Dumbarton House Seersucker and White Dress Garden Soiree

The International Club of DC is hosting yet another one of their lovely events.  Each spring and summer, they host Soirees at the Dumbarton House, a historic mansion in Georgetown, where young professionals gather for live music and entertainment.

I've attended in the past and would highly recommend you try it out for yourself.  It's makes a great date or grab some friends and make an evening out of it.


My advice is to bring a collapsible lawn chair or a blanket as seating is extremely limited and it's nice to just sit outside on the lawn and listen to the music.

See below for all of the details of this week's event.

Georgetown Dumbarton House Seersucker and White Dress Garden Soiree
Friday, May 04, 2012
7:00 PM
Attire: Seer sucker or white requested

Celebrate warm summer days ahead with chic cocktail attire in either seersucker or white!

We cordially request the pleasure of your company at the Historic Dumbarton House Museum and Gardens to experience a night of sophisticated jazz, elegant fashion, and dancing under the stars as we celebrate the warm summer days to come! Your night begins with a jazz performance, as you meet other ICDC members and stroll around the gardens, and culminates in a night of dancing under the stars and in the elegant ballroom to our live orchestra.

This is a wonderful opportunity to discover and explore one of Georgetown's most historic mansions as you make new friends. Come on your own or invite friends for a spring evening of music and dancing to the sounds of our jazz ensemble!  Wine and sumptuous crepes will be available for purchase. Very few tickets are left so reserve your tickets early!

Our last garden soiree at Dumbarton House sold out in advance and we expect this event to be very popular and sell out. Please reserve your tickets soon!

Tickets
Tickets are $25 for a limited time and $35 afterwards.
Reserve your tickets online: http://www.internationalclubdc.com

Dumbarton House 
2715 Q Street NW 
Washington, DC 20007
http://dumbartonhouse.org

Things to Do: Gaia at the Corcoran

Being a member of the Corcoran's 1869 Society, a group of young professionals interested in the arts ages 25-42, has many benefits! Not only do you receive complimentary access to the museum and discounts at the cafe and bookstore, but you receive first-hand notice about the numerous events that are hosted at the Corcoran. My favorite annual event is Artini and another great event geared towards the younger crowd is Gaia. The next Gaia event is coming up in November, see below for more information.

Gaia at the Corcoran: A Musical Performance Experience
Saturday, November 19, 2011
7:30 – 11:00 PM

Gaia is a DC-based group of musicians, singers, dancers, and DJs who collectively bring you a transcendent and interactive experience. Actively incorporating the art and architecture of the Corcoran with dance and projections, Gaia invites you into the middle of their performance. It is part concert, part nightclub, part performance art. Odds are you have not seen anything quite like it.

MUSIC
Soul - Tamara Wellons
Trip Hop - Avenue To
Vibe Conductor - DJ Stylus
Congas and Jembe - Tom Pipkin
Flute and Tenor Sax - Kolai

DANCE
Urban Artistry

VIDEO ART
D'Blend - Juan Botero & Lina Almansa

Cost:
Corcoran Members - $30
Non-members - $40
Corcoran Students - $20

For more information, click here.

Corcoran Gallery of Art
500 Seventeenth Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
202.639.1700
www.corcoran.org

Things to Do: Gentleman Jack ART, BEATS+LYRICS

Sad that I'll be missing this event this year because I've gone for the last 2 years and had a great time. Since, I won't be there I hope you can go in my absence. Have fun for me! Make sure to RSVP using the link provided below and get there early to ensure your admittance!

Another bit of advice, ladies wear comfortable shoes because there's no seating and after dancing (after a few Gentleman Jack cocktails trust me you'll be dancing) your feet will need a break.

Gentleman Jack presents ART, BEATS + LYRICS

Not to be missed, the event of the year - free drinks, live music, hot DJs, street art, beautiful people in the most beautiful location in Washington, D.C.

Art and music were once the voice of the people. It was an underground movement driven by the need for expression. Somewhere along the way, art became available only to the elite and music profited only the few. At that point artist lost control of their creation.

Gentleman Jack's Art, Beats + Lyrics is taking it back. Exploring Hip Hop and highlighting urban art forms expressed through photography, graffiti, paintings, multimedia, DJing and live music.

FREE with RSVP. EARLY ARRIVAL SUGGESTED.

Friday October 7, 2011
7:00PM - 12:00AM
21 & UP

Andrew W Mellon Auditorium
301 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20240
http://www.mellonauditorium.com

RSVP at http://www.gentlemanjackabl.com

Things to Do: Jazz in the Garden 2011

It's that time of the year again and I'm so excited, I can barely contain myself. This Friday, kicks off the start of the 11th Annual season of Jazz in the Garden hosted by the National Gallery of Art.

