4th ANNUAL GAY DAY
Special Guests, Returning Favorites and New Programs
Accent This Annual Extravaganza!
Washington, DC - Hillwood Museum & Gardens welcomes the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community to our 4th Annual Gay Day, August 20 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. This festive day celebrates the life and collections of Marjorie Merriweather Post and boasts special guests, KleinReid; returning favorites The Rock Creek Singers; and new programs like Punch on the Portico and the Family Breakfast.
Special guests James Klein and David Reid, of the Brooklyn-based ceramics company KleinReid will be on hand to discuss the intricacies of being life and business partners. Mr. Klein and Mr. Reid have known each other since high school and have been business partners since 1993. Not only is their business model successful, but they have also managed to balance the delicate nature of living and working well. They will also discuss their collaboration with Eva Zeisel and their own hand crafted contemporary objects for table and home with a distinct emphasis on form. These open forums will begin at 10:30 am, 12:15 pm and 2:30 pm.
Tour Eva Zeisel: The Playful Search for Beauty, the exhibition surveying one of the world’s most influential designers and see the pieces that Eva designed and KleinReid produced, on view in the Dacha. Also playing throughout the day in the Visitor Center Theatre will be Throwing Curves—Eva Zeisel.
The Rock Creek Singers, an ensemble of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, returns by popular demand, with performances at 1:30 pm and 3:45 pm in the Adirondack building. Join assistant curator of costume and textiles Howard Kurtz for discussions, at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:30pm, about the Art Deco fashions by Thurn, designed for Mrs. Post, on view in the Mansion. Several “behind the scenes” rooms are open for public viewing, this day ONLY! Rooms include the Ladies’ Powder Room, the Massage Room, the Snooze Room, and the English Bedroom. Gardener Melissa Danskin will be conducting a garden walk and talk about the various container gardens adorning the Mansion and surrounding buildings. The garden walk and talk will be held at 11:45 am and 2:45 pm.
Wrap up the day with a festive gathering - Punch on the Portico! at 4:15 pm. Join James Klein and David Reid, some of our other special speakers and tour guides, staff, and other visitors for Hillwood’s inaugural social hour set on the luscious Lunar Lawn. The setting for Punch on the Portico harkens back to the days of Mrs. Post and her famous spring and summer garden parties.
New this year -- Hillwood invites same-sex families to start the festivities with a Gay Day Family Breakfast, from 9:00 to 10:30 am. During a light breakfast, guests receive an overview of the Mansion and Gardens and an introduction to Hillwood’s child- and family-friendly programs. While parents meet and mingle, children can enjoy creating “belly button” art projects inspired by Eva Zeisel’s designs!
Families can also take part in “If Plants Could Walk & Talk” excursion through many of Hillwood’s behind-the-scenes gardens! Deputy Director of Horticulture, Brian Barr, leads this fantastically fun romp through Hillwood’s treasured landscapes. The hike concludes at Mrs. Post’s Putting Green, where there is a special treat for all participating children!
Take a family stroll through the art collection with Hillwood’s young people’s audio tour, “Explore Russia! Treasure Hunting in Mrs. Post’s Mansion” (recommended for children ages 8-13.) This educational tour is the perfect respite from the August heat. Visitors can also enjoy the Mansion, Gardens, and greenhouse, with self-guided tours throughout the day. The Museum Shop and Café are also open. The Café will have a satellite kiosk stationed at the Lunar Lawn throughout the day for guests’ convenience.
This year’s Gay Day is in memory of and with gratitude to Wanda Alston, a founding member of Hillwood’s GLBT Committee. Her encouragement for Hillwood to become a more welcoming and accepting place will always be with us.
The 4th Annual Gay Day is $15 Public, $7 Students, Children are Free. For reservations please call 1-877-HILLWOOD, or visit www.hillwoodmuseum.org. Reservations are required. For additional press information, please contact Jennifer A. Yeager at 202-243-3918 or jyeager@hillwoodmuseum.org.
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