Latest Events in Washington D.C.(April Updated)

Foreign policy during the Cold War served as a model for the US for decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but recent years have shown increased dissatisfaction with US international leadership and alliance management—whether you look at Obama's reduction in US commitment to NATO, Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan, or Trump's sharp breaks with NATO and challenges to international trade. Is international leadership no longer central to US security and prosperity? Or do the costs of leadership simply exceed the benefits? Does the US need to reduce its international role and commitments, or is this reduced international footprint a mistake? Join us for a talk with Frank Lavin (SAIS '90), where he will explore this question and other aspects of US foreign policy! About the Speaker Lavin served in the Reagan White House and National Security Council, the Bush 41 Commerce Department, and in the Bush 43 Administration, he served as US Ambassador to Singapore and Undersecretary for International Trade at the US Department of Commerce. In addition to his SAIS degree, he holds degrees from Georgetown (BScFS and MA Chinese) and Penn (MBA Finance). He discusses Cold War foreign policy in his latest book, Inside the Reagan White House . Information Source: Johns Hopkins SAIS Foreign Policy Institute (FPI) | eventbrite

Talk-O-Tuesday | Special Pop Up Event This special Talk-O-Tuesday is being held in our nation's capital, and has been curated for BIPOC gay/bi/trans men and male-identifying persons. A fun and engaging experience, ToT helps foster community, encourage thoughtful dialogue, while providing a safe and supportive space to express one's self. Whether you're seeking to network, forge new friendships, or be a part of lively and meaningful discussions, Talk-O-Tuesday will leave you feeling more connected and understood. *Please note that pre-registration is required for every attendee. Information Source: Tony Ferocious | eventbrite

Please bring your ID! Information Source: School of International Service | eventbrite

Information Source: Strength Through Strides | eventbrite

So Kids SOAR 2025 Adaptive Soccer with D.C. United and DPR. So Kids SOAR (SKS) will hold an adaptive soccer clinic for children with physical or developmental disabilities. Thank you to our supporting partners: DC Scores, DC Soccer Club, and Kevin Brown & Washington Blind Hockey. General Information: Who: The clinic is open to children from 4 - 30 with differing abilities(every child will be able to participate in specialized drills). No previous soccer experience is required. Instructors, coaches, and equipment will be provided for all participants. You simply need to show up, SKS, our sponsors and our volunteers will take care of the rest. VOLUNTEERS: Must be at least 15 years of age or older. We are looking for both skilled volunteers and general volunteers who do not need any prior experience. ALL VOLUNTEERS will need to go through a review of our regulations documents and a mandatory volunteer briefing call upon registration. PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Please sign up as a parent if you will be attending with your participant, if you would like to volunteer WITH your child - please sign up as a VOLUNTEER! As a reminder, a parent/guardian must be on-site throughout the entire clinic. ORGANIZATIONS: Want to get your organization or company involved? Contact us at glenda@sokidssoar.org What: The event will take place from 5 - 7 PM EST and will consist of specialized drills for all participants. Children will be grouped and paired with trained volunteers and instructors who will guide them through a progression of drills and exercises. Light snacks will be provided for participants, volunteers and guardians. When: Wednesday April 30th from 5 -7 PM; registration will begin at 4:30 PM for volunteers and 4:45 for participants. Where: Deanwood Community Center, 1350 49th St NE, Washington, DC 20019-3955 By registering as a parent/guardian, participant, and/or volunteer ticket you are agreeing to our waiver and code of conduct. