Newsbabes Fight Cancer With Verve, Class and Beauty
• July 26, 2011

D.C.’s Newsbabes lit up the Collonade Room May 17 at the Fairmont Hotel, all to benefit the fight against cancer, to meet friends and colleagues and to make some guys smile. The third annual Newsbabes Bash for Breast Cancer is a prelude for the June 4 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The stunning and fun group of female journalists honored cancer survivors Jennifer Griffin of Fox News, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and others. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius spoke about how cancer has touched her and America’s families. Washington, D.C., first lady — or first daughter — Jonice Gray Tucker recalled losing her mother Loretta to cancer and “all those left behind” by her death and stressed the greater need by underprivileged or minority groups to fight cancer and raise awareness for early detection. When the Newsbabes lined up, WTOP’s Man About Town Bob Madigan joined them as the honorary host and one lucky fellow. [gallery ids="99761,99762,99763,99764" nav="thumbs"]

Sitar Arts Center Celebrates Its Students’ Work at the Corcoran Gallery of Art
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On Apr. 6, the Sitar Arts Center in Adams Morgan, a multidisciplinary arts education haven for children and youth predominantly from low-income households in Washington, DC, hosted is annual celebration and benefit at The Corcoran Gallery of Art. Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan and Veronica Valencia-Sarukhan were honorary diplomatic hosts. The event began with cocktails and Mexican inspired fare from Occasions Caterers followed by a student showcase and program honoring artist Ruben Toledo and his wife, fashion designer Isabel, who created First Lady Michelle Obama’s inaugural outfit. One young participant called Sitar “a place where I trust everyone.” Sitar uses arts for “healthy human connections.” The evening concluded with a dessert reception and silent auction. [gallery ids="102512,120149,120137,120154,120143" nav="thumbs"]

Bejeweled Dream Home at Design Center
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Eight interior designers have used jewelry as their inspiration for room styles and decorations for the Washington Design Center’s 2011 Dream Home: Jewel Tones of Design. Seven jewelers and a jewelry designer helped the teams pick the fitting piece. The showcase is free and open to the public and runs through Dec. 9 — 300 D Street, S.W. — www.dcdesigncenter.com/dreamhome. [gallery ids="99627,105160,105156,105149,105152" nav="thumbs"]

National Rehabilitation Hospital Goes Gaming
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National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) held its 2nd Annual Last Vegas Nights Benefit on Feb. 18 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts with Carole Randolph and Karin DeFrancis co-chairing. Guests were met by plumed showgirls and could fortify themselves with a “black martini” before heading to the gaming tables with a special guest appearance by Texas Hold’em Champion Mary Jones. Mike Walter emceed the evening. Goodie bags included something for everyone—NRH playing cards, Baileys Irish Cream and Eucerin skin therapy. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, NRH is a private, not-for-profit facility in NW Washington and a proud member of MedStar Health. The benefit raised funds for the hospital’s various patient disability programs including brain and spinal chord injuries and stroke. [gallery ids="99192,103330,103314,103326,103322,103319" nav="thumbs"]

2011 Leukemia Ball.
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2011 Leukemia Ball. [gallery ids="99628,105165,105154,105162,105159" nav="thumbs"]

Meet the Artists Event at the National Museum of Women in the Arts
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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"]

The Ralls Collection Celebrates 20 Years, 20 Artists
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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"]

Corcoran Ball Artfully Shimmers
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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"]

Night of the Stars
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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"]

White House Correspondents’ Parties, Etc.: D.C.’s Prom Dates
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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"]