Event: It’s That Time of Year for…Jazz in the Garden!

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(via National Gallery of Art) The Jazz in the Garden Series begins its 13th season May 24. The free concert series features an array of jazz artists performing a wide variety of styles—including salsa, blusion, xylophone, and Afrofunk—every Friday evening from 5:00 to 8:30 at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden.

Guests may purchase food and beverages from the Pavilion Café and its carts located around the Garden or bring their own picnics. Alcoholic beverages may not be brought to the premises from outside and are subject to confiscation. Security officers reserve the right to inspect all items brought into the Sculpture Garden. For the safety of visitors and works of art, access to the Sculpture Garden will be limited if the space becomes too crowded.

To learn more about Jazz in the Garden concerts and performers, please call (202) 289-3360. Please see our current listing of concerts and other musical events at the Gallery.

Ruthie and the Wranglers (roots rock ‘n’ roll)
May 24 from 5:00 to 8:30
Chopteeth (Afrofunk big band)
May 31 from 5:00 to 8:30
DC Jazz Festival presents Sin Miedo
June 7 from 5:00 to 8:30
Deanna Bogart Band (“blusion,” blues fusion)
June 14 from 5:00 to 8:30
Hendrik Meurkens (jazz xylophone and harmonica)
June 21 from 5:00 to 8:30
Swingtopia (big-band swing)
June 28 from 5:00 to 8:30
Ernest “EC3” Coleman and Friends (percussionist, Latin jazz)
July 5 from 5:00 to 8:30
Juanita Williams (jazz vocalist)
July 12 from 5:00 to 8:30
Euphonasia (euphonium jazz-rock fusion)
July 19 from 5:00 to 8:30
Incendio (Latin guitar world fusion jazz)
July 26 from 5:00 to 8:30
Brian Simms (keyboard vocalist)
August 2 from 5:00 to 8:30
Josh Bayer (jazz guitarist)
August 9 from 5:00 to 8:30
Doc Scantlin’s Palmettos (1920s and ’30s big band)
August 16 from 5:00 to 8:30
Dixie Power Trio (zydeco, cajun, and Louisiana funk)
August 23 from 5:00 to 8:30
Bruno Nasta (jazz violin) and the U.S. Naval Academy “Next Wave” Jazz Ensemble
August 30 from 5:00 to 8:30
 
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, located on the National Mall at 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, is bounded by Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive and by 7th and 9th Streets NW.

Join the Food Revolution Today, #eatREAL!

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The ‘eat REAL’ campaign, designed by the United States Healthful Food Council (USHFC), has partnered with the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation to encourage consumers to celebrate Food Revolution Day  TODAY by standing up for real food by eating at a REAL Certified restaurant.

Food Revolution Day is the annual culmination of Chef Jamie Oliver’s campaign to get people better connected to their food.  Today, communities across the globe will come together to celebrate fresh ingredients, share cooking skills, pass on food knowledge and eat great food.  

“Food Revolution Day is all about people power…” said Chef Jamie Oliver, “…the Food Revolution has reached 75 countries, and we’re hearing about some really exciting plans for Food Revolution Day, which proves that the demand for better food education is a global phenomenon.”

The ‘eat REAL’ campaign, which USHFC launched in April 2013, is promoting the Food Revolution Day initiative by encouraging people to dine out on Friday, May 17 at one of the following 19 REAL Certified restaurants in the Washington, DC area:  Busboys & Poets (all 4 locations), Commissary, Elizabeth’s Gone Raw, Energy Kitchen, Founding Farmers (DC location), Grillfish, i Ricchi, Juice Joint Café, Logan Tavern, Restaurant Nora, Ris, ShopHouse Asian Kitchen, Soupergirl, Table, The Heights and The Pig.  

Reservations for most of these REAL Certified restaurants can be made by visiting OpenTable.

