Weekend Roundup

Georgetowner • February 4, 2013

“Authors on Deck” – Churchill and Sea Power by Christopher Bell

January 31st, 2013 at 12:00 PM | Free | Tel: 202-737-2300 | Event Website

As part of the United States Navy Memorial’s “Authors on Deck” book lecture series, author Christopher Bell will present his latest work, Churchill and Sea Power (Oxford University Press, 2012). Bell addresses a surprisingly neglected aspect of Winston Churchill’s career: his attitude to sea power.

Following his presentation, Bell will be available for a Q&A session and book signing.

Address

United States Navy Memorial, Naval Heritage Center; 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Parish Gallery Georgetown: “Through the Years” Group of Gallery Artists

February 1st, 2013 at 06:00 PM | parishgallery@bigplanet.com | Tel: 202 944 2310 | Event Website

This opening reception entitled “Through the Years” features a group o gallery artist that at one point had shown at The Parish Gallery. Over the past 21 years, The Parish Gallery have shown so many exciting and talented artist. This exhibition the gallery will be showing both mid-career and masters.

Address

Parish Gallery

1054 31st Street, NW

Choral Evensong

February 3rd, 2013 at 05:00 PM | Free | diana@christchurchgeorgetown.org | Tel: 202-333-6677

Christ Church, Georgetown, continues its Choral Evensong series on Sunday,February 3 at 5 p.m. with the music of Philip Radcliffe, Herbert W. Sumsion, and Edward C. Bairstow. Sung by the professional Choir of Christ Church, this series is free and open to the public as a gift to the community.

Address

Christ Church, Georgetown

31st and O Streets, N.W.

Turn Up the Heat! Annual Gala

February 4th, 2013 at 06:30 PM | Tickets start at $275 | ocna@ovariancancer.org | Tel: 202-331-1332 | Event Website

Join the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance for an evening of delicious food that helps raise awareness of ovarian cancer and support programs for women with the devastating disease. We are once again teaming up with dozens of celebrated women chefs from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Our 8th Annual Gala highlights the best of these chefs’ talents and raises funds for ovarian cancer.

Address

Ritz Carlton, 1150 22nd St NW

14th Annual Washington DC International Wine & Food Festival

February 5th, 2013 at 04:00 PM | $75-$125 | sgregory@webportglobal.com | Tel: 202-312-1300 | Event Website

With our increasingly knowledgeable consumer base, the 2013 Festival will be extended over several days and will include seminars, tastings, food pairings, dinners, and a signature event each evening. Our goal is to provide guests with multiple, focused opportunities to sample high quality food and wine, meet and greet winemakers, chefs and tastemakers, and continue our tradition of sharing the art, culture and fun of food and wine.

Address

1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Straight Talk With Liz Ann Sonders

February 6th, 2013 at 06:00 PM | Free | john.welch@edelman.com | Tel: 800-750-9539 | Event Website

Liz Ann Sonders, Schwab’s Chief Investment Strategist, takes a look at what she sees on the horizon for the markets and economy in 2013. She will share her perspective on changes coming out of Washington and the impact they may have on individual investors, especially for those nearing or in retirement. This video presentation will be followed by a branch-led discussion.

Address

7401 Wisconsin Ave, Suite #100; Bethesda, MD 20814

CAG: 4th Annual Georgetown Art Show

February 7th, 2013 at 06:00 PM | Tel: 202-368-5878 | Event Website

CAG (Citizens Association of Georgetown) invites all to celebrate and view the talent and creativity of Georgetown resident artists at CAG’s 4th Annual Georgetown Art Show. Free to the public, the show will launch with an opening reception on Thursday, February 7th from 6 to 9 p.m. and will be open from Friday, February 8th thru Sunday, February 10th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the House of Sweden (2900 K Street, NW). CAG’s unique show will feature artwork by local Georgetown residents and artists who have studios in Georgetown. Media will include oil and watercolor paintings, prints, sculpture and photography. Most works will be for sale, with a few on loan from private collections. Click here for more about the show.

Address

House of Sweden

2900 K Street NW

Ari Post • December 6, 2012

Two hundred and fifty years ago, a city was founded along a Virginia trade route that led from Richmond ?to the Great Appalachian Valley. Named after Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, it was established as an intersection of industry and natural resources, urbanity and wilderness. As the country evolved, through the throws of war and the expansion of the West, Charlottesville stood as a geographic and philosophical step- pingstone, gently nestled in the eaves of the Blue Ridge Mountains and standing at the forefront of economic, cultural and academic achievement.

Today, Charlottesville continues its legacy, having become a premier destination in the Mid- Atlantic Region. Renowned for its innovation in winemaking, regionally inspired culinary artist- ry, rustic local culture and top-end, often quirky and unique retail, Charlottesville brings its cul- tural and geographic heritage into its daily life.

Only two hours from Washington, the winter months are the perfect time to settle in for a cozy Charlottesville weekend, sitting fireside at a rural inn, dining at one of their classic or contemporary restaurants, or warming up from a wintry vineyard tour in a rustic tasting room. Here is a primer for Charlottesville’s restaurants and vineyards, all perfect places around which to frame a weekend getaway and take the edge off the winter months ahead.

