An Impressive 57th Corcoran Ball
• June 18, 2012

Once again the Corcoran Gallery transformed into an exhibit gala of guests, dinner and dance for its 57th annual ball April 20. Under the honorary patronage of France’s Ambassador Francois Delattre and his wife Sophie and the honorary chair of artist Sam Gilliam, the ball chair Deborah de Gorter threaded the galleries with happy, art-loving partiers and patrons. [gallery ids="100771,123521,123514,123485,123508,123501,123493" nav="thumbs"]

Nobody’s Late for ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Ball
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The Mellon Auditorium glistened with red and gold as dancers celebrated the Washington Ballet’s own premiere take on Lewis Carroll’s fantasy. Guests were welcomed by Sylvia de Leon, Elizabeth Bagley and Septime Webre and treated to a dance selection of the work and performances by student dancers. [gallery ids="100772,100772,123530,123509,123530,123509,123517,123525" nav="thumbs"]

Avenue Suites Brings New York Chic to Pennsylvania Avenue
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Conrad Cafritz, Chairman of Modus Hotels, welcomed fortunate guests to a preview of Avenue Suites and the West End’s newest outdoor cocktail destination A Bar. Guests enjoyed lychee martinis accompanied by tempting nibbles. DJ Neekola was joined by New York-based electric violinist Sarah Charness. Highlights were the sun dappled patio and a second floor suite draped in chocolates and desserts where guests could win a weekend stay at Avenue Suites, chef’s tasting at Marcel’s and a gift card to A Bar. [gallery ids="100761,123198,123161,123193,123168,123188,123174,123182" nav="thumbs"]

Ball on the Mall
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The L’Enfant Society hosted its annual “Ball on the Mall” on May 5. The event, co-chaired by Christian Gullott and Marissa Mitrovich of the L’Enfant Society, and sponsored by Time Warner, Inc., and HBO Verizon, raises money for the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, which cannot fund necessary repairs due to budget cuts. Dressed to impress, guests dined and danced, and as they exited the event, were greeted by a full moon peeking out from behind the Washington Monument, as if to serve as a reminder of why they were there. [gallery ids="100803,124508,124478,124502,124495,124487" nav="thumbs"]

GALA Night of the Stars
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GALA, the National Center for Latino Performing Arts, celebrated the Inter-American Year of Culture in collaboration with the Organization of American States at the Art Museum of the Americas on April 16. The picture perfect evening honored singer/songwriter Ricardo Montaner, arts and business leader Janet Farrell, and American Airlines for its corporate philanthropy. GALA provides opportunities for the Latino artist, educates youth and engages the entire community. Costa Rican Ambassador Muni Figueres heralded GALA Co-founder/Executive Director Rebecca Medrano as “a motor and a muse.” [gallery ids="100764,123252,123246,123240,123211,123234,123220,123227" nav="thumbs"]

Williams Earns RAMW’s Ziebert Award
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On Apr. 30, Councilman Jack Evans presented the 2012 Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington to former D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams. The event at the Hamilton recognized Williams’s dedication and leadership on behalf of the Washington’s vibrant restaurant industry. For over 90 years, RAMW has been “fighting for the right to eat, drink and be merry, hospitably, responsibly and profitably.” The annual gala “Hats Off to Restaurants!” will be held at the Marriot Wardman Park June 24.

Patriotic Arts Education Celebration Fete
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The D.C. Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative held its spring event “Patriotic Arts Education Celebration Fete” at the Lincoln Restaurant, where more than 150 arts education enthusiasts turned out to support the mission of providing access to arts and humanities for all of D.C. public school students. Honorary co-chairs included Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, Representatives John Lewis and Louise Slaughter as well as D.C. Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson. [gallery ids="100802,124482,124476,124469" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Fine Properties Cup
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At Virginia’s Gold Cup races, May 5, rider Ross Geraghty and trainer Joseph Delozier are awarded the Washington Fine Properties Cup by Tom Anderson (center) along with Dana Landry, Marc Schappel and William Moody (behind), thanks to their horse, Lake Placid, owned by Irvin Naylor. This fourth race of about 2.5 miles held a purse of $25,000, of which the winner received $15,000.

Mexico’s Noche de Pasión
• June 8, 2012

The Ambassador of Mexico and Mrs. Veronica Valencia-Sarukhan, Washington Ballet Artistic Director Septime Webre and co-chairs Pilar Frank O’Leary de la Cruz Ernst choreographed a fabulous evening on May 11, Noche de Pasión, celebrating the world premiere of Noche Latina. Guests gathered on the Rivers restaurant terrace alongside the Kennedy Center before the ballet performance and then proceeded to the Mexican Cultural Institute’s “Café Pasión” for dinner and margarita-fueled dancing. The event raised scholarship funds for Spanish dancers. [gallery ids="102454,121108,121085,121069,121096,121077,121053,121091,121061,121102" nav="thumbs"]

Suited for Change Turns 20
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Barbara Camens, president of Suited for Change, welcomed guests to Suited for Spring, a 20th anniversary luncheon held at the Capital Hilton May 10. SFC partners with more than 70 community organizations that refer clients for assistance in professional attire and job readiness training. TV reporter Jummy Olabanji interviewed SFC client Ivana Willis, who said SFC mentoring gave her confidence to reenter the work force. Willis now holds a permanent position as an administrative assistant at the American Psychological Association. [gallery ids="100809,124662,124654,124641,124649" nav="thumbs"]