Boasting the city’s best restaurants, one-of-a-kind animal demonstrations and inspiring conservation stories, ZooFari: Bite Night, a benefit for wildlife sponsored by GEICO, returns to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo on May 16 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Hosted by Friends of the National Zoo, this year’s event promises to be a glamorous night of dining, drinking, bidding and dancing—all to support the Zoo’s important mission to save species.
“We love hosting ZooFari every year,” said Lynn Mento, executive director of FONZ. “What makes it so special and popular is not just that the food and drink are amazing, but that you’re enjoying the restaurant tastings in this beautiful setting where you have the chance to see animals, and meet some of the world’s leading conservation scientists. It’s a unique combination of great food, great drink and helping to save the planet … that’s a pretty good night!”
Most animal houses will be open, and the VIP Lounge, hosted by Charles Schwab & Co., will be at Great Cats Circle, where there also will be exclusive animal demonstrations. The only DJ to spin beats and cook at the same time, DJ Chef, will entertain all attendees, as will electric violinist Ben Hoyt, Bobby McKey’s Dueling Piano Bar and a food sculptor.
In addition to providing a unique dining and entertainment experience, the event will celebrate conservation work around the globe. Smithsonian scientists will be on hand to share stories with guests about how they’re saving endangered animals. Special stations will showcase five wildlife projects supported by Conservation Nation, an initiative of Friends of the National Zoo.
A silent auction is open to the public before and during the event. The auction features conservation-themed prizes, including animal paintings, behind-the-scenes tours at the Zoo and even the opportunity to name a wild tapir.
General admission tickets include access to the general event area, as well as complimentary food tastings, beer, wine, soft drinks and water, plus live entertainment and animal experiences. Four extravagant VIP packages include access to an exclusive VIP Lounge with the finest food and cocktails, as well as special parking opportunities, express check-in and more.
Tony Award®-Winning Actress
Christine Ebersole to Host
Washington National Opera Gala
Saturday, May 18, 2019, at 6 p.m.
in the Kennedy Center Opera House
Washington National Opera (WNO) announces the addition of Tony Award®-winning actress Christine Ebersole as host and special guest artist for its 2019 Gala on Saturday, May 18, in the Kennedy Center Opera House.
Ebersole, an iconic artist of the stage and screen—who appeared in Francesca Zambello’s 2018 production of Candide at LA Opera—joins the WNO gala cast, along with previously announced headliner Christine Goerke, another iconic American voice who is currently starring as Brunnhilde in the Ring Cycle at the Met. This year’s WNO gala concert program explores the beauty and vitality of the human voice through music ranging from Wagner to Gershwin to Irving Berlin.
Christine Ebersole is known for her wide artistic range and versatility, perhaps most notably for her work on Broadway, where she won the Tony Award® twice for her work in Grey Gardens and 42nd Street. She has a distinguished list of television and film credits to her name, including The Wolf of Wall Street, Amadeus, Tootsie, andRichie Rich on the big screen, as well as Sullivan and Son, Royal Pains, Madame Secretary, and Blue Bloods. Her concert and stage credits have taken her to renowned venues across the country, and she has made numerous recordings.
Also added to the roster of talent for the gala evening are soprano Latonia Moore, who appears in the title role in two performances of WNO’s upcoming run of Tosca.Moore joins Ebersole, Goerke, and Washingtonian bass Soloman Howard.
The Gala is WNO’s largest fundraising event and one of Washington’s most anticipated events of the year. Proceeds from the Gala play a crucial role in advancing WNO’s artistic, educational, and community engagement programs. The 2019 WNO Gala honors local entrepreneur John J. Pohanka for his outstanding contributions to the organization, features Evan Rogister leading the WNO Orchestrain his inaugural performance as WNO’s Principal Conductor.
The Co-Chairs of the WNO Gala are Jacqueline Badger Mars and Camille Biros.
Tickets for the Gala concert only, starting at $45, are on sale now.
Special packages to attend all Gala festivities are available. The Gala evening will begin with a cocktail reception on the Kennedy Center’s River Terrace at 4:30 p.m., followed by the 6 p.m. Gala concert performance. The event concludes with elegant black-tie dinners hosted by Ambassadors and foreign dignitaries at embassies and residences throughout Washington, a longtime tradition of the Opera’s season-ending social gathering.
Gala Ticket Information
Tickets to the WNO Gala concert, which start at $45, are available online, in person at the Kennedy Center Box Office, and by calling (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324. For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.