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at glenda@sokidssoar.org. So Kids SOAR (SKS) llevará a cabo una clínica de fútbol adaptativo para niños con discapacidades físicas o del desarrollo. Información general: Quién: La clínica está abierta a niños de 4 a 30 años y de TODAS LAS HABILIDADES (todos los niños podrán participar en simulacros especializados). No se requiere experiencia previa en fútbol. Se proporcionarán instructores, entrenadores y equipo a todos los participantes. Simplemente tienes que presentarte, SKS, nuestros patrocinadores y nuestros voluntarios se encargarán del resto. VOLUNTARIOS: Deben tener al menos 15 años de edad o más. Buscamos tanto voluntarios capacitados como voluntarios generales que no necesiten ninguna experiencia previa. TODOS LOS VOLUNTARIOS deberán pasar por una revisión de nuestros documentos reglamentarios y una llamada informativa obligatoria para voluntarios al registrarse. PADRES/TUTORES: Regístrese como padre si asistirá con su participante, si desea ser voluntario CON su hijo, ¡regístrese como VOLUNTARIO! Como recordatorio, un padre/tutor debe estar presente en toda la clínica. ORGANIZACIONES: ¿Quiere involucrar a su organización o empresa? Contáctenos en glenda@sokidssoar.org Qué: El evento se llevará a cabo de 5 a 7 p. m. EST y consistirá en ejercicios especializados para todos los participantes. Los niños serán agrupados y emparejados con voluntarios e instructores capacitados que los guiarán a través de una progresión de simulacros y ejercicios. Se proporcionarán refrigerios ligeros a los participantes, voluntarios y tutores. Cuándo: Miercoles 30 de abril de 5 a 7 p. m.; La inscripción comenzará a las 4:30 p. m. para voluntarios y a las 4:45 p. m. para participantes. Dónde: Deanwood Community Center, 1350 49th St NE, Washington, DC 20019-3955 Al registrarse como padre/tutor, participante y/o boleto voluntario, usted acepta nuestra exención. Thank you to our partners and sponsors for making this event possible: D.C. United, Department of Parks & Recreation, and DC Soccer Club About D.C. UNITED: One of the founding clubs of Major League Soccer in 1996, D.C. United is among the most decorated teams in the United States with 13 domestic and international trophies. D.C. United has called the District home for the last 29 seasons and plays their home games at Audi Field in the Buzzard Point neighborhood of Southwest, Washington, D.C, which opened in 2018. The Black-and-Red are committed to improving the quality of life for individuals and kids in the DMV through service and leadership. Using soccer as its platform, D.C. United strives to build stronger communities by partnering with local nonprofit organizations and forging the path to inspire and drive positive impact. Our three community values are Empowerment, Opportunity and Service. For more information and club updates, please visit www.dcunited.com and find us on social media @dcunited. About DC Soccer Club: DC Soccer Club is a youth soccer club in Washington, DC, with a long history and strong ties to the community, bringing people together through the love of soccer. We offer a variety of comprehensive programs for different levels of soccer training, education, and competition. Beyond teaching players technical soccer skills, our philosophy is to develop our players as a whole; we strive to help our players grow as well-rounded people with respect, dedication, and good sportsmanship. We are committed to making soccer accessible to all youth players in the Washington, DC area, regardless of background or athletic ability. We are a registered non-profit that provides between $150,000-250,000 per year in financial assistance to players who need it most. Learn more here: https://www.dcsoccerclub.org/ Information Source: So Kids SOAR (Formerly Dreams For Kids DC) | eventbrite

