Social Scene

Mary Bird • July 26, 2011

President of the Women’s Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) Cyd Everett presented a special program on Mar. 14, “Meet the Artists” followed by luncheon at the museum. Korean-born abstract artist Su Kwak discussed her painting “Evening Light” on double canvas reflecting a metaphoric message of personal and spiritual healing. Clarissa Bonde followed as an internationally exhibited botanical watercolor artist who continues to study and expand. Attendees mourned the recent loss of the intended third exhibitor, Lisa Pumphrey Turner, whose triptych on permanent exhibit was displayed. With family members in attendance, she was movingly remembered for her many qualities by incoming Women’s Committee President Fran Luessenhop. [gallery ids="99211,103480,103469,103477,103474" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

On Mar. 18 Marsha Ralls celebrated 20 years and 20 artists at her Georgetown gallery. John Blee’s Orchard Mist graced the invitation as Marsha welcomed guests to a “milestone celebration…of embracing the world of art; through it educating, inspiring, and beautifying the world.” Marsha fondly remembered Robert Rauschenberg, a mentor and friend, whom she represented. Works by William Dunlap, Patrick LoCicero, and Caio Fonseca among others will be on view through May 28. [gallery ids="99212,103490,103479,103486,103483" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

Never failing to impress, the 56th Annual Corcoran Ball — hosted by Tammie Collins — shone through rich colors, classic settings and an A-list all its own, as those other parties went on around town, April
29. With the masterpieces in ad hoc dining rooms, the thousand or so guests also viewed fresh artworks by Corcoran students. And to finish, dancing amid the alabaster splendor. [gallery ids="99666,106029,106040,106037,106034" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

On Mar. 8, Gala, The National Center of Latino Performing Arts, celebrated its 35th anniversary season. The evening honored enduring supporters The Eugene & Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Fernando & Stephanie van Reigersberg and Edwin Aparicio. Heart and soul of Gala, Rebecca and Hugo Medrano, were justly proud of their outreach that crosses “borders and frontiers.” The evening featured performances by Quin Tango, dancer Carina Losano and Gala’s Youth Company Paso Nuevo. Silent and live auctions supported Gala’s mission of creative artistic programming and commitment to arts education. [gallery ids="99630,105185,105181,105169,105177,105173" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

The parties before and after the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton, April 30, grabbed the attention of pols, entertainers, media, activists and fans before that huge Sunday evening announcement by President Obama. He attended the dinner, poking fun at Donald Trump along with comedian Seth Myers. The first lady was wearing Halston; the Donald was wearing a frown.
Parties began with Quinn Gillespie, Lani Hays, Creative Coalition, People, the Bradleys, Tammy Haddad’s garden brunch on R Street, where Sarah Palin was the one not to miss (but she left early). Then, afterwards, MSNBC at the Italian Embassy; Capitol File with Bing and the Creative Coalition at the Reagan Building; Washington Life on Q Street; Vanity Fair at the French ambassador’s residence. On Sunday, brunches from Politico Q Street and John Laughlin and Thomson Reuters at the Hays Adams.
So, is all this truly D.C.’s nerd prom season, as many like to say? We report; you decide.
[gallery ids="99668,106084,106089,106094,106099,106104,106109,106114,106119,106124,106079,106074,106145,106049,106141,106054,106137,106059,106133,106064,106069,106129" nav="thumbs"]

Gary Tischler •

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"]

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.