Fundraiser

From emails:

SNOW GLOBE
January 16 – February 20, 2010

Live Ballet Performance:
January 16, 2010; 6-7pm
(Audience viewing outside Transformer’s storefront)

Opening Reception: January 16, 2010; 7 – 9pm

Transformer celebrates the new year with SNOW GLOBE, an artistic collaboration that transforms our storefront project space into a life-size, interactive, winter wonderland that audiences are invited to experience from both inside and outside. DC based artists Jessica Cebra and Zach Storm playfully incorporate painting, drawing, mixed media collage, and sculptural elements to create a winter-themed installation (the globe), with dancers from The Washington Ballet (the snow) performing a series of new pieces choreographed by Artistic Director Septime Webre.

For more information on SNOW GLOBE and other Transformer exhibitions and programs, please see our website: www.transformergallery.org, or contact us at 202.483.1102, or [email protected].

After the jump please see info about various Haiti Relief Fundraisers (more…)

From a reader:

“Dear PoP Community,

Metro DC Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG-DC) is hosting its 13th Annual Gala on April 10, 2010, and is looking for donated goods and services for the Silent Auction portion of the Gala.

What is PFLAG-DC? PFLAG-DC promotes the equality and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons, their families and friends through a variety of support, education and advocacy activities. PFLAG-DC is a non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization, not affiliated with any ethnic, religious, economic or political group. Metro-DC PFLAG is over 21 years old and has almost 1,000 members and supporters on its rolls. You can find out more about PFLAG-DC by visiting www.pflagdc.org.

The Gala, scheduled for April 10, 2010, raises a significant portion of the chapter’s budget. One way in which it raises this money is through the Silent Auction. Currently we are asking local businesses, local celebrities, artists, community/social organizations, and others to donate goods and services to the Silent Auction.

What happens during the Auction? What will I get from donating? The Silent Auction has two parts- the first part is an online version which will be marketed nationally beginning in March 2010. This online auction, viewed by hundreds of people will credit you with your donation. The second part is the onsite auction where all the items will be displayed, and Gala attendees will bid against the online bidders. Previous Galas have been attended by as many as 800 guests and family members from all over the Washington DC metropolitan area. From a marketing aspect, you will not only be able to access the lucrative GLBT market, but their straight family members and friends as well.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Photo from PoPville flickr user J Y W

From an email:

“Rally for DC Marriage Equality Announced on Eve of Final Council Vote

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, announced today it is joining the Campaign for All DC Families and DC Clergy United to co-host a rally in support of marriage equality in the District on Monday, December 14, 2009, at the Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 7th Street N.W.

On October 6, Councilmember David Catania introduced the “Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009.” After conducting two days of hearings, the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary marked up and approved the bill by a 4-1 vote on November 10. A first vote by the full Council took place December 1, passing by a vote of 11 to 2. The second (and final) vote will be the following day, Tuesday, December 15th.

WHAT: Rally for DC Marriage Equality

WHO: Campaign for All DC Families, DC Clergy United, co-hosted by the Human Rights Campaign

WHEN: Monday, December 14 starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.

HOW: To participate the day of the rally, go to the Kennedy Recreation Center at 1401 7th Street, Washington D.C.”

Also from an email:

THE ESPERANZA EDUCATION FUND INVITES YOU TO A BENEFIT CONCERT AT THE CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON

“On Thursday, December 17, one of the nation’s foremost young concert pianists, Elizabeth Joy Roe, will play a private concert for guests of the Esperanza Education Fund at the Carnegie Institution of Washington. Hailed as “brilliant” (The New York Times), “electrifying” (The Dallas Morning News), and “an artist to be taken seriously” (The Chicago Tribune), Elizabeth has appeared in concert halls in New York, Paris and Seoul–and on NPR, the BBC and MTV. The concert will be followed by an open bar champagne reception in the Carnegie’s rotunda with music by the Peach String Quartet.

For tickets & tax-deductible sponsorships, visit www.esperanzafund.org.

To read more about Ms. Roe, visit http://www.elizabethjoyroe.com/basics/bio.html.”

The Esperanza Education Fund, Inc. is a community-financed college scholarship for immigrant students in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. It is a tax-exempt public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Unlike other scholarships of its kind, the Esperanza Education Fund makes its awards without regard to ethnicity, national origin, or immigration status.

I first met Tim Dennis in August 2008 at the port of Vladivostok, Russia. I had just finished a month-long journey on the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Tim had spent the last several months driving his souped-up Toyota Landcruiser from Britain across Eastern Europe and Siberia on behalf of a charity called StreetKids International. Now he was trying to get to Japan to continue his journey. Between the two of us we were able to negotiate the paperwork to allow us to cross by ferry from Russia to Japan. I got to know Tim better while en route and extended him an open invitation to visit me in Washington, DC should he make it that far.