Gala ticket packages start at $500 and include the VIP cocktail party and priority seating for the Gala concert. Packages that also include seating at the private embassy dinners following the performance start at $1,000. Information is available online or by contacting the Special Events office at (202) 416-8496 or operagala@kennedy-center.org.
Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Producer Edgar Dobie are pleased to announce the presentation of the fourth annual Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to National Public Radio’s Nina Totenberg, with actor and performer Kathleen Turner headlining the 2019 Arena Stage Annual Gala. The Gala will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth Street, SW).
The evening kicks off with a cocktail reception, followed by a performance and a three-course seated dinner. The performance will feature the presentation of the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to Nina Totenberg, in recognition of her ground-breaking reporting in the broadcast world and her continual support of the arts. Totenberg was the first radio journalist to receive the 1998 Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcasting from the National Press Foundation. The award was first presented to Arena Stage board chair Newburger Schwartz in 2016, Arlene Kogod in 2017 and Muriel Bowser in 2018, and celebrates a female leader who strives to better the community in which she lives through her own unique strengths and talents.
“It’s a thrill to present the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to Nina Totenberg in recognition of her superb work as a reporter,” says Smith. “She has been at the forefront of Supreme Court and history-making news for decades. Our decision to present her with the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award was unanimous—her excellent reporting skills and shrewd intellect are at the top of her field.”
“I have spent decades in Washington partaking of the dramatic feast that Arena Stage offers,” Totenberg shares. “Arena has entertained me and made me think; it has taught me about history, science and the human condition and so it is a special honor to receive this award.”
Kathleen Turner is a Golden Globe Award-winning, Academy Award-nominated and Tony Award-nominated actress who has made her mark on both the film and stage scenes. She has appeared at Arena Stage in The Year of Magical Thinking (2016), Mother Courage and Her Children (2014), Red Hot Patriot (2012) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1989). She debuted her first cabaret performance, Finding My Voice, last year, and her new book, Kathleen Turner on Acting was recently published.
All proceeds will benefit all Arena Stage artistic and educational programs.
Event Schedule
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
5:30 p.m. Cocktail reception
6:30 p.m. Award presentation and one night only performance
8:00 p.m. Seated dinner
For additional event details visit arenastage.org/gala
Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Producer Edgar Dobie are pleased to announce Lavern Chatman, vice president of business development at EDJ Associates and Arena Board of Trustees member as the chairwoman, and Annie Simonian Totah, Armenian Assembly of America’s Board of Trustees member and recipient of their 2018 Distinguished Humanitarian Award, as the honorary chairwoman of the 2019 Arena Stage Annual Gala. The Gala will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth Street, SW), and will include the presentation of the fourth annual Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to National Public Radio’s Nina Totenberg. Actor and performer Kathleen Turner will headline the Gala, as well as host an intimate reception the evening before for select event sponsors.
“As a trustee of Arena Stage, I am pleased once again to chair this season’s Gala,” says Chatman. “The evening has garnered a reputation for honoring influential women and we are thrilled to continue this tradition, along with our Honorary Chair Annie Simonian Totah, to recognize the extraordinary journalist Nina Totenberg. Gala guests will also have the opportunity to experience the iconic Kathleen Turner in a special one-night only performance at this year’s event.”
The evening kicks off with a cocktail reception, followed by a performance and a three-course seated dinner. The performance will feature the presentation of the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to Nina Totenberg, in recognition of her ground-breaking reporting in the broadcast world and her continuous support of the arts. Totenberg was the first radio journalist to receive the 1998 Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcasting from the National Press Foundation. The award was first presented to Arena Stage board chair Beth Newburger Schwartz in 2016, Arlene Kogod in 2017 and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in 2018, and celebrates a female leader who strives to better the community in which she lives through her own unique strengths and talents.
Kathleen Turner is a Golden Globe Award-winning, Academy Award-nominated and Tony Award-nominated actress who has made her mark on both the film and stage scenes. She has appeared at Arena Stage in The Year of Magical Thinking (2016), Mother Courage and Her Children (2014), Red Hot Patriot (2012) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1989). She debuted her first cabaret performance, Finding My Voice, last year, and her new book, Kathleen Turner on Acting was recently published.
All proceeds will benefit all Arena Stage artistic and educational programs.
Event Schedule
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
5:30 p.m. Cocktail reception
6:30 p.m. Award presentation and one night only performance
8:00 p.m. Seated dinner
Event sponsors of $15,000 or more are invited to attend an intimate reception with Kathleen Turner on Monday, May 20.
