Bark Ball: A Canine Cotillion
• August 7, 2015

Fashionable canines pranced into the Washington Hilton on June 20 to celebrate with their humans at the 28th annual Bark Ball, a “black tie gala for the four-on-the floor crowd.” The special guests enjoyed a doggy biscuit bar and ample water stations. They joined their families for dinner where Washington Humane Society President and CEO Lisa LaFontaine introduced one of the adoptables and said, “If she sounds like the puppy for you, get on her dance card tonight.” Established in D.C. in 1870, the WHS provides protection and care to more than 51,000 animals each year. [gallery ids="102136,133228,133240,133246,133252,133236" nav="thumbs"]

Polish National Ballet Debuts in Washington
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Under the sponsorship of the Laurel Fund for the Performing Arts, the Polish National Ballet made its D.C. debut at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater June 23. Elvi Moore, founder and president of the Laurel Fund and former general director of the Washington Ballet, met director Krzysztof Pastor when he was TWB’s resident choreographer. Moore was determined to bring the company to D.C. The program included Pastor’s “Adagio & Scherzo and Moving Rooms.” At a post-performance reception hosted by Polish Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf at the embassy, Moore told the troupe, “You captured the hearts of both New York and Washington dance audiences.” [gallery ids="102137,133221,133213,133224" nav="thumbs"]

Chamber Dance Project Launches Its Season
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The Chamber Dance Project celebrated its 2015 season with an opening night performance at the Lansburgh Theatre June 24. Artistic Director Diane Coburn Bruning founded the company in New York and then moved to D.C., working with local dancers including the Washington Ballet’s Luis Torres, Francesca Dugarte and Morgann Rose. A splendid evening of dance continued as ballet-goers went to Poste at the Hotel Monaco to revel and cheer on the dancers. [gallery ids="102138,133223,133212,133205,133218" nav="thumbs"]

Newsbabes Transformed to News Bash on Roof
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The event, formerly known as Newsbabes, pulled it back to become a bash this year at the Warner Building Rooftop June 16 and benefited Celebremos La Vida, a non-profit with programs on breast and cervical cancer for Hispanic women.
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Fig & Olive Impresses at CityCenter
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On June 26, Fig & Olive extended an olive branch to Washington, D.C., with the public opening of its flagship D.C. outpost at CityCenterDC, the vibrant downtown retail destination. The restaurant embodies a passion for the best olive oils, flavors, and cuisine from the Riviera and coastal regions of the South of France, Italy and Spain. The menu – crafted by executive chef Frederic Guerin – highlights the regions’ unique olive oils, which are individually paired with each dish and used in place of butter.
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Paul Stuart Celebrates Jazz and Its D.C. Opening
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Top-drawer clothier Paul Stuart threw a grand opening party June 2 for its CityCenterDC location, at the corner of 9th and I Streets NW. At almost 10,000 square feet, this store is a two-level plethora of men’s wear elegance. The night started off with delicate hors d’oeuvres and drinks, while D.C.’s elite shopped and socialized. The night proceeded with a Salute to Smithsonian Jazz, which features a reproduction of LeRoy Neiman’s “Big Band” from the museum’s jazz collection.  [gallery ids="102141,133189,133196" nav="thumbs"]

Chefs for Equality Preview Party
• July 27, 2015

The Human Rights Campaign and David Hagedorn chose the recently opened Fig & Olive in CityCenter as the venue to celebrate the launch of Chefs for Equality 2015. National Field Director Marty Rouse praised marriage equality 46 years after the Stonewall uprising. He said, “gay and lesbian couples are dancing together at their wedding, and not in handcuffs.” Hagedorn declared Chefs for Equality officially open. Patrick O’Connell of the Inn at Little Washington, the “Pope of American cuisine,” will offer a special wedding package auction item at the October 20 gala at the Ritz-Carlton. [gallery ids="102156,132956,132958" nav="thumbs"]

D.C. Fav: the Crab Cake Contest
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Talk about your regional favorite here near the Chesapeake Bay: yes, it was the 10th Annual D.C. Crab Cake Competition, held June 28 at the Source by Wolfgang Puck, adjacent to the Newseum, on Pennsylvania Avenue. Competing chefs were Spike Mendelsohn of Bernaise, Danny Lee of Mandu, Chris Clime of PassionFish-Bethesda, Jeff Buben of Vidalia, Andrew Markert of Buechert’s Saloon, Anthony Lombardo of the Hamilton, Joe Palma of Bourbon Steak and Seng Luangrath of Thip Khao. Also, on hand were oysters, beer and wine as well as donations by local restaurants and businesses. Proceeds benefitted culinary internships, scholarships, and American Institute of Wine & Food educational programs. [gallery ids="102157,132951,132947" nav="thumbs"]

‘Ingenue to Icon’ Gala Preview at Hillwood
• July 16, 2015

The current exhibition at Hillwood estate, Museum & Gardens, featuring 70 years of fashion from the collection of Marjorie Merriweather Post, launched June 2 with a celebration of cocktails, exhibition preview and dinner on the Lunar Lawn. Post’s granddaughter and Hillwood’s president emerita ellen Macneille charles, current president nancy Appleby, and executive director Kate Markert spoke. Watching her grandmother dress was “better than any movie,” charles said. This stunner runs through the end of the year and was curated by Howard Vincent Kurtz.
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Pierre Garçon Raises Money for BGCGW
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On June 4, Redskins wide receiver and philanthropist Pierre Garçon hosted his Third Annual All-White clothing charity event, benefiting the Boys and Girls clubs of Greater Washington (BGcGW) at the Millennium Building downtown. A number of Redskins teammates were there and the event raised over $106,000 for the cause.