Mary Bird • August 14, 2014

Marking the 200th anniversary of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the Monaco Boys’ Choir (Les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco) gave a concert July 15 in the National Museum of American History’s Flag Hall. A private reception, hosted by Ambassador Maguy Maccario Doyle of Monaco and museum director John Gray, followed. Now in its 40th year, the choir under the direction of Pierre Debat was on a U.S. tour from New York to Miami. The ambassador said, “It is always very exciting when our cultural emissaries come to town.” The 30-member group, ranging from 8 to 18 years of age, also sang at the French Embassy on Bastille Day and at the Children’s National Health Center. [gallery ids="116109,116123,116126,116113,116117,116120" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird • August 7, 2014

The Cheeky Puppy, Dupont’s pet-centric boutique, hosted a pack of adoptable pups on Aug. 2 with the aim of finding them good homes with neighborhood residents. The gathering brought together pups currently living in volunteer foster homes through Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. Since 2009, Lucky Dog has rescued more than 6,200 animals from overcrowded shelters. The Cheeky Puppy also donated 10% of sales from the store’s grand opening event in June to the organization.

On Aug. 9, the Cheeky Puppy will host Capitol Canines Animal Rescue from Noon-2 p.m. outside the store at 1709 Connecticut Ave.

Mary Bird • August 4, 2014

The Georgetown Business Association chose one of the best possible evenings, given the recent late afternoon deluges, to board the Boomerang Pirate Ship — thanks to Nikki and Dave Dubois from Boomerang Tours — at Washington Harbour on July 16. “Dressing like a pirate” was optional for local business persons, who enjoyed signature libations and ample treats from Jetties, Simply Banh Mi and J9 Yoga as they sailed past landmarks and watched the sunset. Luckily, no one walked the plank. The next GBA networking reception will be in September.
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Mary Bird •

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium and Mrs. Jan Matthysen hosted a musicale on April 27 when Opera Camerata presented highlights from beloved operas followed by a special dinner. In his welcoming remarks, the ambassador hailed music as the “the universal repertoire in its most popular dimension.” Executive Director Michael Reilly acknowledged the ambassadors of Portugal and Peru and Princess Obolensky, who participated in a standing ovation for the talented singers and musicians. [gallery ids="102447,121183,121143,121151,121158,121177,121165,121171" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird • June 30, 2014

My recent jaunt to New York City and the Hamptons started in splendid style aboard the Royal Sprinter, a recently introduced luxury van with two daily trips to and from the Big Apple. My uniformed driver, Nacer Abdelisser, arrived ahead of time at our departure point, the Park Hyatt on 24th and M Streets, NW. With no takers for the optional pick-up at Embassy Suites in Chevy Chase, we were on our way.

Each custom-designed Mercedes Sprinter vehicle – equipped with individual reclining leather seats with leg extensions, power outlets, tray tables, seven-inch flat screen monitors with DirecTV and a WiFi connection – can accommodate up to eight passengers. On this occasion, the $90 trip took more than the estimated four hours to reach the Loews Regency Hotel on Park Avenue (New Jersey Turnpike accident, Puerto Rican Day Parade).

The East Side drop-off was particularly convenient as I was headed to the Intercontinental Barclay on 48th Street, under the able management of Hervé Houdré, who spent several years in D.C. at the Intercontinental Willard. My two-night stay allowed me to catch up with old friends and see the exhibitions “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and “Degenerate Art: The Attack on Modern Art in Nazi Germany, 1937” at the nearby Neue Galerie.

I also had several excellent meals, including dinner at the Sea Fire Grill, a half-block from the Barclay, and a happy lunch at Arté on East 9th Street.

My Hamptons host and I then motored out to the Southampton hamlet of Water Mill. After excellent sushi and sashimi at Suki Zuki, we ended the evening in the over-the-top elegance of Bridgehampton’s Topping Rose House.

The next day, after he hit his real estate office, Brown Harris Stevens, in Southampton, we stopped by Hagins & Mortimer Design, a new store featuring important 20th-century artwork and furnishings, and caught a glimpse of Dash, the controversial Kardashian retail venture.

In Sag Harbor, a short jaunt to the north, we had a memorable sidewalk luncheon at the historic American Hotel and wandered down to the marina and the adjacent famed Bay Street Theater, where a matinee of the current production, “Conviction,” was letting out.

Shopping, several opulent open houses, dining at Pierre’s and Bobby Van’s in Bridgehampton…the whirlwind trip wrapped up with a farewell lunch at Silver’s in Southampton, now manned by the fourth generation of the founding family. Stuffed to the gills, I was deposited at Islip for a flight back to reality.

Whatever one needs to know about the Hamptons can be gleaned in the avidly read Dan’s Papers, the local version of The Georgetowner. [gallery ids="101774,141150,141165,141163,141155,141158" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

“Washington’s black-tie gala for the four-on-the-floor crowd” was a sellout at the Washington Hilton June 14. Washington Humane Society President and CEO Lisa LaFontaine said more than 1,000 two-footers were attending and that they lost count after 550 dogs. “Voice of the Washington Redskins” Larry Michael was master of ceremonies and called the evening the “the Super Bowl of dog events.” All proceeds will support the critical WHS programs and services that benefit thousands of homeless, lost and abused animals in the District of Columbia. [gallery ids="101777,141116,141111,141107,141103,141098,141095,141090,141086,141118" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird • June 27, 2014

The spring gala of the D.C. Chapter of Room to Read, a global organization seeking to transform the lives of millions of children in Asia and Africa through a focus on literacy and gender equality in education, took place at the offices of Jones Day May 22. The event, which raised a record $750,000, included a reception, gala and dinner featuring Room to Read founder John Wood and Ambassador Frank G. Wisner.
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Mary Bird •

Guests at Carderock Falls Manor, Robin Phillips’s in-home stage in McLean, were transported to the ambiance of an old French music hall June 7. The evening of wine, delicacies and song supported International Eye Foundation’s blindness prevention programs in developing countries. The multi-talented Phillips choreographed and sang her heart out, as she brought to life Colette, Maurice Chevalier and other great early 20th century Parisian artists.

Mary Bird •

Ambassador of Italy and Mrs. Claudio Bisogniero hosted a reception at the embassy on June 2 to celebrate Italian National Day. The record crowd brought traffic on Massachusetts Avenue to a virtual halt. Guests clearly admired the embassy’s striking architecture as they enjoyed the best of Italian cuisine. The event highlighted next year’s universal exposition that will be held in Milan: Expo 2015 Milano “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.” [gallery ids="101781,141024,141021,141027" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird • June 20, 2014

Ambassador of France François Delattre was the honorary chair at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens on June 3 for an elegant dinner and preview of the current exhibit, “Cartier: Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Dazzling Gems.” The extraordinary jewels provided an insight into the collector’s commitment to “finest craftsmanship, historical significance, and true splendor.” Post’s granddaughter Ellen Charles is stepping down as board president after ensuring that the house museum will continue to be the well run venue that it is today. [gallery ids="101779,141058,141046,141051,141055" nav="thumbs"]