11th Annual Washington International Piano Artists Competition
• November 7, 2013

“A Cultural Evening – Welcome Reception” was held at the Georgetown Club on July 24 to launch the Festival of Music 2013 and 11th Annual Competition under the auspices of the Washington International Piano Arts Council (WIPAC). Ambassador Elena Poptodorova and her husband Georgi Petrov hosted the reception in absentia as the ambassador was called to Bulgaria for consultations. Psychiatrist Matthias Fischer of Würzburg, Germany, received the 1st Prize Jury Award and Canadian Thomas Maurice, a Senior Program Manager for General Dynamics in Baltimore, took the 2nd Prize Jury Award at a celebratory dinner at the Fairfax Hotel on July 28. [gallery ids="101419,154918,154922,154913,154921" nav="thumbs"]

“Dream Wedding” at the Arts Club
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FABUM, a non-profit arts organization, recently presented “Dream Wedding,” an immersive, walk-through performance experience that is part of its Dolce Revolution Project series.  Guests moved from the courtyard through the historic Arts Club of Washington, where each room was a unique, repeating scene within the bride’s subconscious.  Afterwards, a special Dolce Revolution party at the nearby, newly renovated Melrose Hotel celebrated the show and FABUM’s continued commitment to producing original performance work in DC that promotes self-realization and explores human nature. 
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Capella Hotel Hosts The Washington Ballet
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Georgetown’s luxurious Capella Hotel hosted friends of The Washington Ballet (TWB) on June 24 at a small reception on the rooftop deck normally reserved for hotel guests. TWB Artistic Director said the Ballet was thrilled to be in partnership with Capella counting them “family members.” The “British Invasion Bash” reception saluted the March 2014 program of Trey McIntyre’s A Day in the Life set to classic Beatles tunes and Rooster by Christopher Bruce, a “Rock Ballet” that showcases the sounds of The Rolling Stones. [gallery ids="101379,153663,153630,153658,153637,153654,153642,153649" nav="thumbs"]

Unmasked: Georgetown Gala Takes Over the Embassy of Italy
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In this “Year of Italian Culture in the U.S.,” the Citizens Association of Georgetown chose the Italian
Embassy as its fitting venue for “Venetian Carnivale: A Masked Ball” on Oct. 18, as it honored
Herb and Patrice Miller who have been instrumental to the community through the development
of Georgetown Park, the renewal of Washington Harbour and elsewhere. For the first time, the black tie event of
elegantly masked guests was followed by an after-party as deejay Adrian Loving upped the beat for
dancing until 1 a.m. Live auction items included a scavenger hunt dinner in Georgetown, Ermenegildo
Zegna suit and rare opportunity to attend the Palio di Siena famous horse race. [gallery ids="101511,151036,151041,151045,151050,151053,151058,151063,151068,151072,151033,151028,151083,151090,151086,151002,151006,151011,151014,151019,151024,151078" nav="thumbs"]

Elizabeth McGovern Honored
• October 10, 2013

The theme of this year’s Oct. 6 Harman Center for the Arts Annual Gala was “Everything British” and
indeed it was from Noel Coward’s finest to a rousing finale by a Beatles tribute band. Artistic Director
Michael Kahn remarked, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all rewrite our lives as musical comedy?”
Multi-talented actress Elizabeth McGovern, best known for her work in Downtown Abbey, was
presented with the William Shakespeare Award for Classical Theatre. Following the program guests
proceeded to an English-inspired repast catered by Occasions at the National Building Museum. [gallery ids="101493,151731,151726,151722,151717,151713,151709,151705,151701,151697,151734" nav="thumbs"]

Pre-Knock Out Abuse
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On Sept. 30, Saks Fifth Avenue, Park Hyatt Washington and D.C. magazine hosted a reception at the
hotel where acclaimed stylist and author Lauren A. Rothman presented the must-have fall fashion
trends to benefit Knock Out Abuse, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary at a benefit dinner and
dance at the Ritz-Carlton on Nov. 14. Gina Adams of FedEx Corporation will serve as gala chair;
Senator Kristen Gillibrand will be this year’s honoree; CNN’s Wolf Blitzer will the auctioneer and
Andrea Roane of WUSA9 will emcee.soc [gallery ids="101494,151694,151692,151688,151679,151682" nav="thumbs"]

Cabaret Barroco
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GALA Hispanic Theatre celebrated the world premiere of Cabaret Barroco, Interludes of Spain’s Golden Age, at Noche de Gala on Sept, 14. Executive Director Rebecca Medrano said the production was the theatre’s fifth collaboration with the Embassy of Spain. Representatives from the Embassy of Spain, the Ambassador of Mexico and Chairman of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Judith Terra were in attendance. GALA Hispanic Theatre preserves and promotes Latino arts and culture and shares this rich Hispanic heritage through its diverse performing arts and education programs, engaging the community in a dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives. [gallery ids="101496,151662,151658,151664" nav="thumbs"]

Salvation Army 64th Annual Luncheon & Fashion Show
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The Women’s Auxiliary of Washington DC’s annual event was held on Oct. 4 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Tysons Corner with funds supporting the Turning Point Center, a transitional housing program serving the needs of young homeless mothers and their children. Major Jacqulyn Reckline bestowed the Berniece Edwards Auxiliary Leadership Award posthumously to staunch supporter Pat Skantze, whose husband and daughter PA, who had flown in from London, were in attendance. A tree festooned with ornaments handcrafted by the Ornament Committee fetched $10,000 in the live auction. Bloomingdale’s presented a fashion show featuring London designer L.K. Bennett favored by the Duchess of Cambridge. [gallery ids="101497,151648,151644,151639,151635,151630,151625,151656,151621,151653" nav="thumbs"]

Blessing of the Animals at St. John’s
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At one p.m. on Oct. 6, Georgetown’s finest pooches and their proud people gathered on the sunny lawn of St. John’s Church on O Street for the annual blessing that honors St. Francis of Assisi. This year they were joined by the Hood family’s two African pigmy hedgehogs, Daisy and Aphrodite. Being on hallowed ground, the manners of two and four-footers alike were impeccable as Associate Rector Sarah Duggin led the hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful. She and Interim Rector W. Bruce McPherson conducted the brief service which ended in individual blessings. [gallery ids="118781,118765,118803,118774,118789,118809,118814,118797" nav="thumbs"]

‘Ruffception’ Welcomes Canine Ambassador Edie
• September 23, 2013

Washington’s Fairmont welcomed Fairmont Pittsburgh’s Canine Ambassador Edie to a “Ruffception” on Aug. 15, where the pearl bedecked canine held court with her hotel’s P.R. manager Julie Abramovic. After training as an assistant dog, Edie’s outgoing personality pinpointed her for the hospitality industry where she greets hotel guests with style. She chose a monogramed scarf for her next day appearance at the hotel’s midday 4th Annual Sustainability Fair. Exhibitors showcased the eco-efforts of many local organizations as well as the hotel’s own green program with guests enjoying treats from the Fairmont’s garden and rooftop beehives.
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