George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation on Christie’s Auction Block
• November 18, 2013

You may have already viewed President George Washington’s proclamation that created the first federal Thanksgiving Day in 1789. This piece of American history was on a national tour by Christie’s and stopped at the Jefferson Hotel Nov. 4. It is now on the auction block at Christie’s New York at Rockefeller Plaza. If you are in midtown Manhattan, you still have time to see it and make a bid.

Here are some details from Christie’s: “On Nov. 14, in a special single-lot evening sale, Christie’s New York is honored to offer a proclamation signed by George Washington on October 3, 1789, establishing the first federal Thanksgiving Day, called for the last Thursday of November (estimate: $8 to12 million). This sale, which follows a national tour, offers a unique opportunity to acquire a foundational document in the history of our great national tradition of Thanksgiving.”

Here are excerpts from President Washington’s proclamation:

“• By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation…

• …both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer…

• Now therefore do I recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being…That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for… the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge…”

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For New Gallery, Proof Is in the Artist
• November 15, 2013

Artist’s Proof, a gallery with a unique compilation of artists and styles, opened Oct. 19 in Cady’s Alley.

The gallery is dedicated mostly to contemporary art, but it really does not cater to a particular style. Instead, its main focus is the stories shared by the artists.

Gallery owner Peggy Sparks, who knows each artist personally, places the utmost emphasis on the stories behind the works. She will lead gallery guests through the space, passionately explaining the personal journey of each artist. ”It’s not just art on white walls,” says Sparks. ”It’s a conversation.”

The pieces within Artist’s Proof range from geometric to chaotic and black and white to explosively colorful. There are two-dimensional works on canvas and three-dimensional wooden and bronze pieces. The place currently carries works by a variety of international artists, including Jean-Francois Debongnie, Hunter Hogan, and Fred BergerCardi.

Before settling in Washington, D.C., a year ago, Sparks took time to visit the major art cities of the United States, spending extra time in Boulder, Colo. She’s worked internationally in cities such as Shanghai, Dubai, and her homeland of Singapore.

Sparks has worked in the art world for the past ten years. She didn’t expect to end in this industry, having originally studied linguistics. But when she took a job in an art gallery upon graduating college, she ”starting falling in love with the works.”

Since her move to Washington, D.C., Sparks has worked on the gallery opening.

”This is the fastest I could get it open,” she says, adding that she is concerned more about the guest’s in-gallery experience, rather than the amount of pieces a guest ends up purchasing. Her first and most important goal, she says, is for ”people to leave the gallery with their hearts filled.”

Sparks plans to hold an event on Dec. 8, she says, tentatively called ”Lazy Sunday.” Mosey on over to Artist’s Proof, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., that day, for art appreciation and adult beverages.

‘Sleeping Beauty’: a Gothic Take on a Ballet Classic
• November 11, 2013

Everyone knows about three of the most famous ballets in the world—“The Nutcracker,” “Swan Lake” and “Sleeping Beauty,” all of which are set to the gorgeous, astonishing music of Pyotr Tchaikovsky and are 19th-century dance and music creations of surpassing magic.

Now, “Sleeping Beauty” is at the Kennedy Center’s Opera House Nov. 12 through 17, but it is not just Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty.”

It is now squarely “Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty,” which is to say that it is the work of the renowned, very cool and very different British choreographer and his New Adventures company, which returns with memories of his 2007 visit with his dance version of “Edward Scissorhands” still fresh in the minds and imaginations of those who saw it.

Bourne, a former dancer, set out on his own to create and re-create different, stranger and all the while more accessible versions of classics—his “Swan Lake” featured all-male swans and his “Nutcracker!” with the exclamation point promised renewed energy. Bourne’s “Sleeping Beauty” is right on time in the age where our interest in all matters romantic and gothic, including the undead and vampires, seems never quite to peak, what with a new “Dracula” a hit on network television.

“Sleeping Beauty”, with its fairy tale of the princess who, along with her kingdom, is put under a spell that puts everything to sleep for years and years, only to be awakened by the kiss of a prince, seems in the telling, an old children’s tale, romantic but also, well, a little sleepy. But Bourne, never shy about changing things, has set his version—still with the great music—in the fin-de-siecle turn of the 19th into the 20th century, when interests in fairies and vampires, and gothic horror tales were the passion of high-style Europeans, to begin with. Bourne’s version moves through time, from fin-de-siecle, through the Edwardian age until Princess Aurora wakes up more or less in our present day.

