‘In Bloom’ Wolf Trap Ball Raises $1.8 Million
By • October 6, 2022 0 1711
Wolf Trap Ball co-chairs Alka and Sudhakar Kesavan and Kevin and Kate Robbins welcomed more than 750 guests to celebrate the end of Wolf Trap’s summer season on Sept. 23. The annual Wolf Trap Ball was held onstage at the Filene Center for the first time since 2019 and raised $1.8 million in support of Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts’ arts and education programs. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Wolf Trap In Bloom.” Guests and décor filled the space with vibrant colors and illustrious florals. Wolf Trap Opera alumna, Ann Toomey, soprano, accompanied by Christopher Cano, piano, opened the program with renditions of “America the Beautiful” and “Everything’s Comin’ Up Roses!”
“More than 50 years ago, Catherine Filene Shouse had a bold, visionary idea — an unprecedented pairing of the arts and the national parks. That idea and her singular act of philanthropy were the seeds for the long-standing partnership that has grown and blossomed ever since,” said Arvind Manocha, president and CEO of Wolf Trap Foundation. “This summer we were back in full force, because of the support of everyone in this room and across the region, and we are grateful for it.”
Guests included members of Congress, such as Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va), along with members of the Virginia General Assembly and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, as well as philanthropic leaders and executives from national and international businesses.
Inspired by the beauty of Wolf Trap National Park, the Filene Center stage was transformed into a garden of blooming flowers and botanicals with the help of Silver Lining Design Group, Plants Alive, and Flowers at 38. Guests explored Wolf Trap’s newly upgraded backstage area, enjoyed roaming creative entertainers from Carbone Entertainment, including close-up magic with an illusionist, cuddled with puppies in the Wellness Room, courtesy of Wolf Trap Animal Rescue, and sipped specialty libations created by Cocktail Curations. After-dinner entertainment featured a dance party with the Party Rockers, and a back stage lounge experience with DJ Les Talusan.
Tatiana Jeromskaia, Akua Kouyate, Vice President of Education, Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, Sen. Tim Kaine, Wolf Trap Foundation Board member Jan Brandt and Shannon Kelly. Photo by Tony Powell.
Rep. Gerry Connolly and former Rep. Jim Moran. Photo by Tony Powell.
Champagne girls at the Wolf Trap Ball. Photo by Neshan H. Naltchayan.
Col. (Ret) Shelia J-McClaney, Jovita Gross and Anne Kline at the Wolf Trap Ball. Photo by Neshan H. Naltchayan.