For additional event details visit arenastage.org/gala.
Lavern Chatman (Gala Chair) A tireless advocate, staunch supporter, dedicated community leader, and firm believer in giving back to others, Ms. Chatman has been involved with philanthropic efforts in the Washington, D.C. region for more than two decades. Ms. Chatman is currently vice president of business development at EDJ, a leading national professional and technical services consulting firm, responsible for guiding EDJ across all markets, further strengthening their growing portfolio of Federal, private, and nonprofit clients. Prior to joining EDJ, Ms. Chatman served in senior leadership positions in marketing and business/fund development for non-profit and community organizations. She worked for decades as an advocate and promoter for minority and small businesses, developing strategic partnerships, fostering community engagement and advancing diversity and inclusionary initiatives. Ms. Chatman was also a former candidate for the United States Congress 8th District of Virginia. Ms. Chatman served as the pulse of the Northern Virginia Urban League (NOVAUL) for almost a decade, first as a volunteer, then as a member of the board of directors, serving as the president and CEO of NOVAUL from 2003 to 2011, leaving a legacy of excellence and empowerment for generations to come. Under Ms. Chatman’s leadership, NOVAUL became one of the preeminent organizations in Northern Virginia, addressing issues of youth empowerment, financial literacy, affordable housing, closing the education achievement gap, and social justice. While there are myriad highlights from her tenure at the NOVAUL, one of her lasting contributions was her steadfast development of the Freedom House Museum. Out of commitment to her community and a dedication to its history, Ms. Chatman spearheaded a development campaign for this two-year project, raising over $400,000 to build, design and create a permanent memorial that tells the story of the domestic slave trade in Alexandria, VA. Today, this historic memorial is the headquarters of NOVAUL. Her efforts have been recognized on the local and national level with a series of awards, including the 2009 National Urban League Woman of Power Award for distinguished leadership. Ms. Chatman has served on the board of directors for Archbishop Carroll High School, Washington, D.C.; The Campagna Center, Alexandria, VA; Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce; INOVA Alexandria Hospital; The Community Foundation of Northern Virginia; and WETA Public Broadcasting; and chaired the Diversity Council for AARP Virginia. In 2008 Ms. Chatman convened over thirty-two grass roots organizations to form the Nova Coalition to lead voter education and empowerment efforts throughout Northern Virginia and promote civic engagement on nonpartisan issues in the community. Ms. Chatman served on The National League of Cities, Council on Youth, Education & Families, the World Bank’s D.C. Community Outreach Grants Committee, and the Cardinals Circle for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C, and is the immediate past president of the Arlington chapter of Links, Incorporated and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Annie Simonian Totah (Honorary Gala Chair) For more than 40 years, Annie Simonian Totah has been recognized for her effective leadership, philanthropy and untiring commitment on behalf of many important political, cultural, and academic, health, women- and children- related and religious causes. Her many contributions and accomplishments have helped organizations and communities on the local, national, and international level. Ms. Totah is often spotted at the District’s many charitable functions, likely because she is involved in so many of them. She and her late husband Sami have been instrumental in donating and expanding the Magen David Sephardic Congregation. Ms. Totah is a major donor, mover and shaker in the nationwide Armenian Community. Through her fundraising and advocacy efforts, she has helped raise, in the last two decades, more than $3 billion in foreign aid for Armenia, her ancestral homeland. She is a breast cancer survivor and a supporter of Sibley Hospital. Through the Totahs’ generosity of $1.0 million, the Sibley Hospital has dedicated the Executive Wing of the Hospital in the name of the Sami & Annie Totah Family Foundation. A major donor and supporter of the Democratic Party, Ms. Totah has hosted in her beautiful home several fundraisers for Democratic candidates on the county, state, gubernatorial, federal and presidential levels. Ms. Totah’s fame and success have not been only in her charitable giving but in her ability to mastermind and produce spectacular and unique events for dozens and dozens of charitable causes. She donates, networks, elevates the cause of the organization and raises millions of dollars for organizations and events such as Israel Bonds Ambassadors’ Gala, Sibley Hospital Gala, Susan G. Komen Honoring the Promise Gala, Best Buddies with Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Washington Performing Arts Society, and the list goes on. Ms. Totah serves on the boards of many non-profit organizations including the Armenian Assembly of American, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Marshall Legacy Institute, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Magen David Sephardic Congregation, Washington Performing Arts Society, Washington Ballet, National Rehabilitation Hospital, Sibley Hospital, CARE Humanitarian Organization, Young Concert Artists, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, Heifitz International Music Institute, Post Classical Ensemble, Hope of Light Foundation, Phillips Collection, Strathmore Hall Foundation, and more. She is the recipient of many honors and awards, including the Medal of Appreciation from the President of the Republic of Armenia, the Armenian Assembly of America’s Distinguished Humanitarian Award, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Sibley Memorial Hospital’s Shining Star Award, and the Medal of Appreciation from the President of Nagorno Karabagh Republic, among others.
