Social Scene

Mary Bird • May 19, 2011

Diana Bulger made certain that everything was perfection in the glorious Colonnade at the Fairmont Washington, DC on May 14 as the hotel hosted the eighth Tickled Pink Tea where the prettiest mommies and offspring modeled Lily Pulitzer fashions from Lizanne Jeveret’s Pink Palm Stores to benefit the Make-A Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic. The Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. President and CEO Maura Harty spoke as did this year’s wish child Jacqueline Pastore. WTOP Radio’s Man About Town Bob Madigan lent his traditional charm in introducing the fashion pairs who included Alison Priebe Brooks of Queen Bee Designs and Cynthia McClain Brooks, Andrea and Gabriella Cecchi, TV personalities Lesli and Jordan Foster as well as Angie and Adora Kate Goff, and Eun Yang with Carys Kang. [gallery ids="99721,99722,99723,99724,99725" nav="thumbs"]

Neshan Naltchayan • May 18, 2011

Woodrow Wilson House annual Garden Party on May 11th. [gallery ids="99752,99753,99754" nav="thumbs"]

Jennifer Gray •

The 86th running of the world famous Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase race, Saturday, May 7, 2011 at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia. [gallery ids="99736,99737,99738,99739,99740,99741,99742" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

The City Tavern Club was jumping on May 4 as guests gathered for Pearls of Purpose
supporting Fair Fund and the DC Jewel Girls for a celebration of girl’s empowerment Fair Fund is a DC-based international nonprofit organization that works to combat human trafficking and sexual violence in the lives of youth, especially girls, around the world. Emcee Amber Lyon and special guest Biljana, a Serbian JewelGirl survivor of trafficking, spoke movingly. The evening included live music by Trio Caliente, a silent auction and sale of handcrafted jewelry by FAIR Fund’s DC JewelGirls art therapy and economic empowerment program.
[gallery ids="99709,99710,99711,99712" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Old Angler’s Inn was resplendent on May 5 as over 150 guests gathered for a fashion show luncheon where Julie Palmer, manager of Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner, served as master of ceremonies. Honorary Chair Anita Brikman of WUSA-TV and her enchanting daughter Lily were among the models. Barbara B Accessories and Gifts of Potomac was a participating sponsor of the event which raised more than $7,500 for NRH’s Brain Injury Program. NRH, a private, not-for-profit facility, has been ranked for 16 consecutive years as a top hospital for medical rehabilitation in America. [gallery ids="99705,99706,99707,99708" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Ambassador Pekka Lintu and his wife Laurel Colless welcomed guests to their LEED certified embassy on May 6 to inaugurate the exhibit of Light Works by Finnish multi-faceted sculptor and designer Stefan Lindfors. As they leave for a posting in Greece, the Ambassador termed their over five years in Washington as interesting and enriching. The embassy is a multi-modal building which has hosted many avant guard events. He challenged his guests to decide “where is the line between art and design.” [gallery ids="99700,99701,99702,99703,99704" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

The aptly named luncheon and fashion show held at the Capital Hilton on May 11 supported the work of Suited for Change, now in its 19th year empowering women for success in the workforce and life. Reporter Brianne Carter of ABC7/WJA-TV emceed the program which featured fashions modeled by the organization’s board members and volunteers. Brianne remarked that “a suit can be a powerful means of transformation.” Board President Barbara Camens said over 18,000 women have been assisted with appropriate job interview clothing and workshops teaching women to “survive and thrive.” Denise Greenwood, a former client now with the AFL-CIO, spoke movingly. She was followed by keynote speaker and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Robin Givhan who imparted her thoughts on fashion, noting “fashion camouflages insecurity.” [gallery ids="99693,99694,99695,99696,99697,99698,99699" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Georgetowners treasure their “village” and nowhere is the spirit more prevalent than the greenery that abounds under the watchful eyes of dedicated volunteers of Trees for Georgetown. They plant empty tree boxes and water unstintingly. On May 11, Jill and Rock Tonkel opened their exquisitely landscaped grounds for a tribute as their son frolicked and guests enjoyed fabulous hors d’oeuvres from Susan Gage. To his astonishment, staunch supporter and famed designer Frank Randolph held the winning ticket for a stunning tree box. Betsy Emes thanked the major the major donors, chief among them Casey Trees. [gallery ids="99685,99686,99687,99688,99689,99690,99691,99692" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

The sun shone down on May 12 as guests joined Eivind Bjerke and his son-in-law Hans Kalset to inaugurate their stunningly redecorated hair salon in upper Georgetown in support of Children’s National Medical Center. In acknowledgement, Eivind quipped “I’m happy to see many big wigs tonight.” He gave special thanks to underwriter Amb. Julie Finley and Diana Goldberg, whom he dubbed “the Queen of Children’s Hospital.” Ambassador Strommen of Norway was clearly pleased to honor a Norwegian business east of North Dakota or Minnesota. All proceeds will go to the hospital’s Cancer Medical Care Fund supporting medications that families might otherwise not be able to afford. A former patient, Kate Kiernam, now a junior at Stoneridge, spoke of the wonderful care she had received. It was an elegant evening. [gallery ids="102516,102517,102518,102519,102520,102521,102522,102523" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney • May 16, 2011

After a few preview parties, Sax, the new haughty, naughty restaurant in the old Posh space at 730 11th Street, NW, opens officially on Friday, May 13th. Sax owners Errol Lawrence and Nancy Koida (of Oya and Sei fame) offer a Moulin Rouge fantasy with a glass-enclosed, 20-foot burlesque and cabaret stage atop the main bar with velvet curtains and gold and red colors throughout, as well as a second floor. Oya chef Jonathan Seningen oversees the menu. (Steak tartare on crackers and other finger food were presented by corseted waitresses at the parties.)

But the scandalous murals on politics and religion prompt the most buzz in this nation’s capital. Pictures of what looks like President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky as well as Anita Hill and Justice Clarence Thomas gives one pause, not to mention other phallic-laden images of priests and God himself. Oh, Lord, forgive us our satire if not blasphemy. Publisher Larry Flynt was not at our party. [gallery ids="99674,99675,99676,99677,99678,99679,99680,99681,99682" nav="thumbs"]