Wine

As we stand on the doorstep of winter vineyards may seem low on the list of worthy city was founded along a Virginia discussion topics. Now of course is the time trade route that led from Richmond where vines begin to go barren and production comes to a standstill until the spring thaw. While everyone else with the winter wonderland bug is waiting in line at the ski slopes, Charlottesville’s wineries offer intimate afternoon getaways off the beaten path. With the last of the fall wine festivals and vineyard weddings behind us, tours are down and crowds have dwindled, leaving true wine enthusiasts with a selection of world- class vineyards to explore without the fuss of traffic. With over 20 vineyards to choose from, it is just a matter of knowing where to start.

Early Mountain Vineyards is a great place to begin your Charlottesville wine tour. Relatively new to the community, they are not only produc- ing impressive wines but maintaining their his- toric property with a commitment to biodiversity and sustainable farming. Having learned from wine pioneers in Virginia and around the world, we know that practical organic and biodynamic methods, such as limiting our use of sprays and pesticides, help preserve the natural balance of the vineyards’ ecosystem and yield healthy and expressive grapes. Not that you need to know this to enjoy their delicious wine.

Their tasting room is among the most impressive in Virginia, ranked second out of 220 wineries by Virginia Wine Lover online. Visitors to Early Mountain Vineyards can warm by the fire and enjoy the views after lunch with fare from the tasting room’s ‘eat local’ marketplace featuring cheeses, charcuterie and products from Virginia purveyors. They keep a selection of the best Virginia wines from other vineyards in house along with rotating featured selections. Learn why Virginia is a growing destination for wine enthusiasts.

www.EarlyMountain.com

King Family Vineyards is a family-owned and operated boutique winery located in Crozet, just fifteen minutes from Charlottesville at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The winery specializes in small productions of ultra- premium wine that showcase the remarkable qualities of nearly 100% estate grown fruit. Founded in 1998, the winery’s first vintage was only 500 cases. Today, the winery produces approximately 5,000 cases of wine per year, and according to owner David King, King Family sells everything they make. During the winter, the winery’s tasting room is home to a warm stone fireplace and rich, family-friendly seating areas. Bring your own goodies or pick from the tasting room’s gourmet assortments of chocolates, cheeses, salamis, spreads, and hot French bread.

www.KingFamilyVineyards.com

Pollak Vineyards, a favorite of this author, was founded by David and Margo Pollak, who first made wine in Napa Valley in the 1970s. With their new viticultural venture, they wanted to explore a new terrain in the winemaking world. Virginia, they decided, was the Napa of the East Coast. They found their current Charlottesville plot in 2001 and started planting fruit in 2003.

“We don’t buy or outsource any fruit for our wine,” says Dovel. “We grow all our own grapes, and even sell to some of our neighbors, which we’re very proud of. It’s rare to find a winery that does all estate grown wines. What you taste in our wines is our true terroir—what Mother Nature has to offer our specific property.”

Today, Pollak is well known for their Viogniers and Petit Verdots. Their red wines are unfined and unfiltered, with a lot of finesse but a still-present power. “If you put France and California together,” says Dovel, “that’s where we sit: big fruit with great structure—and the character of Virginia’s unique climate makes it awesome.”

www.PollakVineyards.com

Dining

As hinted at by the wineries, local and region- al produce plays a large part in Charlottesville’s culinary scene. A handful of restaurants are spearheading this movement, delivering innova- tive but comforting American fare, inspired with international flavors and rooted in the surrounding farmland.

Mas was conceived by chef Tomas Rahal as an opportunity to feature slow, organic, artisanal food and wines, inspired by Spain and emphasizing simple, well-handled ingredients served in a casual neighborhood setting.

Featuring a contemporary, tapas-style menu, Mas specializes in bite-sized dishes eaten between larger meals. These snacks are often eaten in groups, sharing dishes communally and without any pretense or formality. Among their mouth-watering menu options this season, try their Medulla, a rich beef marrow blended with Alba truffles, sweet butter, parsley, garlic and bread crumbs, and toasted with Manchego. Los Dos is a pairing of wild King Salmon and Yellowfin tuna tartares with thyme flowers, grey sea salt and garlic crisps. They also have an outstanding selection of Spanish wines for unforgettable pairings.

www.MasTapas.com

Judging by its name alone, you can probably guess where The Local cultivates its culinary inspiration and resources. Since it opened in March 2008, The Local has provided a venue to showcase the abundant supply of small farmers, artisan cheese makers, breweries, distilleries and award wining vineyards in the Charlottesville
area. They even support local craftsman and artisans, and much of what you see in the restau- rant is fabricated locally. Start your meal with a local Caromont Goat Cheese salad, with roasted local beets and poached local apples, on a bed of mixed greens, which, believe it or not, are sourced locally. For the main event, choose from local trout stuffed with pimento cheese over corn grits and local braised greens, or a (local) local half chicken in a blackberry glaze with poppy seed slaw and potatoes.

www.TheLocal-Cville.com

Georgetowner • November 12, 2012

The Georgetowner’s Holiday Benefit & Bazaar 2012

November 29th, 2012 at 06:00 PM | $45 or $65 at the door | adra@georgetowner.com | Tel: 202 338 4833 | Event Website

Join us for an evening of shopping and holiday delights, as we honor and give back to a shining community star:

THE GEORGETOWN SENIOR CENTER

Shop for unique gifts from select vendors.Warm your senses with seasonal cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Gather in the joy of giving this holiday season.