Indulge in a fun-filled evening feasting on exquisite artisanal chocolates and truffles masterfully paired with cava, red, and white wine from Spain for a match made in heaven! Whether you come on your own or with friends, indulge in a delectable feast to please your palate as you make new friends at our intimate chocolate studio! Start your evening with a refreshing glass of Cava to cleanse your palate, then sample through a selection of white and red wines, while learning how different grape varietals and winemaker’s choices affect the wine in your glass. This knowledge will help you choose your next bottle of fine wine! A professional sommelier and local importer of fine wines from Tradewinds Specialty promises to show off how easy it is to understand and appreciate Spanish wine. The evening would not be complete without the pairing of The Chocolate House's masterful selection of premium fine chocolates for tasting, as well as 3 world class chocolate truffles made by international chocolatiers. Our chocolate tastings frequently sell out well in advance as space is limited. Please reserve your tickets now. As you indulge in the finest chocolate from around the world, you will learn about the fine art of chocolate tasting as well as how chocolate is produced. After your visit, you will know more than you thought you could have about both chocolate and wine! Kindly note that the evening is presented as a chocolate and wine tasting reception and not as a seated event. Sample Exquisite Chocolates The Chocolate House offers a curated collection of unique chocolate bars and confections from artisan chocolate makers and chocolatiers across the globe. At each event, we feature a handpicked selection of 10 distinct chocolate samples, showcasing a variety of cocoa percentages, bean origins, flavor profiles, and seasonal specialties. To elevate your experience, we also include three exquisite truffles for your indulgence. Please note that the chocolate tasting menu is subject to change as we continue to refine the event to make your experience even more memorable! Valrhona Dulcey 32%: A unique take on white chocolate: this white chocolate is lightly caramelized to bring out notes of butterscotch and toffee. Eclat Chocolate - Porcini & Thyme: Earthy, woodsy porcini mushrooms with white chocolate bldned with milk chocolate infused with bright, astringent thyme. Fruition Chocolate Sweet Corn & Black Currant: Rich white chocolate blended with sweet corn kernels and topped with dried black currants. Askanya 60%: The first single orogin dark chocolate made in Haiti with beans from Haiti. Licorice aroma develops into a fudgy chocolate bar with notes of roasted nuts and coffee. Original Beans Beni Wild Harvest 66%: Beans from wild cacao trees in Beni Amazon, Bolivia. Hints of floral honey, apricot and jasmine tea. La Naya Strawberries Cinnamon & chile: 65% dark chocolate blended smoothly with freeze dried strawberries, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Felchlin Arriba 72%: Single origin swiss made chocolate from the “Nacional” variety of cacao from the Esmereldas region of Ecuador. El Ceibo 75% Heritage Limited Edition: An elegant chocolate made with wild growing beans from the Covendo region of Bolivia. Notes of molasses, coffee, and fermented fruit. Element’s Chocolate Sea Salt & Turmeric: Ayurveda inspired chocolate made with Peruvian cacao, raw honey, turmeric, and Himalayan sea salt. Akesson’s Madagascar 100%: Pure cacao from Criollo Madagascan cacao beans grown on the Akesson’s plantation. No sugar or added flavors. Plus 3 Exquisite Truffles for your Indulgence: Fleur de Sel Caramel by J. Chocolatier Feuilletine Gianduja by Ewald Notter Raspberry by Christopher Elbow Chocolates Wines to Complement Your chocolate Tastings ~ A match made in heaven! Please note that the wine selections are subject to change. Cava: A sparkling wine made only in Spain following the traditional (Champenois) method of production. The wine will serve as the perfect palate cleanser prior to indulging in the many scrumptious flavors to come! Produced by a woman-owned winery, this dry cava is made with a traditional blend of white grapes and is laced with fresh nuances of almond, brioche, summer melon and candied ginger. Gran Cardiel Verdejo: A young white wine with intense herbal aromas associated with the varietal such as fennel, freshly cut grass, mixed with aromas of white fruit such as apple and pear and delicate tropical notes of mango and pineapple. Alexandro Oloroso Sherry: Showing off how versatile white wine can really be, depending on winemaker's final choices, Oloroso Sherry is a white wine that has been barrel-aged and fortified. A true surprise for the palate with savory flavors of maple, dried fruits, toasty walnut, and hints of tobacco. Equilibrio Monastrell Blend: A medium-bodied blend of Monastrell and Syrah with aromas of red berry, sweet black fruit and dates. The wine’s lively acidity brings magnificent balance. Equilibrio Monastrell 9: See how extended oak aging changes red wine with this full-bodied monovarietal Monastrell. Intensely aromatic with ripe red berries, cherry, and moutain herbs mingling with pleasantly sweet spices that envelope toasty hints caused by barrel aging. Information Source: International Club of DC Cultural Events | eventbrite

