11th Annual Sugar & Champagne Affair
• May 3, 2012

Cherished pets knew it was a special evening as they escorted their two footers to the 11th Annual Sugar & Champagne Affair hosted by chef Todd and Ellen Gray and sponsored by Trade Center Management Associates at the Ronald Reagan Building on Feb. 1 to benefit the Washington Humane Society (WHS). Radio host Tommy McFly of 94.7 Fresh FM radio emceed, as guests enjoyed a VIP chef’s Tasting Room with savory bites from such leading restaurants as the Grays’ Equinox and Watershed as well as Restaurant Eve, The Source Brasserie Beck and Kushi. The general reception showcased desserts and champagne. The evening honors WHS law enforcement officers, animal control officers, humane educators and community humane heroes.
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42nd Annual Russian New Year’s Eve Ball
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The dress code for the 42nd Annual Russian New Year’s Ball, held in the Grand Ball Room at the Mayflower Hotel Jan. 13, was “white or black tie/Russian costume.” Princess Selene Obolensky led the way in the traditional “boyar” pearl-encrusted gala headdress. The evening included entertainment by The Washington Balalaika Society and Sydney’s Orchestra and The Russian Dance troupe. Noting that it was “not Fabergé but very close,” Princess Obolensky presented an award to Raisa Scriabine as a leading “defender of the child.” In thanking everyone who made the evening possible to benefit the “Children of Berezichi,” residing at the Boarding Schools for Special Children in Ulianova and Sosenskaya, Russian Federation, she happily welcomed the fifth generation of family to attend the ball, two-year-old great grandnephew Ronan Obolensky. [gallery ids="102432,121576,121569,121547,121563,121539,121519,121511,121556,121528,121587,121582" nav="thumbs"]

Trey McIntyre Project at Katzen Center
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No stranger to Washington through his collaboration with The Washington Ballet, Trey McIntyre brought members of his Boise, Idaho-based company to the Katzen Arts Center at American University Jan. 10 to share his creative process. The host committee included Kay Kendall, Eve Lilley and Rhona Wolfe Friedman, who watched enthusiastically as the choreographer and two stellar dancers created on the spot. The artist said of his work, “I seek unconscious narrative.” As one of four American dance companies chosen by the U.S. Department of State and Brooklyn Academy of Music to participate in Dance Motion USA, the troupe will tour to China, South Korean, the Philippines and Vietnam this spring. [gallery ids="100475,116514,116460,116507,116469,116500,116477,116493,116486" nav="thumbs"]

Tunisia Celebrates First Anniversary of Arab Spring
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The first anniversary of the Tunisian Revolution and Arab Spring was celebrated at the Kennedy Center on Jan. 9 with the performance of Hannibal Barca, the symphony composed by former interim Tunisian Minister of Finance Jaloul Ayed. The historic gala evening brought together the new leaders of democratic Tunisia, dignitaries from throughout the Middle East and North Africa, American and multilateral officials, and business and finance leaders for a truly heartwarming event. Ann Stock spoke on behalf of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The former minister equated the courage of the young Hannibal so many centuries ago to that of the young Tunisian vegetable vendor who by his self-immolation lit the spark that started the “Arab awakening.” Twenty-five Tunisian musicians joined members of the Washington orchestra. It was an extremely uplifting ceremony of which Tunisians can be justly proud.

Washington Performing Arts Society Reception
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Disappointment that mezzo-soprano Susan Graham had a last-minute cancellation of her afternoon Kennedy Center Washington Performing Arts Society concert Feb. 4 was softened when Bonnie McElveen-Hunter informed Daren Thomas, WPAS’s director of leadership and institutional gifts, that the post-performance cocktail reception at her stunning Georgetown residence was “always on.” When Thomas presented her with a bouquet, she quipped, “Am I the entertainer?” As a former ambassador to Finland and chairman of the American Red Cross, she said her humanitarian commitment had led her to realize that “the arts lift us up.” She thanked WPAS president and CEO Neale Perl for his leadership in expressing the “generosity of spirit through music.” He, in turn, said that over his ten years with the WPAS, despite cancellations, “Our track record is very good” and urged everyone to hold onto their tickets because “Susan Graham will be back.” Guests listened raptly to Samantha McElhaney, who sang her signature roles from “Porgy and Bess,” concluding with a cherished spiritual. The hostess invited guests to explore her wonderful home and welcomed Ambassador of Finland Ritva Koukku-Ronde. [gallery ids="100486,117350,117317,117343,117324,117337,117332" nav="thumbs"]

