Taking Names

TomKat sets date

It’s official. Hollywood’s most high-profile engaged couple have finally set a wedding date.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes will marry in Italy on Nov. 18, Mr. Cruise’s representative, Arnold Robinson, told Associated Press yesterday. Miss Holmes will wear a dress designed by Giorgio Armani, Mr. Robinson also confirmed.

The wedding date was reported by Us Weekly magazine on its Web site.

Miss Holmes, 27, and Mr. Cruise, 44, became engaged in June 2005. Their daughter, Suri, was born April 18.

A Legend in D.C.

Three-time Grammy-winner John Legend, now reveling in the success of his new sophomore album, “Once Again,” will perform at tomorrow’s annual Anniversary Recognition Dinner gala at the Hilton Washington Hotel in Northwest.

Sponsored by the Executive Leadership Council, the event will highlight 20 years of advocacy building in the black corporate pipeline from the classroom to the corporate boardroom. About 2,500 guests representing business, public policy and higher education are expected to attend, organizers said. The group will also present several awards throughout the evening, including honors for Johnnetta Cole, president of Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C.; and Clarence Otis Jr., chief executive officer of Darden Restaurants — which operates 1,300 restaurants in North America, including the Olive Garden and Red Lobster.

Actor/producer Tim Reid (“WKRP in Cincinnati,” “Frank’s Place”) and his wife, actress Daphne Maxwell Reid (“The Fresh Prince of Bel Air”) will serve as the night’s emcees.

Consider the Source

The District-based Cultural Development Corp. (CuDC) has taken over ownership of the historic Source Theatre Company and will acquire its property at 1835 14th St NW. According to the terms of the deal, Source will be preserved as a performing arts venue managed by CuDC.

“During the course of the summer leading up to this closing, we have received pledges and support letters from more than 80 organizations and individuals totaling more than $300,000. This represents an overwhelming statement of support from the community on the importance of preserving the facility,” said Anne Corbett, CuDC’s executive director.

CuDC will need to leverage $2.5 million to purchase, renovate and reactivate Source and preserve the 150-seat “black-box” for small to midsized performing arts groups. The new Source also will provide rehearsal and classroom space, an expanded back-of-house, storage, and office space for several resident companies.

The sale is the outcome of a negotiation process that began in February when the 29-year-old Source Theatre Company (STC) announced that it would sell its building to local restaurateur Bedrock Billiards. Public outcry over the sale led to a series of public meetings and negotiation between Ward 1 Council member Jim Graham, CuDC, STC and Bedrock Management on the possibility of allowing the property to remain a part of the theater community.

Paul’s ex suing papers

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