Social Scene

Neshan Naltchayan •

The 2015 Citi Open, held at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center at Rock Creek Park from Aug. 3 to Aug. 9, enjoyed glorious weather and offered up enjoyable and memorable matches. It was the 47th edition for the men’s competitions and the fifth edition for the women’s competitions, with Kei Nishikori (Japan) and Sloane Stephens (U.S.A.), winning respectively. [gallery ids="102298,127590,127610,127598,127604,127616" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Magnises — a members-only platform that connects millennials with new people, products and opportunities — launched its concierge app service, Magnises Now, earlier this month. The brand’s founder Billy McFarland made a toast to the application’s launch at an Aug. 6 kick-off party atop the Embassy Row Hotel, a partner venue for Magnises members. The launch came shortly after the D.C. debut of the NYC-based community platform. The personal, text-based concierge app gives Magnises members access to personalized, real-time recommendations and reservations at the best restaurants and nightlife as well as invitations to private engagements and unique experiences around town.

Georgetowner •

Beauty experts in and around Washington, D.C., came to Georgetown Aug. 14 to place their bets on Elaine Espinola Keltz, Mrs. DC America 2015. They claim that she will win the upcoming Mrs. America 2016 pageant, to held Sept. 20-24 in Las Vegas. The “Toast with the Queen,” held at L2, was the official send-off party for Keltz and was hosted by Renee Allen, ABC-News Channel 8 “Women in Business” host, and Souny West, owner of Chic Capitol W Salon. 

Everyone lifted their glasses and toasted Keltz, wishing her the best of luck at Mrs. America — especially the major sponsors, Uzma Ansari, D.D.S., from Lowes Island Dentistry, George Purcell of Military Job Networks, and Ari Taherzadeh, CEO of AET Holdings Corp. A portion of the proceeds of the tonight’s event were given to the non-profit, Vetsports.
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Mary Bird • August 17, 2015

Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown recently held a Sip and Sample event to showcase South Asian wedding designs. The setting was the hotel’s wedding-perfect Colonnade Room. Elaborate South Asian nuptials typically spread over several days. Guests could be decorated with henna and view many different décor choices as they enjoyed specialty cocktails and sampled a wide range of themed hors d’oeuvres prepared by the Fairmont’s culinary team and three local caterers. [gallery ids="102154,132965" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Carol Joynt’s July 16 luncheon at the George Town Club was a sellout as Washingtonians were eager to hear author Wednesday Martin’s back-story on privileged Upper East Side mommies. A thoughtful speaker, she clarified that her background in anthropology had prompted the title, “Primates of Park Avenue,” about the wives of the very rich, who do not escape mockery and anxiety in their one-upmanship lifestyle. The economic dependency of uber-wealthy women is unprecedented in the world of primates. The material status symbols coveted in New York were compared to Washington’s fascination with political clout. Admission to the right nursery school was cited as a first step to “proximity to power.” [gallery ids="102155,132967,132963" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

Acknowledging the hot downtown D.C. real estate market, Washington Fine Properties opened an office on 14th Street, directly across from the popular Le Diplomate Restaurant, and threw a grand-opening party on — appropriately enough — July 14, Bastille Day. Delighted by the turnout, Dana Landry of Washington Fine Properties said, “We were pleased by the interest and warm welcome of our immediate neighbors.” Among those who stopped by were William Washington, general manager of Le Diplomate, with appetizers and pizzas for everyone to enjoy. [gallery ids="102158,132950,132929,132943,132938" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

There was another birthday party in Washington, but for a much younger swinger: the restaurant at the Georgetown waterfront, Malmaison, which turned two years old. The cafe, patisserie and event space opened its wide doors for birthday well-wishers July 23. The ever-charming Popal family, headed by Zubair and Shamim Popal, also owns Cafe Bonaparte on Wisconsin Avenue and Lapis in Adams Morgan.
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Carolyn Landes • August 16, 2015

It was a social crowd – both in nature and by trade – that gathered at Meridian House July 30 for a reception that honored embassy social secretaries for their valuable roles in promoting cultural diplomacy. The evening’s guest of honor, Special Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary, Deesha Dyer, told attendees that first lady Michelle Obama is her “unwavering mentor,” and added, “She inspires me in all I do.” Meridian International Center Director Stuart Holliday presented Dyer with a silk scarf, custom-designed by iconic D.C. jewelry designer Ann Hand. [gallery ids="102282,127753,127748" nav="thumbs"]

Carolyn Landes •

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga dazzled sold-out audiences at the Kennedy Center, July 31 and Aug. 1, concluding their seven-month tour for their jazz album, “Cheek to Cheek.”

“You might be wondering why he’s singing jazz with the girl who wore the meat dress,” Lady Gaga said of her work with Bennett. “I assure you, I’m a much better jazz singer than I am a pop singer.” The duo sang a combination of duets and solo performances, featuring jazz standards that included “But Beautiful” and “The Lady Is A Tramp.” At the end of Saturday’s show, Gaga surprised Bennett with a multi-tiered cake and serenade for his 89th birthday on Aug. 3.

Arts advocates Bennett and his wife Susan Benedetto were awarded George Washington University President’s Medals July 30 at the Corcoran building, home to GW’s Corcoran School of the Arts and Design. The evening also featured a private, one-night-only exhibition of 18 pieces of Bennett’s art. Yes, Lady Gaga showed up for that.
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