Mes ir vėl kviečiame visus į nuostabų Kristijono Donelaičio Lituanistinės Mokyklos labdaros vakarą Lietuvos ambasadoje, kuris vyks balandžio 29 dieną, 6 val., ir bus ne mažiau įspūdingas nei pernai! Spektaklis, šokiai, kalbos, vyno ir alaus ragavimas vyks anglų kalba, kad galėtų dalyvauti ne tik lietuvių bendruomenė. Lauksime visų! Bilietai

#KDLMŠeima

You are invited to a Fundraising Gala in support of Kristijonas Donelaitis Lithuanian School (KDLM) of greater Washington, DC, on April 29th at 6 PM, at the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to the United States of America, 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC.

The Kristijonas Donelaitis Lithuanian School was founded in 1961 and is one of the most important, established Lithuanian organizations in the Washington, DC area. It serves as an integral part of the local and national Lithuanian-American community.

Our Gala will begin with Belgian craft beer and wine tasting, and delicious hors d’oeuvres. The fundraising night will feature an Off-Broadway New York City play by Lithuanian American artist Paul Rajeckas, followed by live musical entertainment along with a dance lesson.

Every guest will have the opportunity to enter a gift raffle with prizes that include a basketball signed by the NBA star Jonas Valanciunas; and gift cards for spa treatments, restaurants, and other prizes.

About the performers:

Award winning actor’s Paul Rajeckas’ play Notes to the Motherland (written with director George L.Chieffet) was called “compelling, gut wrenching, and surprisingly funny” by New York Magazine. It is a story of a first-generation Lithuanian-American who sojourns back to his homeland seeking his familial roots and stumbles upon an evil secret buried in the past: his distant mother collaborated with the Nazis.

It is a deft piece of drama and physical performance set to Rajeckas’ own compelling soundtrack. In this evening’s performance, the actor will present several excerpts befitting the non-theatrical setting of the Lithuanian Embassy. Unlike the complete version of the play, there will be no costume changes.

Notes to the Motherland premiered Off-Broadway at the 59th Street Theater in NYC. In 2004, it was nominated as one of 10 best plays in NYC by TheaterMania. Mr. Rajeckas was also nominated as best actor at the 2004 Edinburgh Festival by STAGE Magazine.

After the play, guests will be invited to a performance and dance lesson with Egle Parker, former teacher at the legendary Arthur Murray Dance Studio. A graduate of Vilnius Academy of Arts, she has studied choreography since age seven and danced Lithuanian folk dances with various groups, such as Minija in Gargzdai, Lithuania, and Malunas in Baltimore, Maryland. During our Fundraising Gala Ms. Parker and her dance partner Jonas Howes will perform and teach guests a fun traditional Lithuanian polka and other line dances.

The dancing will be accompanied by an instrumental folk group BalticUS led by David Pivorunas, a native of Chicago, who began playing violin at age nine and now performs Lithuanian fiddling repertoire at festivals and receptions throughout the United States and Baltics. This will be an engaging, unique opportunity to learn dance skills with a live band and to listen to folk tunes that richly preserve ancient traditions!

As we look forward to the 2017-2018 school year, your support is vital to growing our school by helping us welcome new children, ages 2 to 14 years, to Kristijonas Donelaitis Lithuanian School and drawing their families into the wider Lithuanian community. The funds raised will help develop student resources, award our dedicated teachers, and provide authentic Lithuanian cultural experiences and language education for more than 60 students.

Come out to support a great cause and enjoy terrific wine, beer, food, theater, music and dancing!

Tickets available at donelaitis.eventbrite.com

Early Bird: March 17 to April 17 – $57 (the number of years that the school has been in existence)

Standard: after April 17 – $67

Drinks, food, theater play, live music and dance lesson is included in the price.

Tickets are limited so don’t wait! Last year they sold out days before the event.

Cocktail attire.