Social Scene

Mary Bird • May 3, 2012

Oklahoma is not the only play enjoying a return visit this season. Constellation Theatre Company is bringing back Ramayana based on Indian mythology, which played to sold out houses at Source last year. The production, which will open a three-week run on Aug. 4, will reassemble half the cast and have the welcome addition of Matthew McGloin, who charmed in On the Razzle, playing the monkey Hanuman. On July 11, Constellation’s Artistic Director Allison Stockman presided over a design presentation introducing new and old members of the ensemble and showcasing Kendra Rai’s stunning costumes and two-time Helen Hayes Award winner Tom Teasley’s onstage music. Guests then mingled at a wine and cheese reception. [gallery ids="100243,106660,106656,106639,106652,106648,106644" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Amy and Brian Thomas held a cocktail reception on July 12 to introduce their new Georgetown beauty emporium. Guests toured the two-floor “beauty and body retreat” and enjoyed canapés and cocktails by DC Taste in the landscaped garden. The first floor features rarely found product lines such as Becca Cosmetics, Butter London and GlamGlow. The second-floor offers top European and Asian spa treatments including Intraceuticals Oxygen Infusion facials, exclusive LashDip mascara treatments and Softsense gentle waxing from Italy. Interior designer William McGovern terms his design concept “nostalgic modern glamour,” in other words, stunning. The Thomases intend to expand in the Washington area in the next two years and then bring their luxury treatments to cities in Texas. [gallery ids="102537,120090,120100,120096,120081" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

On July 17, supporters of the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) raised their glasses as Board Chair Roger Marmet hosted a wine tasting at his Ripple Restaurant & Wine Bar in Cleveland Park. Proceeds from the event featuring delicious vegetarian and vegan hors d’oeuvres with wines from dog friendly vineyards will support the League’s Disaster Rescue Fund. WARL President and CEO Gary Weitzman expressed his appreciation and urged everyone to visit the League. The recently acquired 42,000-square-foot property adjacent to the current shelter will more than double the existing facility. The League’s goal through a capital campaign is to open the National Center for Rehabilitation for Animals to coincide with its centennial in 2014 in pursuit of its commitment for the “rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of animals who have nowhere else to go.” [gallery ids="100245,106669,106678,106664,106682,106659,106686,106690,106654,106674" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

When the rain came in the middle of dinner, as predicted, few fled the covered patio, getting splashed nonetheless, for the exquisite interiors of Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm Restaurant. It was that good — and full of flavor and camaraderie. On Aug. 6, Clyde’s Ninth Annual Farm Dinner led 85 guests on a local food sampling exercise. From local honey, veggies, clams and lamb to fine wines, the five-course dinner was an advocate for local farms and local buying. After all, it is a main event for the non-profit Slow Food D.C.

Willow Creek Farm Restaurant, managed by Paul Fox, lives up to the slow food creed. It has its own farm to start — along with four reassembled heavy-timber buildings, thanks to the collecting obsession of Clyde’s main man John Laytham. Spread out like a classic American inn, parts of the restaurant are a sight to behold inside and outside, reminding the D.C. visitor of images of 1789 Restaurant, Old Ebbitt and other Clyde’s places we know and love. The farm is a few minutes’ walk from the parking lot. As for the drive, Willow Creek Farm is in Ashburn (Broadlands), Va., and a straight shot due west on the Dulles Toll Road; be mindful of the street names once off the toll road.

After a tour of the farm and a beekeeper’s presention by Patrick and Diane Standiford, Clyde’s corporate chef John Guattery, a slow food enthusiast, welcomed the diners and let the servings begin. The menu included Chesapeake Bay soft-shell clams with ravioli (herbs from the farm next to us) in Blue Ridge Dairy butter; Roast Border Springs lamb (leg, rack and sausage); roasted peach semifreddo with the farm’s honey popcorn. Virginia wines — Rapidan River, Chrysalis Vineyards, Fabbioli Cellars, Hillsborough Vineyards — accompanied the dishes.

Later, shepherd Craig Rogers gave an impassioned defense of the world’s “oldest profession,” which has been looked down on throughout history. Rogers, a shepherd with a doctorate, had the guests laughing at his contemporary and Biblical insights. Renee Catacalos, former publisher of Edible Chesapeake magazine which folded, spoke of the need to extend the taste and nutritional benefits of the slow food and local farming movement to many people, especially those in schools and hospitals.

