Arts & Society
Light Up the Season at Four Seasons Honors Children’s National Hospital
Arts
Weekend Roundup, Dec. 5-8
Food
Four Seasons, Michael Mina Bring Top Chefs, Food to Wine & Dine
Arts & Society
Weekend Roundup, Nov. 21-24
Arts & Society
The Anchor Fund Celebrates 10 Years
It’s My Birthday, Too — Yeah
April 20, 2011
•Approaching the Ides of March, it seemed so many friends and colleagues were celebrating their birthdays: Victoria Michael of VM Public Relations and Kate Michael, a former Miss D.C. and social media maven, of K Street Kate, Washington’s photographer Neshan Naltchayan, whose photos have appeared in this newspaper and other national media, such as the Washington Post, and Franco Nuschese, who runs the enduringly happening Cafe Milano, where K Street Kate drank champagne for her birthday on March 7. Sorry we missed yours. We trust it was a fun party, too. [gallery ids="102553,120000,119996" nav="thumbs"]
Washington Performing Arts Society Gala
April 6, 2011
•Ambassador of India Meera Shankar and her husband Ajay Shankar served as Honorary Chairs of the WPAS annual auction and gala at the Marriott Wardman Park on Apr. 2. In 2010, WPAS served over 100,000 youth and adults through programs that encourage creativity, talent and appreciation for the arts. Col. Bill Billingsley conducted the live auction. A private concert by Wynton Marsalis raised $60,000 to support WPAS’ artistic initiatives and extensive education programs. Grammy Award-winner Roberta Flack, who once taught music in the DC public school system, was the evening’s headliner.
Washington Galas: From Dolley to the Digital
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First Lady Dolley Madison was one of the first Washingtonians to realize the value – practical, artistic and financial – of a good gala. Her outgoing nature helped her husband, President James Madison, in his public life, and made a lasting impression on America.
The 20th century brought the likes of Evangeline Bruce, Katharine Graham and Pamela Harriman. The younger Sally Quinn remains of that group to discuss social life, manners and offer party advice.
Despite Sen. John McCain’s deriding of “Georgetown cocktail parties,” media coverage of these galas and smaller parties has expanded from the local newspaper to slick luxe publications and websites along with e-mail party bloggers amid ubiquitous digital cameras.
Old faithfuls mix with fresh affairs – preview parties for the Georgetown House Tour and Garden Tour (and even a gala for the re-opening of the Georgetown Safeway); Washington House Correspondents’ Association dinner and its attending parties. Add to that The Kennedy Center Honors, Mark Twain Awards, the Opera Balls, Ambassador Ball and Meridian Ball, to say nothing of inaugural balls and the hipper parties at places like the Newseum (Larry King still reserves the Ritz; Bono can be seen there, too, and at the Irish Embassy). Historic venues from Halcyon House and Dumbarton House to the National Building Museum, the Mellon Auditorium and the Library of Congress are joined by the British Embassy, House of Sweden, Wolf Trap and the National Mall, itself.
A wider range of gala patrons are on the scene, from ambassadors and businessmen to social media mavens and corporations. In the 21st century, crowds are larger, venues bigger, events more elaborate, lists exclusive and fundraising impressive. The point of the party remains the same: good times for good causes. Raise the roof, money and awareness in the nation’s capital. Below you will find a list of The Georgetowner’s most anticipated galas this season.
Gala Guide
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Consultation for the guide by Mary Bird & Robert Devaney
The Radio & Television Correspondents’ Association Dinner
Wednesday, March 30
The annual affair for those in radio and TV. Invitation only.
Reception-6:45 p.m. Dinner-7:45 p.m.
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mt. Vernon Place NW
Washington Performing Arts Society Annual Auction and Gala
Saturday, April 2
6:00 p.m. Cocktails and silent auction; 8:00 p.m. Dinner followed by the featured performance, a live auction and dancing, Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Black tie. Individual tickets $500. Please call 202-293-9325 for more details.
The WPAS Annual Gala raises money for artistic initiatives and extensive educational programs, including the Embassy Adoption Program, Summer Performing Arts Academy, The Capitol Jazz Project and Enriching Experiences for Seniors.