Advance tickets can be purchased for $45 or $65 at the door.

Address

Historic Georgetown Club; 1530 Wisconsin Ave NW

Live Jazz at The Henley Park

November 8th, 2012 at 07:00 PM | Free | Tel: 202-638-5200 | Event Website

The Henley Park Blue Bar Lounge presents vocalist Nancy Scimone and her pianists each Saturday night, 7:30 to 11:00. Scimone will sing songs by the greats, including Gershwin, Johnny Mercer, Duke Ellington and Irving Berlin. The bar menu offers gourmet dishes, desserts, cocktails, and international wines and beers.

Address

Henley Park Hotel Blue Bar Lounge; 926 Massachusetts Ave NW

Snooping with the Curator Tour

November 8th, 2012 at 07:00 PM | 10.00 | info@dumbartonhouse.org | Tel: 202-337-2288 | Event Website

This in-depth tour allows visitors see the insides and interiors of some of Dumbarton House’s important objects, including the Baltimore desk, piano forte, and Charleston sideboard, not usually seen by the public. Learn about these wonderful objects and our on-going efforts to preserve the Dumbarton House collection. Scott Scholz, Deputy Director & Curator, will give the hour-long tour. The program begins in the Dumbarton House Visitor Center, located on the Q Street side of the house.

Address

2715 Q Street, NW

Spy at Night

November 9th, 2012 at 06:00 PM | $14.95 | Tel: 202.EYE.SPYU | Event Website

Come to the International Spy Museum for Spy at Night, an experience providing guests with exclusive after-hours access to the museum exhibitions. A night of “intrigue, deception, and cocktails.”

Address

The International Spy Museum; 800 F St NW

Oceans in Focus Exhibit

November 10th, 2012 at 01:00 AM | Free | Tel: 202.483.6000 | Event Website

As part of FotoWeekDC, the Oceans in Focus Exhibit at the Dupont Circle Hotel will showcase spectacular underwater photography from noted photographers David Doubilet, Brian Skerry, Michelle Westmorland and Octavio Aburto.

Address

Dupont Circle Hotel; 1500 New Hampshire Ave, NW

Tea with Mrs. B Holiday Etiquette and Tea Party for the Entire Family

November 11th, 2012 at 01:00 PM | $29-$49 | Tel: 202 736-1459 | Event Website

Children are invited to learn about healthy eating and holiday manners at this fun-filled event. Culinary demonstration focusing on holiday meals and treats. Menu includes: house made finger sandwiches, mini desserts, cupcakes, tarts and fruit kabobs, along with green, black and white herbal teas. There will also be Silver butler service, a Holiday Photo booth, and a Gift bag.

Address

The Fairfax at Embassy Row Hotel, the iconic ballroom

Photographs of Social Life in Washington DC, 1900-196

November 11th, 2012 at 12:00 PM | Free | Tel: 202-347-7978 | Event Website

Part of FotoWeekDC, this offers a glimpse of social life in Washington DC between 1900 and 1960, as documented by the National Geographic Society through photographs.

Exhibit runs through November 30

Address

975 F Street NW

Freshfarm Markets 2012 Farmland Feast

November 12th, 2012 at 05:00 PM | $250 and up | Tel: 202.362.888 |Event Website

10th annual Farmland Feast showcases our Chesapeake Bay farmers and producers. Local chefs will prepare a spectacular six-course anniversary dinner with local food and local wine pairings. Our mission driven, selective auction takes place during the seasonal cocktail hour; a live auction is held during the dinner. This benefit is a prominent part of the local-food movement in the Washington, DC area, and was named “the locavore party of the year” by DC magazine in 2010.

Registration closes: Friday, November 09, 2012

Address

The Ritz-Carlton, 1150 22nd St NW

Ari Post • November 6, 2012

For the past few weeks, being out in the sun has been downright masochistic. Stepping outside, the pelting heat was nearly suffocating. On a bicycle, it felt like being blasted by a full body blow-drier. Last Sunday, our city hit 100 degrees for the fourth consecutive day — a natural feat unsurpassed since July 1930. Across the country this year, more than 40,000 daily heat records have been broken, and after the storm that left so many of us without electricity, the heat couldn’t have come at a more inconvenient time.

Wandering around the farmers markets, our local food producers are bemoaning the heat’s effects on this season’s crops. “This is the last week for blueberries, thanks to mother nature,” said one local vendor when I bought a still tasty but admittedly heat-stricken bushel last weekend.

Thankfully, things seem to be easing up outside. This isn’t to say the rest of the summer season is going to be a cakewalk, but we can start thinking again about venturing into the sun and enjoying summer as it should be enjoyed: by the shoreline, in the water, and out at sea.

