Events/Things To Do

Inka Road Food Fiesta

Friday, Feb. 21, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Potomac Atrium

Visitors can explore the foods found in communities that live along the Inka Road of South America. Freddie Bitsoie (Diné), executive chef of the Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe, and other guest chefs will share the stories and food traditions that sustained and continue to support the diverse peoples of the intricate road system. Visitors can enjoy Andean music between tastings and take part in Cultural Interpreters’ tours of the museum’s “The Great Inka Road” exhibition.

Presented in collaboration with the Embassy of Peru. The Inka Road Food Fiesta is free, but tickets are required. See the museum’s website for details.

Mardi Gras All-You-Can-Eat Bayou Brunch
12PM – 3PM, Tickets are $85.

This year there will be a DJ dropping beats all through brunch; in addition to a fierce drag performance in the lounge.

Enjoy the performance and great music while you help yourself to a full all-you-can-eat oyster and raw bar station, with all of Pearl Dive’s famed accoutrements.

Brunch libations include All-You-Can-Drink of the following: Abita Beer, Creole Bloody Marys and Mimosas. Both savory and sweet brunch bites will be provided.

Don’t worry, Black Jack’s Sunday Happy Hour still applies, starting at 4PM when we open to the public.  We will also continue the Mardi Gras drinks specials from open to close!  [Abita Beer $4, $12 Hurricane or Irish Coffee Slushies, $12 Mardi Gras Specialty Cocktails, $16 Yard Drinks.]

Tickets are $85 for all you can possibly eat and drink!

Astro Beer Hall, the newest partnership concept between Tin Shop and Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, is partnering with dance party fitness class, 305 Fitness, for a brunch pop-up on Leap Day. Hosted on the mezzanine level of Astro Beer Hall, the morning starts off with 305 Fitness’ signature 55-minute cardio dance party class, led by one of the studio’s most popular instructor’s, Byron Smith. The pop-up class will feature aerobic choreography moves set to high-energy dance tunes from a curated playlist. Following the class, guests can enjoy items from Astro Beer Hall’s recently launched weekend brunch menu including bottomless coffee, a mimosa, and of course, hot cake doughnuts. Hosted on Saturday, February 29 at 10:00 a.m., tickets to the event are $20 and can be purchased here. Each ticket includes:

• The 55-minute 305 Fitness class
• 1 brunch entrée, choice of:
  • French Toast Doughnuts OR
  • Bacon/Sausage Egg and Cheese on a Biscuit and a side of Tater Tots OR
  • Fried Chicken Breakfast Sandwich on a Doughnut Bun with honey butter and hot sauce and a side of Tater Tots
• 1 Mimosa OR Bottomless La Colombe Coffee
• Dessert: two made-to-order hot cake doughnuts: cinnamon sugar and vanilla glaze

Astro Beer Hall is located at 1306 G St. NW DC. For more info visit www.astrobeerhall.com and follow on social media at @astrobeerhall. For more info on 305 Fitness visit https://305fitness.com/.

 Dirty Habit is collaborating with The Macallan to host an exciting, premium steak and scotch experience in the heart of Penn Quarter. Upon arrival to Dirty Habit, guests will be ushered to a welcome reception in a private room by an ambassador from The Macallan, where a handcrafted Macallan scotch whisky cocktail will greet them. A selection of luxe passed canapés and original cocktails will precede the immersive dinner experience. Executive Chef Kyoo Eom will serve an impressive five-course steak dinner, featuring certified Japanese A5 Wagyu beautifully prepared in dynamic and unique cooking styles. Each course has been designed to pair with tastings from The Macallan collection, including limited edition scotches and those from rare casks. Chef Kyoo will take guests through a sensory journey pairing each of his wagyu dishes with dynamic and storied pours. Following dinner, Dirty Habit will offer guests the option of enjoying a select cigar to close the evening relaxing by one of the urban courtyard patio fire pits. At departure, each guest will receive a special parting gift from The Macallan to remember the evening.