Previewing a Better Understanding
• November 7, 2013

On Sept. 1, artistic director Jameson Freeman hosted an intimate fall preview for the non-profit organization For a Better Understanding of Mankind, also known as FABUM, at his and Dana Tai Soon Burgess’s home in the Palisades. The evening gave a sneak peek into future plans as the organization launches its third year of “original performance projects and artistic programming that explore the human condition.” FABUM’s most recent project, a walk-through theatrical experience, entitled “Dream Wedding,” was produced in June and its youth program “has expanded dramatically with new curriculum and mentors” since launching last year.
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Devotion to Children
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On Aug. 21, supporters of Pro View and Devotion to Children gathered on the balcony of Morton’s Steakhouse on Connecticut Avenue for a happy hour kick-off to Doc Walker’s ProView Event 76, Cards 4 Kids Poker Tournament.

Dan Ruttenberg and Yasmine Bonilla will co-chair the Sept. 21 Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament, which will also take place at Morton’s. Proceeds will be used to help struggling families secure affordable childcare services in the Washington metropolitan area. [gallery ids="101444,153698,153689,153693,153704,153702" nav="thumbs"]

Mixing and Mingling at Citi Open
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The W Washington D.C. rooftop was the hard court on July 28, hosting WTA and ATP tennis celebrities and VIPs. The 2013 Citi Open Player Party opened the P.O.V. rooftop terrace and lounge for guests to get excited about the Citi Open tournament, which began earlier that day. Juan Martin Del Potro, the seventh-ranked player in the world, was among the hundreds of players in attendance. Mayor Vincent Gray was among D.C.-ers mixing and mingling with players. The Citi Open is a part of the Emirates Airlines U.S. Open Series, leading up to the U.S. Open. [gallery ids="101412,154874,154870" nav="thumbs"]

K Street Kate’s 7th
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K Street Magazine’s Kate Michael celebrated the magazine’s seventh anniversary with a “Seventh Inning Stretch” celebration at ArtJamz in Dupont Circle. Attendees sipped Van Gogh Vodka and began painting a blank wall in the studio. When an entire wall at Art Jamz was covered with guests’ artwork, Michael’s white shirt was a blank canvas no more as everyone waited to take a turn at painting her. At this “pay what you want event” a portion of all donations benefited the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation. [gallery ids="101413,154896,154877,154892,154888,154883" nav="thumbs"]

Pink Party Benefits Children’s Inn at NIH
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Girls battling cancer and other serious illnesses were treated to a VIP Pink Party July 27 at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Georgetown, co-hosted by CharityChicks US and We Will Survive Cancer. The pampering and “all things pink” theme provided a much-needed break from medical treatments and the stress of illness. Guests enjoyed a jazz quartet, specialty cocktails and food and art lessons, overlooking the flower garden. The Inn, which received all proceeds, is a nonprofit “Place Like Home” for families with seriously ill children, who participate in ground-breaking medical research at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda and who stay as long as needed, free of charge. [gallery ids="119006,119002,118989,118997" nav="thumbs"]

Restaurant Association Power Hour
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Restaurant Association Greater Washington held a “Power Hour” at Nellie’s Sports Bar July 29 to thank the sponsors of the 2013 RAMMY Awards. Nellie’s had garnered the Neighborhood Gathering Place award. The weather cooperated as representatives from Washington’s booming restaurant and hospitality industry gathered rooftop on an unusually pleasant mid-summer evening. RAMW President Kathy Hollinger promised brief remarks as she expressed special thanks to sponsors and volunteers and then drew chuckles with “and now a PowerPoint presentation.” [gallery ids="101414,154933,154894,154929,154899,154926,154908,154914,154919" nav="thumbs"]

Queen’s Toast: Pageantry, Fashion and Philanthropy
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Beautiful faces and bodies took over the posh Barcode Lounge Aug. 3 for “Toast with the Queen” Reception and Fundraiser. Hosted by Mary Amons, formerly of Bravo’s Real Housewives of D.C., and business owner Souny West of W Salon, Touting itself as a collaboration of “Pageantry, Fashion and Philanthropy.” the event that mixed those industries together perfectly. A portion of the ticket sales went to the non-profit, Luke’s Wings, which unites wounded warriors, veterans and heroes with their loved ones when they need them most. [gallery ids="101415,154944,154931,154940,154936" nav="thumbs"]