From George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River in 1776, to the Kennedys’ iconic yachting excursions that captured in celluloid the idealism and spirit of the late post-war era, Washington, D.C. has scattered bits of its history on the water. The Potomac and Anacostia Rivers wind through our neighborhoods, their beauty and power never failing to refresh the senses. If ever you’re feeling blue, take a walk along the Mt. Vernon trail up by Roosevelt Island beside the Potomac River, watch the birds take flight, breathe the air, wrap yourself in the billowing silence and tell me if you don’t feel at least a little better.

And in the Delmarva area, there are plenty of locations for waterfront escape. The Maryland shore has charm, history and abundant seaside culture. Along the Delaware coastlines, popular beach destinations give way to serene waterfront and unforgettable excursions. The odds are, most of you have your house rentals set up. Here are some great things to do.

Delaware

Coastal Kayak

Offering sailboat rentals, guided kayak and bicycle eco-tours, Coastal Kayak allows guests to experience the bayside marshlands and wildlife from a completely new perspective.

The salt marsh tour is a fanastic addendum to any list of activities. Paddle through the salt marshes around a state wildlife refuge, the feeding grounds for many animals. You’re liable to see herons, osprey, horseshoe crabs and skimmers, among other wildlife. One of the premiere offerings is the exploration of a small sandbar where you get out of your kayak and comb the beach for a variety of beach dwellers such as fiddler crabs, starfish and clams.

Chincoteague and Assateague Islands

Chincoteague Island, just a 30-minute drive from Bethany down Route 1, is Virginia’s only resort island, and one of the more beautiful islands that salt and pepper Virginia’s eastern shore. This rustic, wild-looking beach is famous for its breathtaking and accessible wildlife, oyster beds and clam shoals, migratory birds and packs of wild horses, which often graze casually around the parking area.

Throughout the summer, crowded beaches give way to stretches of secluded shore line, marshes and forests for those willing to walk beyond the crowded entrance. As a Natural Wildlife Preserve, the Chincoteague and Assateague islands harbor plenty of inspiration for the adventurous, Thoreauvian journeyman.

Nassau Valley Vineyards

Producing a wide variety of wines, Nassau Valley is Delaware’s first and only farm winery. The self-guided tour includes a chronicle of wine’s 8,000-year history, up to the processing and production of modern day vineyards. Picnickers are welcome, and specialty tastings and wine and food pairings are available on site or off. Theater and musical groups perform during the summer months. This is an ideal stop on a rainy beach day or a midweek break from the pulsing July sun.

Maryland

The Oxford-Bellevue Ferry

The Oxford-Bellevue Ferry is also a great way to see the surrounding area of Talbot County. America’s oldest privately owned ferry, established 1683, crosses the Tred Avon River between Oxford and Bellevue, Maryland. It’s a quick trip, 7 to 10 minutes (20 round trip) but it’s a lot of fun and St. Michaels is a pleasant seven-mile bike ride or drive from the Bellevue landing. The ferry can carry cars and motorcycles. For more information visit www.OxfordFerry.com.

The Chesapeake Lighthouse Tours

These tours are a unique look at Chesapeake’s lighthouse heritage, which has assisted the passage of boats for centuries. Captain Mike Richards, who guides the tours, has over 35 years’ experience on the Chesapeake Bay and shares stories of these historic lighthouses and their surrounding areas. Half and full-day tours leave from the Bay Hundred Restaurant at Knapps Narrows Marina, through October. For more information, visit www.ChesapeakeLights.com.

The Tilghman Island Marina

The Tilghman Island Marina is a popular destination spot with transient boaters and boating clubs and groups all throughout the bay, who also offer boat rentals and various charters.

The picturesque marina overlooks the Chesapeake Bay and Nature Area. Offering a quaint ambiance in a park-like setting that caters to boating groups and guests, it’s a great place to enjoy a Chesapeake Bay sunset from the comfort and privacy of your own boat. You can also jet ski, sail, bicycle, fish and take waterway tours. Walk, ride or dinghy to all Island attractions, Inns and restaurants. For more information, visit www.TilghmanMarina.com. ?

Alison Schafer •

You might not see them right away, but you sure can hear them. The teacher bellows, “Supermans!” and a bunch of people a quarter of his size giggle and reach out their arms. “Now, Hulk,” he rumbles, flexing his biceps, as several smaller pairs of arms Hulk out on the blacktop. “Batmaaaaans!” he sings, his rapt audience following every move.

A half block from busy Wisconsin Avenue, where the buses blow exhaust and the cab drivers honk, Hyde-Addison Elementary School is a vibrant, integral part of Georgetown life. This D.C. public school is a place of non-stop action—with 15 classrooms, a library, a cafeteria and a science lab—even after school. “For starters,” says Kara Sullivan, whose son Curtis is in Kindergarten at Hyde, “the strong sense of community is strengthened by seeing classmates, teachers, parents, and Hyde t-shirts as we walk around Georgetown. Where my elementary school had school buses lines up to swiftly take kids away from school at 3:15, there’s a lingering open play date for all kids after Hyde gets out.”

