National Sporting Library & Museum Screening
• April 24, 2013

National Sporting Library & Museum “Summer in February” private film screening and preview of Munnings: Out in the Open exhibition, April 21, in Middleburg, Va. [gallery ids="101265,147844,147840,147831,147836" nav="thumbs"]

N Street Village Gala: ‘Addicted to Life’
•

N Street Village held its annual gala at the Ritz Carlton in the West End April 10. The D.C. non-profit helps homeless and low-income women turn their lives around and work toward self-reliance. It honored N Street Village success stories — Patricia Birk, Shevanda Brantley and Lolita Mitchell — with the Steinbruck Award. Honored with the Founders’ Award: Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and wife Abigail Blunt as well as Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., for their support of the efforts of N Street Village. Brantley summed it up: “I’m addicted to life!” The gala raised more than $675,000 for N Street Village. [gallery ids="119271,119283,119279" nav="thumbs"]

Easter Seals Raise Funds for Veterans
•

Easter Seals Serving Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, honored Tom Brokaw, actor Gary Sinise and Citi for contributions to military, veterans and their families at its annual Advocacy Awards on April 16 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. The event focused on achievements in veterans employment and recognized individuals, corporations and foundations that have transformed the landscape for people with disabilities and special needs. The fundraiser generated more than $400,000 to support Easter Seals services, the highest total in the event’s history. [gallery ids="101264,147827,147817,147823" nav="thumbs"]

Las Vegas Night
•

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"]

Sitar Arts Center’s Paint the Town Benefit
•

On Apr. 11, Sitar Art’s Center’s annual event gathered supporters at the Mexican Cultural Institute to fund high-quality arts education to underserved children and youth. The Kalorama-based facility offers afterschool, weekend and summer classes to over 700 students annually. Participating arts organizations include the Washington Ballet, Corcoran Gallery of Art and Washington performing Arts Society. In 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama presented Sitar with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award. [gallery ids="119322,119295,119312,119304,119315" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Performing Arts Society Gala
•

Tony Award winner Chita Rivera headlined The Washington Performing Arts Society annual gala at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel on May 8. Argentine Ambassador Héctor Marcos Timerman and Mrs. Anabelle Sielcki served as Honorary Diplomatic Chairs of the evening entitled From Broadway to Buenos Aires. The Children of the Gospel Choir opened the program. Ambassador Timerman quipped that “politicians and actors learn young to never share the stage with kids.” The event supports education programs for all ages. WPAS President and CEO Neale Perl noted that students with access to the arts do better in school. – Mary Bird [gallery ids="99332,99340,99339,99338,99337,99336,99335,99334,99333,99341" nav="thumbs"]