FUN FOR FOODIES: Metropolitan Cooking and Entertainment Show (November 12-13, 2010)

Are you a food enthuiast ? Love to cook or entertain ? Then, the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show just might be the event for you. Taking place on Saturday, November 13th and Sunday, November 14th at the Washington Convention Center, it is the premiere consumer event in the nation for cooking and entertaining enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.



The show will feature more than 300 exhibitors, live cooking demonstrations by the D.C. area's hottest chefs, tasting and entertaining workshops, and presentations from Food Network celebrities Paula Deen, Bobby Flay and Rachael Ray.

Admission Costs ?
General admission is $20.00 which gives you access to free Tasting & Entertaining Workshops, access to the Cooking Stage featuring the DC area's hottest chefs, and more than 300 exhibitors selling and sampling specialty food and entertaining products.

Special Events !!!
The Celebrity Theater ticket comes with an assigned seat to see the celebrity of your choice live on the celebrity stage for one hour. Each celebrity theater ticket includes a complimentary general admission ticket which gives you access to free Tasting & Entertaining Workshops, access to the Cooking Stage featuring D.C.'s hottest chefs, and more than 300 exhibitors selling and sampling specialty food and entertaining products.

Other special events include presentations on "Savvy Holiday Entertaining", "Food & Wine Pairing Session", "Beer, Wine, and Spirits Pavilion", and Cocktails with Todd Thrasher.

PLEASE NOTE: With the exception of the Celebrity Theater Ticket, other special events tickets must be purchased separately. Please visit their official Schedule At A Glance for information on ticket pricing.

Visit their official website at http://dc2010.metrocooking.com/. See you there !

CONCERT ALERT: Sade Announces First Tour In Ten Years

via Billboard.com

Following the success of her last release, "Soldier of Love," which sold 1.3 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan, and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, Sade has announced her first tour in ten years.

The North American leg of the tour, produced by Live Nation, kicks off on June 16, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland, and wraps up on August 30 in Anaheim, California. In between, Sade will make stops at Uniondale, New York, East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, California.

Sade will perform songs from her extensive catalog including her chart-topping "Solider of Love" album. Tickets go on sale in select markets beginning October 16 at livenation.com, with additional dates to be announced soon.

Tour dates are as follows:

June 16, 2011: Baltimore, Maryland (1st Mariner Arena)
June 18, 2011: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Wells Fargo Center)
June 21, 2011: Uniondale, New York (Nassau Coliseum)
June 24, 2011: East Rutherford, New Jersey (Izod Center)
June 28, 2011: Toronto, Ontario (Air Canada Centre)
June 30, 2011: Montreal, Quebec (Bell Centre)
July 6, 2011: Boston, Massachusetts (TD Garden)
August 5, 2011: Chicago, Illinois (United Center)
August 19, 2011: Los Angeles, California (Staples Center)
August 30, 2011: Anaheim, California (Honda Center)

Get your tickets soon !

HOMECOMING ALERT: Arena Stage: The Mead Center for American Theater (October 23, 2010)

While many of us will enjoy the joys of the college homecoming circuit this Fall, one celebration you definitely shouldn't miss is the grand opening of the Arena Stage's Mead Center for American Theater.

Did You Know That....

• Arena Stage was one of the first not-for-profit theaters in the United States and was a pioneer of the regional theater movement.


• Arena was the first regional theater to transfer a production to Broadway when The Greate White Hope, which opened at Arena Stage in 1967 went on to Broadway with its original cast, including James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander.

After a 30-month architectural overhaul, the company will officially open to the public for the first time on Saturday, October 23. From 12pm-6pm, the Mead Center will be programmed with performances, events, demonstrations and lectures. The roster includes performances from Oklahoma!, Broadway and Tony Award-winning performers, back stage tours and community engagement programs. All events will be free and open to the public !!!

For an official listing of homecoming events, visit Arena Stage's official homecoming page. To purchase tickets, please click this link.

*PLEASE NOTE: Free general admission tickets are required to enter events in theater spaces. Tickets are available now. Limited tickets will be available for day-of release outside the Mead Center beginning at 10:00 a.m.

SPECIAL INVITATION: Join Me in Some "Gridiron Gab" (THIS SUNDAY via Twitter/Facebook)

Anyone that follows me via Twitter or Facebook knows that I'm an OFFICIAL member of Redskins Nation, and bleed burgundy and gold through and true. There was no other option in my household growing up......and if you even THOUGHT about cheering for that team in Texas, you would be disowned (lol).








Needless to say, my affinity for the game grew as I learned what the Xs and Os were, offense vs. defense, blitzes, pass rush, and everything in between.

Now that football season is in full swing, my Sundays OFFICIALLY belong to the NFL, the DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket, Yahoo! Fantasy Football, and ESPN's Pigskin Pickem' (lol). ARE YOU A FOOTBALL FANATIC LIKE I AM ? CAN'T ATTEND THE GAMES ? Join me this Sunday for the official kickoff of "Gridiron Gab", a forum for the ultimate football fan to cheer on their team, blow off some steam, heckle their division rivals, or for the novice looking to get a crash course in Football 101.