The social curriculum, in the playground, is just as important as what goes inside the school’s walls. Hyde operates on a philosophy that positive interaction is crucial to learning and that learning itself is not simply academic learning. One of the school’s tenets reads, “There is a set of social skills that kids need to be successful: cooperation, assertion, responsibility empathy and self-control.” The school’s physical layout and its meetings and rules are designed to encourage positive interaction—between students and teachers, parents and administrators. And, though it is not explicitly stated, between the school and its environment.

Hyde might once have been a place that drove parents to move out of Georgetown and ignored by those who could afford to send their children elsewhere. Now, Hyde pulls families into Georgetown. The price is right, the commute to school a pleasant stroll, the parents and kids proud of the place. “Georgetown often feels like a small town tucked in a big city,” says Dana Nerenberg, Hyde’s principal. She adds that the school benefits greatly from the community, from volunteers to partnerships.

A local school makes the big city seem manageable and, perhaps, not so scary. “One of the benefits of a neighborhood school is having other kids to play with after school and on weekends,” says Leslie Maysak, who has two boys at Hyde and a block-long commute. “As well as, for me as a parent, knowing the other families personally and having a network of people that can count on each other to pick up your child in a pinch or keep an eye on them for a few minutes,”

Hyde’s presence makes Georgetown about more than just shopping and (lack of) parking. Bob Tompkins’s son, Jack, is in first grade. “To really be a community,” he says, “you have to cover all the aspects of life. It is great that among all the other things Georgetown has to offer, it is a great place to raise a family.”

Ten years ago, there was zero buzz about Hyde. For some parents, sending a kid there was a radical move; few of their neighbors in Georgetown did. Many of the kids who grew up near Hyde were driven, or took the bus, up and out Wisconsin Avenue to private school. Now, Hyde is a strong and growing part of the life of the neighborhood. Enrollments are up, and interest in the school is high. With the PTA’s help, the school has bought iPads and intends to incorporate them into next year’s curriculum. The school is looking to expand its library and build a gym.
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Ari Post •

The city is known on the whole as a New England summer resort. It integrates the most desirable qualities of any leisure travel destination, with enough options and activities to accommodate any budget. While only a half-day’s drive or aerial puddle jump away from the Washington area, Newport, Rhode Island has a spirit all its own. Founded in 1638, it is enveloped in a rich and much-beloved history—and as our Georgetown House Tour approaches, it might be worth noting that Newport also has one of the highest concentrations of colonial homes in the nation. Further similar to Georgetown, Newport is very much a contemporary urban haven, proud of its history but residing in the cultural here-and-now.

Not too crowded, not too hot, and as friendly as a summer evening is long, Newport, Rhode Island is just the ticket for a Washingtonian weekend getaway or an enriching weeklong stay. On top of the usual, year-round attractions the city has to offer, there is an array of summer events and activities on the horizon, far enough away to plan ahead but close enough to start getting excited.

Newport Mainstays

Sailing and Boating

There are myriad choices when it comes to enjoying the famed waters off Newport. From canoes and kayak rentals, to charters, excursions, harbor tours, and even sailing school for the adventurous at heart, you can enjoy the rippling tide of Narragansett Bay in nearly any capacity.

Kayaking and canoeing offers visitors the opportunity to pursue the waters, coastlines and hidden waterways of Newport intimately and at their own pace. Explore the islands and wildlife of Bluebell Cove, watch ospreys dive for fish along the Westport River, take in the waterfront homes of historic Bristol, or see the yachts of Newport Harbor.

If you want to rent a boat or charter, the horizons open even further. Dozens of destinations are easy cruises in the Bay’s protected waters—only a couple of gallons of fuel if you’re motoring, and gentle breezes if you’re hoisting the main and fore. Want to be where all the urban action is? Stay in Newport Harbor. Itching for a day of fun boutiques? Sail west over to Wickford Village. Need some peace and quiet? Drop anchor for a day or two off Jamestown. Want to visit the America’s Cup Hall of Fame? Tie a bowline to the docks in Bristol Harbor.

International Tennis Hall of Fame

If you revere the racket, this is the place for you. The Tennis Hall of Fame, at the Newport Casino, was founded in 1954 by tennis innovator James Van Alen (among other major contributions to the game, Alen invented the standard tiebreaker system used in regulation tennis matches today). It was host the first U.S. National Championships in 1881. In 1997, the complex and museum were restored to their original splendor with the completion of a five-year, $7.5 million renovation and endowment project.

The Museum’s galleries chronicle the rich history of tennis through interactive exhibits and videos, as well as showcasing popular memorabilia from historic champions and the superstars of today. Dramatically set in the original clubrooms of the Casino, the style, class and good nature of this gentleman’s sport comes vibrantly to life at the museum.

Rosecliff Mansion: the “Great Gatsby” House

There are endless mansion and historic home tours to take on in your visit to Newport. A standout among them, however, is Rosecliff Mansion. Commissioned by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1899, architect Stanford White modeled Rosecliff after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat at Versailles. After the house was completed in 1902, at a reported cost of $2.5 million, Mrs. Oelrichs hosted extravagant parties in its grand and cavernous hall, including a fairy tale dinner and a party featuring famed magician Harry Houdini.

