Social Scene

Robert Devaney • May 4, 2016

The 85th Georgetown House Tour celebrations began with a bang-up Patrons’ Party at Bill Dean’s house April 20. There was a record-breaking crowd — even the Secretary of Homeland Security showed up to check out the scene. (O.K., Jeh Johnson is a neighbor.)

The party — which raised more than $100,000, a record sum, for the social services of St. John’s Church on O Street in Georgetown — is gaining buzz as the place for thirsty Washingtonians to be on the last Wednesday night in April. It wound down too soon, and lingering party-goers simply opted to continue at the George Town Club around 9 p.m.

At Saturday’s house tour, tickets sales neared 1,500, and the afternoon tea was packed in the parish hall of St. John’s Church on O Street. (The morning rain stopped no one.)

The tour displayed 10 houses — three on the west and seven on the east side of town. Observers enjoyed the designs of living rooms, libraries, dining rooms and kitchens. Contemporary art, such as that of Colby Caldwell in the Lacheys’ house on O Street, was examined as readily as that of the Wilkisons’ image of “The Samian Sybil” after Guercino above the mantle in their N Street home.

While all of those who donated the use of their houses for the day are to be commended, we might just give the grand prize to Jane and Timothy Matz. A little more than three weeks ago, the tree in front of their house fell against their roof, hitting the chimney, which collapsed with bricks falling and smashing the car in the driveway. When people showed up at the Matz home on O Street Saturday, everything was fixed for the tour except for a few loose cable wires. Now that’s commitment.
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Robert Devaney •

More or less, it started Thursday at Gloria Dittus’s house with Women & Journalists Awards, the Tinder-Independent Journal Review party at the W, a Dog Tag reception. Friday parties included Voto Latino, Washington Post-Variety-SAG party, Google-HBO, Hill Newspaper-Reuters at the Canadian Embassy. Saturday: Garden Brunch on R Street, Buzzfeed, Reuters, Atlantic-CBS News, the Onion, Vanity Field-Bloomberg — and the main event, POTUS at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton. Sunday included brunches by Thomson-Reuters, CNN and the Allbrittons on Q Street. Which did we — or you — miss? [gallery ids="102227,130412,130456,130439,130433,130420,130425,130444,130449" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Evonne Connolly, Jean-Marie Fernandez and Anna Marie Parisi-Trone hosted a fashion luncheon at Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase on April 20 in anticipation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” a joint production of Imagination Stage and the Washington Ballet. Saks marketing director Kerri Larkin welcomed guests and assistant general manager Amanda Whiting introduced the sporty and feminine fashions. Imagination Stage founder Bonnie Fogel spoke of providing the best of children’s cultural activities. The Washington Ballet artistic director said “working in the theater seems like home.” “Little Mermaid” Justice Icy Moral performed the signature song. [gallery ids="102226,130445,130472,130453,130466,130461" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney • April 22, 2016

“This is groovy,” said Rev. Kevin Gillespie, S.J., pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, at his blessing of the temporary discotheque at Holy Trinity School on 36th Street. At Studio 36 (not 54), the April 9 disco inferno of more than 200 parents — many dressed a la 1970s and ’80s — raised more than $100,000 for the school, with help from auctioneer Martin Gammon. Edward Reno won best male costume; Kerry Myers, best female costume. Thanks to event chairs Teresa Dolan, Melissa Giuffrida and Jennifer Touchette, it was the first major fundraiser on school property in years. [gallery ids="102416,122125,122131,122137,122158,122147,122113,122143,122153,122119" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

Concerts in the Park supporters found their way through Gypsy Sally’s to the Vinyl Lounge down at the Georgetown waterfront April 14 to chill with classic tunes, bar food, beer and the music of singer-guitarist Steve Siekkinen. “More cowbell,“ announced the T-shirt of John Rentzepis, the public safety chair of the Citizens Association of Georgetown. Concerts in the Park is a CAG program — with these summer dates: May 22, June 19 (Fathers’ Day) and July 10. [gallery ids="102415,122163,122172,122168" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • April 20, 2016

Gayela Bynum, chair of the non-profit “We Will Survive Cancer,” was honored at Peacock Café on April 5 by Copa Style Magazine, a digital lifestyle publication. Copa Style publisher Rodney Branche spoke of Bynum,’s support during his mother’s bout with cancer before toasting the honoree. Emcee Renee Starlynn Allen called Bynum a role model. Greg Davis saluted Bynum as “the woman of the 21st century.” [gallery ids="102417,122105" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

In his welcome to more than 500 supporters of the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation at the Ritz-Carlton on 22nd Street April 13, Leonard Lauder said that every penny raised goes directly to research as ADDF seeks to accelerate the discovery of drugs to cure Alzheimer’s disease within our lifetimes. Elise Lefkowitz launched the event to honor her mother Estelle Gelman. Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace emceed. Following Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie’s presentation of Oscar de la Rentas’s Fall 2016 Collection, the Great Ladies Award was presented to honorees Trish and George Vradenburg, co-founders of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. [gallery ids="122156,122149,122161,122165" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Supporters of the National Museum of Women in the Arts were invited to a reception April 7 to preview “She Who Tells a Story: Women Photographers from Iran and the Arab World.” More than 80 photographs and a video presentation probe ideas about personal identity and topical political issues. Museum founder Wilhelmina Holladay hailed the beauty of Muslim artists. Kristen Gersh, who curated the exhibit at the Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, spoke of putting arts and culture before politics and media.

Georgetowner •

Under the patronage of Hungarian Ambassador Réka Szemerkényi, Mary Mochary and Aniko Gaal Schott co-chaired an elegant gala evening April 8 at the embassy, featuring pianist George Li to benefit the nonprofit Young Concert Artists of Washington. For 37 years, the Young Concert Artists Series at the Kennedy Center has presented the Washington debuts of extraordinary young musicians. George Li, in his sophomore year in the Harvard University-New England Conservatory joint program, captured the Silver Medal at the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. [gallery ids="102414,122176,122169,122180" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

“I can’t define what fashion is, but I know when I see it,” said Vice President Joe Biden, after speaking lovingly of his Senate days and Senators George McGovern and Bob Dole. The veep and his son Hunter Biden, board chair of World Food Program USA, presented the McGovern-Dole Leadership Award to designer Michael Kors for his work against hunger and initiatives, such as “Watch Hunger Stop,” at the Organization of American States on 17th Street NW April 12. Raised in Georgetown, actress Olivia Wilde said, “I’m glad to be back in my hometown.” For his part, Kors said he was “awestruck” and “humbled” by the recognition. [gallery ids="102413,122177,122193,122185,122198,122188" nav="thumbs"]