner and Elizabeth and Michael Galvin; our Humanitarian Circle sponsors Jan Weil and Amos Avgar; our Changemaker sponsors Nina and Dino Saglimbeni and the Kathwari Family Foundation; and our Visionary sponsors George and Frederica Valanos, among others.
