In Series “Canzoni d’Amore”
• May 12, 2014

In celebration of the 200th birthday of Giuseppe Verdi, the In Series patrons braved a spring torrent on Apr. 30 to gather at DACOR-Bacon House to celebrate music and also the next day birthday of Founding Director Carla H?bner. In Series Director Abel Lopez spoke of caring for the community and the arts and the In Series as a place where artists learn and thrive and engage with the community. The evening’s featured musical works included highlights from La Traviata and Rigoletto. [gallery ids="116583,116587,116593,116577" nav="thumbs"]

National Museum of Women in the Arts “Nine Thousand and Nine Hundred Nights”
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Annie Totah is a force to be reckoned with and, as the Gala Chair of the museum’s Spring Gala on Apr. 25, success was assured as the evening was graced by the generous patronage of Her Imperial Majesty Empress Farah Pahlavi. The Empress and Ambassador of Bulgaria Elena Poptodorova donated auction items and were duly acknowledged by the museum’s founder Wilhelmina Holladay. Gentlemen reluctantly coaxed to galas could only have been enchanted by belly dancers at a special event. [gallery ids="116638,116606,116613,116591,116598,116621,116627,116631" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Ballet’s ‘Peter Pan’
• April 25, 2014

In his remarks to the Washington Ballet’s presentation of “Peter Pan” at the Kennedy Center, Septime Webre, who choreographed the ballet in 2001, said he was “happy to see it take flight again.” The audience was enchanted at the April 17 performance as Peter danced by Jonathan Jordan and Wendy danced by Maki Onuki took to the air and foiled the treacherous Captain Hook embodied by a dashing Luis Torres. The Darlings’ beloved pet Nana and the crocodile were scene stealers. A number of dancers and ballet supporters enjoyed an after party on the POV Rooftop Terrace at the W Hotel. [gallery ids="116729,116741,116736" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Area Concierge Award at Malmaison
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Georgetown was the focus of WACA’s General Membership Meeting at Malmaison on April 15. WACA President Leslie Valtin thanked the Popal family for hosting. Julie Sanders presented the sixth La Lumière award to Jeff Morgan of the five-star Four Seasons Hotel. Morgan, a past WACA president, has been recognized as Concierge of the Year. Presentations included those made by the Georgetown BID, fourth-generation restaurateur Billy Martin of Martin’s Tavern, the Circulator and The Georgetowner editor-in-chief Robert Devaney. WACA’s annual gala will be held at the Hamilton on Aug. 17 with a theme of “A Night in Nashville.” [gallery ids="101718,142994,142990" nav="thumbs"]

Night of Vision
• April 11, 2014

The Prevention of Blindness Society (POB) of Metropolitan Washington held Eye on Low Vision at the Four Seasons Hotel on March 24. The theme focused on POB’s programs and services that help individuals of every age or socio-economic background save or improve their sight. A reception and silent auction were followed by dinner with Master of Tyrone Stanley. Virginia Lions Club, District 24-A, received the Community Service Award, and Suleiman Alibhai, O.D., was honored with the Professional Service Award. Guests eagerly took to the dance floor to the upbeat sound of Bob Jenets UpFront. [gallery ids="100721,120703,120697,120668,120692,120677,120685" nav="thumbs"]

Kickoff Luncheon for ‘Celebrazione della Cura’
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The Washington Home and Community Hospices will celebrate the 125th anniversary of providing healthcare services for aging, chronically and terminally ill area residents at the Embassy of Italy on April 26. In anticipation, a kick-off luncheon was held at the George Town Club. CEO Tim Cox welcomed guests and acknowledged club board president Sharon Casey. The only in-patient hospice facility in D.C. gives “people the opportunity to make memories until the very end.” Guests shared their personal experiences and raised a glass to Tandy and Wyatt Dickerson, who were celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary, and to the birthday of photographer Neshan Naltchayan.

Brenda de Suze, Kathie Truitt, Linda White (Kickoff 002.jpg)

Jan Du Plain Sheila Switzer, Sharon Casey

(Kickoff 003.jpg)

Nicole d’Amecourt, Judith Terra, Shahin Mafi, Harriet Fulbright (Kickoff 004.jpg)

Wyatt and Tandy Dickerson flank Robert Heggestad.
[gallery ids="101703,143856,143852" nav="thumbs"]

‘Celebration of Hope’ Gala
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The sixth Celebration of Hope Gala at the Park Hyatt Washington, D.C., on March 21 honored Nancy and Scott Ogden with the Celebration of Hope Award and the Commercial Restoration Group of Cheverly, Md., with the Partnership Award. Scott chairs and Commercial Restoration Group sponsors the Hope Connections Annual Golf Tournament which has raised more than $300,000. Scott said with conviction, We have the finest cancer support organization anywhere.” Since it opened in Bethesda, Md., in 2007, Hope Connections for Cancer Support has assisted people affected by cancer through support groups, educational workshops, mind/body classes and community programs. The organization has a 19-member working board of directors and a 17-member medical advisory board. [gallery ids="101698,143910,143917,143914" nav="thumbs"]

Latino Fund 14th Annual Gala
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The Latino Student Fund celebrated 20 years of creating educational opportunities for Hispanic-Latino children in our area at an annual benefit gala at the Organization of American States, hosted by Arturo Ulises Vallarino Bartuano, Permanent Representative of Panama to the OAS, and his wife. The evening featured cocktails and a silent auction followed by dinner. Erika Gonzalez of NBC-4 emceed and Steve Little conducted an exciting live auction. The gala drew more than 230 attendees and raised more than $220,000 to benefit the organization’s educational programs for under-served youth. Services include academic tutoring and scholarships, college prep and family outreach. [gallery ids="101697,143919,143921" nav="thumbs"]

Choral Arts ‘Ides of March’ Cocktail Party
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The Choral Arts Society of Washington board member Jenny Wallace welcomed guests to the George Town Club for a mid-March cocktail reception and expressed appreciation to club president Sharon Casey. A number of guests were visiting the club for the first time since its recent renovation and were enthusiastic about the freshened decor. Artistic director Scott Tucker said, “It’s so great to see you here in my living room.” Always a highlight of the holiday season, this year’s gala will be chaired by Janet Phillips. It will take place at the Kennedy Center Dec. 15. [gallery ids="116779,116785,116753,116761,116774,116768" nav="thumbs"]

Myra McPherson’s ‘Scarlet Sisters’ Feted
• March 16, 2014

Red boas were sported at the Cosmos Club March 4, as William Dunlap, Linda Burgess and publisher Twelve Books hosted a celebration of Myra MacPherson’s latest book, “The Scarlet Sisters: Sex, Suffrage and Scandal in the Gilded Age,” which chronicles the notorious Victoria Claflin Woodhull and Tennessee Clafin. The honoree thanked “the women who brought us to the second floor and even became members” of the Cosmos Club in the 1980s, perhaps less in recognition of their merits than the club’s fear of losing its liquor license. McPherson’s son Michael Siebert spoke proudly of his mother’s accomplishments. The party’s guest list was a Who’s Who of Washington journalists. [gallery ids="101672,144609,144614,144616" nav="thumbs"]