WHEN:                 Wednesday, March 4, 2020

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. EST

WHERE:                Dirty Habit

 555 8^th Street, NW

 Washington, D.C. 20004

 Entrance on 8^th Street | Valet on F Street

ADMISSION:        $275 per person. Guests must be 21+ to attend and RSVP on Eventbrite.

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Producer Edgar Dobie are pleased to announce the presentation of the fifth annual Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to Melanne Verveer, with actor and performer Heather Headley headlining the 2020 Arena Stage Annual Gala. The Gala will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at The Anthem (901 Wharf Street, SW).

The evening kicks off with a cocktail reception, followed by the award presentation, a three-course seated dinner and performance. The dinner will feature the presentation of the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to Melanne Verveer, in recognition of her efforts for women’s rights and her continual support of the arts. She is currently the executive director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. Verveer served as the first United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues to which she was nominated by President Obama in 2009. Previously, she was the chair and CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership, an international NGO that she founded to invest in emerging women leaders. She also served as assistant to the president and chief of staff to the first lady during the Clinton administration.

“Arena Stage, under the exceptional leadership of Molly Smith, has become a national hub for the best in American theater in our nation’s capital. The theater company has made it possible for the public to access innovative, engaging and transformative productions that not only entertain, but also inspire and even move us to action,” shares Verveer. “It is an honor to receive the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award as Beth has set a high and exemplary standard throughout her life as an entrepreneur and civic leader. We owe her an enormous debt of gratitude for her many contributions to our community.”

The award was first presented to Arena Stage board chair Beth Newburger Schwartz in 2016. Other recipients include Arlene Kogod in 2017, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in 2018 and Nina Totenberg in 2019. The award celebrates a female leader who strives to better the community in which she lives through her own unique strengths and talents.

“Melanne Verveer is an international champion for girls and women. She is dynamic, she is brave and she is unabashedly driven about creating a better world with women, girls and vital voices,” says Smith. “A collaborative leader, Ambassador Verveer has been successful in changing attitudes and building bridges while promoting the critical role of women in establishing peace internationally. She is a huge proponent of the arts and we are thrilled to honor her with the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award.”

All proceeds will benefit all Arena Stage artistic and educational programs.

The 70th Anniversary Gala is presented by Ourisman Automotive Group and generously sponsored by Diamond Sponsors AT&T and Hoffman & Associates and Platinum Sponsor Exelon.

Event Schedule
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
6 p.m. Cocktail reception
7 p.m. Award presentation and seated dinner
8:30 p.m. One-night-only performance with Heather Headley

For additional event details, visit: arenastage.org/gala.

Events DC announces tickets on sale now for 12^th Annual Embassy Chef Challenge, scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 2020. This year, the event will be held in a new location at the extraordinary Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

The Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge is an annual gathering of embassy chefs representing countries across the globe. The event offers guests an immersive culinary experience that is unique to Washington, DC. The 12^th annual event has historically featured more than 40 participating embassies, who have proudly come together to showcase their home countries’ rich culture, unique flavors and traditions, culminating in a friendly food competition. The event’s new location within the Ballroom of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center will allow for even more culinary delights and exciting entertainment, as well as educational programming, new for 2020. The culminating awards program will highlight outstanding beverages, regional cuisines and overall presentation.

WHEN:  Thursday, May 28, 2020
5:30 p.m. – VIP Early Admission
6:30 p.m. – General Admission

WHERE: Walter E. Washington Convention Center

            Ballroom

801 Mount Vernon Place NW

Washington, DC 20001

PRICE:   General Admission – starting at $65.00

All-inclusive ticket includes globally inspired sips, bites and live performances.  Admission also includes complimentary beer, wine and spirits.

VIP – starting at $135.00

 VIP ticket includes one-hour early access to event as well as a dedicated bar and seating area in addition to enjoying global sips and bites from participating embassies.