On Monday, June 10th, 40 of the area’s best chefs and mixologists will serve up special tastings of their signature dishes at Food & Friends’ annual Chef’s Best Dinner & Auction. Hosted at the Marriott Marquis, Chef’s Best will benefit Food & Friends, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that provides life-sustaining meals to those living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses.
Thanks to the efforts of Chef Chair Kevin Tien of Himitsu, Hot Lola’s, and Emilie’s, guests will enjoy tastings prepared by some of the region’s most talented chefs and mixologists including: Eric Bruner-Yang, Maketto, Tony Chittum,Iron Gate, Sanjay Mandhaiya, Pappe, Jong Son, Tiger Fork, Amy Hosseinnian, Buffalo & Bergen,andMalkhaz Maisashvili of Supra,among other notables from the D.C. dining scene. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to bid on an array of exciting silent and live auction items featuring fantastic trips, one-of-a-kind experiences and private dining opportunities.
This year, guests will also hear from Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA), a leading Congressional advocate on issues of food security, nutrition and health. He serves as the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Rules and is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition in the House Committee on Agriculture. In 2018, he co-founded the Food is Medicine Working Group as part of the House Hunger Caucus, which he also co-chairs.
Proceeds from Chef’s Bestwill ensure the delivery of nutritionally tailored meals and nutrition counseling to Food & Friends’ clients living with cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses. This year, Food & Friends aims to provide 1 million meals to more than 3,000 seriously ill individuals in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland.
“I am honored to serve as Chef Chair of this year’s event,” said Kevin Tien. “To me, it doesn’t matter who you are, at the end of the day, food is something that connects everyone. I am touched by the impact that Food & Friends makes in the lives of its clients, delivering nutritious meals and a healthy dose of compassion during life’s most trying times. It gives me comfort to know that Food & Friends fills such a critical need at no cost to those who rely on the organization’s services.”
Tickets are $350 and sponsorships start at $1,000. Visit www.foodandfriends.org/ChefsBe
HORTON’S KIDS ARE STAR CHEFS IN
JUNIPER RESTAURANT
-Graduates of Fairmont’s Culinary Program Show-off Skills Benefitting Horton’s-
WASHINGTON – DC – May 15, 2019 – On Wednesday, June 19th, Juniper Restaurant, at Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown, will serve a very special pre-fixe dinner at 6:00 p.m. Five students from Horton’s Kids* spent time this winter with the hotel’s culinary team learning cooking skills. In celebration of their graduation, they are taking their talents to the next level, by assisting Executive Chef Jordi Gallardo and Sous Chef Mitch Eldridge with meal preparation for Juniper Restaurant’s Horton’s Kids Dinner. Juniper will donate 25% of the proceeds from the pre-fixe dinners directly to Horton’s Kids.
Pre-Fixe Dinner
Cast Iron Cornbread | honey jalapeño butter
Starters Choices
English Pea Soup | crab, fennel
Lola Rosa Greens | red onion, orange citrus, endive, sunflower seeds
Maryland Crab Cakes | espelette remoulade
Entrée Choices
Tagliatelle Pasta | shaved vegetables, torn herbs, pecorino
Scallops | shishito, tomatoes, saffron
Braised Veal Cheeks | spring vegetables, white wine reduction
Beef Tenderloin (6oz) | green beans, charred onion, blue cheese bordelaise
Dessert & Champagne
“Snickers” Parfait | salted toffee, chocolate cake, peanut brittle
available gluten or nut free *
A glass of Thiénot Brut
The Pre-fixe menu is $75 per person and will be prepared with the assistance of Horton’s Kids Star Chefs on June 19th at 6:00 p.m.. The special menu will also be available through June 26th with 25% of the proceeds going to Horton’s Kids. Diners will enjoy an amazing meal while helping Horton’s Kids. To make reservations, please call (202) 457-5020 or email wdc.restaurantreservationsdl@fairmont.com.