This weekly event will begin May 27 and run through September 9, and last from 5:00 - 8:30PM each and every Friday throughout the summer. It's the perfect time to grab a date or even find a group of friends. Pack your picnic basket, bring a blanket and enjoy an evening in the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Gardens. If you'd prefer, you can purchase food and alcohol (wine and sangria) there. My advice is to get there early so you can get a seat in the shade with a view of the performance. And if you didn't know this event is FREE!!!

For more information, http://www.nga.gov/programs/jazz/

For a complete listing of upcoming performances, see below.

Origem (Brazilian jazz)
May 27

DC Jazz Festival presents Mark Prince (progressive jazz)
June 3

Deanna Bogart ("blusion," blues fusion)
June 10

John Lee (guitar fusion jazz/rock)
June 17

Sheila Ross (jazz vocalist)
June 24

Rumba Club (Latin jazz/salsa)
July 1

Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet (vocal ensemble)
July 8

Con Candela (Cuban jazz)
July 15

Elikeh (Afro-funk from Togo)
July 22

Incendio (acoustic Latin guitar world fusion jazz)
July 29

Alan Wonneberger and Company (double drummers)
August 5

Chuck Redd (jazz vibraphonist)
August 12

Alex Brown (jazz pianist)
August 19

Bill Burke (8-string tap-style guitarist) and Bruce Ewan (blues band)
August 26

Bruno Nasta (jazz violinist) and The U.S. Naval Academy Band—The Next Wave (jazz ensemble)
September 2

The Greg Hatza ORGANization (Hammond B-3 organ)
September 9

Things to Do: Golden Triangle Summer Concerts

It's that time of the year again!!!

Come down to Farragut Square Park in the Golden Triangle area of DC for their FREE summer concert series every Wednesday in the month of June from 5:30 - 7:30 PM.

Grab a blanket and dinner from your favorite Golden Triangle restaurant (there are usually tons of offers from local merchants that coincide with this weekly event, will post as soon as they are available) Relax in the park while enjoying some of the most popular local music talent in Washington DC.

Concert Schedule
June 1: Jah Works (reggae)
June 8: Sin Miedo (salsa)
June 15: Monster Band (funk, pop, dance)
June 22: Cazhmiere (top-40, dance)
June 29: Sam O & JFC (caribbean)

Hope to see you there! For more information, click here.

Things to Do: Red Bull International DJ competition

Just received this event from a friend and had to pass it on.

On Tuesday, May 3 from 8:00PM - 11:00PM, the international DJ competition Red Bull Thre3Style is coming to the Nation’s Capital to test the skills of the top party DJ’s. In the ultimate battle scenario, nine DJ’s will take turns stepping up to the tables to determine who can rock the dance floor the hardest combining three different music genres in 15 minutes.

Competing in the night’s party are DJ JAHSONIC, CAM JUS, DJ PRICE, JEROME BAKER III, DJ 2-TONE JONES, DJ CUZZIN B, DJ PETEY C (winner of Red Bull Thre3Style Pittsburgh) plus the winning DJ’s from Red Bull Thre3Style Boston and Brooklyn.

The winner of Red Bull Thre3Style will take home a $1,000 prize check and the top two finalists will get a chance to compete in the US national finals in Las Vegas.

Hosting the night's festivities will be rapper and famed emcee Akrobatik of the hip hop collective The Perceptionists. Special performance by Rich Medina.

The best part is admission is FREE!!! Open to those 18+ years and older.

U Street Music Hall
1115A U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.588.1880
www.redbullusa.com/thre3style

Things to Do: Gentleman Jack Art, Beats + Lyrics

Let me just begin by saying I'm not a huge fan of Jack Daniels but I went to their Gentleman Jack Art, Beats + Lyrics Urban Art Exhibition last year and had a great time. I’d been to your typical wine and hard liquor tastings that happen frequently in the Washington, DC area but this event is so much different. The Art, Beats + Lyrics event truly lives up to its name.

This year’s event will be held on Friday, April 1, 2011 from 7:00PM – midnight at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium on Constitution Avenue. They feature paintings, photography, and mixed media pieces of artwork created by urban designers. Last year, there was also a DJ as well as a few musical performers and dancers. Additionally, you were given the opportunity to try out Gentleman Jack in a number of cocktails or straight-up along with plenty of heavy hors d’oeuvres. The best part of this event is that it is completely FREE!!! Space is limited, register today! Hope to see you there!