Are you concerned about Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), or “drone” threats? Are you interested in understanding what your organization can do to protect your facility, assets, and people within the boundaries of federal law? If so, we have the expert insights for you! Brandon Youngblood, former FAA manager of the UAS Security and C-UAS Coordination office and co-founder and CEO of Drone Security Services, in conversation with Cobec's CEO Hisham Jalil, will be giving an in-depth overview of C-UAS law and what drone protection strategies can be implemented now to secure your equities. Brandon will be breaking down complex issues and providing real-time answers to any questions you and your organization may have on this incredibly fast-evolving security topic. Join Cobec and Drone Security Services for our exclusive UAS Security and C-UAS Implementation FAQ: Answers from an Industry Expert and Happy Hour on April 30th, at 4:00 PM, (doors at 3:30), in the Cobec Café. As with any important security topic discussion, we will of course be providing food and drinks! What is a security discussion without a beer in your hand, anyways? Spots for the event are filling fast! Visit our website and register for $199 today Information Source: Cobec, Inc. | eventbrite

The 7th edition of the French-American Business Summit will take place in Washington, D.C., in the elegant and exclusive setting of the French Embassy, on Thursday, May 1 at the Maison Française. An exclusive reception at the French Ambassador's Residence on the evening of April 30 is also organized for the event's sponsors, speakers and attendees. This B2B event is organized – under the High Patronage of the Ambassador of France to the United States – by the French-American Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., whose mission is to advance fruitful business relationships for its members and support bilateral trade. April 30, 2025, 6pm Speakers, Sponsors and Guests Champagne Reception at the French Ambassador's Residence Only available to speakers, sponsors and attendees of the Summit. Not available separately. May 1, 2025, all day French American Business Summit Productivity and Attractiveness on Both Sides of the Atlantic One Day Business, Cultural & Networking Event at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. L'Expo: A French-American Exhibition French and American companies, institutions and organizations will showcase their products and/or services to a public of international professionals, meet potential clients and partners, network and take advantage of the presence of renowned experts. Productivity and Attractivity on Both Sides of the Atlantic This Year the French American Business Summit will focus on " Productivity and Attractiveness on Both Sides of the Atlantic " in all sectors of activity. Format: TED-style Talk • Prestigious Keynote Speakers • Presentations by Amazing French and American Companies • Panels • Networking Sessions • Workshops • Breakfast/lunch will be available Become a Sponsor Combining inspirational keynote speakers, engaging networking events and a valuable showcase of top French and American companies and organizations, this 7th French-American Business Summit in Washington, D.C. is a unique opportunity for exhibitors and sponsors to increase their visibility and grow their business while benefiting from the exceptional “Maison Française” located within the French Embassy. The French-American Chamber of Commerce The Economic Relationship Between France and the U.S. No Refunds Information Source: French-American Chamber of Commerce | eventbrite

Join the DC Coalition to End Sexual Violence for a special Happy Hour sponsored by and located at Hotel Zena, on April 30th from 5:30–7:30 PM in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Enjoy our signature cocktail, light bites, and great conversation as we come together to support survivors and strengthen our community. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, unwind, and advocate for change in a welcoming and empowering space. Don't forget to wear your denim for Denim Day. See you there! Information Source: DC Coalition to End Sexual Violence | eventbrite

Welcome to Doll P's Wicked Wednesday Rooftop Mixer ! Join us for a night of fun at 1901 9th St NW . Get ready for a wicked good time with great music, delicious drinks, and awesome company. Let's mingle, dance, and enjoy the city views together. Don't miss out on this epic event - mark your calendars now! See you there! Information Source: We Outside w/ Doll P | eventbrite

Champagne & Oysters Fundraiser for Eliana's Light at Italian Bar: 6:30-7:30pm time slot Come join us at the Italian Bar for a delightful evening of champagne and oysters. We'll be coming together in community to raise funds for Eliana's Light , a local non-profit that supports families with children who have complex and serious illnesses. You'll have the opportunity to learn from a sommelier and a mermellier while you connect with and help others. The event has 3 time slots. This registration is for the 6 :30pm to 7:30pm time slot. Space is limited. See you there! Information Source: Eliana's Light | eventbrite

Champagne & Oysters Fundraiser for Eliana's Light at Italian Bar: 7:30-8:30pm time slot Come join us at the Italian Bar for a delightful evening of champagne and oysters, all for a good cause! We'll be raising funds for Eliana's Light , a local non-profit that supports DC, MD, and VA families that include children who have complex and serious illnesses. 100% of donations will go to families in significant financial need. You can make a real difference for them, and you'll have the opportunity to learn from a sommelier and a mermmelier. This registration is for the 7:30-8:30pm time slot. Hope to see you there! Information Source: Eliana's Light | eventbrite

Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion, examining the trajectory and consequences of U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration. Our panel of experts will explore key themes such as global security, trade relations, geopolitical shifts, human rights, and anti-corruption efforts. The conversation will unpack how recent policy decisions impacted foreign aid, including agency restructurings and aid suspensions, and reflect on the ethical implications for international partnerships and U.S. global leadership. The discussion will be followed by an interactive Q&A session, offering a chance to engage directly with the panelists. Appetizers and beverages will be provided. Information Source: New York Center for Foreign Policy Affairs | eventbrite

