Santa and Rudolph Arrive at the Fairmont
• December 8, 2011

WTOP’s “Man About Town” Bob Madigan announced the much awaited arrival of Santa and Rudolph for the 8th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Fairmont Washington, D.C., on Nov. 30. The annual event, which benefits Toys for Tots, opened with a raffle drawing, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves’ Color Guard and entertainment by the Georgetown Visitation Madrigals. Santa and Rudolph descended the stairs to pose for photos in front of the Grinch-themed Gingerbread Village created by the hotel’s gifted pastry team. The tree was lit and children decorated holiday cards as everyone enjoyed complimentary hot chocolate, mulled wine and cookies. [gallery ids="100420,113618,113609,113557,113600,113592,113567,113584,113576" nav="thumbs"]

Capital City Ball VIP Reception
• December 1, 2011

On Nov. 14, Vice Skracic, Acting Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia, hosted a reception for invited guests, donors and sponsors of the 2011 Capital City Ball, which is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Board member Liz Sara thanked supporters. The Capital City Ball raises funds to combat human trafficking. In his remarks, the acting ambassador said that Croatia is a transit country for trafficking and is working with various groups to raise awareness of this scourge. Beneficiary organizations in and around D.C. are seeking to “bridge the gaps” by providing counseling, therapy and legal services to victims of trafficking. Capital City Ball founder and co-chair Bruce Freis said that the ball, now in its fifth year, is a “great party” that supports and creates synergy among its charity partners. [gallery ids="100411,113347,113398,113389,113380,113372,113357,113365" nav="thumbs"]

Al Tiramisu Salutes Piedmont
•

Italian Pied Piper Luigi Diotaiuti, the chef and owner of the Dupont Circle restaurant that celebrates the best of Italian cuisine, held another cooking class and luncheon on Nov. 19, celebrating Piedmont in the series honoring the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification and his 15 years on P Street. The star attraction were the famous white truffles which Luigi abundantly shaved over stirred-to-perfection Acquerello Arborio rice. The lesson began with bagna cauda and concluded with beef stewed in Barolo wine. Given the generous pouring of the region’s signature wines, the participants were also pleasantly “stewed” as they ventured into the sunlight. [gallery ids="100405,113300,113257,113292,113284,113267,113276" nav="thumbs"]

Hungarian Hurrah Chez Schott
•

Ambassador of Hungary Gyorgy Szapary, a grandson of a former prime minister and descendant of a distinguished 16th century family, was feted by Nash and Aniko Gaal Schott at their elegant Wesley Heights residence Nov. 18. The former Deputy Governor of the Hungarian National Bank, and later Monetary Adviser to Hungary’s present Prime Minister Victor Orban, mingled with prominent Washingtonians including Georgetown’s Ed and Dale Mattias of the Carlyle Group, art and music patrons Jane and Calvin Cafritz, art collectors Ricardo and Isabel Ernst, Ambassador Lloyd and famed jewelry designer Ann Hand, Ximena and Gonzalo Sanchez de Losada, former President of Bolivia, Prince Ermias Sahle Selassi and Princess Mahisente H. Mariam and other glamorous attendees and ambassadors. The ambassador clearly has a stellar embassy guest list in order.
[gallery ids="100404,113255,113263,113272,113281,113237,113290,113299,113308,113247" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Ballet Sugar Plum Bazaar
• November 22, 2011

The Washington Ballet heralded the always treasured holiday presentation of The Nutcracker, now celebrating its 50th season begun under WB founder Mary Day, with a “Sip & Shop” holiday preview at the Ballet’s studios on Nov. 12 and 13. Ballet students enchanted shoppers as they sipped champagne while touring the holiday market featuring over 20 vendors of original jewelry, clothing, hand-crafted accessories and much more. The retailers donated 20% of their proceeds to the Ballet. [gallery ids="100385,111232,111248,111244,111237,111240" nav="thumbs"]

2011 Morris Cafritz Center for the Arts Benefit
• November 21, 2011

Tony Award winning performer Melba Moore conquered her audience at the
Jewish Community Center (DCJCC) in her Nov. 8 concert at the Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater. Event Chair David Bruce Smith termed Moore a “Renaissance woman” renowned for her four-octave range. When she took over Diane Keaton’s role in Hair, she became the first black actress to replace a white lead on Broadway. The evening’s repertoire included standards by Irving Berlin and Duke Ellington. In closing, Moore proposed to a toast “to health, wealth, to your happiness and to mine.”

