Loews Madison 50th Anniversary
• May 10, 2013

Andrew, James and Jonathan Tisch were in Washington May 1 to celebrate the golden anniversary of the Loews Madison Hotel and Washington Life Magazine’s A-List. The landmark property established by Marshall Coyne was opened in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy and has hosted presidents, celebrities, tastemakers and diplomats. [gallery ids="101293,149763,149756,149777,149749,149782,149787,149742,149793,149771" nav="thumbs"]

Trust for the National Mall Annual Luncheon
•

Philanthropists, business leaders, government officials, diplomats and some of the best dressed and behatted guests converged May 2 to admire the ongoing restoration of what Trust for the National Mall Chairman Chip Akridge called “the crown jewel of America” that had fallen into disrepair. To great applause, keynote speaker Jonathan Browning, president and CEO of Volkswagen USA, announced that VW was donating $10 million to ensure that the grass will be green for the 25 million visitors to the National Mall each year. [gallery ids="101290,149631,149585,149626,149592,149620,149599,149614,149605" nav="thumbs"]

Celebrating the Investiture of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
• May 7, 2013

Among the numerous events which they hosted to celebrate the investiture of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, Ambassador Rudolph Bekink and Mrs. Gabrielle de Kuyper Sheshunoff Bekink hosted a press open house and luncheon at their residence on Apr. 30. The breathtaking arrangements of over 5,000 flowers flown from the Netherlands were elegantly styled by designer David Kurio of Austin, Texas. Guests heard journalist and author Charles Groenhuijsen speak on the role of the monarchy in the Netherlands, stressing that the Dutch monarchy “is not static” and proudly stating that “today is Holland at its best.” In October, The Phillips Collection will open the exhibit Van Gogh Repetitions, which will travel to the Cleveland Museum of Art in March 2014. [gallery ids="101278,149275,149270" nav="thumbs"]

2013 Night of Vision
• May 6, 2013

“Building New Visions” was the theme of the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington’s March 2 gala at the Four Seasons Hotel. Mayor Vincent Gray issued a proclamation naming the date “Better Vision Day.” Stacey Chan of CNN Newsource emceed. The DC Fire & Emergency Medical Service Honor Guard trooped the colors. Georgetown Cupcake received the Community Service Award and Dr. Maxwell Helfgott accepted the Professional Service award saying, “Thank you for helping the city to see.” Live auction items included the opportunity for six people to participate in “the majesty and mess” of the cupcake making process at Georgetown Cupcake. Bob Jenets Upfront provided the very danceable music. [gallery ids="101202,143873,143868,143857,143864" nav="thumbs"]

2013 Helen Hayes Awards
• May 1, 2013

Washington honored its thriving theatre community at the 29th Annual Helen Hayes Awards at the Warner Theatre on Apr. 8. Actress Ellen Burstyn, the first woman elected president of Actors Equity Association, accepted the Helen Hayes Tribute, sponsored by the late beloved Jaylee Mead to the AEA. Capital Fringe and Dizzy Miss Lizzie’s Roadside Review received special awards. Metro Stage’s Jacques Brel garnered several awards as did Imagination Stage and the Washington Ballet for their collaboration on The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe. Folger Theatre’s Taming of the Shrew took the evening’s final award for Outstanding Resident Play. Following the presentations everyone proceeded to the JW Marriott Hotel to “party hearty.” [gallery ids="101252,147574,147566,147560,147554,147587,147593,147547,147598,147603,147580" nav="thumbs"]

Las Vegas Night
• April 24, 2013

MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital Network hosted is 4th Annual Las Vegas Casino Night benefit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on Apr. 19. This year honored fashion icon and founding member of the MedStar NRH Board of Associates, the late Pat Skantze, the “Hat Lady.” Guests enjoyed a Latin buffet by Windows, took their luck at the tables of Roulette, Black Jack, Texas Hold’em Poker and more, knowing that they were supporting programs for disabilities such as brain and spinal cord injuries and stroke. [gallery ids="101262,147768,147724,147761,147731,147756,147738,147751,147745" nav="thumbs"]

Partners for the Arts Spring Musicale
•

On Apr. 18, Ambassador of Bulgaria Elena Poptodorova hosted Partners for the Arts’ spring musicale at her residence. Leilane Grimaldi Mehler recently established the nonprofit to assist emerging performing artists not under professional management to interact with performing arts organizations, schools of music and opera companies in the mid-Atlantic region and to sponsor an annual competition with cash awards. The musicale showcased mezzo-soprano Leah Hawkins accompanied by pianist Frank Colon, soprano Yeji Yoon and Bulgarian pianists Ralitza Patcheva and Ivo Kaltchev. The Ambassador invited the group to return to the residence for their September event. Guests enjoyed a plentiful pre- and post-performance buffet. [gallery ids="101261,147733,147689,147728,147723,147696,147717,147703,147710" nav="thumbs"]

American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation Film Premier
•

In conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, on Apr. 15 Librarian of Congress James Billington and Chairman of the Board of the ARCCF James Symington, screened The Tsar and the President. Alexander II and Abraham Lincoln. Liberator and Emancipator at the Library of Congress. The exhibition by the same name was a joint project with Russian partners marking the 150th Anniversary of the Liberation Manifesto exhibited in Moscow in 2011. Mr. Symington hailed what transpired when a Russian Tsar and American President “found themselves on the same page of history – freeing the slaves in both countries.”
[gallery ids="101260,147688,147683" nav="thumbs"]

In Series 30th Anniversary
•

Winter’s big snow alert caused the In Series to postpone their 30th Anniversary celebration to Apr. 9 at the residence of the Ambassador of Chile Felipe Bulnes and Mrs. Pelllegirini-Bulnes. The ambassador made opening remarks for a program of four singers accompanied by pianist José Cáceres that included Italian and Latin favorites and concluded with Richard Tappen’s rendition of Cole Porter’s I Concentrate On You. He remarked “I have grown older and grown up with the In Series.” In Series Artistic Director and Founder Carla Hübner came on stage to encourage a “shout out for support for young artists.” Guests remained to enjoy a Latin inspired buffet. [gallery ids="101253,147610,147594,147606,147601" nav="thumbs"]

3rd Annual Great Ladies Luncheon and Fashion Show
•

Co-Chairman Leonard and Ronald Lauder founded the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation in l989 to accelerate the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure the disease and related disorders. Washington’s Third annual Great Ladies Luncheon and Fashion show was held on Apr.11 under a spectacular tent at Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase as the store celebrates its ongoing renovation. The Great Ladies Award was presented to Sharon Percy Rockefeller. Barbara Harrison of NBC4 Washington emceed the event which was highlighted by a stunning fashion show of designs from the Fall 2013 collection by Jason Wu, a favorite designer of First Lady Michelle Obama. [gallery ids="101254,147617,147608,147613" nav="thumbs"]