For more information, visit http://www.gentlemanjackabl.com/

Gentleman Jack Art, Beats + Lyrics Urban Art Exhibition Andrew Mellon Auditorium 1301 Constitution Avenue Washington, DC

Things to Do: Mingle at the Museum

In search of finding new and interesting thing in DC, I just came across this after hours event at the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History. These events seem to sell out quickly and they have extremely limited tickets available at the door. Information I pulled from the museum's website is posted below.

Art and Soul of South Africa

Featuring Carolyn Malachi

Thursday, March 24 - 6:30PM to 9:00PM

Be entertained and inspired in an evening that combines traditional art with a modern spin. Enjoy Grammy-nominated artist Carolyn Malachi’s unique blend of jazz, pop, r&b, and spoken word as she performs works by some of South Africa’s soul music artists. Browse the museum galleries to view the second exhibition in the Artists in Dialogue series, in which exciting artists—including South Africa’s Sandile Zulu and Brazil’s Henrique Oliveira—are invited to an encounter in which each artist responds to the work of the other. The result is an original, site-specific work based on their encounter in the museum.

Let spontaneity of the exhibit and the music move you to create your own work of art. Then, reward your creative effort with tempting South African-style hors d’oeuvres.This evening is in collaboration with the Smithsonian African Art Museum and made possible in part by South African Tourism.

Schedule
6:30PM - 9:00PM
• Carolyn Malachi performs
• Art activity inspired by Artist Dialogue exhibit
• Stroll through the exhibition gallery
• Food service provided by Purple Onion Catering
• Cash bar featuring Heineken products

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Featured Exhibition: Artists in Dialogue II: Sandile Zulu and Henrique Oliveira
The Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art (NMAfA) is organizing the exhibition, "Artists in Dialogue: Sandile Zulu and Henrique Oliveira," as the second in a series of exhibitions in which exciting artists (at least one of whom is African) are invited to a new encounter -- one in which each artist responds to the work of the other, and resulting in original, site-specific works at the museum. The exhibition will also include a selection of works by each artist to reflect who they are coming into the encounter.
Read More About this Exhibition

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GENERAL INFORMATION

• One drink ticket included with admission.
• Additional drink tickets may be purchased with either cash or credit card.
• Must be at least 21 with a valid photo ID to attend.
• All ticket sales are final.
• All bags will be searched by security.
• Personal items can be checked in designated coat rooms or lockers at your own discretion. The museum is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

Things to Do: Golden Triangle Summer Concerts

A colleague recently turned me on to the Golden Triangle Summer Concert Series.  The concerts are held every Thursday through July at Farragut Square Park located in downtown Washington, DC from 5:30-7:30.  And of course the best part of it is it's FREE.  It's a great place to go with friends, someone you're dating or a significant other.  Bring a picnic and a blanket, then sit back to enjoy the sights and sounds!


There are three more concerts remaining in the Golden Triangle Summer Concert Series.  The music ranges from salsa to jazz.  As an incentive to get more people to come, each week you can register to win a VIP Picnic Package.  The package includes soft drinks, sandwiches, and cookies compliments of Firehook Bakery, along with picnic blankets, coolers, and VIP tickets to the DC Improv Comedy Club, to register to win click here.  

In addition to the Concert Series, from July 1 – August 14, over 25 restaurants in DC’s Golden Triangle neighborhood are offering deals on food and drink after 5:00PM.  Select parking garages are also offering $5 flat rate parking after 5PM until midnight on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. To view a listing of participating restaurants and parking garages, click here.
Below are the upcoming shows for July:
July 8 – Sin Miedo (salsa)
July 15 – Crowded Streets (Dave Matthews Band Tribute)
July 22– Kelly Bell Band

Things to Do: DC Jazz Festival June 1-13

Today, is the first day of June and it also marks the start of the DC Jazz Festival which is scheduled to run June 1 - 13.  The jazz festival will feature over 100 musicians at various venues throughout Washington, DC.

The DC Jazz Festival is a highly anticpated annual event and features not only performances by jazz greats but by local musicians and students.  Events will be held at Bohemian Caverns, Carter Barron, Listner Auditorium (on the campus of George Washington University) as well as other locations. 

Since I'm all about free and low-cost things to do in DC, I scoured their website for FREE jazz festival events.  On June 5 and 6, there will be Jazz 'n Families Fun Day at The Phillips Collection  a celebration of music and art, for more information click here.  On Saturday, June 12 at 3:30pm, there will be a matinee performance featuring the Claudio Roditi Quartet (Brazil) & the Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band. Tickets are available at Lisner's Box Office and through Ticketmaster.  While the event is listed as free, there's a $3.00 Ticketmaster convenience charge + $1.00 ticket fee per ticket, which really isn't bad for a concert.  For tickets, click here.

To learn more about this event, visit http://www.dcjazzfest.org/. You can also follow them on twitter: www.twitter.com/dcjazzfest.