Horton’s Kids Benefit at House of Sweden
•

Nearly 200 guests filled the House of Sweden on Nov. 3 for the annual Horton’s Kid’s Benefit Gala. The event, “Cocktails and Crooners,” featured a Rat Pack theme with live big band music provided by Radio King Orchestra and a silent auction with many framed photos of the Rat Pack celebrities. Spike Mendelsohn, the Top Chef All Star and long-time supporter of Horton’s Kids, was on hand to mix, mingle and thank the guests including many of the city’s top lobbyists, for their participation. Brenda Chamberlain, Executive Director of Horton’s Kids, spoke of the non-profit’s work in providing tutoring, mentoring and other services to the underprivileged children living in Anacostia. Horton’s Kids was founded 20 years ago and is a 2011 winner of The Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management. [gallery ids="102429,121608,121618,121613" nav="thumbs"]

Get Steeped with Fairmont
•

Fairmont hotels declared Nov. 12 as an “official” day to pay tribute to all things tea. “Get Steeped with Fairmont” was celebrated around the world with signature “Tea-quila” cocktails in Dallas and a multi-cultural tea celebration in Maui. Diana Bulger, Area Director of Public Relations for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, chose to honor protocol expert Carole Margaret Randolph at a tea with friends. Carol, who teaches modern manners and protocol to children, teens and adults, often holds classes at The Fairmont. Diana said that Carole “gracefully turned little girls and boys into charming young ladies and gentlemen, teaching them how to become comfortable in any social situation while using perfect manners and silverware.” Executive Sous Chef Ian Bens and Executive Pastry Chef Aron Weber prepared delicious tea delicacies. Guests departed with a Fairmont bone china tea cup and saucer made in England. [gallery ids="100384,111222,111234,111227,111231" nav="thumbs"]

Knock Out Abuse
•

A bevy of beauties were accompanied down the stairs to the Ritz-Carlton ballroom on Nov. 10 by elegantly attired gentlemen and then greeted by the very unattired splendor of denizens of “muscle beach” in keeping with the evening’s St. Tropez theme. Cheryl Mari and Jill Sorensen founded Knock Out Abuse (KOA) 18 years ago to raise funds and awareness for victims of domestic violence in our area. Maryland Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown was recognized for his commitment to the cause. Tireless advocate Jaci Wilson Reid served as the 2011 Chair. Andrea Roane of WUSA9 emceed the program which honored attorney and author Linda Fairstein, a leading legal expert on crimes against women and children, with the 2011 Legend Award. Lynne Zink ran the live auction which included escapes to Nantucket, South Africa, St. Thomas and Egypt. Performing artist Donna D’Cruz entertained as gentlemen arrived from Fight Night. KOA has raised upwards of $7 million towards ending the cycle of domestic violence.
[gallery ids="100383,111221,111212,111225,111207,111229,111202,111233,111197,111217" nav="thumbs"]

Choral Arts Kicks Off Legacy Season, Honoring Scribner
• November 3, 2011

The Choral Arts Society of Washington kicked off the “Legacy Season” of retiring founder and artistic director Norman Scribner at the home of board member Jenny Wallace and her husband Jim on Sept. 15. Longtime patrons and donors came out in full force to celebrate Maestro Scribner’s 47 years of visionary leadership. The evening also served as a kick-off for the 31st Annual Holiday Concert & Benefit, “Holiday Treasures from Russia,” which will be held at the Kennedy Center Dec. 19 under the patronage of the Ambassador of the Russian Federation Sergey Kislyak and his wife Natalia. Brooke Stroud Carnot and Stephane Carnot are co-chairing this year’s benefit with former benefit chair and longtime Choral Arts chorister Kandy Stroud as honorary chair.
 
Photos courtesy of The Choral Arts Society of Washington [gallery ids="100295,107497,107523,107519,107502,107515,107507,107511" nav="thumbs"]