Dinner With Larry King and Friends
Saturday, April 2
To benefit the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, Mary J. Blige
The Ritz Carlton. Time TBA
Kennedy Center Spring Gala
Sunday, April 3
8:30 p.m. Kennedy Center. Reception, performance orchestra seating, dinner on the Center’s Roof Terrace level with a live band and dancing at the ‘Til Midnight Party, $1000. For further information please call (202) 416-8338
Taste of the Nation DC
Monday, April 4
7:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. National Building Museum
Tickets $95
The annual event benefiting Share Our Strength, a national effort to end childhood hunger in America. For more information visit Strength.org/Washington/
N Street Village Gala
Wednesday, April 6
6:30 p.m. Cocktails and Hors D’oeuvres
Entertainment by Tommy Cecil Quartet
7:30 pm Dinner and Program
The annual affair raises money to provide shelter and support for homeless and low-income women in the DC area. For more information call 202-421-3211
The Wellness Community 5th Annual Celebration of Hope Gala
Thursday, April 7
6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Fairfax at Embassy Row. Reception, seated dinner, awards program, raffle and live auction. Cocktail attire. Individual tickets $250. For more information call 301 493-5002.
5th Annual Fashion for Paws Runway Show
Saturday, April 9
8 p.m.-12 a.m. National Building Museum. Benefactor Reception at 7 p.m. Runway show 9:15 p.m.
Standard tickets $95. VIP tickets $200. VIP Table $3,000
The event is a fundraising program of the Washington Humane Society. Named best fashion even of the year by BizBash and Washington Life magazines.
8th Annual Blue Jeans Ball
Sunday, April 10
6:00 p.m.- 10p.m. Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
Tickets $150
The Blue Jeans Ball is a community-wide charitable event that encourages residents in the D.C. area to “come as you are,” learn more about the high prevalence of hunger among our neighbors throughout the metro region, and become part of the solution.
Embassy Chef Challenge
Tuesday, April 12
VIP Reception 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 pm, main event 6:30p.m. – 10 pm. The Ronald Reagan Building and
International Trade Center. Individual tickets $250. For information call 202 638-8363 or visit CulturalTourismDC.org.
Folger Shakespeare Library Gala
Wednesday, April 13
Folger Shakespeare Library Time TBA Tickets $600
The 2011 Folger Gala will pay tribute to Gail Kern Paster, the Library’s Director, who will be retiring at the end of June. For information call 202-675-0377.
National Museum of Women in the Arts Spring Gala
Friday, April 15
6:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. National Museum of Women in the Arts. Individual tickets $600. For more information call Ginny Page, at 202-266-2815 or GPage@nmwa.org. Proceeds from the event support the exhibitions, activities and projects that make the NMWA the leading museum solely dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women in the visual, performing and literary arts.
The 2011 Bachelors and Spinsters Ball
Saturday, April 16
9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. The City Tavern Club. Invitation Only
The evening features live music by the Mustangs and a silent auction to benefit TAPS. For more information visit BachelorsAndSpinsters.com.
56th Annual Corcoran Ball
Friday, April 29
Corcoran Gallery of Art. Cocktails at 7:00 p.m., dinner at 8:15 p.m. Individual tickets $500. Please call (301) 951-3780.
Ball proceeds provide scholarships for the College, underwrite community outreach and education programs and support the Corcoran’s long tradition of bringing outstanding artists and their collections to the museum.
Washington Animal Rescue League’s Rescue Me Gala
Saturday, April 30
8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Union Station. VIP Reception 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Gala 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Black tie optional for dogs and humans. Leashed dogs are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information call 202 375-7746 or visit warl.org.
The 2011 White House Correspondents’ Association Ball
Saturday, April 30
The Washington Hilton. Time TBA. Invitation Only
Hosted by Saturday Night Live’s Seth Meyers
For information call 202-266-7453
Washington National Opera’s Opera Ball
Saturday, May 7
Dinners begin at 7:00 p.m., Ball at 9:30 p.m. Chancery of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. Individual tickets $1000. For more information please contact WNO’s Special Events office at 202 295.2437.
L’Enfant Society Ball on the Mall
Saturday, May 7
6:00 p.m.- 11:30 p.m. The National Mall at Madison Drive and 13th Street
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. VIP Reception and Dinner
Tickets $325 Champagne reception, formal seated dinner, Ball on the Mall
8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Ball on the Mall
Tickets $150 Dancing to live music, dessert buffet, signature cocktails
Ball on the Mall supports the Trust’s efforts to make the National Mall the best park in the world.
