From world-premiere operas to a wine country fundraiser, the month ahead offers plenty of diversions as we ease into spring.
J’Nai Bridges will perform during A Knee on The Neck this month.
LISTEN
The world premiere of Adolphus Hailstork’s A Knee on The Neck, inspired by the poetry of Dr. Herbert Martin, and performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorale, comes to Bethesda and the new Capital One Hall later this month. Focused on the George Floyd tragedy, the evening’s performances also include The Washington Chorus and the Howard University Chorale, plus featured vocalists J’Nai Bridges, Norman Shankle and Kenneth Overton. The program concludes with Mozart’s seminal Requiem in D minor, also featuring soprano Aundi Marie Moore. March 26, 8PM, The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda, 301.581.5100, strathmore.org; March 28, 7:30PM, Capital One Hall, 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons, capitalonehall.com
SEE
Experience a world of opulence and artistry in The Luxury of Clay: Porcelain Past and Present at the Hillwood Museum—125 objects ranging from 18th century Meissen, Du Paquier, KPM and the Imperial Porcelain Factory to contemporary works. Marjorie Merriweather Post, who once owned this mansion in Northwest, collected vases, teapots, figures and dishes, and her legacy of style shines in every room and the property’s spring gardens. 4155 Linnean Ave. NW, 202.686.5807, hillwoodmuseum.org
A dining alcove in the intimate PLANTA, which recently opened on Bethesda Row
DISCOVER
Founder Steven Salm and executive chef David Lee recently opened PLANTA in Bethesda, the first outpost for the plant-based restaurant in the mid-Atlantic. The Bethesda Row venue also focuses on environmental sustainability and locally sourced ingredients. Early favorites include coconut ceviche, steamed dumplings, bang bang broccoli, truffle udon noodles, and inventive sushi and sashimi—especially the spicy “tuna” roll, featuring dehydrated watermelon as a substitute for ahi tuna. 4910 Elm St., Bethesda, plantarestaurants.com
Written in Stone examines our monuments
HEAR Washington National Opera launches the world premiere of Written in Stone at the Kennedy Center this month. Three short, one-act operas tell the stories of some of DC’s most iconic monuments and address everything from how we memorialize history to what these monoliths mean today. Stories include a Black father and son on opposite sides of a same-sex marriage rally and a college-age Asian American (named Maya Lin, no less) who reappraises the Vietnam War via design. March 5-25, 2700 F St. NW, 202.467.4600, kennedy-center.org
Great pours at The Homestead.
ESCAPE The Omni Homestead Resort showcases outstanding regional vineyards with its Virginia Wine Experience program throughout the spring. In March, Ben Jordan, the winemaker from Early Mountain Vineyards (earlymountain.com), will educate guests, and in April, Kirsty Harmon, general manager and winemaker at Blenheim Vineyards (blenheimvineyards.com), will be in the spotlight to share insights and wines. March 18-19 and April 8-9, 7696 Sam Snead Highway, Hot Springs, Va., 800.838.1766, omnihotels.com
Marx credenza.
DECORATE DC-based interior designer Tyler Hill’s new brand, Transparent, recently released 10 lighting and furniture pieces as part of its debut collection. Homeowners will love the strong silhouettes, accents and craftsmanship—each piece has been bench-made in limited numbers in Italy. transparentatelier.com
SUPPORT Time to procure tickets to support the V Foundation for Cancer Research and its annual soiree, Virginia Vine, in Middleburg. After a record-breaking fundraiser in 2021, the event is back for its seventh year in early April. The three-day affair includes a wine dinner and auction Saturday night at the Salamander Resort & Spa, hosted by NFL great Joe Theismann and Tony-winning actor Christian Hoff. April 8-10, 500 N. Pendleton St., Middleburg, Va., v.org
An open kitchen graces The Henri on Pennsylvania Avenue.
DINE New on Pennsylvania Avenue—and situated between the Warner and National theaters—is restaurateur and chef Frederik De Pue’s The Henri, an 8,000-square-foot modern bistro with eight private dining rooms (bonus: patrons have access to exceptional rooftop views of the Mall). Early menu standouts are the wild boar lasagna, turbot filet and a duo of crabcakes with salsify, blood orange dressing and chip crumble. 1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202.989.5881, thehenridc.com
SHOP PXG, the renowned golf apparel and gear shop, opens this month in Fairfax. The mammoth store will carry everything from clubs to golf bags to apparel—where the brand has pulled a fairway ahead of the crowd. Its new line, the Aloha Capsule Collection for men and women, includes detailed Hawaii-inspired floral prints reconceptualized in PXG’s classic black, white and gray hues. 9650 Main St., Fairfax, Va., pxg.com
Photography by: Dario Acosta; Courtesy of Brands; Courtesy of Brands; Courtesy of the Kennedy Center; Louis Hansel/Unsplash; Courtesy of Transparent; Courtesy of Virginia Vine; Joy Asico; Courtesy of Brand