In July 2019, children from Horton’s Kids will participate in a new program at Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown learning about hotel operations.
Juniper Restaurant in Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown is located at 2401 M Street, N.W., is in the city’s West End and adjacent to historic Georgetown. Juniper is open for breakfast and lunch daily and for dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Sunday Brunch is served from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Join City Tap Penn Quarter on Thursday, July 4, for its annual BeerBQ Battle, a competition with local breweries serving up the best barbecue with drink specials, patio games and live music. Sample barbecue offerings from City Tap, 3 Stars Brewing (DC), RAR Brewing (Maryland), and Port City Brewing (Virginia) and vote for the winner, while enjoying a barbecue platter ($20) with favorites like potato salad and coleslaw. Featured beers ($5) from each brewery as well as adult capri suns ($10) will also be available.
WHEN: Thursday, July 4
11:30am to 4pm (City Tap Penn Quarter)
Guests are invited to an all you can eat and drink experience at City Tap Dupont’s All-American Cookout, complete with cornhole on the patio. For $40, enjoy endless hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, coleslaw, and ice pops, paired with house wines, Founders Solid Gold Lager, Dogfish Head SuperEIGHT, Southern Tier Swipe Right, and other beer offerings. Available a la carte options include bourbon slushies ($6), grapefruit crushes and orange crushes ($7), and watermelon limoncello cocktails ($8).
Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown is turning its courtyard into a Wimbledon Garden Party on Sunday, July 14th in honor of 2019 Wimbledon Championships. From 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., all players and spectators will love viewing the men’s finals on huge screens, trying out their backhand and forehand on a miniature tennis court, feasting on fabulous English fare and sipping champagne, Pimms cups and G&Ts. Wear the colors green, purple or white to youradvantage to win prizes for best garden party and tennis attire. Overnight stays, dinners and brunches are some of the prizes to be lobbed at the winners.
Executive Chef Jordi Gallardo and his team will ace an all you can eat $25 per person round robin that will be passed without any foot faults:
Traditional, Finger Sandwiches
Salad Buffet with Salmon, Smoked Trout and Sirloin Steak
Scottish Eggs
Lamb Chops and Sausages from the Grill
Fish and Chips
Mini Pork Pies
Singles and doubles will make a match point at Pastry Chef Charles Froke’s dessert buffet:
Strawberries and Cream Station
Scones with Clotted Cream
White Chocolate & Cherry Tennis Balls
Summer Berry Trifle
Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake
English shortbreads
Strawberry rhubarb crème
Go bottomless with Pimm’s cups and mimosas for $15 per person, or enjoy other specialty cups such as the Juniper G&T or Thiénot Brut Champagne at $10 each.
Live entertainment will be provided by the Dom Petrellese Quartet as they play British favorites without incurring tennis elbow.
There is no fee for Fairmont’s Wimbledon Garden Party. For reservations, please visit Eventbrite at: à https://fairmont-washington-
Want to leave London for Paris? It’s only a ten minute drive to Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square where they are celebrating Bastille Day with their second annual picnic in Opaline Bar & Brasserie from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
With complimentary cake, champagne, tequila rounds
& more surprises
$5 El Jimador shots
$5 16-oz Bud Lite
$8 Mission Margarita
$8 22-0z Dos Equis
Mission Navy Yard
1221 Van Street SE
@MissionNavyYard
Bar: Four bar areas, including the city’s longest bar at 150 feet long. The cocktail menu includes 16 draft lines- ten
for beer, three for wine/prosecco and three for margaritas and cocktails.
Menu: Tex-Mex inspired menu includes tacos, enchiladas, burritos, nachos and guacamole, as well as generous
salads and appetizers.
Design: With more than 10,000 square-feet, the two-level Mission Navy Yard is located directly across the street
from Nats Stadium. A two-story atrium entry leads to the first of Mission Navy Yard’s four bars. The downstairs bar
welcomes guests to the space, blending an indoor and outdoor courtyard feel. Guests climb a sprawling staircase,
anchored by a two-story tower overlooking the downstair bar. DC’s longest bar (150 ft) fills the middle of the
second floor, flanked by six garage doors leading to spacious outdoor balconies. As guests walk through the
second floor, they pass the dining room, which also has its own balcony and another bar wrapping up the
corner. Lastly, the private dining space has its own bar
