You are invited for a special evening with David Baldacci, New York Times Best-Selling Author for a literary conversation on his new book, A Calamity of Souls, followed by a reception featuring passed hors d’oeuvres, wine, champagne, and book signing.
David Baldacci is a global #1 bestselling author, and one of the world’s favorite storytellers.
His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. His works have been adapted for both feature film and television.
Along with his wife, David is also the cofounder of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy programs in the United States.
David is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law. David and his family live in Virginia.
(Books will be available for purchase and are not included in ticket price.)
The 40th Helen Hayes Awards will take place on Monday, May 20, 2024 at The Anthem, on the District Wharf, with a celebratory party to follow. Esteemed Washington theatre artists Felicia Curry, Rayanne Gonzales, Maria Rizzo, and Tom Story will host an evening showcasing the vibrant and diverse community of professional theatre artists in the Washington region. They will be joined by an ensemble of DC-based performers, including Quadry Brown, Carolyn Burke, Victoria Gomez, Sarah Anne Sillers, and Wood Van Meter.
Tickets for the event are $75 for general admission seats and $350 for a seated dinner. Information on all tickets and sponsorships is available here.
“The contributions of DC-area theatre makers extend far beyond the stage. The Helen Hayes Awards recognize the impact theatre has on our region, country, and globe. Shared experience, understanding, empathy, and insight are some of the ways that theatre changes us and makes us better citizens,” said Amy Austin, Theatre Washington President and CEO. “This is a night to celebrate the expansive creative local industry professionals who create and produce plays and musicals on stages seven days a week, 365 days a year.”
The event will recognize work from 151 eligible productions presented in the 2023 calendar year, with nominations made in 41 categories. Productions under consideration in 2023 included 44 musicals, 107 plays, and 36 world premieres.
The 2024 Helen Hayes Tribute will honor Peter Marks, former Theater Critic at the Washington Post. Marks stepped down in late 2023 after serving in this role for 21 years. This award recognizes Marks’ decades of knowledgeable and thoughtful writing about the DC-area, national, and international theatre landscape. He offered nuanced theatre criticism and reporting and he contributed immensely to the recognition of the artistic vibrancy of our region.
Named for actor Helen Hayes – a Washington native and legendary First Lady of the American Theatre – the Helen Hayes Awards has honored excellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington region, now celebrating forty years. Nominations are grouped in “Helen” or “Hayes” cohorts, depending on the number of Equity members involved in the production.
Michelin-honored Cantonese restaurant Tiger Fork and its sister bar Hi-Lawn are coming together to host the “Spring Night Market” — a traditional Chinese festival celebration from May 29-30. They will transform the 1000-person rooftop atop Union Market into a lively two-day Hong Kong night market, decked out with illuminated lanterns, food stalls from guest chefs, pop-up shops from local artisans, cultural performances, late-night DJs, baijiu and sake bars and more. They will be accepting donations on-site for Chefs Against AAPI Hate.
This is Tiger Fork & Hi-Lawn’s second collaborative night market, the first hosted during last September’s mooncake festival, which drew more than 4,000 attendees. May is AAPI Heritage Month, and Tiger Fork & Hi-Lawn are bringing more than a dozen acclaimed local restaurants and vendors to one of DC’s largest rooftops.
Tiger Fork’s executive chef Simon Lam will cook savory street food-inspired fare and unique sweets alongside guest chefs/restaurants such as Love, Makoto; Chang Chang; Padaek; Hiraya; Lucky Danger; Magpie & The Tiger; Dan Dan Boy; Hollywood East; Toimoi; Yume Asian Fusion; CHIBOO Bakery; Shared Tea; and Party of Popcorn (with more to be announced soon) at food stands throughout the open-air rooftop.
Guests can peruse specialty gifts and wares from pop-up market stalls throughout the celebration.
Festival drinkers will enjoy a special Baijiu + Sake Bar, pouring China’s national spirit, plus an assortment of sake, and other liquor, themed cocktails, beer and wine.
There will also be cultural performances such as lion and dragon dancing from Shaolin Hung Fut Kung Fu School will take place live on the lawn.
And DJs will keep the spirited energy going all night long, spinning tunes from 9pm to midnight.
The two-night festival supports a fantastic cause, helping to raise funds to benefit Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate.
Tiger Fork’s Spring Night Market is free to attend and open to the public, but RSVPs are required on Eventbrite. Donations to Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate are encouraged and accepted throughout the event. All food, beverage and artisan crafts will be sold a la carte, first-come, first-served.