Rosecliff is now preserved through the generosity of its last private owners, who gave the house, its furnishings, and an endowment in 1971 to the Preservation Society of Newport County, who maintains many of the areas tour-friendly historic mansion properties. The house has something of a Hollywood resume, having played the lavish home to Robert Redford’s Jay Gatsby in the 1974 film, as well as “True Lies,” Steven Spielberg’s “Amistad” and most recently “27 Dresses” starring Katherine Heigl.

The mansion is also a host to the annual Newport Mansions Food & Wine Festival, where guests can eat and drink like true 1920s flappers. For more information on that, keep reading!

Upcoming Festivals and Events

The Great Chowder Cook-Off
June 2

On Saturday, June 2, 2012, the Great Chowder Cook-Off kicks off summer in New England. Be a part of the original, largest, and longest running chowder championship in America, and try a wide spread from national to regional competitors. Festival-goers will taste-test a myriad of traditional and exotic chowders from kitchens across the country, then vote for the best in three categories: clam, seafood and creative. For more information visit NewportWaterfrontEvents.com.

Newport Antiques Show
July 27 – 29

Celebrating its sixth year, the Newport Antiques Show has become a seminal event for antique lovers across the country. Over forty of the industry’s finest dealers will showcase the best antiques the world has to offer to over 2,500 visitors at the Stephen P. Cabot and Archer Harman Ice Center at St. George’s School in Middletown. The show’s 2012 Loan Exhibit will highlight fine and decorative arts from the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The exhibit will include New Bedford art such as scrimshaw and Pairpoint Glass along with work from artists such as William Bradford. For more information visit NewportAntiquesShow.com

Newport Jazz Festival
Aug. 3 – 5

Founded in 1954, the Newport Jazz Festival was the first annual jazz festival in America. It has been host to numerous legendary performances and historic moments since its inception, including performances by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane Miles Davis, and a career-reviving performance by Duke Ellington in 1958. Referred to as the grandfather of all jazz festivals, the event draws thousands of people from all over the world. Highlight performances this year include Bill Frisell playing the John Lennon songbook, vocalist Diane Reeves, and legendary drummer Jack DeJohnette’s 70th birthday performance. For more information visit NewportJazzFest.net

Newport International Boat Show
Sept. 13 – 16

The 42nd Annual Newport International Boat Show will feature new sailboats and powerboats, and thousands of products and services from exhibitors worldwide, showcasing the latest innovations and trends in seafaring technology. Boating has never been more exciting; whether it’s an evening harbor cruise, a fun-filled day of fishing or an extended cruise on a yacht with all the luxuries you can imagine. Come discover the many new products, programs and opportunities on the oceanic horizon. For more information visit NewportBoatShow.com

Newport Mansions Food & Wine Festival
Sept. 21 – 23

This festival, devoted to the joys of gastronomy, has quickly become one of the most anticipated food and wine events in the country. Rosecliff mansion and Marble House will host more than 100 of the world’s finest vintners and more than two dozen of New England’s finest restaurants and caterers for a three-day epicurean adventure. This year, world-renowned French chef Jacques Pépin, along with his daughter, Claudine—who has partnered with him on three of his James Beard Award-winning public television programs—will host a cooking demonstration and book signing. Form more information visit www.NewportMansions.org

Georgetowner •

AIA of DC 125th Anniversary Party

November 2nd, 2012 at 06:30 PM | cdenby@markitectureconsulting.com | Tel: 703-665-1311 | Event Website

Attendees to the Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects will have the opportunity to explore the District Architecture Center, win door prizes, toast the Recognition Award Winners, and enjoy custom made cocktails. All proceeds will fund AIA DC’s educational and public service programming.

Address

District Architecture Center 421 7th Street NW Washington DC 20004

Montpelier Hunt Races

November 3rd, 2012 at 12:30 PM | Begin at $15.00 | education@montpelier.org | Tel: (540) 672-2728 | Event Website

Experience the thrill of steeplechase horse racing at the 78th running of the Montpelier Hunt Races on the historic grounds of James Madison’s Montpelier.

Montpelier Hunt Races always hosts seven races. The first race post time is 12:30 PM and the last race usually begins between 4:30 and 4:45PM.

Address

James Madison’s Montpelier, Orange, VA

The Bayou: DC’s Killer Joint

November 3rd, 2012 at 07:00 PM | Adult $12 Senoir $10 | Event Website

World Premiere. The Bayou Documentary, directed by David Lilling, chronicles the club’s unlikely rise, changing faces, jaunty anecdotes, gaudy on- and off-stage high jinks and mystical allure. The 13-year project culls nearly 100 hours of interviews with prominent performers, impresarios, employees and patrons, and exclusive musical footage in a playful, poignant and revealing homage to a musical icon.