SUPPORT: #blog4good Goodwill of Greater Washington

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As most of you know, I am a huge fan of the work that Goodwill of Greater Washington does in our community…and, of course, #1 fan of the Goodwill Fashionista.  

This week, we are celebrating Goodwill Industries Week.  In 2012, Goodwill directly affected the lives of more than 3,200 of our neighbors.  These are people who have re-found the dignity that comes with being a contributing member of our society.  Goodwill also diverted over 20 millions of trash from local landfills through their donation program.

In addition to training people for jobs, placing them into jobs, providing consumers with access to quality, low cost goods, and acting as one our region’s largest recyclers, Goodwill is also a job developer.  With each new store and donation center that Goodwill opens, 25-30 new jobs are created.

Goodwill of Greater Washington’s mission is summed up by its tagline - “Transforming lives and communities”.  Now you know how they do it.

Please help to share the mission of Goodwill of Greater Washington with others.  If you’d like to learn more about Goodwill of Greater Washington, find the nearest store or donation center, please visit www.dcgoodwill.org or download their free mobile app from the iTunes app store.  

EVENT: Portfolio in Motion 2013 Honors Tadashi Shoji

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Tonight is the opening night of Portfolio in Motion 2013 at Marymount University honoring designer, Tadashi Shoji.  If you are not able to attend the opening event this evening, you are in luck!  PIM 2013 runs through Saturday, May 4.  The full schedule and ticket information is available HERE.  

REVIEW: Is DC Ready to Embrace the Raw Movement?

Until recently, I had a very different idea of what ‘raw’ food meant. In summary, I was wrong. Very wrong. I had assumed that ‘raw’ meant uncooked vegetables assembled in such a way that mimics what most caterers and hotels prepare as the mysterious ‘vegetarian option’ at events. Oh yes, and don’t forget the shot of wheatgrass … obviously a staple in my contrived raw diet…

Read my full review of Elizabeth’s Gone Raw HERE.

EVENT: Swap in the City to Benefit Becky’s Fund

Dewdrop and SNOBSWAP have teamed up for a fashionable evening of designer clothes, cocktails and a fashion show to benefit Becky’s Fund on May 9 at 1776.  Swap clothing, shop clothing pop-up’s and learn about fashion startups while sipping cocktails, eating hors d’oeuvres and listening to DJ Kroygen. 

Tickets are available HERE. 

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Cadillac, THE Definition of Luxury!

I recently had the amazing experience of being selected by GM to drive the car of my choice for a week.  There were some amazing cars available, but I couldn’t resist selecting the crème de la crème of GM vehicles, the 2013 Cadillac XTS luxury sedan.  

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As my Sapphire Metallic Blue obsession arrived in my front drive, I couldn’t resist jumping right in and taking it for a spin around DC.  Even though I was in my yoga pants and t-shirt, I felt sexy and sophisticated while driving this beautiful machine!  I turned up Frank Sinatra on the Bose Studio Surround Sound System, adjusted my air-conditioned seats and sat back to enjoy my morning driving around town.  Thanks to GM, I also had a snack and bottled water that allowed me to enjoy my ride just a bit longer. 

Upon my return home, I immediately started to plan out my meetings and events over the week so that I could drive as much as possible.  I couldn’t get enough of how this car made me feel!  I was addicted!  

Our stops throughout the week (other than errands and client meetings) included the new Capella Hotel in Georgetown for the Mr. Porter Event hosted by DC Modern Luxury Magazine, Dinner at Salt and Season Kitchen with Chef Christian Irabian, visit with DC Patisserie at Union Kitchen, Candidate filming for LLS 2013 Woman of the Year and swinging into the Sofitel for a lunch meeting at ICI Urban Bistro. 

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You can see more of my Cadillac XTS Pictures on Instagram.  You can also follow the adventures of GM on Instagram by following @DistrictDrive or on their website at Drive the District. Thank you GM for selecting me for this amazing opportunity.  I had a WONDERFUL time!