TheatreWashington Star Gala & Benefit Auction
• May 3, 2012

The 27-year old Helen Hayes Awards have been transformed into theatreWashington, the only organization dedicated solely to promoting, representing and supporting all segments of Washington’s professional theatre community. On Oct. 28, the 2011 Helen’s Star was presented to theatre patron and donor Jaylee Mead, who Washingtonian magazine credited for helping make “the Washington-area theatre-building boom possible.” In his introductory remarks, Board Chairman Victor Shargai said “tonight we metaphorically raise the curtain on theatreWashington.” Sebastian Clark of Doyle New York led a live auction that included escapes to Nevis, Thailand, Canada, Peru and two premium house seats for Book of Mormon on Broadway. [gallery ids="100364,110137,110168,110164,110142,110160,110156,110147,110152" nav="thumbs"]

Salvation Army Luncheon
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The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Washington, DC, held its 61st annual luncheon and fashion show at The Ritz-Carlton West End on Sept. 29. Jan Smith Donaldson and Cynthia Steele Vance emceed “The Elite of the 2010 Collections” from Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase, modeled by Veronica Valencia-Sarukhan, wife of the Ambassador of Mexico, and Ronit Ziswiler, wife of the Ambassador of Switzerland. Local personalities walking the runway included Kay Kendall, Bob Ryan and Philip Bermingham. Event Chair Faye Morrissette was optimistic that the event would reach its $150,000 goal. [gallery ids="99273,104405,104384,104401,104397,104389,104393" nav="thumbs"]

Classic Conversations with Kevin Kline
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Actor Kevin Kline joined Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) Artistic Director Michael Kahn at Sidney Harman Hall on Nov. 28 for the second installment of Classic Conversations, a series of discussions with classically-trained actors during STC’s 25th Anniversary Season. Kahn opened the program by noting that critic Frank Rich deemed Kline “the American Olivier.” Kline spoke of his training at Juilliard and being approached by Joseph Papp to play Richard III in Shakespeare in the Park, noting “I didn’t start small.” In response to Kahn’s query about what he liked in working with a director, he responded “fun.” Kahn said that his legendary reluctance to accept parts had earned him the nickname “Kevin Declined.” Both concurred that “great actors become great by doing great roles.”

Opera Camerata Presents Die Fledermaus
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The Opera Camerata of Washington, D.C., brought an early holiday treat with the frothiest of operas under the patronage of Ambassador of Monaco and Mrs. Gilles Noghes on Nov. 29 at the Sulgrave Club. Following a cocktail reception, guests were seated in the ballroom which glittered in true Viennese splendor. Elizabeth Turchi as Rosalinda and José Sacin as Eisenstein led a stellar cast accompanied by Opera Camerata’s top orchestra and chorus. The behind the scenes shenanigans of Viennese society were hilariously described by narrator Stefan Lopatkiewicz who captivated his audience with such insights as “the icing was put on the strudel, so to speak.” [gallery ids="100419,113588,113527,113579,113570,113537,113562,113554,113547" nav="thumbs"]

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Holiday Party
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The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) hosted a holiday party on Nov. 28 at Watershed, which renowned restaurateurs Todd and Ellen Kassoff Gray opened last April in NoMa’s Hilton Garden Inn. The restaurant showcases the bounty of the Eastern Seaboard. The warm evening meant that guests could congregate on the outdoor patio to feast on abundant freshly shucked oysters. Watershed helps support a collective of East Coast fishermen as well as the Oyster Shell Alliance Program, which recycles oyster shells in the Chesapeake Bay for reforesting. Since 1920, RAMW has represented and promoted the foodservice industry in our area through education, government relations and socio-professional activities. [gallery ids="100418,113487,113541,113497,113533,113507,113525,113517" nav="thumbs"]

Hope Connections
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On Dec. 7, Bernie and Janice Robinson opened their historic Capitol Hill home to honor the founding board of Hope Connections for Cancer Support. The last of its members will rotate off the board at the end of this year. The 20 founding board members, led by Founding Board Chair Bernie Kogod, raised $500,000 in two years to open a cancer support center that has, since its opening in 2007, had more than 25,000 visits to its facility by people with cancer and their loved ones to participate in free programs of emotional support, education, wellness and hope. Bernie hailed executive director Paula Rothenberg as “the glue to everything that we have always done.” He said “what better reward can you get but helping people.” [gallery ids="100436,114358,114317,114350,114342,114327,114335" nav="thumbs"]

The University Club Hosts Authors Night
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The University Club hosted the 22nd annual local authors night on Nov. 30. Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen and Thomas Friedman, journalist and political economist, were among the 40 authors represented. Just in time for holiday giving, Dinah Corley presented her recent book Gourmet Gifts published by Harvard Common Press. The book has been described as “the first food-gifting book to give equal weight to the recipes and to their wrapping and presentation.” The author feels that “good things to eat should be a feast for the eyes, as well as the palate, whether they are on a plate or in a package.”
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Ann Hand and Innocents at Risk Holiday Tea
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Internationally renowned jewelry designer Ann Hand hosted a holiday tea at her eponymous MacArthur Boulevard boutique Dec. 8 to celebrate Innocents at Risk with champagne and holiday shopping. A generous percentage of the day’s proceeds went to Innocents at Risk, the non-profit which Deborah Sigmund founded in 2005 to fight child exploitation and human trafficking. Guests were encouraged to bring a gift for a young woman or child to be donated to Courtney’s House, Crossway Community and Youth for Tomorrow. Deborah Kanafani was on hand to sign her new book Kate, Kate the Fashion Plate designed to encourage girls of all ages to realize their dreams. [gallery ids="100444,114697,114706" nav="thumbs"]

GBA Greets 2012
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No “official” business was conducted Jan. 18, as members of the Georgetown Business Association mingled at the historic George Town Club. Guests enjoyed substantive hors d’oeuvres, libations and good company which could only lead to the best of connections. [gallery ids="100476,116561,116501,116553,116512,116546,116521,116540,116530" nav="thumbs"]

Memorializing Maverick Artist and Mentor Manon Cleary
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Guests were greeted by a bagpiper as they arrived at The Arts Club of Washington on Jan. 20 to celebrate the life of art scene icon Manon Cleary. Manon’s husband F. Steven Kijek encouraged everyone gathered in the Monroe Gallery to “dig deep in your hearts for memories and speak.” When they met, Manon was active on the social scene and Steven recalled voicing some hesitation en route to an embassy reception, to which Manon replied “we don’t need social standing. We’re artists, they want us.” Manon’s twin Shirley Cleary-Cooper recalled their St. Louis childhood when they dressed alike and replied to “twin.” Jean Lawlor Cohen spoke of the irony of Manon’s fondness for sfumato or smoky light portraits given her long illness precipitated by chemical poisoning and too many cigarettes. Other speakers recalled her conviction that an artist must support the art world. Arts Club President Jack Hannula read his poem “Ode to Manon Cleary.” A caregiver said “she lived inside her private life like outside.” A mentored art student recalled her present of a book inscribed to him as “my window on the future.” The tribute ended with a slide presentation honoring a “friend, wife, sister, teacher, artist.” The ensuing reception was alive with memories. Manon and her beloved white rats were present in spirit. [gallery ids="100477,116570,116548,116564,116557" nav="thumbs"]