The Elliott School Book Launch Series, Illiberalism Studies Program, and Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies are pleased to present the book launch for Ideology and Meaning Making Under the Putin Regime . About the Event 12PM - Opening Remarks Alyssa Ayres, Dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs 12:05PM - Book Talk Marlene Laruelle, Research Professor of International Affairs and Political Science, Director of the Illiberalism Studies Program, Elliott School of International Affairs 12:15PM - Discussant Remarks Maria Snegovaya, Senior Fellow, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program, CSIS Julian G. Waller, Research Analyst, Center for Naval Analyses, Professorial Lecturer, The George Washington University. 12:35PM - Q&A This will be a hybrid event. Guests are welcome to join us at 1957 E St at the Elliott School of International Affairs or online via Zoom. Please register for more information on accessing the event online. The event is open to the media and public and it will be recorded. Lunch will be provided. About the Book Much has been written to try to understand the ideological characteristics of the current Russian government, as well as what is happening inside the mind of Vladimir Putin. Refusing pundits' clichés that depict the Russian regime as either a cynical kleptocracy or the product of Putin's grand Machiavellian designs, Ideology and Meaning-Making under the Putin Regime offers a critical genealogy of ideology in Russia today. Marlene Laruelle provides an innovative, multi-method analysis of the Russian regime's ideological production process and the ways it is operationalized in both domestic and foreign policies. Ideology and Meaning-Making under the Putin Regime reclaims the study of ideology as an unavoidable component of the tools we use to render the world intelligible and represents a significant contribution to the scholarly debate on the interaction between ideas and policy decisions. By placing the current Russian regime into a broader context of different strains of strategic culture, ideological interest groups, and intellectual history, this book gives readers key insights into how the Russo-Ukrainian War became possible and the role ideology played in enabling it. About the Speakers Marlene Laruelle is Research Professor of International Affairs and Political Science and Director of the Illiberalism Studies Program at the George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs. Laruelle works on the rise of populist and illiberal movements in post-Soviet Eurasia, Europe and the US. She is the former Director of the Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies (IERES) and of the Central Asia Program (CAP). Maria Snegovaya is a Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia with the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and an Adjunct Professor in Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service. She studies Russia’s domestic and foreign policy, as well as democratic backsliding in post-communist Europe and the tactics used by Russian actors and proxies who exploit these dynamics in the region. Her analysis has been published in multiple policy and peer-reviewed journals. Her research and commentary have appeared in a number of publications such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Economist, and Foreign Policy. Throughout her career she has collaborated with multiple U.S. research centers and think tanks such as Center for a New American Security and Center for European Policy Analysis. Snegovaya holds a PhD in political science from Columbia University. Julian Waller is a Research Analyst in the Russia Studies Program at the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA Corporation) and a Professorial Lecturer in Political Science at George Washington University. His research focuses on the politics of authoritarian rule, elite strategic decision-making, civil-military relations, political-military affairs, and ideological illiberalism in post-Soviet Eurasia, Europe, and elsewhere. His academic research has been published widely, including in Communist and Post-Communist Studies, the Journal of Advanced Military Studies, Political Studies Review, and Problems of Post-Communism, and he has written for policy-oriented publications including as Foreign Affairs, War on the Rocks, the National Interest, and American Affairs. He holds a Ph.D in Political Science from George Washington University (2022). Information Source: Elliott School Book Launch Series | eventbrite

Information Source: Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club | eventbrite

Information Source: Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club | eventbrite

East City Bookshop welcomes Sophie Gilbert to discuss her book, Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves. Note on Format:This hybrid event will have both an in-person component with limited seating as well as a virtual broadcast via Zoom Webinar. Both in-person and virtual attendees will be able to pose questions to the author during audience Q&A. ABOUT GIRL ON GIRL FromAtlanticcritic and Pulitzer Prize finalist Sophie Gilbert, a blazing critique of early aughts pop culture What happened to feminism in the twenty-first century? This question feels increasingly urgent after a period of cultural and legislative backlash, when widespread uncertainty about the movement’s power, focus, and currency threatens decades of progress. Sophie Gilbert identifies an inflection point in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the energy of third-wave and “riot grrrl” feminism collapsed into a regressive period of hyper-objectification, sexualization, and infantilization. Gilbert mines the darker side of nostalgia, training her keen analytic eye on the most revealing cultural objects of the era, across music, film, television, fashion, tabloid journalism, and more. And what she recounts is harrowing, from the leering aesthetic of American Apparel ads and explicit music videos to a burgeoning internet culture vicious toward women in the spotlight and damaging for those who weren’t. Gilbert tracks many of the period’s dominant themes back to the explosion of internet porn, tracing its widespread influence as it began to pervade our collective consciousness. Gilbert paints a devastating picture of an era when a distinctly American confluence of excess, materialism, and power worship collided with the culture’s reactionary, puritanical, and chauvinistic currents. Amid a collective reconsideration of the way women are treated in public, Girl on Girl is a blistering indictment of the matrix of misogyny that undergirded the cultural production of the early twenty-first century, and how it continues to shape our world today. Sophie Gilbert is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she writes about television, books, and popular culture. She won the 2024 National Magazine Award for Reviews and Criticism and was a finalist for the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Criticism. She lives in London. Information Source: East City Bookshop | eventbrite

Nü Fam favorite DJ Shimza makes his DC return on Friday, May 2nd. In collaboration with Starlight Events, we are bringing the signature Afrotech sound of Shimza that gets the crowd grooving from London and Paris to Berlin and Amsterdam, Manchester, and now Washington DC. Join us as some of the best music coming out of Africa will be in full display at Culture on May 2nd!! No refunds 21+ Information Source: Nü Androids | eventbrite