Now, 16 months later, after crossing the Pacific Ocean by ship, driving across Alaska, crossing the Arctic Circle, and transiting Canada, Tim has finally arrived in DC and taken me up on my offer of hospitality. The second part of his trip will be to the south, driving through North, Central, and South America, with Antarctica as a finish line. His home throughout this epic journey has been the same Toyota Landcruiser, now with over 300,000 miles on it.

Tim’s truck is truly a marvel of modern technology. It’s got an updated suspension system, an external air filter and compressor system, a roof rack, a Kevlar winch five times stronger than steel, and an ingenious fold-out tent on the roof. It also has a shower, a custom-fitted water heater, a rear cooking space, a backup fuel tank, a freezer, a refrigerator, four batteries, and a solar panel on the front hood, as well as dozens of other modifications and enhancements. The exterior is covered in decals from his sponsors and places he’s visited, as well as his mascot: an anthropomorphic rat named Dylan. Tim calls himself the “Rambling Rat.”

Tim was inspired to support StreetKids after seeing their label in a hat he bought. “The more I read about StreetKids, the more I realized that their projects matched some of my personal goals,” says Dennis, “So I decided to use my trip to raise awareness of their efforts.”

StreetKids supports underprivileged youth around the world by giving them training in business skills and health issues, so they can lead healthier and more successful lives. “Many youths supported through StreetKids have developed their own businesses, gotten off the streets, and even used the money they earn to go back to school,” says Dennis. (You can learn more about StreetKids on Tim’s website – www.RamblingRat.com)

Tim has also started his own projects while on his travels, including a youth skateboarding initiative in Canada. “Back in Britain,” says Dennis, “I had a home and my own business, but I didn’t feel like I was getting what I wanted out of life. Now that I’ve sold everything and am traveling to support these projects, I truly feel happier and freer than ever.”

For now, Tim’s enjoying his time in DC. “I really love this city,” he says, “I was surprised to see such lovely architecture and meet such warm, friendly people. Everyone I’ve met here is happy to listen to me talk about StreetKids. And the truck is definitely getting a lot of attention too!”

Here’s a couple of interesting events I received via email:

Cheap Art Sale
Benefit for Neighbors’ Consejo
Saturday, December 5
1-5pm
at La Casa (3166 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, DC)

On Saturday, December 5th the Cheap Art Sale will host local artists from across the city who will show and sell original works of art, donating half or more of all proceeds to the nonprofit Neighbors’ Consejo (www.neighborsconsejo.org).  All art will be priced at $100 or less.  The Cheap Art Sale is an opportunity for shoppers to purchase unique holiday gifts and one-of-a-kind items.  Participating artists include Leslie Andrus, Lely Constantinople, Mike Ferguson, Henry Gallucio, Sha Grogan-Brown, Kikapika Designs, Tom Legro, Vrinda Manglik, Vida Russell, Arelle Wood and others.  Works of art include photography, prints, screen printed clothing, jewelry, paintings, etc.

Hundreds of Young Poets Shine on Local Stage
Students Compete for the DC SCORES Poetry Slam! Golden Mic

WHAT: On consecutive nights, more than 300 of the District’s public elementary and middle school students will take the stage during the 12th annual citywide DC SCORES Poetry Slam! competition to vie for the coveted Golden Mic trophy. The Slam! showcases original works of poetry written and performed by students from the DC SCORES after-school program. During this event, a boy and a girl from each of our 23 schools will receive a new bicycle courtesty of Bicycle Stations for displaying leadership during the DC SCORES fall season.

WHEN & Wednesday, December 2, 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Columbia Heights Education Campus
3101 16th Street, NW Washington, DC (Metro: Columbia Heights)

Thursday, December 3, 6:00 p.m.
Kelly Miller Middle School
301 49th Street, NE Washington, DC (Metro: Benning Road)

DETAILS: The DC SCORES Poetry Slam!, free and open to the public, funnels the energy and creativity of youth into self-expression as a means of improving their literacy rates and raising their self-esteem.

DC SCORES is an affiliate of America SCORES, the nation’s largest after-school soccer and literacy program. For more information, please visit www.dcscores.org.

Bicycle Stations, located at 2204 14th St., NW, opened in September 2009 to motivate the DC community to make healthier decisions by commuting on bicycles. Bicycle Stations will have three locations by the end of 2010 and specializes in high-line commuter and road bikes.