Knock Out Abuse Against Women 19th Annual Gala
• August 15, 2013

Moulin Rouge was the theme of Knock Out Abuse’s Nov. 1 gala at the Ritz-Carlton. The sell-out event, founded by Cheryl Masri and Jill Sorensen as a counterpart to Fight Night, was chaired by Charrisse Jackson-Jordan and Michelle Schoenfeld. This year, it raised more than $600,000 to benefit victims of domestic violence. WUSA9’s Andrea Roane emceed the evening as more than 750 prominent women heard author, model and women’s health advocate Carré Otis speak of her personal experience with abuse. Once the gentlemen of Fight Night joined the ladies, the dance floor jumped to hip-hop star Doug E. Fresh. [gallery ids="101058,137002,136996,136990,136982,137016,136976,137021,137026,136969,137031,137008" nav="thumbs"]

Fairmont’s Annual Media Scoop Luncheon
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Diana Bulger gathered her media savvy pals for a dishy luncheon in the Fairmont Hotel’s Colonnade room on Sept. 21. Regional vice president and general Manager Mark Andrew called the guests “the voice of our industry,” not difficult while feasting on Maine lobster mac & cheese. Tasked to bring a media scoop, some were juicier than others. JW Marriott’s Mark Indre shared the happy news of his recent union to long term partner and pastry guru Jeff Shorter. Barbara Bahny gave a heads up for the Willard InterContinental’s upcoming musical programs for the holidays. I suggest consulting future tabloids for other tidbits. [gallery ids="102484,120311,120293,120316,120330,120302,120323" nav="thumbs"]

20th Anniversary Nyumbani Gala
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The Nyumbani Home, Kenya’s first and largest facility for HIV+ children, was founded by the late Father Angelo D’Agostino, S.J., M.D., and by current Executive Director Sister Mary Owens, IBVM. Sister Mary recalled the early days as “divine anxiety.” The Children of God Relief Fund hosted the annual fundraising gala at the Ritz-Carlton on Sept. 28. Staunch Nyumbani supporter and renowned director of the Disney Chanel’s High School Musicals Kenny Ortega urged everyone to “muscle up tonight and bid” at the live auction. Nyumbani means “home” in Swahili and generous loyalists Kathleen and Chris Mathews were delighted to learn that a new guesthouse will be named “Mathews House.” [gallery ids="101005,134833,133554,133599,133594,133564,133588,133572,133579" nav="thumbs"]

La Passione di Milano
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Serious shoppers flocked to the Italian Embassy on Sept. 27 to support the Goodwill of Greater Washington 2012 Runway Show & Gala and departed with some incredible bargains. Forget cast- offs! There were designer suits, evening clothes, several furs and very gently worn accessories. The shopping frenzy was fueled by wines and a lovely Italian buffet provided by Geppetto Catering. Guests enjoyed a runway show of fashions available at Goodwill Retail Stores and opera selections by Jen Corey. After attending its free job training program, Nadine Prince said, “Before Goodwill, I never had a set of keys, because I never had any doors to open. [gallery ids="101008,135157,135147,135153" nav="thumbs"]

TheatreWashington’s Sizzling Night with Kathleen Turner
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On Sept. 20, Kathleen Turner, coping with a grueling schedule, gave a bravura 9 p.m. performance at Arena Stage in “Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins.” For 75 minutes, she channeled the feistiness of the maverick Texan journalist through the cunning dialogue crafted by theatreWashington Board member Margaret Engel and her sister Allison Engel. A line early in the play set the tone: “If truth be told, and wouldn’t that be a novelty?” She obligingly mingled at a private post-show reception. The evening was more special by being dedicated to Jaylee Mead, a true angel of Washington theater. [gallery ids="102485,120297,120277,120285,120290" nav="thumbs"]

The Capital City Ball
• August 9, 2013

The 2012 Capital City Ball took place on Nov. 17 at the historic Washington Club in Dupont Circle. Proceeds from the evening benefited the important and innovative work of Courtney’s House, Global Centurion and Urban Light in the fight against human trafficking and modern-day slavery. The elegant and fun black-tie gala included a cocktail buffet, open bar and silent auction. Guests took to the dance floor past midnight to the sounds of Bittersweet, an 11-piece, high energy dance band. [gallery ids="101072,137179,137156,137174,137169,137164" nav="thumbs"]

Chamber Dance Project
• July 23, 2013

On July 11, Jill and Fred Schwartz invited their Watergate neighbors and other friends and arts supporters for cocktails and to hear Diane Coburn Bruning, Artistic Director of Chamber Dance Project, discuss her upcoming plans for her troupe that is moving from New York to Washington. Central to her art is the fact that musicians are on stage and choreographed in the same fashion as the dancers. Calling New York perhaps facetiously “so yesterday,” she said “DC is where it is” and spoke of her open rehearsal as a keystone of her artistic vision. She showed two brief videos showcasing her “fresh and modern approach to classical ballet” and promised “to shake things up.” [gallery ids="101391,154039,154009,154034,154015,154031,154021,154025" nav="thumbs"]

Monaco Celebrates Accession of Prince Albert
• July 17, 2013

Ambassador of Monaco and Mrs. Gilles Noghès celebrated the anniversary of Prince Albert of Monaco’s accession to the throne at a cocktail reception at the Metropolitan Club on July 9. The prince has focused his attention on the environment, marine science, foreign aid and sport, being the only head of state to visit both the North and South Pole in his conservation effort. Chief of Protocol Capricia Marshall hailed the Noghès as “two great diplomats and two great friends.” In Sept., Prince Albert will visit Cody, Wyoming, to mark the centennial of his grandfather’s tour of the American West with Buffalo Bill. California Congressman Ed Royce toasted the hosts’ 25th wedding anniversary. [gallery ids="101390,153994,153989,153984,153979,154004,154008,153972,154012,153999" nav="thumbs"]

Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Garden Party
• July 2, 2013

The weather was glorious on June 20 as Isin and George Ludlow entertained supporters of the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (ASO) at the Tenth Annual Garden Party. Guests enjoyed a buffet provided by La Bergerie Restaurant and Del Ray Café in their newly built poolside gazebo. ASO Music Director Kim Kluge said “I am not here to thank you but to honor you.” Craig Dyson conducted a live auction benefitting the ASO’s performance and outreach programs. Lest anyone doubt commitment, a battery operated fish swimming (too fast for my camera) in the Ludlow’s pool, fetched a whopping $500. [gallery ids="101369,153184,153156,153181,153161,153177,153166,153172" nav="thumbs"]

Eleventh Annual “For the Love of Sight” Visionary Awards Dinner
• May 22, 2013

The Foundation Fighting Blindness, a nonprofit founded in 1971 to fund sight-saving retinal research held its annual dinner at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC, on Apr. 16. Alison Starling of ABC7/WJPLA-TV emceed the event which honored former Ambassador Tom Korologos, former Secretary of Labor Ann Korologos and Dr. Hendrik Scholl a clinician-scientist at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Guests viewed a poignant video of young children dealing with impending vision loss. The Foundation has raised more than 500 million as the leading non-governmental funder of retinal research.
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