Michelin-honored Cantonese restaurant Tiger Fork and its sister bar Hi-Lawn are coming together to host the “Spring Night Market” — a traditional Chinese festival celebration from May 29-30. They will transform the 1000-person rooftop atop Union Market into a lively two-day Hong Kong night market, decked out with illuminated lanterns, food stalls from guest chefs, pop-up shops from local artisans, cultural performances, late-night DJs, baijiu and sake bars and more. They will be accepting donations on-site for Chefs Against AAPI Hate.
This is Tiger Fork & Hi-Lawn’s second collaborative night market, the first hosted during last September’s mooncake festival, which drew more than 4,000 attendees. May is AAPI Heritage Month, and Tiger Fork & Hi-Lawn are bringing more than a dozen acclaimed local restaurants and vendors to one of DC’s largest rooftops.
Tiger Fork’s executive chef Simon Lam will cook savory street food-inspired fare and unique sweets alongside guest chefs/restaurants such as Love, Makoto; Chang Chang; Padaek; Hiraya; Lucky Danger; Magpie & The Tiger; Dan Dan Boy; Hollywood East; Toimoi; Yume Asian Fusion; CHIBOO Bakery; Shared Tea; and Party of Popcorn (with more to be announced soon) at food stands throughout the open-air rooftop.
Guests can peruse specialty gifts and wares from pop-up market stalls throughout the celebration.
Festival drinkers will enjoy a special Baijiu + Sake Bar, pouring China’s national spirit, plus an assortment of sake, and other liquor, themed cocktails, beer and wine.
There will also be cultural performances such as lion and dragon dancing from Shaolin Hung Fut Kung Fu School will take place live on the lawn.
And DJs will keep the spirited energy going all night long, spinning tunes from 9pm to midnight.
The two-night festival supports a fantastic cause, helping to raise funds to benefit Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate.
Tiger Fork’s Spring Night Market is free to attend and open to the public, but RSVPs are required on Eventbrite. Donations to Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate are encouraged and accepted throughout the event. All food, beverage and artisan crafts will be sold a la carte, first-come, first-served.
It will be an exciting day of fun and learning on Saturday, June 15, as Capital Book Fest hosts its annual “Children’s Book and Learning Festival” presented by nonprofit, Turning the Page on Wilson Plaza at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (RRB/ITC).
Coinciding with the Juneteenth Weekend celebrations, this family-friendly festival will offer a full day of engaging and educational activities, featuring an exciting lineup of local authors from the Children’s Book Guild of Washington, DC and exhibitions from partners National Children’s Museum, DC Public Library, Washington Nationals, Nature Generation, ReadAbility, Urban Adventure Squad, The Giving Square, Washington Informer Spelling Bee and the DowntownDC BID.
From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., children and their families can enjoy a variety of activities, including “Story on the Plaza” presented by the National Children’s Museum (NCM) and DC Public Library, a literary walking adventure with story pages on display from the book “Extra Yarn” by bestselling and award-winning author Mac Barnett. NCM will host readings at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. from the stage.
In addition to this immersive experience, 15 authors from the Children’s Book Guild will lead themed activities based on their books, like:
- Baseball Fun with Fred Bowen: Fred Bowen will share his latest baseball book, Extra Innings while the Washington Nationals knock spelling out of the park with a baseball themed spelling challenge, word searches, and more!
- Art and Animals with Susan Stockdale: Susan Stockdale will read from her latest book, Line Up! Animals in Remarkable Rows, and demonstrate how she painted the illustrations. Children can then create their own animal images using vibrant colored oil pastels on black paper.
- Cultural Crafts with Danielle Joseph: Decorate a tap tap bus with items that represent you and your culture! Danielle Joseph will lead this activity, inspired by her book I Want to Ride the Tap Tap, which explores the vibrant taxi-bus service in Haiti.
- Community Poetry with Pamela Ehrenberg: Join in creating DC’s longest-known magnetic-poetry-style poem! Inspired by her book Detour Ahead, Pamela Ehrenberg invites visitors of all ages to contribute lines to a collaborative poem celebrating life in DC.
The full list of authors and activities here.
Thousands of gently-used books, for all ages, will be on sale for $7 or less, as part of Capital Book Fest’s collaboration with Carpe Librum an outdoor, pop-up book shop selling community-donated books and raising valuable funds for the education-based nonprofit, Turning the Page. Festive music by DJ Joe will fill the air. A concession stand will offer lunch and refreshments, prepared by RRB/ITC’s culinary team. Participating authors will also be selling and signing their books.
The Festival will offer an unforgettable day of stories, creativity, and family fun. It will be a unique opportunity to connect with local authors, enjoy interactive activities, and celebrate the magic of reading and learning together.
What: Capital Book Fest: Children’s Book and Learning Festival
When: Saturday, June 15, 2024 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Woodrow Wilson Plaza at Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Metro: Federal Triangle Station
Parking: Public Garage at RRB/ITC
Who: Free and open to the public