Address

The Center Stage at Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA 20191

Atheist’s Paradise

November 3rd, 2012 at 08:00 PM | $15.35 | UniversePlayers2@aol.com | Tel: (202) 355-6330 | Event Website

With performances from November 3rd through November 25th, the play follows the story of “Doc” Johnson, a philosophy professor and football coach who dedicates most of his time to teaching critical thought. Conflict ensues when a new college president pressures “Doc” to create a winning football team and scale back his teachings. Along the way, “Doc” mentors students Sheila and Bob, who both come to his defense when his role at the college is jeopardized.

Address

Melton Rehearsal Hall, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

641 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20004

American Girl Fashion Show

November 4th, 2012 at 11:00 AM | $55-75 | communications@youreyes.org | Tel: 202-234-1010 | Event Website

Presented by the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington. Fundraising event perfect for families. Fun and entertainment for everyone. For more information, or to buy tickets, visit www.youreyes.org.

Address

9600 Newbridge Drive, Potomac, MD 20854

Washington Bach Consort presents “The Virtuoso Bach” featuring Elizabeth Futral

November 4th, 2012 at 03:00 PM | Tickets $23-$65, Students 18 and younger $10, Pay Your Age 18-38 | contact@bachconsort.org | Tel: 202.429.2121 | Event Website](http://www.bachconsort.org/index.php)

Bach famously wrote that music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible delights of the soul. Allow your soul an afternoon of delight with an all-Bach program featuring some of the master’s most virtuosic and challenging writing for solo singers and instrumentalists. Concertmaster Andrew Fouts and guest soprano Elizabeth Futral, who performs two of Bach’s most brilliant Cantatas for solo soprano, join other supurb performers in this showcase of musical treasures.

Address

National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Avenue, NW

Freshfarm Markets 2012 Farmland Feast

November 12th, 2012 at 05:00 PM | $250 and up | Tel: 202.362.888 | [Event Website](https://freshfarmmarkets.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/FRESHFARMMarkets2012FarmlandFeast/tabid/349514/Default.aspx)

10th annual Farmland Feast showcases our Chesapeake Bay farmers and producers. Local chefs will prepare a spectacular six-course anniversary dinner with local food and local wine pairings. Our mission driven, selective auction takes place during the seasonal cocktail hour; a live auction is held during the dinner. This benefit is a prominent part of the local-food movement in the Washington, DC area, and was named “the locavore party of the year” by DC magazine in 2010.

Registration closes: Friday, November 09, 2012.

Address

The Ritz-Carlton, 1150 22nd St NW

Georgetowner • October 31, 2012

Napoleon Bistro Celebrates National Champagne Day

October 26th, 2012 at 09:00 PM | Event Website

A Champagne Flight will be offered from 9pm-11pm highlighting non-vintage, rose, and brut champagnes. Champagne cocktails will be offered at half-price throughout the evening. Napoleon’s Last Tango Crepe will be paired with a champagne for $20.

Address

1847 Columbia Road NW Washington DC 20009

Everard’s Clothing | All-American Trunk Show

October 26th, 2012 at 09:00 AM | Free Admission! | admin@otimwilliams.com | Tel: 202-298-7464 | Event Website

Enjoy cocktails while perusing through the latest Fall collections from featured American designers Hickey Freeman and Allen Edmonds.

Address

1802 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, DC 20007

Thanksgiving Voilà! Hallah Baking Demo & Tasting at Rodman’s

October 26th, 2012 at 12:00 PM | Free! | info@tribesadozen.com | Tel: (202) 684-8256 | Event Website

Join Leah Hadad, owner of Tribes-A-Dozen, as she demonstrates the art of baking Voilà! Hallah Egg Bread Mixes. As a special treat for Thanksgiving, you will have the opportunity to taste Leah’s sweet Cranberry-Almond Hallah and savory mushroom pastry roll.

A woman-owned DC based company, Tribes-A-Dozen offers a unique line of all-natural, kosher certified (OU) hallah bread mixes in three varieties: Traditional, Wholey Wheat, and Simply Spelt.

12pm – 4pm

“Break Bread, Not Tradition”
Address

Rodman’s Tenleytown; 5100 Wisconsin Avenue NW

The Smithsonian Craft2Wear Show

October 27th, 2012 at 10:00 AM | $5 | Sfawcett46@gmail.com | Tel: 888.832.9554 | Event Website

The Smithsonian Craft2Wear show will take place the weekend of Oct. 26-28 at the National Building Museum. Representing the finest of American wearable-craft artists, all 45 exhibitors have been juried into previous Smithsonian Craft Shows.

Address

National Building Museum; 401 F Street, NW

Middleburg Scavenger Hunt

October 27th, 2012 at 10:00 AM | registration for the Scavenger Hunt is free | Tel: 540-687-8888 | Event Website

Scavenger Hunt participants must be 21 years of age or older. Visit wine tastings, shops, art galleries, libraries, restaurants and local historians to help answer the Scavenger Hunt questions. The participant with a correctly completed card, will receive the grand prize of a Middleburg Gift Basket containing a certificate for an overnight stay at the Middleburg Country Inn, local goods and coupons worth over $1,000.