Cultural Tourism D.C. Inaugural Conference
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Cultural Tourism D.C. hosted its inaugural conference entitled “Arts, Culture, and Tourism: Strategies for Success,” Jan. 26. The event included four productive workshops focusing on communications, customer service, social media and fundraising. Johnetta Betsch Cole, director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, delivered the keynote address highlighting the museum’s efforts to think outside of the box and market to a younger generation through the use of technology. Cultural Tourism D.C.’s annual meeting followed the conference focusing on 2011’s accomplishments. The Fourth Embassy Chef’s Challenge, which will be held at the Reagan Building on Mar. 8, was all the talk at the evening’s networking reception at Nage in the Courtyard Marriott. The annual fundraising event is a friendly competition among embassy chefs, which features international tastings, awards, entertainment and a world-class silent auction.
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Chinese New Year Banquet at Hollywood East Café
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Les Dames d’Escoffier, a unique worldwide philanthropic society of professional women leaders in the fields of food, fine beverage and hospitality, returned to Janet Wu’s definitely “worth a detour” Hollywood East Café in the Westfield Wheaton Shopping Center to celebrate Chinese New Year in grand fashion. This year’s eager crowd crammed the popular eatery, which prepared a seemingly unending traditional banquet with virtually every course bringing the promise of good luck. Imbibers had the additional pleasure of wines selected by Janet Cam, who is renowned for creating innovative wine lists which pair perfectly with the restaurant’s cuisine. Lion dancers provided wonderful entertainment. [gallery ids="102433,121522,121496,121508,121503,121515" nav="thumbs"]

Latino Student Fund Gala
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Ambassador of Costa Rica Muni Figueres, the honorary patron at the Latino Student Fund’s 12th Annual Gala at the Organization of American States, lauded the fund on March 14 as a fantastic vehicle for the vindication of the Latin spirit. This year’s theme “Color Caribe” highlighted Costa Rica with its Latin music, cocktails and food. Festivities benefitted the LSF’s mission to provide academic opportunities for students of Hispanic/Latino descent from pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade and to promote higher education and professional leadership. [gallery ids="100626,100627,100628,100629,100630,100631,100632,100633" nav="thumbs"]

Hungary Wins Embassy Chef Challenge
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Chef Viktor Merényi of the Embassy of Hungary took top honors at the fourth annual Embassy Chef Challenge held March 8 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Merényi served slow-cooked beef with transitional Hungarian accompaniments for 600 guests and a panel of celebrity judges. The annual event benefits Cultural Tourism DC, an independent coalition of more than 230 community-based organizations which showcases the city’s rich and diverse culture and heritage. [gallery ids="100613,100624,100623,100622,100621,100620,100619,100618,100617,100616,100615,100614,100625" nav="thumbs"]

Music for the Mind
• April 12, 2012

The Georgetown University Medical Center held its first annual event to support new cures and treatments for neurological diseases on May 13 at the Kennedy Center. Proceeds will support a Young Investigators Fund. Guests enjoyed a cocktail buffet reception followed by the NSO Pops performance highlighting Jon Secada and Tito Puente, Jr. with Marvin Hamlisch at the podium. Francine and Mel Levinson co-chaired the event. Mark and Jeanne Shriver were honorary co-chairs and Mark spoke movingly of his famed parents’ later years. He recalled his father’s words “I’m doing the best I can with what God’s given me.” Dr. Howard J. Federoff spoke of “the silver tsunami of aging and neurological disease.” At the concert, conductor Hamlisch quipped “just conducting this brings out the passion in me.” Major supporters returned to the roof terrace for a post-performance reception with the stars. [gallery ids="99713,99714,99715,99716,99717,99718,99719,99720" nav="thumbs"]