Social Scene

Gary Tischler • July 26, 2011

For once, it was all good for the often beleaguered Mayor Vincent Gray.

That hasn’t been the case too often for the mayor, who’s been embroiled in controversy almost since he took office. But last week, Gray returned to his roots and was honored for what he accomplished there.

The occasion was “A Night of Broadway Stars” a gala event honoring Covenant House, the international organization which dedicates itself to helping homeless young people find work, homes and hope. It awarded its first “Lizzie” award to Gray, Covenant House Washington’s first executive director from 1995 to 2005.

In the course of Gray’s mayoral campaign, one of the first things you found out about him was how much pride he took in his tenureship of Covenant House. “The importance of Covenant House in my life is hard to overstate,” he said in accepting the award. “I am better for my time at Covenant House… We set out to serve the suffering children of the streets and become a voice on behalf of all young people who are themselves homeless and otherwise at risk.”

It was an occasion for honoring the young people themselves, who recited poetry, sang amid Broadway pros, and were visible evidence of the effect of hope fulfilled.

The event, held at the ARC, a state-of-the-art performance space in the heart of Anacostia and next to Covenant House Washington, was indeed a performance of “A Night of Broadway Stars.” It was a song-filled presentation of musical numbers from enduring Broadway hits like “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserable,” “Chicago” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Broadway composer, lyricist and producer Neil Berg put “A Night of Broadway Stars” together, bringing along performers Robert Dusold, Craig Shulman, Ted Louis Levy, Danny Zolli, as well as Frankie Valli, Roger Cohen, Alan Greene, Natalie Rita Harvey, Capathia Jenkins and others.

The combination of empowering music and empowering setting, along with the presence of young men and women who have been helped by Covenant House provided a bracing dose of optimism, probably and especially for the mayor.

Co-chairs for “A Night of Broadway Stars” were Ms. Linda Mercado Greene, Mrs. Judy Greenberg and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Miller, and Judith Terra and Mrs. Virginia Williams acted as honorary co-chairs.

Robert Devaney •

Ladies, hurry up and drop off those old prom dresses at Ella Rue. The boutique, owned by Krista Johnson, will accept donations for Once Upon a Prom, a non-profit, now in its fifth year, run by Ashley Taylor of Ann Hand LLC. The P Street shop held a fundraiser, March 31. The dresses are provided free, one per each young woman who otherwise could not afford it. The 2011 Prom Dress Giveaway at Eastern Market is set for April 17. [gallery ids="99224,103531,103528" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

The Washington Ballet recently presented Rock & Roll at Sidney Harman Hall. The program opened with Trey McIntryre’s High Lonesome followed by Septime Webre’s Fluctuating Hemlines and concluded with British choreographer Christopher Bruce’s Rooster. In his welcoming remarks, Artistic Director Septime Webre said that the program confirmed that the marriage of ballet with rock and roll does work—the Black Swan and Mick Jagger. [gallery ids="99611,105054,105065,105061,105057" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

The YMCA held its spring luncheon on Apr 2 at Café Milano. Gwendolyn Russell welcomed guests. Executive Director Norris Woods spoke of “inclusiveness, equality and mutual respect for all.” In hailing the success of helping just one person, Tyrone Moore told of a young man who went from not being able to read to graduating from the Lab School and running aquatics programs in DC. Aaron Payne joined the YMCA at age six and is now a “paying customer.” In delivering the invocation, co-chair Marsha Nelms Muawaad said “it’s in the way that we guide our youth that we guide our future.” In addition, luncheon was delicious. [gallery ids="102511,120153,120145,120155" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

The Washington National Opera’s Women’s Committee hosted the Midwinter Fiesta, Oaxaca: Land of Magic and Color, on Feb. 12 at the Mexican Cultural Institute under the patronage of Ambassador of Mexico Arturo Sarukhan and Mrs. Veronica Valencia-Sarukhan. Alison Bibee and Jessica Melugin co-chaired the colorful evening celebrating the history of one of Mexico’s must culturally vibrant regions. Guests enjoyed plentiful libations and six tasting stations donated by leading restaurants. Entertainment was provided by Mariachi Los Amigos with programs by Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists, Mexican tenor José Ortega and Chilean baritone Javier Arrey, before DJ Dino spun salsa beats for dancing.

Mary Bird •

On Mar. 22, The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington announced the finalists for this year’s awards which will be presented at the Marriott Wardman Park on June 26. The theme will be Carnevale da Cuisine. New this year is the Joan Hisaoka Associate Member of the Year with Adams-Burch, BB&T, EagleBank, Fiji Water, The Ritz-Carlton Washington, DC and SYSCO Food Services of Baltimore the finalists. Traditional categories include Fine Dining Restaurant, Chef of the Year, New Restaurant and Rising Culinary Star. [gallery ids="99633,105194,105225,105221,105199,105217,105213,105204,105209" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Georgetowner Nina McLemore threw open her doors on Oct. 20 to host a fashion show and sale of her latest collection of quality clothing designed for today’s multi-faceted women to benefit the Nooristan Foundation. Nooristan is a non-profit providing humanitarian, medical and educational support for rural areas in Afghanistan. Projects include livelihood assistance and literacy for 90 families in a refugee camp outside Kabul, training midwives in Takhar province and establishing a village school in Nooristan. Nina sells primarily through independent consultants holding private trunk shows. Better specialty locations and eight recently established permanent eponymous stores showcase her wearable and travelable fashions. – Mary Bird [gallery ids="99440,99441,99442,99443" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

On Oct. 21, Sitar Arts Center hosted student led tours and then moved to the Meridian International Center for a reception, silent auction, fall fashion show, arts performance and even more to benefit its arts education programs. Exec. Dir. Ed Spitzberg hailed Sitar as “arguably the number one arts center in this country.” Sitar Arts Center enables underserved children and youth to study visual and performing arts in an after school safe haven. It reaches more than 700 students a year, 80 percent from low-income households. Partners include The Corcoran Gallery of Art, The Washington Ballet, Shakespeare Theatre Company and WPAS. – Mary Bird [gallery ids="99444,99445,99446,99447,99448,99449" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

This year’s Honorary Chef Ris Lacoste hosted a VIP reception on Oct. 26 at her acclaimed restaurant highlighted by Chef Geoff Tracey and media spouse Norah O’Donnell signing Baby Love: Healthy, Easy, Delicious Meals for Your Baby and Toddler. The main event was a stone’s throw away at the Ritz-Carlton where over 20 of our area’s best chefs served samples of their signature dishes accompanied by offerings from breweries, wineries and local bartenders. Live and silent auctions included unique dining packages, event tickets, hotel stays and weekend getaways. Proceeds support local March of Dimes programs to reduce premature births and infant mortality. – Mary Bird [gallery ids="99450,99451,99452,99453,99454,99455" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

On Oct. 21, The Georgetowner hosted a happy hour at Ris, celebrating the launch of chef and restaurateur Ris Lacoste’s new column, “Across the Cutting Board with Ris.” The evening was also in honor of the return of The Georgetowner’s much beloved column, “The Player,” in which Veena Trehan teams up with WTOP’s Bob Madigan to interview a diverse array of prominent members of the DC community. Ris catered the event with delicious choice samplings from the acclaimed kitchen, including Gruyere puffs, tuna tartar and veal terrine. Keep an eye out for both columns in The Georgetowner. — Ari Post [gallery ids="99465,99466,99467,99468,99469" nav="thumbs"]