Friends, foodies and those who simply like to eat well all learned something about the care of farming, cooking and eating locally. For us city folk, it is no longer a far-away feast, thanks to the master designers of the complete food experience at Clyde’s. Let’s give them an old-fashioned Georgetown “huzzah!”
[gallery ids="100259,106945,106941,106919,106937,106924,106933,106929" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Beating Washington’s killer heat was made easier on Aug. 4 as enthusiastic guests flocked to Morton’s in Georgetown where they enjoyed “Spa-Tinis” that included “Lean and Green” and “Skynny Blood Orange Cosmos,” each with less than 200 calories accompanied by signature hors d’oeuvres. Nectar Skin Bar and Aveda offered pampering. Lucky raffle winners received gift certificates to Georgetown spas and dinner for two at Morton’s. [gallery ids="102538,120059,120044,120050,120080,120093,120086,120074,120066" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Children Uniting Nations (CUN) is a proactive organization created to bring attention to the plight of at-risk and foster youth. Children in foster care receive role-model support, guidance, a sense of community and awareness of the importance of education. In conjunction with CUN’s Fifth Annual Conference in support of foster youth mentorship gains in Washington on July 20, Lani Hay, Christine Warnke and Greg Houston hosted a private dinner at Neyla. CUN founder Daphna Ziman said, “our children are our future. We are simply the gatekeepers.” Jermaine and Randy Jackson have lent their support to the program in honor of Michael. At the following evening’s gala in the J. W. Marriott ballroom, Randy said, “we had parents who told us our dreams could come true.” Jermaine charmed the room with his rendition of “Smile,” Michael’s favorite song. Daphna thanked him, remarking, “there were moments that I heard Michael. You are continuing the dream.” — Mary Bird [gallery ids="99321,99322,99323,99324,99325" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Fashion for Paws’ Tara de Nicholas and Jayne Sandman teamed up at Nectar Skin Bar and on Aug. 24 for a shopping event to benefit the Washington Humane Society. Known primarily for its annual Fashion for Paws Runway Show, in five years F4P has raised over $1.5 for the WHS through high profile events. Nectar Skin Bar showcases top beauty lines and pampering spa treatments in a stunning Wisconsin Avenue townhouse and garden oasis. Owners Amy and Brian Thomas, who also have Ipsa down the block, donated a portion of the evening’s proceeds to WHS. [gallery ids="99227,103549,103580,103554,103576,103559,103572,103564,103568" nav="thumbs"]

Neshan Naltchayan •

A reception in honor of Amb. Andrew Young and Mrs. Carolyn Young on the occasion of the dedication
of the martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Aug. 25, 2011 [gallery ids="99230,103596,103589,103593" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

On Sept. 11, there was a respite in a day of remembrance as Thai Ambassador and Ms. Nuchjaree Klongsungsorn welcomed supporters of the Spanish Steps Project to a relaxing afternoon in their residence, Codman House, at the foot of the Kalorama landmark now requiring restoration. Spanish Steps Project board president David Bender made introductory remarks on proposed plans. He hailed the board’s vice president Jean Tippett as the “grandmother of the Spanish Steps.” The ambassador and his wife charmed their guests with classical Thai dance, a fabulous Thai buffet accompanied by special wines and Thai Chang beer with the bonus of a cooking demonstration which the ambassador narrated with chef Jitapa Haoharn. Historian Paul Williams traced the history of the residence commissioned by Miss Martha Codman in 1906, which the Government of Thailand purchased in 1995 and restored to its former splendor. There was also a raffle with many happy winners garnering a Smithsonian publication, “Treasures of Two Nations: Thai Royal Gifts to the United States of America.” [gallery ids="100297,107548,107522,107544,107540,107527,107536,107532" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Sister Foundation co-hosted an international heart-healthy luncheon at the World Bank with the Embassy of Hungary and the Royal Danish Embassy on Sept. 13. Founded by Irene Pollin in 1999, Sister to Sister has pioneered in enlightening women to the risks of heart disease and its link with obesity. Throughout the week, executive chefs from the embassies of Bulgaria, Denmark, Hungary, Sweden and Thailand offered healthful preparations of their national specialties to promote heart-healthy nutrition in the workplace. Luncheon speakers included Dr. Esther Brimmer of the Department of State, Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian of Harvard and JoAnne Foody of Brigham and Women’s Hospital. [gallery ids="100298,107537,107549,107542,107546" nav="thumbs"]