For more information call 202-407-9408
The Washington Ballet Rock & Roll Ball
Thursday, May 12
Cocktails 7:00 p.m. Dinner 8:00 p.m. The Embassy of the Russian Federation. Individual tickets $1000. For additional information contact Elizabeth Early, Manager of Special Events & Stewardship at 202 274-4518
Proceeds from the Ball fund programs that reach 800 DC public school children through DanceDC and provide tuition relief for students from Anacostia who attend the remarkable program at THEARC, where more than 300 disadvantaged children are studying ballet.
Washington Humane Society 24th Annual Bark Ball
Saturday, June 4.
VIP Reception 6:30 pm; Reception, Silent Auction, & Doggie Bar 7:00 p.m.; Dinner, Live Auction, & Program 8:00 p.m. Washington Hilton. Individual tickets $250 For more information please call 202 723-5730, ext. 204.
The Bark Ball draws many of the area’s most illustrious residents and their four-legged friends, all in honor of the programs and services of the Washington Humane Society.
Building a Brighter Future
March 25, 2011
•The 2011 Gala for the Catholic Charities Spanish Catholic Center in Washington was held at the Organization of American States on Mar. 19. Franco Nuschese, principal owner of Café Milano, was gala chair and His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, attended. Several awards were presented and live auctions featured three luxury trips to Italy. The evening raised a record $720,000 for the Center which provides more than 43,000 immigrants in DC and Maryland with services that include medical and dental clinics, job training programs and social services. [gallery ids="99214,103496,103494" nav="thumbs"]
Arts Party Advice: Be the Audience
March 22, 2011
•The Georgetowner and Downtowner newspapers held their Spring Arts Preview Part at the Daily Grill in the Georgetown Inn, Feb. 24. Publisher Sonya Bernhardt and marketing director Adra Williams welcomed the friendly crowd. Features editor Gary Tischler, well known and respected in the arts community, touted Washington’s arts scene and reminded everyone that, despite all the digital media in our hands, it is best to experience the arts first hand as a member of the audience. It is an intimacy you cannot simply download. [gallery ids="99616,105079,105100,105096,105092,105084,105088" nav="thumbs"]
Capitol Careaoke
March 16, 2011
•To benefit Childhelp on Feb 22, 2011 [gallery ids="99620,105109,105125,105121,105114,105117" nav="thumbs"]
The Fairmount Celebrates Weddings
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On Mar. 1, The Fairmont Washington, D.C. held its 5th annual Sip & Sample event showcasing wedding and social trends for the season. The Colonnade Room, where over 1000 weddings have taken place, was filled with wedding planners, clients and future brides-to-be. Kelly Jenkins of Capital Decor and Events and Rose Rabin of Party Rentals decorated with gorgeous floral arrangements, unique table settings, creative lighting and new seating options. Hitched provided a bridal fashion show as The Fairmont featured new wedding fare including cakes, menu tastings and cocktails creations. The annual event is the brainchild of the hotel’s Director of Catering Bob Mikolitch. [gallery ids="99619,105104,105111,105108" nav="thumbs"]
Helen Hayes Awards Nominations
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On Feb. 28, the 2011 Helen Hayes Awards Nominations were fittingly announced in the Helen Hayes Gallery at the National Theatre where the actress saw her first play. Chairman of the Board Victor Shargai termed Washington theatre amazing and said that it not only entertains, it transforms. He went on to announce that No Rules Theater Company and Factory 449 would each receive the 2010 John Aniello Award for outstanding emerging theater company. The Folger Theatre’s three productions all received nominations for outstanding resident play. President and CEO Linda Levy Grossman said the organization will be undergoing significant changes in coming months. A Helen Hayes stamp will be official released at the 27th Helen Hayes Awards of Apr. 25. [gallery ids="99618,105094,105110,105106,105099,105103" nav="thumbs"]
Earth, Wind & Fire Honors Duke Ellington School of the Arts
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In preparation for their 40th Anniversary Concert Celebration which raised $500,000 for the Duke Ellington School of the Arts at the Kennedy Center on Feb. 24, the legendary band held a master class at the school the preceding day. For over four decades, Earth, Wind & Fire has captivated audiences through its blend of soul, funk, gospel, blues, rock, and jazz. The concert was the latest installment in the Performance Series of Legends that has featured David Chappelle, Denyce Graves and Stevie Wonder as a revenue source for the school. Founded in l974, Duke Ellington is the only D.C. high school that provides pre-professional arts training and college preparation to more than 500 talented area students and can boast a 98% graduation rate with 95% of its seniors being accepted into colleges, universities and conservatories.
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