Address

Pink Box; 12 North Madison St; Middleburg, VA

Halloween in Georgetown

October 27th, 2012 at 08:00 PM | Free | Tel: 703-271-7700 | Event Website

Please join us as actors from The Georgetown Theatre Company communicate with the spirits and read a witches’ brew of poems and short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, including The Cask of Amontillado, The Raven, Annabel Lee and others.

We also guarantee a “supernatural” surprise!

A Horrors d’oeuvre Reception will follow the reading with goodies and coffee.

A $10 donation to The Georgetown Theatre Company is requested.

Address

Grace Church Georgetown; 1041 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (One block south of M Street)

Halloween Bike Party

October 27th, 2012 at 09:00 PM | dcbikeparty@gmail.com

Grab a costume and your bike to be a part of the DC Bike Party. Everyone will meet at the Dupont Circle Fountain and leave at 9pm. There will be a stop at Oak Hill Cemetery, heading down Pennsylvania Avenue to Chinatown. Then the group will head to Duffy’s Irish Pub.

Address

Dupont Circle Fountain

The Ripple Effect Artist Talk

October 27th, 2012 at 02:00 PM | Tel: 202-458-6016 | Event Website

Join Ripple Effect curator Raquel de Anda as well as a few of the artists from the exhibit for a discussion about the exhibit and possible social implications from art and art projects such as those seen in Ripple Effect.

Address

Art Museum of the Americas; 201 18th Street NW

Family Festival at the Marine Corps Marathon

October 28th, 2012 at 09:30 AM | Free | JStinnett@scottcircle.com | Event Website

Watch your runners while your kids have a ball at miles 22 and 23 of the Marine Corps Marathon Course in Crystal City. Kids will enjoy arts and crafts with the National Children’s Musuem, face painting, moon bounces, balloon animals, obstacle courses, circus activities and more!

Address

241 18th Street, Arlington, VA, 22202.

Music of Heaven and Earth

October 28th, 2012 at 05:00 PM | $20 | ChurchOffice@uccdc.org | Tel: 202-628-4317 | Event Website

The Thomas Circle Singers’ “Music of Heaven and Earth” explores scenes of heaven and earth through a diverse program of music in a variety of languages. Highlights include Blake Henson’s The Good Fence, Alice Parker’s An American Kedushah, and Lee Hoiby’s Last Letter Home.

Address

First Congregational United Church of Christ; 945 G St, NW (10th and G Street NW — Metro Center)

Georgetowner • October 22, 2012

2nd Annual “Get Hitched in Georgetown” Competition

October 18th, 2012 at 06:00 PM | FREE | Event Website

Georgetown BID is organizing Get Hitched in Georgetown, where on October 18, 75 engaged couples will compete for the ultimate wedding prize package valued at over $10,000…A few highlights include a wedding gown from Hitched, stationery from The Dandelion Patch and Haute Papier, a day at the spa at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown and much more!

Address

Grace Church (lawn); 1041 Wisconsin Ave. NW

Victor Horta and Brussels Exhibit

October 19th, 2012 at 06:30 PM | Free | Tel: 571.312.1237 | Event Website

The SIGAL Gallery will hold a free opening ceremony for their new exhibit The Cradle of Art Nouveau: Victor Horta and Brussels. The exhibit will be staged in French, Dutch, English and German.

Register for the event at aiadc.com.

Address

The SIGAL Gallery at the District Architecture Center; 2012 AIA|DC 421 7th Street NW

Making Strides DC

October 20th, 2012 at 10:00 AM | Donations Requested | Event Website

Join the American Cancer Society for the 9th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer DC 5K walk at 10am Saturday, October 20, starting at the Sylvan Theatre on the National Mall. Since 1993 Strides events nationwide have raised $460 million to fight breast cancer. And the American Cancer Society spends more money on breast cancer research than any other cancer type. Half of American women diagnosed with breast cancer turn to the American Cancer Society for help. Be the change. Make Strides.

Address

15th Street and Independence Avenue SW

Oatlands Participates in the Loudoun County Fall Color Tour

October 20th, 2012 at 10:00 AM | Tel: 703-777-3174 | Event Website

Explore the historic grounds of Oatlands during the Loudoun County Fall Color Tour. Visitors can walk the grounds, visit the historic Carriage House and learn about vintage carriages and farm equipment on display. Ayrshire Farm in Upperville, Va., will also exhibit their heritage breed farm animals under the trees at Oatlands. Additional paid activities, such as tours of the house and garden, are available for guests.

Address

Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Ln., Leesburg, VA

Yoga for Homeless

October 20th, 2012 at 01:00 PM | $30 adult (26 and over); $20 youth | Tel: 202.338.8301 | Event Website

in conjunction with Fannie Mae’s Help the Homeless program, Georgetown Ministry Center will host a yogathon to benefit homelessness. Multiple sessions with local instructors will be featured, and yoga mats will be provided.

Address

Grace Church; 1041 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

Where to Start: Site Analysis and Design Thinking for Public Art

October 21st, 2012 at 02:00 PM | Free | info@wpadc.org | Event Website interested in sharpening their skills preparing for public art commissions.

RSVP by Thursday, October 19 to Christopher Cunetto at ccunetto@wpadc.org. Seating is limited.

Address

National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001