How will we chat ? Easy ! You can join us one of two ways:

1. For my Twitterlings, please tweet your commentary and questions, followed by the official hashtag #GridironGab. Make sure to follow yours truly by clicking on the football icon to the left of this posting.


2. If you're a member of FB Nation, a group page will be created for comments, questions, and friendly disputes (lol). Please indicate your interest in this group by sending a message to sassybloggin@gmail.com.
   *Stay tuned as we explore other networking avenues for interactive game time chats.

Simple right ? The forum will be open from 1:00pm (EST) until the conclusion of the last 4:00 game (EST).

SPREAD THE WORD ! GET YOUR POPCORN READY ! SEE YOU ON THE GRIDIRON :-) !

COMMITMENT TO CHARITY: Spotlight on National Domestic Violence Month

In thinking about how I wanted to diversify my blog, I wanted to connect all of the things that I was passionate about and as a result of my involvement with the Urban League, community service and charity are definitely at the top of my list.

October is dedicated to two issues that have affected in one way or another: breast cancer and domestic violence.

Did you know that.....

• One in four women will be the victim of domestic violence at some point during her life ?


• On average, three women are killed every day in the U.S. at the hands of a current or former intimate partner ?

In recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, there are two organized events/initiatives that you should definitely add to your PDA.

WHW Web Honors Jordan’s 8 Restaurant with “DC’s Top Spot” Award and Raises Funds for Women Empowered Against Violence October 13 at Jordan’s 8, Capitol Hill

WHW is pleased to partner with WEAVE (Women Empowered Against Violence) to raise awareness and funding for domestic abuse victims. A diverse group of professionals and entrepreneurs will converge over eclectic grooves, cocktails, and complimentary sushi as WHW Web hosts “Sushi Social”: an evening of elegance, excellence and purpose, on Wednesday, October 13 from 7pm to 9pm at Jordan’s 8 Restaurant in Capitol Hill.

WEAVE works closely with adult and teen survivors of relationship violence and abuse, providing an innovative range of legal, counseling, economic and educational services that leads survivors to utilize their inner and community resources, achieve safety for themselves and their children, and live empowered lives. Staff members of WEAVE will be at the event to share information about the organization and its services.


Half of all ticket sales will benefit WEAVE. Additionally, when attendees order a “What’s Hot Washington Apple”, Jordan’s 8 will donate half of the proceeds from the cocktail to WEAVE.

For more information on WHW, WEAVE, or Jordan's 8, please visit the official WHW website by clicking here. You can purchase tickets and/or RSVP for “Sushi Social” at http://sushisocial.eventbrite.com/.

Shop at Macy’s and Support the Family Violence Prevention Fund on October 16

Macy’s and the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) are teaming up during Domestic Violence Awareness Month for Shop for a Cause – a special one-day shopping event designed by Macy's for local non-profits to use as a fundraiser for their organizations. Each year, Macy's stores from acrsos the country open their doors to thousands of organizations participating in raising several million dollars in unrestricted revenue for local programs and this year Family Violence Prevention Fund is a national beneficiary!

Shoppers can buy a $5.00 savings pass from the FVPF and receive 20% (or 10%) savings* on almost all of their purchases, including regular, sale and clearance merchandise*, and 25%* off a single purchase on Saturday, October 16th.

Here's the deal:

• When you purchase a ticket from FVPF, one hundred percent of the ticket price benefits Family Violence Prevention Fund. If you choose to purchase a ticket in store on October 16th, a portion of the proceeds will also benefit FVPF.
  


• By purchasing a $5 shopping pass you are eligible to receive special savings on select merchandise throughout the store in addition to regular and sale merchandise specials. The October 16th, all day limited exclusion savings pass includes:
  
  **20% off* all sale & clearance and select regular-priced women’s, men’s and kids’ apparel and accessories, fine and fashion jewelry, frames, bed & bath items, housewares, luggage and china.
  
  **10%* off sale & clearance and select regular-priced furniture, mattresses and area rugs, electrics and electronics
  
  **25%* off any single regular, sale or clearance fashion item for the entire family including accessories; plus selections for your home.


• Customers will also be eligible to win a $500 gift card, no purchase necessary.

Shop for a Cause is an easy way to support the Family Violence Prevention Fund while gaining access to great shopping benefits! To purchase tickets, contact Sasanna Yee at 415-252-8900. For more information on this initiative or the Family Violence Prevention Fund, visit http://www.endabuse.org/content/features/detail/1590/.

*Some exclusions apply. Please see shopping pass for details.

Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself...

"Uh-Uhm (*clears throat*...)...is this thing on (*taps the mic*....) ???"



I'm baaaaack :-). Where have I been you ask ? It's been a crazy year filled with so many personal and professional high points that the blog had to take a backseat. Now that Fall is upon us, it's time for a renewed energy and renewed commitment to this here creative space. Stay tuned for postings on the DMV's twist on "social"/"culture"tainment offerings to include music reviews, book reviews, concert and show must sees, Fun for Foodies, and new features like The Gridiron Gab and My Service Spotlight.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for coming out...God bless and good night :-).